Artist description A solo performer, whose mp3.com recordings were made in collaboration with fiddler/producer James Stephens, Nathan Curry, and several other guests as noted in track credits.

Music Style Celtic, folk maritime and Valley roots

Musical Influences Dick Gaughan, Doc Watson, Archie Fisher, Stan Rogers, Natalie MacMaster

Similar Artists Archie Fisher, Slainte, Tears for Beers

Artist History Bill Cameron has two decades of performing experience as a folk musician. He has played many instruments and styles, but nowadays plays mainly traditional Celtic and North American music, with an emphasis on the Scottish and Maritime sources which reflect his family's roots. He also plays original songs and tunes and some of the best of contemporary Canadian folk music.Bill, who grew up in Ottawa, and now lives in the hills of the Ottawa Valley, is comfortable with the label of "folksinger", (despite current marketing wisdom which holds that this is commercial suicide) because that is what he is. He sings authentically of seafaring, driving trains, love lost, log drives and battles fought with an ear for a well-told story, reasoning somewhat dubiously "even if it's not something I've done myself, someone in my family tree probably has." A variety of day jobs have added range to his experience; he's worked as a forestry and fisheries technician, tree trimmer, carpenter, adult literacy teacher, cab driver and writer, and currently divides his time between selling hardware, carpentry work, music and his family (There is not much left over).He is a consummate flatpicking guitarist and not a bad fingerpicker, using DADGAD and other alternative tunings to create a personal signature style which often involves playing a melody on the guitar while singing it, rather than just chording. Bill's guitar style has also been affected by playing mandolin and fiddle; he creates innovative guitar arrangements of tunes usually played on these or harp, accordion or pipes. Reels, strathspeys, jigs and even the dreaded polka are not safe from his tender ministrations.Bill's first major musical influences were his parents' collection of Maritime folk music records, and his formative years in the Ottawa acoustic music scene of the late 70's/early 80's. Aside from the many friends he's learned from, some musicians who have made a lasting impression include Doc Watson, Dick Gaughan, Stan and Garnet Rogers, Archie Fisher, Ewan MacColl and Natalie MacMaster. What all these have in common (except for Natalie, the goddess of Cape Breton fiddle) is that they sing about real events and ordinary people, which is what makes folk music.Bill Cameron has performed as a solo artist, in the duo "The Seldom Heard" with fiddler James Stephens, and in a number of bands you haven't heard of. Currently he is working solo, aside from being a founding member of the Blue Skies Community Fiddle Orchestra. He has composed and performed the music for a play "That Poor Devil" which was performed by Perth Summer Theatre Company.He has been working towards releasing a CD for an awfully long time; meanwhile some of his recordings, made with James Stephens, Nathan Curry and other worthies can be found at this mp3.com site. Some venues Bill has performed at:* Great Canadian Theatre Co,* Blue Skies Folk Festival (square dance band and guest sets)* Rasputins Cafe, Ottawa* Irene's Pub, Ottawa* Hungry Wolf Cafe, Winlaw BC* Yellow Canoe Cafe, Merrickville ON

Instruments guitar, fiddle, mandolin, mandola, whistles pipes etc.

Albums None yet

Press Reviews * "A true folkie who loves the music" - Dean Verger, Rasputin's* "Best audience response we've had" - Bruce Jackson, Hungry Wolf

Location Ottawa, Ontario - Canada

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