Performers 2013

Amanda Bon and the Outskirts

www.amandabon.com

Amanda Bon and the Outskirts

Amanda Bon formed her band in 2010 with the goal of recording and releasing the best of her songwriting up until that point. She assembled some of Ottawa’s most seasoned and talented players to complete her vision and in September 2011 they released their debut album, ‘Juniper Weekends’. Since then they have been playing regularly in and around town, steadily building a loyal fan base and gaining attention from local media.

Each member of the band (Danny Artuso, guitars, pedal steel; Ken Kanwisher, bass, accordion; Gilles Leclerc, mandolin, guitar) brings a personal touch to the overall sound and together they form a tight unit with palpable ‘good vibe’ on stage. Whether you want a chorus you can tap your foot to, jaw dropping instrumentals, strong lyrical content or catchy melodies, you’ll like this band. They keep the arrangements clean, their voices blend beautifully and each player’s talents are used to serve the song…because after all, the song still comes first.

Amanda Rheaume

www.amandarheaume.com

Amanda Rheaume

If Amanda Rheaume’s full-length debut album sounds a little too, well, good, for the work of a brand new artist, it might be because she’s really not that new.

Métis singer/songwriter Rheaume is a powerful vocalist with just a touch of grit and an instantly-accessible roots-pop-Americana sound.

A $40,000 winner in Live 88.5’s 2008 Big Money Shot competition, Rheaume is not only a regular at local festivals and joints like the Rainbow Bistro, she has also distinguished herself as one of the city’s, if not the country’s, most selflessly giving musicians. She organizes Ottawa’s Bluebird North songwriter showcases, she participated in the Babes for Breasts tour to raise money for breast cancer, she recorded a charity Christmas EP for Boys and Girls club of Ottawa – selling 6500 copies just in Ottawa, she donated a dollar from each album sold during her last tour to a fund for the families of military personnel, and she’s even performed for the troops in Afghanistan…twice.

Now, having paid her dues as a grassroots musician-in-the-community, and having cleverly taken her time to develop and refine her sound, Rheaume is ready to showcase her talents to a wider audience with Light of Another Day…a collection of catchy, country-tinged tracks, notable at times for their airy upbeatness and at others for their goose bump-inducing tenderness.

Much of the inspiration for the album comes precisely from the day-to-day struggles of the developing artist – the automobile breakdowns at the side of the highway, the uninspiring day jobs that help pay the bills, and, of course, the budding romances that die from too much distance. Standout tracks include “Better Days Ahead,” a celebratory ode to Rheaume’s musical friends, whose camaraderie helps her survive “in the trenches.” There’s also “Shadows of the Past,” an achingly plaintive piece about getting past self-doubt, “Be Your Enemy,” a freewheeling folk-rocker about trying to salvage a friendship from the remains of a relationship, and “There You Go Again,” a heartbreaking lament for a lost love. The album was produced by drummer Ross Murray and features Maple Blues Award-winning harmonica-player Steve Marriner of Monkey Junk on both harp and bass.

Raised in the capital, Amanda Rheaume began writing songs at 15, inspired by the second-generation “girls with guitars” like Ani DiFranco and Alanis Morissette. A year later, Sarah McLachlan and the Indigo Girls invited Rheaume to perform with them at Lilith Fair at the Molson Amphitheatre, where Rheaume had been hanging out backstage with her production coordinator aunt, Jocelyn Rheaume. Rheaume says that’s when the music business bug bit her, and Lilith’s spirit of musical community has never left her either.

Though most non-Ottawans have never heard of her, Rheaume has endeared herself to an enormous network of Canadian artists she now considers friends, including well-known names like Chantal Kraviazuk and Holly McNarland, the latter of whom cowrite “Kiss Me Back” for Rheaume’s latest CD.

Now with the release of Light of Another Day, non-musicians will finally have a chance to discover what those other artists have known for some time: that Rheaume is an instantly-likeable artist both on and off the stage and one whose got the voice, the sound and the songwriting chops to share stages with the best.

Ana Miura

www.anamiura.com || www.babes4breasts.com

Ana Miura

Ana Miura musically warms the hearts of the audiences she encounters. With three albums and international touring under her belt, her proudest music-related accomplishment is the community that has built around Babes4Breasts.

