However, Appleton native Aaron Collis, 21, said he’s looking forward to the experience – even though it won’t be with his regular bandmates.

Mr. Collis, who is a member of the St. John’s-based folk group The Dardanelles, has hooked up with Newfoundland and Labrador native Kim Stockwood for eight of her 11 appearances promoting her new album, Back to the Water, starting Feb. 28 at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s.

“Playing with Kim is great, and I’m going to love to be able to tour Newfoundland and Labrador because I don’t get many opportunities to do it,” said Mr. Collis, who plays accordion as a member of The Dardanelles on Feller from Fortune on Ms. Stockwood’s newest album. The record features 11 songs which “all mean something” to her. Songs such as St. John’s Waltz, Now I’m 64 (with The Once), Squid Jiggin’ Ground, Thank God We’re Surrounded by Water (with her father, Leslie Stockwood), Let me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s (a personal favorite), The Cliffs of Baccalieu (her father’s request), and Ode to Newfoundland (with Damhnait Doyle).

“I find it a privilege to be asked, and I’m hoping to learn about the whole touring thing from a professional perspective. I think it’s going to be awesome.”

While he believes he’s getting the best end of the bow, so to speak, Ms. Stockwood has a different view.

“He has a gift. There’s not a lot of 80-year-olds that can play the accordion like the way he plays,” said Ms. Stockwood, noting she grew up listening to her father play accordion, so she feels confident in her evaluation.

“I’ve been very fortunate to meet a lot of accordion players in Newfoundland, but just being able to play with him is really incredible.”

The Newfoundland tour won’t be the first for the combination of the two, as Mr. Collis joined Ms. Stockwood for several shows in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

“He’s almost like my right-hand man for playing accordion,” said Ms. Stockwood, noting she also has hopes he will join her for some shows in British Columbia in March.

“The exciting part about it is that he doesn’t know how good he is, and what other instruments he can play. He’s a brilliant musician.”

While he’s excited about the eight shows with Ms. Stockwood, the one marked on his calendar for March 1 is extra special.

“I can’t remember the last time I played in Gander. I know it’s been quite awhile,” said Mr. Collis, referring to the tour’s stop at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre. “It’s going to be amazing, especially with my parents and friends able to come out and see the show.”

As for Ms. Stockwood, who moved to Toronto in 1992 to pursue her music career, and is known not only for her solo efforts but also for her time with Ms. Doyle and Tara MacLean in the pop group Shaye, the tour is a homecoming with a twist.

“The show mixes traditional Newfoundland songs that are on my new record, with some of my old songs with a twist,” she said, adding it will be the first time she will be onstage in her home province performing traditional folk songs.

“I’m not sure if I’m excited or scared to death. Either way, it’s a dream come true because I never really considered myself a ‘pop’ artist. My career didn’t start out with traditional Newfoundland songs, but I grew up with them, and my heart has always been on the old country/folk side.”

The opposite is true for Mr. Collis, a life-long traditional folk musician, who joins Ms. Stockwood on stage for a variety of her past pop songs.

“To have Aaron play mandolin on Jerk is fun. It’s not the music he grew up with, but he’s very, very versatile.”

While Mr. Collis spent studio time with Ms. Stockwood on her new album, he was also busy with his own band, as The Dardanelles released its second album, The Eastern Light, in December.

“We did a lot of digging around for the tunes for this because we wanted it to be traditional, but not the songs everyone really knew,” said Mr. Collis. “Producer John Doyle had a really strong influence in this album, and we’re really proud of the product.”

Mr. Collis said it took a long time to find the right 11 songs for the album, but only about two weeks to record the final product.

Also, in 2011, Mr. Collis and The Dardanelles played a festival in Australia, and he is doing some studio work with Juno-award winner Amelia Curran.

All of this, and he’s in his third year of Bachelor of Arts study at Memorial University.

by Ken Higgins, The Gander Beacon

Catch the full article here as well

Kim Stockwood doesn’t like to spend too much time away from her two small boys – but she’s heading ‘back to the water’ for her upcoming two-week provincial tour.

Stockwood is set to make 11 appearances across Newfoundland and Labrador, kickstarting Feb. 28 at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s.

“My kids are young, and I don’t want to be away that long, but Newfoundland is probably my favourite place to tour,” Stockwood said.

