Showcase PEI 2010: Delegate & Artist Guide

International Delegates: The United Kingdom

Graham Anderson Newcastle-upon-Tyne www.jumpinhot.com

Graham Anderson is the Co-Director and Head Programmer of Northern Roots (Jumpin’ Hot Club). Northern Roots, a company with charitable status, is one of the UK's premier promoters of all kinds of roots music. Based in , it specializes in country, singer songwriter, soul, folk, , rock and roll, and . The organization was formed in 1985 as an acoustic music club & is celebrating its 25th anniversary in early December. As well as promoting over 70 concerts a year, the club also programs “The SummerTyne Fest Outdoor Stage”, which is part of the Americana Weekender, The Evolution Festival Ballast Hill stage, and the Boss Sounds Reggae Festival. The club operates out of a number of venues in and around Newcastle and , including , Cluny2 Theatre, Gateshead Town Hall, Live Theatre, and The Studio in Live T. Graham Anderson is also a musician.

Ro Cemm Line of Best Fit End of the Road Festival: www.endoftheroadfestival.com Oh! : www.thelineofbestfit.com/tag/oh-canada Canadian Blast: www.canadianblast.com

Ro Cemm is one of the team members behind the award winning End of The Road Festival in the UK. The festival has been supportive of new Canadian talent over the last 5 years and this year has 12 Canadian acts performing. End of the Road also have a record label (End of the Road Records), and have released records by Woodpigeon, Charlie Parr, and The Young Republic. Ro is also editor of UK website The Line of Best Fit.com's Oh! Canada column, which is dedicated to showcasing new Canadian talent. In recent months he has been working with Canadian Blast! to promote Canadian showcases at festivals in the UK and Europe, including the Canada Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, London.

Andy Cooper Tom Tom Music www.tomtommusic.co.uk

Andy Cooper started in the music industry as founder and director of “Off the Tracks Festival” in 1985. In 2003 Andy joined up with Chris Wade of Adastra Music as a free lance booking agent working on many high profile wold/folk artists. After working with Adastra and gaining a great deal of experience, Andy decided to move on and develop his own roster of artists under the company name of Tomtom Music. Andy is currently working with artists such as Michelle Shocked, Steve Forbert, Catherine MacLellan, and Rory McLeod.

Martin Elbourne Glastonbury www.greatescape.com

Martin Elbourne is one of the main bookers for , creative director and co founder of the Great Escape in Brighton (europe’s leading showcase festival), co founder of M for Montreal and advisor/consultant to Lovebox, Guilfest, Jersey Live, Redfest and M for Montreal. He is currently involved with a new festival in India. Martin first started promoting bands in the late seventies while at Bristol University. He founded the bristol recorder (label magazine). In 1982 he co-promoted the first WOMAD festival with Peter Gabriel. In 1983 he moved to London, worked for the Rough Trade booking agency looking after acts including the Smiths and New Order and he began his long involvement with Glastonbury festival. During the 1990’s he managed bands, continued working with New Order and increased his Glastonbury involvement to become the main booker. The last decade has seen him focusing on festivals, events and conventions.

Neil Pearson Festival http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/

Neil is one member of the small management team who organise and program the Shrewsbury Folk Festival; a high profile, medium sized festival in the UK with a reputation for booking artists from the widest definition of . The festival has a history of bringing interesting and independent North American artists to the event. Neil also directs the festival’s special projects. Last year he directed the multi-artist ‘Darwin Song Project’ that saw eight artists live together for a week to write songs based around Darwin (who was born in Shrewsbury). In 2011 he will direct a new multi-artist project based around the traditional songs that travelled from the UK to North America. This project involves eight high-profile artists including Steve Knightley (), Leonard Podolak (The Duhks) and Patsy Reid (Breabach). Outside of the festival, Neil works in independent music retail, and has experience and contacts in the retail and distribution scene in the UK.

International Delegates: The United States

Susie Giang Fleming Artists www.flemingartists.com

For 30 years, Fleming Artists has represented some of the world's finest and most respected touring artists. Their mission is to represent high quality performing artists by providing them with a unique, thoughtful and individualized approach to concert booking. Susie Giang started living her dream when she started tour managing in 2001. She joined the Fleming family in 2003, and was quickly made vice president in 2008. She loves long walks on the beach, laughter, music, and she tinkers with a banjo at times.

Mary Granata The Granata Agency www.granataagency.com

In the spring of 2001, Mary Granata opened a boutique booking agency in the extra bedroom of her home. Though successful, by keeping it small Mary has been able to offer her clients a personal touch in regards to booking. Her roster includes American and international artists in a wide range of genres; Celtic, Americana, Folk, Blues and Roots. Mary has branched out and now runs successful showcases at a variety of conferences and is a sought after workshop presenter.

