Barry Canning

A lot of people in Canada haven’t heard of Barry Canning, but a lot of people have. With his 5th album “Light of a Setting Sun” released in 2011, it won’t be long before lots of other people will know him. Originally from Newfoundland, this multiple East Coast Music Award nominee and recent recipient of the prestigious Arts Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Artist of the Year award, has been on the road for over 20 years, has opened for international acts such as Bryan Adams and America, and has hosted the Juno Songwriters Circle with Ron Sexsmith on his right, and Daniel Lanois on his left. Barry has also been a part of a number of East Coast Music Award songwriter circles, and appeared on the last fully televised ECMA Awards show. His last album, “Last Man Standing”, produced by Great Big Sea’s front man Alan Doyle, garnered great success on the east coast, winning both album and song of the year at the Music Newfoundland and Labrador Music awards . “Light of a Setting Sun”, produced by east coast musician/producer extraordinaire Cory Tetford, has taken this troubadour in a new direction, straying away from smooth acoustic pop songs, to a more alt-country/Americana feel, with pedal steel taking the spotlight next to Canning’s unmatchable vocal. These new 12 songs are deep rooted, from the heart songs, and anyone listening will no doubt get caught up in the bareness and emotion of the lyrics and melodies. Along with two co-writes with Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle (Time Turns Around and The Other Side), the album features stellar musical performances from Chris Ledrew (Brothers in Stereo) on pedal steel, Cory Tetford (Crush) on guitar, Paul Kinsman (Ron Hynes) on keys, Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea) on bouzouki and vocals, Chris Church (Jesse Cook) on violin, Ray Legere (Michelle Shocked, The Rankin’s) on fiddle and mandolin, and Dean Parks (Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel) on dobro and guitar. Even though Barry has been compared to artists such as Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams, Chris Rea, and even Billy Joel, his vocals and sound is unique. One just needs to listen. The song writing on “Light of a Setting Sun” is his best, laying his life out on the line to be reflected in the soul of any listener.