Tin Pan North Performer Bios
We've got forty singer-songwriters coming from all over North America to attend Tin Pan North. You can buy tickets at the door ($10.00) or a 3 night pass ($30.00 - and this includes the Gala at the Hugh's Room). If you are attending the Gala at the Cadillac Loung only, tickets are 20.00. Advance tickets are now available at Ticket Window.
Headliners and performers for Tin Pan North 2017.
KIRA ISABELLA
Kira Isabella has over a decade of experience under her belt performing her brand of up-tempo country music across Canada. She has been unstoppable since her first recital at the age of seven.
An immersed student of her craft, Kira delved into a variety of music, but it was when she discovered the likes of powerhouse country vocalists Shania Twain and Faith Hill, that she knew she was hooked on country.
Continually perfecting her craft, set Kira Isabella apart from the crowd and she developed her stage presence skills anywhere she could. The buzz surrounding Kira's powerful pipes and dynamic sound couldn't be ignored any longer, and she was signed to Sony Music Entertainment Canada at 16 years old.
The release of her first album with the title song “Love Me Like That,” was a runaway hit crossing over into the Canadian Hot 100 Chart, while also earning a 2012 Canadian Radio Music Award in the Country category at Canadian Music Week
Her sophomore Album Caffeine and big dreams which included her acclaimed hit "Quarterback", spawned her "Shake It Tour" across Canada
Kira has been wowing audiences as the opening act for the likes of Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean, entertaining fans at festivals across Canada such as Boots and Hearts, Bluesfest and Big Valley Jamboree
Accolades include the 2012 CCMA award for Rising Star - 2013 CMAO Female Artist of the year - 2013 CCMA Female Artist of the year and 2014 CMAO Female Artist of the year.
Continually working on her craft and performing across the country Kira Isabella is proud to be part of the Canadian Country Music community.
JASON McCOY
Jason McCoy is a Canadian Country singer/songwriter.
He has won many awards including the 2001 Male Vocalist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards, 3 SOCAN Song of the Year awards, 19 CCMA nominations and 5 Juno nominations (all for Best Country Male Vocalist). He also won 6 awards at the 2004 Ontario Country Performer and Fan Association awards. In 2006, he was awarded with the Global Artist Award at the CMA Awards in Nashville.
McCoy is also one of the three members of the group The Road Hammers, which has released two studio albums, in addition to charting four singles in Canada and one in the United States.
The latest album from The Road Hammers "Wheels" featuring the hit singles "Mud" and "Get On Down the Road" is available now.
Born in Barrie, Ontario and raised for a time in Camrose, Alberta before his family settled in Anten Mills, Ontario. At around the age of 5, his family moved to Camrose, Alberta, returning three years later. "The cowboy culture really stuck with me. I just fell in love with the music. For some reason, as a little kid, I had some sort of connection with these guys who were singing about these depressing things," McCoy said, citing Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to lesser known artists like Ed Bruce and Wynn Stewart. "I just didn't have a voice for rock 'n' roll."
Jason started playing guitar at age 7 and wrote his first song when he was 12.
In his teens, Jason owned a rock 'n' roll guitar and was partial to AC/DC. In the 1980s, he joined a band called Three Quarter Country, which performed at legions, Saturday night dances, and clubs in Barrie, Midland, Orillia and other small towns.
Jason won a talent contest in Barrie,Ontario where he was discovered by country music writer Henry McGuirk who later became his manager and arranged for him to travel to Nashville to record an album with producer Ray Griff. He later signed with MCA Records in 1995.
On April 4, 2016, McCoy joined the "Drive Home" broadcast team of Country 101.1 out of Ottawa, Ontario as a DJ, on air from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m (with costar Nancy Stapleton.
GIL GRAND
Grand’s path to Nashville began hundreds of miles from Music City, just north of the U.S. border. He was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, and was introduced to singing and guitar playing at 14 while sitting around the table listening to his dad and uncles exchange their renditions of classic country hits.
