Sat, Jan 31st, 8-10pm, Concert - Chris Ronald with multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis - Contemporary folk/roots
Chris has teamed up with Port Alberni native, award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis (Jeremy Fisher, The Be Good Tanyas, Barney Bentall) to create his third album, released spring 2014.
Ronald: His repertoire of expertly crafted and heartfelt contemporary folk songs allows him to showcase an unmistakably accurate and versatile voice, which has been compared to contemporaries such as David Gray, Ron Sexsmith, and Martin Sexton.
www.chrisronald.com      http://youtu.be/S8w8VJeyDx8
Ellis: Onstage or in studio, playing guitars, banjo, dobro, mandolin, and keyboards, John’s versatility in styles from rock to funk to folk to country has made him a favorite with recording artists and audiences alike. John Ellis productions have appeared in the top ten on Canadian hot A/C and Country charts, while his distinctive playing can be heard on award-winning television and film including the hit series Da Vinci’s Inquest, The Handler, and Intelligence. Anchored by technical excellence, John’s style is both accessible and artistic, bringing a truly individual, yet inclusive approach to the music he makes.  http://johnmacarthurellis.ca/ 
Advance Tickets $12 at Char’s Landing, Gayle’s Fashions & Rollin Arts (cash/cheque) out-of-towners email [email protected]
Char’s 19+ Lounge opens M-F 4pm, S-S 1pm TX@door $15 FMI (250) 730-1636 Char’s Landing, 4815 Argyle @5th. Port Alberni
BIO Chris Ronald
Chris Ronald’s “keenly luxuriant voice and immaculate songcraft” (Ken Eisner, The Georgia Straight) have gained him a passionately loyal following around the world, and recent efforts to promote his music have met with increased acclaim and recognition. Songs from Chris’ third album, Timeline, have been turning heads reaching the finals of the coveted Kerrville New Folk contest in Texas and winning him a nomination for “Songwriter of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Timeline was released March 2014 and produced by award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis. John and Chris now perform regularly as a duo.
Chris emigrated from England to Canada in 2002, and his music has been likened to “the country and folk that came out of Laurel Canyon and the British Isles in the mid-seventies.” (Stuart Derdeyn, The Province). In live performance, Chris draws on his abilities as a highly skilled singer, storyteller and musician (guitar, harmonica, ukulele) to deliver a show that is both captivating and unique. In addition to touring nationally and internationally, Chris remains actively involved in the local music scene in and around his hometown of Vancouver where he plays a variety of venues, organizes and hosts community music events, and delivers school programs in songwriting and creativity.
 
BIO John MacArthur Ellis
Producer, engineer & multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis has contributed his musical and technical skills to countless recordings & live projects. Honored with the BCCMA and BCIMA Producer of the Year 2009 awards for his work on records for Ridley Bent (“Buckles and Boots”) and Barney Bentall (“Northwest Passage”), in 2010 and 2011 he was also nominated in the CCMA’s Special Instrument Category for his work on pedal steel.
Onstage or in studio, playing guitars, banjo, dobro, mandolin, and keyboards, John’s versatility in styles from rock to funk to folk to country has made him a favorite with recording artists and audiences alike. John Ellis productions have appeared in the top ten on Canadian hot A/C and Country charts, while his distinctive playing can be heard on award-winning television and film including the hit series Da Vinci’s Inquest, The Handler, and Intelligence. Anchored by technical excellence, John’s style is both accessible and artistic, bringing a truly individual, yet inclusive approach to the music he makes.
He began his career as leader of his own band Pacheena touring in support of some of Canada’s biggest acts back in the Eighties. After producing early record projects for Sue Medley and Alibi, John settled down in Vancouver developing his production and engineering chops while playing guitar for the legendary R&B Allstars. Since then he has turned up onstage across North America playing multiple instruments with diverse touring acts such as Colin James, Aaron Pritchett, Ferron, Barney Bentall, Ridley Bent, Leeroy Stagger and many others. Well known for his distinctive slide playing, Ellis’ proficiency on stringed instruments from banjo to pedal steel have made him a welcome addition to some of Canada’s finest touring ensembles.
John’s studio career began when Claude Lelievre, managing the country band Alibi, told him to turn the knobs until it sounded good. Ellis has been doing that ever since - from songwriting to arrangement, from recording to final mix, John has produced an eclectic collection of artists from country to heavy metal - also turning up to play on sessions for countless other producers and projects.