From the Promoter

BETTY AND THE BOBS was formed as an extracurricular vehicle for a group of Toronto musicians and friends who had worked together in different combinations. The mandate is to do all the songs they have ever wanted to do, but would never get around to doing in their own bands. This includes a bunch of old tunes they grew up with — country, blues, R&B, Beatles, gospel, old jazz, as well as some wacky original songs.

BETTY AND THE BOBS – THE PLAYERS:

SOOZI SCHLANGER (vocals, fiddle) is best known as the voice and fiddle that drives “Swamperella”, a traditional Cajun band with a devoted following and now a strong CD offering. As one of the Betties, she sings old-time country and forties jazz with unstoppable conviction.

SUZIE VINNICK (vocals, bass, guitar, and mandolin) is the newest Betty. She is a multiple award-winner (for bass playing, songwriting and singing) including the 2003 Maple Blues Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. With “Betty and the Bobs”, this talented multi-instrumentalist can play anyone’s part, but it’s her voice, a voice “of spun honey and gold”, and her original rendering of classic songs that knocks peoples’ socks off.

KATHERINE WHEATLEY (vocals, guitar) plays at folk clubs across Canada and in Europe and is currently working on her third CD. Hailed by critics as “a truly Canadian original” and a songwriter with “an uncanny depth of observation”, she always comes up with gems for the band to perform and for the audience to sing along with.

DAVID WOODHEAD (vocals, bass, mandolin) is best known for his creative instrumental work in the folk world, including recordings and/or performances with Perth County Conspiracy, Stan Rogers, Brent Titcomb, Valdy, and Loreena McKennitt. In addition to producing albums and writing music for film and television, he’s released his own CD “Sweets and Conundrums”. In Betty and the Bobs, David gets to expose a rootsier side and do some lead vocals.

WENDELL FERGUSON (vocals, guitar) is the six-time Canadian Country Music Association Guitar Player of the Year and has traveled the globe accompanying a who’s who in both the country field (George Fox, Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks) and the folk arena (Quartette, Bob Snider, Cindy Church). As for his own hilarious tunes, well – when the band has a “Wendell moment”, everything stops for a sideways look at the world.

RICH GREENSPOON (drums) has played drums with Oliver Schroer’s Stewed Tomatoes, Njacko Backo, and Rare Air as well as on recordings in many contemporary styles, including world music and jazz. He’s an esteemed drum teacher and has been busy in the last few years producing albums for other artists.