Music, Elmvale Water Festival 2009

The New Yorker magazine said it best: "If you’re missing Fred Eaglesmith, you’re really missing out." An award-winning and acclaimed music auteur of the highest order, he has forged a singular and distinctive legacy with his songs, recordings, live performances, achievements and impact unlike that of anyone else in contemporary music. And done so as a fiercely independent and original artist through the sheer power of the music he creates.
His 17 albums over the last three decades, many of them released on his own label, have consistently evoked critical raves, and he’s been compared to a broad blue-ribbon list of musical icons. His fellow songwriters regularly record his songs and sing his praises. He hosts a number of music festivals across North America, where he plays hundreds of dates a year in addition to touring Europe and Australia. Devoted fans follow him from one show to another to savor what one reviewer calls the "fury and fun" of his concerts. His releases consistently hit the upper reaches of the Americana charts, and he’s the only Canadian to ever write a No. 1 bluegrass hit. His songs have even become part of the course curriculum at two colleges, and the paintings he creates when not making music have been shown in numerous prestigious galleries.
(Los Angeles) Acclaimed and award-winning singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith has been nominated for yet another honor in his distinguished nearly-four decade recording career: a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo for his 17th album, Tinderbox. The nomination is Eaglesmith’s third time up for a prestigious Juno, which he won in 1997 in the same category for his album Drive-In Movie.

Ken Whiteley is one of Canada's most respected "roots" musicians. Drawing on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this six time Juno award nominee would be a wonderful addition to any festival or concert series. He has played at virtually every major folk festival in Canada and performed and recorded with such legends as Pete Seeger, John Hammond Jr., Tom Paxton, Blind John Davis, The Campbell Brothers, Stan Rogers, Guy Davis, Raffi, Linda Tillerey & the Cultural Heritage Choir and countless others. A prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile instrumentalist and a powerful singer, Whiteley's music communicates themes of freedom, love, spiritual aspiration and social comment. His performances are presented with particapatory humor, grace and energy.


Ken Whiteley, Fact Sheet:
• A 2004 Genie Award Winner / Best Original Song for Tell Me.
• A 6 time Juno Award nominee for his recordings in Blues, Roots and Traditional and Children categories.
• He has recorded and performed with John Hammond, Tom Paxton, Amos Garrett, Blind John Davis, Raffi, The Campbell Brothers, Stan Rogers, Leon Redbone, Guy Davis, Fred Penner and countless others.
• Recordings produced by Ken Whiteley have won 2 Juno Awards, 2 Grammy Nominations, 20 Juno Nominations, 4 American Gold Records for work with Raffi and Nancy Cassidy, 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum Records with Fred Penner, Raffi and his own Junior Jug Band.
• Ken is a master guitarist and mandolinist and accomplished on 20 different instruments.
• An award winning songwriter with over 300 compositions, his songs have been recorded by over a dozen other artists.
• His album Bluesology won the Jazz Report Blues Album of the Year.
• He received a Children’s Music Web Award for his contributions to children’s music.
• He has composed the music for films and TV including Falling Angels (a Ten Best Canadian Films of 2003 winner), Judaism: Quest for Meaning (12 part series).
• Recordings produced by Ken Whiteley have sold in excess of six million copies and received 9 Gold Records (Can.), four Gold Records (U. S.), 2 Juno awards, 2 Grammy nominations, Parent's Choice Awards, Notable Children's Recordings Awards (A.L.A) and critical acclaim across the continent. He has personally had 6 Juno nominations, Toronto Music Award and Blues Album of the Year. For a list of his own albums, please see his discography.

Like nothing and everything you have seen before, Claire Jenkins Avec Band have a really, really good time playing live. Claire Jenkins avec Band combines folk, pop and cabaret to leave entire audiences wondering what just happened and how I can we get more of that... Claire is a beautiful Chanteuse singing songs that range from lovely French ballads to high-energy songs that will get the whole audience dancing. Combine this with Toronto’s finest musicians...

The Band They are based out of Toronto although most of them moved there from other places. They all do other things. Sean Cotton plays with lots of people and is half of the hard, beautiful duo The Undesirables. Brad Hart plays with lots of people, writes his own music and a feature film with funding attached. Tom Howell works in radio, most notably as one of the producers of CBC Radio One’s And Sometimes Y. He’s the word nerd. Claire Jenkins’ main focus is the band. She also composes music for theatre, acts and thinks up projects. Treasa Levasseur has her own band that she fronts. They are energy unleashed. Her next album Low Fidelity will be coming out in the fall. Joe Phillips plays with different people and is principle bassist for Orchestra London. Brian Kobayakawa also plays bass with the band on occasion. His main project is the amazing Creaking Tree String Quartet.

A harmonious and energetic blend of blues, folk, celtic, country and everything in between, Lead Pipe Cinch has a repertoire of original material, sprinkled with some of their favourite cover tunes from EmmyLou to Earle, Hiatt to Hank.

Ken Allen draws his inspiration from a wide variety of musical styles, Celtic, Blues, Mountain/ Old time country music, folk and rock to name a few, and leans heavily on a groove oriented style in his performing and writing, with a love for the driving beat. Ken is currently recording his debut cd "Going to the Sun".

Jennifer Ives is a self-proclaimed "heartbreaker, mover and a shaker", a shy, retiring kind a girl, who broke her baby teeth listening to the Vienna Boys’ Choir and Dixieland jazz, cut her first molars on Elvis, and her wisdom teeth listening to the Who, Hendrix and Joni Mitchell. Born the eldest into a family of musicians, Jives is blessed with a modicum of talent, and the nerve to use it!

Although only a "Cinch" for a short time, appearances at the Orillia Opera House, Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival, Bobcageon Wine and Food Festival, Orillia Folk Society's FridayFolk, Groundswell Coffeehouse, Celebrate Water Festival, Picnics and Performances, and other events, have given Ken and Jennifer the opportunity to share the earthy/bluesy roots they enjoy.