Bio & Publicity Photos
courtesy of Dave Gunning's Website |
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Hi Dave, Congratulations on all of your achievements over the past year from award wins to showcases at awards shows and conferences. What is the "Dave Gunning" history? Where were you born? What got you started in music? I was born in Pictou and I was obsessed with music since I was a child. Music was something that kept chasing me until I gave in. For someone who is new to your music, how would you describe it? Acoustic Folk / Singer - songwriter / Roots / Celtic Do you have any other musicians in your family? Are your parents musical? Siblings? My mother plays bagpipes. My sister, Julie, sings and plays piano, and my brother, Matthew plays guitar.
Guitar and Bass In 2002, you toured with Stompin' Tom, a Canadian legend. How were you chosen to go on tour with him? What were some of the highlights of the tour? J.P. Cormier recommended me for the gig. Highlights were too many to mention but 3 of them would be the shows, the drinking with Tom and getting to know Tom. He's an incredible man. In 2003, you released your 3rd album, "Live," which features many concert favourites. How did you end up performing the theme song from The Littlest Hobo in concert? It's a song that I have been performing since University. I had a friend, Chris Carragher, who used to belt the song out on our way back from the downtown bars in Halifax. His version was always better. When can fans expect a new studio album from you? May 2004 You received national airplay on CMT Canada with the video for "Here She Comes A'Running." That video looks like it was a lot of fun to make. Where was it filmed? Do you have plans to do any videos with the new album? It was shot in Sherbrooke Historic Village and in Lyon's Brook where I grew up. We may shoot another video for one of the songs on the new record. Both of your albums contain a selection of both original and traditional songs, as well as songs by other songwriters. What are your inspirations for your songs? I'm not really sure. Each song has a different story but I really get satisfaction from writing true story songs. I've always enjoyed arranging traditional songs as well. How long have you been songwriting for? Do you consider yourself a singer or a songwriter first? I've been writing songs for 15 years and I would consider myself a songwriter before a singer. I don't really feel that I sing all that well. What is your ideal songwriting situation? (by yourself, in a certain location, etc.?) I find that the location doesn't seem to matter too much because once I'm into the song, I follow it wherever it takes me. Of course, I can imagine that writing in a southern, warm climate would be nice although it usually is more logistically practical to write at home in Pictou. I also enjoy the co-writing process and writing with as many different people as possible. I've seen you perform around the Maritimes several times. Will we be seeing you on tour across Canada anytime soon? Who knows. I'm not planning a career change, and I've been very fortunate to have had some good stuff happening in the last few years.
It's different every show almost. Some of the regulars that I've played shows with include, Cathy Porter, George Canyon, Jamie Robinson, Joe Butcher, and the MacGillivrays. Who are some of your musical influences? Gordon Lightfoot, Tim O'Brien, James Taylor, Stan Rogers, John Allan Cameron, Bryan Adams, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss, Dan Seals, Valdy, Garnet Rogers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ......... I could go on ......... What do you enjoy to do when you're off the road? Writing, watching movies, hanging out with Sara and Chester, jamming with friends back home. What have been some of the highlights of your career so far? The Stompin' Tom Tour, meeting Gordon Lightfoot, touring across Canada twice, going to Tonder Festival in Denmark, the trip to Texas, playing the festivals here in the East. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Playing music and writing and recording. Basically the same thing but probably with further away trips. Where have you toured? Canada and the US, Denmark, River John, Neil's Harbour Is there a place that you have yet to tour that you would like to visit? Scotland and Ireland
What's your favourite movie / tv show? Movie - Rustler's Rapsody Who are your favourite musicians? -see musical influences above- If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it b? Alison Krauss. Best of luck with your career in the months and years to
come!
"...Caught Between Shadows is a handsomely crafted piece of work, one almost certain to advance his career significantly if afforded the kind of airplay that it deserves." - Doug Gallant, The Guardian
"...Caught Between Shadows is a sharp-sounding disk...the record's main attraction is Gunning's heartfelt songwriting, grown stronger and even more expressive since his debut recording." - Stephen Cooke, The Halifax Herald
"...Gunning's second release Caught Between Shadows places his solidly on the list of East Coast names to watch. Following in the footsteps of Lennie Gallant or Stan Rogers, Gunning is an interesting story teller with a nice pop charm." - Chris Luthan, The Atlantic GIG
"...Caught Between Shadows puts Dave Gunning in the front ranks of the east coast's top songwriters." - Doug Gallant, The Guardian
"...Caught Between Shadows shows amazing growth by Gunning as an artist. It is filled with good tunes, great musicianship and fine writing." - Greg Guy, The Halifax Herald
"...Dave Gunning, Gordie Sampson, and Julian Austin demonstrated that the legacy of Stan Rogers will be felt on the East Coast music scene in years to come." - Gregory R. McGuire, Stan Rogers Festival 2000.
February
March
For more info on Dave Gunning and/or to purchase his CD's, check out his website at http://www.davegunning.com Fan Mail: dave@davegunning.com Booking Information: Julie Gunning, Booking & Entertainment Consultant, Talent Source Entertainment, Phone: 902-420-9551/9550 - E-mail: julie@talentsource.ca If you're interested in more Canadian Celtic Music, visit Kimberley's Canadian Celtic Music Website. |
For your chance to win this prize, email your answer in to the following question: "Name one of Dave Gunning's CD's. The deadline to enter is February 29, 2004. Good luck! |
Dave Gunning is fast becoming the buzz in the world of folk
singer-songwriters. This year he has performed in Europe, Canada and the United
States, creating a stir, touching hearts, and gaining supporters wherever he played his
songs. In the past year alone he has performed at Tonder Festival in Denmark, showcased to
an unheard-of standing ovation at the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance in Texas, more than
held his own on stage with Kim Mitchell at the 2003 East Coast Music Awards
Songwriter’s Circle, and earned an invitation to perform at the prestigious Kerrville
Folk Festival in Texas in May 2004.
What
instruments do you play?
Who are the members of your band that are
currently on the road with you?
Now
for some more entertaining questions!
"...Gunning has turned the
basic Celtic-tinged songster point of view into a much more penetrating stance. The
result is an album full of songs that rank with the best of Lennie Gallant, Jimmy Rankin
and Ron Hynes." - Ron Foley MacDonald, The Daily News
January
Thanks to Dave Gunning, we have a copy of his new
CD "Live" to give away to 1 lucky winner.