UWS To Award Ricky Ross With Honorary Doctorate
University Of West Scotland 25th November 2015

Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue fame is going to receive an Honorary Doctorate from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) at its graduation ceremony on Tuesday 1 December 2015 at Ayr Town Hall.

Ricky Ross formed Deacon Blue in Glasgow in 1985 and they have gone on to become one of the country’s most famous and successful bands. From debut album Raintown and its follow-up, the chart-topping When The World Knows Your Name, through to 2014’s A New House, Deacon Blue are consistently one of the most respected and best loved bands of their generation.

During the band’s down time Ricky has established himself as a solo artist and songwriter releasing six solo albums and writing for or with artists including James Blunt, Ronan Keating, Jamie Cullum and Nanci Griffith among many others.

He also has a successful broadcasting career presenting Sunday Morning With and Another Country, his BBC Scotland radio show which has won two Sony awards. In 2014 he was the proud recipient of the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award. Over the years Ricky has been involved in making music for theatre and he recently wrote the music for The Choir at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre. In addition Ricky has close ties with UWS and frequently delivers workshops and seminars to UWS creative media students, who benefit significantly from his advice, expertise and experience.

Ricky said: “I am very honoured to receive this Doctorate. I’m proud to be part of a great community of songwriters and I hope this reminds everyone that all songs we hear start as a passing thought but can end up being a huge emotional prop to people’s lives. To still receive the passing thought now and again is what keeps me excited. I hope this award means songwriting is even more respected and cherished than ever.”

Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of University of the West of Scotland, said: “Ricky has made, and continues to make, a hugely important contribution to Scottish culture and is an extremely deserving recipient of this award. He regularly delivers presentations to our creative media students, highlighting his commitment to giving something back to the next generation of songwriters and performers. He is an excellent role model for our students and we are truly delighted to be able to award him with an Honorary Doctorate.”