Ana Miura’s third album The Kindness of Years marks a new chapter of musical growth for this Ottawa based singer/songwriter. Doors continue to open wide for Ana since performing alongside the likes of Bruce Cockburn, Steven Page (former Barenaked Ladies) and Joel Plaskett. She has performed internationally, singing in English and Japanese, but considers her greatest achievement the creation of Babes4Breasts, a National breast cancer benefit concert. The “Babes” tours have raised tens of thousands of dollars for a variety of breast cancer related charities. In September 2012, B4B released their second compilation album featuring 16 of the best and brightest Canadian singer/songwriters including one amazing song written by B4B with a group of cancer survivors and a music therapist called “My Now is Here”. The generosity of others never ceases to humble Ana.

In April of 2012, Founder Ana Miura was informed she was selected to received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (www.gg.ca/diamondjubilee) in recognition of her contributions to her community through Babes4Breasts. She was presented with the medal in June of 2012 to share with all of the amazing people who have helped Babes4Breasts along the way, from those who buy tickets, to those who work behind the scenes, to sponsors and charities; to friends and family. Says Miura, “Community means many people working together to do better for the place we live and without your generosity and kindness, this would not be possible. I hope to live up to all of the other amazing recipients of this award – what an incredible country we live in.”

Andy Rush

Andy Rush

Who is Andy Rush?
Andy began this musical life in high school as a casual folk guitarist and singer. Through most of his 20’s Andy made his living as an artisan goldsmith, performing folk music in restaurants and clubs on some weekends. Andy then studied music education at Queen’s University and began teaching high school choral, band and guitar music in 1986. Andy used this teaching experience as he started leading impromptu choral groups at folk festivals and at weekend workshops. Andy has just retired from his high school career, but continues as the founder and artistic director of the 110 voice Open Voices Community Choir of Kingston, and as an instructor and practice teaching supervisor at the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University. Andy is famous for creating ‘instant’ choirs, picking great repertoire and arranging on the fly to meet the needs and interests of his singers.

Contact: [email protected] 613-542-6992

Big Soul Project

Community Gospel Choir & Band
www.bigsoulproject.com

Big Soul Project

Big Soul Project is looking forward to bringing its joyful music and big sound to the 2013 Grassroots Festival on April 28th.

Big Soul Project (BSP) along with its talented band, “Deep Groove” entertain and inspire audiences with its joyful energy, and bring songs of peace, hope and joy to audiences around the Ottawa area.

Roxanne Goodman has been BSP’s Music Director for more than five years.  In addition to her passion for music as an expression of community empowerment and inspiration, Roxanne brings a wealth of experience as an accomplished vocalist, composer and pianist.

Under Roxanne’s talented direction, Big Soul Project performs music from many genres: gospel, R&B, rock, Motown, reggae, pop, blues. Past performances include Bluesfest, Westfest, CBC and the Black Sheep Inn, to name just a few.  BSP has supported many fundraisers in the area, including the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign,  Immigrant Women Services Ottawa and Wakefield’s new Community Centre.  Last October the choir experienced the thrill of taking the stage at Scotiabank Place, joining the one and only Barbra Streisand to sing in her finale.

Big Soul Project is proof that music, like a choir, is more than the sum of its parts!

Chris White

Find Chris White on LinkedIn

Chris White

If you don’t know Chris White, then you just moved to Canada…or have just discovered folk music! Chris has been a moving force in the local, regional and national folk music scene for over 25 years. Currently the Community Liaison and Volunteer Support person at CKCU FM 93.1, Chris was artistic director of the Ottawa Folk Festival from 1993 until October 2009.

Concession 23

Concession 23 [kuhn-sesh-uhn] – noun.
1 to concede; agree; work together + 23 (the number of strings from a guitar, banjo, bass and mandolin).
2 a bluegrass band from the Ottawa Valley.

Copncession 23 having fun – click to enlarge

The band’s musical strength lies in its teamwork, its energetic playing style, and in the relaxed relationship it establishes with its audiences. The band is Jonathan Ferrabee (acoustic bass/vocals); Kevin Golka (mandolin/vocals); Sherry Philp (banjo/vocals); and Nick Strachan (guitar/vocals).

Concession 23 has been nominated in almost all categories at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. After winning female vocalist of the year for five consecutive years, Sherry is now retired from the category.

Concession 23 has two full-length recordings, both nominated as “Recording of the Year” and is preparing for a third to be released in 2014. Selections from the recordings are played at radio stations across Canada and internationally.

