Album Notes

Hailing from Fort Macleod, Alberta, John Wort Hannam is a folk/roots artist who writes and performs his own brand of music called Blue Collar Roots Music. Songs delivered by his rich, warm voice, champion the way things used to be, the working class, the sanctity of the land and those who work it.

John Wort Hannam’s third recording, “Two-Bit Suit”, was produced by multi-Juno award winning producer Steve Dawson. With Steve Dawson also helping on various stringed instruments, Keith Lowe on upright bass, Chris Gestrin on all things with keyboards, Geoff Hicks on drums and guest musicians John Reischman on mandolin and Jeanne Tolmie and Tyler Bird on backing vocals, “Two-Bit Suit is an exquisite collection of 11 new tunes from this remarkable prairie troubadour. His “Black Hen”debut is filled to the brim with John’s unique take on the simple day-to-day dramas of the common man through songs that map the landscapes of both the human heart and this vast country of ours.

John began gaining attention after his debut recording “pocket full of holes”, was independently released in 2003. He quickly followed up with his sophomoric independent release “Dynamite and ‘Dozers” in 2004, an album for which the Calgary Sun says demonstrates John's “Gordon Lightfoot-like skill at penning songs”. It was this release that garnered a 2005 Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Outstanding Songwriter and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations for Best Emerging Artist and Best Contemporary Singer. John Wort Hannam is a 2005 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award Winner, a 2005 NCRA Dig Your Roots Song Writing Competition winner and a Calgary Folk Festival Song Writing Competition Winner for the last three years in a row in the categories of Grand Prize, Best Performance , and the Judges Discretionary Award.

John is a captivating lyricist and is as comfortable performing solo, delivering the raw essence of his songs with simple presentation or tastefully adorned with his band, combining his solid guitar playing with upright bass, fiddle, mandolin, and percussion. Of John’s performance style, Les Siemieniuk of the Calgary Folk Festival writes,” In over 25 years in the music business in Canada, it is a distinct and rare pleasure to come across a performer like John. That said - more than anything - John Wort Hannam delivers the goods in front of an audience. Having seen John perform many times in many venues and situations, from professional conferences to outdoor festivals, I can only say he came away with fans in any situation he found himself in. From his songs to his stage presence, John is the complete package.”