His first brush with fame came after he entered the nationally acclaimed Canadian Open Country Singing Contest, winning first place three consecutive years. These distinct honors are acknowledged in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
On the strength of his first record Famous First Words, produced by Byron Hill, Grand received three CCMA nods, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Wrangler Rising Star.
His impressive sophomore effort, Burnin’, netted him five CCMA nominations, including Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year and Album of the Year, with Grand taking home the award for Male Artist of the Year.
In 2006, Grand released his third album, Somebody’s Someone, which he co-produced, earning a CCMA award for Record Producer of the Year.
In October 2007, Grand and business partner Randy Gee launched Grand & Gee Music Group, a Nashville-based music publishing company and full-service recording studio.
The company earned CCMA nominations for Music Publisher of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011and 2012.
Bucky Covington brought G&G their first top 30 single with “I Want My Life Back,” and Chris Young’s big number one hit “Tomorrow” became Grand & Gee Music’s first chart topper and SESAC Song of the Year.
Managing a publishing company for five years has allowed Gil Grand to establish a presence within the community.
Gil continues to write and sing country music, pitch songs for aspiring artists, and work as an entertainment manager.
BEVERLEY MAHOOD
A successful singer-songwriter, actress, model, and television host, Beverley Mahood is a dynamic
entertainer, highly recognized, musically, for several solo albums, and also for the, David Foster produced, award winning trio, “Lace”.
As an artist, Beverley’s history includes several CCMA Awards, 5 Juno Nominations, 5 albums and a couple of Christmas Albums. TV shows (Pick A Puppy), movie roles (Changing Seasons), songwriting credits (Celine Dion), exclusive performances (G8 World Leaders, CDN/USA Troops, Royals), time as the celebrity model for Bootlegger and a commitment to community (Slaight Music Humanitarian Award) are a few other highlights of her career to date.
Born in Belfast, Beverley is a proud Canadian ~ “I can’t wink, I can’t whistle ... but I love my hockey”
LEAH DANIELS
It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Leah Daniels. It started with the release of her debut album, "What It Feels Like" and her top 20 single, "Go Back." Along the way, she's been racking up new fans and awards: A Canadian Radio Music Award for FACTOR Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year from the Country Music Association of Ontario and performances at some of the country's biggest festivals: CMT Music Fest, Boots and Hearts & Big Valley Jamboree to name a few. Just getting to this point has been a dream come true for the Uxbridge, Ontario native who was introduced to country music as a young child by her grandfather.
KEITH GLASS
Keith Glass is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, bass), and producer, and a founding member, guitarist, and songwriter with Prairie Oyster, a group which has received critical acclaim, including multiple Juno and CCMA awards. Prairie Oyster is often cited as the country’s foremost roots/country band. They toured extensively in Canada, the U.S. and Europe over a career that spanned almost four decades. In 2008, Prairie Oyster was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Keith and his band mates are also the recipients of a SOCAN lifetime achievement award.
Keith’s musical career began with an acoustic band called The King City Slickers which was the forerunner of Prairie Oyster. During a hiatus from that band he fronted his own group, The Glass Band, through the mid 1970s, playing a mix of rock ‘n roll and R&B in clubs throughout Ontario, and was the guitarist in both the stage and screen productions of “Hank Williams: the Show He Never Gave” starring Sneezy Waters, aka Peter Hodgson, with whom he also played on many shows.
In recent years, he has been busy producing albums for numerous Eastern Ontario artists including Brock Zeman, Erin Driscoll, Trevor Alguire, Missy Burgess, Brea Lawrenson, Tony Turner and Greg Kelly, and playing and singing on many others, including Lynn Miles and Lynne Hanson.
The latest solo album (Bad Dog, named in honour of the family dog, Dusty) shows that Glass is in his songwriting prime, offering listeners beautiful ballads and rich storytelling. The majority of the album was recorded in his home studio as well as at Audio Valley Recording Studio.