Ed Lawrence

www.gardeningwithed.com

Ed Lawrence

Recently retired after 30 years of outstanding achievement in the field of Canadian horticulture, Ed Lawrence’s tenure as Chief Horticultural Specialist to six consecutive Governors General spanned a period of vice-regal history dating from Jules Leger in the 1970s to Adrienne Clarkson in 2005. In his capacity as head gardener, Ed’s responsibilities included not only the oversight of the 85 acre historic grounds and greenhouses of Rideau Hall, but of all six official residences under the authority of the National Capital Commission, including those of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

During that same period, Ed’s gardening expertise gained popular recognition through CBC Radio’s “Ontario Today” noon-time gardening phone-in show heard every Monday. After more than two decades, enthusiasm for Ed’s down-to-earth practical advice shows no sign of waning, making the Monday gardening hour one of the longest-running and most successful features in the annals of Canadian broadcast history.

His on-air popularity has led to other appearances on numerous radio and television gardening programs, including The Hobby Garden, From a Country Garden, The Canadian Gardener, and Vie de chalet on Radio-Canada. In the summer of 2001, Ed hosted a 13-part television gardening series, “The Gardener” produced in partnership with the National Capital Commission in Ottawa and WPBS TV in Watertown, New York. Ed has written gardening columns for newspapers throughout the Ottawa Valley and a weekly column for the Toronto edition of the national newspaper, The Globe and Mail.

In 1988 he won Landscape Ontario’s Garden Communicators’ Award for his broadcasting work and in 2000, Ed was the recipient of the prestigious Award of Merit from the Ontario Horticultural Association. Toronto-born and Humber College educated, Ed now resides on a farm in the Almonte, Ontario region and continues to share his gardening know-how through a broad range of national and community-based horticultural endeavours.

Ed’s book is available throughout Ontario
at your local independent bookstore or garden centre,
at all Chapters, Coles, Smithbooks locations,
and online at Indigo.ca

Folka Voca

Folka Voca is the Ottawa Folklore Centre Wednesday night community choir. This group of 50+ people is constantly having a big bunch of fun rehearsing and performing around town. Folka Voca began 8 years ago with the direction and vision of the Fabulous Lee Hayes; vocal coach, recording artist, award-winning songwriter and CFMA nominee. What makes this choir unique (besides the extreme fun factor) is the arranging; all the arrangements are by Director Lee Hayes, in 4-7 part harmony. Folka Voca’s repertoire is contemporary pop/folk/funk, with an emphasis on songs by Canadian songwriters. Folka Voca rehearses every Wednesday night from 7-9pm at Sunnyside Wesleyan Church, 58 Grosvenor Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario.

Lee Hayes Bio

Award-winning Canadian songwriter Lee Hayes is a full-time singer, songwriter, arranger, and voice teacher. She is known internationally for her A Cappella groups Malaika and Cantarra, and on the TV network Showtime for her song “I Should Have Been David Duchovny’s Bride” (Californication). Locally, Hayes has become Ottawa’s busiest choir director and vocal coach! Hayes channels her passion for music as Choir Mistress Extraordinaire for the Ottawa Folklore Centre’s 50-person community choir Folka Voca, and for the OFC’s daytime folk choir, the Sunshine Choir. In addition to her choirs, Hayes regularly teaches Pop, Folk, Funk, Jazz, and World Beat Vocal Harmony classes at the OFC. Hayes also teaches individual and small ensemble vocal classes, and also conducts a week-long Vocal Harmony workshop in Cuba every winter.

Gary Greenland and Maple Hill

www.maplehillbluegrass.com

Gary Greenland and Maple Hill

Maple Hill is an award winning bluegrass band that brings energy, emotion, and entertainment to their show. Built on the foundation that “it’s all about the song”, the band delivers strong vocals supported by tasteful instrumental backup rooted in traditional sound, yet fresh and inspiring.

Co-founders Garry Greenland and Pat Moore are joined by banjo player Sean Lundy, who is quickly “earning his stripes” as a solid and well respected musician.   When filling out a four piece sound, Maple Hill invites the best to join them, like Kevin Golka of Concession 23, or Gilles Leclerc, of the Dusty Drifters.

Founded in the early 1980’s, Maple Hill played bars and festivals throughout the Ontario, eastern Quebec, and northern New York State regions.  After winning “Recording of the Year” in 1988, band members moved on to other projects, and now they are back at it, having reformed the band in late 2011.