“I wish it was July, but hey, there’s another kind of beauty in touring Newfoundland in the winter, and Labrador.”

Stockwood will showcase her newest album, “Back to the Water,” which features 11 songs that the Newfoundland native said “all mean something” to her.

The songstress puts her own twist on some of the province’s oldest classics, like “St. John’s Waltz,” “Now I’m 64,” “Squid Jiggin’ Ground” and “Thank God We’re Surrounded by Water.”

“’The Cliffs of Baccalieu’ was a song that my Dad played on accordion,” she recalled.

“I heard it over and over when I was a kid. I didn’t know what it was, and I for sure didn’t know any of the words, but when I started to make this record, I knew I’d have to put it on.”

And even though Stockwood admits narrowing down her favourite tunes from home was no easy task, she said it didn’t take long for the new album to be her most treasured to date.

“I look back on some of the things I’ve done in my career and I go, ‘wow, did I actually do that? Was that me?’ And then all of a sudden I got to do this record and it instantly means more to me than anything I’ve ever done,” she said.

“It’s funny, (there’s) a friend of mine here in Toronto, I hadn’t seen her in ages and I gave her a record. And she called me and she said, ‘I don’t know why I’m crying, if it’s because of the music, or the liner notes.’”

This will be the first time Stockwood has done a provincial tour on her own in “a long, long time,” but she said she couldn’t think of a better place to showcase the new album.

“It’s the reason I did this,” she said. “I wanted to sing these songs at home, and who knows when I’ll get the chance again. I’m going to mix in some of the other stuff, and I’m excited about that. I’ve just started doing some of my earliest radio songs, and it’s really fun to sing them again.”

And one of the songs she’s particularly eager to share is the only original on the CD — and the album’s namesake — “Back to the Water.”

“I was almost shy to put it on the record because I just didn’t know if it stood up against all the time-tested classics…but you know, people really seem to like it, and it really is special for me to sing that song at home, because it really is about longing to be home,” she said.

Stockwood said she was “humbled” to have worked with other local musicians on the album, including The Once, The Dardanelles and long-time friend Damhnait Doyle.

“Some of those people I didn’t know when I made this record,” she said. “But it was Glen Tilley (producer) who brought all those people in, and I have to thank him for introducing me to all those great musicians.”

And Stockwood hinted she might even bring along some special guests for her appearances.

“I think there will be a lot of special appearances, and probably some surprise ones,” she said. “There are musicians everywhere – so if someone is reading this and they know how to play one of the songs on my record, get in touch and maybe we can get you a guest appearance!”

Congrats Kim!

A proud Newfoundlander, Kim Stockwood returns home to perform nine shows from February 28 – March 10 with her new album Back to the Water, a collection of folk songs from Newfoundland and Labrador. She is joined by recording artist Kevin Fox and Aaron Collis (The Dardanelles). Stockwood is making stops in St. John’s, Gander, Clarenville, Bonavista, Grand Falls-Windsor, Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook and Stephenville.

“This is the record I have wanted to make since I first started singing, and you must do what you love,” says Stockwood. Back to the Water was produced by CBC Radio’s Glen Tilley and recorded in Newfoundland and features some of the finest musicians and songwriters from across the province. Folk favourites from the album include the Ron Hynes classic, “St. John’s Waltz,” and “Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s,” with one original co-write, the title track “Back to the Water,” co-written by Stockwood with with Damhnait Doyle, another Newfoundland native.

Stockwood was nominated for three MusicNL awards this past November, including Female Artist and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Her album Back to the Water was nominated for Folk/Roots Album of the Year.

For tour dates and more information about Kim Stockwood and Back to the Water, please visit www.kimstockwood.com.

