Eric Clapton's guitar style and virtuosity is known the world over. He is admired by musicians and revered by his legions of fans. He is truly “the world's guitar player”. Although his work shows a striking similarity to that of the late B.B. King, Clapton cites Buddy Holly as his original inspiration, saying “The first timer I saw Buddy Holly play, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I thought his Fender Stratocaster was something from outer space. That's when I knew that playing guitar in a rock band was my life's calling”. Clapton's signature style developed during his tenures with The Yardbirds, The Bluesbreakers and Cream, rock's first “power trio”. But when he heard “Music From Big Pink”, an album by Canadian group The Band, he was blown away and decided to start creating “music of substance, instead of just volume”. Over the years, Eric Clapton has become one of the world's most successful singer, songwriter and guitarists in the world, creating hits like “Wonderful Tonight”, Lay Down Sally”, the heart-wrenching “Tears In Heaven” and “I Shot The Sheriff” which also became a huge hit for Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley. He has sold more than 100 million records, won 18 Grammy awards and is the only artist inducted into The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame 3 times; as a songwriter, band member and solo artist.

Montreal based singer, songwriter, guitarist Cliff Stevens has been a force on the world blues scene for more than 30 years. He has performed in Germany, Morocco, Mexico, across the USA and Canada and has been a featured performer multiple times at The Montreal Jazz Festival which routinely draws tens of thousands of jazz and blues fans. Early in his career, Cliff began to include Eric Clapton's songs in his shows, due to their immense popularity and because they fit his playing style well. However his appearance, voice and playing style so closely resemble Clapton's that fans began demanding “more Clapton stuff”. Encouraged by family, friends and his booking agent, Cliff decided to create a show to pay tribute to his favourite musician. It quickly attracted world-wide attention and a mass of booking offers which continue to this day.

In the late 70s, blues fans Dan Akroyd, pal John Belushi and scores of others, converged on Toronto, Canada blues capitol. And here Akroyd and Belushi were inspired to create “The Blues Brothers” as a skit on the popuar TV show Saturday Night Live, then as the subject of a hit movie. Local icons The Downchild Blues Band, led by slim Don Walsh and chubby brother Rick aka “Hock”, are seen by most observers as their inspiration.

Chris and Geoff Dahl from London, Ontario, have been bluesmen since they were young teenagers. They both sing well and between them they play a dozen musical instruments.In 1994, they donned the iconic black suits and pork pie hats for the first time for a blues festival. Their natural humour and physical appearance, combined with their singing and crazy stage antics were an immediate hit. They have never looked back.

The Soul Brothers travel the world, performing everywhere from military bases in the frozen north, to tents in the scorching Arabian desert. Their popularity is underscored by the fact that they often perform in non English speaking countries. Everyone loves their black suits, their music and dance moves, even if they don't understand the words.

The Soul Brothers material includes songs from The Blues Brothers movie, R'n'B and rock'n'roll hits from the 50s and 60s and other exciting, wall shaking music. The Dahl brothers have managed to stretch the movie's concert into a fun filled 90-minute show. Chris' inspired vocals, Geoff's hot harmonica playing and the duo's comical dance moves make for exciting, high camp entertainment.

Patsy Cline introduced a new kind of country music with songs like “I Fall To Pieces”, “Walking After Midnight”, “Sweet Dreams” and Willie Nelson's timeless “Crazy”, the top jukebox earner of all time. She melded country, pop and blues styles like no one before her and became the standard by which female country singers were judged for generations. Her concerts were sellouts, her performances on The Grand Ol' Opry were enjoyed by millions and her records topped pop and country charts, remaining popular today, despite her untimely death in a 1963 plane crash.

Canadian tribute artist Amberley Beatty says “practice makes perfect” and the proof is evident in the wonderful Patsy Cline tribute shows she has performed to the delight of Cline fans across Canada, the USA and Mexico. She is an accomplished singer, song writer and actress who has recorded 5 albums and toured the continent. She has also had lead roles in theatrical productions including “Oliver” and “Anne Of Green Gables”. But it's her fresh, new take on Patsy Cline's concert style that has critics saying “no one does Patsy Cline with the accuracy, passion and depth of Amberlley Beatty. The lady walks the walk and talks the talk. She's the real deal”.