Garry Greenland

A veteran of bluegrass, Garry went off to play banjo for Frank Wakefield when he was still too young for a legal drink, and later played for the late great Charlie Moore. He’s shared the stage with bluegrass legends Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, and many others.  From about 1970-73 he played with the popular band Cody with Mike O’Reilly, and later was a regular fill-in with the Humber River Valley Boys. He has been featured in several bands, and is a sought after session player, advisor, and producer.  In the early to mid eighties, he co-founded Maple Hill.

In addition to his performances, Garry is an accomplished and highly respected bluegrass teacher.  For over 30 years he has taught Scruggs style banjo, mandolin, guitar, and “band” classes (teaching folks to play together, to understand the music as a whole and to support the singer and each other.)   Garry has taught dozens of serious players who have gone on to be successful band members.

Pat Moore
www.patmoore.net

Pat grew up in a house full of music – from show tunes to folk, rock, and pop. Her voice has a warm and expressive quality, as perfectly suited to a rich ballad as it is to an up-tempo power song.. She honed her skills playing dog-house bass and singing lead and harmony in Maple Hill in the 80’s. Later, Pat ventured out on her own, writing, and releasing her debut solo CD, The Time’s Never Been Better, followed by her second CD, Take it to Heart, with her band The Vinyl Frontier. Audiences love her heartfelt performances!

Pat is the creator and producer of the (annual) Ottawa Opry in support of Amnesty International, producer of the annual Christmas GOOSE concert (the Ottawa Food Bank), and a popular show host on CKCU. Recently she has added “childrens’ author” to her credits with the 2011 publishing of Clean Water for Lukong,.

Hollis Morgan

www.constantsoundstudio.com

Hollis Morgan (left), presents Dean Verger (right) with a lifetime membership to Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society

Hollis Morgan is an Ottawa singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist accomplished on guitar, banjo, dobro, and a multitude of other music making paraphernalia. With his wifeKate he runs Constant Sound Studio providing recordings, photography and graphic design for local musicians.

He readily admits his main job now is as President of Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society, Ottawa’s lively and growing not-for-profit folk music society. If he is not at the Rasputin’s information table you will most likely find him at the soundboard during a concer or on stage with his dobro for the Musical Instruments – Watch and Try workshop.

He and Kate have recorded two CD’s, The Last Chore and Sugar Babe.

Jody Marsolais

Jody Marsolais

The Rythym Room
We spend 9 months of our lives 6 inches away from our mother’s beating heart,
the beat of the drum is in us all.”

Jody Marsolais is a Vic Firth Certified Instructor/Facilitator who offers:

• dynamic team building for corporations and agencies
• stimulating school workshops
• serene crystal singing bowl meditations
• effective programs for individuals or groups with special needs
• entertainment for groups i.e. birthdays, Jack/Jill parties, weddings, etc..

Jody manages his private practice, The Rythym Room, teaching
instrument lessons and supports the Community through
volunteerism

Jody’s passion for music launched him into a full time career
as a music instructor and workshop facilitator. Jody provides services to retirement
homes, daycare centers, corporations/agencies, churches and schools.

At the age of five, Jody’s zeal for music and performance began. Jody would attend his
Mom’s performances at various events such as receptions and gatherings. Terry, his
Mom, began to introduce him to various instruments. Since then, Jody has become
proficient at percussion, drums, and guitar. His abilities extend to reading and writing
music theory.

Quantum physics, philosophy, creative visualization and meditation resonate with Jody’s
spirit. From these teachings, his desire has become rooted in the understanding that
healing can be achieved through a variety of sound modalities. His holistic workshops
have proven to be inspirational as the audience experiences a sense of peace and wellness
through the soft sounds of crystal singing bowls and meditation.

Building confidence and team skills through drumming has become popular in both the
profit and not for profit sectors. These workshops help develop focus and productivity
while increasing the ability to concentrate, retain and recall information. Jody’s school
workshops meet the Ontario Music Curriculum as a guide lines. These workshops are an
excellent form of ‘brain gym’, reduces bullying and builds self confidence.

The Rythym Room is a proud member of the both the Ottawa and the Cornwall Chambers
of Commerce. Visit www.TheRythymRoom.ca or phone 613.937.3800 to learn more!

