Richard Neville
Richard Neville is a singer/songwriter and guitarist from Black Tickle,
Labrador who is currently working on his first solo album. He started playing guitar at age 10 and began writing songs at 15.
Some early influences included Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Bob Dylan and later
Jim Croce, Bruce Cockburn and Gordon Lightfoot. A major musical influence has been
Labrador's Harry Martin for whom Richard has played and sung over the past 10 years. Richard has also frequently appeared on TV and radio as a solo and
back-up artist. His passion for his northern Labrador home pours
out of each song he writes, no matter where he is. He recently
travelled to Antarctica performing his songs of Labrador to people from over
the world and will be returning there in the near future. Vince Burke will be accompanying Richard for tonight's performance.
THE ONCE is a recently-formed trio based out of St. John's and comprised of Geraldine Hollett from Burin, Phil Churchill from Corner Brook and Andrew Dale from Coley's Point. The three first met in the summer of 2005 while working with Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity. There they discovered a mutual appreciation for folk music, particularly the music of their native Newfoundland and the British Isles.
Superb musicianship, clever arrangements and stunning harmonies help make THE ONCE a fresh and exciting new group whose rise will be something worth watching.
Dale Jarvis is a performer, researcher, writer and storyteller in St. John’s. As a storyteller, he has performed locally and at national and international storytelling festivals in Cape Breton, Montreal, Toronto and Whitehorse. He has also taught storytelling workshops from Red Bay, Labrador, to Calgary, Alberta. Since 1997, he has been spooking tourists and locals alike as host of the St. John’s Haunted Hike. The founder and driving force behind the St. John’s Storytelling Circle and The Annual St. John's Storytelling Festival, Dale tells stories of the faerie folk, tales from the collections of the Brothers Grimm, ghost stories, legends and traditional tales from Newfoundland, Ireland, the United Kingdom and beyond. He lives in an old yellow row-house in downtown St. John’s with a relatively helpful ghost. (website)
Tribute to Dermot O'Reilly
Fergus O'Byrne, Fergus Brown-O'Byrne, Jim Payne, Pat Moran, Larry Foley and Denieille Hann
perform a musical tribute to their (and our) good friend Dermot O'Reilly who passed away in February. Dermot was one of the most popular performers in Newfoundland and Labrador over the years and his warm smile, engaging personality and great musicianship will be remembered fondly. This year's festival is dedicated to Dermot (dedication).
Little Miss Higgins
Bewitching like moonlight on water - Little Miss Higgins captivates audiences with her original, gutsy, spirited country blues songs. Crystal clear vocals that go on forever and amazing guitar licks - she’s the real thing! Though she’s raring to go anywhere from solo to a full band of minstrels, Little Miss is mostly accompanied by partner/guitar player Foy Taylor. Together they are creating innovative guitar work rooted in a country blues style and an unforgettably “top hat” stage show. She was nominated for a 2006 WCMA ("Outstanding Blues Album") for Cobbler Shop Sessions and won the IMA Vox Populi Award for her song, Ferry Boat Blues. Her second CD, Junction City, is an extension of her unconventional and theatrical vocal and songwriting style. (website)
Take a pair of veteran performers (Jim Payne, Fergus O'Byrne) who have appeared at major folk festivals nationally and internationally, add Newfoundland and Labrador's most renowned flute and tin whistle player (Gerry Strong) and a fast-rising star on fiddle and accordion (Daniel Payne) and you've got A CROWD OF BOLD SHAREMEN. Formed in 2001, they have since performed to critical acclaim throughout Canada and internationally. Their repertoire consists of traditional and original material - virtuoso playing and strong vocals with sweet harmonies, entertaining stage banter and polished performances. "A finely honed ensemble of roaring boys .. full of zest and infectious energy." (Halifax Herald). (website)
The Six String Nation is the brainchild of award-winning broadcaster Jowi Taylor, in collaboration with master luthier George Rizsanyi, who created this guitar at his workshop in Nova Scotia. The sixty-plus components of the guitar are at the heart of the project; each element is something meaningful and representative of a significant aspect of Canadian history or culture. The Six String Nation guitar came to life on Canada Day on Parliament Hill 11 years ago, where Jowi Taylor introduced the Six String Nation to the country. The guitar since has taken on a life of its own, and has been instrumental in every sense of the word in the sharing of Canadian stories and music between Canadian audiences and musicians. Jean Hewson, Pamela Morgan, Sandy Morris, Gordon Quinton, Foy Taylor and Eric West will close out this year's festival taking turns playing this famous guitar and sharing memories. (Six String Nation website)