Best known for songs like "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda," "No Man's Land (The Green Fields of France)" and "Leaving Nancy," Eric's songs have also been recorded by Joan Baez, Mary Black, Donovan, Billy Bragg, and The Pogues. His literate and thoughtful songwriting won a U.N. Peace medal for promoting peace and racial harmony. He's a warm and engaging stage performer who, with his sharp, often self-deprecating wit and shrewd common sense view on the world, communicates well with an audience and draws them in to his performance.

Every once in a while, things just seem to belong together. That was the case when Garnet appeared last year in front of our warm and appreciative audience. It was such a great night for all involved, we couldn't resist when the offer came in for a repeat engagement. Garnet's songs are deeply rooted in the folk tradition and his delivery will take your emotions up, down and everywhere in between.

Corinne spins tales with a part velvet and part grit voice that is both achingly penetrating and highly addictive. Her music has a cool, layered, yet driven sound and has been referred to as "utterly spell-binding", "radiant", and "extraordinarily beautiful" by reviewers world-wide. Corinne is joined on this tour by Vancouver Island's slide guitar and dobro master Doug Cox. This promises to be one of those "discovery nights" not to be missed.

Singer, songwriter, guitar master, producer, collaborator, radio host, collector and a favourite to Edmonton audiences since the days of the Hovel. Roy's voice is instantly recognizable, his guitar work is edgy and his performance is pure passion. This true Canadian icon has so much on his plate that he only gets to tour once in a "Saskatoon Moon."

(Halloween costumes encouraged but not required).
It seems almost silly and not very interesting to trot out a long, endlessly hyphenated list of the many influences coursing through Po' Girl's music. Suffice to say it's 21st Century roots music, urban roots and never derivative, not faithfully aping a beloved tradition. On their 2009 CD Deer in the Night, many of the trappings of their trademark sound are still there: the echoes of speakeasy jazz, the western lament, the accordion-strapped ghosts of European folk - but it's all delivered with a soulful clarity and depth only hinted at on previous records.

Once again, we are proud to be a sponsor of Homefest. An eclectic gathering of musicians, visual artists, poets, and information on the issue of homelessness.

Known for his unique take on the simple day-to-day dramas of the common man through song, John is a born storyteller with a keen eye for the quirky. A humble and engaging performer with lyrics that illustrate the stories behind the songs, his voice is a constant strong and emotive presence demanding attention to those lyrics. He has achieved some amazing accolades from the music world and seen his profile rise rapidly in a few short years.

With his raspy vocal style and his literate, poignant, and carefully observed songs that grapple with the beauties, complexities, and little tragedies of this world, Sam Baker has much in common with Robert Earl Keen, James McMurtry, Townes Van Zandt, and Guy Clark, although his approach to narrative probably comes closest to an artist like John Prine. Tempting as it may be, don't just judge Gurf Morlix by the company he keeps, like Lucinda Williams, Warren Zevon, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Mary Gauthier, Tom Russell, Jim Lauderdale and Slaid Cleaves, to name but a few. Instead, listen to Last Exit to Happyland, his fifth solo album, and understand why his blue-ribbon associations as a producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist have led Morlix to a similar level of excellence as a singer, songwriter and artist in his own right.

Four nominations and three Junos in only 6 years! A favourite of NLFC, it's been a few seasons since David has graced our stage and we are thrilled to welcome him back. James Keelaghan said "David Francey is the best Canadian folk writer that I have heard in 20 years. I think that he is going to be a voice in this country for a long time and that his songs will be sung by my great, great, great grandchildren." Whilst Kieran Kane commented on his "Words of eloquence, beauty and charm, hung on a jewel of a voice."

In a career that has seen her move from Ottawa to Nashville to Los Angeles and back to Ottawa, and release albums as varied as the slick Night in a Strange Town and the stark Unravel (a Juno winner!). Miles has consistently been unflinching in putting it all out there: the unbridled ecstasy of new-found love, the fragile process of sweeping up the pieces when it breaks.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sideman, innovator, recording artist, award winner. His names are many, but underlying that is an ancient soul who has traveled the world for the past 25 years bringing his unique brand of joy to audiences wherever he goes. We're happy that JP could get back to our hall after having to cancel last year's show.

One of today's most accomplished interpreters of traditional roots music presents original country soul creations with the release of This Beautiful Mind. Think George Jones meets Bobby Blue Bland. Uptown, down home, blues, country, soul. Hammond B3 organ, pedal steel guitar, funky bass & drums. MJB was the recipient of the Solo Artist of the Year Award at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Dougie has for many years been at the forefront of the development of Scottish music and song. As one of Scotland's most gifted and successful contemporary singer-songwriters, his innovative work has created a modern interpretation of this music but its fundamental values remain rooted in the ancient Scots culture. His songs have been recorded by many top artists including Kathy Mattea, Frankie Miller, Mary Black, and Delores Keane. "Caledonia" has become a Scottish anthem and went straight to number one in the Scottish charts.

Combining delightful acoustic arrangements with a voice that's been described as a cross between Nanci Griffith and Iris DeMent, Beggs reflects on the journey through life and death, the wanderer's spirit and the loss of loved ones. Yet for all the allusions to tragedy, the songs never sound heavy thanks to Beggs' uplifting melodies. We look forward to welcoming Kim to the NLFC stage for the first time.