Wendell Ferguson makes his TNMH debut

Take Note! Music House, address given upon reservation, Barrie, ON

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll kiss your money goodbye when multiple award winning guitarist and Juno nominated performer Wendell Ferguson takes the "stage" at the the Take Note! Music House on Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00). Suggested donation is $15, with all proceeds going directly to the performer. You may reserve your seat by calling (705) 305-1687 or emailing concerts@takenotepromotion.com.

Directions will be given upon reservation, but we're located close to downtown Barrie on the north side of the bay, just a little north-east of City Hall. We're still trying to build up our Barrie mailing list, so please do forward this to any music-lovers you know, and encourage them to sign up for our mailing list themselves on our webpage.

Accessibility-wise, we do need to to a bit of work on this house ' there are a few steps up to the front door (but feel free to walk up the grass if it's easier), or two less-steep steps if you come around to the back. Once you're in the house, everything will be taking place on the main level, no steps involved. There is a main floor washroom, although it's not wheelchair-friendly. No pets at the moment, although the previous owners had dogs. A reminder, as always, to please refrain from wearing scents, as some of our "regulars" do have sensitivities.

Wendell Ferguson (www.wendellferguson.com)

What do you give an overweight, asthmatic 7-year-old boy for Christmas? Model airplane? Etch-A-Sketch? Erector set? Well lucky for us Wendell Ferguson's folks gave him a guitar.

From the first time he heard Chet Atkins' recording of "Mister Sandman" he was hooked, and only one thing ever held his interest... the guitar. He'd already been taking lessons for 3 years when The Beatles came on the scene and he was soon hard at work lifting their licks, along with Ventures, the Stones, Les Paul and of course the aforementioned Mr. Atkins.

Fast forward to today. Wendell has won the Canadian Country Music Association's "Guitar Player of the Year" 6 times. Along with 3 more wins for "Back-up Band of the Year," plus a Ontario Country Performer and Fan Association award for "Career Musician". To quote Ferguson "Not bad for a guy who hasn't worked a day in his life".

Years of touring, radio and television appearances and recording with some of the biggest names in both the country field (George Fox, Duane Steele, Shania Twain, The Wilkinsons, The Dixie Chicks, Chely Wright, Deana Carter, Gary Allen, Patty Loveless, Tracy Byrd...) and the folk arena (Gordon Lightfoot, Sylvia Tyson, James Keelaghan, Katherine Wheatley, The Arrogant Worms, Quartette, Jane Siberry, Vance Gilbert, Brent Titcomb) have given his songwriting a unique perspective.

"The man writes sharp, witty and head-spinningly brilliant tunes. He's a cross between Roger Miller and Ray Flack. He has more in common with Mark Twain than Shania"

(Twangzine)

He started to find his own "writers voice" back in '92 when he founded the contemporary country band "Coda The West", and wrote or co-wrote most of that acts material. Five Top-40 hits resulted in CCMA nominations for "Duo or Group of the Year", along with a Juno award nomination.

"This is not just a novelty album, it's a country album with great musicians, production and songs"

(Country Wave Magazine)

In 1999 Wendell decided to step out on his own to reveal both his notorious sense of humour and his notable guitar work with the release of his CD "I Pick, Therefore I Jam". The album garnered rave reviews and was nominated in the CCMA's "Vocal Collaboration of the Year" category for his duet with Prairie Oyster's Russell deCarle. It was also listed in RPM's Top 100 Albums of 1999 and Country Music News' "Best of the Year". Wendell released a follow-up album in 2003 "Happy Songs Sell Record, Sad Songs Sell Beer" and in 2005 he released his Live album, "The $#!T Hits the Fans" which was nominated for a "Album of the Year" Award at the 2006 CCMA's.

"This gem is a collectors item, not just because it's obscure, but because it's so darn good. Five Stars!"

(Real Music Magazine)

Ferguson now makes his living splitting his time between performing his own hilarious act and being a sideman/session player for everyone and their aunt. He's presently working on an instrumental album called "Taking Elevator Music to a Whole New Level" that should be released shortly.