Nominees for the Bell Aliant Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year include our own Dave Gunning.

GO TO: http://www.facebook.com/BellAliant?sk=app_193749270731516 to be directed to the polls to register your votes before midnight (AST) on April 6. One vote per household.

Bell Aliant will be offering live-streaming of the Bell Aliant East Coast Music Awards Gala on Sunday, April 15th, from Casino New Brunswick’s Event Centre @ http://www.bellaliant.net/ecma.

http://www.mcmurraymusings.com/2012/03/what-shall-i-do-with-these-hands-dave.html

Well, people, I’m going to get a bit personal in this blog post. You see, this is a bad time of year for me. In fact there is a stretch, from March 10th to March 14th, that for a few years I wished would just disappear. It is, as I tell people, the most emotionally loaded time of the entire year for me. And it has to do with my parents. On March 14th 2006 my father passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. Three years later, on March 10th 2009, my mother died unexpectedly after suffering an aneurysm. In one of those classic life coincidences we buried her on March 14th – exactly three years after my father died. Standing at their graveside three years ago I decided that March was quite likely the worst month of the year, and that March 10th and 14th were particularly bad days. For the last few years those were days I hid from the world. This year I did something different. Last night, on the sixth anniversary of my father’s death and the third anniversary of my mother’s funeral I went to a house concert – and I found peace.

The house concert was at the home of my friends Matt and Aileen. As I have written previously they host house concerts through a group called Home Routes, and I attended one late last year. Since that time I’ve become even more fond of Matt and Aileen, as they have shown me such kindness and support at every turn (including when Matt rescued this very blog from design disaster). So, last night I arrived to be greeted by the charming Harley, their gentle giant of a dog, and I settled in to enjoy some music from Juno-nominated celtic folk musician Dave Gunning.

It was a packed house – literally – for the show. Many of the friends I have made through this blog were in attendance, and it was pure pleasure to share the evening with them. You see, Dave is a wonderful singer/songwriter/musician. He is charming and engaging. He tells a fabulous tale, and he plays a mean guitar. He sings and he weaves a story while he does, his lyrics telling the tale just as surely as my words do in this blog (and perhaps far better than I ever could). But Dave is more than all that, too. I think that maybe Dave, like me, is aware of the connections in our life, how the separate threads of our existence somehow tie themselves together in unexpected and yet logical ways. This happened to me last night, as Dave was exactly what I needed on this most unhappy of anniversaries. Dave, and his stories, were healing.

Dave pretty much had me when he explained that he began playing music because he was inspired by John Allan Cameron and Stan Rogers. I’ve always been a fan of both of them, but Stan in particular – and I feel that Stan’s death in a plane accident in the 80′s was a huge loss for the Canadian music scene, as he was remarkable. As the evening wore on, though, Dave kept telling stories and weaving in other Canadian performers, like when he worked on Stompin’ Tom’s tour, and how he’s known George Canyon for years. You see, I love Stompin’ Tom, as he is the quintessential Canadian, and my dad had been fond of him. And just last year I got the chance to meet George Canyon and spend time as his driver when he played the SummersEnd festival, and in that short time I became incredibly fond of George (I’d do just about anything for George and his boys, including tracking down and trapping a black bear so they could see it since they didn’t get to see one when they were here). I started to feel pretty close to Dave even though I’d never spoken to him. While I hadn’t spoken to him he was definitely speaking to me – in his stories, and in his lyrics.

Dave has a story he tells about a couple he met. They were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and they shared with him some of the stories from their life together. He wrote a song about them called “Saltwater Hearts”, and in a club a few years later was telling the story of meeting them before playing it. An elderly woman interrupted the story. She told him that she was the female half of the couple he had met – and that her husband had just passed away. I sort of lost it at that point, seated quietly in a corner of Matt and Aileen’s living room. My parents’ celebrated their 50th anniversary just a few years before my dad died – and then just three years after his death my mom was gone, too. Dave’s story didn’t sing to me – it resonated to my core, and it was as if the loose threads of the last three years began tying themselves together with a fury.

There were so many more songs, too, covers of Stompin’ Tom, and a lovely rendition of “Fare Thee Well To Nova Scotia”. Dave said he is partial to hanging songs (as many folk musicians seem to be) and he sang one of his own composition as well as “Long Black Veil”, perhaps one of my very favourite folk songs ever written. He told other stories, too, of how he went to Afghanistan last year to sing the national anthem in Kandahar – and even travelled to Kabul. He spoke of his experiences there, and how the situation is so complex and so troubling (and I could see in his eyes that Dave is perhaps like me, with a few loose threads in his life just waiting to be tied to those other threads as they appear). And he sang a song I found particularly beautiful – called “These Hands”, with the lovely chorus that asks “what shall I do with these hands?”. And that sang to me, too, because I think it’s a question we all ask ourselves at some point.

