Wendell Ferguson
Biography
What do you give an overweight, asthmatic 7-year-old boy for Christmas? Model airplane? Etch-A-Sketch? Erector set? Well lucky for us Wendell Fergusons' folks gave him a guitar. From the first time he heard Chet Atkins' recording of "Mister Sandman" he was hooked, and only one thing ever held his interest...the guitar. He'd already been taking lessons for 3 years when The Beatles came on the scene and he was soon hard at work lifting their licks, along with Ventures, the Stones, Les Paul and of course the aforementioned Mr. Atkins.
Fast forward to today. Wendell has won the Canadian Country Music Association's "Guitar Player of the Year" 6 times. Along with 3 more wins for "Back-up Band of the Year," plus a Ontario Country Performer and Fan Association award for "Career Musician". To quote Ferguson "Not bad for a guy who hasn't worked a day in his life".
Years of touring, radio and television appearances and recording with some of the biggest names in both the country field (George Fox, Duane Steele, Shania Twain, The Wilkinsons, The Dixie Chicks, Chely Wright, Deana Carter, Gary Allen, Patty Loveless, Tracy Byrd...) and the folk arena (Gordon Lightfoot, Sylvia Tyson, James Keelaghan, Katherine Wheatley, The Arrogant Worms, Quartette, Jane Siberry, Vance Gilbert, Brent Titcomb) have given his songwriting a unique perspective.
Discography
Wendell's current CD is "Wendell Ferguson Live- The $#!T Hits the Fans". This prolific artist also counts the following among his work:
| Coda the West | Gordon Lightfoot - "A Painter Passes Through" | Katherine Wheatley - "Habits and Heroe's" |
| The Three-Headed Trio- 'Songs from "Songs With Punchlines"' | Crystal Gage-"No Stone Unturned" | The Three-Headed Trio- 'Songs from "Songs With Punchlines"' |
| James Keelaghan - "Road" | Gil Grand - "Famous First Words" | Mickey Andrews - "Venturing Out" |
| Helena Kameka - "Inside Out" | Jane Siberry - "Bound by the Beauty" | Jane Siberry - "The Walking" |
| Justin Hines- "So I'm Told" | Katherine Wheatley - "Straight Line" | Richard Knechtel - "Home and Away" |
| Kara Jelly | Shelley Buffitt - "Bad Side of Town" | Sweet Harmony- "...for the runnin' " |
| Bill Candy - "Closer to the Music" | Gregg Lawless - "Wicked Little Buzz" | Daisey deBolt - "Soul Stalking" |
| Gregg Lawless - "Gregg Lawless" | Ronnie Robertson - "Billy Mae" | Arrogant Worms - "Idiot Road" |
| Magoo - "Shirt Pay" | Brent Titcomb- "Beyond Appearances" | Heather Smith - "One Penny More" |
| Quartette - "I See a Star" | Lori Morrison - "Keep the Candle Burning" | Steve Dickinson - "Good Old Days" |
| Ambush - "Bouncin' Back" | Bernard and Brohm - "And Then Some" | Mandy Baker - "You Wish" |
| Laura Rose - "Capture the Magic" | General Store - "Open For Business" | Kim Brown & Grainne Ryan - "Maggie's Field" |
| Von Fischer - "Surrounded by Angels" | Kiley Joe Masson - "In the Key of Country" | Andy Carey - "Spectre" |
| Kidd Sisters - "Songs You Hate to Love" | Jana Lee Reid - "Spectre" | Peter Eastmure - "The Smallest Voice" |
| Stewart Hooey - "Daughters of America" | Classic Fishin' Songs | Canada - "Music Rough Guide" |
| Mariposa 2003 | David Leask - "Tightrope of Dreams" | Fridge Magnets - "Perfect Remedy" |
| Don Bray - "Chosen" | Judy Kanyo-"Inside Out" | James Van Norman - "The Next Red Light" |
| Lou Moore - "Lou Moore & Friends" | Kim Cole- " I'll Take the Cowboy" | J-45 - "Two Wishes" |
| John P. Allen - "The Canadian Fiddle...Violin" | Southern Ontario Finger-style Guitar Association - (WF)"Fret No More" | The Songs of Ian Tamblyn - "Coastline Of Our Dreams" |
| General Store - "More In Store" | L.W. Simms - "Defining Moments" | Bebop Cowboys - "Canadian Dancehall" |
| After Tuesday - "After Tuesday" | Caroline Wiles - "I'd Like To Know" | The Ground Crew "I've Just Seen a Farce" |
| Matt Masters "Centennial Swell" | Terri-Lynn Dymock "Spirit Dancer" | Betty and the Bobs "Betty and the Bobs " |
Performance Highlights
Ferguson has long been a behind-the-scenes force in Canadian country music playing with or backing most every country star in the business...and finally getting some up-front exposure as the 'guitar-playing troubadour' on the 2005 Canadian Country Music Awards Show. Ferguson is also a recording artist...but with a slant. His albums (this is his third) feature the comic side of the man...and his sense of humour and ability to put that into a song is unparalleled in today's Canadian country music.
…into every country music fan's life, a little fun must come!! Leave it to Wendell Ferguson to look after that special need - the Toronto-based Ferguson has long established himself as one of Canadian country music's most versatile performers, much-awarded for his guitar and production skills, while delivering his own material with the special flare that it calls for. - Country Music News
- 95, 96 Juno nomination for "Best Country Duo or Group"
- 94, 95, 98 Winner of CCMA's (Canadian Country Music Assoc.) "Backup Band of the Year"
- 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000 Winner of COMA's "Guitar Player of the Year"
- 2002 OCPFA's (Ontario Country Performer and Fan Assoc.) Career Musician Award
- Nominated for "Album of the Year" with 'The $#!T Hits The Fans' in the 2006 CCMA Awards
- Nominated for "Vocal Collaboration of the Year" along with Russell deCarle for "If You're Gonna Be a Cowboy" in 1999
Wendell Ferguson web site
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