Long recognized as the leading Patsy Cline tribute artist in North America, Amberley Beatty introduces a whole new dimension to Cline's image, showcasing an energy and spirit largely unknown to contemporary music fans. Her well researched shows are at once heartfelt, irreverent and loads of fun. Equally comfortable in a traditional Opry outfit or sparkling gown, Ms. Beatty destroys the image of Cline as a country bumpkin in a cowboy hat. Instead, she spotlights the real Patsy Cline witnessed by those lucky enough to have attended one of her roof-raising concerts. Says Amberley “my mission is to bring Patsy's haunting songs, rambunctious personality and fun-filled style to life even if only for an evening”. A busy mother and popular entertainer who is always on the run, Amberley Beatty is truly a “super trouper”. The quality of her Patsy Cline show reflect a dedication and a commitment to excellence shown by very few entertainers.

In the 1990s, Canadian superstar Shania Twain's country-pop songs, spirited singing and stunning good looks put her at the top of the music world. Her album “The Woman In Me” sold 20 million copies and won her a Grammy. But it was her “Come On Over” album that turned the industry on its ear, selling 40 million copies and making it the best selling of all time by a artist. It won four Grammys and launched a long string of hits, like “Any Man Of Mine”, “You're Still The One”, “From This Moment On”, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman”, “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” and many more.

Besides the Grammys, Shania Twain has earned numerous BMI songwriter awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, entry into The Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, the Music Hall of Fame and a host of top awards in Europe and the UK. According to Soundscan, she is the 9th best selling recording artist of all time. And the RIAA lists her as the only female artists ever to have 3 albums in a row sell 10 million copies each.

Sudbury, Ontario, native Donna Huber could be Shania Twain's twin sister. In fact, it's her uncanny similarity to Twain that actually got her into the tribute artist business. For years, people remarked about how much she looked like the star. Strangers on the streets of Toronto often asked for her autograph as they now do whenever she performs in Las Vegas. Still, she was reluctant to try her hand at being a tribute artist, because even though she was a good singer, she had no experience as an entertainer and knew nothing about the entertainment business. But she made up her mind to learn everything she could and after years of singing in small town bars, she had mastered Shania's voice, mannerisms and singing style. Once she got started there was no stopping her and it wasn't long before “Shania Twin” became the leading Shania Twain tribute in the business, hearrtily endorsed by the star herself.

Donna Huber's career has taken her from festivals and fairs, like The Calgary Stampede and Canadian National Exhibition, to the showrooms of Casinos, clubs and cruises. She has also been a concert headliner across Canada, the US and even at military bases in Bosnia. She has been the subject of television specials on Bravo, CBC and TNN, as well as stories in the Enquirer, The National Post and other lifestyle publications. Her “Shania Twin” show features all the hit songs that made Shania Twain a household name and her friendly interaction with an audience adds to the fun.

The Eagles world-wide popularity and extensive repertoire of hits has made Eagles tributes a mini industry. Canadians Marty Jones, a founding member of the Eagles tribute band “Desperado” and Ray Harvey, a member of the tribute band “Eagle Eyes”, put a new spin on the concept by focusing mainly on Don Henley and Glenn Frey, the band's principal songwriters and lead singers. Using a clever mix of live vocals and guitars, mixed with specially produced music tracks, these seasoned entertainers, who have been friends for decades, seem to effortlessly re-create the unmistakeable sound of The Eagles. Their show runs the gamut of Eagles hits, from “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, “Lyin Eyes”, “Take It Easy” and “Tequila Sunrise”, through “Desperado”, “Life In The Fast Lane”, and of course the inimitable “Hotel California”.

