ALAN DOYLE SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA
ALAN DOYLE SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA
GREAT BIG SEA FRONTMAN TO RELEASE SOLO DEBUT, BOY ON BRIDGE, MAY 15
(27 MARCH 2012 – TORONTO, ON) – Alan Doyle, actor, producer, and best-known as lead singer for Newfoundland’s beloved Great Big Sea these past near-20 years, is about to release his first solo album, Boy On Bridge, this May 15, on Universal Music Canada (UMC), the country’s leading music company. The release was announced today by Doyle and Randy Lennox, President & CEO of UMC.
“It's scary stepping out from under the GBS blanket,” admits Doyle. “It's been quite a comfortable place to lie for almost two decades. Although my duties there go on, it’s also exciting and re-energizing to learn new tricks, even for an old dog like me. I’m looking forward to bringing my solo music to fans existing and new, as well as partnering with Randy’s team at Universal, who have made me feel as one of the family.”
Says Lennox, “We at Universal are excited to begin our relationship with Alan. His work has always epitomized craft, integrity, and unique spirit. This is only magnified in Boy On Bridge and we’re delighted to be associated with this launch of the newest phase of his career.”
Boy On Bridge was recorded in studios around the world, with collaborators such as Canadian stars Colin James, Hawksley Workman and Jim Cuddy, joined by Nashville pros Troy Verges and Kelly Archer, while long-time co-conspirator Gordie Sampson helped write and record some of the album’s finest material. Friends from the movie and TV worlds, Russell Crowe and Mike Post, also lent their hands to co-writing and recording.
Alan Doyle hails from Petty Harbour, NL, and formed Great Big Sea in 1993 along with Sean McCann, Bob Hallett, and Darrell Power; in which they fused traditional Newfoundland music with their own pop sensibilities. Their nine albums and two DVD releases have been declared Gold or Platinum and have sold a combined 1.2 million copies in Canada.
Boy On Bridge could be seen as a departure for Alan but it’s also very much a continuation of his own musical traditions. The album is both a labour of love and a major artistic statement. While his branches extend around the globe, Alan Doyle’s roots remain firmly in their soil.
Select Canadian concert dates have been announced today, with more to come.
Alan Doyle Canadian tour dates:
May 23 –Vancouver– Rio Theatre May 24 –Calgary– Grand Theatre May 25 –Edmonton– Starlite May 26 –Saskatoon– Odeon Events Centre May 27 –Winnipeg– Garrick May 31 –Toronto– Mod Club June 02 –Montreal– l’Astral June 08 –Moncton– Capitol Theatre June 09 –Halifax– Casino Nova Scotia