June 6th, 2010 Festival

Big Dave McLean

Big Dave McLean is finally getting his recognition, at an age when the rest of us are getting around to contemplating retirement. Only in the last decade or so has there been significant inroads into recording this definitive Canadian bluesman. A masterful guitarist and top notch harpist, McLean’s raw and gravelly vocals bespeak of a life lived to the fullest, and a career spent performing in and around those countless small towns that dot the Canadian prairies. When it comes to the blues, however, McLean’s heart firmly beats to the ghosts of the delta greats--especially the incomparable Muddy Waters, with whom he toured over two decades ago. Just how important the Mojo Man was to the development of Big Dave can be gleaned in an 11-minute tribute, aptly titled ‘Muddy Waters for President’. Actually written for the dean of Chicago bluesmen, Muddy died before getting around to recording it.
McLean’s stage performances also identify him as one of the top bluesmen in Canada and what he knows about the business came to him from blues legends John Hammond Jr. and Muddy Waters. He started out on harmonica in the early '60s and had his first guitar lesson from John Hammond at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 1969. Hammond and Muddy Waters became Dave's lifelong musical heroes and friends. What did he learn from the masters? "Well you gotta be courteous," says McLean. "You know, Muddy Waters told me you can have the best guys in the world in your band, and if they gotta go, if they want to branch out and do their own thing, you’re not gonna stop them from doing what they’re destined to do. You might as well aid them along, help them out. And John (Hammond) was much the same, one of the most courteous gentlemen on this planet, you know, totally helpful, inspiring. You know both of them were just wonderful, wonderful men. I’m so pleased that I had the opportunity to even meet them."
Years later, Colin James - certainly one of the best-known Canadian blues artists there is - put himself into the picture. 'Dave McLean has been stalwartly keeping up the blues tradition for years,' says James. 'I first heard him when I was nine, and he blew me away then, and he still does today. He's one of the great undiscovered bluesmen, and people ought to hear him.' As good as his word, James took McLean into his home studio in North Vancouver, called up a bunch of players who have worked with both artists, and cut a record together in three days. Said Colin: 'Dave has spent his whole life dedicated to the music, and what you hear is pretty well what happened. Everyone who got involved had a ball, and everybody can hear what a good time we all had. Dave is a singer and player that just makes everyone want to do their best.'
Whisky Award, 2005 - Runner-up for Singer Of The Year
Western Canadian Music Award, 2004 - Outstanding Blues Recording - "Blues From The Middle"
Prairie Music Award, 1999 - Outstanding Blues Recording - "For The Blues...Always"
Great Canadian Blues Award, 1998
Juno Award, 1991 - Best Blues/Gospel - "Saturday Night Blues, Vol. 1"
Maple Blues Award nominations: - Acoustic Act Of The Year, 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2003 - Blues With A Feeling Award*, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2006 * Toronto Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
- "Big Dave McLean is one of those musicians who has dug a deep trench across this country and he's the man who has been the heart of the blues scene for close to four decades. The real deal, a blues singer armed with a voice that could give a miles' worth of boxcars rumbling through the Winnipeg train yards a run for their money." Peter North from the liner notes.
 
www.myspace.com/canadasbigdavemclean

Oh My Darling

Oh My Darling is emerging as a powerhouse of superb female musicianship. Utilizing their keen sense of stylistic versatility, these young women have an vastly eclectic repertoire. Drawing inspiration from traditional music, their original songs are energetic and moving. They infuse their unique brand of country music with the old time sounds of appalachia, a Southern twang, and some funk inspired bass lines that'll get your hips swinging while your toes are tapping. In early 2009 they released their debut, a self-titled EP. Highlighting the beautiful original songs of Vanessa Kuzina (guitar, vocals), the instrumental prowess and unique instrumental compositions of Allison de Groot (banjo, vocals) and Rosalyn Dennett (fiddle, vocals) and the undeniably infectious grooves laid down by Marie-Josee Dandeneau (upright bass), this promising debut gained them attention across Canada, including a nomination for Best Roots Album at the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards.
This fall, Oh My Darling is in the studio recording their first full length album with renowned producer Lloyd Peterson (Wailin' Jennys, James Keelaghan). Their new repertoire pays tribute to traditional sounds, while creating new and exciting instrumental compositions, and showcases captivating new songs that weave a rich tapestry of original repertoire. Heard regularly on CBC and topping university radio charts, the gals are excited to get into the studio, and are revving up for their third Western Canadian tour early this Spring 2010.
"Oh My Darling truly is the quintessential roots ensemble. This band of smoking prairie pistols can do no wrong - from their divine melodies to their haunting Appalachian ballads, they'll leave you looking under your feet for a pile of sawdust and over your shoulder for cold mountain. Lend an ear people; it simply doesn't get much better than this."

