Artist Information
Biography
Record Producer/Songwriter Randall Cousins and Singer/Songwriter Shelley Buffitt have spent years combining their polished and vogue musical abilities. The outcome? An unequalled chic sound not yet established by any other musical designers. Why? Because it was INEVITABLE.
Both Buffitt and Cousins share a distinct and profound artistry. Within the lyrics and melodies are pulsing beats of unparalled compositions.
SHELLEY COUSINS
The combination of 2 unique artists let us introduce them.......
RANDALL COUSINS
Music always had a magical attraction for Randall, and he began performing in bands at age 13 with the Bondfield-Dixon Electrical Blues Band, terrorizing unknowing victims with enormous frequency at local church basement teen dances, various YWCA, high school functions and escalating to frightening proportions. His cousin Brian Harris, now a respected author and high-school guidance guru, began the corruption, and added to the destruction, taking him to see concerts and Toronto bands, and allowing him to discover the guitar. He must experience tremendous guilt, when knowing full well that the two young fellas were off to such a healthy musical start in life, when their initial training was via the Salvation Army Band.
Randall performed with various popular bands through his teen years including Bandit, Mezzalene, Tenderness, The Grand Poohbah and his Traveling Circus, Hard Money, The Chitlin Bros.,, Gin-Mill, R.A.T.T. of Canada, and others too numerous to list, throughout the formidable high school years at Delta, Glendale and Sir Wilfrid Laurier in picturesque Hamilton, Ontario.
This madness continued, at a frantic pace, with numerous touring and show acts culminating with the formation of Afghanistan Banana Stand, the evolution of Frequency and the eventual formation of RotoNoto Music. At this point Randall was recording and producing a number of acts, and RotoNoto became more than a vehicle of expression. In 1992, RotoNoto Music was nominated as Independent Label of the Year with RPM's Big Country Awards. Scoring numerous hits and chart entries, RotoNoto has always prided itself in presenting quality and innovative product from fresh, unique and cutting-edge talent, much of it in the new-country direction.
The label has flourished via the many radio-compilation cd's released world-wide. These being mostly recorded at Grant Avenue Studio (the most comfortable creative environment out there), with enormous help from Maureen and Bob Doidge. Many magical musical moments occurred from the countless, some seemingly endless, nights producing artists, the syndicated radio show TNT The Nation's Tracks (carried on 32 stations across Canada 89-91) or just playin' with sounds moods and some of the creative insanity. Much of the credit for this intrigue, should go to John Oliveira, noted for his work with Blue Rodeo, and John Bottomley. With John's constant threatening and abusive tactics, Randall succumbed to the resumption of his recording-artist career and has released a number singles over the past few years, with varying degrees of success.
As a producer, Randall Cousins has worked with Grant Tingey, Bobby McGee, Lynne and the Rebels, Mark LaForme, Diane Raeside, Shelley Buffitt, Mark Severn, Scott van Teeffelen, Harold McIntyre, Jessie Commisso, Lisa Logan, Frequency, and a host of other talented artists, and continues to be a creative force on the recording scene today.
As a writer he has achieved a number of chart entries and is still very active with this passion. With over 200 published songs the RotoNoto library is extensive and is controlled and maintained by Alleged Iguana Music (SOCAN) and Secret Agency Music (SOCAN), with affiliates world-wide.
SHELLEY BUFFITT
In 1999, Shelley Buffitt recorded her debut album “My First Love”. The album was considered a huge success for a newcomer to the recording industry.
Her first releases to radio had her charting in Canada and Europe within months. In October 1999, she was awarded “Female Vocalist of the Year” by Nashville Indie Tracker Magazine. In May 2000, the Ontario Country Music Association, nominated her “Female Vocalist of The Year”, “CD of The Year” and the “Rising Star Award”.
Shelley performed at the Awards, along with Jamie Warren, Diane Chase, Colin Amey and John Landry. Shelley was also selected to present fellow songwriter, Jim Witter, with the “SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award”.
It was quickly decided another album needed to follow the heels of success of “My First Love”. The recording of Shelley’s 2nd album “Bad Side of Town” began in April 2000.
The album was released in August 2000.