When he is not taking playing solo shows or with The Keith Glass Band, Keith also performs with Lynn Miles.
JOAN BESEN
After a varied career of performing and writing, which included seven years as a member of Sylvia Tyson's band, Joan Besen became a member of Prairie Oyster in 1982. Her unique keyboard playing is a strong element in the band's distinctive and familiar sound, and can also be heard on the recordings of many other national and international artists.
Besen is the songwriter behind many of Prairie Oyster's best-known songs, including Did You Fall in Love with Me, One Precious Love, Will I Do 'Til the Real Thing Comes Along and many more. Over the years her songs have received the majority of awards that the Canadian music industry has to offer. Besen is a founding member of the S.A.C. and has participated in teaching workshops for this organization. She is on the board of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and also succeeded Frank Davies as chairperson of the SOCAN Song of the Year Committee for CARAS, a position that she held for six years. In addition to playing and writing music, Joan enjoys participating in activities in support of Canadian music.
ANDREA ENGLAND
Nova Scotia-born Toronto-based Andrea England has a unique ability to work successfully in two different music worlds, recording and performing as a solo roots/country artist while placing songs with pop stars and emerging country artists. Having been awarded by the John Lennon International, NSAI, USA, and International Songwriting Competitions, England’s songs have appeared on numerous TV series, in feature films, and have been recorded by numerous artists, including former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger (whose recording of co-write "Casualty" on Killer Love earned Andrea her first UK Gold record), 2015 CCMA nominee Twin Kennedy (cowrites "Get Back Up" and "I Never Will" book-end their new album, It's A Love Thing) and rising stars Meghan Patrick ("Nothing but a Song" on Grace & Grit) and Melissa Bel. Andrea also cowrote recent singles by Tara Macri, Zameer, and Kolton Stewart, among others.
Andrea's last album, Hope & Other Sins - which was produced by Colin Linden and features guest musicians Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Damhnait Doyle, Liz Rodrigues and Gordie Sampson, among others - garnered rave reviews and diverse radio play, reaching #1 on Galaxy’s FolkRoots chart & spending 14 wks on CashBox Magazine's Top 50 Folk Chart. Of it, David Kidney (Critics at Large) wrote: “The songs are autobiographical, personal, honest and universal. The performances are potent as you might expect; England’s vocals are delicate yet strong..." Andrea's most recent endeavour is founding and hosting Toronto's hottest 'in the round' songwriter concert series, Four Chords & the Truth.
DANI STRONG
Dani Strong is a singer/songwriter with an unparalleled stage presence. Her debut album, Time To Breathe has already hit #1 on the country charts and #2 over all genres at iTunes! The new album is brewing a buzz about Dani, who is blazing her trail as an independent artist in both Canada and south of the border as well.
Not only is Dani an exceptional songwriter, but she is also a captivating performer with incredible depth and charm. Feeding off of her audience she can win over any room with her brilliant wit and clever humour or simply dominate the stage with an absolutely haunting execution of one of her emotional pieces.
Dani’s story is one of dedication, heart, loss and triumph. It has not been a short and paved road to where she is now. Dani has learned, first hand, what it means to “pay your dues” and earn the respect of seasoned musicians, industry representatives and music fans alike.
KATHERINE WHEATLEY
Katherines passion for songwriting began with a 13 dollar guitar ordered from the Sears Catalogue. She sang back-ups and played coffeehouses while doing geology but put the hammer down when she was 30. She studied jazz composition and arranging at Humber College, winning the Duke Ellington Award for arranging, the Gordon Delamont Award for Composition and the CMPA award for songwriting. She is in high demand for her innovative songwriting workshops that cover many aspects of songwriting: lyric writing, chord progression theory, melody writing and sustaining creativity. She also created YOUTHSONGS, a songwriting and recording program for schools. She presents the program at schools in Canada and the US and is valued for her genuine caring and special intuition for connecting with all age groups.
