Congratulations to the 2010 Youth Song Competition Showcase finalists: Lauren Campbell, Courtney Cox, Taylor Davison, Felicity DeCarle, Tyler Firestone, Aaron Mangoff,  Grant Mask, Lucas Millar, Andy Ruffett, and Kathleen Speckert.

These young musicians will perform at 2pm on Saturday, Nov. 6 in front of a panel of judges. The showcase will be followed by a special performance by Pat Robitaille. BarrieFolk will continue in the evening with a welcome reception at 6pm and an evening concert featuring Kevin Breit, Rita Chiarelli, David Essig and Dave Gunning.

Dave Gunning hopes people enjoy the music on his newest  album We’re All Leaving, but the Pictou County, Nova Scotia performer is being far too modest.

Recently nominated for three 2010 East Coast Music Awards (Songwriter, Male Solo Recording and FACTOR Recording of the Year), and named as a Finalist in the Great American Song Contest and International Songwriting Competition, Gunning is on the move.

Since his debut in 1997, Dave has proven he can turn just about anything; childhood memories, local legends and the everyday lives of those around him, into profound, honest and deeply moving compositions.

His ability to tell a story in song has resulted in six Music Nova Scotia Awards and three East Coast Music Awards (2008 Folk Recording, Male Artist of the Year, 2005 Folk Recording)and that’s just the beginning.

A veteran performer, he has toured extensively, both solo and with his band, performing to sold-out venues, festivals, house concerts and theatres throughout Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Denmark.

Engaging and charismatic on stage, Dave’s magnetic gift attracts and captivates his audiences through down-to-earth details, homespun humour, and seasoned musicianship…all of which will be in full display as he brings his talent to the 2010 edition of Barriefolk and beyond!

For more on Dave visit http://www.davegunning.com/

For a taste of Dave’s music, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkWXtfOE-lU

Much in demand as a session musician and sideman, Kevin Breit has worked with Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, k.d. lang, Jane Siberry, Serena Ryder, Lou Reed, Ani DeFranco, Natalie McMaster, The Rankins, Suzie Vinnick, Dean McTaggart, Quartette, and Michael Kaeshammer to mention only a few, and has contributed his intuitive instrumentation to recordings that have earned 13 Grammy Awards. In fact it would be more efficient to list famous musicians with whom Kevin has NOT performed and recorded.

However, it’s not only his original approach to and mastery of most stringed instruments that keeps him on the list of session players most in demand. It’s also his ability to understand what the writer feels in each song, and add not just notes, but textures and colours that help the writer tell a story. His brand new original album, Simple Earnest Plea clearly illustrates “the ‘soul of a songwriter’ that sets him high above the crowd.

In 2004, he was honoured with a ‘Musician of the Year’ Award from the Toronto Musician’s Association. With the Sisters Euclid, he has recorded six CDs, and received a Juno Award.  Kevin has collaborated with Harry Manx (with whom he received a Maple Blues Award for best acoustic act); released five recordings with his trio Folkalarm, and has an incredibly busy touring schedule. We are extremely fortunate to have him on our stage for Songs From Coast to Coast.

For more info on Kevin visit http://www.kevinbreit.com/

To enjoy a taste of Kevin’s music, click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0-0cXHHs4

Rita Chiarelli is an accomplished singer-songwriter, a gifted vocalist and a skilled musician. Add to that a warm persona and a fine sense of humour and you have all the ingredients for an outstanding performer.

Chiarelli is equally comfortable belting out the blues; delivering her original material, crooning an Italian folk song or wailing R&B or an Elvis Presley cover tune. Rita’s songwriting is also outstanding; three of her four JUNO nominations have been for albums consisting largely of original material. Performing since the age of fifteen, Chiarelli has developed a unique sound that is a blend of musical influences. Her songs shimmer with blues based rock undertones, jazz riffs, Cajun and country tinged melodies blended with a folk-roots flavour.

In addition to her talents as a gifted storyteller, lyricist and master of poetic imagery, few can match the wide (4 octave) range of Chiarelli’s voice nor the soul from which it springs.

Chiarelli’s most ambitious recording project to date was her collaboration with the Thunder Bay Symphony on the album Uptown Goes Downtown Tonight.

She is an honorary lifetime member of The Manitoba Blues Society, and the 2002 recipient of CBC’s Great Canadian Blues Award, and despite a JUNO win, four Juno nominations, and multiple Maple Blues Awards, Canadian Folk Music, and Toronto Independent Music awards, Rita somehow remains under the radar. Her most recent recording is Sweet Paradise; a down-to-earth, acoustic album full of heartache, heartbreak and hope.

For more information on Rita visit http://www.ritachiarelli.com/

For a little taste of Rita’s music, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PixtN7Fe6E&feature=related