Lennie Gallant

DOUG GALLANT
The Guardian

Singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant, one of the most successful solo artists in the history of the East Coast Music Awards, performs Peter’s Dream during the Celtic Colours Showcase at the East Coast Music Awards in Fredericton Saturday. Gallant shared the stage with a lineup that included Wendy MacIsaac, Andrea Beaton, Chrissy Crowley, Troy MacGillivray, Mary Jane Lamond and Terry Kelly.


(Guardian photo by Doug Gallant)
Singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant, one of the most successful solo artists in the history of the East Coast Music Awards, performs Peter’s Dream during the Celtic Colours Showcase at the East Coast Music Awards in Fredericton Saturday.

Gallant shared the stage with a lineup that included Wendy MacIsaac, Andrea Beaton, Chrissy Crowley, Troy MacGillivray, Mary Jane Lamond and Terry Kelly. Guardian photo by Doug Gallant

FREDERICTON, N.B. — Twenty years of making music.
Twenty years of molding and shaping careers.
Twenty years of building an industry.
Two hours to put it all into perspective.
That was the task facing the producers of the ECMAs’ 20th Anniversary Concert in Fredericton Saturday night.
Sounds almost impossible.
Even more so when you take into consideration the fact that Saturday afternoon the Aitken Centre, where both the 20th Anniversary Concert and Sunday night’s ECMA Gala Awards Show were to be held, went black.
Four hours without any electricity, a mind-numbing scenario for Jac Gautreau, the Moncton-based producer tasked with taking the show from concept to conclusion.
But all was made right by late afternoon and in a classic illustration of the oldest of show business traditions, the show did go on.
And what a spectacular show it was.
Through live performances, video clips and photo montages, Gautreau and his creative team showed the highly enthusiastic audience the past, the present and the future of East Coast music.
Relative newcomers like Halifax singer-songwriter Meghan Smith, Sydney’s Tom Fun Orchestra, described as a rock ’n’ roll homage to vaudeville, St. John’s rock act hey rosetta! and Fredericton tunesmith David Myles shared the bill with a stellar cast of established East Coast acts that included Lennie Gallant, Damhnait Doyle, Ashley MacIsaac, Bruce Guthro and Mary Jane Lamond.
Each had his or her own moment in the spotlight, performing hits from their own songbook while backed by a five-piece band comprised of first call East Coast session players.
But in the spirit of the evening each also had the opportunity to celebrate the work of another East Coast artist and the choices proved interesting.
Damhnait Doyle, for instance, plucked a classic from Rita MacNeil’s songbook, while hey rosetta! performed a folk song from Newfoundland and Labrador that most people in the audience would never have heard before.
There were shared songs in which Guthro, Doyle and rising New Brunswick Francophone star Jean-Francois Breau traded verses.
And to no one’s surprise — and most people’s delight — there were a number of places where all-star back-up choirs would surface to lend support.

Picture, for example, Lennie Gallant belting out Peter’s Dream with Guthro, Doyle and Breau singing harmonies.
There were video clips of Rawlins Cross with Charlottetown’s Joey Kitson front and centre, as well as clips of Matt Mays, The Trews, Wintersleep and The Trailer Park Boys making their plea to Prime Minister Stephen Harper not to let Canada down.
Throughout the evening images of dozens of East Coast artists flashed across the screen, a perpetual reminder of the immense wealth of talent that has sprung forth from this region.

Included in that number were several Islanders, among them the late great Gene MacLellan, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Chucky Danger, Nathan Wiley and Rose Cousins.
It is not possible in one evening to say all that needs to be said about East Coast music and the artists who’ve put this region on the grand musical map, but Saturday night’s concert sent many people home with a great feeling of pride in what has been accomplished and great hope for what is yet to come.
- The Guardian

Halifax Herald
By STEPHEN COOKE

East Coast singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant will share the stage with cool rock crooner Chris Isaak.

