2009 - 2010 Blenders Concert Series
- David Gogo - Saturday, March 27, 2010 @ AGSC
- Wil and Matt Andersen - Saturday, April 24, 2010 @ AGSC
For info or tickets, call Shann @ (306) 778-2686
David Gogo Band - Saturday, March 27, 2010
@ AGSC
Doors open: 8:00 pm; Music starts at 9:00 pm.
Advance tickets $25.00 available
at:
• Art Gallery of Swift Current in the R.C. Dahl Centre at 411 Herbert Street East
• Pharmasave ticket centre
• Or call Shann at 778-2686
www.davidgogo.org • David Gogo on MySpace
Multiple Blues Music Award winner adds heart, soul and grit
Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, David received a ukulele at age 4 and his first guitar at age 5. Encouraged by his parents throughout his childhood, the guitar began to captivate him. By the age of 16 Gogo was working steadily as a professional musician. His interest in the blues could be considered unusual for a teenager in the early 1980's. Nonetheless, David was drawn to the emotional power and raw depth of such performers as Howling Wolf and Son House.
Things really fell into place for Gogo when the now legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan arrived on the musical scene. Finally, David had discovered someone with whom he could truly relate! Vaughan summed up everything that Gogo aspired to be. David soon had the chance to meet the Texas guitar icon, who encouraged Gogo to pursue and commit to become a serious blues artist. Shortly thereafter he formed a band called The Persuaders. Quickly Gogo and his band mates began making a name for themselves across Western Canada and they jumped from an after school project to opening for such legendary blues acts as Albert Collins and the Icebreakers. His first self-titled album was released to critical acclaim and garnered David a Juno nomination for Best New Artist.
Gogo was named "Guitarist of the Year" twice at the Maple Blues Awards and received many Juno nominations throughout his career.
Gogo was named the recipient of the 2004 CBC Saturday Night Blues, "Great Canadian Blues Award" for a lifetime contribution to the blues in Canada . In being so honoured he joined the growing list of outstanding Canadian artists that includes: Colin Linden, Rita Chiarelli, Dutch Mason, Richard Newell, David Wilcox, Donny Walsh, Colin James, Long John Baldry, Amos Garrett, Big Dave McLean, Matt Minglewood and Sue Foley.
Another important award received was the Alumni Award for furthering Vancouver Island Music in a global setting. This special award was given to him at the 3 rd Annual Island Music Awards - an event he has co-hosted all three years.
His last release 'Acoustic' features David unplugging and playing solo. The album has been nominated for a Juno, a Western Canadian Music Award, and a Maple Blues Award. His latest album will feature his whole band and a return to his electric guitar style that made him famous.
Since signing with Cordova Bay, Gogo's records have been released in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, France Germany, Holland, Belgium and Italy.
These successes have David busier than ever and happy to find acceptance as a world class blues man. And, oh yes - David Gogo is his real name.
Sponsored by: 
Wil and Matt Andersen - Saturday, April 24, 2010
@ AGSC
Doors open: 8:00 pm; Music starts at 9:00 pm.
Advance tickets $25.00 available
at:
• Art Gallery of Swift Current in the R.C. Dahl Centre at 411 Herbert Street East
• Pharmasave ticket centre
• Or call Shann at 778-2686
Sponsored by: 
Wil - Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wil was born to parents who were both musically proficient. On Friday nights he would sit and listen while his parents played and sung along to the old crooners and guitar legends such as Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and Hank Williams.
By the age of 13 he was seriously refining and defining his playing style unknowingly blending his love of "old school country" with new diverse new influences from Led Zepplin to Michael Hedges. He subsequently landed his first paying gig in 1992 and spent a number of years honing his musicianship while finding his true voice.
In 2001, Wil wrote his first album titled "Both Hands." The title track, 'Both Hands' was written by friend and writing partner, Jeff Leitl. It sold over 6000 copies off stage and allowed him to tour with artists such as Colin James, Matthew Good, Joel Plaskett Emergency and Xavier Rudd among others as well earning him 4 nominations at the 2005 WCMA's including producer and 'entertainer of the Year.' The CD has since gone on to sell over 16,000 copies.
The lyrical process comes to Wil quite naturally. Wil says that since he can remember he has made up 'entire movies in his head.' These screen plays become the paints used to color and craft his songs. For Wil's sophomore release titled 'By December' he collaborated melodically with some of Canada's most respected musicians; producer and multi-instrumentalist Dave MacKinnon (FemBots), " 54-40's Neil Osborne and Broken Social Scene's Jason Collett among others.
The melodic collaborations of these artists as well as the musicians who played on the recording made it a very grand experience. Wil kids that "it was recorded in 27 different places with 356 people" and though he briefly feared its sheer enormity might get away from him during the two years it took to complete, the combination of diverse influences and widescreen sounds never even threatens to overpower Wil's gruff, soulful voice, virtuosic guitar and dark-hued storytelling.
"I like calling it a 'real' record," Wil offers. "I don't know what a not-real record is, but in my eyes a real record is people playing in a room together, feeding off each other, and capturing those moments.
Wil is and will remain, the consummate touring musician, developing his expansive roots-rock sound and world-weary lyricism while building a dedicated following for his famously intense live shows. Wil has always preferred to play live either solo or with 'just a drummer.' He says that freedom allows him to immerse himself onstage utterly and completely. One such performance was written up by the Calgary Sun as having so much "power and soul it could stop your heart."
Matt Andersen - Saturday, April 24, 2010
New Brunswick's Matt Andersen has a larger than life showmanship that has been earning him a fervent and steadfast audience wherever he graces the stage. Matt's sprawling blues, roots and rock musical hybrid with his sorrowing and soulful voice has sparked a phenomenal buzz on Canada's East Coast and that grass roots word of mouth cannot be contained any longer!
In the past couple of years, Matt has released an introductory EP along with two critically-acclaimed live fans' favorites and the full length release 'Second time around.' Along with a very busy touring schedule as a headliner at major festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America, Matt has also shared the stage and toured with America, Randy Bachman, the late Bo Diddley, Little Feat and a host of others.
Matt has just finished his second successful UK Tour along with airplay on the BBC and opening dates for Mississippi Delta Blues Icon 'HoneyBoy' Edwards. Matt's hectic touring schedule includes over 200 live dates a year that encompass North America and the rest of the world. Matt's new release 'Something In-Between' is on Canada's Busted Flat Records (Distribution - Sonic Unyon/Universal) and is one the most anticipated original studio releases this year.
Matt Andersen is a very real, rare, raw talent and career artist - vital to our musical landscape. For more info on Matt and the new studio release go to www.bustedflatrecords.com.
Blenders Concert Series is sponsored by:
