GORDIE TENTREES
International Touring sensation talks about his work and approach to music.
International Touring sensation talks about his work and approach to music.
This week, GORDIE TENTREES
International touring award winning Canadian (Yukon) artist has arrived. This authentic road poet travels North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UK/Ireland and Scandinavia with 9 records under his belt. From Celtic Connections (UK) to the National Folk Festival (AU) his ability to hold an audience, weave melody, while juggling the dark with the light is infectious.
Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane
2023 International Acoustic Music Award (IAMA) winner Gordie Tentrees (Yukon) met Jaxon Haldane (Manitoba) in 2005 (Fred Eaglesmith Picnic, Ontario) and swapped records before hitting the road with disparate musical aspirations. Gordie performed over 3000 concerts around the world, often touring as Eaglesmith’s opening act, learning about the music business, and leveraging his previous experience in the boxing ring (3x Golden Glove champ). Tentrees also toured with James Cotten, Mary Gauthier, Kelly Joe Phelps, Steve Poltz, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, to name a few. Jaxon was meanwhile tearing up stages from Churchill to Belfast (D.Rangers bandleader/banjo player), producing records for his indie label (Dollartone), and touring with the likes of Petunia, The Sadies, Jon Spencer, and Romi Mayes. His close relationship with lifelong musical hero and mentor Willie P. Bennett led to Haldane recording Willie’s last record, Sharpen The Plow, just prior to Bennett’s passing in 2008. Haldane founded the Willie P. Bennett Legacy site to pay tribute to his deceased friend. Interestingly, Bennett and Eaglesmith spent 25 years performing and touring, setting an example of camaraderie and excellence that still guides the way for Tentrees and Haldane.
Fast forward to 2014 in Beaumont, Texas. Gordie and Jaxon made their stage debut and quickly realized their friendship off the stage made for something special on it. Armed with an arsenal of instruments (Fiddle-Saw, Harmonica, Resonator, Cigar Box Guitars, Foot Percussion, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, and Mandolin), they have performed over 1100 concerts in 11 countries, creating an unscripted, dynamic electric/acoustic show built on brotherly harmonies and masterful storytelling. In 2018, they released GRIT, their debut live album recorded over 5 nights in Western Canada by Scott Franchuk (Corb Lund, Old Reliable, Mariel Buckley, Del Barber), propelling appearances at major festivals such as Celtic Connections in Glasgow, UK, the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Australia, and the Woody Guthrie Festival in Okemah, USA.
They recently recorded a studio record in Nashville TN titled Double Takes with acclaimed Australian Nash Chambers (Paul Kelly, Archie Roach) with special guests Charlie McCoy (Elvis Presley), Tania Elizabeth (Avett Brothers) and Lucky Oceans (Asleep at the Wheel). The music of Tentrees and Haldane draws from a century of North American music traditions and is rooted in truth, social justice, and the human condition. Their performances are heartfelt and honest, seldom shying away from challenging topics and tough subject matter.
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uIq5kxXDHDEk6D7OzZa6C?si=BCR-hEwAR1KEcqPHq7yJyw
This podcast is hosted by Canoe FM. https://backstage-pass.zencast.website/
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