Country music superstar Alan Jackson is not shy about expressing his mixed views on modern country music. Although the native of Newman, Georgia, enjoys contemporary music and artists, he feels that many country recording artists drift too far into the pop realm and lose sight of country music's roots. His “Keepin' It Country” underscores that opinion perfectly. Apparently country music fans the world over agree because they've bought more than 75 million of his records. An astounding 66 of Jackson's songs have landed on the Billboard Hot Country chart, 35 making it to #1. His first major hit was 1990's “Here In The Real World”, quickly followed by “Don't Rock The Jukebox”, “Midnight In Montgomery”, “Chattahoochie”, “Gone Country”, “Itty Bitty” and many others. But his biggest hit was “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” which he wrote as a tribute to the victims of 911. A member of “The Grand Ole Opry”, he has also been inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame and The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. So far, he has collected 2 Grammys, 16 Country Music Assocation awards and 17 American Country Music Awards.

Growing up in a musical family in Canada's Annapolis Valley, Aaron Halliday seemed destined to have a career in music and it wasn't long before he was fronting a band and performing the popular country/rock songs of the day. His repertoire always included lots of Alan Jackson's simple, highly entertaining songs, like “Chatahoochie” and “Itty Bitty” which also have a humourous side, something Aaron found especially appealing. Life on the road gave Aaron an opportunity to experience Canada's many flavours and he eventually gravitated to the beautiful Okanagan valley in BC, where he and his wife Sharyn live today. It has been said that we don't always see what is closest to us and in fact it was friends and fans who realized how much Aaron looks and sounds like Alan Jackson and suggested he create a tribute show. Now, 25 years later, Aaron's “Keepin' It Country” tribute to Jackson is going strong and attracting new fans at every show. Over the years, Alan Jackson's influence has given Aaron the confidence to write and record his own songs. His latest album “Workin' On A Tan” and the single “Light'em Up” are currently receiving plenty of airplay and positive notices across Canada. Aaron brings his Alan Jackson tribute to Crocodiles on February 9th, 2022.

Teen-aged Roy Orbison knew his future would be as a rock'n'roll singer. To disguise his white hair and nearsightedness caused by a childhood illness, he dyed his hair black and bought a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, giving himself a unique look later popularized by fellow Texan Buddy Holly. “Ooby Dooby”, his 1954 debut record wasn't an instant hit. But Roy was a patient guy. He honed his skills as a singer, guitar player and songwriter. In 1960 his patience began to pay off and by 1964 he had placed 22 songs in the Top 40, catapulting him to worldwide fame.

As a teenager in England Dave LaFame yearned to tour the world as a rock'n'roll singer. He spent years working on his vocals and guitar playing until he could sing and play almost any song he had ever heard and mimic the sound of most popular recording stars.As a member of numerous “skiffle” bands he played in every corner of the UK. Finally an opportunity to play in Las Vegas came his way. It was the chance of a lifetime and he wasn't going to pass it up. Over the past 20 years, Dave has performed throughout the US, Canada and Mexico, on cruises, in theaters and at conventions as a tribute artist, backup singer or musician. Besides Roy Orbison, Dave has performed tributes to Tom Jones and Bobby Darin and is currently a member of the lorida-based “BeeGees Now”.

One of the toughest challenges facing a tribute artist is choosing the right songs. Some forget that the audience came to hear the songs they know and love, not obscure “album cuts” designed to show off a singer's voice. No matter how many times a performer has sung a song, if it was a hit, the audience is expecting to hear it. The old showbiz rule “give'em what they came for” always applies. Dave LaFame knows the songs the fans want to hear, so his show includes “Pretty Woman”, Only The Lonely”, “In Dreams”, “Crying”, “Running Scared”, “Uptown”and “California Blue”. That's why Roy Orbison fans return again and again to Dave's shows.

It's impossible to overestimate the impact Swedish recording group ABBA, featuring singers Agnetha Faltskorg and Frida Lynkstad, have had on popular music. During the 70s, ABBA, the first recording stars from a non English-speaking country to regularly top the world's record charts, owned the airwaves. They exploded onto the wold music scene when their song “Waterloo” won the 1974 Eurovision song contest, soon followed by “Dancing Queen”, “Fernando”, “Voulez-vous”, and their most famous hit “Mama Mia”, which became a wildly successful stage play and movie. At Eurovision's 50th anniverasry awards, “Waterloo” was voted the top song in the contest's history.