By October, “Bad Side of Town” was charted as the #2 album in European airplay. Her first single “Lady and A Friend” was polled at #1 on the PMI-USA/European charts. At home in Canada “Honky-Tonk Angels” a duet with friend Kelly Vohnn charted on the CanCountry Top 100. The single was nominated “Duet of The Year” at the “Ontario Country Performers and Fans Association Awards” in April 2002. Shelley was also nominated “Rising Star” at the awards, which was hosted by “The Good Brothers”.
In October 2000, TVOntario filmed a mini-documentary on Studio2 about Shelley , her music career and personal life. Shelley, a Paramedic also, was awarded in 1998 with the “International Odd fellows & Rebekahs”- “Good Samaritan of the Year Award” for her development of the Lynn Silver Assistance Fund.
Shelley has shared stages with other great artists such as Alannah Myles, The Stampeders, and Julian Austin, to name a few.
Her long running CanCountry charting single “Lonely (looks like me)” released in 2002 was co-written with Canadian Music Icon Mark LaForme.
Nashville Fan Fair event promoters also invited Shelley to perform at the Kitty Well’s Dinner Theatre that same year. It was her first trip to Nashville and certainly not her last.
Shelley has headlined such events as The Thunder Bay Music Festival in 2000 and the Nashville North Nightclub 10th Anniversary in Norval, Ontario.
In March of 2004, Shelley produced a 1 hour Internet Show for charity on www.livve.com The show was taped at the Caledon Village Inn to a sold out live audience and approximately 500 people viewed “Sharing A Reason”.
Shelley was a special featured guest at “The Honeywood Potato Festival” in Honeywood, Ontario in August 2004.
In October 2004, Shelley was a Special Guest performer for the Southlake Regional Hospital Fundraiser for Cancer research.
In November 2004, Shelley entertained at the Orangeville Mall. The appearance was sponsored by Jack Fraser Men’s Wear. Shelley’s performance and Cd sales also supported the “Choices Youth Shelter” and she was able to present a substantial donation to their charity.
In December 2004, Shelley appeared at the Welland, Ontario “Toys For Tot’s” benefit. She was back in Welland in July 2005 performing for the Kasey Lyn Memorial.
Known for her diverse musical abilities Shelley has been busy writing and recording the "Shelley Cousins" album entitled "INEVITABLE". The album is a distinct collection of rock,pop,adult contemporary and electronic.
She has also has been busy writing, recording back-up vocals for various artists and singing demos for songwriters of varying genres.
The Sept/Oct 2005 issue of Canadian Musician Magazine (www.canadianmusician.com) features Shelley in their Showcase Spotlight.
Shelley also received the Governor General of Canada Award for Exemplary Service on Sept 29th 2005. She is one of 1400 Paramedics in Canada to date who have been presented this honour.
Shelley also owns and operates “Dash Music“ a music promotional/consultation company.
www.alleged-iguana.com
Instrumentation
Shelley Cousins performs with superbly produced audio tracks. Dancers, props and costume changes are all part of the dynamic 1 hour stage show.
Live band with 4 musicians also available and offers the same high energy, well produced presentation.
Discography
First Release "SAME AS ME" October 2005
This single has been selected by the 500 Songs on 5 iPods contest sponsored MyGlobalSound.com ; 305 HipHop.com Rebel Soul.com ; DailyJolt.com; ToFlo.com.
Playlisted by:
90.3 FM iRAdio Los Angeles
AA Media Podcast
Dr.Lou Radio Show
FeminineGroove Weekly
Independent Nation Radio Show
Pirate Mobile Radio which plays on Sprint mobile phones in US on the inFlix channel.
StreetBlast Radio
Indie Limelight Radio Show syndicated by Indie Artists Radio with 12 FM stations, 6 AM stations and various internet radio stations and Podcasts.
CNotes Internet Radio Show
Feminine Groove Radio Show
Radio Crystal Blue Program
Will be featured in Unsigned Music Magazine
Alleged Iguana Music is currently arranging a video to be completed in early 2006. Stay tuned...
Video
Press
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Shelley Buffitt
[+ Show ]
Shelley has provided her listeners with a work of Art that is Meaningful and which Stimulates the Ap...
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Kweevak.com
Buffitt is an incredible, soulful vocalist.
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Indie Artist Group-Inevitable Album
[+ Show ]
...very,very good. A delicious combination of solid rock beats, a blues treatment by Shelley's voice...
Setlist
Set list is 8 songs.
Songs are selected by each venue according to time, place and availibilty of supporting performers.

