We've started booking Amazing Artists Series performances for 2012. Once again, we're looking forward to a great year of amazing artists coming to Madoc to share their extraordinary talents and creativity with us.
David Maracle
Musician, author, sculptor, dancer, educator
Friday, Feb 17 @ 7:00pm
David R Maracle (Tehenneia'kwe:tarons) was born the seventh son for Andrew C. Maracle (Mohawk, Turtle Clan) and Lillian J. Maracle (Scottish, Bruce Clan) and lived the first 12 years of life on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reserve. His childhood consisted of many happy memories of traveling with his parents to different First Nations communities. This allowed David to have a rich understanding and appreciation for his Mohawk Heritage. Sitting and listening to Elders has been a great inspiration in David's life.
He attributes many of his accomplishments to his father, a respected Mohawk Elder who was an international speaker on First Nations issues and struggles. David has always been passionate regarding First Nations rights, language and education, and continues to take an active role in educating people through his art and music. David's mother Lillian was also a very inspirational force in his life as she was an accomplished author, poet, musician, artist, and craftswoman. Both parents' skills combined helped to initiate their son into being a success in the field of business and entrepreneurship. David, like his father, chose the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory to be his home and has been for over 35 years.
David began his career as a carver/sculptor in 1985. Traveling to Pow Wows, craft shows and fine art shows helped to develop and create a unique lifestyle, which allowed his abilities as a sculptor to soar. David, now an acclaimed world-renowned Stone Carver/Sculptor, has received many awards globally for his unique and detailed works of art. His latest award was placing First in the Sculpture Division at The Heard Museum in Scottsdale, Arizona. The influences of his Mohawk Heritage are clearly depicted in his sculpture.
David's sculptures have touched the hearts of many people; private and corporate collectors alike throughout the world. Some of his more famous Curators include Nelson Mandela, Loretta Lynne, Dan Akroyd, and the Emperor of Japan.
Whenever David needed to take a break from carving, he turned to music, and what started out as relaxation time quickly turned into a second career. David discovered that he could convey through his music the same goals that he had strived toward with his sculptures; getting his message to the people. Not only a talented singer and song-writer, David also mastered many other instruments, including the Iroquoian and Celtic flutes, native hand drums and many other percussion instruments.
With no formal training in the Arts or in Music, David believes his talents are a gift from the Creator, which he gives thanks for daily and never takes for granted.
Traditional country, country-swing, rock-a-billy and footstompin’ reels
Wed. March 14 @ 7pm
Whoa, Nellie! was formed in March 2005 by Vera Colley – singer, songwriter and accordionist.
Her sound is an exciting blend of traditional country, country-swing, rock-a-billy and footstompin’ reels – fresh originals and a joyous revival of forgotten gems.
Her love of this music is immediately apparent to audiences. She looks like she is having fun because she is! The very distinct Whoa, Nellie! sound is nailed to the floorboards by her partner and guitar-slinger Johnny G, wielding an arsenal of lovely stringed things with flying fingers and a depth of understanding of roots and American music few guitar players can boast.
Usually arranged as four-piece with bass and drums, Whoa, Nellie! is lively, lovely, new-traditional country. In 2005 Whoa, Nellie! recorded a five-song demo called “Swing-billy, baby…” and in summer 2007 started recording a full-length CD which is due out in late 2010. On September 19, 2010 Whoa, Nellie! took home the BEST COUNTRY AWARD at the Barrie New Music Fest New Music Awards!
AL LERMAN - (and maybe a couple of other Fatheads too!)
Blues - Harp, Sax, Guitar
Wednesday, May 26 @ 7pm
Yes, he's coming back!!
Considered one of the top blues harp players in the country, multi-instrumentalist AL LERMAN is a journeyman musician who plays with sizzle and a whole lot of soul. He’s garnered several MAPLE BLUES AWARD nominations for both his harp and saxophone playing as well as his song-writing. He’s founder and leader of the popular 2X JUNO AWARD winning blues/roots outfit FATHEAD. When FATHEAD is not on the road, Al can be found working with a variety of top notch musicians - as either a sideman or fronting - singing the blues, blowing harp, sax, and playing guitar. He has appeared on several recordings with the likes of famed Chicago bluesmen Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Little Mack Simmons (which he also produced), as well as solid contributions to discs by Rick Fines, Mel Brown, Julian Fauth, Rita Chiarelli, and Morgan Davis.
He also performs as a solo artist, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and rack harmonica. No matter what, you can always expect some downhome blues, soul and R&B that shoots straight from the heart. Al is also involved in teaching harmonica through private lessons & workshops. On a larger scale, he created a course in blues harmonica which he taught at the Etobicoke School Of The Arts.
Tuxedo - Joey Wright & Carolyn Mark
The Twin Tele lap steel sensation that will make you say *&#$% AMAZING!! Spaghetti Western Swing Twang Soul Party with the legendary Carolyn Mark!!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 @ 7 pm
Carolyn Mark Ever since first taking to the stage as Templeton the rat in her elementary school's musical version of Charlotte's Web, show business has been the main driving force in Carolyn's life. In the early 90's, after coming to the obvious conclusion that musicians were much more fun to hang around with than actors, Carolyn formed her first band... all-girl surfy twang popsters, The Vinaigrettes. This was the beginning of a long love affair with music, musicians and the road that, even after 15+ years of crazy hard work, still puts the nitro in her funny car.
