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Alberta Feature Artists of 2010
Shane Yellowbird
I just a few years Shane has gone from quietly pursuing a Fine Arts Degree to one of country music's brightest country prospects.
Shane is still a shy and quiet person off the stage and still finds all the attention a little uncomfortable.
It has been like that since the release of his debut album in Canada "Life is Calling My Name" creating quite a stirr. He's had a hot selling record, four consecutive Top 10 Canadian radio and video hits, a number of major awards and nominations, including the coveted CCMA award for Rising Star of the Year, The Best Country Recording award at the Native American Music Awards (for North America) and the Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year award at the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards (for North America)
On November 20, 2009, Yellowbird will release his sophomore album, "It's About Time" and will make his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry Stage in Nashville. The performance will also mark Yellowbird's entrance to the US market, with plans to release his music and videos in America in 2010.
Shane grew up in Hobbema Alberta and is very proud of his country roots and still breaks horses and competes in calf roping whenever he can. But given the exceptional fan response to his music, his future seems destined to deliver more outstanding country music on both sides of the border. www.shaneyellowbird.com
Geoff McMaster
As you know i like all kinds of music and at the Winter Folk Fest I discovered this fellow... wow Awesome Blues player.
Geoff finds solace in music after spending days writing news stories and producing video features for the University of Alberta's Office of Public Affairs. He is a former volunteer Artist on the Ward at the U of A Hospital, playing guitar and singing for patients at their bedside, and has been a regular performer/ fundraiser for Words Worth a summer camp for young writers, operated by the Young Alberta Book Society. He has performed music for local charitable, arts and educational organizations. A newcomer to the Uptown Folk Club this is Geoff's first appearance at Winterfest.
Duane Steele
Duane is among Canada's top country recording artists and song writers with a professional career dating back to 1984. In 2001 he won the CCMA Independent Male Vocalist of the year award. Duanes pure voice and natural stage presence makes his live shows a must see. Fans relate to his lyrics and song writing style.
When he is not touring or working on his own projects he is often writing with other artists. Production has been a natural progression and he looks forward to working in this area while continuing his own solo career. www.duanesteele.com
Tim Hus
Tim has a voice sweeter than a Husqvarna chainsaw, a wit that is sharper than rusty barb wire, and a list of songs longer than a Saskatchewan fence line! Following his acclaimed CD Huskies and Husqvarnas, comes the highly anticipated fourth album (his first for Stony Plain Records) Bush Pilot Buckaroo, joining Corb Lund and legendary Ian Tyson on the label. Hus comes at his audience like a runaway rig, while firing off image laden lyrics with intensity of a western gunslinger. The Alberta based singer with the black hat and easygoing personality is a captivating performer who easily draws listeners into the settings of his storytelling country roots music. Tim's distinctive songwriting and spirited performances by the members of his dynamic band stand as a cornerstone of authentic Canadiana!!
The Command Sisters
Charlotte & Sarah are two sisters that share a deep love for music and performing. Their musical journey started in 2005 when someone overheard them practicing for a homeschooling concert and asked them to perform at a Women's Conference. The girls have grown immensely since then, now accompanying themselves on guitar, keyboard, mandolin and fiddle as well as performing all original material. Charlotte is the writer of the duo. She is already on her way to mastering the craft of songwriting, weaving lyric and music with a sophistication that is way beyond her 14 years. When the two girls get up on stage, Sarah (11) is definately the little firecracker. Constantly dancing and moving her feet, Sarah has the audience wrapped around her finger with her expressive and bubbly personality. Both sisters love to harmonize together and both play guitar, mandolin, pianoand violin. Since their start in 2005, Charlotte and Sarah have been busy performing at many different venues and events such as Big Valley Jamboree's Family Stage, The Royal Alberta Museum, Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering, the Caritas Foundation, Night of Artisdts, Homefest, CFRN's annual Silver Bells Tea, Festival of Treeswith Carrie Doll, multiple rodeos, fundraisers, festivals, private functions, and senior events. Charlotte and Sarah have also been asked to be part of U-22 Productions. U22 was developed by founder and creator, CKUA's Rhea March and exista to create credible performance opportunities for Canada's most exceptionally talented and promising young musicians under the age of 22. This year Charlotte and Sarah were thrilled to be included in the Vancouver Island Folk Fest. As well the girls represented Canada at Disneyland's Southwest Homeschool Conference: one of only 20 acts! They look forward to ringing in the New Year on the CBC Main Stage as well. When they aren't singing they are busy writing poetry, songs and plays for anyone who will listen.
