Bluebird North in St Albert

Details:
What happens when five of the East Coast’s greatest songwriters get together in St. Albert on St. Patrick’s Day? A wee bit of magic.

Hosted by the Songwriters Association of Canada, Bluebird North offers audiences a uniquely interactive style of acoustic performances. With more East Coast Music Awards than you could shake a shamrock at, Ron Hynes, Dave Gunning, Catherine MacLellan and Madison Violet are sure to inject some Maritime spirit into your heart.


About the Performers

One of Canada’s premier singer-songwriters, Ron Hynes has created beautifully crafted signature songs for more than 35 years. His fall 2010 release, Stealing Genius (Borealis/Universal) marked his eighth solo recording, and his third project with award-winning producer, Paul Mills.
Best known for his folk classic Sonny’s Dream, Ron Hynes' songs have been recorded by artists world-wide including Emmylou Harris, Mary Black, Christie Moore, Denny Doherty, Murray McLauchlan, John McDermott, Prairie Oyster, The Cottars, Hayley Westenra and many more.
With eight solo albums and numerous collaborative projects to his credit, Ron Hynes is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner, and a past JUNO, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee. He was recipient of the 2008 SOCAN National Achievement Award for songwriting career success, and holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University for his contributions to the cultural life of his beloved Newfoundland and Labrador.

Silhouette is the highly anticipated new album from Catherine MacLellan recorded largely at a secluded cabin in rural Prince Edward Island. The subtle yet steadfast strength of the album is undoubtedly the understated power of MacLellan’s songwriting and performance on the largely acoustic-driven songs. Her sweet tones and internalized lyrics that ponder in the most elegant terms the most relatable of internal dilemmas - balancing work and family, love blooming and fading away, and evaluating one’s own personal strength. A particularly sweet note on Silhoutette hits on the penultimate track “Snowbird”, a stripped down cover version the most lauded song ever written by her father Gene MacLellan, featuring Canadian icon Jim Cuddy (of Blue Rodeo). It’s a meaningful acoustic tribute to the elder MacLellan’s songwriting legacy, and fan favourite re-imagined by Catherine in a whole new light MacLellan’s star has long been rising in North America. Voted Critics Favourite New Discovery by Penguin Eggs Magazine in 2008, Her last record Water In The Ground reached out to expand her already loyal fan base as she toured in support of legendary artists including Bruce Cockburn in the United States and Steve Forbert in the UK, while also holding her own by showcasing in Boston, Berlin, Cannes, Memphis, New York, London, and Paris. Her previous albums have collectively hit #1 on the iTunes Canada Roots charts, and been acclaimed by tastemakers at Maverick Magazine, fRoots, The Austin Chronicle, and Boston Globe.

Nova Scotia born and bred singer-songwriter, Dave Gunning, a working class hero from humble beginnings to grow to a point where his name is regularly included in conversation with artists such as David Francey, James Keelaghan, Ron Hynes, Stan Rogers, Bruce Cockburn and Gordon Lightfoot.  Writing from a sonic menu that includes flavors of Irish, Scottish, French Acadian, folk and country musical styles, Dave Gunning transcends genre with songs that fill your senses and touch your soul. Dave paid his dues supporting other artists over the years, touring with the likes of Stompin’ Tom Connors, JP Cormier, John Allen Cameron, Ron Hynes and Stephen Fearing.  Since heading out on his own, Gunning has continually stood out in the crowd.  Dave has been awarded six East Coast Music Awards out of fifteen nominations since 2003 and took home two 2011 ECMA awards.  Gunning has also been a finalist in the Great American Song Contest, the USA Songwriting Competition, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the International Songwriting Contest.  
Dave Gunning’s humility and talent are both born of a farmer’s acceptance of the world around him.  Gunning doesn’t sit down to try to create grand music.  He views the world around him for the seeds of something to grow, and cultivates what he sees into life as stories and songs that will touch your heart; he’ll make you think, laugh and cry with classic story songs of underdogs and a world that’s perhaps not quite level but well worth the climb.  Like Gunning himself is fond of saying, “There’s a song in there somewhere.”

JUNO nominated roots duo Madison Violet (Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac) can attest to that with their latest release, The Good in Goodbye, out on September 6 (True North Records). An album born from their growth, both together and apart, The Good in Goodbye is an open diary of their personal and professional experiences together as friends and musicians, two very unique relationships that affect each other in profound ways. Since releasing their last album, No Fool for Trying (2009), Madison Violet won the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their track “The Ransom,” took home the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and were nominated for multiple East Coast Music Awards and a 2010 JUNO Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Group). To capture the intimacy of The Good in Goodbye, Madison Violet returned to the studio with trusted friend and producer Les Cooper (Jill Barber) while bringing a collective of remarkable musicians into the fold, including Joel Stouffer (Dragonette) on drums, Adrian Lawryshyn (Andy Stochansky) on bass, and vocals from Ruth Moody (The Wailin’ Jennys) and singer/songwriter Blair Packham. Receiving a mass of acclaim from outlets including the BBC, the CBC, Maverick Magazine, NPR, and Penguin Eggs Magazine, No Fool for Trying made dedicated fans of even the most hard-to-crack critics. Ultimately, Madison Violet captured the attention of Mojo Magazine, landing “Small Of My Heart” on the publication’s distinguished playlist, “Mojo’s Top 10,” in December 2009. Madison Violet also have the unique distinction of being the only Canadians to win The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The duo has sold-out venues across North America and Europe, had the prestigious distinction of touring with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe, and has shared stages with contemporaries such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Ron Sexsmith and The Indigo Girls. With their newest effort, Madison Violet prove on they’re among Canada’s brightest singer/songwriters.