Isaak, whose hits include Wicked Game and Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing plays the Halifax Metro Centre on Monday, Sept. 15 at 8 pm.

P.E.I. native Gallant is considered one of the country’s finest songwriters, with seven albums and a number of awards and nominations from the Junos and the ECMAs to his credit, including a Juno nod for his latest album When We Get There.

Isaak has released nine acclaimed albums, earning two Grammy Awards, and has appeared in several motion pictures and starred in his own cult hit TV series. His music has been featured in films by directors like David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick.

Tickets are $59.50 (plus service charge) at theTicket Atlantic box office (www.ticketatlantic.com or 451-1221) and participating Atlantic Superstores.
- Chronicle Herald

"When We Get There is a superior piece of work in which one good song follows another from beginning to end."
The Guardian

"Our northern neighbor has given us some of the best songwriters living today. You can add Lennie Gallant to the list."
Performing Songwriter, Nashville

"This is Lennie Gallant's strongest and most consistent recording to date." (When We Get There)
Dirty Linen Magazine

"Lennie Gallant is one of my favorite Canadian Songwriters." ... "I have always wanted to bring his music to the forefront."
Jimmy Buffett

"The kind of craftsmanship and imagination that applies to only a handful of Canada's top singer/songwriters such as Bruce Cockburn, Gordon Lightfoot and Sarah MacLachlan."
Ron Foley Macdonald

"Compelling melodies and acoustic arrangements that focus the listener's attention on some of the finest narrative lyrics this prolific songsmith has written...a poet whose pleasant tenor belies the rocker we've heard in many earlier recordings. "This set of radio friendly, folk influenced pop songs brings Chris Isaak to mind."
Toronto Star

"This is a song that, in the hands of one of today's 'superstars', would become a monster hit record and go way beyond being a Christmas song." (The Innkeeper)
Country Music news

"An opportunity to see Gallant play live should not be missed."
Times Globe

"A powerhouse of a show."
The Halifax Herald

"The wait for a new English studio album by Lennie Gallant ends sweetly...Gallant's songwriting may be stronger than ever!"
The Coast

"He delivers the goods. No surprise here - the man is very good at what he does."
Penguin Eggs Magazine

"This CD by all accounts, has to be Lennie's best album to date , and Atlantic Seabreeze gives this album 5+ Stars out of 5 and predicts this album will give Lennie many nominations and ECMA Awards."
Atlantic Seabreeze

"A rare talent"..."outstanding new songs"..."Gallant is worthy of all the attention and awards he's received in his homeland."
Dirty Linen Magazine

"We’ve been used to welcoming visitors from Canada’s east coast in recent years. The biggest impression of all, though, could be the one Lennie Gallant makes when word about him reaches beyond the dedicated seekers of transatlantic talent who investigated this Scottish debut."
The Herald- Glasgow, Scotland

"A class act all around."
Impact Magazine

"Well worth the wait!"
Daily News - HFX

"There's no one around to tone down the rollicking energy he delivers on stage."
Ottawa Citizen

"Gallant nails it , then he nails the audience."
Performing Songwriter, Nashville

"Gallant's music is destined to reach a wider audience."
MacLean's Magazine

"Gallant had the whistling crowd demanding more."
The Whitehorse Star

"Music rooted in compassion and hope."
The Hill Times

- Quotes

Halifax Herald
By STEPHEN COOKE

East Coast singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant will share the stage with cool rock crooner Chris Isaak.

Isaak, whose hits include Wicked Game and Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing plays the Halifax Metro Centre on Monday, Sept. 15 at 8 pm.

P.E.I. native Gallant is considered one of the country’s finest songwriters, with seven albums and a number of awards and nominations from the Junos and the ECMAs to his credit, including a Juno nod for his latest album When We Get There.

Isaak has released nine acclaimed albums, earning two Grammy Awards, and has appeared in several motion pictures and starred in his own cult hit TV series. His music has been featured in films by directors like David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick.