After the Vinaigrettes, Carolyn did brief stints in such bands as The Metronome Cowboys and The Fixin's before, in 2000, making her Mint Record debut with her first solo album, Party Girl. Since then, and with the help of a revolving cast of Can-Country super stars including, but not limited to, Tolan McNeil, Garth Johnson, Ford Pier, Nathan Tinkham, Corb Lund, NQ Arbuckle, Luke Doucet, Amy Honey, Greg MacDonald, Neko Case, and Carey Mercer, she has released many more highly acclaimed albums.
As well, she has also travelled thousands of miles entertaining crowds of 4 to 4000... touring Canada, the United States, the UK, Norway, and Italy. She has shared the stage with such talented musicians as Jenny Whitely, Hank & Lily, Luther Wright, Sarah Harmer, Kelly Hogan, Lederhosen Lucil, Geoff Berner, Joel Plaskett, The Handsome Family, Neil Hamburger, JT and The Clouds, The Shiftless Rounders, NQ Arbuckle, Wanda Jackson, The Waco Brothers, The Sadies, and Blue Rodeo.
"Carolyn Mark is a headstrong singer with wanderlust and critical-thinking skills that she exercises in songs that never settle for easy answers." - Dave Heaton, PopMatters "Really there’s no roots-country chanteuse as engaging as Mark, whose well-intentioned banter is capable of making even the sourest puss at a show crack a smile." - Exclaim "Whether she lands on her feet, or ass-over-teakettle, Mark always sounds like she's having fun." - No Depression Magazine
JOEY WRIGHT
Joey is known for his lyrical and inspired guitar and mandolin playing. He is versed in many styles such as bluegrass, blues, swing, pop and country. He is also known for his unique compositions. Joey is a sought after collaborator as much for his positive and inspirational attitude as for his musical vision and talent.
His first solo cd, “Camp”, received rave reviews from such magazines as Penguin Eggs and Bluegrass North. His original material appeals to fans of new acoustic music, bluegrass and pop in equal parts. His sophomore cd, "Jalopy" was released in December, 2006 to a slew of rave reviews and it earned Joey a Juno nomination for “Instrumental Album of the Year”.
Joey has appeared on many highly acclaimed Canadian recordings. Recently he has played on albums by Sarah Harmer (for which Joey received a gold record), Amy Millan, Oh Suzanna, Ruth Moody, Pierre Schryer, Jenny Whiteley, Dan Whiteley, and The Banjo Special to name a few. "Joey Wright doesn't need a bio. You just hear about him. A rumour, a sound. Musical charisma enveloping a career of cinematic guitars, slides of blues and bluegrass. An inspired force of beauty and bravado, danger and charm." Sarah Harmer
Phyllis Sinclair
Singer, songwriter
Nov14, 2012 @ 7PM
A Swampy Cree, Phyllis Sinclair was born on the west coast of Hudson Bay in the northern seaport town of Churchill, Manitoba.
Distinguished by Maverick Magazine as "A Lady of Conviction", Canadian,
Folk singer songwriter, Phyllis Sinclair has earned national and international
attention for her songs of truth and triumph. Canada's premium Folk, Roots
and World Beat magazine, Penguin Eggs described her song North Coast
Fisher Wife's Prayer, from her 2006 debut album, Fence posts and Stones, as "positively impressive". This song was chosen as the featured folk song in
this same issue. Also from this album, Hard Time Hannah, hit number one on the Canadian National Aboriginal Countdown for two consecutive weeks. In
2008, she recorded Fathomless Tales from Leviathan's Hole, an album that
earned her a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award nomination for Best Folk
Acoustic Album. From this album her song, The Manicure, was selected by
Musicians with a Cause and the Moore Foundation to be included in their
"More Life in the Years" CD compilation to continue the fight against
Alzheimer's Disease. Her song was selected out of over 350,000 entries. In
2010 she embarked on her first international tour, the Australian Gold Coast
Tour.
This was followed by her Dreams of the Washerwoman UK Tour in
2011, so named after the release of her third album "Dreams of the
Washerwomen". This album was selected by Radio Canada International's
Brazilian sector as a best new recording by a Canadian artist in 2011, and was
nominated for a Best Folk Acoustic Album by the 2011 CAMA Awards. Phyllis
was nominated for Best Female Artist.
Phyllis Sinclair was born on the west coast of the Hudson Bay in the
northern seaport town of Churchill, Manitoba. She was raised by her single
mother and widowed grandmother who worked as "Laundresses" for the
Canadian Army. When the army closed down its Ft. Churchill base, the
family was forced to leave the comfort of their small community for the
unfamiliar turf of Winnipeg’s inner city in an effort to find work. This was
the beginning of a time that would often find the group taking odd jobs and
eating at the Salvation Army soup kitchen.
Despite many struggles the
family persisted, and eventually a new life was found. Of that time Phyllis
says, “struggle helped me to work hard and to become a more
compassionate person. I understand what it feels like to have little in the
cupboards, and not have the latest gadgets, or clothes. It actually did me a
lot of good.” It is this culmination of creativity, struggle and culture that has
created a sound and delivery that is both rich and compassionate, from a
woman whose songs are sincere, and whose performances are
unforgettable.
Check back here often to see who has been booked since your last visit.
Whoa, Nellie! was formed in March 2005 by Vera Colley – singer, songwriter and accordionist. 
A Swampy Cree, 
