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Kendall Gary

Posted on: Last updated on: Written by:
(EAST)

Describe your background and industry experience, and explain how it will help you contribute to the SOCAN Board of Directors?

I began my career as a working musician 60+ years ago. As a bassist, my journey has filled roles as sideman, band leader, musical director and record producer. Songwriting and composing began to develop seriously in the early 1980’s, first with a CAPAC membership that eventually transferred to SOCAN. My compositions are comprised of lyrical and instrumental works. My SOCAN Repertoire lists fifty titles. 

Board of Director, Planning & Advisory Committee Experience 

  • Toronto Blues Society: 1991-2023 
  • Blues/Gospel Juno Award, Advisory Committee: 1994-1996 
  • Blues Juno Award, Advisory Committee: 1997-2010 
  • Toronto Musicians Association/AFM: Life Member 
  • Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship: 2012-present 
  • Dave Curry Memorial Music Fund (scholarship): 2024-present 

Career Affiliations: 

  • Downchild Blues Band: 1979-83,1995-2024 
  • The Maple Blues Band: 2000-present 
  • The Hogtown Allstars: 2013-present 
  • The Maple Blues Awards (Musical Director): 2000-2023 
  • The Maple Blues Revue (Musical Director/Band Leader): 2004-present 
  • The Gary Kendall Band/The Gary Kendall Trio: 2003-present 
  • Toronto Blues Society/Blues In The Schools: 2009-2016 
  • Horny Island Blues Workshop Instructor: 2010, 2011, 2016,2018 
  • The Mighty7 Duck Blues Band: 2006-prcscnt 
  • The Hogtown Allstars: 2013-present 
  • The Kendall Watt Band: 1983-1992 

Record Company Affilitations: 

  • Preservation Records: 2009-The Maple Blues Revue, Live At Twisted Pines  
  • Stony Plan Records: 2022-The Hogtown Allstars, Hogwild 
  • Cordova Bay Records: 2023-The Maple Blues Band, Let’s Go 

Awards: 

  • Bassist of The Year-Maple Blues Awards: 1997,1999, 2000,2002, 2005, 2007,2012, 2013, 2023 (nominations in this category-26) 
  • Blues With A Feeling Award, Toronto Blues Society 1993 
  • Thunder Blues Award, Thunder Bay City Council 2002 
  • Keeping The Blues Alive Award, Thunder Bay Blues Society 2002 
  • Juno Award-Blues Recording of The Year, 
  • Downchild, Can You Hear The Music 2014 
  • Ensemble of The Year, Hammer Blues Award, Mighty Duck Blues Band 
  • Hamilton Blues Society 2015 
  • Jazz Report. Blues Group of The Year, Downchild 1998 
  • Hall of Fame Award, Downchild, Escarpment Blues Society 2024 

In your opinion, what issues will be most important to SOCAN members over the next three years?

In my opinion the issues of most importance that face SOCAN members over the next three years are the following: 

  1. The onslaught of Artificial Intelligence. This addition to the creative process will be detrimental to the growth and development of new work. A great composition can take five minutes or five years. The natural process should not be made easier or simpler. Excellence will always rise to the top but if the market is flooded by insincere and less then genuine work, the best will be harder to find. 
  1. The digital streaming service. This relatively unchallenged addition to the music and recording business has greatly diminished the income of artists and composers. SOCAN, as a well established and strong organization must continue to lobby government and record companies hard in support of the changes needed to the payout policies. This phenomenon has led to a “music is free” public attitude and needs to be adjusted.