Back to the Water NL Tour Dates

Tuesday, February 28
LSPU Hall
3 Victoria Street
St. John’s, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: www.rca.nf.ca
Box Office: (709) 753-4531 ext. 200

Thursday, March 1
Gander Arts & Culture Centre
155 Airport Boulevard
Gander, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: www.artsandculturecentre.com
Box office: (709) 256-1081

Friday, March 2
Clarenville Events Centre
15 Blackmore Ave.
Clarenville, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
www.clarenvilleeventscentre.com

Saturday, March 3
The Garrick Theatre
18-20 Church Street
Bonavista, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
www.garricktheatre.ca

Sunday, March 4
Grand Falls-Windsor Arts & Culture Centre
Cromer Ave
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: www.artsandculturecentre.com
Box office: (709) 292-4518

Wednesday, March 7
Labrador City Arts & Culture Centre
503 Hudson Dr
Labrador City, Newfoundland
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: www.artsandculturecentre.com
Box office: (709) 944-7132

Thursday, March 8
The O’Brien Arts Centre
15-21 Voisey Drive
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
Box Office: (709) 896-4028

Friday, March 9
Corner Brook Arts & Culture
PO Box 100 University Drive
Corner Brook, NL
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: www.artsandculturecentre.com
Box office: (709) 637-2580

Saturday, March 10
Stephenville Arts & Culture Centre
380 Massachusetts Drive
Stephenville , NL
Show: 8:00 PM
Tickets: www.artsandculturecentre.com
Box office: (709) 643-4553

BUY TICKETS HERE

A member of the Juno-nominated pop group Shaye until its 2009 break-up, Kim Stockwood’s solo work was what brought her acclaim in the first place. Having released Back to the Water—her first solo album in five years, consisting largely of her favourite Newfoundland-penned songs—this past March, and with upcoming shows around the capital city, Stockwood took the time to talk about her latest endeavour.

Vue Weekly: How long did it take to make Back to the Water from the initial songwriting through to the end of the recording?

Kim Stockwood: Well I guess it took 10 years, and a lifetime in a way. I’ve always dreamed of doing it. The only original on Back to the Water was started about 10 years ago and only finished during the recording.

VW: When you were writing the songs, did you come at them in a particular way? Lyrics first? Music first?

KS: I only wrote a handful of songs for the record. Only one original made it. Every song is different, some start with lyrics some with music.

VW: What were the recording sessions like for this album? Is this the kind of thing you recorded live off the floor or did you piece it together one track at a time? Why?

KS: The recording was an incredible experience. It took us over seven months to finish. We had to do it in bits and pieces because I live in Toronto and I was pretty adamant that everything was done in St John’s. A lot was done off the floor and then other tracks added.

VW: Were there any other songs written that were left off the album?

KS: There was one original that was left off, I guess because it wasn’t 100 percent finished. Sometimes songs are not ready to be recorded. But I know it will be some day.

VW: How did you decide which songs to include on the album? Did you have an idea of what you wanted Back to the Water to be when you started, or did the finished shape emerge as the writing and recording went along?

KS: Choosing the songs for this record was the most difficult thing. I wanted to record my favourite Newfoundland songs and there were so many! They all revealed themselves in some way, we tried a whole bunch and some just didn’t sound right or just didn’t work out. I knew I wanted this record to be the most acoustic record I’ve ever done. I’m very thankful it turned out the way it did!

VW: You tapped Glen Tilley to produce the album. What drew you to him and what did he bring to the process?

KS: I’d known Glen Tilley through his work with CBC Radio for years. Always respected him and his work. My manager suggested him and I’m so glad she did. I trusted him completely with these songs. Recording songs that have been recorded a lot over the years is a difficult task. I loved his vision. It would have been a far different record if he wasn’t the producer.

VW: If you were to trace the musical map that led you to Back to the Water, what would it look like?

KS: Wow, cool question. I guess in a lot of ways I have gone right back to the beginning. The first song I ever demoed was “The St John’s Waltz” [and] it was the first song I recorded for this record. With every record I’ve made I knew I wanted to do something more and more acoustic/voice based. With Shaye, my favourite songs were those that were a bit more traditional/roots based. I think one of the best things about getting older is that you know what you want to do. I’m so happy I got to make this record the way I did.                         

St. Albert Gazette – December 7, 2011:

“In Newfoundland, we had salt fish on Christmas Eve with 14 kinds of bread. No vegetables. I know it sounds kind of weird. But in the last couple of years my Uncle Harold has been making chilli,” laughs Kim Stockwood.

Born on the Rock, the Toronto-based singer loves to reminisce of the home she left behind to pursue a singing career. In fact, in March 2011, she released her fourth album, Back to the Water, a foray that closely plumbs her roots.

