Born and raised in Ontario, Craig McKerron has always looked further South for his musical inspiration. His influences remain rooted in the music and the songwriting made popular in the rural Southern States. On moving to Vancouver B.C. in 1986 he was immediately drawn to the vibrant roots music scene that spawned Ray Condo and Neko Case. There he spent I 0 years honing his singing and guitar playing chops and developing his skills as a songwriter.

FLATLAND 6

As a founding member of acoustic blues band Flatland 6, he performed at venues and festivals all over Western Canada, including the Whistler Country Blues Festival, the Mission Folk Festival and the South Country Fair in Alberta. The band received widespread airplay including national CBC radio and many roots music shows, and garnered favorable reviews. The Vancouver Sun said that audiences were "Captivated by their consummate artistry, emotional sensitivity and undeniable love for what they do", while The Province expressed enthusiasm for Craig's "Sturdy originals such as Broken in Two and Goin' Down to Memphis".

Following his departure from the band in 1996 Craig set about developing a body of original work that showcases his songwriting, singing and guitar playing talents. He has worked steadily at his craft and spent many an hour in the woodshed or at the kitchen table ironing out the musical creases and perfecting the arrangements of his songs.

His diligence and patience paid off when he resumed his successful partnership with Juno award winning producer Rick Kilburn to produce his first CD; a collection of material that represents 15 years of songwriting. The result is an album full of heartfelt emotion, straight shooting lyrics and soulful singing poured slowly over a bed of solid country rhythms and topped off with inspired and soaring solos from pedal steel, mandolin, fiddle and guitar.

This is a record that sits beautifully in your record collection between those Gram Parsons L.P.s and Lyle Lovett CD's. It is rootsy but fresh, contemporary and yet timeless. The songs and sounds evoke vivid images of sitting in Hank William's Cadillac cruising gracefully down Route 66 while the music of the No Depression era leaks seductively from the radio.

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SLOWDRAG (formerly THE WESTERLIES)

In the 30's and 40's, old time and traditional music was made popular by the likes of the Carter Family, the Stanley Brothers, and many other string bands and brother duets originating from rural America.

Over the past 5 years Koralee Tonack and Craig McKerron have been exploring the roots of early Country and Bluegrass music. From the time they first sat down to sing and play together the effortless blending of their voices made it clear they could re-create those harmonies from a by-gone era.

Koralee and Craig are joined by Paul Bergman playing the upright bass and anchoring Slowdrag's rural Southern sound. So sit back and let Slowdrag's heartfelt vocals and soaring harmonies take you back to the early days. Produced by esteemed mandolinist John Reischman, Slowdrag's debut C.D. is now available through Festival Distribution.

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ACOUSTIC ROOTS DUO

CHARLIE HASE & CRAIG McKERRON

Charlie Hase is a performer and composer who brings colour, mood and emotion to the listener. His original and versatile Dobro and steel guitar stylings reflect the textures of his compositions and his unique interpretations of various roots and jazz based pieces. Charlie's award winning career as a sideman, and his signature playing, as heard on numerous recording projects, including Patricia Conroy, Gary Fjellgaard, Linda McRae (Spirit of the West),Valdy... have kept him in the forefront of the music scene.

As a founding member of Acoustic Blues band Flatland 6, Craig McKerron has performed at venues and festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest. (The Vancouver Folk Fest Mission Folk Fest, South Country Fair, Whistler Country Blues Festival, Victoria Roots Festival... He has recently resumed partnership with Juno Award winning producer Rick Kilburn to release his own self- titled debut to showcase his singing, song-writing and guitar playing talent.

Together Charlie & Craig have combined their talent to bring a fresh approach to Traditional Music. The result is this Acoustic Roots Duo that will take you on a journey from the Mississippi Delta to the West Virginia hills.