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Edith Boniface

Vocalist

Edith Boniface graduated from the Music and Arts Club of Toronto with a Diploma of Merit July 1, 1938. She sang opera on stage professionaly. She married and moved to Powell River in 1943. She sang in the Powell River Musical Festival 1945 and won three awards for class 25 Operatic Solo, adult vocal class 17, Ocatavio class 24. She also sang with the Powell River Choir and Church Choir and with the senior choir.

Margaret Boutilier

Lead Vocalist

Music is my greatest passion. I've worked hard to develop my talent, and I feel very confident in my ability to touch people with my music. I love what I do and I'm good at it. I've been singing since I was a young babe.

I grew up in the 60's and I was greatly influenced by this era. I've resided in Powell River for the past 4 years. Shortly after arriving here in P.R., I discovered an incredible variety of talent, so I plugged in, and I've been singing at the jams ever since. I've had the honor to perform with so many local professional musicians, as well as bands from out of town. I've learned so much from this experience. I've come a long way with my music.

I am currently working with a great bunch of guys on our own band. We're called Leather and Lace. We do everything from 50's to the 90's Classic Rock, Country, Blues and Easy Listening tunes. We're a dance band, soon to start performing locally in Powell River.

Al Davis

Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Percussion

Influences:
Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton. These were all influences from age 15 as I developed a lifelong dedication to Blues and Jazz. Some Country music has occasionally been on my repertoire.

I started in South Wales in the late 60's with a band called "Good Habit" which at one point toured with Jethro Tull. I moved to Canada in 1973 and formed several bands in Thunder Bay, most notable of which was the extremely popular "Blind Druid Band". (Nickname evolved from being a Welshman with poor eyesight). Our repertoire was hardcore blues-rock, classic rock and some originals. We received a review in Canadian Blues Quarterly Magazine. Set up "Red Dragon Productions" producing and promoting Thunder Bay talent. Did session work on several albums by Ontario musicians. Played pickup gigs with Matt Minglewood and Ronnie Hawkins. Moved to a job in Mackenzie B.C. in 2000, formed "Shugabuzz". Moved to Powell River to live and work in 2003. Looking to continue and hook up locally - any takers?

Contact Al by email: ajdavis@shaw.ca

Susan Dixon

Vocals, Trumpet

Samantha Hurrie

Vocalist

Conceived amidst the turbulent, political, social and sexual revolution of '67, born August 7, 1968, in Belleville, Ontario. I guess it must have rubbed off because I've felt uneasy ever since.

Surrounded by music from day 1, my mamma coffee housed down while papa played in the band. I've had a deep love of the blues and R and B all my life. My Father's band played dinners and dances at the old funky Stillwater Hall for my elementary school's fund raisers for years, occasionally I was a doo-wop girl. I sang all through school with friends at most school assemblies until my teen years when Chaos reigned.

In high school, I was bombarded by poetry, blinded by the rhythm, riveted by the music that was happening all around me. We sort of all went in time together: my friends and I. We were regularly frightened by the Beatles. I sang freely in the park, in the pool, to myself on busses.

My soul, my voice and the need to write till I was aching came at 25 and with that the desire to collaborate and perform. Opportunities arose; women's festivals, private affairs and benefits. I was deeply moved at every moment with the thrill of beginning, the need to transport and the burn in revealing truthfully who I am in this walk. Sometimes I cry and other times I have to contain my laughter. My life has provided me with all I need to create and be part of incredible music at it's pure source.

For the past two years I have been collaborating with Nathan Jacobson and several other friends and loved ones to evolve the sounds of First Excited Daughter, a mixture of folk, fusion and raw sweet soul and blues. A real connectedness with Nathan, when playing we find a new song, a new feeling in our original music everyday.

My musical influences are really hard to narrow down. There's a whole pile of people and bands that everyone knows and some that everyone doesn't. I'd have to say my father Sam Hurrie has most significantly influenced me as he has provided me with an example of musical accomplishment and a standard of excellence to move towards. Inspired with this I grow to cherish and to create more musically often than not.

Ron MacDougall

Folk Singer, Banjo, Mandola, Bodhran

Ron is from a long line of Gaelic Scots via Eastern Canada and has no formal music training whatsoever. He learned Celtic Folk tunes at his mother's knee and polished them in Irish Pubs and Village halls in the west of Scotland, as well as Folk Festivals and coffee houses in the U.K. and Canada.

Ron is primarily a Folk Singer, and also plays Banjo, Mandola, and Bodhran (a Celtic Drum)

Ron is the lead vocalist and founding member of the Celtic and Maritime 4 piece group, "Seanachaidh" (a Gaelic word meaning "storyteller"). Seanachaidh has one recording to their credit entitled "Tradition and Foolishness" which was released in November 1995.
Ron MacDougall
C43, Garnet Rock RR#1
Powell River, B.C.
V8A 4Z2
604-487-0273

Tamara Martella
Vocals, flute, sax

Tamara took a jazz diploma course in Victoria. She teaches flute andsax at the Academy, and participates in several jazz ensembles.
Band: Jazz Unlimited

Dan Minard

Vocalist, Acoustic Guitar, Luthier

The love of music can lead to the most unusual types of businesses. Raincoast Tonewoods is a shining example.

