Blackie & The Rodeo Kings

Formed in Hamilton, Ontario, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings has united since 1996 Tom Wilson, Stephen Fearing and Colin Linden, three songwriters from the Canadian roots scene. Born out of a tribute to Willie P. Bennett, whose trio first revisits the repertoire on High or Hurtin’: The Songs of Willie P. Bennett in 1996, the project quickly evolves into a collective songwriting approach blending folk rock, alternative country, blues and Americana. Blackie & The Rodeo Kings build a sound centered on vocal harmonies, guitars and a flexible approach between ballad, road rock and acoustic songs, with regular support from musicians such as John Dymond, Gary Craig and John Whynot. After Kings of Love in 1999 and Bark in 2003, the group further asserts its original repertoire with Let’s Frolic in 2006 and then Let’s Frolic Again in 2007. The rest of the discography shows an openness to collaborations, notably on Kings and Queens in 2011, a duet album with several female singers, followed by Kings and Kings in 2017 on a similar principle with male guests. South appeared in 2014, followed by King of This Town in 2020 and Oh Glory in 2022. Present on both folk and roots rock stages, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings remains associated with a North American songwriting tradition, played with a distinctly Canadian sensibility.