Ryan Cook to perform at concert in aid of King refugees

April 20, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Janet McLeod Wortel
Big music talent is coming to King tomorrow (Friday).
Ryan Cook, multi award winning folk singer and songwriter, will perform in support of King for Refugees.
Impressive sound, free parking and a fully licensed bar will not be a problem either at the well-appointed Kingbridge Conference Centre. Located just south of King Road on Jane Street, the facility boasts top-end amenities. All together, it is a score for local music that will give folk and country fans a concert to talk about.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to hear Ryan,” said King for Refugees volunteer and Township Councillor Debbie Schaefer. “This guy is the real thing.”
Hailing from Nova Scotia, Cook has won Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year three times and garnered 15 award nominations. With three albums and more than 800 shows performed since 2007, Ryan Cook is a hard-working musician. His sound is steeped in authentic country and folk after riding the road with purists like Dwight Yoakam, Roseanne Cash and Travis Tritt.
Yet his approach is fresh with modern lyrics and wry references to Facebook and Lululemon. Along with his humour he has a down to earth appreciation for his audience that can make any size show feel like an east coast kitchen party.
The King concert combines thumb-picking guitar and harmonies inspired by American jazz and country music from the 1940s and ‘50s, backed up by guitarist and bandmate Rob Moore.
“We’ll be performing songs from my new live album as well as traditional folk/jazz and swing music that has that special old-time feeling,” said Cook. “I am very excited to be performing in King City for the first time for such a positive event.”
Organizers hope Cook’s star power will bring essential funds and attention to a community initiative. King for Refugees is a grassroots volunteer group helping Canadian newcomers begin new lives in King Township. Currently the group is sponsoring and supporting two families in King City.
The families are already making progress. All five children of the first family are attending school and the oldest has landed a part-time job. When not working to get settled or improve their English, the families are eagerly participating in new community experiences around King such as the farm tour and a potluck dinner. But the road ahead is still challenging and every ticket sold for this concert will help.
The under-40-dollar ticket in King may just transport the audience to a choice seat in Nashville.
The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a cash bar and an opportunity to learn more about King for Refugees before music begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are given for a donation of $35 ($20 for students) and are available in several community locations: The Daisy Mart in Nobleton; at The Grackle in Schomberg; Jay’s Variety and Esso in Pottageville; at The Roost and Pine Farms in King City; Cosmo Music in Richmond Hill; from Aladin Jarrah in Kettleby; by contacting king4refugees@gmail.com; or at the door.