Dawn and Marra Nominated for 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award

Dawn and Marra, the fabulous local folk duo, have been nominated for a 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award (Vocal Group).  The talented ladies will be up against such luminaries as the The Good Lovelies and The Wilderness of Manitoba. Good Luck!

Nominees include former Jackie Washington musical co-hort Ken Whiteley, Stephen Fearing (Blackie and the  Rodeo Kings), David Francey, Kevin Breit, and Corin Raymond.

The winners will be announced on November 10, 2013 in Calgary.



Links: Dawn and Marra , More Dawn and Marra Stories,

Here is a complete list of nominees.

Vocal Group of the Year

• Dawn and Marra
• Good Lovelies 
• Trent Severn 
• Sweet Lowdown 
• Wilderness of Manitoba

New/Emerging Artist

• Ashley Condon 
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra
• Mo Kenney
• Ten Strings And A Goat Skin
• Trent Severn 

Pushing The Boundaries

• Kevin Breit
• Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• New Country Rehab 
• Orchid Ensemble 
• Wilderness of Manitoba

English Songwriter

• David Francey
• Old Man Luedecke
• Lynn Miles
• Justin Rutledge
• John Wort Hannam

French Songwriter

• Chantal Archambault 
• Louis-­Jean Cormier
• Catherine Durand 
• Alexis Normand 
• Dany Placard 

Aboriginal Songwriter

• Don Amero 
• Diem Lafortune 
• Nancy Mike 
• Kristi Lane Sinclair 
• Vince Fontaine 

World Solo Artist

• Aviva Chernick
• Alex Cuba
• Lenka Lichtenberg 
• Jorge Miguel 
• Sora 

World Group

• Njacko Backo & Kalimba Kalimba 
• David Buchbinder & Odessa
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra 
• Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• Jaffa Road 

Traditional Album

• Long Gone Out West Blues (Pharis Romero & Jason Romero)
• Lume, Lume (Lemon Bucket Orkestra)
• Mosaïk (Vishtèn)
• Seinn (Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac)
• Tune Tramp (Erynn Marshall)

Traditional Singer

• Natalie Edelson (The Blue Warblers)
• Ian Bell 
• Ken Whiteley 
• Pharis Romero
• Mary Jane Lamond 

Contemporary Album

• Downpour (Lynn Miles)
• Rise (Annabelle Chvostek)
• So Say We All (David Francey)
• These Wilder Things (Ruth Moody)
• Valleyheart (Justin Rutledge)

Contemporary Singer

• Stephen Fearing 
• Old Man Luedecke
• Justin Rutledge 
• Ian Sherwood 
• John Wort Hannam 

Instrumental Group

• Boxcar Boys 
• Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• Gordon Grdina’s Haram 
• Lemon Bucket Orkestra 
• Log Drivers 

Instrumental Solo Artist

• Stephanie Cadman 
• Maxim Cormier
• Chrissy Crowley
• Rachel Davis 
• Jorge Miguel 

Ensemble

• Genticorum 
• Good Lovelies
• Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac
• Corin Raymond & The Sundowners 
• Vishtèn for Mosaïk

Solo Artist

• Maria Dunn
• Stephen Fearing
• David Francey 
• Lynn Miles 
• John Wort 

Children’s Album

• Helen Austin: Always Be A Unicorn
• Funky Mamas: Pickin’ in the Garden 
• Jennifer Gasoi: Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well
• Madame Diva: Viva la Diva
• Gary Rasberry: What’s the Big Idea?!

Producer

• David Francey (David Francey: So Say We All)
• David Travers-­Smith (Ruth Moody: These Wilder Things by Ruth Moody & Jaron Freeman-­Fox and The Opposite of Everything)
• Jory Nash (Jory Nash: Little Pilgrim)
• Rick Scott  (Great Gazzoon -­ A Tall Tale With Tunes & Turbulence)
• Steve Dawson (Kelly Joe Phelps: Brother Sinner & The Whale & Jim Bynes I Hear The Wind In The Wires)

There will also be Unsung Hero and Innovator Awards

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Rita MacNeil Passes + Reactions

Shortly after losing the legendary Stompin' Tom, Canada has lost another musical icon.  The incredible Rita MacNeil passed away April 16, 2013 after complications from surgery.  Our condolences to her family, friends, and fans.  She will be missed.

Click here for the CBC story.

Click here for the Hamilton Spectator story.

As always, reaction was swift on social media.  Here are a few highlights.

John M Crawford: "I am so devistated that Rita McNeil is gone. What a voice and an entertainer we lost. God bless her family and thank you Rita for giving us such wonderfull music."

Tia McGraff: "OH I am so sad to hear about the passing of Rita MacNeil. She was one of Canada's most amazing voices and songwriters."

Stephen Fearing: "So long Rita MacNeil. You were a sweet soul with a voice to match it. RIP."

Jann Arden: "Love you Rita MacNeil! Such an honor to do your show many times in the 90ties!! Brilliant writer, wonderful singer! Safe travels!"

Eric Alper: "There was no finer, kinder, authentic woman I have ever worked with than Cape Breton's Rita MacNeil."

Videos below courtesy of SirRusselOtt




Click here for Rita's site.

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New Blackie and the Rodeo Kings CD

There were always three kings in Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, and Hamilton's own Tom Wilson). Recently, the trio decided to spice things up a little with a few queens.

Kings and Queens, the group's latest CD, is a collection of duets with the best female roots musicians around. Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Cassandra Wilson, Pam Tillis, Emmylou Harris, Holly Cole, Serena Ryder, and more add their royal vocals.

From soft, soulful ballads to toe tapping country and all points in between, the queens add a majestic touch to every song. This inspiring idea took three years to complete and it's definitely worth all the effort.

The disc is available at many music stores, online and as downloads on iTunes and eMusic.

Links: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - More BARK stories

Below are a few videos from the album.






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Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse) Plays on New Fearing & White CD

When Canadian folk star Stephen Fearing (Blackie and Rodeo Kings) teamed up with Belfast musician Andy White for a new CD project, Fearing & White, they brought in Hamilton drummer, Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse, Lee Harvey Osmond) to handle the percussion. Ray's great talent on the skins can be heard throughout the album.

The disc is a great addition to Fearing's great body of work. Andy White also adds his brilliant guitar work and outstanding voice. Both musicians harmonize well and complement each other.

Songs range from catchy folk rock tunes (You Can't Count on Anyone Anymore, Heaven for a Lonely Man), slower pieces (Faithful Heart) and music with an Irish feel (What We Know Now, Dream Maker).

The CD is available at Maple Music and iTunes. There's a rocking iTunes exclusive bonus track "How Long" that is also available as a free download if you join their mailing list.

Below are a few related videos.





Links: Fearing & White - Ray Farrugia - More Ray Farrugia Stories

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