Tickets are $59.50 (plus service charge) at theTicket Atlantic box office (www.ticketatlantic.com or 451-1221) and participating Atlantic Superstores.
- Chronicle Herald

Lunenburg loves Lennie and Lennie loves Lunenburg. Repeated standing ovations at his outstanding set Friday night in the Tent on Blockhouse Hill, echoed the thunder but also completely wiped away the memory of the extraordinary cloudburst and lightning storm that swept over the site minutes before the show began.

Lennie Gallant’s genius at writing and singing his own songs has given us not only classics like Peter’s Dream, And The Band Played On, and Which Way Does The River Run, but new songs on their way to the Lennie Gallant Hall of Fame.

These would include Wounded, his compassionate tribute to broken soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome in an atmosphere of our collective silence and neglect. And the poignancy of Before You Sell This Car (from his latest album If We Had A Fire). An old car is full of memories from first kisses to coffee spills that often mark the landmarks of our lives.

There is an energy in Lennie’s singing, an inner fire of Acadian French rhythms performed at blazing speeds, and also an orchestral fullness to the fat chords he pulls or strikes from his guitar.

A further sign of Lennie’s musical taste is the musicians he chooses for his bands. It’s a highly refined taste, that penetrates more often than most singer-songwriters to the inner sanctum of music’s wizardry, of it’s ability when approached with utter honesty, to penetrate the cosmos, to rip away the veil of the familiar to reveal the fabled Music of the Spheres talked about in earlier centuries.

Anthony Rissessco on violin and Jamie Alcorn on acoustic electric guitar are two veteran practitioners who, like Lennie, are at the peak of their musicality having broken through to the glory of speaking it’s language with the ease and eloquence of great poets.

Both of them stunned the audience repeatedly with their improvised solo breaks and interior fills and ornaments. Brilliant as they were, they topped it all with the kind of professional confidence and support that cleared the path for Lennie and only surged in after he had passed, like the Red Sea after the Army of Jehovah reached the far shore dry-footed.
- Stephen Pedersen - August 8, 2009

GALLANT'S MUSIC REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

Lennie Gallant to release new album this summer, while his latest one is launched in space on July 15 at 6:03 pm (EDT)

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette returns to the International Space Station aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in June and will be bringing along Lennie Gallant's latest album When We Get There. Ms Payette chose the album for the astronaut crew of Mission STS-127 to enjoy while on their 16 day mission, which will include five spacewalks. Gallant's music has been heard around the world and will now orbit the earth.

Mission STS-127 will attach a platform to the outside of the space station's Japanese Laboratory Kibo. Science experiments will take place on this platform, allowing them to remain exposed to the harsh environment of space.

Lennie Gallant's latest album, "When We Get There" received a JUNO Award nomination. His new album "If We Had A Fire" will be released this summer.

For more information on Julie Payette and Mission STS-127, please visit http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/sts-127/. - The Chronicle Herald

Star-studded show sets record

By STEPHEN COOKE Entertainment Reporter

IT WAS A BENEFIT concert unlike anything Halifax has ever seen before.

Superstar producer and songwriter David Foster brought a few of his very talented and internationally renowned friends to the Halifax Metro Centre for his first-ever Crescendo concert in Atlantic Canada on Saturday night.

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A fundraiser for the David Foster Foundation, which covers non-medical expenses for families of children requiring transplant surgery, the event was a sold-out smash, offering the chance to see a stellar lineup backed by Symphony Nova Scotia and Foster’s hand-picked band of L.A. session players.

Headliners included adult contemporary stars Natalie Cole and Lionel Richie and comic Sinbad, but the B.C. native and hitmaker for acts like Celine Dion and Michael Buble had lots of talent hidden up his influential sleeve.

The evening began with a dinner for 1,400 attendees, many who paid upward of $600 a plate, followed by a silent auction that helped the event raise roughly $1.6 million.

