, solo artist Stephen Fearing, and guitarist and producer Colin Linden started Blackie and the Rodeo Kings as a tribute to one of their favorite Canadian folk artists, the singer-songwriter Willie P. Bennett. Their name was taken from Bennett's 1978 album Blackie and the Rodeo King. What started as a side project soon turned into a full-fledged band after their first album, High or Hurtin': The Songs of Willie P. Bennett, was a critical success and popular with fans of both Bennett and each individual artist. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings have released numerous full-length studio albums and received many awards and nominations. In 1999, the band recorded Kings of Love, which received a Juno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album – Group in 2000. The band originally performed at such venues as the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec.
2000s
In 2003, the band recorded Bark. Kings of Love and Bark still had cover versions of Bennett's songs, but they also included some original material by the band members and cover versions of songs by Bruce Cockburn, Fred Eaglesmith and David Wiffen. In 2005, the band was included in a list published by the New York Times of songs found on President George W. Bush's iPod. In 2006, the band recorded Let's Frolic!, consisting of all-original material. In 2008, the band were the winners of the 7th annual Independent Music AwardsVox Pop vote for best band venue poster. It was designed by Michael Wrycraft. In 2009, the compilation albumSwinging from the Chains of Love was released, which included the previously unreleased "Caves of Jericho" and a cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues". For their 2011 album Kings and Queens the band teamed up with singers Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Cassandra Wilson, Serena Ryder and Patti Scialfa. Each of the 14 tracks featured a duet with one of the singers. The band then went out on tour in support of the album. In 2012 they performed at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. In 2014, the band released the album South, which was made up of new, original songs, as well a cover of Willie P. Bennett's "Driftin' Snow." Their 2017 album Kings and Kings revisited the format of their 2011 album Kings and Queens, this time pairing the band with different guest male vocalists. Contributing to the album were Eric Church, City and Colour, Bruce Cockburn, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell, Nick Lowe, Raul Malo, The Men of Nashville, Buddy Miller, Keb' Mo', and Fantastic Negrito.
Accompanying musicians
Gary Craig: Drummer and percussionist for Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. He has performed with numerous Canadian musicians, from Anne Murray to Terri Clark. Richard Bell : Pianist for Janis Joplin and The Band. He was the keyboardist for Blackie and the Rodeo Kings for a number of years before his death. John Whynot, who has played with many folk and roots artists, and who has recorded occasionally with the band since their first album now handles keyboard duties.