Phill MacIntyre Skye Theatre http://www.necelticarts.com/

Phill McIntyre is director of New Celtic Arts in South Carthage Maine. He has developed a network soft seat venues and house concerts offering mid-week opportunities in Maine and New Hampshire. Phill has been providing opportunities for touring artists already traveling through Maine and New England to fill in the midweek dates with concerts throughout New England. To this end he is expanding from a 130 seat acoustic room to a 250+ seat state of the art concert hall, Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center, on his property in Western Maine with concerts regularly selling out. Skye Theatre has become a very respected name in the Celtic/Folk circuit in New England. Connected to the Skye Theatre is a comfortable 1300 square foot 3 bedroom apartment to house the artists while playing The Skye. Phill will host over 180 shows this year and has already booked several Scottish, Irish, and UK artists for the 2011 season. He is very interested in talking with any artists who are willing to recognize the potential of mid-week concerts. He has developed a very high standard of quality and the clients know any show at “The Skye” is a superb value. He also books for the Unity Center for the Performing Arts; the Franco American Heritage Center; and St. Kieran's Community Center and runs the shows back to back.

Mike Mori Windish Agency www.windishagency.com

Founded in 2004 by owner/agent Tom Windish, The Windish Agency is a full- service booking agency headquartered in Chicago. After being an agent at the The Agency Group for over five years Mike Mori recently came on board to help open a second office in the Soho district of New York. The Windish Agency handles the booking of over 300 artists from around the world, including Justice, Hot Chip, Girl Talk, Pink Martini, The xx, and José Gonzáléz among others, and books performances in North and South America, Asia, Australia, and beyond.

Ari Nisman Degy Entertainment www.degy.com

Ari Nisman is the President and CEO of Degy Booking International. He began his work with Polydor/Atlas Records, in the early ‘90s, and then joined Capitol Records as a marketing representative handling promotions for the midwest region (where he worked artists such as Jimmy Eat World, George Clinton, Radiohead, Mazzy Star, and Lucious Jackson). Nisman and his company managed artists for many years, and then developed Degy Booking International in 2001. Shortly after the agency opened, it dove into the college market where they are one of the largest providers of music to colleges and universities. Nisman books his own exclusive roster of musicians and celebrities, as well as middling national concerts with over 700 campuses in the U.S. and Canada. Degy Booking is also a large provider of music to festivals, arts centers and U.S. military bases around the world having secured deals with the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Jennifer Pickering Lake Eden Arts Festival www.theleaf.org

Jennifer Pickering's mission is to connect cultures and people through music and arts. Since 1995, she has served as the Executive Director and is founder of the non-profit organization LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival). During this time, she has produced 31 festival events, presented over 2,500 performing artists, created the local outreach program LEAF in Schools & Streets which has empowered over 20,000 under-served youth through the arts, and started 9 cultural music programs in 6 countries through LEAF International. Through the festival, LEAF presents at least 50 different cultures/genres each festival, introduces people to music and arts they have not heard of, and takes people around the world through music and dance. One may not be able to travel to places such as Haiti or Rwanda; however, music and song can take us there. Collaborating has been one of LEAF’s core principals as well as a personal commitment. Her strongest life influences have been global travels and service projects. Presently, she continues her work presenting excellent festivals, empowering youth through festive arts, and exploring international music projects that connect kids to their local cultural traditions. Recently, LEAF International partnered with Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program to start three LEAF International music programs in Tanzania. Jennifer’s most current LI efforts are in Rwanda to build Intore Culture & Music Center in partnership with Playing for Change Foundation which will build a better future for the LEAF street kids and others. Selebuka!

National Delegates - Canada

Samir Baijal www.hillsidefestival.ca

Samir (Sam) Baijal has been the artistic director of the Hillside Festival in Guelph, since 1998. Sam also works for the University of Guelph where he programs entertainment and special events for the University community. He has been at the University for over 25 years. Sam loves live music and going to concerts.

Sandra Butel Regina Folk Festival http://www.reginafolkfestival.com/home/

Sandra has been the Artistic Director of the Regina Folk Festival for the last 12 years and she has loved every minute of it. In her wonderfully varied past she has directed the children’s festival in Regina, worked for the French community as an event coordinator and generally enjoyed bringing people together in celebration of arts and culture. Since 1969, The Regina Folk Festival has been presenting a diverse array of “music for the people” in many genres and from many cultural traditions with both a year round concert series and an annual summer festival (Regina’s downtown gem). Sandra is an active member of Western Roots Artistic Directors (WRAD); an informal group of artistic directors from across Western Canada. She is also part of a national network of festivals, and has served on jury and advisory committees for the Canada Council, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Western Canadian Music Awards and the Juno Awards. She loves dark chocolate and counts herself blessed to be doing the work she is doing!

