Rick Fines
940 Bonisteel Rd
We’ve just learned that one of our favourite troubadours, Rick Fines, will be departing for Germany for two years. As an annual performer at the Old Church his absence will leave a big hole in our line up. Typical of Rick’s generosity, he has agreed to fit us in for one more performance prior to his departure. Come out for the show and wish him well. See this master bluesman while you can.
Rick Fines is an engaging storyteller and songwriter. He has won MapleBlues Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Acoustic Act Of The Year (twice), won first place in the blues category of 2003 International Songwriting Competition, with B.B. King one of the judges, received nominations from both the Juno and the Handy Awards, played for legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins. Rick toured from Newfoundland to B.C. to the Arctic last year alone.
Rick has just released “Solar Powered Too” – A stunning collection of songs; stories sung in Fines’ richly textured voice, a voyage through blues and folk guitar styles.
Canadian roots music vet Rick Fines has had a long and storied career as one of the country’s hardest working musicians. He has toured across Canada countless times solo, as a duo or with a full band and has recorded over 14 albums and has been a guest on many others. Steeped in roots music, Rick Fines crafts a unique blend of warm-hearted blues, juke joint folk, and dockside soul that both embraces and defies the genres that influence him. As a veteran of the North American blues and folk circuits, he engages audiences with captivating songs, diverse guitar styling and his signature vocal growl. Rick’s career has seen him working in stellar collaboration and as a successful solo act. First gaining attention as part of the legendary Jackson Delta, he’s since released eight albums, including one with long-time collaborator, Suzie Vinnick.
On Fines’ newest release, the Juno-nominated Solar Powered Too, the bulk of the songs were recorded in a little gazebo in the North Kawartha woods, with solar power. You can hear the crickets and cicadas if you listen carefully.
“After spending a lot of my time playing on my National Steel, I knew I wanted to make another album for guitar and voice, only this time it would be mostly slide guitar on a steel bodied guitar”, says Fines. “I decided I wanted to return to my little cabin in the Kawartha Highlands and record again with the modest solar powered setup there – two panels and 4 golf cart batteries.”The seclusion of the recording process has paid off immensely – bringing to life the honesty of his lyrics and accessibility of his music.
With 11 originals and co-writes, and one cover of a Jesse Winchester song (That’s What Makes You Strong), Solar Powered Too is a powerful release, ripe with vivid images of sorrow, optimism, and the complexities of life. Featuring appearances from other respected Canadian artists such as Alec Fraser, Gary Craig, Roly Platt, Melissa Payne, Jimmy Bowskill, Rob Phillips, Suzie Vinnick, Stacie Tabb, Sherie Marshall and Samantha Martin, Solar Powered Too is Rick Fines’ most accomplished album to date. “Releasing an album during a pandemic, when all my gigs are cancelled is a little strange“, he says. “But this album was made with the help of my friends and it carries that strength on its journey.”
Note: Our summer concerts will be held outdoors with wood fired pizza available. Gates open at 5 for the 6pm show. In the event of bad weather we will be able to move the concert indoors. The show must go on!
If you are not able attend please contact us so we may make your seats available to someone on our waiting list.
Note: We need 48 hours notice in order to issue your FULL refund. If you are not able to give the required notice please consider your ticket purchase as a donation to the band or contact us for an 80% refund.