LLOYD DOLEN AND DOUBLE DIAMOND
Lloyd Dolen is a third generation western cowboy entertainer. He is the voice of Double Diamond. His first love is for "The Cowboy Way" which shows in the traditional cowboy songs he sings and the way he lives his life. Lloyd started down his musical trail in 2003 as a singer songwriter, performing traditional Cowboy songs throught Western Canada. He is an accomplished guitar player and his rhythm draws the listner into a vision of the cowboy world.
Jim Peace is a multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter and adds color to the Double Diamond sound. He has been playing guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica for years. He has been playing music with various groups in the Calgary area for over 20 years. Besides playing music, which promotes western heritage; Jims other passion is riding horses, whether chasing cows or trail riding in the mountains.
Graham Allen Graham's bass provides the heartbeat of Double Diamond. his early years were spent on farms and ranches helping herd and brand cattle. He also worked horses in preparation for the rodeo season. In the evening, his family listened to old time western music. In these past few years, playing western music has brought Graham back to his western roots.
Their new CD "Songs of Sweat and Leather" was released in November of 2008. The CD contains these great songs:
Ridin'- Don Edwards, Charles Badger Clark
Songs of Sweat and Leather- Glen Rafuse, Lloyd Dolen
Grandpa's Barn- Rich o'Brian, norman Blake
Chopo- Jack Thorpe
Will James- Ian Tyson
Longhorn Legends- Buddy Gale, Lloyd Dolen
Utah Carroll- Traditional
He Taught Me- Lloyd Dolen
Trail Rider- Buddy Gale, Lloyd Dolen
The Railroad Corral- Traditional
More To A Cowboy Than Ride- Buddy Gale, Lloyd Dolen
I'm Sleeping In My Leggin's Tonight- Red Steagall, Fletcher Jowers
Buckin' Horse Rider- Corb Lund
Born To Ride the West- Diamond Doug Keith, Lloyd Dolen
These talented Western Performers have been feature acts from Manitoba Rodeo Finals to the Calgary Stampede and the Kamloops Cowboy Festival in BC.
Call Lloyd at 403-581-0638 for bookings, Jim at 403-239-4646, or Graham at 403-239-3399. They are incredible performers and your event will succeed because of their professionalism.. www.doublediamondband.com
Jackson Mackenzie and Jessi Jo Charles
After 21/2 years of performing solo Jackson met Jessi Jo Charles and things changed dramatically. Jessi had that classic country sound and serious country roots. Jackson and Jessi were soon singing duets and performing 15-20 times a month. They decided to record in 2001 releasing their first Cd/Cassette on October 29/01 called "Is That Your Heart Talkin'", a collection of old favourites plus two cuts that Jackson wrote including the title track. By early 2002 they were sponsoring 24 children through 3 organizations, Childrens International, CHER Canada, and Metro Ministries. Disadvantaged children have become their passion, country music their love.
Their second CD/Cassette, titled "Dance Me To The Moon" consists of 14 songs written by Jackson, plus his version of the old Hank Williams song "Ypur Cheatin' Heart". A country/bluegrass gospel & inspirational CD followed called "Inspired", and in 2008 two more named "Country Stew" and "Country StewToo". Proceeds from these and event fees have since 2007, annually sponsored 100 Ugandan orphans to attend school through a Canadian Charity called FACE (Free African Children through Education) In 2008 proceeds paid for a water well to be drilled in Malawi Africa village by the Stony Plain Alberta charity "Water for Life In Africa".