Roddy Campbell Penguin Eggs http://www.penguineggs.ab.ca/

Roddy Campbell is the Editor and Publisher of the Canadian folk, roots and magazine, Penguin Eggs, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary edition this past summer. Campbell co-founded the Canadian Folk Music Awards and served on its board for seven years before resigning last year due to business commitments. As a music journalist he has contributed to almost every major newspaper in Canada as well as writing for such international magazines as Roots, Dirty Linen and Sing Out! His comments are frequently heard on CBC and CKUA Radio. He has regularly served as a juror for the Juno Awards.

Jonas Colter Evolve Festival www.evolvefestival.com

The Evolve Music and Awareness Festival is an annual 3-day summer celebration of music, culture, and social awareness. From its start in 2000 as a grassroots music and awareness festival featuring local bands, the festival has grown to showcase world-class performers from around the globe. Voted “Best Festival in Canada” 2010 by listeners of CBC Radio 3 Searchlight all over Canada!

Eric Epstein Frostbite Festival www.frostbitefest.ca

Eric grew up in Vancouver where he received a B.A. in Theatre at UBC before attending East 15 Acting School in London, England. On his return to Canada he founded the Vancouver Shakespeare Festival, forerunner to Bard on the Beach. He was invited to Whitehorse in 1984 to direct at the Guild Hall and has had a multi-faceted career in the Yukon since. In 1989 he began his presenting career as Artistic Director of the Frostbite Music Festival (a role he has undertaken eight times to date.) He was the Artistic Director of the Guild Society from 2001 until 2010 and has now founded his own theatre company, Whitehorse Theatre Ensemble. He has also been Artistic Director of the Yukon Arts Centre since 2003. Eric continues an active theatre career as well as being a programmer. Other highlights have been producing and programming entertainment for the Yukon Pavilion at Expo 86, HRH Prince Charles in 2001, and for the Canada Winter Games Cultural Festival in 2007.

Troy Greencorn Stanfest www.stanfest.com

Some of the finest songwriters and performers in North America gather at this festival, to celebrate Stan's lasting contributions to folk music. A new generation of powerful songwriters also come together with Stan's family members, friends and associates not just to share remembrances - but to create new songs and stories.

Dylan Griffiths Ottawa Folk Festival www.ottawafolk.org

A native, Dylan Griffith joined the Ottawa Folk Festival after four years as the Artistic Director of the Dawson City Music Festival. While he was there, the festival saw increases in attendance and revenue, and was repeatedly chosen as one of Canada’s top festivals by The Globe and Mail. Griffith has also worked with the Old Fire Hall Arts Centre in Whitehorse, the Dawson City International Short Film Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival. The lineup of the 2010 Ottawa Folk Festival reflects a key part of Griffith’s makeup - the desire to satisfy the audience by giving them not only what they want, but what they would want if they knew about it. Griffith also is a firm believer in audiences being fully engaged at festivals and not just listening, as evidenced by the many participatory workshops, hosted jam sessions and open stages included in the OFF’s 2010 programming.

Bob and Gail Jenson Jensen Music International http://www.jproductions.com/

Bob Jensen is a veteran of the Canadian folk music scene, having worked as a performer, recording artist, record label owner, record distributor, publicist, manager and agent for more than 25 years. He was also a founding member of the Jasper Heritage Folk Festival. In the past 15 years, he and his wife Gail have built JMI into one of the most respected folk agencies in the world, working with legends such as , Pete Seeger, The Chieftains, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, The Rankin Sisters, Jerry Jeff Walker, Fairport Convention, Archie Fisher, Sylvia Tyson and former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, to name but a few. The agency has also represented The Amazing Kreskin and fabled Hollywood veteran, Mickey Rooney. Gail Jensen has been involved in the day to day running of Jensen Music International since the days when the company was a record distributor, and continues to oversee the management of the JMI office, and liaises with artists on issues such taxation and immigration. She has been immersed in the business of music for the past 18 years, and feels strongly that it should always be about the music and the integrity of the artists. Gail studied at St. F.X. University and the Fredericton Craft School and enjoys the freedom that working out of a home office gives her in raising her three children. JMI’s mandate is to seek out the finest roots performers from Canada and around the world. Their roster includes artists from Russia, India, Cuba, Guinea, South Africa, Europe and the UK.

Tim Jones Dawson City Music Festival www.dcmf.com

Tim Jones is the Producer and Artistic Director of the Dawson City Music Festival. Born in , Tim has produced over a hundred concerts in seventeen venues in the two-stoplight town of Sackville NB and received a Masters' in Cultural Policy from the University of Chicago, where his research discussed the economic and political salience of grassroots arts communities.

James Keast Exclaim! http://exclaim.ca/

James Keast is the Editor In Chief of Exclaim!, Canada's premier music magazine, a position he has held since 1995. Exclaim! is dedicated to exploring and unearthing the best emerging music in a wide variety of genres, with an emphasis on Canadians and young innovators.