Katherine's music has been used for television documentaries, series and films. She has been a featured vocalist on Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe, as well as a musical guest on TVO's Studio Two, CBC's Vicki Gabareau Show and CTV's Canada AM. In addition to touring across Canada, the U.S. and Europe as a singer/songwriter, Katherine is a member of the band "Betty and The Bobs" and plays guitar in Wendell Ferguson's "Smoking Section". She was one of 33 artists, including The Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Cockburn, and Sarah McLachlan, selected for FACTOR'S (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records) 20th Anniversary compilation CD. Her first CD, Straight Line, spent 17 weeks on Sam's Top 10 Independent Chart with nine of those weeks at number 2. Her second CD, Habits and Heroes, featured a stellar cast of musicians (The Bands Richard Bell, Blue Rodeos Basil Donovan, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Colin Linden) and received glowing accolades from critics and fans alike.
Before she was a working musician, Katherine worked for the Canadian Geological Survey, gathering not just rock samples, but material for her songs. Then - music was her hobby. Now - as she travels between shows on North Americas highways where the rock cuts show the best of the earths history, geology has become her hobby. The landscape, as well as the characters she encounters on her travels, continue to inspire her songs.
Katherine's new CD "Landed" produced by Scott Merritt and Lynn Miles is available now.
WENDELL FERGUSON
Wendell Ferguson is a buffoon, a fool, a charlatan and a general nuisance...but he can play the guitar (a bit). He's garnered 9 CCMA Awards, an OCPFA Lifetime Musician Award and was twice nominated for a JUNO. Despite all this he still remains the same unapproachable snob he's always been.
His CD, "Wendell Live! The Shit Hits the Fans!" was nominated for “Album of the Year” at the 2006 CCMA Awards. His latest CD, “Menage A Moi” won the ‘Instrumental Album of the Year’ at the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
He's proud to be appearing at the 2017 Tin Pan North songwriters festival.
JK GULLEY
As a performer, some of JK’s influences include James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and guitar icons Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Lenny Breau.
JK’s diversity and talents have recently been showcased on festival stages at the Mariposa Folk Festival, Summerfolk, the Barrie Jazz & Blues Festival, Kitchener Blues Festival, as well as appearances at Folk Alliance and the Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN.
In 2003 JK was invited to be a member of the legendary John Cowan Band as a Guitarist and Performing Songwriter. Cowan has recorded and released "Gulley penned" songs on 3 of his recent CDs.
A little known fact is that JK is also the inventor of the Gulley Hook, an acoustic guitar strap accessory made by Levy’s Leathers of Canada.
As talented behind the scenes as he is on stage, JK’s skills as a Songwriter, Arranger and Guitarist have lent themselves to recording studios in Canada and the United States with over 100 of his compositions recorded and released.
JK has seen chart success with his songwriting and guitar work on notable albums and CMT videos for artists Michelle Wright, John Landry, Gil Grand, Jamie Warren, Beverley Mahood, Diane Chase, Paul Brandt, Jason McCoy, Colin Amey, Tonya Kennedy, Ambush, and many more.
JK’s co-penned song “In This Room” by Ambush was nominated for “Best Video” at the CCMA’s, and their single “My Little Girl” which JK also co-wrote, continues to receive national airplay, and chart success.
JK was also a staff writer and recording artist for BMG and Warner/Chappell, and is the founder of the CCMA Songwriter’s Café.
JK’s latest production project, 10, 2 & 6 for Triple-A/Americana artist Mati Haskell is receiving rave reviews and airplay both nationally and internationally.
"Here is a debut record beyond anything I’ve heard before. Mati Haskell pushes more boundaries than many would dare on their second or third record, let alone their first. This record is astounding!"- Maverick Magazine UK.
JK has also recently produced projects for new country artist Kaitlin Kozell, and Roots/Americana artist Matthew Mutch.
