Story number one came in the form of Male Vocalist of the Year.  Story two was Album of the Year.  The best story of them all, was the third story of the night, being named Artist of the Year by the Vancouver Island Music Awards.

Fresh off receiving three Vancouver Island Music Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (All Good Stories) and Artist of the Year on Saturday, April 21^st in Victoria, acclaimed singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon of Ladysmith, BC, is hitting the road this May with fellow BC musicians Cory Woodward and Christopher Arruda.

McMahon, Woodward and Arruda will set out on an 18-date Western Canadian tour kicking off Saturday, May 5, 2012 at The Minstrel Cafe in Kelowna, BC.

McMahon is heading out in support of his solo acoustic album which garnered three awards at the Vancouver Island Music Awards ceremony held in Victoria last Saturday night.  The album “All Good Stories” produced by Richard Leighton, owner of Arbutus Music and R ‘n R Studios in Nanaimo, received recognition for Album of the Year.

McMahon’s well-known vocal performance grabbed the spotlight for Male Vocalist of the Year and he also claimed the award for Artist of the Year.

As he presented the award for Female Songwriter of the Year, McMahon’s comedic persona gave the audience a few laughs and his performance of “Underdog”, a song yet to be released featuring the musical talents of the late, great Juno Award winning John Forrest, certainly validated the honouring of a record three VIMA’s throughout the evening.

The “Acoustic Tour” triple bill includes Peak Performance Finalist, Christopher Arruda, traveling in support of his next single release “Stork”, the first single and video following in July of a series being released over the next year that will make up his next full length album entitled “Find Someone, Build an Empire”.

Also on the bill is one of McMahon’s own favourite singer songwriters from Vancouver, BC, Cory Woodward.

Armed with their guitars, honest songs and a sense of humour, they’re playing 18 cities in 26 days on their Acoustic Tour, which will take them from Vancouver Island to Winnipeg and back. Both McMahon and Woodward have released new albums in the past year, and Arruda is about to release his latest record.

Terry David Mulligan calls McMahon “the complete package.” “Singer. Songwriter. Performer. Troublemaker. Passionate human being. For me, priceless!!”

Woodward entices listeners with a soothing, Springsteen-like rasp, then blows them away with the unbridled, soulful bellow of Joe Cocker. “The Edmonton-born singer-songwriter has the uncanny ability to spark a connection between himself and some of the greatest musicians of all time,” boast Exclaim! magazine.

Arruda’s sound is described as honest and heart-wrenching, a stunning blend of Thom Yorke’s haunting croon, Sarah Slean’s bombastic piano and Bon Iver’s uncompromising dedication to the song. His performances are bold and varied.

The Acoustic Tour – 3 Men and a Tour Van triple bill includes Peak Performance Finalist, Christopher Arruda, traveling in support of his next single release “Stork”, the first single of a series being released over the next year that will make up his next full length album entitled “Find Someone, Build an Empire”.

Also on the bill is one of McMahon’s own favourite singer songwriters from Vancouver, BC, Cory Woodward.

Woodward entices listeners with a soothing, Springsteen-like rasp, then blows them away with the unbridled, soulful bellow of Joe Cocker.

“The Edmonton-born singer-songwriter has the uncanny ability to spark a connection between himself and some of the greatest musicians of all time,” boasts Exclaim! magazine.

TOUR DATES:

Acoustic Tour – WITH CORY WOODWARD/CHRIS ARRUDA

-SAT.                      MAY 5:  KELOWNA, BC                    MINSTREL CAFÉ

-SUN.                     MAY 6:  NELSON, BC                        THE ROYAL

-MON.                    MAY 7:  WINLAW, BC                        CEDAR CREEK CAFE

-TUES.                   MAY 8:  FERNIE, BC                         THE ROYAL

-WED     .               MAY 9:  LETHBRIDGE, AB                THE SLICE

-THURS.               MAY 10: WATERTON, AB                   VIMY’S LODGE

-FRI.                       MAY 11:  MOOSE JAW, SK                KERGANO’S

-SAT.                      MAY 12: REGINA, SK                         CREATIVE CITY CENTRE

-TUES                    MAY 15:  WINNIPEG, MB                   POP SODA’S

-THURS.               MAY 17:  SASKATOON, SK                  LYDIA’S

-FRI                        MAY 18: EDMONTON, AB                  TBA (being confirmed)

-SAT.                      MAY 19: EDMONTON, AB                  BLACK DOG

-SUN.                     MAY 20: CALGARY, AB                      IRONWOOD STAGE & GRILL

-MON.                    MAY 21: GOLDEN, BC                       ROCKWATER

-TUES.                   MAY 22: KAMLOOPS, BC                  THE ART WE ARE

-WED.                    MAY 23: VANCOUVER, BC                MEDIA CLUB

-WED.                    MAY 30: NANAIMO, BC                     DINER’S RENDEZVOUS

-THURS.               MAY 31: DUNCAN, BC                        DUNCAN GARAGE SHOWROOM

Ticket information, online sales and other info… online at Agentless.

For any other inquiries contact info@ryanmcmahon.com

Every year the Shore 104 in Vancouver, BC takes the time to ask their listeners what they want to hear.  Now is the time to let them know what you think Roots, Rock and Rhythm songs should be on the air over Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Send them your favourites on their website.

Gone Fishing for Blue Skies is a Japan-based online radio station that has been supporting independent artists for a few years now.  In 2009 they got wind of the album, Weeks, Months, Years and now they are fishing again with the songs of The Flask.  Here is how they describe the birth of Gone Fishing for Blue Skies…

Thank you, Michiko and Chris for going fishing for blue skies and pulling “We Live Forever” out of the pond of fish.

Ryan McMahon and Dayna Manning hit the open road armed with guitars, harmonicas, banjos and ukuleles!

Bring the kids, bring the parents, and bring the grandparents for a great night of music and fun with two wonderful BC song writers.

Dayna Manning, earlier known for her Juno Award-winning music, has now returned to the stage to present her solo acoustic songs to audiences from Fort St. John to Victoria.

Joined by Ryan McMahon who has just been nominated for five Vancouver Island Music Awards for his song writing and vocal performance, this is a double-bill not to be missed!

Click the poster to view showtimes and ticket information for dates near you.

Craig Cardiff, the Canadian songwriting troubadour, is bringing his outrageously quirky personality to Vancouver Island.  Just announced as a Juno Nominee for the Roots and Traditional Album of the Year – Solo Award, (it should just be the great music and awesome dude award), Cardiff has over 16 or 30 albums for sale already at 30-something.  Incredible.

Show dates:

Thursday, February 23rd @ The Duncan Garage Showroom tickets available at the awful lady in the bookstore.  Sorry about that folks.  But that is where they sell them.

Friday, February 24th @ Joe’s Garage tickets available at the awful man at Bob City Records.  And probably only two days before the event.  But that is how they do it in Courtney.