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Mac was born Dragan Ruzic - Macan in 1960 in Subotica, former Yugoslavia, now Serbia (check out the website of Mac's hometown). He has been playing the guitar since the age of 15. His love for blues and other forms of so called ”roots music” began when he heard the music of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, as well as Doc Watson. Later, he discovered many other blues, folk and country greats.
With the band or alone, Homesick Mac played and toured in Italy, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, performing in clubs or on festivals. In 1995 Mac met the British slide master Sam Mitchell at the Mojo Club in Copenhagen, Denmark. The two hit it off immediately, and were soon sitting in at one anothers gigs, each finding a special chemistry that they rarely experienced with others. When Mafioso Records suggested they document their collaboration, Sam was more than willing and the CD ”TWO LONG FROM HOME” was released in 1996. This was one of Mac's most treasured collaborations since Sam has been one of his favorite slide players from the times when he just started playing the blues. "Two Long From Home" has the Cat No. w120.961 for MAFIOSO RECORDS, distributed by WOLF Records, in the US through AMAZON. Sadly, Sam Mitchell is not with us any more, he died in his Liverpool home only 56 years old. Please read Homesick Mac's official statement about Sam's death at the ISG (International Guitar Seminars) forum. Mac has played with other well known blues artists, including Louisiana Red, John Hammond, Johnnie Mars, Micky Waller. Nowdays he mostly performs in Scandinavia; solo, with fellow guitar man Bo Ericsson, great piano player Mats Bengtsson or with his own band. Homesick Mac has been conducting acoustic guitar workshops since 1995. At the 2002 Guitar Art Festival in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, he joined musical forces with Michael Hill (Michael Hill’s Blues Mob) from New York City in a combined acoustic/electric guitar workshop. In August 2003, Homesick Mac held the slide classes during the European Blues Association’s Blues Week at the University of Exeter in England; and he has been invited to return in the following three years. Please read more about these and other UK workshops at the EBA homepage. The annual Nordic Acoustic Guitar Festival is another project owned together with master luthier Michael Sandén. During it's first two years (2005 & 2006) it featured some of the finest guitarists in Scandinavia. The idea is to give "local" people a chance here, there are other fine festivals out there where the audiences can hear all major international acoustic acts. The festival does feature international artists though, usualy one a year. Selected festival appereances in Scandinavia and rest of Europe: Copenhagen Blues Festival, Romeriket Blues & Roots, Åmål Blues Fest, Guitar Art Festival (Belgrade YU), Sabac Jazz & Blues Festival, Sandnes Blues Festival, Mönsterås Blues Festival, Umeå Blues Festival, Nordic Jazz & Blues Festival, Östersund Blues Festival, DOBRO Fest Trnava...
The late Sam Mitchell ( right ) & Homesick Mac / photo by Göran Persson (1996) The guitars Sam and Mac were playing on the CD "Two Long From Home" were CONTINENTAL Resophonic Guitars made by A.M.I. (Acoustic Musical Instruments) from Germany. You can read more about these great guitars on the AMI homepage .The direct link to Continental guitars is here Homesick Mac is generously and friendly sponsored by HALMÉN MUSIK , a fine music shop in Helsingborg, Sweden
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