Come out and see some of our very talented local musicians before they become famous. This evening is to encourage aspiring acoustic artists and give them an audience in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.  Truly, this is down-to-earth Folk Club at its best.

“Conversation halts, glasses still, and all eyes turn on Tim Williams as the room becomes a train stop on a tour of half-forgotten memories in the collective consciousness.”

Tim Williams' career began in the coffee houses of Southern California in the mid-1960s and continues today around the world from his home base on the Canadian Prairies. Tim has played festivals, folk clubs, concert halls and roadhouses from Rabat, Morocco, to Melbourne, Australia, and from Dawson City, Yukon Territory to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, all to huge acclaim. His guitar skills are frequently compared to Ry Cooder and David Lindley (and like them, Tim plays a wealth of other string instruments), and his songwriting has won praise from the likes of Tom Russel and Willie Nelson. A string of Maple Blues Award nominations (Toronto Blues Society), two JUNO award nominations (Canada's Grammy equivalent) , five Betty Mitchell Awards for composition/musical direction in theatre, and roughly a dozen awards from Real Blues magazine (as artist, guitarist, producer) attest to the high caliber of his work.

Tim has shared stages with a large roster of well known blues and roots music artists, and the following list is by no means complete: Taj Mahal, Big Jack Johnson, Rory Block, Roy Rogers, The Earl Scruggs Revue, John Fahey, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Dr. John, The Holmes Brothers, David Lindley, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Mary Flower, Paul Geremia, John Hammond, Martin Simpson, Guy Davis, Eric Bibb, Odetta, B.B. King, Robert Lockwood Jr., Honeyboy Edwards, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy.

“With a repertoire that digs deep into the history of B.C. and bolstered by the songwriting skills of Bruce Coughlan, West Coast-based Tiller’s Folly offers up perfectly paced shows that cover all the bases.  Their cleverly crafted tunes are interjected with hot instrumental interplay, superb vocals, and a superior understanding of showmanship.” ~Peter North, Edmonton Journal

Bruce Coughlan, Laurence Knight, and Nolan Murray are the group Tiller’s Folly, formed in 1995 to perform songs that represent the rich history of the Pacific Northwest. Coughlan’s archival research  has revealed some rich material for songwriting, which he pens.  Knight, the bass player and businessman of the group, helps to produce the songs, and Murray adds his award-winning virtuosity on mandolin, fiddle, banjo, viola, and guitar to complete the picture. 

Thousands of concerts later, the group has produced 7 CDs, a DVD, and is currently managed exclusively by Georgia-based Leadership Artists.  They have performed on Canada Day in Ottawa, been seen on Knowledge Network, and are on iTunes’ Essential 75 Canadian Folk Songs list for the song, “McCullough’s Wonder”. 

"He's a master of country, folk, rock and blues, and the catch is that whatever the sound, people know that Valdy is sincere." - Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Born in our nation’s capital in the mid-forties, Valdy was born to sing folk music.  He was a member of the London Town Criers in the 1960s, thereafter joining Montreal’s The Prodigal Sons, before going off to his own solo career on the West Coast.  

Winner of two Juno Awards (Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year), Valdy has also been nominated for Junos seven additional times.  You can listen to Valdy’s Radio Hour (Salt Spring Island) Wednesdays on 107.9 FM.  Residing on Saltspring Island, Valdy continues to tour Canada and strikes a note of recognition in anyone who enjoys folk music.  We are pleased to be welcoming Valdy back to our stage, as it has been a while since he last sang for us.

This musical Renaissance man is indeed a multiple threat - as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer."

It’s hard to imagine, but Colin Linden who is 50 years old this year, has been playing gigs in blues bars for 38 years now.  But then, when legendary blues musician Howlin’ Wolf personally gives you career advice, what do you expect?

Colin Linden was born in Toronto and is now in demand all over North America as a singer, songwriter, and album producer.  As a teen, Linden listened to and played blues music constantly.  He was featured on CBC at the age of fifteen on programs “90 Minutes Live” and “Touch the Earth”.  His first recording was with 80-year-old Mississippi bluesman Sam Chatmon, which was to be Chatmon’s last.  He has gone on to record 11 solo albums, and collaborate with many musicians in Canada and the U.S., as well as being part of the famed Blackie and the Rodeo Kings with Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson.  He has produced albums for such musicians as Bruce Cockburn, Lennie Gallant, Sue Foley, and Ray Bonneville.  (Kelowna’s own Kim McMechan will b added to that list soon).   The Juno Awards must have a room of their own in Linden’s house. 

Kelowna Folk Club is very excited about Colin’s appearance here for what will surely be an outstanding concert!

Kim McMechan

Local singer/songwriter Kim McMechan will be opening for Colin Linden - www.kimmcmechan.com

The first song Kim ever wrote was about a cat walking in the rain. (Her melancholic streak showed itself at a young age.)

Heavily influenced by the Minipops as well as her aunt's Abba records, she started her career as most girls do, with a hairbrush and some shiny lip gloss in front of the bathroom mirror.

At the age of 10, she started a pop group with 3 of the neighbourhood kids. Their first cover song was "We're The Kids Of America" even though they were all Canadian. The group lasted a few short days before the other three members lost interest and went back to watching re-runs of Happy Days.

Kim grew up playing and writing songs on the piano, but took up the guitar much later when she had finally grown tired of lugging her keyboard off to shows. (It was an enormous weighted-key Clavinova and hurt her back.)

Her well-crafted songs and moving performances have won her multiple awards. Also a poet, essayist and photographer, she currently makes her home in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, where she tries to spend as much time as possible by the water.