JK has also produced a very special song from his catalogue for international singing star, John McDermott in honor of all service men & women called “Honor Thy Fallen.”
To prove his many endeavors successful, JK is a SOCAN and CCMA award winner, JUNO nominee, and has received several nominations for “Producer of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year” from RPM Big Country Awards and the CCMA.
JEFFREY EAST
Texas native, Jeffrey East, was raised in and around music his entire life. From a very young age, Jeffrey performed inhis family’s band and toured all over the Lone Star state. In 1993, he and his family pursued their musical dreams and relocated to Nashville, TN. It wasn’t until 2006, when his Dad and mentor succumbed to cancer, that Jeffrey began putting his emotions into songs.
Writing became a passion for Jeffrey and that passion caught the attention of legendary writer, Harley Allen (Between The Devil & Me, Everything I Love (Alan Jackson), The Little Girl (John Michael Montgomery) . Harley knew he had found something special in Jeffrey and signed him to his first publishing deal. Jeffrey had never co-written and Harley wanted to keep it that way. For several years, Jeffrey wrote by him self and because a true craftsman writer. In 2010, Jeffrey began the world of co-writing. A prolific writer in any genre, Jeffrey has had songs recorded by artists like Dierks Bentley, Sister Hazel, The Farm, RaineyQualley, Chuck Wicks, Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals, Allan Hall, Point Of Grace, and many more.
Peermusicsigned Jeffrey East to their writer roster in 2015. Creative Director, Kim Wiggins’ says, “There is a lot of talent in young Jeffrey and we are excited to see what the future holds for him”.
THOMAS WADE
Thomas Wade, is a Canadian country music artist. He was the lead singer of the group Thomas Wade & Wayward, who released their eponymous debut album in 1996. The album produced seven singles on the Canadian Country Music chart, including the Top 10's "Zero to Sixty" and "She's Getting Serious." Between 1997 and 1998 Thomas Wade and Wayward received seven CCMA awards. The group was also nominated for three Juno Awards for Best Country Group or Duo in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Wade launched a solo career in 2000 when he signed to Shoreline Records and released his debut album, Lucky 13. Five singles were released from the album, including the Top 10 "Running Away with You." Following the release of a career retrospective in 2001, So Far, Wade was diagnosed with oromandibular dystonia. While he was forced to end his recording career, he has continued his career as a songwriter. Celine Dion included one of Wade's songs, "Come to Me," on her 2004 album Miracle. Due to cutting edge work in neuroplasticity, Thomas began to heal early in 2010 and is just about to launch his first studio effort in 16 years on CD and Vinyl, Blue Country Soul.
JAMES GORDON
James Gordon is a Canadian songwriter/playwright/musician/producer and community activist. He was the founder of the seminal Canadian folk trio Tamarack. He has released 40 albums, and has written more than 1500 songs. He’s toured relentlessly around the world, and created a dozen theatre works with his distinctive material covering social justice, environmental and heritage topics. He was a weekly contributor to Arthur Black’s “Basic Black” CBC radio program, and has had more than 100 artists cover his songs world-wide. His new album “Sunny Jim” on Borealis Records reached #2 in Canada in the roots genre for airplay. Often referred to as a “poetician”, James is also a city councillor in his home town of Guelph Ontario.
DAVID LEASK
Originally from Scotland, David Leask is a born song chaser. A natural storyteller, creator of five critically acclaimed records and a relentless live performer, he is a recipient of the Mississauga Performing Artist of the Year Award. David has won multiple international songwriting awards in different genres including 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition for both the Blues and the Gospel category, the USA Songwriting Competition for Comedy, the Folk Music Ontario Songs from the Heart Contest in the Blues Political category; the Overall Winner, the Unisong Song Contest in the Country and Rock category, and the NSAI Single Song Country Showdown. Indeed, Songwriters Magazine called him the most consistent Canadian songwriting competition winner. David’s music draws from Celtic soul and roots/country, topped up with a pop sensibility and he is about to release his sixth record entitled “Six in 6/8”. A gifted songwriting teacher, David has been a songwriting mentor for 10 years with the School Alliance of Student Songwriters, on the songwriting faculty for Guitar Workshop Plus, and has conducted numerous songwriting workshops at Folk Festivals and on behalf of the Songwriters Association of Canada with students ranging in age from 7 to 70+.
