Some performers shine brightest when they are in the studio; John Wort Hannam is one of those who shines brightest when he is on stage, feeding off the energy of the audience. He is truly happiest when he is on the road playing and connecting personally with an audience. In short, he delivers the goods, and leaves with new fans. He tours extensively in Canada and the US. His many appearances have included a 2009 Mainstage performance at the Kerrville Folk Festival, a 2008 performance at Trafalgar Square and the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC.
Sundilla is getting ready for a much-needed summer break, but not before we get to hear the Sundilla debut of John Wort Hannam. John will be taking the stage this Friday, June 11, at 7:30; admission is just $10, $8 for students, and free for children 12 and under.When people start describing John Wort Hannam, and comparing him to other performers, the name that gets thrown around early and often is Gordon Lightfoot. It’s not because John has a booming baritone voice like Gordon Lightfoot– who does?– but because they write the same kinds of songs. As with Lightfoot, with John Wort Hannam you’ll get simple yet compelling melodies and evocative lyrics about bittersweet love, the history and splendor of rural Canada, wanderlust, adventure, and memories of happier times. (Other names that you’ll find associated with John’s include James Keelaghan, Ian Tyson and Guy Clark.)
A quick look at John’s background illustrates why John writes the songs he does. John Wort Hannam comes from of a long line of people who make a living using their hands. His great-great grandfather drove horse and buggy for the village doctor. His great-grandfather was a stevedore, his grandfather, a farmer and his father still works as a master carpenter. For five years John Wort Hannam taught grade 9 language arts on the largest reservation in Canada – The Kainai Nation, part of the Blackfoot Tribe. But in 1997 he heard a Loudon Wainwright III record and was hooked by the music and stories. In 1998 he bought a guitar and learned some chords. In 2002 he quit teaching and began to pursue the dream of being a working musician. Wort Hannam now carries on the family tradition, making his living with his hands, writing and playing music.
He independently released his debut CD “pocket full of holes” in 2002 and his 2nd CD “Dynamite and ‘Dozers” in 2004. His third CD “Two-Bit Suit” was released by Black Hen Music in the spring of 2007. In November of 2009 John released “Queen’s Hotel”. (It was the first of these, along with seeing John perform at Folk Alliance a few times, that put him on the Sundilla radar; talking with other venues that have booked him confirmed that he was someone that we wanted to get to Sundilla. And as I have been preparing for this show I have gotten to hear bits and pieces of the three newest CDs, and now I’m even more excited that he is playing for us.) Some performers shine brightest when they are in the studio; John Wort Hannam is one of those who shines brightest when he is on stage, feeding off the energy of the audience. He is truly happiest when he is on the road playing and connecting personally with an audience. In short, he delivers the goods, and leaves with new fans. He tours extensively in Canada and the US. His many appearances have included a 2009 Mainstage performance at the Kerrville Folk Festival, a 2008 performance at Trafalgar Square and the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC.
So be sure to join us on Friday, June 11, when John Wort Hannam comes to town. Admission is just $10, $8 for students, and free for children 12 and under. We’ll have free coffee, tea, water, food and air conditioning, and as always you are free to bring whatever food or beverage you prefer. For more information, just go to www.sundilla.org.