Dave seems to be truly humble, a genuine person, sincere and authentic (which is why his friendship with George Canyon didn’t surprise me, as George is exactly the same way). He is musically talented, writes lyrics that are stunning in their depth, and is able to his engage his audience in a truly amazing way. And engage them he did, having the guests last night singing along to songs they had just learned, and swaying to those classics they already knew well. And, at the end, he received a standing ovation, every person crowded into that living room rising to their feet in unison to thank Dave for his performance, his music – and for his heart, which is clearly visible in both his music and the tales he tells.

I admit it. While watching Dave last night I shed tears more than once as I worked through some of my emotions from the past few days. I did so in the safety and comfort of Matt and Aileen’s house, a place where I feel at home despite only knowing them a short while (and simply because they have made me feel welcome, and secure, and offered friendship to a total stranger – me). And in the end I felt peaceful. This year has already been better in terms of this anniversary, because this past year I began this blog and I found something. I found new friends, and new opportunities, and new connections. And I found more and more often that through those friends and opportunities and connections the loose threads of my life are tying themselves together, coincidences building on coincidences and things coming along at exactly the right time – like attending a house concert that somehow took another step in healing my broken heart.

So, about Dave Gunning – I know what he has chosen to do with his hands, which is to play and write songs and share his thoughts and ideas and dreams and wisdom with the world. And I too have found what to do with my hands. They write this blog almost every day. They share with you what I have done and seen and discovered and found, even sometimes something a bit personal, like today. And even thought it’s a bit personal I feel quite comfortable sharing it with all of you – because over this last year I feel like my readers have become my friends, too.

It was “just” another house concert, and “just” another night in Fort Mac – except of course that it was anything but that. It was yet another one of those evenings in this community that made my heart sing – right along with Dave Gunning’s gentle, beautiful, wise songs. And it was in the company of friends, and in the community I have come to love. It was “just” one of the most healing nights I’ve had in years – and that, people, is anything but “just”.

My sincere and genuine thanks to Matt and Aileen for the invitation – and their friendship.
And my thanks to Dave Gunning, for the music, the lyrics, the stories – and tying some of those threads together.

By Stephen Cooke, Entertainment Writer

Nova Scotia acts featured prominently among the Juno Award nominations announced Tuesday in Toronto, with Jordan Croucher, Jimmy Rankin, Sloan, Classified, Dave Gunning and Jenn Grant getting nods.

First-time nominees from Nova Scotia include Pictou County musician Dave Gunning and Halifax-based alt-pop singer Jenn Grant among some notable company. Gunning’s tribute to the music of Canadian Celtic pioneer John Allan Cameron was nominated for roots/traditional solo recording of the year, and the down-to-earth performer was pleased to have his personal labour of love included.

“It feels amazing, really, I’m blown away by how this recording has received so much national recognition,” said Gunning, who earned three Canadian Folk Music Awards for the project in November. “I didn’t predict this at all.”

“It’s significant that this is all looping around again, and it’s got me excited for the new recording I’ve just started. Last year was a real great year for me, and it’s all been a great confidence booster for me.”

Read More…..

http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/60423-six-ns-acts-juno-race

Dave Gunning has been nominated for a Juno.

The multiple award-winning recording artist and internationally acclaimed songwriter has eight critically acclaimed CDs to his credit. He has been awarded six East Coast Music Awards out of 15 nominations since 2003 and took home two 2011 ECMA awards for his recording “.. a tribute to John Allan Cameron” alongside four Canadian Folk Music Award nominations.

Gunning has been a finalist in the Great American Song Contest, the USA Songwriting Competition, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the International Songwriting Contest.

He has returned to the studio and is set to release his second Christmas CD and new recording project this month.
A seasoned performer, Gunning has toured extensively both solo and with his band, performing to sold-out venues, festivals, house concerts and theatres throughout Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Ireland and Denmark.

The Juno Awards webste says this about Gunning: “Engaging and charismatic, Dave’s magnetic gift of captivating audiences is in full display as he continues to tour in support of the latest chapter of a career heading for international recognition.”

The 2012 Juno Awards will be presented April 1 in Ottawa.

http://www.pictouadvocate.com/2012/02/07/dave-gunning-gets-juno-nomination/

I’m writing this from home.  I’ve been busy here getting ready to start recording my new CD in February.  Working on the new songs has been fun and I’ve even got a celebratory song about cold weather that I co-wrote with Jim Dorie, who’s just put out his second recording of great songs.  I love the seasons and this is certainly the season when when we cooler-climate dwellers have more quality time to sit and think.  The
recording will begin for me in February and then I’m off to Memphis for the Folk Alliance.  From there I’m heading to Edmonton where I’ll begin a run of dates throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Hope you’re all doing well and having a good winter so far.

