“Just Us Folk” celebrates 30 years on air
Perhaps no one exemplifies dedication to music the way folk DJs do. Those few selfless souls who still spin folk, roots, Celtic, Maritime, bluegrass, blues, and singer-songwriter tracks deserve all of our thanks. This is a special month for one ...
Dave Borins, Superior player and paddler
Singer-songwriter Dave Borins —who’s sitting on an exciting new album, by the way— travelled along the Lake Superior shore from Rossport, to Live From the Rock Festival in Red Rock, Ontario this past summer. But unlike many who make that ...
Relentless Kev Corbett
“My life,” says Kev Corbett, “has three equal parts: artist, sideguy, drum teacher.” Which is a lot. And when you consider the fact that he tours for two years at a time, builds his own bass on demand, and works ...
What makes Eaglewood special
At the heart of almost every folk festival I’ve attended is the idea that all are welcome. In practice, though, making everyone welcome can be a tough goal to attain, for various reasons. On the basis of programming alone, some ...
Vance Gilbert, up north and personal
To folk music fans, Philadelphia native Vance Gilbert is a singer-songwriter known for thoughtful lyrics, clever melodies, and comedic performances. To those concerned about civil liberties and race relations, Vance Gilbert is champion for those who have been wrongly treated ...
Kim Stockwood’s roots are in the water
Newfoundland chanteuse Kim Stockwood has done the pop singer thing, charting with memorable solo hits like “Jerk” and “12 Years Old.” She’s also done the supergroup thing, tearing up the trail with fellow East Coasters Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean ...
New Country Rehab: the name says it all
They’ve only been around since 2008, but New Country Rehab has buzz worthy of a veteran band. And this outfit deserves notice! It’s no surprise, as the musicians that contribute to this unique ensemble are all known quantities. Fiddler, lyricist ...
Steve Bell rings true
Steve Bell is an anomaly. At a time when some festivals are downplaying the faith component of folk music, (amid suggestions that gospel workshops should become ecumenical), Bell is comfortably Christian. He’s a man of faith who lives what he ...
Rodney Brown has The Gift
A son of Thunder Bay, Rodney Brown has built a career singing roots, rock, reggae, and kids songs, exploring sounds and recording albums that reflect each phase in turn. But when he began to explore the history of his hometown, ...
John McDermott is finally a folkie
Here’s a strange fact: John McDermott had never played a major* folk fest in Canada until Mariposa 2011. What’s with that? Maybe it’s a branding issue. Sure, McDermott made his name singing “Danny Boy”, a folk song in the truest ...