Garnet Rogers (Ontario)
Friday Oct. 02/09

We welcome Garnet back for another memorable visit. He has established himself as one of the major Canadian songwriters of our time. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a "charismatic performer and singer", Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence with a voice to match. Cinematic in detail, his songs "give expression to the unspoken vocabulary of the heart" (Kitchener Waterloo Record). Recorded over two hot August nights in the charming little village of Wakefield, Quebec, Garnet Rogers’ recent recording Live At The Black Sheep is an unrehearsed and riveting collection of original and traditional songs with Greg Brown, and the duo of Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman. “Garnet Rogers may be the greatest male interpreter and vocalist performing in the contemporary folk scene... a first rate writer...musical integrity and powerful performance...” - Sing Out.

Lennie Gallant (P.E.I.)
Friday October 16/09

On Sale - Monday Sept. 28/09 - 9:00am

When Lennie was inducted into the “Order of Canada” they said, “Gallant has garnered much respect for his hard hitting songs chronicling the lives of people dealing with tremendous adversity and serious issues.” Canadian astronaut Julie Payette took along “When We Get There” on the Space Shuttle mission this summer. We always knew Lennie’s music was out of this world – now there’s proof! His summer release, "If We Had A Fire" joins a solid body of work that has brought him a host of recognition from both the Juno and East Coast Music Awards. His songs ring true. Fresh from a month in Nashville writing, Lennie will present a Song Writing workshop on Saturday as part of the Calgary Folk Club’s Legacy Projects. The Halifax Herald describes Lennie’s performances as “energetic…dynamic…inspirational… A powerhouse of a show!” 

Robin & Linda Williams (Virginia)
Friday Oct. 30/09

On Sale - Tuesday Oct. 13/09 - 9:00am

For more than a quarter of a century Robin and Linda Williams have delighted audiences large and small with a blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country. The New York Times said: "Vocally and instrumentally, the Williamses combine impeccable musical discipline with a bare simplicity and an utter lack of pretension." Their delightful initial appearance at the Calgary Folk Club in 1981 has been reprised several times since. Robin and Linda have appeared on The Grand Ole Opry, “Austin City Limits,” American “Mountain Stage,” “Music City Tonight,” and are mainstays on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” Jim Watson, a long-time member of the “Fine Group”, was a founding member of the Red Clay Ramblers. Robin and Linda and Their Fine Group have performed extensively across the US, Canada and Europe. This visit is long overdue!

Shanneyganock (Newfoundland)
Friday Nov. 13/09

On Sale - Monday Oct. 26/09 - 9:00am

Thirteen foggy years ago, Mark Hiscock and Chris Andrews were double booked at a small pub in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Rather than cancel one performer, the charismatic owner suggested they play together and so was born Shanneyganock. Joined by bassist Bob Pike and Mike Clarke on percussion, the group has since charmed many through their stirring ballads, powerful shanties, and rib-rattling jigs and reels. With a new release just out, their six previous studio projects have been featured on Home Brew compilations, Warner Record’s Atlantic Standard’s compilation and “Ed’s Up” on OLN Network with The Barenaked Ladies. 2007 also marked 4 Music Newfoundland and Labrador award wins including Entertainers of the Year, as well as a 2008 East Coast Music Award nomination for Roots Group. They've completed several Cross Canada Tours, and we welcome Shanneyganock to the Club!

Guy Davis & Rod Davis (New York & England)
Friday Nov. 27/09

On Sale - Monday Nov. 09/09 - 9:00am

Musician, composer, actor, director, and writer, Guy Davis is currently touring with Rod Davis of John Lennon's original Quarrymen. Guy has dedicated his career to reviving the traditions of acoustic blues and bringing them to as many ears as possible through the material of the great blues masters, African American stories, an’sd his own original songs, stories and performance pieces. Guy influences include great blues musicians as Blind Willie McTell, Mississippi John Hurt, Buddy Guy, and Taj Mahal. Rod Davis played banjo with the Quarrymen  from 1956 to mid 1957, when he was replaced in the group by Paul McCartney. Since then, Rod immersed in a variety of musical genres, including Bluegrass, American Old-Time and Celtic styles.  Since 1997, he has been performing with a revival version of the Quarrymen.  Guy and Rod combine forces and create magic!

All Neil All Night (Alberta)
Friday Jan. 22/10

On Sale - Monday Nov. 30/09 - 9:00am

"All Neil All Night" is Kit Johnson's tribute to Neil Young - one of the great singer/songwriters of the age. Joined by Alberta musical luminaries Tim Leacock, Steve Pineo, and Ross Watson, every performance of this show sells out with audiences craving more. Kit Johnson has played behind such legends as Joni Mitchell, Solomon Burke, Taj Mahal, Big Sugar, The Tragically Hip, and countless others. He co-wrote "Lover of Mine" (SOCAN song of the year for 1991) with Alannah Myles and he has written and performed the score for two films. The band easily moves from the laid-back acoustic material synonymous with Neil's early years to the 'arena rock' that inspired a generation of grunge rockers. Kit Johnson's voice creates an eerily familiar “Neil” sound and the band re-creates the 'ragged glory' of Crazy Horse.