Maple Hill

Maple Hill is an award winning bluegrass band that brings energy, emotion, fun and entertainment in their show. Built on the foundation that “it’s all about the song”, Maple Hill delivers strong vocals with fresh instrumental backup rooted in a traditional sound.  Maple Hill covers the full range of bluegrass from the early hard edged blues through gospel and on to today’s great songwriters.

Co-founders Garry Greenland and Pat Moore are joined by banjo player Sean Lundy on banjo, and Kevin Golka on mandolin. With Maple Hill the song and its story are always the focus with solos, duets, trios and quartets.

The Bluegrass Music Association of Canada, ValleyGrass, and The Central Canadian Bluegrass Committee recently honoured Garry, for his immense contribution to bluegrass music in Canada for teaching and mentoring. The timing was perfect as he celebrates 50 years as a bluegrass road musician.

Heart, drive, deep blues, inspiration, tight blend, and fun filled interplay between musicians are some of the things that describe a Maple Hill performance.

www.maplehillbluegrass.com

Mark Evenchick

Mark Evenchick is a prodigious writer of stories in song. With well over one hundred songs penned, it was a hard choice to select just 13 for his debut CD Incident at the Hang Dog Saloon.

An active local musician and volunteer with The Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society, you will find him every Monday evening at Whispers Pub as one of the hosts for that Open Stage.

Mark Evenchick

Missy Burgess – Children’s Songwriting Workshop and Performance

Missy Burgess

Attention all children age 5 to 10…

You are invited to participate in a free workshop….

Children’s Freestyle Songwriting Workshop and Performance

led by singer-songwriter Missy Burgess.

Cost: Free. Advance registration required.

To register your child, contact workshop leader Missy Burgess by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 613-230-3723.

Step 1. Register in advance with workshop leader Missy Burgess. There is no charge to participate.

Step 2. Meet from 10:00 AM to 12:00 pm on Saturday April 26 at St. Barnabas Church, 70 James St., corner of James and Kent. That is 2 short blocks South of the Legion. Use the entrance off Kent, rather than the main entrance on James, which will be locked.

Step 3. The children perform the new song as part of the evening concert that same day (Saturday) at 7:35 PM on the second floor (the Grass Stage).

I am looking forward to seeing this again this year – it was great last year!
————-
Missy Burgess is an Ottawa-based singer-songwriter who has released 3 CDs and loves working with children. Her website is www.missyburgess.com.

Neptune’s Music Workshops

Neptunes’ Music Workshops, Dawn and Joe Reynolds, have run alternative music workshops, talent shows and community spirited music events since 2007. Their focus is to inspire music appreciation in all ages and encourage the celebration of music in local communities.

Open Stage led by Sjef Frenken and presented by the Spirit of Rasputin’s

Some Notes About the Spirit of Rasputin’s Open Stage

7pm every Monday evening upstairs at Whispers Pub, 249 Richmond Road

www.rasputins.ca

The original Rasputin’s Folk Café opened its doors in 1981 and ran continuously at its Bronson Avenue location for 27 years, until a fire forced its closure on 8 July 2008.

Rasputin’s was not only a place for local singers and songwriters, poets and story-tellers to test or showcase their material, it was somehow also the focal point for the entire community of folk enthusiasts in Ottawa. Its closure was a great loss.

Perhaps the most distinctive quality about Rasputin’s Folk Café was the real Spirit of Rasputin’s – its “listening environment” – the audience showing its respect for the performers by being silent during the songs, poems and stories, something much appreciated by the many artists from all across Canada, the United States and the rest of the world who performed there, whether as guests on the Open Stage, or as headliners of concerts.

In an interview with CBC, Rasputin’s founder and owner, Dean Verger said “I think it needs somebody with passion who has a new vision to take it forward, whether it be an individual or a community.”

It didn’t take long for that passion to show itself. Shortly after the fire, a handful of Rasputin’s regulars began holding open-air get-togethers in the park beside the Museum of Nature on McLeod Street. With winter looming, an effort was made to find a more suitable venue for the day when wind, rain and snow made outdoor concerts impossible. Happily the Canadian Legion on Kent Street welcomed “Rasputin’s Refugees” and hosted their weekly sessions for a year until the Open Stage was moved to the Elmdale Tavern in July of 2009. In August of 2010, the Open Stage moved to the second floor room at Whispers Pub and Eatery on Richmond Road (at Tweedsmuir) where in continues to this day.