PAUL LaMARCHE
CAROL HARRISON
DAYNA SHERECK
NICOLE RAYY
CHARISSA PAVLOU
Charissa is a singer/songwriter from Burlington, Ontario. She began performing publicly at a local coffee shop at the age of 12. Now at 20, she continues to play regularly - solo, duo or with a band at local establishments, events and fundraisers. Armed with her warm distinctive tone and powerful vocals, she delivers dynamic and emotional performances, attracting audiences of all ages. Charissa is currently working on her first solo project - writing and recording a unique mix of country/rock.
MARK YAN
Music is my joy- being very influenced by so many lovely people including the singer/songwriters of the 60’s/70’s folk scene in Toronto. Most recently, my duo opened for the Juno nominated group Dala as well as featuring at the Toronto Winterfolk Festival in 2016 and the prestigious Friday Folk Nights in Brampton. We have also played at the Folk Music Ontario’s Private showcase in 2015 and at FMO’s Sponsored Showcase in 2013 and the Junction Festival in 2013. I keep my mind on all the positives of music- which is the community, the singing and the joy of writing songs.
LUKE NICHOLSON
Alt-Folk-Pop singer-songwriter Luke Nicholson has been lauded by Rolling Stone EU as “one to keep eyes on” and compared to a “young Elton John and Billy Joel”. His songwriter prowess earned him a Genie nomination for Best Original Song in 2008 and since then he’s added accolades from the International Songwriting Competition, the CBC New Music Fest, and 4 Top 10 singles on CBC Radio 2 Top 20 countdown to his list of accomplishments. Recent signing to Make My Day/Indigo Records in Europe, a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell and distribution deal with Fontana North, signal a big 2017.
KATIE SACCO
Katie Sacco is a 17 year singer-songwriter from Toronto. She has been writing songs since age 12, and has wanted to perform on stage since she was a little kid. NSAI has helped shape Katie into the writer she wants to become and it continues to be a source of encouragement. Katie has been inspired by artists; Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, The Dixie Chicks and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. This is Katie’s first performance at Tin Pan North and she is honoured and excited to be part of this amazing festival.
BARB DORAN
Over her career, Barbara Doran has made many trips to Nashville to write and record. Doran was nominated in first round ballot at the inaugural 2012 CMAO awards in four categories, qualified as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition two years in a row, a finalist in the Great American Songwriting Competition multiple times and landed a spot on the Nashville Songwriter’s Association ‘Ones To Watch’ list many times. She has released three CD’s to date and the latest was released in Dec 2016, a nine song CD completely written by her and has been garnering amazing reviews.
PAUL MALYSA
Paul Malysa is both soulful and personal. He is a member of NSAI, SAC, CMAO and on the committee for Tin Pan North. He was also a finalist in the Eco Arts Awards and 3 of his songs were featured in a film, Best International Award of Excellence in Los Angeles. This year he just received the Akademia Music Award for his song that he co-wrote with John Christensen “Knelt Down and Prayed” for best Christian/Ballad. Paul has performed at the Legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville, and has been invited back for the 5th year straight to perform at CMA Fest. He has also released his 3rd CD “I’m Country in The City” on Squirrel Head Music’s Label and his music is available on YouTube, RDR Music, Reverbnation and Indiepool.