Bruce Morel Music Marketing International Inc http://www.musicmarketinginternational.ca/

Bruce Morel is President of Halifax based (MMII) Music Marketing International Inc. MMII offers domestic and international artist management, booking and marketing services. MMII also provides event organization and management, creates seminars and workshops for music & cultural industry professional development, cultural market research and consulting to cultural enterprises. Our Canadian artist roster includes; brilliant and outstanding 23 year old Maritime fiddling Champion Samantha Robichaud, The dynamic St John’s NL The Navigators Canada’s best upcoming Celtic Band, ECMA award winner and MusicNS Entertainer of the Year Charlie A’Court, double ECMA award winning The Divorcees, ECMA award winning Glamour Puss, Maple Blues winners and Juno nominated The Twisters, and finally Australia’s multiple award winning top 10 country blues artist 8 Ball Aitken. Bruce is the current President of Folk Alliance Canada, a founding Director of the East Coast Music Association and Awards, participant on the East Coast Music Association’s international committee, past Director of Music and past Chair of Nova Scotia Music week & RendezVous Folk, Executive Producer Concert on the Hill Halifax; VP Programming Newcap, Executive Producer Q104 Homegrown recordings and concerts; Creator/Producer Newfoundland island wide Concert in the Park series and founder of the George Street Festival St John’s NF.

Carlton Munroe Riverfront Jubliee Festival http://www.jubilee.ns.ca/

Carlton Munroe plays a duo role in working for the Town of New Glasgow and the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee Society. In his capacity with the Town, Carlton manages Glasgow Square Theatre, an indoor/outdoor amphitheatre nestled on the banks of New Glasgow’s scenic riverfront.

The Square features an intimate 280 seat indoor venue, and when the doors in the back of the theatre open up it becomes an outdoor stage that hosts such events as the Jubilee, Dragon Boat Festival and the Town’s Canada Day festivities. In addition, Carlton’s role is to work with the various events and festivals in the Town to ensure the smooth delivery of services. For the past two years, he has also programmed the Festival of the Tartans Concert Under the Stars, which has featured The Barra MacNeils and Ashley MacIsaac as headliners. The other hat Carlton wears is with the Jubilee, one of the key music events in the region. As Executive and Artistic Director, he programs the entire festival and works with the Board to ensure the smooth operation of the entire event.

Emmanuel Patterson Live Nation www.livenation.com

Emmanuel has been working in the music industry for 23 years and a fan of music as far back as his early childhood days of mastering the violin and piano. He began his career at the University of Waterloo where he ran the Board of Entertainment (BENT), promoting rock shows for the student body. In 1996 he was recruited by MCA Concerts and has been promoting shows on a national touring level as well as regionally throughout Canada. Since joining MCA Concerts, Emmanuel has worked for Universal Concerts, Universal Concerts Canada, House of Blues Concerts Canada, Live Nation and presently Live Nation Entertainment Inc… all without ever having to change offices. Some of his past and present clients include Oasis, Jay-Z, , Slayer, Linkin Park, Hail The Villain, Volbeat, Corinne Bailey Rae, Owl City, Great Big Sea, Slipknot, Jonas Brothers, , Lights, Alice in Chains, Janet Jackson, Billy Talent, Our Lady Peace, Green Day and Nickelback.

Marc Peterson Kempt Shore Festival Kempt Shore Festival

The Kempt Shore Bluegrass and Oldtime Festival is a three day family event in Kempt Shore, Hants County overlooking the beautiful Minas Basin. It features some of the Maritimes best bands in bluegrass and oldtime music (including the Saddle River String Band, Acoustic Heart Strings, The Grasskickers, New Ground, The Economy Mountain Boys, South Bound, Grassfire and more). The Kempt Shore Festival also features workshops for banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass, and song writers. This showcase gives talented fans and locals a chance to perform on a professional sound stage.

Mitch Podolak Home Routes www.homeroutes.ca

In the late 1960’s, Mitch Podolak began a dynamic relationship with CBC Radio as a freelance documentary maker, working into the 1970's for such shows as Five Nights, CBC Tuesday Night, Between Ourselves and This Country In The Morning. With CBC as a resource base, Podolak developed the first Winnipeg Folk Festival in August of 1974. It was an immediate success and within a few years, Podolak created the Vancouver Folk Festival and helped the and Calgary Folk Festival’s open their doors. It was the successful transference of the model Mitch Podolak developed in Winnipeg that lead to the pre-eminent growth of the western Canadian folk festivals. Podolak founded Barnswallow Records, the label that launched the career of Stan Rogers. Podolak was the co-founder of the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival and was the originator of the idea and effort that created the West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg’s major music venue. For a period Mitch commuted between Victoria, BC and Canso, NS, producing a multicultural festival on the West Coast and assisting in the creation of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival on the East Coast. Over the last few years Podolak has acted as a consultant for the Northern Lights Festival Borealis in Sudbury, the Roots & Blues Festival in Salmon Arm and the Ottawa Folk Festival. Currently Podolak is recruiting artists for Home Routes, North America’s only house concert circuit with over 120 locations across Canada.

