Valdy, born Valdemar Horsdal in Ottawa, Canada has been part of the fabric of Canadian pop and folk music for over 34 years. A man with a thousand friends, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island to Texas to New Zealand, he's a singer, guitarist and songwriter who catches the small but telling moments that make up life

Remembered for "Play Me a Rock and Roll Song", his bitter-sweet memory of finding himself, a relaxed and amiable story-teller, facing a rambunctious audience at the Aldergrove Rock Festival circa 1968, Valdy has sold almost half a million copies of his 13 albums, has two Juno Awards (Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year), a total of seven Juno nominations and four Gold albums to his credit

Valdy's recent CDs include "Contenders", a collaboration with friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Gary Fjellgaard, with whom he has an absolute blast touring, and a solo release, "Viva Valdy: Live at Last", a two-CD package, one live, one studio, with a total of 25 tunes, and a lyric booklet.

One of Canada's most influential songwriters, Valdy's composition "A Good Song" was recorded under the title "Just a Man" by the venerable Quincy Jones ( he sang lead on the recording!). "Play Me a Rock and Roll Song" has been recorded by a few artists, including John Kay of Steppenwolf

Along the way, Valdy has taken his music to a dozen different countries, from Denmark to Australia and been an often-invited performer at the prestigious Kerrville Festival in Texas. His recent television appearances include Canada AM and Open Mike with Mike Bullard. Valdy has also been a panelist on Front Page Challenge, and played a lead role in an episode of The Beachcombers original series

Today, he is based on Salt Spring Island, where he lives with his wife Kathleen, two dogs and two large cats. All three children are now grown, flown and doing famously living in or near Vancouver.

Career Highlights

• 14 albums, 22 singles, 4 Gold Records, nearly half a million units sold worldwide.
• 2 Juno awards, 7 Juno nominations (Country Male Vocalist & Folksinger)
• "Songwriter of the Year" and CARAS awards in Folk/Bluegrass categories.
• Host of "BC Music Project" music video show, winner of the 1989 Gold Ribbon Talent Development Award.
• TV talk show guest (Open Mic w/ Mike Bullard Feb.'01, Canada AM Feb.'01) and occasional guest/host
• Twice was a panelist on the popular Front Page Challenge
• CBC simulcast (TV w/ Radio 2 stereo), an hour-long TV special "Folksinger Deluxe with a Side of Fries".
• Lead role on "The Beachcombers", minor roles in 2 movie features.
• Valdy has toured, and still does tour, in America, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Valdy is an oft-invited performer at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas.
• Song writing workshops. Movie sound tracks, TV and film scores - .CD producer.

 Accolades

"Few performers are capable of achieving the kind of energy he generates on stage." - Globe and Mail

 ".....name probably doesn't ring a bell with most Americans, but in Canada this singer and guitarist is a legend." - Anchorage Times

 ".....unquestionably the most public performer in Canada today, and the most loved." - Macleans

 "Valdy is regarded as one of Canada's most distinctive and successful minstrels." - Humber Log

 "Valdy elicited a genuinely warm standing ovation, the real kind, where the applause continues long after the encore is assured." - Winnipeg Free Press

"...judging by last night's performance, Valdy's musical magic is alive and well." Beacon Herald

 "One of the best evenings of entertainment Confederation Centre has ever seen....a man of formidable talents." Charlottetown Evening Patriot

 "Valdy remains one of the country's purest and most credible storytellers." Toronto Star

 "He's a master of country, folk, rock and blues, and the catch is that whatever the sound, people know that Valdy is sincere." Saskatoon Star Phoenix

 "Valdy's show is a disarming and practical blend of respect for the audience and show business expertise." Edmonton Journal

Discography

Valdy Links

• Visit Valdy's website  
• Booking/Contact Info