Cd Isle...CDs by BC island recording artists

Joe Stanton has been writing and performing his eclectic blend of acoustic music since the late 1970's, including:

* being a finalist in the 2003 New Folk Songwriting Competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival (Kerrville, Texas)

* a spot in the 2001 U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship Walnut Valley Festival(Winfield, Kansas)

* tours of Switzerland with the bluegrass duo "Stanton/Jensen", recording the CD "Tomorrow This Time"

* releasing the CD "There You Go" February 1997

* and performing at festivals, coffe houses and bars around his Canadian west coast home of Sechelt, B.C.

Influenced by folk, country, rock, blues, bluegrass and classical artists, or "pretty well anyone who's ever picked up a guitar", his third CD in 8 Years, "Passenger Stanton" steeps all of these flavours into a heart warming musical stew.

Producer Colin Nairne's (Barney Bentall, Colin James) subtle approach to the eleven tracks brings the performers right into your living room.

"Passenger Stanton" is a welcome blend of singer/songwriter and instrumental guitar genres, sauntering down the middle of the dirt road somewhere between alternative country and folk.

More about Joe...

With intricate fingerstyle guitar, earthy baritone and lyrics from life, Joe Stanton does what he loves - writing and performing acoustic music.

Joe has performed around the world, as well as "above it": in a hot air balloon over the Swiss Alps. "The world's highest open air concert", says Joe, "unverified by Guinness, but I've got the pictures."

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Joe has spent the last twenty something years on Canada's West Coast in the seaside villages of Deep Cove, White Rock and his current home on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. He lives in these inspiring places because "That's where the songs are."

His writing talents launched a recording career in the 1980's with two singles; "Waiting Such A Long Time" and "Long Way Home". This generated national airplay and a British Columbia Country Music Association Award nomination. "Tomorrow This Time" features banjo player Dennis Jensen and Joe's original songs in a bluegrass format. This CD was recorded in Switzerland and received European airplay.

This past year has been a busy one. Joe is promoting his new CD, "There You Go", with appearances on radio, television, music festivals and clubs through out British Columbia.

In September of 2001, Joe performed at the U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas.

As well as performing solo, Joe recruits some of Vancouver's finest musicians - Linda Kidder (bass, vocals), Charlie Hase (pedal steel) or Tom Neville (violin, mandolin) for duo and trio work, or with his 5 piece band "The Precious Littles".

With an impressive repertoire of over 200 cover tunes, Joe can slide into a wide variety of live situations.

Warm vocals, fine fingerpicking and comfortable humour are the trademarks of this versatile and accomplished musician. With his experience and love of playing, from intimate club to festival mainstage, Joe Stanton makes every performance a memorable show.

Joe's solo debut CD "There You Go" features 14 original songs blending contemporary folk and country with instrumental guitar. Producer Geoff Gibbons assembled some of the finest musicians in Vancouver for this world class recording.

His new cd has just been released for 2004