Bow Valley Music Club

To mark the 20th anniversary season of the Bow Valley Music Club we are providing an Alberta Artists Showcase at the 2012 North American Folk Alliance Conference, Feb 22-26 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The BVMC will be providing and coordinating the Alberta showcase through providing the showcase room facilities, sound equipment and providing financial travel assistance to approximately 30 Alberta artists who will be performing. The Bow Valley Music Club has also solicited sponsorship funding and arranged two fund raising shows held at the Ironwood Stage and Grill in Calgary.
 
SHOWCASE PERFORMERS - MEMPHIS FOLK ALLIANCE 2012

Allen & Alexander: (Jenny Allen/Leslie Alexander) These songwriters first joined forces when they found themselves onstage singing with Jane Siberry. Something clicked and a CD followed! After taking their ‘Dirty Laundry Tour’ clean across Canada on the first leg of their dual 2011 CD Release Tour, Jenny Allen and Leslie Alexander have established themselves as a duo to take note of: great songs, tight harmonies and a touch of sass.

Chloe Albert: Edmontonian Chloe Albert is well on her way to becoming acquainted with the rest of Canada one song at a time. Her debut album ‘Dedicated State’ recently garnered the attention of the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Chloe took home the ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ award this past November.

T. Buckley Duo: (Tim Buckley and Derek Pulliam) T. Buckley is a roots artist who delves into the sounds of traditional country, folk, bluegrass and rock ’n roll. Whether he is performing at a folk club, pub, backyard or festival, Buckley continues to impress audiences with his ear-catching song writing and his eye-catching performance. Expect high energy and great harmonies with this duo.

Lucas Chaisson: This youthful tunesmith boasts a roots-inspired soulful voice and skilful percussive guitar style. With his songs described as Roots/Rhythm and Blues, Lucas has been compared to the likes of a young Martin Sexton. He has been featured on many stages this year receiving accolades from all, including a nomination for the Canadian Folk Music Award for "Young Performer of The Year."

Kat Danser: Listening to Kat Danser is like travelling with your ears. Her music draws a direct line from the Canadian Prairies to the Mississippi Delta. This Edmonton-based guitarist, songwriter and vocalist has been dubbed “The Queen of The Swamp Blues”. Her style is steeped in tradition yet distills a refreshing approach to roots, blues, and gospel music for the 21st Century.

Lindsay Ell: At the tender age of 22, musical artist Lindsay Ell already boasts a list of supporters, mentors and collaborators a veteran would envy, including Randy Bachman, Buddy Guy and Serena Ryder. The reason is simple: Lindsay Ell has something to say. Based on her engaging live performances and the depth of two album projects, Lindsay has been featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics, at JunoFest, in both Calgary and Vancouver, and at TIFF, NXNE, and SXSW in Austin, TX.

Braden Gates: Born and raised in Fort Saskatchewan, Braden writes songs from the heart and delivers them with a unique performance that will leave you wanting more. At the age of five, Braden picked up the fiddle and has now become one of Canada's best emerging fiddlers. Braden is focused now on creating and performing original songs that will bring you to a place where you can feel right at home, wherever you may be.

Rob Heath: A storyteller in the tradition of Harry Chapin and John Prine, Rob Heath’s original songs are a well-conceived intelligent and lyric-driven blend of Americana, featuring rich melodies and lyrics. This past spring, Rob won the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s song writing contest. He is also a past “New Folk” winner at the highly regarded Kerrville Folk Festival and winner of a Canadian Radio Music Award for song writing.

Lizzy Hoyt: Lizzy Hoyt is a Canadian fiddler, singer and songwriter from Edmonton, Alberta. This ‘east-meets-west’ performer combines the energetic and rhythmic fiddling from the Maritimes with country-folk songs from the west. Lizzy is a gifted vocalist and musician whose music has been recognized on both the national and international level, winning numerous awards and competitions, both as a musician and a songwriter.

Nancy Laberge: Nancy Laberge is an up-and-coming folk singer/songwriter on Canada’s horizon. Her work is being recognized, such as receiving an honorable mention in the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)/CMT song-writing competition for "You Didn't Leave Me". Whether crooning a heartfelt ballad or taking her audience on the wild side of a Barbie doll, people remember seeing Nancy Laberge play a show.

Tim Leacock: Tim is a native Calgarian, known as "Calgary's Keith Richards", for his soulful singing and energetic guitar playing. A mainstay on the local scene, Tim plays with country singer Tom Phillips and new folk sensation T. Buckley and is soon releasing his own solo album.

Matt Masters: Matt is a 35-year-old Calgary singer, a guitar-playing songwriter of original country and western music with a contemporary edge. Performing between 60 and 100 times annually across Canada and internationally, Matt is a full-time musician since 2004; a self-managed, independent artist who released his newest album, ALL-WESTERN WINNERS, in July 2011.

100 Mile House: 100 Mile House is the Edmonton-based rootsy husband and wife duo of Peter Stone and Denise MacKay along with multi-instrumentalist Scott Zubot.  Since playing their first show together in 2009, these three musicians have been winning over audiences with their energetic yet intimate live shows.

Pearband: ‘Pear’ has thrilled festival-goers around the world from the stages of The Wolftrap Music Festival (USA), to the Tonder Festival in Denmark. They have opened for a truly diverse group of performers including Alanis Morrisette, Alan Jackson and Barenaked Ladies with their blend of country/progressive roots music. Great harmonies and outstanding violins in an enthusiastic musical package – “Pear – sweet, yet gritty!”

The Travelling Mabels: The Travelling Mabels are a folk/country female trio full of spirit, spunk and laughter. Winners of the ACMA Group of the Year award for 2011, their songs bring a wealth of life experience to the stage. Singularly, each woman can vocally stand alone, but once you hear the combined harmony blend, you will know why these three women came together. They are accompanied by Keith Floen on keyboards.

Emily Jill West: Prairie-raised and Toronto-based artist Emily Jill West’s songs are infused with elements of rootsy and European folk, sparsely arranged acoustic pop, and alternative country. With a bird-like voice she has developed a unique sound, referencing influences Gillian Welch, Leonard Cohen, and Patty Griffin. Her debut EP, “And Human, Besides” has earned much praise for its poignant song writing, soulful melodies and insightful lyrics, marking Emily Jill West as an up-and-coming talent to watch on the Canadian music scene.

Brooke Wylie: Years of piano, violin and classical voice training, as well as a deep appreciation for Canadian roots music, have all contributed to Brooke’s original song writing. She combines melodic country, roots, and folk with insight, humour and her own experiences to create something which her audience can relate to; something both thought-provoking and memorable. Brooke released her second album in April 2011.