Fortunate Ones | Sherman Downey

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Catherine Allan and Andrew O’Brien know a lot about what it takes to make a good partnership. Their debut album, The Bliss was nominated for a JUNO Award, garnered two #1 singles on CBC Radio 2’s Top 20, won the 2016 “Rising Star” ECMA, the 2015 “Vocal Group” Canadian Folk Music Award, and four 2015 Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards.

Over the last five years they have played over 300 shows together and have even garnered the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he singled out a track from their 2016 Christmas EP All Will Be Well, as one of his favourite listens for the holidays.

Newfoundland duo Fortunate Ones’ second album Hold Fast is a study in resilience and partnership. With the whirlwind that has been the band’s first 5 years it seems apt that the first track on this record, “Northern Star” calls on listeners to reflect, stay strong, and move forward.

The song ‘Steady As She Goes’ is dedicated to all those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfire of 2016, especially the first responders. Inspired by a true story, it speaks to how one person relies on another in the face of loss and insurmountable challenge.

Fortunate Ones were supported by a remarkable array of collaborators on Hold Fast, including songwriters Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta!), and Meg Warren (Repartee). Musically, the cast here includes Jim Bryson, Good Lovelies, Alexa Dirks (Begonia), Kinley Dowling (Hey Rosetta!), and the multi-talented Daniel Ledwell who produced the album at his studio in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia. This collective effort has yielded songs from a band whose humility and quiet dignity belies a roaring artistic heart, which has been captured beautifully on Hold Fast.

“Fortunate Ones are fully contemporary, yet when you watch them you can’t help but feel you’re watching the ‘next in line’ of great Newfoundland entertainers.” – Tom Power, CBC Radio

"Fortunate Ones are a rare gem. Two voices singing as one." - Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea

Opening: SHERMAN DOWNEY

Sherman Downey’s radio-friendly brand of upbeat folk/pop appeals to a wide demographic. His debut album "Honey For Bees” was well received by fans and critics alike, earning him ‘Musicnl’s Male Artist of the Year’ and broadening his reach on an international stage.

His highly anticipated second release "The Sun In Your Eyes" was awarded ‘MusicNL's Pop/Rock Recording of the Year' and given Newfoundland and Labrador's 'SOCAN Songwriter of the Year' distinction as well as an ECMA nomination for ‘Group Recording of the Year’ with his band, The Ambiguous Case. The album's first single 'Thick as Thieves” went on to win Sherman the CBC's inaugural Searchlight Prize as ‘Canada's Best New Artist’ while increasing his profile as a touring act with a growing fan base.

Sherman’s latest collection of songs, entitled ‘New Beautiful’, offers a glimpse at what it’s like to wander from home and long for return. Fans of his first two albums will be happy to hear familiar character-driven songs that embrace the folk and country roots he cut his teeth on, but will no doubt notice a new musical exploration. Downey delves into straight-up keys-pop before switching into gritty up-close-and-personal meanderings on parlour guitar and piano with lush strings and horns sweeping in to carry the listener through the album. When he sings of letting loose in the local dance hall, people-watching from the front porch, or playing with love in out-of-the-way gas stations, Sherman speaks to those of us who yearn for some sort of change in their day to day. ‘New Beautiful’ will be available in the coming months--stay tuned!

Environmental Initiative: Like many organizations, the Rogue is concerned about the environment. We are doing our best to separate and recycle wherever we can. We have phased out single-use plastic cups at shows. We will continue our existing policy of voluntary donations for compostable cups for the remaining 2019 shows. Starting in 2020, we will be charging 25 cents for all cups (beer, wine and coffee). Hopefully people will reuse their cups if they return to the bar for another. We also encourage audience members to bring their own cup or glass. Beer drinkers can choose to consume right out of the can. These may seem like small things, but they are an important contribution to cleaning up our planet.

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com