Up for grabs were items like a triple concert / meet-and-greet package that included the as-yet-unannounced Elton John concert scheduled for this fall, which had a winning bid of $15,000, and a private dinner with former U.S. president Bill Clinton that earned the charity $100,000.

The concert opened in dramatic style with Foster-discovery William Joseph on piano, performing a majestic take on Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir with the symphony, conducted by Bernhard Gueller.

"He’s like a younger, more talented, more handsome version of me," griped an animated Foster, fresh from a trip to China to arrange the music for the lighting of the torch for the Beijing Olympics with a piece by Joseph and composer Tan Dun.

With that, Joseph, whom Foster first encountered at a similar fundraiser in Phoenix, launched into his new piece Heroes, an inspirational anthem with the kind of cinematic quality suited to the Olympics.

Foster next turned to homegrown talent, and "two of the world’s finest songwriters": Gordie Sampson and Lennie Gallant.

With a lush symphonic arrangement, Sampson sang Paris, the wistful declaration of love that Foster described as "one of Faith Hill’s favourite songs to sing," while Peter’s Dream was the song chosen by Gallant, who received the glowing Fosterian compliment of being "a hero of heroes . . . he’s got the Order of Canada, but then again so do I."

As much as Foster liked to poke fun at his own ego throughout the course of the evening, he certainly boosted those of a number of young and fresh performers that graced the stage of the downtown arena, transformed into a spacious ballroom through the artful use of black curtains and dangling chandeliers.

Willowy Eleanor McCain — daughter of attendees Wallace and Margaret McCain — sang the centuries-old folk tune Shenandoah with delicate grace and spectral clarity, prompting Foster to note she got the orchestra clapping, "and that’s hard to do because they don’t clap for anybody."

"Mom and dad, I think we’ve got a team. Got a jet? ’Cause she’s gonna go places."

Other discoveries included Friday night’s winner of the Ovation talent search, 18-year-old Newfoundlander Craig Sharpe, who performed Robbie Williams’ Angels with stylishly mussed hair and the voice and poise of a pro. It didn’t hurt to have the combined vocal talents of the Cantatrice and Halifax Boys honour choirs on side either.

But everyone was left breathless by soul powerhouse Jamia Nash, the 11-year-old who sang on this year’s Academy Awards telecast.

The Atlanta-born performer displayed a grown-up voice on an aching Who’s Loving You and even did Aretha Franklin proud with a sassy version of Respect that had the crowd on its feet. At this rate, Jamia will likely be a star long before she even learns how to drive.

Foster soon amped up the star power when he introduced "friend and rival" Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds.

Feeling the Celtic genes in the room, the R&B star tried out his Irish accent, claiming it was his natural Indiana brogue, before strumming an acoustic guitar and crooning When Can I See You Again.

Foster struck up the opening chords to Edmonds’ I’ll Make Love to You, a massive hit for Boyz II Men, which segued into a touching rendition of Henry Mancini’s classic ballad Moon River.

"I started hanging around you so I could learn your stuff and try and beat you," challenged Edmonds. "Just so you know I’ve got 10 Grammys, but David’s got 14."

Finishing up with the chart-topper he wrote for Eric Clapton, Change the World, Edmonds gave it more soul than the original version, proving to be as successful a performer as he is songwriter and studio whiz.

As funny as much of the banter was throughout the show, veteran comedian Sinbad provided a lengthy set of concentrated laughs, wondering when he would get his chance to collaborate with the evenin - Chronicle Herald

Gallant, Classified, Mays among nominees for national music awards
By ANDREA NEMETZ Entertainment Reporter and The Canadian Press

Halifax singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant was nominated for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo, for When We Get There.

The winner of 13 East Coast Music Awards said he is very excited about the Juno nomination, his first since 1992, when he received nods for most promising male vocalist and country male vocalist after releasing his second album, Believing in Better (1991).