Frequently played on CIHS Radio Wetaskiwin, Ab. where they first hit the airwaves, Jackson and Jessi's music is available on numerous Canadian stations. They have also been heard on 24 southern U.S. stations from Florida to Texas affiliated with CIHS Radio. And they continue to be available to you for events of all kinds and sizes. Jackson solos when Jessi is unavailable or he teams up with friends who play and /or sing. He was a feature performer on the 2006 Alberta's Men of Country Music show when singer /songwriter/actor Tom Jackson received the AMOCM Lifetime Achievement Award. Jackson has been invited again to perform at the 2009 Alberta's Men and Women of Country Music show at the Hoadley Hall on May 9th at 1-9pm. Jessi was also a feature performer at the show as well. To contact Jackson or email him at jacksonmackenzie@airsurfer.ca also check out his web page to see what events he is putting on and where they will be performing www.remembermyshow.com .
For info on the Alberta's Men and Women of Country Music show and tickets to see Jackson check out the info in this web site.
NOTE:Jessi is now playing with the Woodbend Bluegrass Band go to their web site www.woodbendbluegrass.com to see what she is up to these days.
TWISTED PICKERS
Steve Gosse and Brian parsons (sometimes with Murray Schnieder, Audry and Roy Stewart, Shane Chishold and Paul Hann)
The Twisted Pickers rely heavily on their classic folf, country and bluegrass music and lyrics backgrounds to produce many of their quirky tunes. Their trademark is the unique manner in which they involve other musicians in their performances, usually unrehearsed fashion. They make a point of getting their audiences involved in their on and off stage antics. They usually have three very close "six string" friends Martin Gibson, and Taylor whom they "pick to accompany them at all their gigs... Their first CD called "Twisting Outside The Box" was released in 1999 by "Loving Son Productions" They are featured on the compilation CD from the Uptown Folk Club made in 2008.
Call Steve for bookings 780-436-1554.
Jan and Jim Baker
Singer/songwriter; Roots based w/influences of Jazz, Blues, Country & light rock. Jan's long awaited debut CD "In Good Time" was released in 2007. Jan's recent accolades include being named Toronto Exclusive Magazine's 2007 Canadian Female Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year, and she is currently a quarterly winner in Mike Pinder's (of Moody Blue) Songwars International Songwriting Competition. Her songwriting has also been acknowledged in various other competitions including Billboard Magazine. "A voice that can make a room full of conversation stop, turn and listen." Jan usually performs with her husband Jim on guitar, and sometimes accomplished guitarist and singer songwriter Gord Maththews will join them.
Check out Jan's web site www.janbaker.ca
Gord Matthews
Edmonton based singer/songwriter/musician Gord is much in demand. As a veteranguitarist, sideman & session player Gord Matthews has been part of the Alberta music scene since the early eighty's. He is currently promoting his first solo recording "The Third Best Thing" released in April 2006 on Fontana North/Universal Canada through Icon Records. Although just retired as a member of Ian Tyson's accoustic trio... his main gig for the last eight years, Gord has established himself as a songwriter and solo performer.
The last 10 years have been largely infulenced by the sonic landscapes of Bill Frisell and craftmanship of Ian Tyson.
Gord has emerged in his own right as an arranger and has played and sung on Tyson's last three albums. His goal as far as his original music is concerened is to be entertaining, thought provoking and musically pleasing. He is currently working on his next CD. www.gordmatthews.com for contact info.
Shane Chisholm
Shane Chishol's country crooning can be dated back to a time when his mother put him on stage with his two siblings singing Country Classics in three part harmony where Shane commanded the bass lines with his deep and rich two year old voice "I just always had a low voice" says Shane.
Shane has become a road warrior, touring Canada with his own band as well as bassist and backup singer for many of Canada's biggest stars like Aaron Lines, Matt Minglewood, George Canyon, Lisa Brokop, Aaron Pritchett, Julian Austin, Prairie Oyster, and Beverly Mahood. Shane has also been nominated CCMA Bass player of the year 2003, 2004 and 2007. Contact Shane through his web site www.shanechisholm.com, www.myspace.com/shanechisholm
Cort Delano- Calgary Ab.
The Calgary based songwriter and poet Cort Delano sings about homegrown experiences, taking a roots approach to music. Cort forges a new generation of songs, reflecting the folks, their histories and the places that he's journeyed.
