Gordie Tentrees Brings His Folk-Americana Music Back To The USA
West Coast Dates Are Set – May 25 thru June 8
“Tentrees’ delivery is so relaxed and unpretentious it’s impossible not to get drawn into his world, sounding like a young John Prine” – No Depression
International touring award-winning Canadian (Yukon) artist Gordie Tentrees hits the road solo on a two-week run of the west coast tour of the U.S. starting in late May, hitting various cities along the way. This authentic road poet will play songs from all of his eight albums, including his 2021 release, Mean Old World. Gordie has a magical way of holding an audience while juggling the dark with the light that is infectious.
Gordie has recorded eight records, performed over 3000 concerts in 14 countries, signed a publishing deal with Bluewater Music (Nashville), and won various awards in Canada and worldwide. Amongst Gordie’s accolades, his song “Every Child” won a 2023 International Acoustic Music Award inspired by his journey as a parent to indigenous children while working with families for 25 years. He has since shared the stage with Mary Gauthier, James Cotton, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Steve Poltz, Fred Penner, Danny Michel, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, and Kelly Joe Phelps, studying every sound they made on and off the stage.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, the product of a broken home raised on a family farm before bouncing around in foster homes, Gordie found focus in sports, even becoming a golden glove boxer. From the ring to the stage, with stops in between, as a schoolteacher and youth worker grateful for every moment. “I feel fortunate to have had such unfortunate moments that have enabled me to become who I am today,” states Tentrees.
“In the rough-cut vein of Kelly Joe Phelps or Fred Eaglesmith, Tentrees is gifted” – The Globe and Mail (CAN)
Gordie penned his first song at the age of 24 after moving to the Yukon. “I always felt comfortable putting words together inspired by a family of writers led by my grandmother, a ‘70s west coast Canadian poet, Rosemary Hollingshead. My evolution as a songster and musician directly relate to my focus as a boxer. “Breaking down each process and then building it up over endless repetition hooked me on music. I knew it would take 10,000 hours to learn fingerstyle guitar, much like it took to throw the perfect hook in the ring,” he explains. After his first three records, songwriter Fred Eaglesmith took him on the road to Europe/UK and even a tour along historic Route 66 in the US from Chicago to Santa Monica, offering helpful advice and support with an early introduction to the reality of the business of music while encouraging him to make his own way.
“Majestic songwriting, genuine authenticity, incredible insight” – Americana UK
Gordie is the proud father of four kids and is greatly inspired by his wife. When not on the road, he works as a member of a land-based after-recovery team Shawthan Nazhi writing healing songs with indigenous families on their journey toward reconciliation. The program won the 2023 Arctic Inspiration Prize given out to members by celebrating and providing seed funding to Northern teams with innovative project ideas they want to see in their community. “As a non-indigenous Canadian, I am grateful to live in a place where the opportunity to help build capacity and support my community is possible,” concludes Gordie.
Gordie is excited to hit the US roads, for it’s been a while, and he always enjoys the communities he performs for and meets. “Truly excited to return to these places with faces I miss with new tunes and tales to sling from the stage; it’s time,” Gordie smiles.
Check out the tour dates: https://www.tentrees.ca/tour
You must be logged in to post a comment.