Gayle Ackroyd

By Kim Dowson

A well established and respected artist on the [Image]
Local Blues scene, guitarist/vocalist Gayle Ackroyd
is an extraordinary talent that must not be overlooked by
music fans. Her recordings include a CD entitled, Anything
But Blue, and a cassette album Hard Luck Town. Copies of
both can be obtained at any one of Gayle's gigs in and
around the GTA.

Her most recent appearance was at P.K. Creek in Mississauga
Sun. Jan. 6 as special guest of hosts Robbie Lane and the
Disciples. Gayle wowed the audience with classic covers and
brilliant originals. The crowd danced graciously to her
on-stage abilities and offered overwhelming applause at the
end of her performance. Even surprise guest Jeff Healey was
taken by her incredible vocals.

For Blues fans, I strongly recommend you keep an eye out
for this lady. She is an incredible talent; both classy and
professional. Although there are no dates confirmed as yet,
she will be back as a guest at P.K. Creek and will soon be
showcasing herself at Healey's in Toronto. I also recommend
that if you are able to pick up a copy of her work that you
do so. Do not miss this lady, she'll knock your socks off
and set your feet on fire. For more info on Gayle go to :
http:www.gayleackroyd.com
- TO Nites Toronto Entertainment Magazine

Blues featured at Folk Series

TINA DEPKO

Gayle Ackroyd and Blue Dog Chase Rabbit will heat up a chilly fall night with sizzling blues at Brampton Plays the Blues on Nov. 25.

The double bill is the third concert of the Friday Folk Night Series hosted by the Brampton Folk Club.

The concert will entertain blues and music enthusiasts of all ages, according to Glenn McFarlane, president of the Brampton Folk Club.

"Blues is one of the most accessible types of folk music," he said. "A lot of people love the blues and when you think about it, blues is one of the parents of rock''n' roll and that makes it a grandparent of today's rap and hip hop music."

This is the first time either act has been featured in the Friday Folk Night Series, but this doesn't mean that they are new to the scene.

Ackroyd has been in the music industry for more than three decades. She started out as a country singer in the 1980s, but changed her tune to the blues in the early 1990s.

She has toured extensively on the Toronto blues circuit as a vocalist and guitarist. A highlight of her career to date was playing a set with the Jeff Healey Band.

"To me, the blues seemed to be something I felt at home doing," she explained. "These are songs about real people with real issues."

Ackroyd is a familiar face locally, playing weekly gigs and performing at the Brampton Folk Festival. She will be taking out her electric guitar at the upcoming concert, backed by pianist Michael Stevenson and a bassist.

"For this show, I'm going to be playing old blues tunes with a funny twist to them, some BB King and some songs that I wrote," she said.

Ackroyd has also compiled some of her favourite blues recordings with a few new songs she's written on special CD that will be for sale at the concert. She said you can hear her musical influences on the album.

"My favourite for years was Bonnie Raitt, because she is an amazing guitar player, as well as a great singer," she stated. "I also love Etta James, just for being an incredible singer. All the cover tunes I've learned definitely have an influence on my writing."
- Brampton Guardian