Tiller's Folly

Tillers Folly

Tiller’s Folly, are the Pacific Northwest's critically acclaimed, internationally traveled, virtuosic ambassadors of song. For the past sixteen years, through 1,000's of performances stretching from the mists of the Pacific Northwest to the British Isles, they have spread their memorable blend of energy, history, musicality, romance and just plain fun from small and large halls to theatres and festivals. Hailed by critics (“Tiller’s Folly is a national treasure”. – Peter North, Edmonton Journal), their words and melodies are at once populist, minimally produced and poignant while at the same time singularly powerful and sincere.

With eight studio CD's to the bands credit, Tiller's award winning productions continue to expand and refine their potent mix of acoustic & electric based, Celtic influenced Canadiana, Americana, Newgrass 'and beyond.'

In 2008, Tiller's Folly introduced a multimedia component to their show including both modern and archival film footage and photography, adding sharp, captivating visual images and film designed to provide a whole new depth of understanding and enjoyment to an already impressive stage show. As a result, this is a show that the audience will carry with them long after the final note has played.

Tiller's Folly Fueled by their unfailing passion and enthusiasm for the music, Tiller’s is continuingly experimenting with different phrasing, tones and textures while recording with some of the most exciting and innovative musicians and singers in the business today as they continue to evolve as artists. Names like the phenomenally talented front man of the iconic group NewGrass Revival, John Cowan to Bob Babbitt (most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966–1972, as well as his tenure as part of MFSB for Philadelphia International Records) and the late legendary session keyboardist Larry Knechtel have moved Tiller’s music to a new level of mastery.

Now, in early 2011 they are hard at work again on a new project that marks a fresh, new beginning for the band. In addition to current members Bruce Coughlan, Nolan Murray and Laurence Knight they will again showcase the vocals prowess of the masterful John Cowan, as well as introducing new musical collaborators like Josh Shilling (Mountain Heart) and Cia Cherryholmes (The Cherryholmes) along with the legendary Scottish Music Hall of Famer Phil Cunningham on accordion. Rounding out the musical guests on the album will be guitarist Jeff Autry (John Cowan Band) and banjo great Scott Vestal (John Cowan Band/Sam Bush Band).

With their new self-penned songs, new musical studio partnerships and an inexhaustible collaborative spirit, Tiller’s Folly is poised to breakthrough to the next level in 2011 and beyond.

Tiller's Folly Is.....

Bruce Coughlan - Songwriter, vocals, guitar, bodhran, flute and whistles:

Bruce is a true bard (a collector of songs) and the founding member of The Tiller’s Folly. He started his career at a young age as a solo performer touring throughout Western Canada. This incited his interest in the little known history of the region while giving him a solid background in performing and music. Bruce’s songwriting and musicianship came to the fore in popular BC bands Bare Facts and The High-tops and on his solo CDs, 'Any Day Soon', 'The Wild Bird's Nest' and 'A Minstrel in Moray'.

In 1996, Bruce was searching for an outlet for his vision of a Folk/Celtic band singing songs about “the other Maritime province” and the Tiller’s Folly was born. His love and passion for the characters and tales of the Pacific North West provided fertile ground for his exceptional songwriting and singing skills. Bruce is a multifaceted talent and will undoubtedly be recognized as a great Canadian songwriter in the league of Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers.

Laurence Knight - Producer, bass, vocals

Laurence is a musician with an incredible depth of over 30 years of professional performing and recording experience. During this time, he performed with many of the brightest lights of the Vancouver music scene and had the opportunity to produce and session with numerous projects. He first met Bruce as a session musician for Bare Facts and they continued to meet for several years until Bruce asked Laurence to play at a Tiller’s Folly gig.

That was the beginning and now over 13 years later they share an even stronger partnership that seamlessly combines their strengths - Bruce’s songwriting and musicality teamed with Laurence’s musical, production and business expertise - making the sum greater than the parts. Laurence has performed, recorded and toured with many artists including Bo Diddley, Jim Byrnes, Long John Baldry, The Sun Rhythm Section (Elvis’ first recording band), Susan Gitzi, Roy Forbes, Shari Ulrich, Dixie Lee Innes (One Tin Soldier), Headpins, Faith Nolan, Ferron, Raffi, Foreman Young Band (Wonder What You’re Doing Tonight) and members of Prism, Heart, Blue Northern, Loverboy, One Horse Blue, k.d lang’s band, Bryan Adam’s band and many others.

Nolan Murray - Fiddle, mandolin, banjo, viola, guitar

Nolan is one the most in-demand multi-instrumentalists in the Pacific NW and has recorded, toured and performed with many top Canadian and American artists. He has won numerous awards and nominations for his stellar musicianship throughout his career. Nolan join The Tiller’s Folly in 2001 and added his dynamic, musical talent to the band and the recording of 'A Ripple in Time', which includes a writing credi

Highlights of his awards and nominations are California Fiddle and Banjo Champion, Top 10 at Grand Masters Fiddle Championship and US National Fiddle Contest, Nomination as CCMA Instrumentalist of the Year, 1991-1992, Nomination as Fiddle Player of Year at Branson Music Awards, 1995, Western Canadian Bluegrass and Oregon Trail Fiddle Champion, 1996, and International Bluegrass World Championship Band, 1998. Nolan has recorded, toured and performed with numerous artists including Loretta Lynn, Ferlin Husky, Ian Tyson, David Frizzell, Rose Maddox, Gary Fjellgaard, Brenda Lee, Irish Rovers, One Horse Blue, Randy Travis, Patricia Conroy, Canadian All-Stars, Ricky Van Shelton, Jess Lee, Johnny Russell, John Fogerty, Valdy and Lisa Brokop.

Press

"As one of the tightest, and unflinchingly focused, folk bands in the nation, Tiller’s Folly continues to produce music that is both distinctly Canadian and firmly rooted in the Celtic tradition. Songwriter and lead singer Bruce Coughlan has mined the colourful history of the Pacific Northwest with the help of curators and historians, and successfully turns yesterday’s adventures and yarns into engaging tunes built around rock-solid arrangements and outstanding instrumental interplay. Binding together the best of a decade’s worth of gems, with Chatham Reach, Last of the Royal Engineers and Down At Gassy Jack’s having been cut in the last year, Coughlan, bassist Lawrence Knight and string wizard Nolan Murray vigorously stir the pot with Pogues-like intensity one minute before delivering a sweet ballad the next. With help from friends like ex-Newgrass Revival singer John Cowan, Steven Drake of Odds fame and famed American session pianist Larry Knechtel (Beach Boys), Stirring Up Ghosts confirms that Tiller’s Folly is a national treasure." - Peter North - The Edmonton Journal (Oct, 2008)