Looking at the world through a windshield. That’s been Cam Penner’s view for the last two years. In those two years he has toured five countries, six provinces, twelve states and performed over three hundred shows. He has opened for Chip Taylor, Richard Thompson, Slaid Cleaves, Fred Eaglesmith, Greg Trooper, Carrie Rodiguez, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, John Prine, Neil Diamond, Lyle Lovett, and the Flatlanders. With no label or booking representation Cam has found his own way into the bars, theatres, cafes, backyards, and honkytonks across this wide land.
His performance at last years Calgary Folk Festival was featured live across Canada on CBC Radio 2. His last album ‘Felt like a Sunday Night’ has charted in Europe (Euro-Americana Charts) climbing its way to No.3. It also stayed in the top fifteen (peaking at No.3) for four months on the Freeform Americana Charts (across North America) outlasting any other artist. The song ‘No Stars in the City’ took third place in the 2006 International Songwriting Competition and his latest song ‘Thirteen’ has made its way to the finals in the 2008 competition. Other songs from Cam’s repertoire ‘Rye Whiskey’ and ‘When I Die’ have been featured on compilations in both Canada and the UK. The album made it’s way on many top ten lists and was given four star reviews in both North America and Europe.
Cam Penner hails from a mennonite community in Southern Manitoba, where his parents, the town rebels ran an illegal roadhouse and his grandfather, a bootlegger, delivered his goods to the rural community bringing much needed remedy. Growing up in small towns in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Penner found an appreciation for common people’s stories. He left at nineteen for Chicago where he ran a soup kitchen and worked at a women shelter. These experiences ignited a passion for social justice and after moving back to Canada, Cam continued working with the homeless for the next thirteen years.
Penner has described his philosophical outlook and songwriting muse: "Sometimes I feel the thousands of souls I’ve listened to are people living inside of me, telling their tales." Agreed. When listening to Penners songs you can hear the struggle, the hope, the yearning to be better. "I’ve never really written topical songs, I usually write about the
emotional struggle, the pull between what’s right and wrong."
’Trouble & Mercy’, Cam’s third full length album comes hard off the heels of a six month tour through North America. This (soon to be released) album was recorded two days after the tour with sideman and recording engineer Jon Wood. With the Gravel Road Band taking a hiatus Cam captures his most honest and contemplative songwriting to date.
"I found these songs in the alleys and streets. Under a dumpster, in the remains of discarded trash, faded phone numbers on cigarettes packs. In empty clubs, gas station pumps and front page headlines. At the bottom of a styrofoam cup, the last drag, in the glove compartment of a stolen car, in the cushions of a couch. On the side of the interstate, waking up beside her, two worlds colliding. In the dives and diners, cheap no tell motel rooms where you sleep in your clothes, shoes ..ping when I saw something shiny. Walking through the ditch, kicking at the tall grass, searching for a dime. Living hand to mouth and waking up to stove top coffee. In the madness of a rich man’s town, where the poor and elite collide, and the middle with their blind eyes and mortgages. In the midnight hours I’d
sometimes peel back the gauze and poke it to see if still hurts."
’Trouble & Mercy’ will be available this summer/2008. Something different. Something Honest.
Cam Penner has continued to define his vocal style with a mature, confident, soulful quality that captures the listener’s attention.
“His songs, as laid out on "Felt Like a Sunday Night," manage to strike the kind of outlaw/compassion balance that can only come from jumping headlong into the grit of the real world, paying attention and having the talent to put it into words.”-Jim Beal/San Antonio Express News
“…his experiences on the road give these songs a legitimate feel that characterizes the best country/roots music.”-Uptown Magazine/Winnipeg
“…his songs of cold winters on the Canadian prairies, the solitude of distance and the lure of city life have an authenticity of experience that reinforces the old country soul of his songs.”–/Soundsxp, London, England
"Americana doesn’t have to come from America, and Canadians Cam Penner and The Gravel Road prove it beyond doubt."
-Clint Weathers, FrieghtTrainBoogie.com
"...There’s a freshness here outside comparisons that grabs me and demands attention."-David Obermann, Folkways, KUT, Austin, Texas
"Felt Like a Sunday Night, speaks or rather sings of an evolution both sonically and personally...it feels more like a Saturday night with the crunchy electric guitar lines and "riffs" tastefully handled. The infectious tempo and swampy electric guitars of Cam Penner’s song ’Rye Whiskey’ announced their arrival to my senses like a train rumbling through a sleepy town. The songs flow with ease between the instantly catchy country rockers like ’Rye Whiskey’ and ’Be Kind’ to the slow songs like ’No Stars’, a waltz reminiscent of Joe Henry with backing vocals by Victoria Williams."-BeatRoute, Tariq
"Penner’s distinctive presence as a singer-songwriter is absolutely intact and in fuller bloom."-Mary Lynn Wardle, FFWD Weekly
"Felt like a Sunday Night is a slice of pure Alberta Americana, which Penner bottles with his Lagavulin vocals, honest observations and hard-earned insights."-Mike Bell, Journalist, Entertainment Editor, Calgary Sun
Love the new ones, Cam. Your one of the greats. Sure hope your doing good, wish you'd come through California again sometime soon.. We miss you guys- Can't wait for the new album.. All the best, Louie.
Salut!!
Thanks for the add and for taking a listen....any comment or feedback would be great!..much appreciated!..i'm loving this time of year, i'm crazy busy today,anyways don't work too hard!!have a good Thursday!
Youna :)
hey bro dog, how are things? I'm sure you've been writing some nice tunes.. Tim and I finally ventured away from the those savage dogs, we have a new pad, life is good. You and Jen are always more than welcome to come out and hang... Give me a buzz....
Hi you.... how's the cd comin???? can't wait to hear it. Hope all is well and life is treating you well. When you gonna be in the states again, we miss you............... much love
