MEET THE BAND

BILL McCONNELL

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Bill McConnell followed in his family’s musical footsteps where his grandparents earned their living on the Quebec country music circuit during the ‘50s and‘60s working with legends like Kitty Wells, George Jones, Hank Snow, Ronnie Prophet and many more.

As a teenager Bill started playing school dances and winning talent contests throughout Southern Ontario eventually relocating to Nashville, Tennessee like his younger cousin Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Terri Clark. There he started his career as a demo singer.

Bill also traveled North America as a performer as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans entertaining on cruise ships while perfecting his craft as a singer/songwriter.

In 2010 Bill released his debut CD “THE STEEL HORSE GYPSIES” with their first single WE’RE ALL ABOUT THAT hitting 67 on the top 100 Canadian Country music charts.Bill penned 5 of the ten songs on the album which also include songs by elite songwriters such as Mark Petersen and Jim Foster famous for writing hits for Tim McGraw, Sammy Kershaw and many others.

Ten years later Bill started his own record label Silver Mic Records on which The Steel Horse Gypsies released a second CD VOLUME TWO. Bill co-produced both of The Steel Horse Gypsies’ CDs with Canadian producer and musician Brian Gagnon of Harlow Sound Recording Studio.

From VOLUME TWO Bill wrote the soon to be released single HEART AND SOUL.

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Wendell Ferguson

Wendell Ferguson is a buffoon, a fool, a charlatan and a general nuisance…but he can play the guitar (a bit). He’s garnered 9 CCMA Awards, an OCPFA Lifetime Musician Award and was twice nominated for a JUNO. His CD, “Wendell Live! The Shit Hits the Fans!” was nominated for “Album of the Year” at the 2006 CCMA Awards. His CD, “Menage A Moi” won the ‘Instrumental Album of the Year’ at the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards. AND just this September he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Despite all this he still remains the same unapproachable snob he’s always been.

Wendell Ferguson is Canada’s most beloved living philosopher. A performer whose sheer genius is only topped by his immense talent. And all of that is exceeded, nay, dwarfed by his unparalleled humbleness and extreme humility. (*he also plays guitar a little) Wendell Ferguson is a multiple award winning guitarist and Juno nominated performer. His easy-going but hilarious stage patter also gets him many emcee gigs. He’s performed at most of the folk and country festivals in this country and has hosted many industry and corporate functions as well as many television and awards shows with his unique combination of musicality and humour. He also plays guitar… a little. In 2014 he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

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Joe Iannuzzi

Toronto-based musician Joe Iannuzzi has been playing drums since 1981. His earliest musical influences include The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

He has studied privately with Rick Gratton, Paul DeLong, Vito Rezza, Roger Flock, Don Vickery, and Barry Romberg.

Also, Joe had spent nearly eight years studying with the late, legendary master teacher and jazz drummer Jim Blackley, and is currently refining his hand technique with the LA-based drum teacher Kevin Crabb.

Joe has played with The Patrick Hewan Trio, The Ron Westray Quartet, The Al Henderson Quintet, The Miller Stain Limit, Jay Clark and the Jones, ABBA Revisited, and many other rock, jazz, and roots rock acts.

Now providing the back beat for the STEEL HORSE GYPSIES, Joe’s drumming supplies the essential consistency and groove that brings their album cuts to life enthralling audiences, performance after performance.

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JOhn Granberg

John Granberg, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, started his musical journey playing bass shortly after high school when he answered an ad in the paper and joined Hamilton band Alibi.

Alibi quickly jumped into the Hamilton club circuit playing six nights a week where John matured to become a steady and powerful bass player.

During the 1980s, John toured with many bands supporting artists such as The Spoons and The Kings.

Today John is the driving force that provides the bottom end with The Steel Horse Gypsies as they perform throughout the country.

Wendell Ferguson

Wendell Ferguson is a CCMA winner “Guitar Player of the Year” so many times (7) they retired him. In addition Wendell was nominated for the “Album of the Year” at the 2006 CCMA Awards.

Wendell has Co-hosted the 2005 CCMA Awards show with Paul Brandt this show was just nominated for a ‘Genie Award and was nominated for a Juno award for “Country Duo or Group” in 1995 with “Coda the West”.

Has backed up “country” artists such as; George Fox, Duane Steele, Shania Twain, Lisa Brokop, Michelle Wright, Tommy Hunter, Al Cherney, Deana Carter, Tracy Byrd, Mila Mason, Chely Wright, Matraca Berg, The Dixie Chicks, The Arrogant Worms, Jason McCoy, and countless more.

Wendell has recorded with – Duane Steele, Gil Grand, George Fox, Coda The West , Kelita, Quartette, Cindy Church, Murry McLauchlan, Bob Snider, Katherine Wheatley, Gordon Lightfoot, Don Freed, Jane Siberry, James Keelaghan, Bill Candy and many more.

Wendell can now be seen touring with THE STEEL HORSE GYPSIES as well with Duane Steele, Quartette, Katherine Wheatley , Cindy Church or under his own name.