macsmusic

Happily located in the village of Point Edward, in southwestern Ontario, I have been performing, writing, teaching and recording music now for over 200 dog years. Making music has been a big part of me for as long as I can remember.

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I grew up in the small village of Corunna, in southwestern Ontario, where my Dad always had country music on the radio or record player, then 8-track tapes and eventually cassettes and CDs. I still enjoy listening to those country music oldies.

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Around the age of 14, I first started learning a few chords on my Dad's old guitar. My older sister played piano and had lots of popular sheet music that also had chord charts included. I was hooked! (btw - my sister, Debbie, is a very accomplished pianist and music teacher, and still out there gigging & making amazing music!)

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In my late teens, I discovered the music of Valdy, Gord Lightfoot, Neil Young, Cat Stevens but also KISS, BTO, Bad Co, etc. all adding up to a somewhat broad musical adolescence.

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I finally got out gigging in my early 20's. Following several years of garage band experiences (classic rock, folk, bluegrass) in the late 80’s and having performed many late nights in smokey pubs and bars in Sarnia, Ontario, I eventually joined an acoustic, traditional Celtic folk band.

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It was a very exciting experience, the band was called Celtic Offspring (1993-2003). I was fortunate enough to be a founding member and the band's manager. Celtic Offspring played hundreds of shows from the east coast of Canada and the U.S., throughout Ontario and the mid-western U.S.

Sharing the stage with many great artists such as The Irish Descendants, the Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster, Rawlins Cross, J.P. Cormier, John Allan Cameron, Stephen Fearing, Willie P. Bennett, Jackie Washington, Michelle Wright, Bruce Cockburn, Mae Moore, etc., venues ranged from pubs, to theatres, arenas, corporate gigs, festivals and folk clubs. 

The band recorded three CD's and produced a music video, which was featured on CMT in 1997. We were fortunate enough to be featured a number of times on CBC radio, CHIN radio, locally on CHOK, as well as, television networks (CTV, Global) and many other media outlets across Canada and abroad.

Sadly, all this happened before smart phones and social media were around, so not a lot of photos or videos of the band exist. I have lots of fond memories and I am grateful for having this amazing, musical experience.

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In Celtic Offspring, I wrote and recorded the song Beneath the St. Clair, about the 1891 construction of the first international rail tunnel, linking Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan. The song has been very well received over the years and has been generously given repeated radio play to this day. Completing this song certainly piqued my interest in song writing.

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Following the Celtic Offspring project, I returned to my solo, acoustic folk roots - where it all began for me.  

I taught for a few years, then around 2008 I decided it was time to get back on the bike, as it were.

I’ve been since focusing my efforts on song writing, recording & performing, happily finding my own way as a folk roots music artist.

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I’m quite proud of the Sarnia-Lambton area of southwestern Ontario where I was raised and live. You’ll find historic and everyday references to the area in many of my songs. In addition to my original songs, I also include cover songs in my shows and always feature music by other Canadian bands and musicians.

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These days, I have no immediate plans to tour beyond southwestern Ontario and like to keep things somewhat close to home. However, I’m always looking for smaller venues such as, coffee houses, brew pubs, house concerts, folk clubs and the like to share my music with others. It's pretty simple, I just like to create, play & perform.

Booking inquiries are always welcome.

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As time allows, I’ve been in my quaint corner of a home studio recording new songs. I've released several on-line on bandcamp.com including my first solo EP titled, 'Been There, Done That', in 2021.

I'm pretty proud of it. BTDT is all original songs and I played all the instruments myself. BTDT was a fun, challenging project for me that checked one thing off of my musical bucket-list!

I've been working on some new songs and it is really looking good for a new album from me in 2024! It'll be available on the major streamers, off the stage where ever I play and, of course, on my bandcamp page!

FOLLOW ME on social media for the latest news on the new album.

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My social media main haunts include Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The app bandsintown lists all of my upcoming shows and my songs can be heard and purchased on bandcamp.

Are you looking for vids of my songs performed live? I have several videos on my YouTube channel and many on Instagram.

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You can follow me on your favourite streaming platform - Spotify, Apple, etc. are all works in progress.

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Please join me at one or all to keep up to date with my macsmusic journey.

A Google search of '#thefolkguy' or 'macsmusic', should get you to most of my accounts listed above.

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My wife and I are proud grandparents, have four adult kids, an empty nest and have entered a new phase of life called 'retirement'.

So, besides facing a lengthy honey-do list, I plan on dedicating more time to performing, writing and recording. And my wife and I will finally enjoy a little 'us time' too.

I still relish the odd stroll along the picturesque shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. You might just bump into me walking or biking on the trail - or catch me quietly sitting (aka: napping) on a shoreline bench. I never get tired of the waterfront view!

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Please keep supporting live music and your local music scene. There is so much musical talent out there to discover and enjoy! I guarantee that you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for stoppin' by.

Cheers!    Ken  - macsmusic -