Jeffrey Remedios Arts & Crafts http://www.arts-crafts.ca/

Jeffrey Remedios co-founded Arts & Crafts in 2002 with leader . In the eight years that followed, he has grown the label into one of the world's most influential and successful independent music companies, putting out records by the likes of BSS, Feist, Stars, , , , , Los Campesinos! and many others. Jeffrey oversees all aspects of A&C and has worked tirelessly to establish it as a global brand, evidenced by the creation of successful subsidiary A&C Mexico. Beginning his career at Virgin Records/EMI, Jeffery quickly rose through the ranks. Having held positions in college marketing, publicity, new media and promotions, he has developed a well-rounded view of the industry that has helped shape his guidance of A&C. It was that guidance and vision that led to establishing GalleryAC.com as a pioneer in online music sales and publishing. In 2009, Rolling Stone Magazine cited Jeffrey as a key insider shaping the future of the music business.

Jonny Stevens Halifax Pop Explosion www.halifaxpopexplosion.com

This self proclaimed music nerd has sailed around the world on a tall ship, toured throughout North America in a van with his band, released 5 albums and currently works with the Halifax Pop Explosion and the Nova Scotia Community College Music Business Program. With about one hundred and thirty bands in almost two dozen venues, as well as the Music Matters Conference, Halifax Zine and Label Fair, and the HPX Film Festival, the Halifax Pop Explosion reaches a diverse audience and provides considerable exposure for new and innovative talent in genres from hip hop to punk, from folk to .

Bob Wilson The Wilson Agency www.thewilsonagency.ca

Bob Wilson is a Musicians Manager and Agent working with a variety of artists across North America. Bob started his career in music as a manager. He then moved into the agency business working with Live Tour Artists before founding the Wilson Agency. He works with artists to find bookings and in long term career planning as well as the day to day, month to month development of touring and their careers. Mr. Wilson has also worked in Communications / Media, Radio and as a Television producer and a journalist. His radio credits include CBC Metro Morning, Radio Noon, Morning North, Dini Petty Radio Show and CBCs National Content Unit. Television credits include CTV’s the Shirley Show, Canada AM and The Dini Petty Show, Life Channel’s MoneySense Television and Michael Coren Live. Mr. Wilson successfully manages and presents artists across North America. He has extensive Music industry, Media, and Communications expertise.

Showcase PEI – Artist Guide

Monday September 27th Afternoon

Chuck & Albert 2:10pm – 2:30pm

Canadian Comedy Award and East Coast Music Award nominees, Chuck et Albert are no strangers to the art of total entertainment. Multi- instrumentalists, great physical comics, and fluently bilingual, this Acadian dup has played to standing ovations both at home, across Canada, and overseas. Their performances bring to life an energetic blend of visual humor and quick wit combined with the upbeat foot-stomping music and dance of their indigenous PEI Acadian roots. Chuck et Albert have been performing clean, creative and highly interactive entertainment since 2004, With a keen eye on Acadian history and its relevance to current forms today, they provide audiences with an engaging and authentic panorama of PEI Acadian musical, cultural, and dance traditions. Chuck et Albert believe two things: that every situation, no matter how grim, will be happily resolved; and that Chuck, who is thirty-nine years old, will never be able to do his own laundry. www.chuckandalbert.com

Teresa Doyle 2:40pm - 3:00pm

Teresa has performed at most every folk festival in Canada and shares her eclectic repertoire of jazz and Celtic music with audiences in Europe, the U.S, and Japan. Her ten recordings chronicle her exploration of the human voice, from her celtic roots to sassy swing and latin tunes. With two JUNO nominated Celtic children's recordings she is always happy to do a set for younger audiences. Teresa's is much in demand as a singing teacher and her voice workshops prove very popular at festivals. "Whether singing a playful flirt of a samba or crooning a heart- rending Gaelic ballad Teresa's vocal artistry and songwriting are rock-solid." - Philly Markowitz, C.B.C. "We attended Teresa's vocal workshop and found it wonderfully musical and informative. Fabulous!" - Gwen Swick, Quartette www.teresadoyle.com

Jordan Cameron 3:10pm - 3:30pm

Jordan has been playing music his whole life on one instrument or another. Eight years ago he made the full time switch to guitar, which has been his weapon of choice ever since. He's been writing his own music for the past 4 years, which led to the recording of 2 demo's and the release of his First EP in mid October 2009, entitled: "Drawing from Observation". The album has 8 tracks which were all recorded out at Shell Lane Studios In Malpeque. The album features some Piano and background vocals by Laura Oakie, and was produced by Paul Milner. Jordan was nominated for male vocalist of the year at the 2010 Music Pei Awards Gala, and has been featured on CBC 1's Mainstreet with Matt Rainnie. http://www.jordancameronmusic.com/

