Gayle Ackroyd has gained a deserved reputation in the Canadian roots music scene as a compelling songwriter and performer. A noted songwriter, accomplished vocalist and guitarist, Ackroyd's music is an amalgam of blues, folk, country, zydeco, southern soul and rock 'n' roll influences, reassembled with her distinctive style which Toronto Star columnist Lennie Stoute has described as "a whole lot of tender, and a little bit tough."
Ackroyd's country-born, city-bred sound comes from her upbringing on a southern Ontario dairy farm where she learned a few guitar chords from her sister, and began emulating her Canadian musical heroes - Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. At age seventeen she enrolled in Sheridan College's Musical Theatre program where she began defining and refining her vocals. Her first professional job was singing back-up for Cliff Edwards (ex-Bells), followed by tours with various country bands. As part of a Top 40 duo she developed the complete understanding of song structure, appreciation of consistent vocal technique, solid meter and a professional outlook.
The performance of cover tunes was hardly satisfying and Ackroyd set out to develop her songwriting skills through self-discovery. She gained respect as a lyricist with her ability to capture the subtle emotional nuances of life. With that, Ackroyd has hosted songwriting workshops, including the TV series "It Started With A Song" on Graham Cable.
Her talents have been recognized publicly as well with a Top Ten placement for "Train of Love" in the Mix 99 FM's annual songwriting competition. Simultaneously, Toronto Arts Council and FACTOR grants have allowed her to hone her writing skills in Nashville itself.
Ackroyd's public performances have also made her a star attraction with appearance at the Calgary Stampede, Mariposa, the Toronto Blues Society's Women's Blues Revue, the C.N.E., Manitoulin Island Folk Festival, the Hamilton Blues Festival, various high profile club dates, and radio and television appearances on CBC Radio's "Later The Same Day", CBC-TV "Shades Of Blue" Canadian blues documentary, and "The Dini Petty Show".
Her single "Don't Mess Up A Good Thing" charted in the US, Canada and Europe and her critically acclaimed 1994 release, Hard Luck Town, featuring "Hot Breeze Blowin'", was play-listed in 17 European countries.
Her much anticipated CD, 'Anything But Blue', was produced by Mark Fournier and features Ackroyd on vocals and acoustic guitar, Ed Kapala (guitars), Mark Mariash (drums), Drew Birston (bass), plus special guests Chris Whiteley, Dennis Keldie and producer Fournier himself adding his own musical touch.
In 2005 Ackroyd released the blues CD 'Women Be Wise'. She is currently working on a new CD with producer Cam MacInnes (Bill Colgate).
with notes from Gayle Ackroyd.
Singles
1994 "Don't Mess Up A Good Thing"
CDs
1994 Hard Luck Town
1997 Anything But Blue (Festival)
2005 Women Be Wise
Official Gayle Ackroyd Website
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