NEIL MACDONALD has been performing and
writing music for 20 years. Cutting his teeth in the
mid-eighties with Edmonton and Calgary punk
rock bands, he opened for many of his adolescent
musical heroes, such as Suicidal Tendencies, 7
Seconds, the Circle Jerks and Fugazi.
Maturing into one of Alberta’s premier pop/rock
musicians, Neil has been a highly sought after side
man, touring Canada, the US, Europe and Iceland
with various independent bands like Greyhound
Tragedy and Uisce Beatha.
Neil is known for his powerful pitch-perfect voice,
which landed him session vocalist work for Mike
Plume’s Song and Dance Man, and Welcome’s Like
a Stars Microphone, and countless sessions with
Jazz producers such as Darcy Phillips (Jann Arden)
and Dr. Octavio for their various projects. Neil has
also written a song that was used in the Warner
Brothers hit, Felicity DVD home release, and
written, produced and recorded radio ads for the
Alberta Vote Society to encourage young Albertans
to educate themselves, and vote in our provincial
and federal elections.
In the spring of 2004, Neil recorded a 4 song
demo EP entitled Hole in the Sky with Stew
Kirkwood and Greg Johnston that was picked up
for online distribution through Not Lame
Recording Company; www.notlame.com.
Neil also helped write and record the Alberta
Foundation for the Arts funded Bleach Bone Choir
self-titled debut album. Miss Lullaby from this
recording was featured on the Alberta Foundation
for the Arts Made In Alberta CD. Neil was also
invited by The Alberta Foundation for the Arts to
tour Australia backing Kelly Alanna and Ann
Vriend in support of the inaugural Alberta
Foundation for the Arts Made in Alberta showcase
that also featured Alberta Foundation for the Arts
grant-awarded artists The Corb Lund Band and
John Wort Hannam.
Currently, Neil is performing his original material
both as a solo acoustic act, and with his band in
support of “Picture of Someone You Need”, his
last AFA assisted album. The album received
media attention nationally, charting in cities across
Canada, and has been the feature album on
numerous radio programs such as “Key of
A” (CBC), Canada Live (CBC), Luka & Nightcap
(CKUA), Great White North (Texan Community
broadcaster).
Along with performing his own songs, Neil is
earning his living as front man for Dave Babcock’s
newest big band effort, The Top Ten. This is a ten
piece band comprised of Edmonton’s greatest
musicians including Dave Babcock himself, Doug
Organ (Wet Secrets/the Whitsundays), Dan
Churchill (Colleen Brown), Dave Morgan (Top all
trumpeter), Greg Smith (top call guitar player),
Greg Ferguson (Colleen Brown), Katie Perman
(Line Atlantic), Cloe Albert (songwriter), and
Leslie Pelltier (Musical performer). Players that
often sub in include Jim Head (Grant MacEwan
Jazz Guitar Department Head) and Jamie Cooper
(well reputed drummer).
In addition to Neil’s performance credits, he has
been the Entertainment Manager for Penny Lane
Entertainment; Ceili’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
Edmonton/Calgary, Cowboy’s Edmonton/Calgary.
Neil’s management responsibilities included hiring
musical talent and creating musically based events,
such as a singer-songwriter series featuring Alberta
based artists. Some of the Albertan artists Neil has
employed include Sandro Dominelli, Stew
Kirkwood, Kelly Alanna, Greg Johnston, Ann
Vriend, Melissa Majeau, Pat Strain, Robert Walsh,
Alex (James) Murdoch, and many more.
Recently, Neil has begun work with Rawlco Radio,
as the Executive Producer of the 10K20 Grant
Program. He is the liaison between grant
recipients and the radio station, and will help insure
that great music is put out to the public. Neil is also an official FACTOR juror.
Today, Neil is now married and has a 4 year old
daughter named Jane. He makes his living running
his own business and playing music.
Dude, I could call you other things, but we'll go with that lol, how in the (insert expletive here) do I find out and keep track of where you're playing around town? I'm pretty damn busy with Tom Hammered but I'd (insert expletive here) love to come watch you belt out some tunes. I've hunted all over the (insert, well, you get the picture) net but not sure where to look. Hope to see you soon, hope you come with some earplugs one of these days to come check us out!
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Thank You.
PS: Before You Enter Any MySpace Contests You Might Want To Also Review The Website At: www.st
Hi there) Thanks for being our friend! Download for free our new EP "Starring" - 1 song from it will be on FREAK drama soundtrack Welcome to our page!)) Cheers from Ukraine
Paper Moon - String of Blinking Lights http://www.vimeo.com/5037346
From the album "Broken Hearts Break Faster Every Day," released 2006 through Endearing Records. Written by Paper Moon and Andy Chase (of Ivy). Get it now at http://www.endearing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_72&products_id=204&zenid=84a0adf7e7544bec209d1133d2045ba8
Hey Neil ~ it's been a while - how have you been? Wanted to let you know that my new CD, Sideshow Freak, has finally dropped -- on iTunes, Amazon, Napster, etc. I've posted a few new songs on my profile too, so please come check it out. And thanks, as always, for listening -- means a lot...
Neil MacDonald. THE Neil MacDonald. As in THE Neil MacDonald Hotel. As in over one gabillion songs served. MacDonald MacDonald MacDonald. The genuine great great great great grandson of the guy who had a farm. Yes, THAT Neil MacDonald.
Hey I was just in Grande Prarie this weekend and I heard you were playing. Too bad I missed it cuz I was busy reading charts and programming my metronome. Shit. Next time bud! haha
Hey Neil - Nice to hear from ya. Yeah, the gig out at "the park" is pretty sweet -- it was good to see you out. Please say a hello to Maggie for me! Cheers dude, Ev
