Entertainers
Colin James
Six-time Juno award-winner Colin James has driven his 11-album, 25-year career with his blues influenced guitar mastery and soulful vocals.
James was only 18-years old when he captured the attention of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughn, who marveled at the prodigious talent, decided to take him on the road through the Canadian prairies, and later the United States. It wasn't long after that the young musician began opening for the likes of John Lee Hooker, ZZ Top, Steve Winwood and Keith Richards, James was also the first to be signed to the then fledgling Virgin America label.
With the seductive, smash hit "Why'd You Lie?” the rocker "Voodoo Thing" and "5 Long Years", James managed to break the record for most albums sold on a first release by a Canadian artist. Earlier this year, he took home 3 Maple Blues Awards (Toronto Blues Society), which included Entertainer of the Year, while his release Limelight also went gold in Canada. Over the years, Colin James has enjoyed a very successful touring career and continues to demonstrate the showmanship of a truly enduring artist.
As the CP Spirit Train’s musical headliner, Colin will perform a one-hour show on the Spirit Train Stage at each event beginning at 6:30pm
www.colinjames.com
www.myspace.com/colinjamesmusic
Sierra Noble
Sierra is a fiddle/violin virtuoso and blows through every style of playing from Celtic and bluegrass to jazz and world beat with stunning ease. She has traveled across Canada and around the world to Mexico, Japan and France, amazing audiences with her compelling, contemporary performances. She has been studying classical music as well as fiddle music in the context of her Métis culture for most of her life. Sierra’s breadth of experience is impressive and she has developed a distinctive and comfortable stage presence where exceptional instrumentals, energetic step-dancing and unbelievable pop performances exist in perfect harmony.
With a debut vocal recording due out in 2008, one instrumental CD already under her belt and another in the works, Sierra is currently preparing for a multi-city Canadian tour in conjunction with a promotion for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. Her recent performances at Folk Alliance in Memphis, Tennessee, rocked both main stages overflowing with conference attendees, as well as local venues where the elite of the folk genre gathered to jam.
Sierra is the shining star of the CP Spirit Train Stage’s celebration of First Nations, a one-hour performance showcasing First Nations talent from across the country.
www.sierranoble.ca
Mike Norman and The Spirit Train Band
Talented musician and musical director Mike Norman has also been a key member of the CP Holiday Train Canadian tour for 5 years. His quick improvisational skills, professionalism and musical creativity has made him the ideal candidate to host this inaugural tour of the CP Spirit Train.
Mike has had the privilege of recording and/or performing with many wonderful musicians including Alpha Yaya Diallo, Lisa Brokop, Tracey Brown, Jim Byrnes, Patricia Conroy, Jim Cuddy, The Ennis Sisters, Farmer's Daughter, Tom Jackson, Colin James, Angela Kelman, LiveOnRelease, Beverley Mahood, The Moffatts, Bif Naked, Aaron Pritchett, Mike Reno, Duane Steele, Rick Tippe, Amanda Wilkinson, and Michelle Wright. He has appeared on over 100 album releases as well as many jingles and countless demos.
In addition to keeping the CP Spirit Train Stage events on schedule Mike will share his musical talents on the keyboard, guitar and sax as a member of the CP Spirit Train Band. This stage band is comprised of talented Canadian musicians including Dennis Marcenko on bass, Chris Meister on drums and Marty McTeirnan on guitar.
Dallas Arcand
Dallas Arcand is an Aboriginal Entertainer from the Alexander (Kipohtakaw) Plains Indian Cree Nation, located near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is broadly talented, but best known for his achievements as a hoop dancer, a motivational speaker and a musician.
Dallas has been a World Class Hoop Dancer for 14 years. In 2007, Dallas was again awarded 1st prize at the Annual World Championship Hoop Dancing Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and the right to bear the title of World Champion Hoop Dancer for the second consecutive year. In both 2005 and 2004, Dallas received second place honors with an impressive showing.
As well as being a dancer, Dallas was a finalist in a national singing contest called Aboriginal Icon in Winnipeg, which featured Canada's best singers, songwriters, and performers. Dallas also plays Aboriginal acoustic instruments, best known for native flute.
A talented musician, Dallas has developed a unique singing and songwriting style, 'indigenous hip-hop', and performs under the name Kray‹Z›Kree. His debut CD "REZalationzzz..." was released in April, 2007
Dallas will be performing on the Spirit Train stage alongside Sierra Noble for the Port Moody, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sudbury and Mississauga events.