In the meantime the various activities centered in the original Rasputin’s came together again under the umbrella of the not-for-profit organization The Spirit of Rasputin’s Arts Society that responds to Dean Verger’s call for passion and vision.

The Spirit of Rasputin’s Open Stage runs Monday nights. The music starts at 7:00 pm, but performers are asked to get there earlier to sign up. Performers typically present two songs or literary works for a maximum of 10 minutes. There are three sets of 5 performers each. There is no cover charge, and food and drinks are available.

Ottawa Contra Dance

What is contra dancing???

www.ottawacontra.ca

• It is a hot community dance experience!
• Dances always feature fabulous live music and calling from the Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, the New England states, and beyond.
• No partner necessary and beginners are welcome!

Are there regular dances in Ottawa???

YES!
Where: Churchill Rec Centre (345 Richmond Road)
When: 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 8-11pm with beginners lesson at 7:30pm
Cost: $12, $10 for members and students, dancers 16 and under are free
Website: www.ottawacontra.ca
Contact info: 613-725-3709 or [email protected]

Want to know a bit more????

Here’s the secret… anyone can contra dance! It’s great fun as a beginner and easy to learn the basic moves – a wonderful evening from the start. However, experienced dancers love contra dancing because if you pick up little tricks and timing as well as work on connection, it gets tighter and more electrifying… so in this way, it can be whatever you put into it. That and it’s a great community of people. ?

Here’s the dry definition… Contra is a form of community dance where you begin and finish one dance (about 10min) with the same partner, progressing up and down the hall in long lines while you dance with different sets of other couples, repeating a sequence of moves guided by the caller. Essentially it’s lots of fun AND excellent exercise.

A bit on its history… Contra dancing originated in the New England states as a traditional form of dance combining elements of dance from England and France. In the 1960s and 1970s, it caught on big time with the college crowd and then exploded in the folk scene. There are techno contra bands, bands with swing music, and klezmer sounding bands although the main style is more Quebecois-Irish-Appalachian groove music. With regular dances, dance weekends, and festivals all over, you can dance your way across North America.

Contra dances started in Ottawa about twenty five years ago through the Old Sod Folk Music Society and have been going strong ever since. In addition to our regular dance series, we have held dance weekends and partnered with organizations like the Ottawa Folk Festival do contra dances in other contexts. Come out and give contra dancing a try!

Spencer Scharf

Spencer Scharf busking outside last year’s Grassroots Festival

Spencer Scharf, Ottawa folk rock & blues one-man band with more instruments than a surgeon – guitars, banjo, uke, mandolin, harmonica, keyboard – even a cigar box guitar! Featured on CTV Morning Live in 2012, Rogers Daytime TV & CHIN-FM Radio – the Gaelic Hour, two-time City of Ottawa music award winner, Spencer has performed at Ottawa Bluesfest twice, the Folk Festival, for the Irish Ambassador, the Mayor, at the Governor General’s & countless community events and venues in town and out including children’s events. This versatile musician also regularly provides beautiful instrumental guitar music for art shows, special events, and receptions.

Suzie Vinnick

www.suzievinnick.com

Suzie Vinnick

A Saskatoon native living in Toronto, Canada, Suzie Vinnick is the owner of a gorgeous, powerful
voice and performs with a sweet mixture of engaging candidness and unparalleled musicianship.
Suzie’s recent accolades include:

• Winner of CBC’s Saturday Night Blues 2012 Great Canadian Blues Award
• 2012 Sirius XM Canada Blues Artist of the Year
• two 2012 Maple Blues Awards (for a total of 8)
• 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Singer of the Year
• nominated for a 2012 JUNO in the Blues Album of Year Category for her album Me ‘n’ Mabel (3rd Juno nomination in 4 years)
• 2010 and 2005 1st place winner in the Blues Category of the International Songwriting Competition

Suzie performs powerfully as a solo act, as a duo or as a full band. She has toured nationally with Stuart McLean’s The Vinyl Café and the John McDermott Band. Suzie made her New York City debut in 2011 supporting John Hammond at a free outdoor stage in Madison Square Park Conservancy and has performed for Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia and the Persian Gulf.

She was also the voice of Tim Horton’s for 5 years. Suzie’s latest full-length release is a solo acoustic blues album entitled Me ‘n’ Mabel which was produced by Danny Greenspoon; and in May 2012 she released Live At Bluesville which includes 8 blues, roots and gospel songs that were recorded by Bill Wax at Sirius/XM in Washington, DC.