JAMES KEITH NORMAN
James Keith Norman, born and raised in Toronto, first picked up a guitar when he was 9 years old and began writing songs and performing in high school. He went on to work at CHUM-FM, CHFI and as Creative Director at 680 News. In 2010 James turned his attention back to songwriting and recorded 5 of his songs in Nashville in 2011. His music has been heard on terrestrial radio stations around the world, and is widely available on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. James’s 4th standalone single “Chore-free” is due mid-May 2017. Never one to limit his pursuits, he is also the author of a suspense book “Echoes: A Novel” which CBC News Network compared with “Robert Ludlum at his best”. James lives Toronto with his wife and three guitars.
DAVID JAMES NEALE
David James Neale from Hamilton, Ontario has been a member of NSAI for 5 years and has had one of his songs "You Rescued Me" land him on NSAI's "Ones to Watch" list. David has been busy for the last few months writing new songs which he will perform at Tin Pan North. David James Neale is a writer of "life moments" for listeners to remember on their own.
DAVID TENNYSON
David Tennyson (Jarvis) released his debut album in 2004 under the guidance of producer Kim Wood Sandusky, vocal consultant for recording artist Beyonce. Over the last few years Tennyson has honed his skills as a songwriter. A singer, guitarist and keyboard player, he has had the good fortune of working with vocalist Katelyn Clampett (one of Selena Gomez’s back up singers) who has done the vocals for 3 of his demos as well as members of both Carrie Underwood’s and Martina McBride’s bands.
Most recently he has written with songwriting partner Tori Sutherland, who with their song “Wildfire” made it on NSAI’s one to watch list.
DAVID McLACHLAN
David recorded his third album in Nashville June/July 2016. “Traveling Truthfully” can be heard/ordered at https://davidmclachlan.hearnow. The first two singles are getting great airplay in Europe. His fourth album “Out of Love” was recorded in Nashville Oct/Nov and will be released Sept 2017. In June 2017, he will be back in Nashville recording his fifth full length album called “Reaching For The Sun”
TORI SUTHERLAND
Tori Sutherland is a singer/songwriter from Burlington, Ontario. She began writing her first song at the age of 12; delving into verses, choruses and bridges that mimicked song styles she heard on the radio. Writing has been a constant in her life ever since. It wasn't until the age of 15 when she picked up a guitar that her love of writing and music naturally fell together. Nearly 10 years later, and after pursuing her academic career, she has found herself drawn back to her passion of songwriting. Writing from a personal place she hopes her songs can connect with those around her and is working towards writing herself an EP!
DON SAWCHUK
In 2011, Don Sawchuk left the pharmaceutical industry to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a professional musician. Now, after years of performing, hosting open mics, and deepening his songwriting skills, Sawchuk has crafted a soon-to-be-released, genre-diverse, thematic album Underdog produced by JK Gulley, which features Mati Haskell on background vocals, Douglas Romino on keys, Gary Craig on percussion, John Dymond on bass, and JK Gulley on lead guitar. This talented group layered Sawchuk’s album with a sonic complexity previously out-of-reach to the solo artist.
Don Sawchuk’s live performances sound distinct from his recorded tracks, as Don breathes new life and vigour into his songs in the presence of an audience. Through Sawchuk’s passion, the performances have an intimate and captivating vibe for all listeners. Sawchuk’s energy matches that of soul and Motown: he moves with the passion of Ray Charles and the charisma of James Brown, and his singing is reminiscent of Canadians Colin James and Steven Page with strong cadences and a powerful, inclusive message. No matter who you are, you will be moved by Sawchuk’s relatable songwriting and engaging performance.
SHAUN DEVLIN
Shaun started his musical career playing bass and singing in country bands, while writing and performing songs on the side. After a resounding lack of commercial success, Shaun took a long time off from music to focus on the other parts of his life. Shaun recently returned to songwriting and has recorded a CD of original music entitled Central Standard Time, which is available on iTunes and CD Baby. Shaun is a frequent performer at songwriter venues in the GTA, and is one of the Coordinators of the Toronto Regional Workshop of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International). Shaun credits NSAI with helping him get back into songwriting and recommends that developing writers join NSAI to take advantage of the many ways that it helps people become better songwriters.
