Barry Mac and The One Eyed Jacks
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
The very idea of a "romantic cowboy" conjures up images of lonely cowboys on the range missing their woman folk left back at the ranch. There is a long history of romantic cowboys, including the interesting genre of "cowboy poetry." Singer songwriter Ian Tyson has a body of work that merges country music with the poetry of the cowboy.
Barry Mac carries on that tradition. With his songs of love found, and love lost, this urban cowboy sings with his heart on his sleeve.
When he's not in Grant Avenue Studios recording his love songs, you can find him out in his Jeep finding mud holes to get winched out of. Or flying out of Mount Hope airport in a Piper Warrior buzzing the farm fields south of Hamilton.
Mac (as he's known to his friends and fans) lives each day like it was his last. And his music reflects that reality.
- CHCanada.com
Don't let the Cowboy hat on the cover fool you. Barry Mac's new CD, Figment of My Mind, is far from your typical country album.
This singer/songwriter masterfully blends his country sound with flourishes of blues, folk, rock, and more. Standout tracks include Now You're Gone, Start Right Now, You and Me, and the extemely catchy I'm Not Looking For A Friend.
As if Mac's unique voice and talented guitar work weren't enough, he's joined by an incredible group of local players: Russ Wilson (Junkhouse) - who also co-produces, Mike Blackborow (Backroom 11), Midnight Jon, Jesse O'Brien, Joe Clark and the beautiful harmony vocals of JP Riemens, Lianne Cranfield and Lena Montecalvo. - Hamilton Blues Lovers
Discography
Mac Figment of my mind 02/2010
Has had airplay on
C101 - 101.5
CFMU 93.3
caledon - 102.7
bolton - 105.5
Photos
Bio
Barry MacDonald, better known as Mac to friends, musical cohorts and others, lives with a tongue-in-cheek approach to life that’s apparent the moment you meet him. His huge frame and personality take charge the moment he walks in a room. But just talk to him and you'll feel the love and warmth of his demeanour.
Mac truly wears his heart on his sleeve and his lyrics will take you on a ride through his crazy life. He's been labelled the "Romantic Cowboy" by some, but his truck drivin’, motorcycle ridin', plane flyin' lifestyle is all part of it too. "That’s right" is his answer to most questions.
Mac lives every day as if it’s his last. Sleep is only something that happens... ("life is too short to sleep too,” he laughs, but you can tell he means it). If he's not driving his truck, winching his jeep out of a mud hole, or riding his Harley down a country road, he’s flying laps around the horseshoe in a piper warrior or he's in a studio somewhere with a guitar on his lap.
The musicians and audiences who know Barry Mac – the MacMan if you ask around – are familiar with his signature phrases and storyteller’s traditional country persona he somehow couples with a hefty dose of rock-and-roll bad attitude.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Barry’s strong connection to his down east roots (his family hails from St. Charles/Little Pond, Prince Edward Island – a tiny community just outside of Souris) clearly comes through in his song writing and arrangements. Strong country, rock, blues, and bluegrass tones meet his deep vocals, sometimes wailin’ it out (I’m Not Lookin’), other times painting a serene picture of life back home (check out Red Island Home – if you’re an easterner it’ll bring you right back).
Now his audiences can take the MacMan home. Mac - Figment of My Mind is the self- titled debut of the artist’s ten-song collection (one’s a surprise) produced at famed Grant Avenue Studios with engineer J.P. (Paul) Riemens and producer Russ Wilson, to be released across Canada in February 2010. “’Debut’ feels like the wrong word for the album,” says Mac, “especially when you come from a background where music is a regular part of daily life.” Firmly rooted in his island background, his is the story of a family whose music flows through their veins.
Watch for Barry Mac—the Harley’s revvin’ and the rider’s lookin’ to play a few tunes at a music venue near you.
Links