"Many of my albums fell between the cracks," he said. "I was told the Live album was not eligible because some of the songs were recorded before. I’m really glad (When We Get There) was considered, and I’m very happy with the album."

Gallant, up for Entertainer of the Year at this year’s East Coast Music Awards, plans to head to Saskatoon for the Junos.

The member of the Order of Canada performed at last year’s Junos in Halifax and enjoyed being part of the scene but said it is especially rewarding to be part of the event as a nominee. "It’s a real thrill to have your work acknowledged."

- Halifax Herald

By JAMES REANEY

The Halifax singer-songwriter most likely to get a call from both Jimmy Buffett and David Foster plays a London club tonight.

Lennie Gallant has released seven albums -- six in English and one in French -- and more than 30 artists have recorded his songs. Gallant plays the London Music Club tonight at 8 p.m.

Gallant has more than 10 East Coast Music Awards.

He was recently inducted into the Order of Canada where it was said: "Gallant has garnered much respect for his hard-hitting songs chronicling the lives of people dealing with tremendous adversity and serious issues.

Songs like Peter's Dream, Island Clay, Man of Steel and The Hope for Next Year, articulate the feelings of many caught up in desperate situations beyond their control, and at the same time celebrate the beauty of lifestyle and landscape with their strong poetry and stirring narratives."

His recent CD When We Get There was nominated for a 2007 Juno award for roots album of the year.

Gallant has also won the respect of industry heavyweights.

Cult favourite Buffett invited Gallant to perform on stage with him.

Superproducer Foster asked the PEI-born artist to perform at the David Foster & Friends Charity Gala and Concert. The benefit was held in Halifax and included such stars as Natalie Cole, Babyface and Lionel Richie. It raised $1.6 million for Foster's foundation.

"I always think it's very important to give back," Gallant said. "I think one is very fortunate to get up on a stage and express thoughts and emotions that you manage to forge into a song, and we're very privileged to be able to do that. It's important to give back to the community and the people you get to play."

When Gallant, a native of Rustico, a village on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, was growing up, he often performed at such benefits.

His family is very musical and when he was young, they were often involved in creating concerts and local theatre to help raise money for someone who needed a hand.

"There always seemed to be something happening in that small town that everyone would be connected to in some way . . . some tragedy at sea or house fire, a great hockey victory, some guy pulling out a gun at a wedding . . . life was definitely not boring."

James Reaney is a Free Press arts and entertainment columnist and reporter.

IF YOU GO

What: Club show by Halifax singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant

When: Today, 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m.

Where: London Music Club, 470 Colborne St. (north of Queens)

Details: $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 519-640-6996. - London Free Press

Gallant pleased by nomination as he readies for ECMAs this week

Lennie Gallant is riding the wave of success.

Last week he received a Juno nomination for his CD, When We Get There.

“It’s great to have it recognized this way. This collection of songs is my strongest yet as a body of work. We worked hard to make sure the album had a real flow to it,’’ said Gallant, who received the nod for roots and traditional album of the year (solo).

This week he’s gearing up for the 2007 East Coast Music awards in Halifax, where he is a contender for Entertainer of the Year.

“It’s great to be nominated in that category because I take a lot of pride in my shows,’’ said Gallant, on P.E.I. last week to visit his family.

“My idea of doing a show is to take people on a journey through the concert,’’ he said in the interview.

Whether he’s asking the audience to back him up on the chorus of Peter’s Dream, to recreate the entire horn section in The Band’s Still Playing, Gallant likes audience participation.

“We want to touch people on different levels. We work hard at that,’’ said Gallant, who will perform at the Schooner Room, Casino Nova Scotia on Friday, Feb. 16, from 4-6 p.m. (The ECMA show will be broadcast live across the region on CBC’s Mainstreet.)

These accomplishments have topped off an already exciting year for the P.E.I. singer-songwriter.

