Canadiana / Americana best describes the music of Canadian singer-songwriter, Barry James Payne.

Well worn by the rumble of the road, Canadian singer-songwriter Barry James Payne and his “North” Americana band, String Bone, bring his true life narratives close to the ear with tender arrangements and gruff sincerity. With a mix of folk, blues, country, rock, and other contemporary and traditional elements, his sound is both fluid and solid, thus true to its name.

His last record, ’Love & Highways’ (2016) drives through darkness, betrayal and remorse towards love, light, escape, and freedom on the road ahead, with Payne at the wheel. Born in London, Ontario, surrounded by tobacco and corn farms and some of the richest fields in the world, Payne had to get out of Dodge at an early age. Beginning at age 17, he hitchhiked and travelled West across Canada from his hometown a half dozen times to Canada’s West Coast – back and forth for about 4 years. Eventually he settled there and further travelled down the West Coast of the US as far as LA and to 15 other states, and has travelled or toured England, France, Spain, Greece, Holland & Germany.

Payne’s dedication to music sparked his 10-year running concert series ‘String Bone Presents!’ Producing over 100 shows, bringing the best of Canadian and US folk-roots to the stage at various venues in his hometown of Stratford, ON. Artists such as Danny Michel, Mary Gauthier, Fred Eaglesmith, Madison Violet, Luke Doucet, Eliza Gilkyson, Lynn Miles, and Romi Mayes among many others took the stage at this highly anticipated, annual performance series.

In 2018, Payne along with bluesman, Rick Taylor, co-produced a series of shows across Southern Ontario & Toronto as a tribute to Canadian Folk legend, Payne’s song-writing idol and Taylor’s long-time good friend, Willie P. Bennett. Guests included Russell deCarle, Tannis Slimmon, Linda McRae, Deni Gauthier, Paul Langille, Lynne Hanson, and many more.

His first full length CD ‘nadir’ was called as diverse as Lucinda Williams, Jay Farrar, Wilco, Dylan, Steve Earle, Nick Lowe, and Elvis Costello by reviewers. From that same record, String Bone’s song ‘Midnight Train’ was in regular rotation on ABC Country – The Australia Broadcasting Corporation’s national country station for several months. He cites Willie P. Bennett as a major influence along with Dylan, Young, Costello, and Cohen. Payne also performs and records with other musical projects including Celtic powerhouse ‘Rant Maggie Rant’ and with roots duo ‘Payne & Taylor,’ alongside Rick Taylor (Willie P. Bennett, Stan Rogers, Colleen Peterson).

Special Thanks to: Victor Rose Photography. https://www.victorrosephoto.com/ 

WELCOME TO THE AEOLIAN PHOENIX SESSIONS

The Aeolian Phoenix Sessions take centre stage… in the comfort of your own home. Every month we premier at least four productions recorded at Aeolian’s studios or in the artist’s home.

The Aeolian Phoenix Sessions are intended to provide patrons with a cross-section of the music going experience. From classical to jazz, rock to country, and bluegrass to folk, the Sessions aim to bring music back into your home and heart.

Interested in one show only? Trust us: you’ll like what you see. Try the Phoenix Sessions all month and experience a few productions that you might never have seen in person.

Our goal was to reignite live music and get artists on stage, technicians behind the soundboard and our patrons on their feet listening to extraordinary talent in extraordinary times.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Membership to the Phoenix Sessions is $20 per month (automatically recurring) and you select the productions you wish to enjoy.

Though membership renews automatically, patrons must validate their membership number every month to receive an access code for each new set of productions by email. This process is not automatic. Patrons will receive their first access code immediately upon registration. An access code is only good for one calendar month. Validation instructions are contained in the Membership tab on this page, in our weekly newsletter and in the monthly rollover announcement sent by the Aeolian Box Office.

We do not have a multi-viewer pass. If you plan to safely watch with friends or family, please consider donating to further offset the costs associated with these productions.

Tickets to individual productions are not available.

If you do not intend to subscribe for longer than one month, refunds will not be provided to patrons who forget to cancel their membership or who have not read the terms and conditions: membership renewal is automatic every 30 days. This information is noted on every ticketing page, on event pages and marketing, on event posters and in our weekly newsletter. It is important to read information carefully before joining so as to not misunderstand how membership works.

Upon registration and after monthly validation, you will receive a confirmation email including a link that you will use each time you wish to view a performance. Save that link… or follow instructions at www.aeolianhall.ca/phoenix to receive it again.

Shows will be available on the date and time specified on Aeolian’s website.