ARTIST BIOS 2020

James Keelaghan

Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons.

He’s a Juno award winner (and three-time Juno nominee) who’s grown from a popular coffee-house act in Calgary to a festival and concert hall favourite.

As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, intent and intensity, and curiosity.

Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline, Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community.​

https://keelaghan.com/

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Jim Bryson

Jim Bryson is a Canadian Song Singer and Record Maker. He has released 6 critically acclaimed solo recordings, the most recent being 2018’s “Tired of Waiting”.

In recent years, Jim has been recording and producing records for artist from all over the map in his Fixed Hinge Studio he built in 2013. Some names of note Jim has worked with include Kathleen Edwards, Little Scream, The Skydiggers and Kalle Mattson. 

Jim Lives with his partner and children in his old family homestead in Stittsville, Ontario​

​http://www.jimbryson.org/

Anna Ludlow

Ludlow began playing the fiddle when she was nine. “There were so many amazing players surrounding my life it was hard not to want to play the fiddle,” she says. 

Ludlow's repertoire includes hundreds of fiddle songs, from not only Nova Scotia’s musical tradition but also from Scotland, Ireland and even Norway.

She’s a musician for whom rhythm matters deeply. “I really want to drive the beat, a lively beat.”

Above all, she wants to engage listeners. “I always get people up to dance,” she says. “I want people to leave my show full of joy and (asking themselves), ‘Where can I hear more Celtic music?'”

​https://www.annaludlow.com/

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Lynne Hanson

​Too tough for folk and too blues influenced for country, Lynne Hanson's brand of "porch music with a little red dirt" can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. She's known for her high-energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions. A closet stand-up comedian, Lynne often leaves the audience howling with laughter with her between-song-banter. 

Lynne is a two-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner (2018 English Songwriter, Ensemble of the Year with The LYNNeS), a two-time Indie Acoustic Project Alt-Country album of the year winner (River of Sand 2014, Uneven Ground 2017), a past winner of the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, and a two-time finalist in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition in Texas. 

Lynne has performed in venues and festivals across Canada, parts of the United States, and in Europe.

​https://www.lynnehanson.com/

Terry Tufts, Kathryn Briggs
​and Beth Tufts (Tripod)

Canadian singer-songwriter Terry Tufts is a finger-style guitarist living off-grid with his wife and collaborator (pianist Kathryn Briggs) and daughter (singer/guitarist/pianist Beth Tufts) in the bush in North Frontenac, Ontario.

Terry has been playing music professionally since 1974. He plays mandolin, mandriola, banjo, cittern, and guitar – primarily guitar (for fun since 1958 and professionally since 1974.) 
His fingers weave the notes tightly together, creating a loose and comfortable musical garment that you enjoy being in.

​http://www.terrytufts.com/

Kathryn Briggs - Piano
Born and raised in Canada's capital city, Kathryn Briggs has committed her life to creating and sharing music. She is a well-respected pianist, teacher, composer and performer. Beginning at the age of 7, Ms. Briggs excelled in her conservatory studies and completed her pedagogical training at the age of 18 with concert pianist and music educator Irene Woodburn-Wright. In her late teens, she conducted and accompanied children’s and youth choirs, mentoring with Ottawa’s award-winning choir master and Order of Canada recipient Barbara Clark.

Beth Tufts, daughter of Terry and Kathryn, is a talented young performer in her own right. ​Still in her teens, Beth has a natural talent and presence that will surprise and delight you.

​Together these three musicians form 'Tripod'