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The Terry Whalen Band is a three time ECMA nominee for Blues Recording of ther Year. They deliver a heart thumping blend of blues and rock that has been described by Jeff Liberty of JL Artists as "classic ZZ Top on Steroids!!! Terry Whalen rocks the very foundation of your soul! That is the bottom line" in January, 2012, TWB received a 2012 ECMA nomination for Blues Recording of the Year. This is their third such honor in the past four years. They also received a 2010 ECMA nomination for Blues Recording of the Year, for their 2009 release of A Wicked Driving Rain. This came on the heels of their 2009 ECMA Nomination for Blues Recording of the Year for their 2008 release of The Devil's Fireplace. The band were also honoured with a Music New Brunswick nomination for Blues recording of the Year for A Wicked Driving Rain in 2010. TWB were a 2010 a finalist for the CBC Galaxie Rising Stars Showcase at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, NB.
To date the band have had the pleasure of sharing the main stage with blues legends, Jonny Lang, Robert Cray and the amazing James Cotton at the 2010 Dutch Mason Blues Festival in Truro, NS. The Terry Whalen Band has been compared to early ZZ Top, minus the two-foot long beards, but make no mistake, what you will hear is one-of-a-king sound from frontman Terry Whalen and a band that delivers an original blend of blues and rock that will leave you wanting more.
With a dedication to music that spans over 25 years Terry decided it was time to set about releasing a catalogue of material that in some cases goes back as many years. Over the past five years this material jumpstarted a collection of material that appeared on the debut release of Sleepwalker’s Blues in 2007. This was quickly followed by the release of The Devil’s Fireplace in 2008 and the 2009 release of A Wicked Driving Rain. April 12, 2011 marked the release of their fourth CD, A Work in Progress, an 11 track project, which many declare is their best yet.
In five short years Terry and the band are quickly making a name for themselves and have seen a fan base develop that is boundless. The band is focused on creating a blend of music that is one part tribute to the many great artists that have come before them but a bigger part that takes music in a whole new direction.
To date the boys have had the honor of also sharing the stage with Charlie A'Court, Morgan Davis, Mike Trask, The Hupman Brothers, Sam Moon, Jep Jeppeson, Melanie Morgan, Blue Rodeo, Matt Minglewood, Comedien Gerry Dee, Rik Reese and Neon Highway, McGinty, Squid, The Divorcees, Dave Gunning, Christina Martin, David Myles, Mel Keith, Paula Foley, Terry Gadsden, Ron Hynes, Battery Point, and Faded Blue.
The band will continue their journey into new markets and a whole new legion of fans. Terry and the band can’t say enough about the great people they had the chance to meet along the way.
The future is looking good, so with the tires hitting the road, they’ll be seeing you soon.
Terry Whalen - Lead Vocals and Guitar
Terry is a singer/songwriter who has been playing guitar and developing his songwriting chops for over 25 years. His influences may surprise some when you read the names of hard rock acts like Van Halen, AC/DC and ZZ Top to perhaps less mainstream artists and songwriters as Jeff Beck, Steve Morse, and John Haitt. Influencial artists also include Albert Collins, Webb Wilder, and Steve Earle. But throughout the years a common theme and interest has never been very far from the top of his list; the blues.
Artist/storytellers like John Lee Hooker, Muddy Watters, Willie Dixon, Lonnie Johnson and Howlin' Wolf to name but a few, have left Terry with a deep appreciation for the history of the blues and the unique approach to storytelling and self-expression these blues legends left behind. Terry's love of the guitar and creating music, has led him on his current journey of combining the blues with a pounding rock vibe; providing something new with a fresh edge but also a connection and a "tip of the hat" to the past greats.
Terry is a devoted husband of 24 years to wife Donna and a supportive father to son Terry James and daughter Krista. Terry believes a person is nothing without family and values nothing more. Terry does admit that music has been a passion since the very beginning.
Through the years Terry has benefitted greatly from playing in a number of bands with some very talented people. With every encounter Terry has added experience but more importantly a growth that really can never be measured. Every experience a person gathers through life molds and changes them; hopefully for the better. But these interactions really have significantly contributed to who Terry is today as a person and as a musician. The Terry Whalen Band is the fullfillment of this lifelong dream.
Ian McLaws - Lead Guitar and Vocals
A Halifax native, multi-instrumentalist Ian is a long time veteran of the Canadian music scene. With a love of music dating back to Lead Soprano (at age 11) in the Ottawa Boys Choir, Ian’s music career to date has found him on both sides of the microphone, touring in various technical roles with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Heart, George Thorogood, and many others, as well as performing with a variety of notable Canadian musicians. Ian has appeared on many recorded works, both as a session musician (guitars, keyboards, bass, and vocals) and also with his own projects. Ian is a big part of the high energy, larger than life sound that the band brings to every show, adding guitars and vocals to the TWB mix.
Terry James Whalen - Bass
On bass with The Terry Whalen Band is Terry James Whalen, who, while following in the ol' man's footsteps brings a modern vibe and relevance to the music. "Little Terry" has been hammering away on guitar and bass for a lot of years but currently lends his talents by delivering the thundering half of the rhythm section. He'll be laying down a back beat so big pappa has more room to wind it out on guitar. At 23, Terry will continue to be an important member of the band. The truth is that it has yet to be determined if it is a bigger joy for Terry to be playing with the band or for his proud papa to have his son by his side. Whether it is roots, rock or blues Little Terry has heard and fell in love with it all.
Colby Jardine - Drums
Colby has been a recurring fixture in the Terry Whalen Band since day one, beginning before his 16th birthday. He has spent time on drums, bass and guitar and despite departures into other musical interests he always returns. As the youngest member of the TWB, Colby is an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist who brings a wealth of experience and insight that stretches beyond his years. Colby was born for a life of music and along with the rest of the band looks forward to being part of the songwriting process and hitting the road and reaching an ever expanding legion of fans.
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