MY STORY

Named by MacLean’s Magazine as one of the Top 100 Canadians to watch in the 21st Century, 5x ECMA, multi-Music PEI Award-winning Richard WOOD has blown away sold-out audiences around the globe with his traditional-born, fiery-brand of Celtic music. Richard has played for Prime Ministers, Senators, Governor Generals, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, princes, princesses, and the Emperor of Japan, but he is most proud to have entertained Canada’s Armed Forces in the North Pole, Bosnia, & TWICE in Afghanistan. 

Richard WOOD’s lucrative 30 year career includes highlights such as touring with musical heavyweights like SHANIA TWAIN and THE CHIEFTAINS, and performing around the world at places like the Lincoln Centre, the Kennedy Centre, and the prestigious CARNEGIE HALL. Wood has appeared on special televised events and programs such as THE TONIGHT SHOW, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, and treasured Canadian programs of days-gone-by like UP HOME TONIGHT and THE RITA MacNEIL SHOW. Richard also performed for a special Canada Day on PARLIAMENT HILL which was nationally televised by CBC in front of a live audience of over 100,000.

His Canadian Folk Music Award-nominated and ECMA award-winning 8th album, UNBROKEN, was mastered by legendary, multi-Grammy Award winning Bob Ludwig from Gateway Studios.

Along with winning countless championships as both a step dancer and fiddler, Richard has also earned the Don Messer Memorial Trophy. TWICE!

One of Prince Edward Island’s best exports and always the proud island ambassador, Richard has brought his highly sought-after, energetic brand of music around the world, touring extensively in Australia, Europe, Asia, and all across North America.

Career Highlights

  • Extensively toured the world: Australia, Europe, Asia, and all across North America 

  • Performed at a special Canada Day celebration, held at Parliament Hill, in front of a live crowd of over 100,000 people, which was also televised nationally.

  • Performed at the Saddledome arena for a live audience of 19,000+, which was also televised throughout North America

  • Appeared on special televised events and programs such as “The David Letterman Show”, “Celtic Electric”, “Good Morning America”, and treasured Canadian programs of days-gone-by like “Up Home Tonight” and “Rita (MacNeill) & Friends”. 

  • Performed for Prime Ministers, Governor Generals, King Charles III, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, William and Kate (the Prince and Princesse of Wales

  • Performed for the Emperor of Japan as a part of a trade mission to Japan representing Canada and celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.

  • Toured the world and performed with A-listers like The Chieftains, Shania Twain, and as a featured performer in “Bowfire”. 

  • Performed for the late Queen Elizabeth II at her Golden Jubilee which was held at the Roy Thomson Hall and televised nationally.

  • Performed at world festivals such as: Tønder (Denmark), the Edmonton Folk Festival, Festival des Traditions du Monde de Sherbrooke, Quimper (France), the Shetland Folk Festival, Folk on the Rocks (Yellowknife), Wezemaal Folk Fest (Belgium), Gosport Folk Fest (England), the Leaf Festival (North Carolina), Celtic Harmonies (Quebec), Celtic Colours (Nova Scotia), Celtic Connections (Scotland), and many more.

  • Richard continues to be a sought-after instructor at music camps and workshops around the world.

  • Entertained our Canadian Armed Forces in the North Pole, Bosnia, and twice in Afghanistan.

  • MacLean’s Magazine named Richard one of the Top 100 Canadians to watch in the 21st Century.

  • In 2021, established an annual fiddle scholarship at the College of Piping in Summerside, PEI.