Sydney Devine

Sydney Devine (born Cleland, Lanarkshire 1940) is a Scottish singer whose career began with a television appearance in 1953 at the age of thirteen, developed during eight years touring with the White Heather Group. When visiting Hawaii with Andy Stewart's band, he heard the Hawaiian singer Don Ho perform Tiny Bubbles; this became Devine's signature tune and he went on to sell fifteen million albums {verification please}. His record sales were revived in December 2005 when a frothy drink making machine was advertised on television using Don Ho's version of Tiny Bubbles.

Other songs that Devine made his own include The Answer To Everything, Legend In My Time, Crying Time, When You & I Were Young, Maggie and one that was written for him by his good friend Tommy Scott, Scotland Forever.

He is one of "Scotland’s most successful performers" of all time (Evening Times, 17 October 2007), and "Scotland's most successful crooner" who is an "ever-present part of the Scottish entertainment industry," ("Sydney Devine and the jingle that rings a bell with his fans" The Herald, 22 December 2005).

His career began with the Wild Heather group back in the fifties, but it was in 1968 while touring South Africa with Andy Stewart, that a record company boss spotted him and offered him the chance to record two albums. These were subsequently licensed by Emerald records in Ireland and the first one was released in the UK in 1970. It was picked up by a worker in Woolworths, a Mrs. Mary Devine (no relation) and she played it over and over again. The album sold by the boxload. He went on to release a further five albums with Emerald before being signed up by a major label, Philips. He released seven albums with them before signing with Scotdisc in Kilsyth where he has remained ever since. Albums and DVD releases have continued to sell well, not least his two line dancing DVD's released in the late nineties.

The entertainer has sold around 15 million albums (Sydney Devine 2011, Artistes International Management Ltd) - and has recorded and released almost 50 albums, 10 DVDs and more than 20 singles. From late 1974 he hosted a weekly radio show on Radio Clyde called Absolutely Devine and after a few years added a second show called Even More Devine. After leaving Clyde in the early nineties, he broadcast twice a week for West Sound Radio in Ayr. He has had numerous TV specials as well as several appearances on various Hogmanay shows and guesting on shows such as 321, Wogan and Seaside Special. He also hosted his own series, Devine Country, in 1979 with guests such as Stella Parton and Dottsy. In 1977, he was invited to appear in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Royal Variety Performance in Glasgow. In the early eighties he took over as host of the STV Scottish entertainment show, Shindig. In 2014 he celebrated 40 years at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre with three special shows in November.

Over the years he has toured extensively across the UK and Canada building up a large and loyal fanbase. To this day, fans will travel hundreds of miles to watch him perform. Along with his band, Legend, he has packed theatres and halls with his music packed show.

He is a staunch supporter of The Marie Curie Foundation, and makes himself available for shop openings and events connected to them.

In 2010 he was honoured to receive an MBE in honour of his achievements. More recently, he was honoured by the Scottish Music Hall Society with a lifetime achievement reward.

He continues to release albums and also appears annually for a run of shows in Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre. He lives in Ayr with his wife Shirley.

He is sometimes referred to as 'Steak and Kidney'.^[1]

In September 2017 Devine, at the age of 78, announced a nationwide tour, nearly 20 years since his previous tour. The tour subsequently sold out at all venues.^[2]

ALBUMS

1. Your Favourite Country Songs (Emerald - 1970)
2. Country (Emerald - 1973)
3. Encores (Emerald - 1974)
4. Crying Time (Emerald - 1974)
5. The Very Best Of (Emerald - 1975)
6. Absolutely Devine (Emerald - 1975)
7. Live At The City Hall, Glasgow (Emerald - 1975)
8. Live At The City Hall, Glasgow (Pickwick - 1976)
9. Doubly Devine (Philips - 1976)
10. This Song Is Just For You (Sunset - 1976)
11. Devine Time (Philips - 1976)
12. The Collection (Pickwick - 1977)
13. Greatest Hits (Emerald - 1977)
14. Almost Persuaded (Philips - 1977)
15. Nashville Album (Philips - 1978)
16. My World Of Music (Philips - 1979)
17. 20 Golden Greats (Ronco - 1980)
18. 25th Anniversary Album (Philips 1980)
19. The Pride Of Bonnie Scotland (Phonodisc 1980)
20. Heartaches (Philips 1981)
21. Take My Hand, Precious Lord (Emerald - 1982)
22. Favourite Memories Of Mine (Country House - 1983)
23. By Request (Country House - 1984)
24. From Scotland With Love (Scotdisc - 1985)
25. Hits Jackpot (Country House)
26. Always & Forever (Scotdisc)
27. Green Green Grass Of Home (Scotdisc)
28. The Very Best Of (MCA)
29. Norfolk Country (Scotdisc)
30. Crying Time (Homeland)
31. Crying Time (Emporio)
32. 50 Country Winners (Prism)
33. Line Dance Party (Scotdisc)
34. Line Dance Party 2 (Scotdisc)
35. Crying Time (Prism)
36. Simply Devine (Scotdisc)
37. Dance Party (Scotdisc)
38. Big Country Line Dance Party (Scotdisc)
39. 40 Greatest Hits (Emerald)
40. The Best Of (Music Delta)
41. Crying Time (Emerald)
42. You Can Dance (with Tommy Scott) (Scotdisc - 2005)
43. When I Stop Dreaming (Scotdisc - 2006)
44. Line Dance Party (Scotdisc - 2007)
45. Skiffle Country (Scotdisc - 2010)
46. Tiny Bubbles And The Signature Songs (Scotdisc - 2012)
47. Nashville Country (Scotdisc - 2014)
48. Love Songs (Scotdisc - 2015)
49. It Is No Secret (Emerald - 2015)

References

External links

• The Herald - Sydney Devine and the jingle that rings a bell with his fans (The Herald).
• Black & White Publishing - Simply Devine autobiography.
• Scotdisc - artiste catalogue