Evening

Vishten 8:10 – 8:30pm

There's an old saying that goes something like, “Go out and make your mark in the world exploring the new ways but don't turn your back on your roots”. The members of Vishten have been doing just that for the past seven years, touring their brand of new-traditional Acadian music in over 1000 performances rendered in 8 different countries. Made up of third generation Acadians living separate but Parallel musical experiences, twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc from Prince Edward Island, Canada have teamed up with Pascal Miousse and Louis-Charles Vigneau from the nearby Magdalen Islands to create a sound that incorporates elements of the new ways while retaining and staying true to the essential Acadian spirit of their roots. The sound is essentially Celtic but with a difference. The songs are French, sung by each band member, alone or in four part harmony. The foot percussion drives the rhythm in a fiddle tune at times yet refrains itself in the gentler musical moments. The band members are accomplished multi-instrumentalists and step-dancers incorporating the fiddle, guitar, accordion, penny-whistle, banjo, mandolin, piano, jaw-harp and bodhran into each performance. They are surely making their mark in the world today as their musical maturity comes through to captivate audiences wherever they play. http://www.vishten.net/

Haunted Hearts 8:40pm – 9:00pm

Genuinely, loosey-goosey, rollicking honky-tonk, country dream groove, dark soul, all the way to hear a pin drop mellow. It’s difficult to nail down one true tag to describe the sound of the band’s music, but what’s certain is that over the course of two years, Haunted Hearts has developed a distinctly recognizable sound that is both reminiscent and unique. Their two albums, “Thank You, Goodnight” and “Howdy”, are the proof. Haunted Hearts released Thank You, Goodnight in the summer of 2009 to stellar reviews, and as a result, were awarded Alternative Recording of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the Music PEI Awards in January 2010. As well, the band was nominated for Songwriter(s) of the Year at Music PEI 2010, Rising Star award at East Coast Music Awards 2010 and they showcased at both events. “Howdy”, released September 2010, displays growth and promise in dynamite fashion and is expected to continue the trend for the hard working band from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Haunted Hearts are always busy traveling, captivating audiences, winning hearts, moving units, and raising profile. Stay tuned for the continuing story. www.sonicbids.com/weallhavehauntedhearts

Two Hours Traffic 9:10pm – 9:30pm

Territory is the follow up to the Charlottetown band’s Polaris Prize nominated and internationally acclaimed sophomore album, "Little Jabs". Once again produced by Joel Plaskett, Territory builds on the promise of Little Jabs as the band continues to write and record sunny pop gems for the heart and head. Territory, however also finds Two Hours Traffic discovering the shadows at the side of the road. Right from the get go this becomes apparent as the gold into lead alchemy of the rousing opener kicks in and by the time the title track tells its tale of disillusionment and betrayal you know you are settling in for a drive on the darker side. But just like the more hopeful tracks on the album, they all lock into the close your eyes, sing along choruses and instantly memorable lyrics that have put Two Hours Traffic on the melodic map. www.twohourstraffic.com

John Connolly 9:50pm – 10:10pm

John Connolly is a gutsy songwriter with a strong stage presence. He has received six PEI Music Awards, two ECMA Nominations and performed on stages across North America. In the spring of 2010, John travelled to Nashville recorded an acoustic album with Brian Ahern (Emmylou Harris, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash). This album, "The Wind" is due out in late September. John recently served as Musical Director for The Opening Ceremonies of The Canada Games, produced Meaghan Blanchard’s award-winning EP “Changing Things” and performed at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This coming autumn, John will be on the road promoting "The Wind" and playing from coast to coast. www.sonicbids.com/johnconnolly

Nudie and the Turks 10:20pm – 10:40pm

An Island sensation for years, Nudie and the Turks have not only released two independent albums, (the self-titled “Nudie and the Turks” and “Looking For a Good Time”) they have toured long and far and played in venues of all sizes across North America. They play traditional the way would have liked it; great songwriting, minimal instrumentation, a strong voice and an everyman attitude. http://www.nudieandtheturks.com/

Paper Lions 10:50pm – 11:10pm

Paper Lions is a Canadian pop rock band hailing from the unlikely small community of Belfast, PEI. Brothers John and Rob MacPhee and neighbour Colin Buchanan began playing music together at a very young age in a variety of garage bands, the line up solidified when they met David MacDonald in high school. MacDonald behind the kit, Buchanan playing guitar and Rob and John filling the positions of bass and lead vocals respectively.