Dry Branch Fire Squad (Ohio)
Friday Feb. 05/10

On Sale - Monday Jan. 18/10 - 9:00am

An utterly entertaining and emotionally moving performance group, Dry Branch Fire Squad is Ron Thomason (mandolin, guitar, lead vocals), Brian Aldridge (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Tom Boyd (banjo, dobro, vocals) and Danny Russell (bass, vocals). These guys produce a spry mix of front-porch standards, modern ballads, southern gospel music and the old-time Appalachian sounds from which bluegrass first sprang. The quartet is positively adored for its droll, scampy stage shows, fueled by Ron’s cornpone-and-hard-cider wit. An institution in American acoustic music circles, they simultaneously expand and preserve the bluegrass tradition. Their fierce and uncompromising loyalty to the music over the past 30 years has resulted in over twenty recording projects and rave review performances at the most prestigious acoustic music venues and festivals in North America, including this return performance to our Club!

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem (Connecticut)
Friday Feb. 19/10

On Sale - Monday Feb. 01/10 - 9:00am

Start with fiddle, guitar, and a standup bass. Add a cardboard box with a suitcase bass drum and tin can cymbals, played by an ex-rock and zydeco drummer. Over a mighty fine groove, hang Rani Arbo's bewitching, expressive alto, seamless four-part harmonies, and a splash of banjo and ukulele, and you have daisy mahem.  Rani’s swampy, self-taught fiddling draws from swing, blues, and old-time music.  Andrew Kinsey provides a rich, compelling baritone, generous spirit, and rock-solid bass playing.  Anand Nayak is a powerful singer/songwriter with a rare gift for arranging and a gutsy guitar style that draws from a century's worth of jazz, funk, blues and folk masters. Drummer Scott Kessel, pilots the "Drumship Enterprise," - the recycled drum kit comprised of unlikely items including cat food tins, and a Danish butter cookie tin. What fun and delight! 

John Boutte & Paul Sanchez (Louisianna)
Friday Mar. 05/19

On Sale - Tuesday Feb. 16/10 - 9:00am

Born in New Orleans in the same year, almost the same day, John Boutte and Paul Sanchez both have a deep love of the city, its people, traditions, and, most of all, its music.  John lives in the French Quarter, birthplace of New Orleans' music. Born into a large Creole family, he soaked up New Orleans torchy jazz, aching soul, heart-wrenching blues and African-American gospel, then added his own Creole traditions. Paul Sanchez, a superbly talented singer/songwriter and guitarist, helped form the popular rock band, Cowboy Mouth, recording and touring for 16 years, and since has pursued an active and successful solo career.  John and Paul are kindred spirits as their first triumphant collaborative recording, Stew Called New Orleans, testifies. Their friendship is audible in their dynamic and captivating performances.

Kate Rusby (England)
Friday Mar. 19/10

On Sale - Monday Mar. 01/10 - 9:00am

Yorkshire singer Kate Rusby, dubbed the “Barnsley Nightingale”, has one of the most stunningly beautiful voices in British music. Since launching her career in 1995, she has acquired an ever-growing legion of fans; the engagingly down to earth Yorkshire lass has popularized traditional English folk music. Songs of love and loss, gallant deeds, soldiers, sailors and the English countryside are straight from the nation's folk tradition - some self-penned, others new arrangements of timeless classics. Kate delivers them with a purist's heart and a joyously contemporary spirit. A little lady with a huge personality, Kate, has a very natural wit and breaches the division of the footlights effortlessly. Between songs she chats to her audience, befriends them, even teases them occasionally. Kate Rusby is a natural performer and great fun! 

Friday Apr. 09/10
...And The Winner Is

Nathan (Manitoba) - Juno Award Winner
Michael Jerome Browne (Ontario) - CFMA Best Solo Artist
and Calgary Folk Fest Songwriter Winner John Wort Hannam (Alberta)

On Sale - Monday Mar. 22/10 - 9:00am

Nathan (Manitoba)
2008 Juno Roots and Traditional Album of the Year
Documenting the paradox of places that are somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Keri Latimer (vocals, guitar), Shelley Marshall (vocals, multi-instrumentalist), Devin Latimer (bass) and Damon Mitchell (drums) harness the essence and duality of the Canadian Prairies, capturing the modern, old-fashioned sound of the lonesome, crowded west.

Michael Jerome Brown (Ontario)
2008 Solo Artist, Canadian Folk Music Awards (sponsored by the Calgary Folk Club)
The Globe and Mail calls him “A multi-instrumentalist and singer of vast talent",
Penguin Eggs says he’s a “musical explorer who thrives on breaking his own boundaries." And the Calgary Sun writes: "No matter what part of the roots genre he tackles, he nails it..."

John Wort Hannam (Alberta)
2009 Calgary Folk Fest Songwriting Competition–Best Song (sponsored by the Calgary Folk Club)
From the prairies of Southern Alberta, John is known for his unique take on the day-to-day dramas of the common man through songs that map the landscapes of both the human heart and this vast country of ours. A born story-teller with a keen eye for the quirky and a way with lyrics!

Oysterband (England)
Friday Apr. 23/10

On Sale - Monday Apr. 05/10 - 9:00am

Oysterband make a modern, folk-based British music, acoustic at heart, sometimes intense, sometimes rocking. Since 1978 they’ve toured in 35 countries - “Festivals, concerts, bars, rallies, jails, bring ‘em on!” - and made 12 studio albums. Influenced by all manner of music, culture and style, the heartbeat of the band is a deep-rooted love of the traditional music of Britain. A tradition that deals in integrity, passion, human experience and human emotion - songs that made you want to dance, laugh, cry, jump for joy. Hey, that could be folk music, it could be rock music... maybe it's just GOOD music. Whatever, it has helped the Oysters become one of the most irresistible bands of the last decade. And the two before that, too. These masters of the stage are a grand finale for the season!