Dan Minard, owner of Raincoast Tonewoods, has been a musician as long as he can remember and an experienced luthier for over two decades. Both loves—and skills—remained a hobby while he pursued his career as an aircraft maintenance engineer. His employer of 21 years reduced the workforce drastically and Dan was faced with the decision of “what am I going to do with the rest of my life?”. Living in Powell River, employment opportunities in his field were not very promising. He had an idea and came to Community Futures to explore the possibilities.

Dan’s musical background initiated the spark. Guitars need tops, tops are made from tone woods, tone woods are made from cedar and spruce. Powell River has both. Raincoast Tonewoods was created.

The business is a blend of all Dan’s special skills of music, woodworking, designing, welding and machinery.

“I design and build all my own tools and machinery adaptations,” says Dan. And now Raincoast Tonewoods boasts customers all over the United States and Australia.

“I get glowing reports on the quality of tone woods I deliver.

I take care to learn each customer’s preferences and do my best to provide exactly what they want.”

The biggest problem Dan faces is finding an adequate wood supply. “I need big trees with an outer diameter of at least 5 feet,” explains Dan. “Out of 60 cords of wood I may end up with half a cord of usable cedar or spruce”.

With repairing and building guitars and building custom made furniture Dan is operating a full time business. “I’m working harder than before, making less money, but I’m making a living and am master of my own time.”

Sarah Perkonig

Voice, Piano

How did you come to choose your instrument?
"In grade nine I joined the Oceanview school jazz choir, led by Peter Taylor, and he got me started on singing. I had been singing before that, but never really solo, always in the choir."

Who were your influences and why?
"Definitely Peter Taylor... without him in Powell River working with the kids in Jazz choir, I would never have gotten into jazz, nor pursued any type of career in music. Also, the first time I heard Sarah Vaughn sing "Lullaby of Birdland", I knew that that was what I wanted to do with my life."

How long ago or at what age did you start playing?
"I started singing at seven, through the Academy of Music, but, like I said, not singing solo, just in the choir. The Academy is where my musical interest began, really. I also started to take piano lessons at around age eight, but never really perused it. I am focussing more on my piano nowadays."

Other activities related to music that you participate in...
"I have worked a lot on, and still do some music through our church, helping plan music services, leading worship and backup singing. My church was a great place to learn to sing and to express music because of the supportive environment."

Do you have an interesting or colourful musical memory?
"Well, I only have an embarrassing musical moment, not really a colourful activity story. I remember in grade ten I guess, our choir had a candlelight Christmas concert for the rest of our school. The whole student body was in a darkened gym, and this other girl and I had a duet together. We were standing in front of the rest of the choir, holding our very thin candles. Unfortunately, our song was the last one of the concert, so our candles had been going for some time, and mine was almost gone. Being nervous about my solo part, I of course, did not notice how near the flame was getting to my fingers. Halfway into the song, the flame met my fingers and I screamed, quite loud out of shock, and dropped the bit of candle that was left. Of course the candle was still burning, but now burning quite high on the floor of the gym, and I was upfront, stomping with my foot to put the flame out. Needless to say, the student were not really listening to the music."

Contact Sarah by email: ssquirsh@hotmail.com

Susan Reid

Lead Vocalist

Born to sing, my first ever performance was at age 5 at a christmas pagent in Texada-then I sang lead in my school choir in Ontario. My husband encouraged me and helped me to get over my stage fright.Then I discovered Patsy Cline and her music.

I started performing four years ago at the open air market. I was nervous and unsure of myself. Once the "bug" bit me however, things changed. I have since performed at "The Little Teapot" and at a political fund raising event. Give me a stage and someone who is willing to listen and I am ready! No more stage fright! I love to sing and I have performed Patsy Cline, Connie Francis, Shania Twain, Ann Murray and several other singer's music. Although I do not play any instrument and my music is Karaoke style tapes and CD's I would love to sing with a live band. So if anyone is looking for a female singer-hey I'm here!

My e-mail address is: susans_dreams_2000@yahoo.com

Vocals, Guitar

Armed with her acoustic guitar, powerful voice, and bold lyrics...21 year old Elke Robitaille is not just your average little folk singer. Elke's creative musical insight takes listeners through an intense exploration of the human mind, body, and Spirit. Her lyrics are honest and uncensored. She is never afraid to get into your face and speak her mind. The dynamics of Elke's songs range from haunting contemporary folk-ballads, to high energy, hard driven folk-rock. The music perfectly blends true acoustic elements of outspoken aggression with raw emotion and softness. Elke is greatly influenced by political, social, and environmental issues and of course, the never ending lessons and experiences of Love.