2007 proved to be a year full of journeys with over 100 performances and the completion of his first Canadian coast to coast tour Victoria to St.Johns. in March 2008 he participated in making Calgary a "music town" performing 30 shows in 30 days. Often compared to Woody or Arlo Guthrie, somewhere between Corb Lund and Bob Dylan his engaging presence and ease on stage comes across so natural, the audience can just sink into his lively story telling performances.
Cort has the ability to create songs from a cellular level, he digs deep, finds the soul of the song and creates the interpretation. "Patches" will bring you to tears. "Clamshell Mainstage", a song about the South Country Fair, won 3rd place in the Calgary Folk Fest Songwriting Competition in 2006. While "Jughound", a song about "oil country" placed 2nd in 2007 both in the Best Song for Alberta Category.
Cort's the real thing, an original. He performs roots songs in a roots style without anything to hide behind or lean on and he's picking up where the revival left off. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of his CD and over a cup of coffee listen to the music read the lyrics and you too will think back to a time in the 60's when answers could be heard, "Blowin' in the Wind".
Contact Cort at cortmusic@gmail.com or www.sonicbids.com/cortdelano or call 1-403-243-4361
Darrel De La Ronde and Saskia-- Saskatechewan
For those who don't know Darrel and Saskia they are a Canadian musical duo who sing and play contemporary and original folk songs. Alternatively their music has been ladeled as: Country, Alt-Country, Canadiana, Folk-Rock, Folk-Roots, GospelPop and a little Bluegrass thrown in for good measure. The truth is their designation is "Prairie Folk" That's what they play. That's who they are. They share prairie ancestry of Saskatechewan Metis and solid Dutch farm stock. Today they are singers, songwriters, and musicians with long time careers as professionals- working festivals, concerts, dance halls, pubs, cafes, weddings, parties and conventions.
Darrel is a veteran performer and sought after studio musician, whose debut album Family Tree features guest appearances by Darby mills and Daniel Powter.
Saskia has shared the stage with such notaboles as Valdy, Ian Tyson, Roy Forbes and more. While touring throught Europe, Western Canada, the USA and Mexico she turned out four albums "Back In Time", (with her band Deja vu), "Lady Luck, Saskia" and the highly acclaimed "Christmas Dream", a fundraiser for BC and Canadian Food Banks.
Together they follow their hearts and dreams with out delightful new album called "Laura's Kitchen". For your listening pleasurte they cooked up an enticing batch of songs with help of our friends, Ken Hamm, Gary Fjellgaard, Nathan Tinkham, Allison Humphries, Jordan Stringer, Jerry Paquette and Nolan Murray (Tiller's Folly). Guaranteed FAT FREE!!
They received the 2008 SCMA Nomination for Album of the Year (Laura's Kitchen) Aboriginal Artist of the Year (Darrel De La Ronde)
Contact them at 306-389-2110 or on the road 780-514-5262 or email saskia@sasktel.net www.saskia.ca
John Wort Hannam- High River, Ab.
From the Canadians prairies in southern Alberta comes on of Canada's most promising new song writers. John is known for his unique take on the simple day to day dramas of the common man through songs that map the landscapes of both the human heart and this vast country of ours. He is a born story teller with a keen eye for the quirky. He is a humble and engaging performer with lyrics that create stories behind the songs he sings.
John received two 2007 WCMA nominations, he was named a 2007 New Folk Winner at the Kerrville Texas New Folk Songwriting Competition. John won 1st prize for Best Song at the 2007 Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriting Competition and award John also won in 2004 as well as the "Best Performance Award" in 2006
He has been nominated for many Canadian Folk Music Awards and he took home the 2005 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Edmonton Folk Music festival. Recently Guy Clark invited John to his Nashville home to spend a few days co-writing.
John was a full time teacher until 2000. Shortly after he began his dream of being a full time working musician. He released his first CD in 2004 "Pocket Full of Holes" followed by Dynamite and Dozers" in 2004 and "Two Bit Suit" in 2007.
John has toured across Canada, U.S.A. and Australia, performing at festivals, concerts and private functions.
John is currently touring and writing songs for his fourth recording.. Check out John's web site www.johnworthannam.com His contact info is on the site... I have been to one of his concerts and he is awesome!!
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