Tom Wilson (former lead singer of Junkhouse and Tom Wilson & the Florida Razors), solo artist Stephen Fearing, and guitarist and producer Colin Linden started Blackie and the Rodeo Kings as a tribute to one of their favorite Canadian folk artists, the singer-songwriter Willie P. Bennett.[2] Their name was taken from Bennett's 1978 album Blackie and the Rodeo King.[1] What started as a side project soon turned into a full-fledged band after their first album, High or Hurtin': The Songs of Willie P. Bennett, was a critical success and popular with fans of both Bennett and each individual artist.[3] Blackie and the Rodeo Kings have released numerous full-length studio albums and received many awards and nominations. In 1999, the band recorded Kings of Love,[1] which received a Juno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album – Group in 2000.[4]
In 2003, the band recorded Bark. Kings of Love and Bark still had cover versions of Bennett's songs, but they also included some original material by the band members and cover versions of songs by Bruce Cockburn, Fred Eaglesmith and David Wiffen. In 2005, the band was included in a list published by the New York Times of songs found on President George W. Bush's iPod.[5] In 2006, the band recorded Let's Frolic!,[1] consisting of all-original material.
In 2008, the band were the winners of the 7th annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop vote for best band venue poster. It was designed by Michael Wrycraft.[6]
In 2009, the compilation album Swinging from the Chains of Love was released, which included the previously unreleased "Caves of Jericho" and a cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues".[3]
Gary Craig: Drummer and percussionist for Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. He has performed with numerous Canadian musicians, from Anne Murray to Terri Clark.[13]
Janice Powers has handled occasional keyboard duties as well as various production assistance roles on several albums, and the band has recorded several of her songs.[15] She is also the spouse of Colin Linden.
John Whynot, who has played with many folk and roots artists, and who has recorded occasionally with the band since their first album[16] now handles keyboard duties.[17]
Borrowed Tunes II: A Tribute to Neil Young includes the band's cover version of "Unknown Legend". All proceeds from this album go to Safe Haven and the Bridge School.
Weirdsville Soundtrack features their song "Stoned", from the album Bark (2003).
^https://www.blackieandtherodeokings.com/about/ "We were honored as always by Gary Craig, Johnny Dymond, John Whynot and the legendary Kenneth Pearson on these songs..." - as close a reference as i have found to these guys being "members" of the band anyway