“Aside from playing at some of the great festivals like Edmonton, Mariposa and Rendezvous Rustico, the other two things that really stand out would be going to Afghanistan to play for the troops. That was an amazing experience; enlightening and pretty intense,’’ said Gallant, who was also part of a delegation of Canadian musicians who flew to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to perform at a benefit for musicians.

“The coolest part was having Kevin Bright from Norah Jones’ band as my guitarist. The backup band consisted of Canadian players, a hot New Orleans rhythm section,’’ says Gallant, who also received two nominations for the Canadian Folk Music awards.

“It was nice to be recognized there,’’ said Gallant, whose songwriting career has also received a boost.

His composition Mademoiselle, Voulez Vous Danser, was featured in Canvas, a new film starring U.S. actress Marcia Gay Harden.

“It was very cool to listen to Jimmy Buffet’s version of it,’’ said Gallant, who caught the premiere while touring in the U.S.

At home last week to visit his parents, he’s reminding Prince Edward Islanders to cast their votes for Entertainer or the Year, if they haven’t already done so.

“It’s a category that I’m very honoured to be included in. There are some pretty strong contenders, so I don’t

know what kind of a chance I’ll have.

“But if people wanted to take the time to go on their computers or make a call, I’d certainly appreciate it,’’ said Gallant, who is running against Blou, George Canyon, Ron Hynes and The Trews. - Sally Cole - The Guardian

Gallant pleased by nomination as he readies for ECMAs this week

Lennie Gallant is riding the wave of success.

Last week he received a Juno nomination for his CD, When We Get There.

“It’s great to have it recognized this way. This collection of songs is my strongest yet as a body of work. We worked hard to make sure the album had a real flow to it,’’ said Gallant, who received the nod for roots and traditional album of the year (solo).

This week he’s gearing up for the 2007 East Coast Music awards in Halifax, where he is a contender for Entertainer of the Year.

“It’s great to be nominated in that category because I take a lot of pride in my shows,’’ said Gallant, on P.E.I. last week to visit his family.

“My idea of doing a show is to take people on a journey through the concert,’’ he said in the interview.

Whether he’s asking the audience to back him up on the chorus of Peter’s Dream, to recreate the entire horn section in The Band’s Still Playing, Gallant likes audience participation.

“We want to touch people on different levels. We work hard at that,’’ said Gallant, who will perform at the Schooner Room, Casino Nova Scotia on Friday, Feb. 16, from 4-6 p.m. (The ECMA show will be broadcast live across the region on CBC’s Mainstreet.)

These accomplishments have topped off an already exciting year for the P.E.I. singer-songwriter.

“Aside from playing at some of the great festivals like Edmonton, Mariposa and Rendezvous Rustico, the other two things that really stand out would be going to Afghanistan to play for the troops. That was an amazing experience; enlightening and pretty intense,’’ said Gallant, who was also part of a delegation of Canadian musicians who flew to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to perform at a benefit for musicians.

“The coolest part was having Kevin Bright from Norah Jones’ band as my guitarist. The backup band consisted of Canadian players, a hot New Orleans rhythm section,’’ says Gallant, who also received two nominations for the Canadian Folk Music awards.

“It was nice to be recognized there,’’ said Gallant, whose songwriting career has also received a boost.

His composition Mademoiselle, Voulez Vous Danser, was featured in Canvas, a new film starring U.S. actress Marcia Gay Harden.

“It was very cool to listen to Jimmy Buffet’s version of it,’’ said Gallant, who caught the premiere while touring in the U.S.

At home last week to visit his parents, he’s reminding Prince Edward Islanders to cast their votes for Entertainer or the Year, if they haven’t already done so.

“It’s a category that I’m very honoured to be included in. There are some pretty strong contenders, so I don’t

know what kind of a chance I’ll have.

“But if people wanted to take the time to go on their computers or make a call, I’d certainly appreciate it,’’ said Gallant, who is running against Blou, George Canyon, Ron Hynes and The Trews. - Sally Cole - The Guardian