Born: October 26, 1951;
Died: February 15, 2008
Peterborough-based folk guitarist Bennett started writing songs in 1966 but he didn't play professionally until 1972. He cut his teeth professionally as a member of London, Ontario's Dixie Flyers shortly after their inception in 1974.
But his yearning to have his own quirky songs be heard led to a moonlighting job as a solo artists. His debut album was a collection of his coffee house favourites in 1975 called 'Tryin' To Start Out Clean'.
His 1977 follow-up, 'Hobo's Taunt', was produced by David Essig and engineered by a young Daniel Lanois. By 1979 he'd found his calling as a solo act and decided to leave the Dixie Flyers having had his greatest artistic success with the solo LP 'Blackie And The Rodeo King'.
In 1989, after a ten year recording hiatus, Bennett released his major label debut -- 'The Lucky Ones' -- on Duke Street Records.
Bennett was signed to Dark Light in 1991 and after receiving many requests for the revival of his old repertoire, decided to release a collection of the best of his back catalogue on 'Collectibles'.
In 1993 he released his first new album for Dark Light, 'Take My Own Advice', featuring musical contributions by Colleen Peterson and Colin Linden.
In 1994, Bennett took time out from his solo career to become mandolin player for Fred Eaglesmith.
In 1999 he returned to the solo front with his Juno Award winning Dark Light CD called 'Heartstrings' which was produced by Tony Quarrington.
His original songs have been recorded by the likes of Bill Hughes, Colleen Peterson, David Wiffen, Sneezy Waters, and Pure Prairie League.
In the late '90s the folk trio of Tom Wilson, Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing found great critical success using the name of one of Bennett's most revered albums - Blackie & The Rodeo Kings. He was also a member of Fred Eaglesmith's Flying Squirrels band.
Bennet died of a heart attack at his home in Peterborough on February 15, 2008.
with notes from Jeff Kinsella and Greg Simpson.
Singles
Albums
with THE DIXIE FLYERS
1975 Light - Medium - Heavy (Boot)
1976 Cheaper To Lease (Boot)
1977 Just Pickin’ (Boot)
1978 For Our Friends (Boot)
1979 Five By Five (Boot)
as WILLIE P. BENNETT
1975 Tryin' To Start Out Clean
1977 Hobo's Taunt (Woodshed)
1979 Blackie And The Rodeo King
1989 The Lucky Ones (Duke Street)
1992 Collectibles (Dark Light/Denon)
1993 Take My Own Advice (Dark Light/Denon)
1999 Heartstrings (Dark Light)
Video
Compilation Tracks
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