Mr. Bruce Guthro

Cape Breton University is delighted to honour and celebrate a man who has delighted and entertained the world through his gift and passion of music and song, and who has always carried his strong Cape Breton roots with him, Mr. Bruce Guthro.

Mr. Bruce Guthro was born and raised in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, the seventh of nine children. Shortly after graduating from, Bruce went to work in the hard rock mines of Northern Saskatchewan before returning home to pursue his passion for music and song-writing. Working to hold down various jobs while honing his musical skills, he learned the importance of diligence, endurance, commitment, and perseverance. When the moment arrived to take music on full-time, he transcended through his hands and heart, the stories and life lessons he had experienced through the years.

In 1998 he caught the attention of EMI Music Canada and was signed to his first international record deal.

While riding on the success of a Canadian gold record and #1 single, he was approached by the wildly successful Scottish Celtic Rock legends, Runrig, and offered the position of the lead singer.  Bruce found himself 20 years later with countless awards and gold and platinum recordings from around the world. He was honoured with nine East Coast Music Awards, three Canadian Radio Music Awards, SOCAN #1 Songwriter Award, and host of the CBC Gemini award-winning ‘Songwriter’s Circle’ and has sold well over 1 million records worldwide.

Bruce currently lives in Halifax with his wife Kim, a teacher, also from Sydney Mines.  Their children, Dylan and Jodi, are following in their dad’s footsteps and are also proud to be part of the Nova Scotia music community.

Today, Cape Breton University confers the degree Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, on a world-renowned troubadour and story-teller, who like so many Cape Breton artists before him, has a unique ability to connect with people and captivate and inspire audiences through music and song, Mr. Bruce Guthro.