Bjøro Haaland

Merit of Distinction Award in the Performing Arts
1997 HONOREE

As the top-selling recording artist in his native Norway, Bjøro Håland has earned the title “Scandinavian King of Country Music.” He might also be aptly termed “Scandinavian King of Høstfest,” with 12 festival appearances to his credit. Audiences demand the charismatic singer’s return year after year.

Håland was born in 1943 at Håland in Grindheim, Vest-Agder, Norway. During time out from work on his father’s farm, he taught himself to play guitar and had his first job as a singer at age 15. He formed his first band, Anilneks, in 1968 and since then has performed and toured extensively, singing in both English and Norwegian. Several of his 15 albums have earned silver, gold, diamond and platinum status, and he has twice been named “European Top Country Male Vocalist of the Year.”

In recent years, “The Norwegian Country Gentleman” (as he is also known) and his wife, Liv, have been unofficial hosts for Høstfest tour groups visiting Norway. The role has served to strengthen the already secure bond of friendship between artist and festival.

The Hålands have two children (their son, Arne, is a drummer for the band) and live in Kristiansand, Norway.