Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

“Tiller’s Folly is a national treasure”. – Peter North, Edmonton Journal

Tiller’s Folly is the Pacific Northwest’s critically acclaimed, internationally traveled acoustic power trio, planted at the forefront of a bold new movement in progressive roots music. A highly regarded Canadian Celtic group-turned-historians, this award-winning ensemble has shifted to what might be more aptly termed Acoustic Roots Music.

ABOUT THE BAND:

BRUCE COUGHLAN - songwriter, vocals, guitar

Pacific-Canadian born songwriter and sixth generation Canadian possessing a profound connection to his Celtic roots. Bruce Coughlan is a true bard (a collector of songs) and the founding member of Tiller’s Folly.

As principle songwriter and vocalist for Tiller's Folly, Bruce has navigated the band through a long succession of subtle, yet defining changes. From performers of Celtic music to interpreters of the genre, into an influential entity in the course of progressive Celtic and Canadiana music. With a growing list of commissioned works and soundtrack credits, this composer/lyricist is a creative force of rare ability. Bruce Coughlan is a multifaceted talent and will undoubtedly be recognized as a great Canadian songwriter in the league of Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers.

NOLAN MURRAY - fiddle, mandolin, mandocaster

Nolan has a long history as a multi-instrumentalist gun-for-hire who at an early age, parlayed an impressive list of championships into a touring/recording career that has spanned decades. Throughout that time, he's left his musical imprint with a long list of iconic performers including Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, John Fogerty ,The Irish Rovers, Randy Travis, John Cowan, Ricky Van Shelton, David Frizzell, Patricia Conroy, Gary Fjellgaard, Jess Lee, Funk Brother's Bob Babbitt, Wrecking Crew's Larry Knechtel.

Highlights of awards include Oregon State fiddle Champion, Top ten Grand Masters Champion, Top ten US National Fiddle Champion, International World Bluegrass Championship Band. BCCMA Instrumentalist of the Year 89,90,92, Western Canadian Bluegrass Fiddle Champion and CCMA Citation - All Star Band. Beyond his explosive improvised solos, lies a broad pallet of richly diverse influences. In joining Tiller's Folly in 2002, Nolan Murray caused Tiller's Folly to encompass an ever widening range of musical styles.

LAURENCE KNIGHT - bass, vocals

A forty-year veteran of Western Canada’s vibrant music scene who's first love is Rhythm and Blues. Early in his career, Laurence earned a solid reputation in Vancouver's Blues music community, touring and recording with the Foreman Young Band, Jim Byrnes and the legendary Long John Baldry, just to mention a few. In a shift from R&B to Folk music Laurence once again found his stride while performing and recording with many of the West's most iconic artists, including Roy Forbes, Shari Ulrich and Ferron. Laurence is an expressive bassist, and energetic performer who adds his soulful, rhythmic signature to the Tiller's Folly blend.

www.tillersfolly.com