There will be local musicians performing every day of MayFest so please stay tuned as we confirm the local acts and expand our About the Bands section!
 

D'Ari

In addition to the shows with Nine Mile, D'Ari will be one of the artists featured at MayFest's Songwriter's Gala. D'Ari is a Canadian rock singer, currently the primary singer, songwriter and guitarist for Canadian band Nine Mile. D'Ari founded Dreadrock Records Inc. with a business partner from New York City in 2003. He signed his own band, Nine Mile, and eventually singer/songwriter Melissa Larkin and acoustic/soul crooner Matt York.

 

 

 

 Dave Tolley

Dave Tolley is a renowned Canadian hand percussionist and drummer.  He studied at York University in Toronto and Berklee College of Music in Boston.  He often plays a rare Peruvian instrument called a cajon, as well as drumkit, and a variety of hand percussion.  In 2003, Dave met Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd and in 2006, Xavier asked Dave to sit in on a performance, and the day after asked if he would consider heading on tour with him.  Often cited with critical acclaim in show reviews, Dave is an integral part of Xavier’s live show.  Dave has performed with several different acts in the Toronto area, including Nine Mile, and continues to perform and play sessions when not performing with Xavier Rudd.  His playing is featured on all four Nine Mile albums, and he played on Xavier Rudd's Food in the Belly album. Tolley's drumming and percussion work can also be found on Rudd's June 2007 release, White Moth.  He has performed throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and Europe and has appeared at huge festivals - Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, Alive Festival (Portugal), Nuke Festival (Austria), Blues and Roots (Australia), Austin City Limits (U.S.).  He has also played major television performances including “Live at the Chapel” in Australia, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in Los Angeles.  Dave Tolley is currently endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Vater Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, and Meinl Percussion.  Recently, he worked with Xavier on the film score for the upcoming major motion picture “Surfer, Dude”, starring Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Willie Nelson. 

For more information about Dave visit www.davetolley.com

 

Dayna Manning

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Dayna Manning is back with her most delightful record to date. Folkyo is an uplifting and powerful collection of 12 folk-pop-rock songs, impeccably written and exquisitely co-produced by Manning herself. Dayna contributes everything from bass to banjo on the record, along with her usual guitar and piano duties. Prior to Folkyo, Dayna released two albums through EMI Music Canada: her critically acclaimed and Juno nominated Volume 1, and its lush artistic follow-up Shades. Now Folkyo will usher Dayna into a new era. Folkyo marks Dayna's first release on her brand new, self-owned label LeParc Records. -This project was challenging. Not only have I overseen almost every aspect of Folkyos writing, production and release, I had to start a record label, build my own studio and spend the past winter working on the Canadian Pipeline to take it across the finish line. -Pipeline? Thats right.

The Stratford Ontario born singer lived in an on site oil and gas camp in northern BC for most of the 2006 winter. I loved it actually. One of my favorite shows of all time was when we decided to put on a concert in the rec hall at camp. Everyone there knew me as the office clerk. It was exhilarating to be able to surprise peers with my guitar playing and songs. I sold 50 cds that night! It was a far cry from her usual gigs. Dayna has shared the stage with Burton Cummings, Radiohead, 54:40, Joe Cocker and toured on Lilith Fair. Her records feature guests, such as Sean Ono Lennon and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Folkyo is a journey through Dayna's travels, friends and experiences. I have never felt more Canadian or more compelled to put a line about a pickup truck in one of my songs until I had worked on the pipeline, says Dayna, referring to the almost country sounding If Your Mind Changes. Dayna penned the outrageously funny, pop/punk meets Elvis Costello influenced Whats So Great About Her? immediately after watching Paris Hilton's television show Simple Life for the first time. But she admits that its the pop ballad In The Meantime that seems to get everyone, guessing that people can relate because everyone knows what it feels like, When youre at home on the couch just waiting for that potentially special someone to call. Over all Folkyo contains a lot of heart, imagination, and a little something for everyone. I seem to be getting the best response to Folkyo out of all my records. Im really proud of it.

For more information about Dayna visit www.daynamanning.com or www.myspace.com/daynamanning.

 

Emily Goodman

Emily recently moved from her hometown in New York to Fort St John to work at the Women's Resource Centre. Since arriving in FSJ, Emily has been welcomed warmly into the vibrant local music scene. A lifetime of choir, a cappella, and campfire singing inspires Emily's love for sharing sound and creating beautiful harmonies. She recorded an album in 2008 with her university a cappella group, the Skidmore Sonneteers. She has also played piano since she was a mere eight years old and for ten years has been gaining confidence in her guitar playing. By collaborating with other local musicians, Emily hopes to continue to have fun and quench her musical appetite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavy Things

 