These are not the only reasons why this dreadlocked songstress is anything but ordinary. By the time her 20th birthday arrived, the enthusiastic and self-managed folk singer was on the road touring across Canada, had released her second full length studio album "Naive" (the follow up to her debut album "Doors" released in 2002), had graduated from the renowned Musicians Institute of Hollywood, California with certificate training in Recording Engineering and Music Business Management, AND had launched her own indie-folk label: Rag Veda Records. These are things that have set Elke apart from her peers, and she is still driving strong.

Elke is originally from British Columbia, Canada, but she is very nomadic and never seems to stay in one place for very long. For this reason, the place that Elke feels most at home is on stage. No matter what town or city she's in, whether it be at a club, cafe, festival, or even on the street...the familiar and thrillful experience of performing is what Elke finds to be the most comforting and rewarding. She has played in 5 provinces and 20 different cities throughout Canada; explored her way through Oregon, playing in Portland and surrounding areas; and while studying in Hollywood, she became adapted to the Los Angeles music scene, entertaining audiences at acclaimed clubs on the Sunset Strip such as the Cat Club and Rainbow Room, as well as many of LA's distinguished acoustic venues including Genghis Cohen and The Acoustic Playhouse.

Elke has many bright plans for the future. Scribbled ideas for new songs and a third album fill pages of journals, plans for doing another national tour of Canada and the US are constantly shaping, and evolving aspirations of starting a Publicity Company (Subsidiary to Rag Veda Records) are in the making. So everyone will be sure to see and hear much more of the dreadlocked folk-star in the future!

Visit Elke Robitaille's website at http://www.elkemusic.com.

Colleen White

Vocalist

I was never as aware of my talent as my parents were. I always loved music and felt that I could be involved somehow. I was about 8 or so when I asked my mother if I could have piano lessons. After a few weeks I was told that I was going downtown for music lessons. I was happy until I got to the class and found out that I was there to take voice lessons instead of piano. After I was done pouting for a while, I soon found that my lovely and talented teacher Roberta, was teaching me a great deal about singing.

My primary influences are my parents. My dad is a musician from way back (and man, could I ever name drop there!). Mom is also a talented singer/musician. My favorite influence is Faye Warner, a fabulous songwriter who has the voice of an angel. I was still pretty young when she was spending time making music to lyrics that I'd write, and encouraging my singing upon each visit. She built my confidence continually, and got me hooked on orange juice in the meantime... a totally irrelevant memory... but a memory.

The voice lessons with Roberta at age 8 led me onto a string of musical experiences. I soon joined the church choirs, the school choirs, joined drama classes at school for the musical parts, and began trumpet lessons at age 11. I was 15 when I finally took the piano lessons I wanted, as well as taking voice again. I took guitar lessons at age 18, and continue to use my guitar to write little country songs.

I came to Powell River in 1990, but wasn't able to find a musical outlet until 1998 at the Farmers Market. There, Frank Janzen took a keen interest in my singing, and he practised me to death for a Seafair performance. Soon Recycled Sound took me on as a regular. The lead guitarist, Ike Guinard and I also spend a lot of time performing our market music at local jam sessions. The jams also provide a place for me to swing into blues, (my first love) if I so desire.

I joined the Blues Train in 1999. After relocation, the members took on a new name The Blind Boy Blues Band that is currently circulating on Vancouver Island.
My e-mail address is: martha@island.net

Chrissie Wilson
Lead Vocalist

I've always wanted to sing, I don't have a band yet.

My influence was pretty much Madonna when I was growing up. I really admired her because she did what she wanted and didn't care what other people thought. I started singing as soon as I could talk. I instantly loved it.

When I was 5 years old this song came out by Madonna. It was called "Like a Virgin" and I loved it and one day me and my parents were in the mall and I started singing it, my mom was completely shocked.
311-4558 Harvie Ave.
Powell River, B.C.
V8A-2P2

Barry Young

Country Vocalist, Guitar

Heath was born in England where he has been generally accepted as the U.K's best country vocalist for the last 20 years. A Rock & roll star in the late 60's, during which time he toured Europe with Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochrane, Del Shannon and Brenda Lee plus many others. He has also appeared on the same bill as the Beatles and performed in the London Palladium.

Heath's great love is in the field of country music, to which he turned to in the 70's and has had some success recording on the Dot Label and now records for Ritz Records in Dublin. After going country, Heath appeared at Wembley Stadium in London on the B.C.M.A. country music festival with such stars as Billy Jo Spears, Boxcar Willie, Tammy, Don Williams and Faron Young and many more.

Heath came to Canada for a holiday to visit his sister and liked it so much, he decided to settle and make Canada his new permanent home. He feels Canada is now the world centre for country music. He says, "They play proper Here".

He has just completed a new album of 23 tracks, all but 2 of which are original material. The album is made of songs that tell a story and is easy on the ear.

Heath Allen has attracted a great deal of interest and a loyal following in Powell River where he now resides. He is a very professional on stage and keeps people dancing.

Band: Heath Allen and the Louisiana Rain