Ariel was Stan Rogers’ wife. She has overseen the legacy left behind in the wake of his tragic death and is pleased to be taking part in this evening, paying tribute to his music. An actress and a musician in her own right, she has spent many years on stage and behind the wings in countless productions for community theatre in the Hamilton-Wentworth area. She has four very talented children who have brought her much joy, including the gift of four wonderful grand-daughters. Ariel is now married to singer-songwriter Scott Cameron Smith.

Scott Cameron Smith is a singer and songwriter from Dundas, Ontario.  He was the lead vocalist and a founding member of the award-winning Celtic band Poor Angus. He is a published songwriter, and a seasoned performer spanning 30 years in the music industry both on stage and behind the scenes. Scott has appeared many times in the Stan Rogers Tribute shows that were an annual event at Hugh’s Room Live in Toronto. Welcome back, Scott!

Tannis Slimmon grew up in a large musical family on a farm in Manitoba and moved to Guelph, Ontario in 1980 where she soon became known on the Canadian music scene as a member of the critically acclaimed Bird Sisters. Her exceptional voice “full of gentle grace and unobtrusive dignity” (Penguin Eggs) can be heard on more than 100 albums including those by Willie P. Bennett, Valdy, David Francey and rheostatics. In 2008, she received the CFMA’s Contemporary Vocalist of the Year for her second solo album ‘Lucky Blue’.

Paul was Stan’s record producer and a close friend.  He was also a guitar player on Stan’s albums appearing under the pseudonym of “Curly Boy Stubbs”. He has been a key figure in Canada’s folk music scene for almost 50 years. He produced the national CBC Radio folk music program, “Touch the Earth” with Sylvia Tyson in the late seventies. As a record producer he has produced over 200 albums with artists such as Stan, Sharon, Lois & Bram and Ron Hynes. He has also been an active performer and a leader in the folk community. He is the past Chair of the Home County Board and has served on several other Boards over the years. In recognition of his work, Paul was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada.

James Keelaghan is the complete artist. A brilliant tunesmith who is one of the most engaging performers of our time. You always know the journey with James is going to be great, you just never know what all the destinations are. His masterful story telling is the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan nominations and awards and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia.

Allison Lupton is an acclaimed singer-songwriter “…with a voice as clear as a country stream.”  Allison’s love of traditional music led her in 1990 to help form the band Killiecrankie which was regularly heard on CBC Radio’s legendary Max Ferguson Show.  She has since recorded 4 solo CDs and in 2015 was awarded Folk Music Ontario’s Songs From Heart Grand Prize for her song “One More Day”.  Allison has been honoured with nominations by the Canadian Folk Music Awards including most recently (2020) “Traditional Singer of the Year”.

Multi instrumentalist, and indefatigable, Tom Leighton brings sophisticated colours and novel arrangements to his music that few musicians can match including playing three instruments at the same time! As a solo recording artist, Tom’s “Leighton Tendencies”, and “Leighton Life”, are projects starring his own compositions and arrangements” …. featuring the writing skills and musical dexterity of this wonderful musician.” Whole Note Magazine He has written numerous chorale and stage band arrangements for schools and choirs including Toronto’s Amadeus Choir. He has arranged for many Canadian folk artists. Tom is thrilled to be invited, once again, to accompany such talented soloists and revisit Stan’s wonderful songs. Many thanks to Paul.

Shane Cook is a Canadian and US National fiddle champion. Noted by The Canadian Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame as one of the “finest fiddlers in the world today,” Shane is also a multi-instrumentalist who has distinguished himself as a master of the Canadian old-time fiddle tradition. Shane leads his own band, Shane Cook & The Woodchippers, and performs with The Allison Lupton Band; the PBS hit, Bowfire; and Grammy-nominee, Claire Lynch Band. Several of Shane’s recordings have received CFMA and ECMA nominations, so be on the look out for Shane’s newest record at his release concert in London this fall.

David Woodhead has a wide-ranging musical appetite that always brings energy to his work both as accompanist and with his playful and rambunctious Confabulation band. In the late 70s he contributed to Stan Rogers’ first two LPs and many live festival and coffeehouse performances, having previously toured with Perth County Conspiracy. Since then he has appeared on well over 250 recordings, including three of his own, and appeared at innumerable venues across Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, working with innovative artists including Oliver Schroer, James Keelaghan, Scott Merritt, Gil Scott-Heron, David Sanborn, and Brent Titcomb.