Thanks,

Dave

DAVE GUNNING felt a little weird accepting the Canadian Folk Music Award for new-emerging artist Sunday in Toronto.

After all, the Pictou County singer-songwriter has been recording his original music since 1995 and has released nine CDs. He’s also won six East Coast Music Awards since 2003, including two earlier this year for his recording A Tribute to John Allan Cameron.

“But one of the founders (of the CFMAs), Grit Laskin, said I fit the definition of emerging artist perfectly with what I did with the John Allan CD — I quickly emerged on the roots-trad scene,” said Gunning on Monday afternoon, speaking by phone from a car, on the way home from the Halifax airport.

“And there’s lots of people who don’t know me in Nova Scotia and people in Pictou County who don’t know me. Folk artists are constantly being discovered.”

Hopefully, more people will discover Gunning, who also claimed the trophy for traditional singer of the year Sunday. He received four CFMA nominations, tied with folk icon Bruce Cockburn for most nods.

Cockburn also won two trophies — contemporary album of the year and solo artist of the year.

Gunning, who had never before been nominated for a CFMA, was also nominated for traditional album of the year and producer of the year for A Tribute to John Allan Cameron, released in 2010.

Antigonish teenager Molly Thomason won young performer of the year for her debut CD, Beauty Queen.

“It was great to see Molly up onstage accepting her award,” said Gunning. “She’s amazing. She’s only 17.”

It was a whirlwind trip to Toronto for Gunning and his wife, Sara, who left sons Jud, 7, Will, 5, and Gus, 2, at home with his mother.

They arrived Saturday afternoon just in time for a sound check for a concert by CFMA nominees at live music hot spot Hugh’s Room.

“There were eight of us who played, including Ashley Condon from P.E.I. It was a vibrant night, the room was packed and they were live-streaming it on the Internet.”

Sunday included a songwriter’s circle featuring Gunning, Quebec artist Melisande and a musician from Quebec band Genticorum, a tunesmith workshop and the award show at the Isabel Bader Theatre, hosted by Shelagh Rogers of CBC Radio and featuring a performance by Halifax’s Rose Cousins, among others.

“It was a great show,” recalls Gunning, working on just an hour and a half of sleep.

“The Canadian folk music industry is fairly substantial so I was blown away; I didn’t expect to win.

“I was nervous when my name was called (for traditional singer), I thought my legs would give out. . . . The awards were back-to-back and people were trying to take my picture and I was trying to stay around for the next category and I was being shoved in all directions. Lynn Miles held my trophy for me.”

Gunning said he had a really nice chat with folk legend Sylvia Tyson and spoke with Rogers about a children’s book he and his wife — a teacher — are producing. It blends the lyrics from These Hands, a song Gunning co-wrote with George Canyon, with “beautiful watercolour illustrations” from Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Meaghan Smith of Halifax, and is expected to be released next year.

It looks like 2012 will be another busy year for Gunning, who is receiving bookings for up to two years in advance.

He’s in discussions about heading to Australia for three folk festivals next Christmas.

So fans would be wise to take in one of nearly a dozen Christmas shows he’s scheduled for the Maritimes this year with guitarist Jamie Robinson.

“I borrowed him from Jimmy Rankin for the tour,” Gunning joked, noting Robinson helped produce Gunning’s just-released Christmas Too CD.

Robinson plays guitars, piano, organ, bouzouki and mandolin on the CD, which also features Adam Dowling, Dale Murray, Mike Little, Ron Hynes (not the famous Newfoundlander) and Gunning on guitar, vocals, percussion and bass.

Christmas Too includes a mix of hymns like Angels We Have Heard On High and Do You Hear What I Hear, along with classics like Winter Wonderland, O Christmas Tree and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and a couple of originals — Christmas Back Home Again and Merry Christmas Lonely Cowboy.

It’s a followup to Dave Gunning Christmas, released in 2006, which included the original Daddy’s Beer (co-written with Robinson).

Merry Christmas Lonely Cowboy was co-written with Cathy Porter, who had started setting a poem by her friend Martha Laugher to music and brought it to Gunning.

The poem reminded the hard-working singer-songwriter of an Alberta rancher he met on a Canyon tour.

“He teared up and told me his dad was raised on six cows, his dad raised him and his siblings on 30 cows, and now he has 370 cows and both of his sons made more money as electricians in Fort McMurray,” recalled Gunning.

“The conversation hit me hard. . . . It’s hard to make money farming. And it’s the same thing with lobster fishing.”

The lyrics to Merry Christmas Lonely Cowboy also inspired Jean Pearcey’s cover art for Christmas Too.

Concerts on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Sydney at the Membertou Trade and Convention Tour kick off the holiday shows.

To get in the spirit, Gunning is planning to whip up a batch of his homemade eggnog, which is made with local free-range eggs, coloured green and dubbed Grinch Milk so his young sons will drink it.

 Full Article Here