MAIN STAGE FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 3
Jenny Gear & Sandy Morris
A native of Carbonear, Jenny Gear and her uniquely captivating voice have gained popularity since her terrific performances on Canadian Idol in 2003. Her debut CD Jenny and The Whiskey Kittens was nominated for an ECMA roots/traditional solo recording of the year in 2005. For the past year she has been enthralling audiences with Sandy at various venues and festivals including the ever-popular Feast of Cohen and the Third Annual Rock Can Roll Festival. An original member of the legendary WONDERFUL GRAND BAND, Sandy Morris's more recent collaborations include those with Jenny Gear, RASA (with Erin Best), and EIGHT TRACK FAVOURITES. Sandy has contributed his own compositions, his performances, and his musical expertise to film and television projects for more than 30 years. His credits include serving as musical director or producer for Land and Sea, Violet, Tommy, East Coast Music Awards, and Codco.
(Jenny's website) (Sandy''s website)
A native of Carbonear, Jenny Gear and her uniquely captivating voice have gained popularity since her terrific performances on Canadian Idol in 2003. Her debut CD Jenny and The Whiskey Kittens was nominated for an ECMA roots/traditional solo recording of the year in 2005. For the past year she has been enthralling audiences with Sandy at various venues and festivals including the ever-popular Feast of Cohen and the Third Annual Rock Can Roll Festival. An original member of the legendary WONDERFUL GRAND BAND, Sandy Morris's more recent collaborations include those with Jenny Gear, RASA (with Erin Best), and EIGHT TRACK FAVOURITES. Sandy has contributed his own compositions, his performances, and his musical expertise to film and television projects for more than 30 years. His credits include serving as musical director or producer for Land and Sea, Violet, Tommy, East Coast Music Awards, and Codco.
(Jenny's website) (Sandy''s website)
Shawn Lidster & Friends
Shawn Lidster is a singer/songwriter from Brigus, Newfoundland and Labrador. Like bards from the past, Shawn has traveled the road (as far away as Australia) writing and performing a wide range of original material for more than 20 years. His time away from Newfoundland combined with his experience playing and singing with a number of international musicians, honed his skills as a songwriter and musician. In 2006, he released a new CD, entitled Legends on the Baccalieu Trail, which brings to life the characters and history of the Baccalieu region. (website)
Shawn Lidster is a singer/songwriter from Brigus, Newfoundland and Labrador. Like bards from the past, Shawn has traveled the road (as far away as Australia) writing and performing a wide range of original material for more than 20 years. His time away from Newfoundland combined with his experience playing and singing with a number of international musicians, honed his skills as a songwriter and musician. In 2006, he released a new CD, entitled Legends on the Baccalieu Trail, which brings to life the characters and history of the Baccalieu region. (website)
Sherry Ryan & Mark Bragg
Raised on a land fertile for storytelling, Sherry Ryan is a gifted lyricist who can take a personal experience and make it universal. These experiences are then transformed into beautiful melodies and sung with a voice so good – so distinct – it’s absolutely unforgettable. Her debut album, Bottom of a Heart, earned four nominations for the 2006 Newfoundland and Labrador Music Awards including SOCAN song of the year for One of Those Amazing Nights and was #4 in the CBC Newfoundland and Labrador top 20 albums of 2005. Joining Sherry is celebrated singer-songwriter, Mark Bragg, a CBC Rising Galaxy award winner and major force in Eastern Canada's rock scene. His recent album, Restless Kind, was twice-nominated for an ECMA award. (Sherry's website) (Mark's website).
Crooked Stovepipe
CROOKED STOVEPIPE has been playing bluegrass and traditional music around Newfoundland since 1973 and on the mainland at the Nova Scotia Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival, the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival in Stony Plain, Alberta, Evangeline Bluegrass Festival in P.E.I., the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and the Bluegras Festival in Mount Pearl. Their third and most recent album, Just in Case, was the East Coast Music Awards pick as 2006 Bluegrass Recording of the Year. Members of the band include Rex Yetman (mandolin), Dave Rowe (double bass), Patrick Moran (fiddle) of THE PUNTERS and EIGHT TRACK FAVOURITES), Neil Rosenberg (banjo) and Ted Rowe (guitar).
(website)
CROOKED STOVEPIPE has been playing bluegrass and traditional music around Newfoundland since 1973 and on the mainland at the Nova Scotia Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival, the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival in Stony Plain, Alberta, Evangeline Bluegrass Festival in P.E.I., the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and the Bluegras Festival in Mount Pearl. Their third and most recent album, Just in Case, was the East Coast Music Awards pick as 2006 Bluegrass Recording of the Year. Members of the band include Rex Yetman (mandolin), Dave Rowe (double bass), Patrick Moran (fiddle) of THE PUNTERS and EIGHT TRACK FAVOURITES), Neil Rosenberg (banjo) and Ted Rowe (guitar).(website)
Dana Whittle and Claude Méthé Band
This Québécois band features fiddler extraordinaire, Claude Méthé, and Dana Whittle, a powerful singer-rhythm guitarist. They represent musical traditions from country music and ‘downeast’ New England, as well as Quebec; Claude plays and sings traditional Québécois songs and music. A self-taught musician, he has made his mark as both a fiddler and singer on the trad scene in a career that already spans 30 years and includes stints as a member of numerous groups who have influenced the rebirth of "folklorique" music in Québec including LE RÊVE DU DIABLE, MANIGANCE, ENTOURLOUPE and DENT-DE-LION.
(Claude's website)
This Québécois band features fiddler extraordinaire, Claude Méthé, and Dana Whittle, a powerful singer-rhythm guitarist. They represent musical traditions from country music and ‘downeast’ New England, as well as Quebec; Claude plays and sings traditional Québécois songs and music. A self-taught musician, he has made his mark as both a fiddler and singer on the trad scene in a career that already spans 30 years and includes stints as a member of numerous groups who have influenced the rebirth of "folklorique" music in Québec including LE RÊVE DU DIABLE, MANIGANCE, ENTOURLOUPE and DENT-DE-LION.(Claude's website)
Mopaya
MOPAYA Music is unique unto itself and has been a force on the province's scene since 2002, drawing from Angolan, Congalese and Newfoundland musical cultures. Comprised of Anna Loksa, Alix Maboussou, Curtis Andrews, Craig Millet, Aneirin Thomas, Luke Power and led by veteran Jeik Kalunga Loksa, their original music touches upon all aspects of human feeling. An irresistible African groove, rich vocal stylings and melodies that will never leave your head characterize this wonderful band. With their CD, Sango Yango, and a new one in the works, the rest of Canada and the world have something good coming their way. It's even better to see MOPAYA live. Their high energy, hip-shaking performances challenge everyone within earshot to get up and dance!
MOPAYA Music is unique unto itself and has been a force on the province's scene since 2002, drawing from Angolan, Congalese and Newfoundland musical cultures. Comprised of Anna Loksa, Alix Maboussou, Curtis Andrews, Craig Millet, Aneirin Thomas, Luke Power and led by veteran Jeik Kalunga Loksa, their original music touches upon all aspects of human feeling. An irresistible African groove, rich vocal stylings and melodies that will never leave your head characterize this wonderful band. With their CD, Sango Yango, and a new one in the works, the rest of Canada and the world have something good coming their way. It's even better to see MOPAYA live. Their high energy, hip-shaking performances challenge everyone within earshot to get up and dance!