Experience Canadian Bluegrass/Folk/Celtic Singer-Songwriter J.P. CORMIER at the MCC on September 10th.
Juno nominee J.P. Cormier is a man with many musical talents – a skilled songwriter, a gifted singer and an extraordinary musician, who has accomplished success with more than one instrument. During his long career, he has won many competitions, including the Canadian Open Guitar Championship, the Southern U.S. Fiddle Championship, and the Southern U.S. Banjo Championship. To date he was won thirteen East Coast Music Award and one Canadian Folk Music Award.
More about J.P. Cormier:
- He was born in London, Ontario and schooled in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
- He had Scarlet Fever as a child and it damaged his eyes. He wears dark glasses to protect them from the stage lights.
- He is a 32nd Degree Free Mason, having completed the Scottish Rites.
- His father died when he was 8, and left J.P. and his mother alone and on social assistance. They lived in poverty until J.P. left home for the southern US at the age of 15.
- Stompin’ Tom Connors was the first person to give a regular paycheck to J.P. After receiving $500 in cash from Tom to go buy clothes before the tour, J.P. started to cry as he told Tom’s wife Lena, “This is the most money I’ve ever seen in my life.” J.P. was 19 at the time. Tom is still like a father to J.P. to this very day.
- J.P. is extremely spiritual, and never credits his own abilities for what he is able to do.
- He has an Associate’s Degree in American Music History and Folklore.
- He is an avid and talented teacher of music. He once had over a hundred private students.
- J.P. is extremely shy and once suffered from Chronic Anxiety Disorder that almost ended his career. He was too afraid to go on stage.
