Paul Cresey

Paul Cresey has evolved into one of Western Canada's best emerging songwriters. He defines his music as Folk-Alternative, clearly laid out by several of the songs in his latest self-titled album. " Emotional songs are to be felt not heard"; that is why Paul places strong feelings in each song, spread out for everyone to experience, hence the title of his first album "Piece the Picture". His music runs the spectrum from blues, Celtic, folk rock and everything in between. Independent reviewer Peter McGee for Bluesbunny has said of one of Paul's songs, "Sinners and Saints": "It is here that the album seeps a modicum of Cresey's true talent. While attending university (education) in Edmonton Canada his concerts have been concentrated in the area and some have been notable: Concert for peace, U-22 Revue at the Royal Alberta Museum, the prestigious "Night of Artists", CITY TV live interview and performance, CFRN (CTV) performance and interview, CBC television, three interviews on CKUA radio (one live with a performance), interviews on CBC Edmonton and CBC St. John's Newfoundland (radio), a concert alongside folk legend Bill Bourne (to which he received a standing ovation), Capital City Exhibition , Homefest 2008 (a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for the homeless), Vic Juba Theater in Lloydminster Sask., Edmonton's largest folk music club the "Northern Lights", Big Valley Jamboree, two performances at one of North Americas largest folk music festivals, the Edmonton Folkfest in 2009 and the Canmore Folk Music Festival (2010) to name a few. One performance at the Edmonton Folk Fest was on the mainstage between two major acts performing three of his songs before a crowd of 20,000 people while Steve Earle set up. He received a standing ovation for the performance on the smaller stage (before an estimated crowd of three thousand) and an invitation to play at a concert that was videotaped by CBC television for a later broadcast (Sept. 2010)! He has opened for the PolyJesters and performed alongside Canadian folk legend Bill Bourne. The largest accolade came in the fall of 2008 when Paul was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Canadian Young Performer of the Year! He has also been a leader in a songwriting workshop sponsored by the Alberta Music Industry Association for other musicians in the U22 (under 22) organization (www.U22.ca). He recently opened to a sold out crowd for a popular local rock band. He was apprehensive because as a solo folk singer Paul didn't know how the audience would react. After playing three encores the appreciative audience still didn't want him to leave.
Paul has no specific target audience. To date he has had teenagers to retired people in the audience enjoying his melodies, and that is what they are, melodic, as Paul builds his songs from tune to lyrics.
Paul also likes to speak to students on the benefits of songwriting as a choice in the fine arts field. He has performed and addressed the Suzuki School of Music as well as participated in songwriting workshops at high schools while completing his degree. His songs have been included in publishing libraries in Boston and Ann Arbor for distribution to major film and television studios. The disc "When Beauty Has Passed" received top marks in all categories from industry professionals in New York during an evaluation. His music is heard on radio stations around the world with people from as far away as Australia asking for his discs. With over 100 songs written before the age of twenty, and with growing exposure, the likelihood of his getting discovered grows with each passing day.
Other accomplishments include: a song included in the Australian independent movie "Dealing With Destiny" (released across Australia in summer of 2011), a finalist in Calgary Folkfest songwriting competition twice (judges prize), a finalist in Gigatone Entertainment (Hollywood) songwriting competition, and a third prize winner for the acoustic category (The Story) in the international competition "100% Music Songwriting Contest" (France).