For Immediate Release
Bluebird North Concert Features Manitoba’s Best!
Doc Walker’s Murray Pulver, and Ridley Bent headline February 2 event
(Winnipeg, January 11, 2012) The Songwriters Association of Canada, Manitoba Music and the Manitoba Country Music Association have lined up an incredible night of talent for the next Bluebird North event at The Park Theatre on Thursday February 2, 2012.
What: Bluebird North Concert featuring Doc Walker’s Murray Pulver, Ridley Bent, MacKenzie Porter and Marc-Alan Barnette
When: Thursday February 2, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Park Theatre (698 Osborne Street), Winnipeg, Manitoba
Tickets: $15 at the door, $12 for Manitoba Music, Songwriters Association of Canada and MCMA members
New for the Bluebird North concert series in 2012 is the addition of a Young Artists Showcase. Five young musicians: Brenton Thorvaldson, Brennan Wall, Karl Shewchuk, Kim Erickson and Shannon Patterson will get the chance to play a short set at 7:30 p.m. before the main stage acts come on.
Bluebird North: Where Writers Sing and Tell is a musical showcase presented by the Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.). Every show features a different line-up of talented Canadian songwriters who take turns sharing songs and stories in an informal, acoustic atmosphere.
The event was originally inspired the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville where writers were given a dedicated stage and a listening audience.
In Winnipeg, Bluebird North is produced by Chris Burke-Gaffney for the S.A.C. This event also takes place in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and St. John’s. Bluebird North is sanctioned by the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee.
Winnipeg television personality Jenna Khan (Citytv’s Breakfast Television) will emcee the event.
For more information on the S.A.C.’s mandate, activities and membership programs, please visit www.songwriters.ca. Media inquiries can be directed to Bluebird North publicist Lisa Saunders at 204.799.4641 or lisa@soundstrategy.ca.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Marc-Alan Barnette is a Birmingham, Alabama born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter/teacher and music business consultant. In 2010, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He has had songs recorded by Grammy Award winner Shelby Lynne, and country stars David Ball and John Berry. Barnette has been teaching songwriting and the practical application of the music business for 12 years. He works with writers and artists worldwide, in Nashville and all over the US and Canada, through his workshops, seminars, and musically educated tours of Nashville. www.marcalanbarnette.com
Ridley Bent's past records, Rabbit On My Wheel reads like a collection of short stories, showcasing the Western Canada based Country artist's keen fascination for characters whose life on the straight and narrow rarely lasts past the nearest exit to a short, crooked road. On Rabbit On My Wheel, the 2009 CCMA nominee and seven-time BCCMA winner's storytelling and songwriting chops are sharper than ever. Although the tales are still as tall as they come, and the characters as large as life or larger, the cast of hard-drinking, fast-driving characters Ridley unleashes on Rabbit On My Wheel tend to be a shade less hell-bent on self-destruction than they are with keeping their lives between the lines and out of the ditch. www.ridleybent.ca
MacKenzie Porter was raised on a cattle and bison ranch in Southern Alberta. At the young age of four, she began studying piano, violin, and voice. As a classically trained violinist, MacKenzie performed for many years as a soloist and a chamber musician. In addition, MacKenzie toured for a number of years with a family band including her brother Kalan Porter (2004 winner of Canadian Idol). She is currently writing and recording her upcoming debut album. In July, 2011, Mackenzie won the Nashville North Star competition and subsequently opened for Kenny Chesney and Doc Walker. She has also opened for Terri Clarke, Trooper and the Canadian Tenors. www.mackenzieporter.ca
Murray Pulver is the “go to” guitar player who splits his time between Nashville and Winnipeg. His talents have led him to a variety of experiences including recording and touring with The Crash Test Dummies and Doc Walker. His credits include WCMA Musician of the Year, CCMA Producer of the Year and two nominations for Producer of the Year at the Western Canadian Music. Songwriting is the newest accomplishment for Murray, winning Songwriter of the Year for Doc Walker's Beautiful Life at the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards. He has co-written songs for numerous artists as well as several top 10 songs for Doc Walker. Murray also writes for various TV shows that air on OLN, A&E, CTV, CBC and Global. He is currently published by Roots Three/Ole Music Publishing. www.docwalker.ca
Young Artists Showcase: Brenton Thorvaldson, Brennan Wall, Karl Shewchuk, Kim Erickson and Shannon Patterson. After seeing Marc-Alan Barnette's "New Crew" perform on a recent trip to Nashville, these five young singer/songwriter/musicians decided to join together to bring a unique form of a “writer’s round” to Winnipeg and the surrounding area.
The S.A.C. gratefully acknowledges the support of The SOCAN Foundation and the Government of Canada through the Creators' Assistance Component of the Canada Music Fund.
