Those familiar with Ray Bonneville know he is a hard driving, blues-influenced-guy who often writes about people living on the fringe of society.
The Texas-based musician is bringing his music to the Errington Hall this Friday, Oct. 5.
Bonneville’s vibe is loose and soulful. With a greasy guitar style, horn-like harmonica phrasing, smoky vocal style and pulsing foot percussion, he immediately rivets audiences.
His solo performance fills a concert hall with all the sound layering and drama of a full band. A consummate, driven professional, Bonneville plays more than 150 shows a year across the United States, Canada and Europe.
In 1999 Bonneville won a Juno award followed by two more nominations. His song about the resilience of New Orleans, “I Am the Big Easy,” was the most played song by North American folk DJs, and won “Song of the Year” at Folk Alliance in Memphis in 2009, the same city where he took first place in the International Blues Challenge in 2012.
“I just went to Memphis to meet some new folks, so it took me by surprise when they announced my name; I see what I do as the offspring of traditional blues music,” he said.
Bonneville was 41 when he started writing songs and making records after performing for 20 years. When asked why it took so long, he replied “it’s hard to say, but I only spoke French until I was 12 years old when my family suddenly moved us from Quebec to the Boston area. So maybe it took me that long to really feel the nuance of the English language.”
Now based in Austin, Texas, Bonneville delivers music that speaks honestly and directly about life.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Friday and tickets are $25 for all seats. Get your tickets at the Errington Store, Cranky Dog Music in Parksville and Heaven on Earth in Qualicum Beach.
For more information visit www.erringtonhall.bc.ca. For more on Bonneville, visit www.raybonneville.com.
- Submitted by The Errington Hall