Hey Blues fans, you are in for a treat!!! Our third show of the series presents .....
  
Biography
Multiple Blues Music Award winner adds heart, soul and grit to the international blues scene
Born in
Nanaimo, British Columbia, David received a ukulele at age 4 and his first
guitar at age 5. Encouraged by his parents throughout his childhood, the
guitar began to captivate him. By the age of 16 Gogo was working steadily
as a professional musician. His interest in the blues could be considered
unusual for a teenager in the early 1980’s. Nonetheless, David was drawn
to the emotional power and raw depth of such performers as Howling
Wolf and Son House.
Things really
fell into place for Gogo when the now legendary guitarist Stevie
Ray Vaughan arrived on the musical scene. Finally, David had
discovered someone with whom he could truly relate! Vaughan summed up everything
that Gogo aspired to be. David soon had the chance to meet the Texas guitar
icon, who encouraged Gogo to pursue and commit to become a serious blues
artist. Shortly thereafter he formed a band called The Persuaders.
Quickly Gogo and his band mates began making a name for themselves across
Western Canada and they jumped from an after school project to opening for
such legendary blues acts as Albert Collins and the Icebreakers.
After a
European tour supporting the Fabulous Thunderbirds,
Gogo signed a solo deal with EMI/Capitol Music. Although leaving his band
was difficult, he realized his destiny was unfolding before him. In just
a few short months Gogo was suddenly performing on stage with his idols
B.B. King, Otis Rush, Blues Traveler
and many others at the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland
and guesting on Tom Cochrane's "Mad Mad World"
album. He also found time to write material for his upcoming debut. The
self-titled album was released to critical acclaim and garnered David a
Juno nomination for Best New Artist.
Despite
these successes, Gogo decided to part ways with EMI to pursue his passion
for blues. Although this seemed a huge career risk at the time, leading
with his heart paid off. Going back to his first love, the blues, Gogo released
"Dine Under the Stars".
The album
was snapped up by Dixiefrog Records in France and he signed with Canadian
Independent Cordova Bay Records. Several successful European tours and American
blues festival appearances followed. The release of the more rock-oriented
"Change of Pace" got Gogo back on Rock Radio airwaves with
the single “Sad & Lonely”. The acoustic blues of "Bare
Bones" also opened new doors and widened his appeal. It was a surprise
to no one that Gogo was named "Musician of the Year" 1999/2000
at the West Coast Music Awards.
Gogo's fourth
Cordova Bay CD "Halfway to Memphis" was released in Canada
, US and UK with Dixiefrog handling European duties, once again. It was
an immediate critical and commercial success, his strongest entry to that
date.
"Skeleton
Key", his fifth CD with Cordova Bay, expanded on his success while
giving Gogo the opportunity to explore new ground. His ability to blend
blues, soul and rock in an electric performance brings an innovative texture
to his music. David hand picked a slew of fresh original works that show
musical maturity and a full understanding of the blues/rock genre. And his
treatment of unexpected gems by such diverse artists as Depeche
Mode and Stevie Wonder illustrates his knack for
turning material into contemporary blues/rock anthems.
The singles
"Personal Jesus” and “(Just Ask) Jesse James”
were heard radiating from radios in sun-drenched convertibles through all
summer. The third single from "Skeleton Key", the R&B influenced
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered – I’m Yours”, was released Canadian
rock radio last fall while Gogo toured British Columbia and Alberta with
George Thorogood.
His most
current release is “VIBE” which is once again on the Cordova
Bay Records label. However, distribution has been switched to MapleNationwide/Universal.
This album is the first “all original” release by Gogo and features co-writes
with John Capek, Tom Wilson and Craig
Northey.
David is
joined on the recording by Tom Wilson on the first single
“Love in the City” which reached #35 on the national BDS
Rock chart in October and by Jeff Healey on “She’s
Alright”.
Real
Blues Magazine, in their 9th Annual Real Blues Awards,
named “Skeleton Key” Top Blues/Rock CD of the year.
David Gogo
was named “Guitarist of the Year” at the 2003 Maple
Blues Awards and received 5 nominations for the 2004 Maple
Blues Awards.
“David
Gogo: Live at Deer Lake - Official Bootleg Series Volume 1” – was
released on CD in late summer 2003. Initially, it was nominated for a JUNO
Award in 2004 but the nomination was revoked on a technicality.
In 2004
Gogo again performed with host of super performers. The list included: Little
Feat, Johnny Winter, Blackie & The Rodeo
Kings, Bob Walsh, Downchild Blues Band,
Jimmie Vaughan, Colin Linden, Room
Full of Blues, Ken Hamm, Tom Wilson,
The Tragically Hip, Junkhouse and George
Thorogood. These high profile performances along with national
radio (CBC Saturday Night Blues) and television
exposure (CTV, CHUM,
GLOBAL and TSN) increased
his name awareness across Canada.
Another
important award received was the Alumni Award for furthering
Vancouver Island Music in a global setting. This special award was given
to him at the 3 rd Annual Island Music Awards – an event
he has co-hosted all three years.
During the
year he had tracks featured on several blues compilation CDs as well as
performance appearances on albums by Downchild Blues Band,
Bob Walsh and Chick Roberts.
Gogo was
named the recipient of the 2004 CBC Saturday
Night Blues, "Great Canadian Blues Award"
for a lifetime contribution to the blues in Canada . In being so honoured
he joined the growing list of outstanding Canadian artists that includes:
Colin Linden, Rita Chiarelli, Dutch
Mason, Richard Newell, David Wilcox,
Donny Walsh, Colin James, Long
John Baldry, Amos Garrett, Big Dave McLean,
Matt Minglewood and Sue Foley.