www.ohmydarling.ca

The Doug and Jess Band

The Doug and Jess Band are from Winnipeg where they have made an extraordinary splash in the folk and bluegrass scene. The Doug and Jess Band have all of the essential musical ingredients that combine into an excellent presentation of roots music in the Bluegrass, Folk and Old Time genres.
Listening to Doug and Jess it becomes instantly obvious that they have absorbed all the fine traditions of the music and instead of simply repeating what many others have done, they have taken the music to a new level by creating new modern works within the framework of the tradition, "It's like new wine in old bottles," says award winning designer MichaelWrycraft. " I don't know anybody who does this better" continued Wrycraft, 'It has the feel of the old timers like the Carter Family, but it's almost all brand new songs".
Doug's high lonesome voice and Jess's straight strong alto blend together perfectly. The instrumental virtuosity combined with great harmony singing combined with great songs really make The Doug and Jess Band stand out from the rest.
The band consists of songwriters Doug and Jess Reimer, a father and daughter team who are the front folks of this four-piece band.  Jeremy G. Hamm plays mandolin, soulful fiddle and harmony vocals and rounding out the lineup is Tim Osmond whose inventive approach to the five-string banjo adds drive and bounce to the Doug and Jess sound.

The Dingleberries

The Dingleberries have remained a band for over a decade for the simple reason that they have fun making music together. Their considerable time together has allowed the band to develop an entertaining live show and a tight musical chemistry. The Dingleberries released their debut self-titled album in 2005, and according to Bartley Kives of the Winnipeg Free Press, “Songwriter Frank MacLean delivers big-league pop-folk ditties… a strong and unexpected debut”. The Dingleberries are currently working on their follow-up album, which promises to balance acoustic and electric sounds.
The Dingleberries’ music is described by Lorne Stelmach of the Morden Times as ”genre-blending original music and sing-along party tunes from an experienced and energetic band”. The artists they have opened for represent the band’s diversity of style, and ability to appeal to fans of different musical genres. The band has shared the stage with classic rockers Chilliwack and The Northern Pikes, hot new country artists Doc Walker, and blues great J.P. LePage, to name but a few. The band is at home in various venues, from clubs, to performance theatres, to festival stages, and the band members love bringing their music to new audiences.
The Dingleberries are: Frank MacLean on vocals and guitar, Jeff Korchoski on drums, Derek Robertson on vocals and guitar, Larry Solinski on bass, Jane Moody on cello, and Scott Bell on keyboards.

www.dingleberriesmusic.com

Jodi King

In a day and age where the prevailing pop culture loves nothing more than to pit women against one another and provoke confrontation and antagonistic independence, Winnipeg born singer/songwriter Jodi King is a breath of fresh air. Non-confrontational and non-aggressive, Jodi is every girl’s best friend and every guy’s “girl-next-door”. Honest, sincere and intimate, the songs evoke KT Tunstall or Colbie Caillat. Jodi’s forthcoming LP, This Is Jodi King is a modern take on the female acoustic pop album, showcasing Jodi’s vocal and musical talents and refreshing songwriting skills.

www.jodiking.com

Joel Nickel

Joel Nickel is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was a Top 45 contestant on the first season of Canadian Idol and is a two-time winner of the CanAm International Songwriting Competition. His first EP, Moonlight Park, was released in February 2009 and features three tracks that will appear on his full-length album, "Searching For Lethe" due out in February 2010. His first two singles, "Silver" & "Searching For Lethe" were active on the 92.9 KICK FM Kick 40 Chart from March to mid-October 2009, peaking at 22 and 15 respectively. His new single "Callous" introduces Joel's industrial side while maintaining the gentleness that is ever-present in all of his creations. Joel’s musical influences range from the melodic, poetically charged Smashing Pumpkins to the industrial overtones of Nine Inch Nails.

www.myspace.com/joelnickel

Del Barber

Born and raised on the prairies, Del Barber has found a new home on stage, winning audiences across Canada and the United States with raw talent and ample doses of charm. In the spirit of legends like Townes Van Zandt, Greg Brown, Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle, Barber dreams new life into old forms with a cutting sense of humour, a hint of cynicism, and songs that span the gulf between the sacred and the profane. This past May, Barber sold out his album release party for his debut, Where the City Ends, at Winnipeg’s Park Theatre. Since its release, the album has been a frequent presence on campus radio stations across Canada. A thoughtful reflection on place and progress, Where the City Ends is the sound of someone who’s fearless, honest and just plain loves his craft. With one foot in the city and the other on the farm, Barber’s music blends the wise sounds of the folk tradition with the earnest meditations of a prairie troubadour. Del was named one of five local artists to watch in 2009 by the University of Winnipeg's student weekly, The Uniter.

www.myspace.com/delbarber