Blackie and the Rodeo Kings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Hamilton,Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Folk rock,alternative country |
| Years active | 1996 (1996)–present |
| Labels | True North, File Under: Music, High Or Hurtin Records |
| Members | Stephen Fearing Colin Linden Tom Wilson Accompanied By: John Dymond (Bass) Gary Craig (Drums) John Whynot (Keyboards) |
| Past members | Richard Bell (Keyboards) |
| Website | blackieandtherodeokings |
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are a Canadianfolk rock–alternative country band withblues andcountry influences. The band was formed in 1996, inHamilton, Ontario, byTom Wilson,Stephen Fearing, andColin Linden.[1]
Tom Wilson (former lead singer ofJunkhouse and Tom Wilson & the Florida Razors), solo artistStephen Fearing, and guitarist and producerColin Linden started Blackie and the Rodeo Kings as a tribute to one of their favorite Canadian folk artists, the singer-songwriterWillie P. Bennett.[2] Their name was taken from Bennett's 1978 albumBlackie and the Rodeo King.[1] What started as a side project soon turned into a full-fledged band after their first album,High or Hurtin': The Songs of Willie P. Bennett, was a critical success and popular with fans of both Bennett and each individual artist.[3] Blackie and the Rodeo Kings have released numerous full-length studio albums and received many awards and nominations. In 1999, the band recordedKings of Love,[1] which received aJuno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album – Group in 2000.[4]
The band originally performed at such venues as the Black Sheep Inn inWakefield, Quebec.[citation needed]
In 2003, the band recordedBark.Kings of Love andBark still had cover versions of Bennett's songs, but they also included some original material by the band members and cover versions of songs byBruce Cockburn,Fred Eaglesmith andDavid Wiffen. In 2005, the band was included in a list published by theNew York Times of songs found on PresidentGeorge W. Bush'siPod.[5] In 2006, the band recordedLet's Frolic!,[1] consisting of all-original material.
In 2008, the band were the winners of the 7th annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop vote for best band venue poster. It was designed by Michael Wrycraft.[6]
In 2009, the compilation albumSwinging from the Chains of Love was released, which included the previously unreleased "Caves of Jericho" and a cover ofJohnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues".[3]
For their 2011 album,Kings and Queens, the band teamed up with singersEmmylou Harris,Pam Tillis,Lucinda Williams,Rosanne Cash,Cassandra Wilson,Serena Ryder andPatti Scialfa. Each of the 14 tracks featured a duet with one of the singers.[1][7] The band then went out on tour in support of the album.[8] In 2012, they performed at the Calgary Folk Music Festival.[9]
In 2014, the band released the albumSouth, which was made up of new, original songs, as well a cover of Willie P. Bennett's "Driftin' Snow."[10]
Their 2017 album,Kings and Kings, revisited the format of their 2011 album,Kings and Queens, this time pairing the band with different guest male vocalists. Contributing to the album wereEric Church,City and Colour,Bruce Cockburn,Rodney Crowell,Vince Gill,Jason Isbell,Nick Lowe,Raul Malo (ofThe Mavericks), The Men of Nashville,Buddy Miller,Keb' Mo', andFantastic Negrito.[11]
John Dymond, Bassist for Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and other well-known Canadian artists, such asAmanda Wilkinson, theWilkinsons,k.d. lang andBruce Cockburn.[12]
Gary Craig: Drummer and percussionist for Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. He has performed with numerous Canadian musicians, fromAnne Murray toTerri Clark.[13]
Richard Bell (March 5, 1946,Toronto – June 15, 2007,Toronto): Pianist forJanis Joplin andThe Band. He was the keyboardist for Blackie and the Rodeo Kings for a number of years before his death.[14]
Janice Powers has handled occasional keyboard duties as well as various production assistance roles on several albums, and the band has recorded several of her songs.[15] She is also the wife ofColin Linden.
John Whynot, who has played with many folk and roots artists, and who has recorded occasionally with the band since their first album[16] now handles keyboard duties.[17]
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | High or Hurtin': The Songs of Willie P. Bennett | True North |
| 1999 | Kings of Love | True North |
| 2003 | Bark | True North |
| 2006 | Let's Frolic | True North |
| 2007 | Let's Frolic Again | True North |
| 2011 | Kings and Queens | File Under: Music |
| 2014 | South | File Under: Music |
| 2017 | Kings and Kings | File Under: Music |
| 2020 | King of This Town | Warner Music |
| 2022 | Oh Glory | Warner Music Canada |
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Swinging from the Chains of Love | File Under: Music |
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN Rock | |||
| 1996 | "Lace & Pretty Flowers" | 94 | High or Hurtin' | |
| 1997 | "White Line" | |||
| 1999 | "The Lucky Ones" | 82 | Kings of Love | |
| "Lean on Your Peers" | 19 | |||
| 2003 | "Swinging from the Chains of Love" | Bark | ||
| "Had Enough of You Today" | ||||
| 2004 | "Water or Gasoline" | |||
| "You're So Easy to Love" | ||||
| 2006 | "That's What I Like" | Let's Frolic | ||
| 2007 | "The Fool Who Can't Forget" | |||
| "Buried in Your Heart" | ||||
| 2011 | "Got You Covered"(withRosanne Cash) | Kings and Queens | ||
| 2019 | "Cold 100" | King of This Town | ||
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