Winnipeg’s amazing Don Amero and locals Gabriel Minnikin and Cameron Nickerson convene for a songwriters’ circle at The Carleton on Tuesday, October 23rd. This cool format will see mini-sets from each artist to open the night, followed by all three on stage in the standard circle format. We like it! Show time is 8 PM and admission is only $10 at the door.
Don Amero is an engaging storyteller, songwriter and performer who has been touring and speaking all across Canada for over 10 years. With 5 albums to his name that have already garnered eleven national and international awards, including a JUNO nomination in 2013 and two more in 2016, Don completed his 6th album, Evolution, in February of this year.
Raised in the notoriously tough north end of Winnipeg, Don faced his share of adversity growing up. Yet, despite the poverty, gangs, drugs and violence that surrounded him, his life was tempered by love and support that held him up, enabling him to thrive beyond those struggles and find his passion in music.
It wasn’t until he was 27 years old that he gave music his best shot. He was working as a hardwood floor installer and his boss plainly asked what he wanted to do with his life; without hesitation Don replied, “I want to be a touring musician and do music full time”, his boss said,”What are you waiting for!?” That shook Don, and he realized that he’d been waiting for someone else to give him a shot. With that, Don quit his job and began the journey he’s still on today.
With powerful vocals, a lovable stage presence, and a soulful sound along with his tireless work ethic, ambition, and determination, Don has earned the respect of the Canadian Music industry and has proven himself a much sought-after performer who genuinely connects with his audience with an easy and effortless charm. A true musical talent without the rock-star attitude, Don impresses wherever he goes with his messages of encouragement, positivity and beauty — and his desire to get out and chat with fans, no matter the venue.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Gabriel Minnikin is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer. His voice is unbelievable, ranging from the gravely depths of a bass to the richer timbre of a baritone. He has toured extensively as a soloist, been a side musician for many great artists, produced records and has even had a hand in recording a film soundtrack.
Gabriel was a member of the Canadian alt-country rock band The Guthries in the late 1990s and early 2000s who toured extensively throughout Canada and the UK. The band released their first album Off Windmill in 2000, followed by the self-titled The Guthries in 2002. Following that album the band members decided to pursue solo projects. In 2004 Gabriel moved to Manchester in the UK and released his critically acclaimed debut record Hard Feelings, establishing him as a recognized singer/songwriter in his own right. In 2006, now back in Canada, he recorded his sophomore release, Wandering Midnight.
Although Gabriel’s musical roots are in the pedal steel and banjo sheen of classic Americana, his third record, Parakeets with Parasols, brought a grandiosity and cinematic sweep to his country-folk stylings (think Tom Waits meets The Wizard of Oz).
Going solo can be a harrowing experience, but after years of cutting his teeth with The Rockabillys and opening for acts like The Sheepdogs, Cameron Nickerson is finally branching out on his own. Bringing together his rough and ragged maritime roots background and his penchant for outlaw folk music, Nickerson’s live show can be as raucous as a barrelling freight train, or as sweet and soft as a bluesy whisper. His debut album, Detours, was released in 2018.