Album Notes

Country: Canada
Repertoire: Modern Folk, Alternative, Acustic Rock, Blues
Biography Date: June 6th, 2004

Ellen Carol has had a passion for lyrics since she was a small child. Singing in the garden or
writing poetry in the fields was her favorite pastime. Born in Grande Prairie, Alberta and raised
in Regina, Saskatchewan, she was naturally drawn to music. Ellen worked at her first music
festival when she was 14 years old. "My cousin Connie had a booth selling bagels to raise money
for battered women and I volunteered to help out. I was instantly swept away by the passion and
versatility. Styles from all over the world coming together to share their culture." In her youth,
Ellen dabbled in many instruments including accordion, clarinet, percussion, and piano before
finding the instrument to best complement her style, the guitar.

In 1989, Ellen Carol moved to Lake Louise, Alberta and there she found a mentor, Wade
Rafuse. "He is one of those guys where you cannot tell where the man ends and the guitar
begins." she frequently told friends. In the years that passed Ellen and Wade preformed at many
events throughout the Rockies under the name "Cabin Fever". "I am so thankful for meeting
Wade. He shared his gift with me and I will always remember that. Now when I come across a
player who is beginning, I take the time to offer a little of what I know. It's funny I always learn
something from it."

Ellen Carol also discovered "Mountain Music". Great musicians were drawn to the Rockies for
the inspiration they provide. The Canmore Folk Festival became an annual event for her and her
friends. "I just love the human bonding and trust it provides. Everyone seems to look after each
other. It is a beautiful energy." While in Lake Louise, Ellen could most frequently be found
sitting or strolling by the Bow River with her journal in one hand and a pen in the other. "That
river has given me many of my songs. It is so soothing the words just flow."

In 1994, Ellen Carol left her mountain home to explore the world. With her pack on her back,
her guitar in hand and her thumb in the air, she set off on a 6 month adventure that has not yet
ended. Through Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Belize, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Fiji,
Korea, Japan, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Thailand and Laos, Ellen has shared her songs. "I felt it was
important to explore my own country before traveling to new lands. By doing this when people
asked me questions about Canada I had the answers first hand." She would play in pubs or cafes,
busk on the streets for passers by or play on the beach for new friends made. "Sydney Australia
was the toughest place to busk due to the fact there were fire jugglers everywhere. Now that's
stiff competition."

While in Vancouver Ellen was regularly heard at local watering holes such as the "Press
Club", "The End", and "The Purple Onion". Recently Ellen has relocated in Toronto and has
been playing at "Free Times Café", "Holy Joe's", "Oasis", "The Art Bar"and the Renaissance
Café.

Ellen Carol has spent 2003 touring in Costa Rica promoting and selling her Cd "Earthchild"
with great success. This past year she returned to Toronto and the studio once again to record her
latest project "Buttercup Hamster Juice" which is scheduled for release July 2004.

"If you just let go ... a little bit. Take a trip with the summer wind. Let it push you to the limit of
your existence. Let it pull you across the line."
-Summer Wind from "Buttercup Hamsterjuice"