Born in Sydney, NS.

Howie MacDonald is a self-employed, full-time musician / entertainer. His lively, Cape Breton style of fiddling has entertained audiences across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Besides being a well-respected musician in his own right, Howie had toured extensively with the Rankins for the past ten years, appearing on all of their recordings, tours, and in their television appearances.

Howie has maintained a solo career with 10 recordings to his credit: Howie MacDonald & His Cape Breton Fiddle (1985), A Taste of Cape Breton (1987), A Few Tunes (1989), Live and Lively (1991), The Ceilidh Trail (1993), the dance last night (1997), Just Relax (1998), WhY2Keilidh (1999), Cape Breton Fiddle Music NOTCALM (2001 ) with Ashley MacIsaac, and Howie's Celtic Brew (2002) live show recording, music and comedy.

Howie also appears on several recordings of Natalie MacMaster's, and is featured on The Bridges of Cape Breton County(s), Cape Breton Connection, The Sounds of Nova Scotia (over 50,000 units sold - June '97), Atlantic Fiddles, and Rosin' the Bow.
Howie has also recorded with J.P. Cormier, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, Dave MacIsaac and many others.

Howie's achievements throughout his busy and diverse career are many. His tune The Westburne Reel was recorded by Leahy in their popular song The Call to Dance and his haunting arrangement of Skye Boat Song (from The Ceilidh Trail) was used in the movie White Squall starring Jeff Bridges.

Howie was honoured with the Roots/Traditional Artist of the Year Award at the 1991 ECMA's and nominated for the following: Canadian Country Music Award (1996), Instrumental Artist of the Year (1997 ECMA), Producer of the Year (1999 Nova Scotia Music Week), Roots/Traditional Artist of the Year (2000 ECMA).

This performer has gained a momentum of respect in the comedy industry as well. Howie carried a dual role of comedic actor / musician in the Cape Breton Summertime Revue in 1997. That same year, Howie landed a mainstage showcase for the East Coast Music Awards in which he again mixed music with zany comedy antics. In February 1999, Howie appeared on Nancy White's Joke Box which was broadcast nationally on CBC; the reviews......MacDonald stole the show.

Most recently, during the past two summers (2000-2001), Howie's Celtic Brew, a comedy and musical revue type show, played to audiences throughout the Maritimes. Howie is about to release a new CD that features comedy and musical tracks from the two year touring show. Summer 2002 found Howie starring in Canadian Loonie in Ontario.