During the winter of '08/'09 the band hibernated in their practice space on Prince Edward Island. During this highly creative period the Lions wrote dozens of songs in myriad styles. Sifting through extensive basement recordings and demos, they began to find their new sound in short explosive pop arrangements. By the summer of 2009 Paper Lions was ready to hit the studio, recording their new EP Trophies with up and coming Producer/Engineer Dan Weston (Attack in Black/). Hitting stores Sept. 28th 2010, these six songs clock in at a whopping 17 min long. Possessing the unbridled energy of their live show and their deep understanding of melody and pop arrangements, Trophies, like its creators, is now prepared to take on the world. http://www.paperlions.com

Sidewalks 11:20pm – 11:40pm A live show bustling with energy. A sound that stands out as something different. Combining these two key elements has allowed the five islanders in The Sidewalks to spread their “skalternative rock” around the country with acts including illScarlett, FRED, Dean Lickyer, The Artist Life, You Say Party!, Attack in Black, and a number of island acts including Two Hours Traffic and & Morning Fold. http://www.thesidewalks.com/

Tuesday September 28th Afternoon

Cynthia MacLeod 2:10pm – 2:30pm From her home base in tiny Prince Edward Island, Canada, fiddling sensation Cynthia MacLeod has built an international reputation that is expanding around the globe. It's a reputation founded in raw talent, nurtured by boundless energy, and polished to a gleaming finish by a decade of touring that has taken her across Canada, through New England, and as far away as Japan. Before turning 25, she has produced four critically-acclaimed (and top-selling) CDs. Her latest, Riddle, showcases a more mature, more cosmopolitan, and more experimental side to her music. Her growing fan base across Canada and the US knows what to expect from Cynthia - soft-spoken down-home charm, a playful, mature sexiness, and a high-energy, electrifying show with fun, fiddle, and step-dancing - often all three at the same time! http://www.cynthiamacleod.com/

Catherine MacLellan 2:40pm – 3:00pm

Matching pure and ethereal vocals with poetic lyrics and her uncompromising song writing craft, there is no doubt as to why Catherine MacLellan has become one of the most celebrated new singer-songwriters in Canada, and around the world, by her contemporaries and media alike. Voted ‘Critics Favourite New Discovery’ by Penguin Eggs Magazine and Solo Artist Of The Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards along with winning two ECMA 2010 Awards and four 2010 Music PEI awards, Catherine has built a loyal fan base and has been a hit with critics worldwide. Her album Church Bell Blues hit #1 on the iTunes Canada Roots charts, received critical acclaim and comparisons to from international magazines such as Q, Maverick, Roots, the Austin Chronicle, and Boston Globe. She has toured with Bruce Cockburn in the USA and with Steve Forbert in the UK, showcased in Paris, Cannes, Berlin, New York, London, and Memphis. Water in the Ground is the third release from Catherine MacLellan. It is a stunning collection that features some of the most prominent roots musicians in Canada, including Treasa Levasseur, Justin Rutledge and David Baxter. http://www.catherinemaclellan.com/

Tim Chaisson 3:10pm – 3:30pm

While initially entering the world of music in a family-based Celtic group, after years of touring and recording Chaisson recognized a yearning to perform his own music. Fast forward, with three solo albums under his belt, and now the release of Tim Chaisson and Morning Fold’s independent musical gem Broken Hearted Beat, produced by and featuring co-writes by Gordie and Joel Plaskett. Chaisson has earned more than 19 industry awards or nominations including Prince Edward Island Songwriter of the Year, Group of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, and two ECMA nominations for Pop Recording. A tour-de-force in amalgamating diverse backgrounds and genres, Tim Chaisson and Morning Fold unite the finite intricacies of folk, pop, country, rock and even the Celtic inspiration that initially spurred him on in his youth. http://www.timchaisson.com/

Evening

Racoon Bandit 8:10pm – 8:30pm

The Charlottetown, PEI band began in late 2008 in a well- lit porch when singer songwriters Fraser McCallum and Adam Gallant sat trading travel songs for hours. They were soon joined by a stalwart rhythm section and have impressed audiences across the Maritimes ever since with their melody-driven, indie-folk sound. Nominated in 2010 for 3 Music PEI awards, including Best Group, the Bandits have been featured on CBC radio shows like Atlantic Airwaves, Drive, and Deep Roots and on April 29th Radio 3 named ‘Train song', from their debut album Campcraft, the track of the day. Other highlights include showcases at the Dead of Winter Festival, the 2010 ECMAs and the Halifax Pop Explosion. The Island lads are currently putting the finishing touches on their second album and will tour to Toronto and back this October. www.sonicbids.com/racoonbandit

