These days, Mark Crissinger is living on Vancouver Island, which makes it easier for him to perform this Saturday at Joe’s Garage in Courtenay.
He has created a one-man show that combines acoustic and electric guitars with the occasional harmonica solo. Crissinger performs his original songs from two decades of songwriting plus lots of folk-blues and pub favourites.
Crissinger, journeyman guitarist and songwriter, has released his first solo effort Fear No Journey under the name The Bluebudzz. A veteran of the Canadian club and festival circuit, he has played more than 2,500 shows Canada-wide.
The CD was recorded in September 2009 with the help of Hamilton producer-engineer Carl Jennings and a solid backing band of Canadian sidemen. Fear No Journey is a collection of folk-rock songs that describe the life journey of an enduring performer and songwriter.
Known for his exciting and tasteful guitar playing that evokes the spirits of BB King, JJ Cale, Johnny Winter, Dickey Betts and Eric Clapton, Crissinger performs a vast repertoire of classic ’70s folk, rock and blues and has a storied history as one of Canada’s most versatile guitar players.
Between 1989 and 1994, his rock band Sweet Jones earned early success and signed a deal with EMI Music. They were recognized for their songwriting talents and excellent stage show. The band toured extensively throughout Canada and the U.S. and disbanded after two albums.
Crissinger then became a regular on the Ontario blues scene, jamming with the likes of Burton Cummings, Hawk and Donnie Walsh, Tony D, the Sidemen, Jack DeKeyzer, Jeff Healey, Pat Rush, Rob Quail, Jerome Godboo and Gordie Johnson.
In 1995, he joined blues-rock-psychedelic quintet Caution Jam. Developing a strong following across Canada, they released two original CDs and performed a 600-song repertoire of originals, classic rock and folk-rock covers.
In July of 2007, Crissinger said goodbye to his Ontario roots and Caution Jam fans with a sold-out farewell party in Toronto and relocated to Gibsons. There he worked out new material and played solo acoustic gigs up and down the Pacific Coast.
Advance tickets are available at Bop City Records. Once you have obtained your ticket, you may reserve a seat for dinner by using the form on the website at www.joeson5th.ca.
The kitchen opens at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 this Saturday.
— Joe's Garage