The single
“Love in the City” from his VIBE CD reached
#35 on the Canadian Rock BDS Charts, another achievement
for an independent artist on an independent record label.
2005 started
out with a bang as he won the Maple Blues Award for “Guitarist
of the Year”. He was also nominated for “Entertainer of
the Year”. The second single “Cry Harder” was
released from the VIBE CD in February.
Since
signing with Cordova Bay , Gogo's records have been released in Canada
, USA , Australia , New Zealand , the United Kingdom , the Republic of
Ireland , France Germany, Holland , Belgium and Italy .
These successes
have David busier than ever and happy to find acceptance as a world class
blues man. And, oh yes… David Gogo is his real name. first love, the blues, Gogo released
"Dine Under the Stars".
The album
was snapped up by Dixiefrog Records in France and he signed with Canadian
Independent Cordova Bay Records. Several successful European tours and American
blues festival appearances followed. The release of the more rock-oriented
"Change of Pace" got Gogo back on Rock Radio airwaves with
the single “Sad & Lonely”. The acoustic blues of "Bare
Bones" also opened new doors and widened his appeal. It was a surprise
to no one that Gogo was named "Musician of the Year" 1999/2000
at the West Coast Music Awards.
Gogo's fourth
Cordova Bay CD "Halfway to Memphis" was released in Canada
, US and UK with Dixiefrog handling European duties, once again. It was
an immediate critical and commercial success, his strongest entry to that
date.
"Skeleton
Key", his fifth CD with Cordova Bay, expanded on his success while
giving Gogo the opportunity to explore new ground. His ability to blend
blues, soul and rock in an electric performance brings an innovative texture
to his music. David hand picked a slew of fresh original works that show
musical maturity and a full understanding of the blues/rock genre. And his
treatment of unexpected gems by such diverse artists as Depeche
Mode and Stevie Wonder illustrates his knack for
turning material into contemporary blues/rock anthems.
The singles
"Personal Jesus” and “(Just Ask) Jesse James”
were heard radiating from radios in sun-drenched convertibles through all
summer. The third single from "Skeleton Key", the R&B influenced
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered – I’m Yours”, was released Canadian
rock radio last fall while Gogo toured British Columbia and Alberta with
George Thorogood.
His most
current release is “VIBE” which is once again on the Cordova
Bay Records label. However, distribution has been switched to MapleNationwide/Universal.
This album is the first “all original” release by Gogo and features co-writes
with John Capek, Tom Wilson and Craig
Northey.
David is
joined on the recording by Tom Wilson on the first single
“Love in the City” which reached #35 on the national BDS
Rock chart in October and by Jeff Healey on “She’s
Alright”.
Real
Blues Magazine, in their 9th Annual Real Blues Awards,
named “Skeleton Key” Top Blues/Rock CD of the year.
David Gogo
was named “Guitarist of the Year” at the 2003 Maple
Blues Awards and received 5 nominations for the 2004 Maple
Blues Awards.
“David
Gogo: Live at Deer Lake - Official Bootleg Series Volume 1” – was
released on CD in late summer 2003. Initially, it was nominated for a JUNO
Award in 2004 but the nomination was revoked on a technicality.
In 2004
Gogo again performed with host of super performers. The list included: Little
Feat, Johnny Winter, Blackie & The Rodeo
Kings, Bob Walsh, Downchild Blues Band,
Jimmie Vaughan, Colin Linden, Room
Full of Blues, Ken Hamm, Tom Wilson,
The Tragically Hip, Junkhouse and George
Thorogood. These high profile performances along with national
radio (CBC Saturday Night Blues) and television
exposure (CTV, CHUM,
GLOBAL and TSN) increased
his name awareness across Canada.
Another
important award received was the Alumni Award for furthering
Vancouver Island Music in a global setting. This special award was given
to him at the 3 rd Annual Island Music Awards – an event
he has co-hosted all three years.
During the
year he had tracks featured on several blues compilation CDs as well as
performance appearances on albums by Downchild Blues Band,
Bob Walsh and Chick Roberts.
Gogo was
named the recipient of the 2004 CBC Saturday
Night Blues, "Great Canadian Blues Award"
for a lifetime contribution to the blues in Canada . In being so honoured
he joined the growing list of outstanding Canadian artists that includes:
Colin Linden, Rita Chiarelli, Dutch
Mason, Richard Newell, David Wilcox,
Donny Walsh, Colin James, Long
John Baldry, Amos Garrett, Big Dave McLean,
Matt Minglewood and Sue Foley.
The single
“Love in the City” from his VIBE CD reached
#35 on the Canadian Rock BDS Charts, another achievement
for an independent artist on an independent record label.
2005 started
out with a bang as he won the Maple Blues Award for “Guitarist
of the Year”. He was also nominated for “Entertainer of
the Year”. The second single “Cry Harder” was
released from the VIBE CD in February.
Since
signing with Cordova Bay , Gogo's records have been released in Canada
, USA , Australia , New Zealand , the United Kingdom , the Republic of
Ireland , France Germany, Holland , Belgium and Italy .
These successes
have David busier than ever and happy to find acceptance as a world class
blues man. And, oh yes… David Gogo is his real name.
www.davidgogo.com
Passes to David Gogo are selling fast, to avoid disappointment, call the Blues line today to secure your seat ...... :))
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