Local 1000 AFM

The Traveling Musicians Union

Central U.S.

BIll Garrett

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Bill Garrett is a musician, producer and occasional songwriter. Involved in folk music for decades, he has performed internationally, recorded several albums both solo, and with partner Sue Lothrop and has produced some 65 albums for other artists. Until its sale in 2021 He was a partner in Borealis Records. He has sat on the boards of Folk Alliance International, the Canadian Folk Music Awards and  Folk Music Canada. He is a proud recipient of Folk Music Ontario’s Estelle Klein Award with whom he had the privilege of working on the Mariposa Folk Festival.  Prior to Borealis he worked for several years as a music and program producer at CBC Radio. He currently stays busy in the studio producing other artists including James Keelaghan, Mamas Broke, Shelley Posen and The Durham County Poets. When not producing others he performs and records with his wife Sue Lothrop.

Dave Hawkins

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Dave has been touring, recording and performing for 40+ years.

When not on the road Dave lives in Galloway Ohio spending time with his kids and grandkids.

He’s a former Executive Board Member of Local 1000 and Solidarity Committee Chair. Dave became a Local 1000 Pensioner in 2023!

Valdy, aka Paul-Valdemar Horsdal

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Valdy is a troubadour, a travelling folksinger, still digging it immenely after more than fifty years on the road; he says he is still learning and curious. More data is available from his website: www.valdy.com

Valdy has played for 60,000 (Rick Hansen’s Homecoming) and for 60 (house concerts); the skill he has developed as a guitarist is becoming legendary, and his voice seems to be getting better with the years, something that working 200 gigs a year can do.

Valdy has a long history of festival performances, has taught songwriting at many camps, and encourages participation of audiences in a gentle yet effective manner.

He’s the real deal: an advocate, an artist and a motivator for positive change., and he’s an experienced entertainer. Please contact his agent, Charlie Jacklin at Lunar Productions (charlie@lunarproductions.ca), or contact Valdy through Local 1000 and local 247, as he maintains membership in both.

Chris Jones

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Singer/songwriter and leader of the original bluegrass and Americana band Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, based in both Canada and the U.S., recording for Mountain Home records. He and the band have scored 24 #1 songs on the bluegrass charts and have won 11 IBMA awards. Chris is a widely heard and award-winning SiriusXM program host.

Heather Dale

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Heather Dale’s original Celtic music explores world legends and history. She finds contemporary themes within old material, and fuses folk traditions with blues, jazz, and world music influences. Often compared to Loreena McKennitt and Sarah McLachlan, Dale’s rich vocals are paired with more than a dozen folk instruments in live performances with multi-instrumentalist Ben Deschamps. In her 25+ year career, she’s released 18 studio albums, 5 live albums, 3 songbooks and a full-length musical theatre work based on the King Arthur legend titled “Queens of Avalon.” She and Ben have played 1500+ shows across 3 continents, and together they run the musician-friendly OnlineConcertThing.com music platform. Heather & Ben have been proud Local 1000 members since 2011. 

Ben Deschamps

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Multi-instrumentalist Ben Deschamps plays regularly with Celtic artist Heather Dale, and also tours internationally as a side musician for other folk and blues acts. Ben’s long recording career includes producing and/or engineering over 40 albums, and running live sound for performances. Ben Deschamps and Heather Dale have played 1500+ shows across 3 continents. Together they run the musician-friendly OnlineConcertThing.com music platform. Ben has been a proud Local 1000 member since 2011.

Daniel Boling

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Balladeer / Songwriter based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and touring the U.S. and abroad full-time. In addition to being a touring solo artist, Daniel is a member of the 1960s folk trio The Limeliters and the group remains active. 2023 CD release on Berkalin Records — “New Old Friends” — a collaboration with Tom Paxton.
Former Western Regional Representative for Local 1000.