Hailing from Tumbler Ridge, Heavy Things features Ray Proulx (lead guitar, vocals), Marko Milankov (guitar, bass, vocals), Blaine Broderick (acoustic guitar, bass, vocals), Trent Ernst (drums).  Heavy Things has a sound that is both hard to define, yet comfortingly familiar at the same time.  With influences that run from folk to punk with stops along the way, Heavy Things has a sound that is all their own, while still tapping into the spirit of Canadian musicians who have gone before.  While the band has a deep repertoire of covers, the emphasis is on originals.  With their first album currently being mixed down and due in stores this spring, 2009 promises to be the year of the Heavy Things. The band has been playing across NorthernBC, headlining Peacefest and sharing the evening headline set at Grizfest with Theory of a Deadman and the Headpins.  Heavy Things are currently working on their first original album as they continue to write songs and play for regional audiences.  Listen online at www.heavythings.ca.  

 

Jason Butler

Wailin' Jason Butler has been playing blues guitar for over 34 years , 5 of which he has been part of the FSJ music scene.
He started out rather young @ 6yrs old playing slide on an acoustic with everything from a deep socket to a screw driver. From there he progressed to a Les Paul @ age 12 playing in a local Blues bands. By 13 he realized he had to do more than just play rythm. After a bit of woodshedding and a blues scale in "A" he found himself being asked to play with alot older,group of musicians. "we had in our neighborhood a couple of session players from Nashville that really opened my eyes to improv and feel. I remember walking into the top floor of this old house to find a roomfull of guitar amps from floor to ceiling. Heaven! and a drum kit in the middle"

By 15 he got his first Stratocaster and by then, he just kept diggin in deeper to the blues. Playing everywhere he could, house parties, garage jams, local hall parties, you name it , he was there to take it all in.  Rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jerry Doucette(mama let him play) George Thorogood, Brian "too Loud" Mcloud (Headpins and Chilliwack), Colin James, David Gogo, Darryl Mayes, Jonny Ferrerra(sax player for Colin), Matt Good, The Odds, 5440, Glen Pearson, Dean Singh (bass), Trevor Macdonald and many , many others...

After many years playing clubs and festivals and countless studio sessions he decided to move north to settle down a little. Right! " I just turned forty and I think it's time I  recorded my own stuff." The peacefullness of the Peace Region has been a solid building block for my writing skills."

Coming from a fast-paced blues city like Vancouver to FSJ was a bit of a shock. "When I first arrived here I heard of a Jam at the Old Dawson Hotel. I walked in and noticed something alittle odd. On stage was a 3 piece band consisting of 3 native country player's with cowboy hats on. This, you would never see in Vancouver and from then on I knew there was a place in the North for the blues."

Wailin "J" will be pushing the "record" buttons this spring at his home based studio and we should have something to listen to by December. He will be featuring local musicians as well.

James Bowers(Producer,composer(Global TV) once said " this guy is a genuine article, an intimate soul that if you listen closely you can almost feel his fingers touch the fretboard"

 

Jennifer Morissette

Originally from Quebec, Jennifer came to Fort St. John three years ago to teach french immersion in Kindergarten. A music lover at heart, she's played piano since she was 8 years old and studied in a music conservatory for 11 years. Five years ago she added guitar and djembe to her repertoire, and is often seen jamming with other musicians at the open mic nights. She also plays in a trio with two other violinists for cocktail parties and special events, and teaches piano and guitar before and after school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Stone

Johnny Stone has been a favourite of the Fort St. John live music scene for quite some time now. Hailing from the East Coast, Newfoundland to be exact, Johnny has been playing music for over fifteen years with various bands from across our great nation. Johnny's passion for music is apparent and his covers are so good one sometimes forgets they're not original Stone hits. Johnny can be seen regularly at both Egan's pub and Ship 2 Shore's live entertainment nights.

 

Lindsay Pratt

Lindsay is a hometown singer/songwriter with a passion for all things done out of creativity. Over her twenty-three years on the planet she has been drawn to theatre, writing, and of course, music. In the last two years Lindsay has made a valiant (for her that is) effort at writing and even recording original songs and creating friendships with other musically inclined people in our community, this has furthered her musical experience and enriched her life hugely.

 Two of Lindsay's original songs recorded with the help of local music guru Russell Eggleston can be found in the Local Music Archive on the Northern Groove site.

 

Nine Mile

Hailing from Toronto, the reggae­-rock band Nine Mile have performed in Fort St. John so many times that they're practically local!

Featuring D'Ari Pouyat (vocals and guitar) and Dave Tolley (percussion), Nine Mile have performed frequently at festivals and concerts in Canada,  Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Recent touring partners include: Xavier Rudd, Donavon Frankenreiter, Blackalicious, Pete Murray,  Ben Harper and more. Nine Mile is signed to Dreadrock Records, a self­owned indie label.

For more information on Nine Mile visit http://www.nine­mile.com or http://www.myspace.com/ninemile.

