“Terrific songwriting that deserves the widest audience”
“Terrific songwriting that deserves the widest audience”
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A few accomplishments: Played Brad Majors in the first ever Canadian production of the ROCKY HORROR SHOW (before the movie had us all shouting along). He saw much of the world as Piano Player / Narrator in the second-ever cast of BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR, including stops on-and-off-Broadway, in Bermuda, and West Berlin. He won a Jessie Award (the Vancouver version of a Tony) for Outstanding Musical Direction for his work on ANGRY HOUSEWIVES. And, along the way, he's been a song-writer and multi-instrumentalist, composing tunes on piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele for any situation that requires them. His songs have been much acclaimed for their wit, intelligence, poetry, and emotional power. For 8 years he was the Willie of Willie and the Wassailers, an extremely popular Shakespearean styled group well known for their zesty original music and tasteful irreverence. He was the chief writer and producer of their album Dancing ’Round the Moon. His first solo album, Two Directions, met with terrific critical response and first introduced us to his penchant for variety. A quote to that effect is found on the albums page. As well, it introduced us to his tremendous sense of humour one of the cornerstones of his writing style. For 9 years he was a writer/musician/performer/musical director for the Heritage town of Barkerville B.C. Much of his second album Caribou Eclectic was inspired by his time working there. It prompted a flurry of e-mail requests from its being played on the CBC programmes The Vinyl Café and Richardson’s Round-Up. His song “Santa Samba” – which is becoming an international holiday favourite – was deemed “the best Christmas song I have ever heard” by Cal Koat of Fairchild Radio. “Loving Time” was the runner-up in the Jazz Category of the 2003 The John Lennon Song Writing Contest. And the song “Wells” was deemed by several critics to be a “masterpiece”. His new album The Art of You and I has already received kudos for its music, lyrics, production and because in many cases it’s just plain fun. But let your own ears be the judge. Over the years, he has delighted live audiences at: The Rogue Folk Club, the Mission Folk Festival, The Northwest Folklife Festival, The ANZA Club, The Q.E. Theatre, and has been a regular performer at the Vancouver songwriters’ circle Just Singin’ Around. As Steve Edge of the Rogue Folk Club said:
And along the way, he has supported himself in part by being a voice guy – radio commercials; narration; cartoons; CD-ROM games; and, on one occasion, a bottle opener. Learn more HERE.
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