Read full article here

ShareEdmonton.ca – December 8, 2011

“Multi-award winning Newfoundland artist Kim Stockwood is recognized as a solo singer/songwriter, as well as for her work with the pop group Shaye. She has an impressive musical track record with smash hits like “Jerk”, “12 Years Old” and “Happy Baby”. “I Love Santa” is a collection of holiday standards performed live by this irresistible artist. Kim’s rich, warm vocals and signature comedic style are sure to bring holiday cheer to Fort Saskatchewan.”

Read full article here

No matter how you feel about the jolly fat man in red, pop-country artist Kim Stockwood’s feelings are clear as she brings her I Love Santa show to the Shell Theatre next Thursday.

While the show is largely based around the music from Stockwood’s 2006 I Love Santa album, she explained there will be much more to the show.

“It’s not just I love Santa,” she said. “It’s I love Newfoundland; I love Patsy Cline; just I love singing really.”

That second part about Newfoundland may seem like an oddity, but it’s a perfect fit for Stockwood, who began by singing in pubs in her native St. John’s.

That love of her native home was proven earlier this year when she released Back to the Water, a collection of traditional Newfie tunes.

The album was followed by a Country Music Television special of the same name, and Stockwood makes no attempts at hiding her heritage.

“I don’t think anything could take [Newfoundland] out of me,” she said. “I just grew up around that music all the time.”

Although Newfoundland’s musical heritage is part of what inspired her, Stockwood admitted that’s not the music that made her famous.

Instead, she became known for the kind of pop-country that makes its way past the borders of country music radio into the mainstream, thanks largely to hits Jerk and 12 Years Old in the mid-1990s and to her time in pop group Shaye through the 2000s.

“I think that’s just life,” she said. “When I got the recording publishing deal, I just started writing with different people.

Her talents, combined with the skills of those around her, led Stockwood to where she is now, an award-winning musician who has dabbled in radio and television.

“I’m thankful for everything that’s happened to me with no regrets,” she said, noting she’s now at the place where she can pick and choose her projects.

“There’s a certain liberation with that.

“Next, I’m doing an old torch country record,” she said, adding she hopes to do a children’s album following that, which was partly inspired by her own two children.

As for her appearance here in Fort Saskatchewan, Stockwood said, “It’s a Christmas show. There’s definitely a retro Christmas kind of feel.

“I don’t get to sing these songs year round,” she explained, adding the annual show gives her a welcome change of pace.

“I just love Christmas music. It just reminds me of all the old crooners.”

Joining Stockwood will be multi-instrumentalist Kevin Fox – who has worked with the likes of Chantal Kreviazuk, Tom Cochrane and Celine Dion – and Tim Bovaconti – who’s performed with Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith and Burton Cummings.

“They’re fabulous musicians,” Stockwood said. “I’m lucky I get them for some shows around Christmas.”

Kim Stockwood’s I Love Santa show runs next Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Shell Theatre. Tickets are available at the box office, through Ticketmaster or by calling 780-992-6400.

Kim Stockwood’s “I Love Santa” concert (Dec. 8, 7:30pm) at the Shell Theatre promises to be a holiday classic that audiences will remember for many years. This east coast songbird effortlessly delivers a heartwarming, Christmas showcase filled with her signature vocals and a comedic style that will captivate you.

The music of “I Love Santa” evokes memories of another time – the music transporting you… to Radio City Music Hall, to Dean Martin’s Vegas showroom, and back to your favorite festive memory. Stockwood, the woman who brought you the commercial hits “Jerk” and “12 years old” has fashioned a sincere and heartfelt tribute to the musical standards of Christmas past. From the smile of Elvis on “Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me,” to the tender hopefulness of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” Kim owns every note with feeling and style. Her thoughtful selection of material results in both a salute to time gone by and a vibrant introduction of holiday classics to a contemporary audience.

Concert goers will also be able to enjoy a magical stroll through the Enchanted Forest exhibit in the lobby. During intermission, the Fort Radio U22 Stage will feature another young and emerging vocal act, the Command Sisters. Tickets: $29.50 Adults, $27.50 Seniors/Students, $5 eyeGO to the Arts. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster 1.855.985.5000 or at the Dow Centennial Centre in person or by phone 780.992.6400.