Folk artist David Bradstreet was born in England but raised in Oakville, Ontario at an early age. He studied architecture after High School, but was a follower of the burgeoning Folk music movement and so began a career as a musician.
Beginning in New York City in 1968 he set about performing his folk material in coffeehouses and clubs across America. He settled down in London, Ontario in 1971, where he was able to continue his art on the folk festival/university coffeehouse circuit. Television was also a steady form of work both in front of the camera (with appearances on Ian Tyson's Nashville North show) and behind the scenes (as the vocalist heard in a series of 'Life Saver' commercials).
He paid his dues over the next three years with hundreds of live performances as an addition to the Texas soft-rock trio Lazarus who were a pet project of Peter, Paul & Mary's Peter Yarrow and managed by Albert Grossman. Bradstreet would hone his songwriting skills with Lazarus' Bill Hughes and he would form a life-long musical relationship with the band's Carl Keesee.
So it was in 1974 that Bradstreet returned to Canada and solo pursuits. Bradstreet was getting placement for his songs with various recording artists and soon Valdy had a sizable radio hit with one of Bradstreet's most memorable tunes called "Renaissance". Valdy's professional association to A & M Records led to a recording deal on that label for Bradstreet himself.
In 1977 Bradstreet released his self-titled debut for A & M earning him critical acclaim and a Juno Award for 'Best New Male Vocalist' in 1977.
The 1978 follow-up, 'Dreaming In Colour', was well received though sold poorly, but Bradstreet carried on undaunted. He left A & M to form his own Street Records label to maintain control of his writing and recording output. The first release was 1980's 'Black & White' but by 1982 his production work in film and television led him to suspend his live performances.
Bradstreet worked with other notable artists on their recordings including those of Dan Gibson (the 'Solitudes' series), Bill Hughes and Jane Siberry's debut. During the intervening years Bradstreet has been heavily involved in writing and recording soundtracks for TV and movies and providing ambient music CD releases for the 'Solitudes' record label. He also does collaborative instrumental work for Avalon, TheraMusic and Fisher-Price.
Bradstreet returned as a performing and solo recording artist in 1999 with the 'Renaissance' CD (featuring guest appearances by Alan Cross, Carl Keesee of the Florida Razors, Jane Siberry and Rebecca Campbell) for which he received a Juno nomination.
In 2010 Bradstreet and long-time touring collaborator Carl Keesee released an album together called '08.20.10'.
With notes from Greg Campbell, Aaron Badgley, and Brenda Bradstreet.
Singles
1977 Long, Long Road/Main Street (A & M) AM-437
1977 One Way or Another/Renaissance (A & M) AM-447
1978 This Ringing In My Ear (Midnight Song)/Ballerina (A & M) AM-459
1978 Thirty Years/Dreaming In Colour (A & M) AM-463
1981 Torpedoes In The Mainstream (Street)
Albums
1977 David Bradstreet (A & M) SP-9026
1978 Dreaming In Colour (A & M) SP-9032
1980 Black & White (Street) SR-001
1999 Renaissance (Street) SR-004
2006 Lifelines (Street) SR-005
with BRADSTREET & KEESSEE
2010 08.20.10 (Street) SR-006
Video
Compilation Tracks
Official David Bradstreet Website
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