DAN McVEIGH
Dan McVeigh is a country songwriter whose current CD called “Drove” has garnered great reviews from Country Music News and other publications. McVeigh achieved national radio airplay with his single “You Are All I Dream Of”. The song went to #1 on “That’s Country.com”. Dan's songs have been recorded by a number of Canadian artists such as Valerie Raymond, Debbie Nelson and Myra Leblanc . He is working on his new CD “Resolutions” to be released later this year. Dan performs regularly throughout Ontario and in Nashville, Tennessee as a solo artist & with his band North of 49. Dan has performed with artists like Victoria Banks, Frank Myers, Tim Johnson, Tim Taylor, Diane Chase, Gil Grand, Colin Amey, Jason Barry, Barry Brown, Bruce Michael Miller and Wendell Ferguson.
DEAN STACEY
After a twenty something year absence from music, Dean decided to just do it. He dusted off his guitar and has been writing songs ever since. He's been learning the craft, and making trips to work with Nashville veteran Marc Allen Barnette to improve his writing skills.Although he writes mainly country his influences come from a wide range of music, everything from classic rock and blues, to today's contemporary country chart toppers.
CARRIE DEMAEYER
Carrie is an emerging talent on the Canadian songwriter scene. She has received 5 FACTOR Awards for song-writing/publishing and in the last several years has had over 40 co-written album cuts (including 7 singles) on 12 different albums. “Carrie is the kind of outstanding talent that I am thrilled to work with. She is fun to produce and inspiring to be around.” Rick Hutt – Cedartree Studios
ROGER BECKETT
Roger is a singer/songwriter/musician from Pickering, Ontario.
He is one of the tow Coordinators for the Toronto Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and one of the three coordinators for the Toronto Chapter of the Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC).
Paul’s
songwriting is as diverse as his musicianship, which has seen him
perform onstage and on TV as a guitarist, drummer, or singer all
over the world as a solo performer and with Grammy-Winning artists.
Cerebral lyrics, groove, radio-friendly hooks, and huge vocal range
define Paul’s energetic live performances. Expect just about
anything!
Singer
Songwriter, Carol Harrison from Oro Medonte writes country and blues
from the heart. Songs that take you on a journey, stir memories,
make you laugh and that bring in the sunshine. Over the past year
Carol has been traveling and writing music. Carol's new cd,“Passage
in Time,” will be released this May and will be available at Tin Pan
North. Carol is a NSAI Tin Pan North Songwriters Festival Committee
Member.
Dayna
Shereck, a songwriter from Toronto, took her passion to Nashville 5
years ago where she began writing with Dan Hodges Music as an
unsigned songwriter. She has been a semi-finalist in the
International Songwriting Competition for 2012, 2013, 2014, as well
as a Finalist in 2014. Dayna released her first EP "Suitcase Full of
Dreams" in 2015, and had her first film placement that same year
with a song called "Whadaya Say" placed in "On The Wing". Her
co-written songs have been placed on several independant albums with
radio play on the BBC and independant radio throughout Canada and
the US.
Combining
the distinctive sounds of multiple genres from rock, pop, and
classic country while refusing to compromise on the raw, emotional
honesty that is prevalent throughout her entire body of work,
Canadian Country singer-songwriter and pianist Nicole Rayy is a
dynamic and powerful force of musical talent. Her distinctive and
brutally honest songwriting paired with her energetic performances
come through seamlessly no matter where her music is played, live on
the stage or in her critically acclaimed recordings. She has
performed at such festivals as Manitoulin Country Fest, the Calgary
Stampede, and the World Music Festival in Shanghai, China. Her
single "Dig" received over 62,000 streams on Spotify. "Fireproof" is
Nicole's new single currently at Canadian Country Radio.© 2017 NSAI Toronto