Tickets available on Eventbrite.
About the featured songwriters:
James Bryan
James Bryan (b. James Bryan McCollum) is a Juno and Latin Grammy winning songwriter, guitarist and producer. A member of 90’s Canadian acts Philosopher Kings and Prozzak , James’ passion for collaboration grew into a global songwriting career with top artists including Nelly Furtado, Luis Fonsi, Martin Garrix, Yuna, and more. James has co-written and performed on hundreds of recordings, with artists from every continent , helping to craft hits along the way. At the heart of his success is James’ ability to connect with artists and fans alike through powerful melodies and hooks, and a goal to bring out the best in every artist.
Suzie Vinnick
A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Roots and Blues singer Suzie Vinnick is a 3X Juno Nominee, CFMA Award winner, and a 10-time winner of the Maple Blues Award for songwriting, female vocalist, acoustic act and more. Suzie has a voice you’ve heard a thousand times and one you’ll never forget. It soars, it growls, it whispers and it shouts from a deep, deep well of emotion. The pure joy she exudes when she picks up that guitar is so worth the show. Suzie has toured nationally with Downchild, Stuart McLean’s The Vinyl Café, the John McDermott Band and she 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 album is a full band roots and blues extravaganza entitled Shake The Love Around
Nigel Waerne
Nigel Wearne is an Australian singer-songwriter, luthier, poet and gleaner. Equipped with personally handcrafted instruments, he melds finger-style guitar, ‘up’-hammer banjo, piano and honest storytelling. Gleaning diverse influence from Kelly Joe Phelps, Townes Van Zandt and Sun Kil Moon, he tells stories of forgotten rebels, wandering poets and his love of eggs. Nigel has toured Australia, New Zealand and Canada and he’s performed at a long list of music festivals, including the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival. In 2019, he was an Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance International in Montreal. From stories of social justice and observation, to emotional reflection and historical tales, Nigel draws inspiration from everyday people from all walks of life. Some songs are autobiographical and personal, but many are other people’s stories and an amalgamation of truth, observation, personal experience and fiction. For Nigel, music is a candid, human and important messenger for stories and moments in time. His 2012 album, Black Crow garnered wide critical acclaim including a 4 star review in Rolling Stone and a nomination for Best Country Album at The Age Music Victoria Awards. Nigel’s current album Drawing Circles is a solo record that’s raw, compelling and reflective. A storyteller at heart, he paints lyrical pictures with “the narrative-fuelled prose of Paul Kelly” – Beat Magazine. “One of Australia’s emerging songwriters” – Tone Deaf. “Warmth flecked with grit… beauty awaits” 4 Stars – Rolling Stone.
Dani Strong
Dani is a powerful singer/songwriter who calls both Ontario and BC home. With the 2nd album now complete and set to release in summer of 2020, Dani is heading out on her 2nd nationwide tour. The Tour is called the “Songbirds and Heartstrings Canadian Tour.” She is heading out with good friend and fellow songwriter, Mallory Johnson. These ladies will be doing an intensive and adventurous tour of radio visits, school talks and intimate small venue performances across Canada from March 23 – April 26th, 2020. Dani’s latest single, ‘Not Right Now’ was nominated for two awards at the International Independent Music Awards held in New York City in June of 2019. Not Right Now has also featured in the film Hometown Holiday. Dani’s debut album, ‘Time To Breathe’ hit #1 on the iTunes country charts and #2 over all genres! The album has earned her multiple nominations, two awards and was the springboard into her career today.
Andrea England (host/founder/curator)
Nova Scotia-born Toronto-based Andrea England has a unique ability to work successfully in two different music worlds, recording and performing as a solo roots/country artist while placing songs with pop stars and emerging country artists. Having been awarded by the John Lennon International, NSAI, USA, and International Songwriting Competitions, England’s songs have appeared on numerous TV series, in feature films, and have been recorded by numerous artists, including former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger (whose recording of co-write “Casualty” on Killer Love earned Andrea her first UK Gold record), 2015 CCMA nominee Twin Kennedy (cowrites “Get Back Up” and “I Never Will” book-end their new album, It’s A Love Thing), risings star Meghan Patrick (“Nothing but a Song” on Grace & Grit), Tara Macri, and Kolton Stewart, among others. Andrea’s own most recent release, Hope & Other Sins – which was produced by Colin Linden and features guest musicians Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Damhnait Doyle, Liz Rodrigues and Gordie Sampson, among others – garnered rave reviews and diverse radio play, reaching #1 on Galaxy’s FolkRoots chart & spending 14 weeks on CashBox Magazine’s Top 50 Folk Chart. Of it, David Kidney (Critics at Large) wrote: “The songs are autobiographical, personal, honest and universal. The performances are potent as you might expect; England’s vocals are delicate yet strong…”
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