Colette Cheverie 8:40pm – 9:00pm

Colette Cheverie has established herself as one of Canada's finest young singers. A respected interpreter of traditional folksongs rooted in Atlantic Canada and beyond, Colette gives a refreshing slant to ancient songs blending alongside of contemporary works. Her crystal clear voice paired with stirring ballads & haunting melodies of traditional Celtic folksongs, entrances her audiences as she recants the stories of lost love, hardships, and tragedies. Melodious & smooth Colette communicates songs with passion, adding subtle ornamentation where appropriate. Her voice has a delicate intensity that soars over subtle instrumental arrangements. On stage, her manner is relaxed and enlightening. Audiences can be assured of a captivating performance. In 2009 Colette Cheverie made Canadian and PEI History when she was the first Islander to receive a nomination for a Canadian Folk Music Award. Nominated for her debut release Hours Before Dawn and as Traditional Singer of the Year. Colette was named the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award Winner for Traditional Singer of the Year. http://www.colettecheverie.com/

Grass Mountain Hobos 9:10pm – 9:30pm

The Hobos are of another time…A time when pleasure usurped profession; when live music provided the soundtrack for excess. With a stage show that harkens back to the days of the travelling salesman, the Hobos are the cure-all elixir for those requiring entertainment. Their brand of music is authentic and complex, mixing equal parts of the carnival, farm, tavern and circus. Two acoustic guitars, a banjo, mandolin, doghouse bass and a fiddle create the unique backdrop over which the 6 vocalists paint harmonious works of art. A swing, bluegrass, blues, and folk infusion – The Hobos give a carousing performance that is bound to entertain audiences. With music full of humour and musicality, the band has received a standing ovation from every festival crowd that they have played to. Touring constantly, the Hobos bring with them music of the wandering dreamer and the train hopping adventurer in a way that engages audiences both young and old. http://www.grassmountainhobos.com/

Meaghan Blanchard 9:50pm – 10:10pm

Meaghan Blanchard is a 21 year old singer/songwriter from Hunter River PEI. Her passion is music. Her new album “Chasing Lonely Again” will be released September 28th by Sandbar Music. Her first album “Changing Things” released in September ‘08 picked up four Music PEI 2009 Awards and received two ECMA 2009 nominations. She appeared on the nationally televised ECMA 2009 Awards show from Corner Brook NL last February and the 2010 Awards Show in Sydney NS.. In August 2009 she appeared on the nationally televised Canada Games Opening Ceremonies show from Summerside PEI singing one of her own songs plus her version of the Canada Games theme song. Meaghan began writing songs at 14 just after she took up playing the guitar which is her favorite instrument. She plays both the acoustic and electric guitar. She also plays piano. www.sonicbid.com/meaghanblanchard

The Richard Wood Trio 10:20pm – 10:40pm

Prince Edward Island fiddling dynamo Richard Wood has been wowing audiences all across Canada, as well as in the U.S., Europe, and Japan for more than a decade. Highlights include TV guest appearances with Shania Twain on “David Letterman” and “Good Morning America”, Carnegie Hall with Irish legends “The Chieftains”, CBC TV’s Canada Day on Parliament Hill, “Rita MacNeil and Friends”, and with Jean Butler of Riverdance on “Celtic Electric”. He has performed for the Queen of England and the Emperor of Japan, he’s entertained Canadian troops in Bosnia and Afghanistan, and he was a featured performer in the touring fiddle spectacle “Bowfire”. Richard’s won three East Coast Music Awards, and MacLean’s Magazine named him one of the Top 100 Canadians to watch in the 21'st century. Richard performs with Gordon Belsher and Brad Fremlin. Gordon was a “Roots Traditional Solo Artist” nominee at Canada’s 2008 East Coast Music Awards for his CD, “Call up all the Neighbours” and operates Guernsey Cove Parlour Productions recording studio out of his home in Prince Edward Island. Brad Fremlin is the principal drumming, piano and theory instructor at Summerside’s College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts and is an accomplished percussionist and classically trained pianist. http://www.rwood.ca/

English Words 10:50pm – 11:10pm

In January 2010, the band formerly known as Smothered in Hugs made a liberating on-stage announcement: they were changing their name to English Words. The name may have changed but the band maintains the group’s tradition of intensely melodic, densely layered pop rock, but with cleaner edges, more breathing room and an added rhythmic focus. English Words took their intensely melodic, densely layered pop-rock leanings and created an original breed of deeply propulsive, mood-riding anthems, equal parts challenging and catchy. http://www.englishwordsband.com/

The Danks 11:20pm – 11:40pm

Driven by small-town boredom and a severe distaste for contemporary pop, the Danks deliver a fistful of excitement with the follow-through of a wrecking ball in a Beverly Hills mansion. Frontman Brohan Moore, drummer Phil MacIsaac, guitarist Alec O'Hanley and bass player Andy MacDonald continue to labour in the fields of after-hours rock, bringing melody and rhythm to the unwashed masses. http://thedanks.com/