WRAL-TV Anchor Shares His Musical Side

WRAL-TV Anchor Shares His Musical Side

WRAL-TV Anchor Bill Leslie does more than get up before roosters to broadcast the morning news to Triangle residents. Leslie has just produced a new CD entitled “Grace In Stone,” a collection of all original and mostly instrumental Celtic tunes.

Leslie created the album as part of a trio Bragh Adair (Gaelic for “blazing fire"), with the husband and wife team Kerry Johnson, pianist, and Mary Johnson, violinist. Leslie plays guitar, keyboards and whistles, and even does some vocals.

Bill Leslie
WRAL-TV Anchor

Leslie wrote eight of the 13 songs on the album and co-wrote another. He found much of his inspiration in his home state of North Carolina, writing “Passing Storm” about Hurricane Dennis and “Mitchell’s Lament” about his sadness about the destructive forces of acid rain and ozone in their effects on Mount Mitchell.

One driving force in his Leslie’s having the courage to complete the CD was his former roommate and new age musician John Tesh. Leslie said, “He pushed and he nudged me. John was the impetus.”

Leslie has a Scottish heritage and fell in love with whistles on trip to Scotland 15 years ago. He built a studio in the attic of his home in Cary and worked on his music. The work definately paid off, as internationally-acclaimed flautist Brian Dunning of Ireland describes “Grace in Stone” as “Absolutely fabulous!”

To give the Triangle a chance to see Leslie live in action, Bragh Adair will be in concert at 8:00pm on Friday, Sept. 22 at Cary Academy. Call 858-9381 or 362-1028 for tickets ($8 for adults, $5 for children).

“Grace In Stone” is available via mail or online. Via mail, send check for $18.50 to Bragh Adair, 3117 White Dove Court, Raleigh, NC 27606. Orders can be placed online through WRAL OnLine. The title track can be sampled on WRAL OnLine as well.