Category Archives: Artists

Featured artists

Garnet Rogers – Long Bio

“A brilliant songwriter. One of the major talents of our time.” – The Boston Globe

“The greatest interpreter and vocalist performing in the contemporary folk scene.” – Sing Out Magazine

“This is good and rich and big music. Welcome one and all. Come on in. Get down.” – Greg Brown

Garnet Rogers
Garnet Rogers

Born in Hamilton, Ontario to parents of Nova Scotian descent, Garnet Rogers spent many hours in front of the old floor model radio listening to Grand Ol’ Opry broadcasts and harmonizing with his older brother, Stan. Two years later, Garnet was playing the definitive 8-year-old’s version of “Desolation Row” on his ukulele. He soon started teaching himself to play flute, violin and guitar.

At age 18, Garnet was on the road as a full-time working musician with Stan. Together, they formed what is considered one of the most influential duos in the history of North American folk music. Garnet and Stan toured and recorded together from 1973 to 1983, when Stan died in a plane crash.

Since that time, Garnet has established himself as a formidable solo artist. With a smooth, dark baritone voice, an extensive vocal range and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is one of the finest singers anywhere. Backed by his consummate guitar skills, his songs are literate, passionate, sensitive and purposeful. Cinematic in detail, his songs give expression to the unspoken language of the heart. In performance situations, his over-the-top humor and lightning-quick wit move his audiences from tears to laughter and back again.

Garnet has been featured on Much Music, Mountain Stage, All Things Considered and many other television and radio programs. He has headlined numerous festivals – including the Ottawa Grassroots Festival – and has been featured at prestigious venues such as Wolf Trap, The Lincoln Center and Art Park.

“Night Drive”, Garnet’s new 735-page book about his travels with brother Stan, was published by Tickle Shore Publishing (2016).

Website: www.garnetrogers.com

Lynne Hanson – Long Bio

  • 2010 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
  • 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee
  • 2009 Kerrville New Folk Finalist
  • 2008 Mountain Stage New Song Regional Finalist
  • 2006 OCFF “Songs from the Heart” Blues Award

lynne-hanson-w-guitarSome have referred to Lynne Hanson’s music as Americana and “rough-around-the-edges folk”, but she prefers the phrase, “porch music with a little red dirt.”

Lynne grew up in Ottawa and starting playing guitar when she was 14, learning on a hand-me-down from her older brother. She released her award-winning debut album – “Things I Miss” – in 2006, and more albums followed: “Eleven Months” (2008) and “Once the Sun Goes Down” (2010). Each new release garnered critical praise, earning her a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination in 2009, an invitation to the Kerrville Folk Festival as a New Folk Finalist, and the prestigious Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award from the Ontario Arts Council. “River Of Sand” (2015) was produced by Juno-winning singer-songwriter Lynn Miles. “The songs on this record are honest and fearless,” says Miles. The 11 songs paint a candid canvas of whiskey-soaked heartbreak and personal struggle, contrasted with the hope that better times are ahead.

Lynne has toured toured Canada, the US, Europe and the UK. Her live performances are polished and highly engaging, whether playing solo or with her band, The Good Intentions. Lynne has toured in support of Grammy-nominated songwriters Gretchen Peters and Steve Forbert, as well as Grammy Award-winning guitar legend Albert Lee, who says, “She is a fine composer of interesting songs and performs them very well. She’s always welcome on any of my shows.”

The Penguin Eggs jury placed Lynne’s “River of Sand” album, produced by Juno winner Lynn Miles, in the Top 10 for 2015. Her latest album, entitled “Uneven Ground”, was produced by Scott Nolan and will be released in 2017.

Website: www.lynnehanson.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/plhanson

Welcome

2007
Jane Siberry
washboard hank
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David Essig performing at the Islands Folk Festival 2009.
James Gordon and Harper puppet