- David Gogo
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David Gogo 
Background information Born March 18, 1969 Genres Blues, Rock Instruments Guitar Labels Cordova Bay Records[1] Website http://www.davidgogo.com/ David Gogo (born March 18, 1969), is a Canadian blues guitarist who is currently signed to the Cordova Bay Records label.
David Gogo is the cousin of Trooper keyboardist Paul Gogo.
Contents
History
Gogo was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and received his first guitar at the age of five. At the age of 15, he met Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage at the Royal Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia and was encouraged by the blues legend to pursue a career in blues. By the age of 16, he was getting regular work as a musician. Gogo formed a band called The Persuaders, which eventually opened for blues performers such as Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins. After a European tour supporting The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gogo signed a solo record deal with EMI Records.[2] He soon after performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with the likes of B.B. King, Otis Rush and Blues Traveler. He also guested on Tom Cochrane's Mad Mad World album while working on material for his upcoming debut album. The album David Gogo was released to critical acclaim and received a nomination for a Juno Award.
Despite its many successes, Gogo's debut album was never released in the United States, and Gogo made the decision to leave EMI Records in order to pursue his passion for the blues. His next album, "Dine Under the Stars", was released in Europe by French label Dixiefrog Records. He also signed with Canadian Independent label Ragged Pup/Cordova Bay Records. Several successful European tours and American blues festival appearances followed, as well as the albums "Change of Pace" (a rock-oriented blues album) and "Bare Bones" (an acoustic blues album) in 2000. Gogo was named Musician of the Year at the 1999/2000 West Coast Music Awards.
"Halfway to Memphis" was released by Cordova Bay Records and Dixiefrog Records (Europe) in 2001. The first single from the album "Skeleton Key" - the song Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode - was released in the summer of 2002. Gogo's bluesy rendition of Personal Jesus garnered him an award for Guitarist of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards for 2002.[3]
The special "Live At Deer Lake: Official Bootleg Series - Volume 1" was released in 2003. It is a live recording of songs mostly found on "Skeleton Key", recorded just outside Vancouver in Deer Lake (British Columbia). The album was nominated for a Juno Award in Canada.
Gogo's eighth album, entitled "Vibe", is a compilation of original songs written with the likes of Tom Wilson, Craig Northey (Odds/Colin James) and John Capek. "Vibe" was released in 2004 and showcases Gogo's vocal strengths and guitar skills on songs like "I'll Do Anything" and "300 Pound Shoes". Renowned blues guitarist Jeff Healey makes a guest appearance with a guitar solo on "She's All Right". In 2004 Gogo also made a guest appearance on Bob Walsh's album "Bob Walsh Live – A Canadian Blues Rendez-Vous". He received his second Guitarist of the Year award at the Maple Blues Awards for 2004.[4]
In 2006, Gogo released another acoustic blues album as part of his Bootleg Series. "Acoustic: Official Bootleg Series - Volume 2" features the rich tones of Gogo's 1930 National Steel guitar as well as his 1915 Gibson and a modern day 12-string. "Acoustic" was nominated for a Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year.
In 2008, Gogo's music was featured in the Steven Seagal movie Kill Switch.[5]
Gogo's tenth album was recorded in his own home in Nanaimo, British Columbia. "Different Views" was produced by Juno-nominated producer Russell Broom (Jann Arden, Sam Roberts, The Dudes) with guests Shaun Verrault (Wide Mouth Mason), roots diva Carolyn Mark, and jazz great Phil Dwyer. "Different Views" was released in July 2009.
Gogo's most recent album is titled "Soul Bender", named after the Fulltone guitar pedal of the same name. The album was released in June 2011. It is a combination of original songs and covers, including "The Changeling" by The Doors and "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson.
Discography
Solo
- 1994 David Gogo (Capitol/EMI)
- 2000 Dine Under the Stars (Ragged Pup/Cordova Bay Records)<
- 2000 Bare Bones (Ragged Pup/Cordova Bay Records)
- 2000 Change of Pace (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2001 Halfway to Memphis (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2002 Skeleton Key (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2003 Live At Deer Lake: Official Bootleg Series Vol. 1 (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2004 Vibe (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2006 Acoustic: Official Bootleg Series Vol. 2 (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2009 Different Views (Cordova Bay Records)
- 2011 Soul-Bender (Cordova Bay Records)[6]
Compilation Inclusions
References
- ^ Distributed by Fontana North
- ^ "Tom Demalon, All Music, from All Music Guide". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-gogo-p80571.
- ^ "Toronto Blues Society - Maple Blues Awards Archive 2002". http://torontobluessociety.com/archive/maple-blues-awards/2002-maple-blues-awards-winners-and-nominees/.
- ^ "Toronto Blues Society - Maple Blues Awards Archive 2004". http://torontobluessociety.com/archive/maple-blues-awards/2004-maple-blues-awards-winners-and-nominees/.
- ^ "IMDb.com". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1107859/soundtrack.
- ^ "Cordova Bay Records". http://www.cordovabay.com/artist_main.php?cat=3.
- ^ Being live recordings from the CBC radio program Saturday Night Blues, hosted by Holger Petersen. Gogo's "Things Are About to Change", originally recorded on Live At Deer Lake, is included.
External links
Categories:- Canadian blues guitarists
- 1969 births
- Musicians from British Columbia
- Living people
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