 

Oh My Darling

Oh My Darling is emerging as a powerhouse of superb female musicianship. Utilizing their keen sense of stylistic versatility, These fiery women have an eclectic repertoire drawing upon their own roots of blues, folk, funk and trad. The instrumentation features fast fingered banjo, saucy fiddle, grooving double bass and feisty vocals to create a high energy performance that will be sure to keep people on their feet!
The members’ previous musical experiences include touring Europe, Australia and North America, recording and producing solo albums, freelance studio recordings, performing at world festivals, solo artistry, TV performances and technical direction of various musical ensembles. Oh my Darling is the new ‘darling’ of the Winnipeg scene, wowing audiences at the Festival De Voyageur, sold out crowd at the Times Change(d) High and  Lonesome Club, and other venues. Performances Include: Festival du Voyageur Harvest Sun Music Festival Opening reception for The Canadian Country Music  Awards Sold out performances at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club Western Canadian Tour Portage La Prairie's sold out Mainstage Series at the  William Glesby Centre and many many more!

For more information on Oh My darling visit http://www.myspace.com/ohmydarlingmusic .

 

Randy Gee

Randy Gee is a successful business entrepreneur from Fort St.John BC, Canada with a long list of impressive accolades. From a young age pickin' on his first 1 string guitar, Randy developed a profound passion for music. Like most musicians, he has spent many years in and out of several different bands honing his guitar playing skills. Today he is a proud member of the band Deere John.  In 2006 Randy and his band Jim and the Twins had the opportunity to share the stage with Canadian recording artists Jake Mathews and Gil Grand. This would spark a new friendship and pave the way towards his newest business venture, Grand & Gee Music Group in Nashville TN. Randy Gee is not only the CEO but a valued and key member of it's writing staff.  For more information about Randy Gee's music career visit http://www.grandandgeemusic.com or http://www.deerejohnband.com.

 

 

 

Ryan Hennessey

Ryan Hennessey's involvement in the local music scene started in 1999 as a founding member of Home By 6.  Since then he has established himself as a major participant in bringing music to the community...from Open Mic @ Egan's Pub (now in its 5th year), live performances all over the city, playing drums for Mindset, recording his debut CD with Rob Szabo and  a seemingly endless supply of enthusiasm and support for fans and friends of live music in Fort St. John.  "Music defines me, I can't think of anything else I'd be spending my spare time on.  I'm so proud to be a part of the scene here...and believe me, we have a music scene!!"

 

The Sweetwater Ramblers

Nick Baccante and Mike Odowichuck, regulars at Egan’s open mike nights and coffee houses around town, will be appearing with some of their bluegrass friends as The Sweetwater Ramblers. Coming from out of town especially for the bluegrass night at Egan’s on May 5th will be Don Gothard on dobro, Carl Moser on banjo and Pat Weremouth on acoustic bass, who will be joining Nick on mandolin and Mike on guitar. Individually, these folks have been playing for a number of years, and they often meet at weekend pickin’ parties, coffeehouses and concerts. Occasionally they meet at the Rolla Pub with other musicians for a fun night of bluegrass jamming. Don, from near Bonanza, Alberta, was the driving force behind the short-lived, but very fun Dawson Creek Bluegrass Festival, he’ll also occasionally play some old time tunes on the fiddle or clawhammer banjo. Carl, from near Rolla, BC, loves playing his banjo, or guitar, as long as it’s high energy bluegrass. Pat, from near Beaverlodge, Alberta, provides some solid bass playing and we hope to get him to do some of his powerful bass singing, particularly on gospel tunes. Nick has played guitar in a bluegrass band for a number of years back in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but in the past few years has enjoyed learning and playing the mandolin. Mike played in a jug band a few years back, on Vancouver Island, and despite his poor memory, knows words to countless songs. Collectively, the Sweetwater Ramblers are looking forward to a very fun bluegrass night at Egan’s.

 

Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan will be kicking off MayFest on the Egan’s Stage, opening for Toronto based reggae-rock band Nine Mile. Steve is no stranger to Egan’s, and has been a member of the Wednesday Night Open Mic community for several years since moving to Fort St John from the East Coast. Inspired by countless musicians with a wide range of style, Steve has taken his rhythmic campfire skills into the pub and onto the stage. Join us at Egan’s and raise a glass as we celebrate the launch of MayFest!

 

 

 

 

Still Within (Andrew Arsenault)

The Band "Still Within" involves Lead Singer/Guitarist Andrew Arsenault, and Drummer Alan Kemp.

Currently recording a 10 song album in Fort St. John B.C. with RedGlow Records sound engineer Russell Eggleston.
Our music is Rock based and Acoustic driven with many other musical influences of reggae, pop, latin, RnB.

We’re determined to have a CD release show in June 2009.

Look for more details on NorthernGroove.com

 

 

Cynthia Hamar

Bio coming soon.

  

 

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