The Brothers

A just-for-fun mens’ choir led by Chris White.

The Sparrows

Sun. April 23 at 1:00 pm Fellowship Hall
“Songs for Families”

This sing-along family concert features The Sparrows, Anna Ludlow, Chris White and surprise guests.

The Sparrows are a group of home-schooled children between the ages of 4 and 11 who love music. They sing, play instruments and dance under the guidance of group leaders Chris White and Anna Ludlow.

Chris White

Chris White

Chris White is a singer-songwriter, choir leader, radio host, festival organizer and concert producer who loves to connect people with music and with one another. He received the 2012 Helen Verger Award for his “significant, sustained contributions to Canadian folk music”. Catch Chris and “Canadian Spaces” every Saturday from 10 to noon on CKCU 93.1 FM and www.ckcufm.com.

Anna Ludlow

Anna Ludlow is an accomplished fiddler, singer and songwriter originally from Antigonish who now lives in Ottawa. She performs in a variety of styles, including what she calls “Mainland Maritime Fiddle Fusion”. Anna released an album called “Reel to Reel” in 2009.

Website

Wendell Ferguson

www.wendellferguson.com

Wendell Ferguson

Wendell Ferguson started playing guitar at 7 years old. As he says, “It’s taken me over 40 years to become a child prodigy.”

He’s played and recorded with some pretty big names in the business, straddling several genres. Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks, Gordon Lightfoot, Sylvia Tyson, Keith Urban, Jane Siberry, Patty Loveless, Emmylou Harris, Quartette, James Keelaghan, Cindy Church, Terri Clark, Tommy Emmanuel, Paul Brandt, Bob Snider, Katherine Wheatley, Suzie Vinnick, Lynn Miles, Prairie Oyster… the list is endless.

He’s won the CCMA Guitar Player of the Year 6 times (1995 to 2001). Received a Juno nomination for his band Coda the West. Plus his live CD “The $#!T Hits The Fans” was nominated for the Album of the Year (2006 CCMAs). “Ménage A Moi” is his first all instrumental CD and it’s aptly named. He played all the instruments on it himself and recorded it in his home studio. It’s a throwback to his guitar heroes, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed. All original tunes with the focus on melody. Because as he says, “If you can’t sing it, whistle it or hum it, it ain’t much of a tune.” The album won the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for “Best Instrumental Album”. Wendell has garnered 9 CCMA Awards, an OCPFA Lifetime Musician Award and was twice nominated for a JUNO. He is proud to be appearing at Ottawa Grassroots Festival.

• Wendell won the “Guitar Player of the Year” so many times (7) they retired him. He’s no longer eligible.
• Wendell was nominated for the “Album of the Year” at the 2006 CCMA Awards
• Wendell Co-hosted the 2005 CCMA Awards show with Paul Brandt. The show was nominated for a Genie Award.
• Wendell has won the CCMA’s Guitarist of the year for 2000-2001.
• Wendell has won the Canadian Country Music Associations’ “Guitar Player of the Year” 1995-’96-’97-’98-’99.
• Was nominated for the CCMA “Vocal Collaboration of the Year” for the duet with Prairie Oysters’ Russell deCarle for “If You’re Gonna Be A Cowboy” in 1999.
• Along with “Coda The West” and “The Duane Steele Band”, won the C.C.M.A’s “Back up Band of the Year” 1994-95-97
• Was nominated for a Juno award for “Country Duo or Group” in 1995 with “Coda the West”
• Has backed up “country” artists such as; George Fox, Duane Steele, Shania Twain, Lisa Brokop, Michelle Wright, Tommy Hunter, Al Cherney, Deana Carter, Tracy Byrd, Mila Mason, Chely Wright, Matraca Berg, The Dixie Chicks, The Arrogant Worms, Jason McCoy, and countless more.
• Has recorded with – Duane Steele, Gil Grand, George Fox, Coda The West , Kelita, Quartette, Cindy Church, Murry McLauchlan, Bob Snider, Katherine Wheatley, Gordon Lightfoot, Don Freed, Jane Siberry, James Keelaghan, Bill Candy and many more.
• Can be seen touring the country with Duane Steele, Quartette, Katherine Wheatley , Cindy Church and Susie Vinnick.