Ian Reid

After almost 7 years of overseas adventures, Ian Reid has returned to his hometown of Rockwood, Ontario to base himself. He recorded his debut CD titled “Somewhere In Between” in 2005, then returned to Asia to teach for another couple of years. Ian wasn’t satisfied with the idea of teaching and backpacking forever, so he's traded in his textbooks and hiking boots for a guitar and a road case.
In March, Ian began recording over 20 of his songs in two different studios. The first of the two studio projects has been put on hold indefinitely, but he has just released a brand new album, affectionately titled "Tiger School". It’s produced by James Gordon and his talented sons Evan and Geordie, and features Shannon Stevenson and Robert Reid. This album covers a wide range of musical styles and tastes. It’s original and unique, and a fun listen (doesn’t hurt having such skilled musicians in the cast).
Ian’s songwriting reflects what we can and can’t change about life. Sometimes irreverent and funny, occasionally sad, he's easy to relate to and often leaves listeners remarking on the parallels to his lyrics with their own lives.
As English writer Tom Marshall puts it, “Listening to Ian’s music is like catching up with an old friend; his voice recalls memories we all share, and you just want to be there too.” He “captures moments of truth in bubbles of music that float so easily in your mind” says Irish songwriter Jimmy Bowens. Christopher Carpenter from the Korea Times believes Reid has “joined the ranks of the musically gifted ready to offer their fare to the world.”
Reid took silver in an international talent show last summer at the Boryeong Mud Festival and his televised performance won the hearts of thousands in the audience, and millions across the country. Later in 2007, he won first prize out of the top 21 foreign musicians in Seoul at the 'Acoustic Showdown' for singer-songwriters. In addition he has made several TV appearances and his voice can be heard singing the Beatles "I Will" on a TV and radio ad for Samsung Life Insurance, which won an award for being commercial of the year 2005 in Korea. In 2006, Ian's song 'Art Girl' was picked up by the Korean label Polyphone and can be heard on the compilation album entitled "Songs of the Wayfarer" alongside artists such as American folk icon Peggy Seeger and Academy Award winning songwriter Glen Hansard.
Reid has a style of his own on stage. He loves to augment his voice, guitar, ukulele and harmonica with quirky anecdotes from home and abroad. It’s quite apparent that Reid has a love affair with Korea, but his songs and stories reflect sketches of life anywhere.