From the moment he got his first guitar Canadian singer / songwriter Roger Gabriel has been stringin’ chords and words into songs. Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario and now living in Kelowna B.C., Roger has spent the last decade pouring his heart and soul into his music. He has an expressive vocal approach and an acoustic guitar style perfectly suited to his songs, and he feels just as much at home on a large festival stage as in a small café and always delivers a heart-felt intensity to all his performances.
Now on the verge of releasing his long anticipated debut CD entitled “Wide Open” Roger couldn’t be more excited. With the direction of award winning Canadian Producer Tom McKillip, who has worked with Canadian Country Stars Aaron Pritchett and Canadian Idol Finalist Karen-Lee Batten, Roger’s Independent debut CD “Wide Open” has been released. The first single of the CD, “I’m In”, is set for radio release in April 2007.
In the past Roger has had the opportunity to perform on stage with some of today’s biggest and hottest stars. Alan Jackson, Joe Nichols, Ian Tyson, Aaron Pritchett, The Cruzeros, Lisa Brokop and The Corb Lund Band are a few of the artists he has shared the stage with.
Roger has performed live on CBC Radio and has also been invited to perform in various and numerous “Song Writers In The Round” workshops. Roger has been accepted to song workshops put on by Bill Henderson, of the Canadian rock band Chilliwack, and Roy Forbes, as well as to the N.S.A.I. (Nashville Songwriters Association International) song camp. In 2004 Roger won a spot on the 2004 Okanagan Grown Cd in support of BC families with children in need of major organ transplants. All proceeds to the David Foster Foundation.
When not in the studio, or on the road, Roger makes time to head off to Nashville where he writes and co-writes with a great bunch of amazingly talented songwriters he has befriended along his journey.
Not only is Roger a solo artist he’s also a guitar player and front man, alongside Rachel Matkin, for the band Steelewater. In the summer of 2006 Roger and his band, Steelewater, kicked off the Merritt Mountain Music Festival. Also in 2006 Steelewater brought home the Okanagan Music Award for Country Group Of The Year after only being together for a mere nine months. Roger brings a fresh and energetic presence to the stage with Steelewater, which he is so proud to be a part of.
With his continuing success and growing popularity Roger Gabriel has a bright and promising future to look forward to. This talented singer / songwriter and rising artist with his humble good ol’ country boy charm, passion for life and love of music will never loose site of the fact that he has been blessed with a gift he is so grateful for!
Just had to let you know that I am touring Scotland this August ( Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow). and I invite you come on down and catch a show. All the shows feature Scottish singer/songwriter Yvonne Lyon. So come on out and say hi, it's been great connecting through MySpace.I very much look forward to meeting you in person. See you in August! -Ryan Donn www.ryandonn.com
Aug 5th, Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire-£10 , Doors 7pm.
Aug 6th, Aberdeen, Cellar 35, Doors 8pm, Tickets £5 at the door.