Jackie Grange and Adrianne Marcucci had been leading the “ABBA And More” touring show for years when they decided to create a new version of the show for the lounge, cruise and dinner show circuit. Called “Mia! Mia! The ABBA Girls”, the Cambridge, Ontario based duo's show was an instant hit with audiences, especially ABBA fans. Adrianne, a graduate of Sheridan College's theatre program, has been an award winning tribute artist for more than 10 years. She has performed around the world in many roles, but her favourite is as ABBA's Agnetha, at which she excels. Jackie has also performed in a host of tribute shows, including “Early Legends Of Rock'n'Roll” and “Welcome To Nashville”. Inspired by 70s music, especially ABBA's hits, she wrote and performed in “The ABBA Story”, a musical that took her to Atlantic City and to dozens of theatres across the continent. While on tour, she met Adrianne and together they created their first ABBA tribute which eventually evolved into “Mia! Mia! The ABBA Girls”.

Songs in “Mia! Mia!” include “Waterloo”, Dancing Queen”, “Mama Mia”, “Fernando”, “Knowing Me Knowing You”, “Chiquitita”, “SOS”, “The Winner Takes All”, and many more. Most of ABBA's songs are fun and upbeat, so the girls usually have the crowds at their shows dancing in the aisles, often joining in themselves

Tom Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida, in 1950. Meeting Elvis Presley on a local movie set changed his life. He knew instantly that somehow his future would be in show business. When he saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, things became clear. He was going to lead a rock'n'roll band. With the help of future Eagle Don Felder, he quickly mastered the guitar. After a series of unsuccessful “garage bands”, he formed The Heartbreakers, developed his own unique sound and eventually landed a recording contract. The band's third album “Damn The Torpedoes”, which included the hit songs Don't Do Me Like That” and ”Refugee”, made them a household name. As the leader of The Heartbreakers, a member of The Traveling Wilburys, singer, songwriter and actor, Tom Petty was an icon. During his career, he sold more than 80 million records, was inducted into The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, awarded the prestigious Billboard Century Award and
earned a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. His successes continued until his untimely
death in 2017.

Canadian Martyn Jones, a founding member of the popular 70s rock band Refugee, is a singer, musician, producer and in-demand sideman who has performed on 5 continents and some 80 albums. His appearance, vocal and musical style mirror those of Tom Petty with striking accuracy. His “Runnin' Down A Dream” tribute includes Petty's hit songs Refugee”, “Free Fallin”, “I Won't Back Down” “Don't Do Me Like That” and of course “Runnin' Down A Dream”. 

Elton John has been a major force on the entertainment scene for 5 decades. Beginning with his 1970 hit “Your Song”, Sir Elton has sold some 300 million records. According to the US and UK record charts, his song “Candle In The Wind”, written about Marilyn Monroe, then re-written in memory of Princess Diana, is the best selling single of all time. During his lengthy career, he has had 50 Top 40 hits. And Besides being a huge pop star, he has had success in musical theatre, most notable for his original score for the movie The Lion King.

Toronto-based singer/pianist Jeff Scott began playing the piano at the age of 7 and studied at The Royal Conservatory of Music for 11 years. At 17 he began playing in nightclubs and bars while working on his BA at York University. He has been performing Elton John's music for more than 20 years and according to those in the know, he may be the best Elton John tribute artist on the planet. His “Rocket Man” tribute show features colourful costumes, skilled piano playing and those distinctive Elton John vocals. By channelling the star's flamboyant look, style and mannerisms, he makes audiences feel like they are seeing and hearing Elton John in his prime. And out of dozens of tribute artists lusting after the role, Jeff was chosen to perform as Elton John at the premiere of the Rocket Man movie at the Toronto International Film Festival. A star indeed!

The Rocket Man repertoire features dozens of Elton John hits. Songs we all know and love. Jeff has toured across Canada, the US and Mexico, in theatres, supper clubs and casinos, at fairs and on cruises. He has also been featured on numerous radio and TV shows. The audience's response is always loud and positive. Jeff brings his popular Elton John tribute to Crocodiles on March 16th, 2022.

 BLUES AND BREWS Festival