SaskMusic

SaskMusic is pleased to present a workshop featuring two of Canada’s finest roots songwriters. Del Barber and Old Man Luedecke are not only masters in the craft of songwriting, but are also veterans of touring who have learned how to engage audiences from coast to coast.

Old Man (Chris) Luedecke is one of Canada’s best-loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. “An original, he is a musical singularity to be savoured and shared,” says the Vancouver Folk Festival. His memorable melodies, poetic sense and easy charisma appeal to anyone searching for new growth from old roots. Luedecke is a young man with an old soul who channels a refreshing energy from folk giants like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger with maybe a hint of Loudon Wainwright III. But it’s Luedecke’s contemporary lyrics coupled with the irresistible rhythm of the old time banjo that connect and make him so loved with his audiences. Luedecke has been a featured performer at all the major folk festivals in Canada and Australia, and an increasing number of American festivals; he has also had recognition for his works including two recent Juno Awards for “Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo”.

Born and raised on the Manitoba prairie, Del Barber has found a new home on stage, winning audiences across Canada and the United States with raw talent and ample doses of charm. With wide-eyed ambition and a work ethic second to none, in two short years, Barber has released two full length records and found the time to tour coast to coast twice, playing well over 300 dates everywhere from Halifax to Albuquerque. In the spirit of legends like Townes Van Zandt, Greg Brown, and John Prine, Del Barber dreams new life into old forms with a cutting sense of humor, a hint of cynicism, and songs that span the gulf between the sacred and the profane. Drawing from the rich well of the roots tradition, Barber's capacity to weave experiences and characters stems from a keen understanding of narrative, phrasing and metaphor, which get tied together by Barber's polished finger-style guitar work, warm home town melodies and his inviting and intoxicating personality. Del picked up two Western Canadian Music Awards last year (Independent Album and Roots Solo Album), and was nominated for a 2011 JUNO for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo.

We’ll capture them for a night while on their current double-bill tour across Canada to pick their brains on how they got into songwriting in the first place; what inspires them; how they go about creating new material (and how they come up with those amazing lyrics); how they make money as songwriters; how they approach marketing and build a sense of intimacy with their fans; and much more.

This workshop will be of interest to songwriters at every skill level, and we’ll also be taking question ideas in advance via Facebook. We invite you to participate in what’s sure to be an inspiring, entertaining event with two fabulous songwriters.

This workshop is FREE for all SaskMusic members or $20/each for non-members. Everyone is welcome to attend, however please pre-register as space is limited: contact 1-800-347-0676 or email info@saskmusic.org.

Special thanks to our workshop partners: The Artful Dodger and the Regina Folk Festival