Bert J. Cantin Thunder Bay, Ontario
Instruments
Bands
2006-present Scott Skirving & Skyward (lead Guitar, Vocals)
2002-present Wind Dancer (Bass & lead Guitar, Vocals)
2005-present Shadow Junction (Guitar, Vocals) as needed
2004-present Dream Catcher (Bass, lead Guitar, Vocals) as needed
2005 Tea Time Drive (Bass, Vocals)
2003 Smokin' Totem (Guitar, Vocals)
1999-2004 Plain Brown Wrapper (lead Guitar, Vocals)
90's Scott Skirving & Skyward (lead Guitar, Vocals)
The Steamers (Guitar, Vocals) Wild Weasel (lead Guitar, Vocals) Little Thunder (lead Guitar, Vocals) Ward 8 (lead Guitar, Vocals)
Biography
Song Writing: Has written over 200 songs and recorded (demo) 30.
Influences: Kailee Cantin, Birdie Cantin Sr., Robert Cantin Sr., Roy Cantin Sr., Johnny Cash, Brad Bruyere, Rolling Stones, Brent Mason, Billy Joe Green, Gerry McIvor, Vince Gill, Gary Borden, Frank Tyance, Bogdan Blazevic...
Playing since: 7 or 8 years old he and his brother Robert began making crude guitars fashioned from their father's fur stretching boards and different sizes of fishing line. His father bought a Yasuma acoustic a year or two later. (buying a Guitar was cheaper than replacing the boards). His father Birdie Cantin Sr. and mother Joyce Cantin showed the boys the first few chords, since then they are self taught.
First Gig: Grade 8 Christmas Concert at Wabigoon Public School. Played two Christmas songs, parodies (Bert wrote the lyrics) with Ray Norris on Drums. Originally the act was to be six piece but just before their scheduled time slot anxiety go the better of most of the band leaving only Bert and Ray to do the show. The performance was well received and provided Bert with his first exposure to live performing.
First Professional Gig: at 14 years old played lead Guitar for "Country Rock", with Bill Parenteau, Bob Gardner and Roger Grouette. When Bert started with this band he really didn't have allot of the skills that were required but he had the drive so these guys kept him around and afforded him the chance to learn. Since then Bert has been fortunate to have shared the stage with many talented people and he credits all of them with contributing to his musical abilities. This list includes Kailee Cantin, Birdie Cantin Sr., Joyce Cantin, Roy Cantin Sr., Robert Cantin Sr., Robert Cantin Jr., Roger Borden, Gary Borden, George Borden, Jeannette Denby, Ken Denby, Steve Denby, Chris Denby, Frank Tyance, Derek Donio, Gerry McIvor, Joe McIvor, Richard McIvor, Brad Bruyere, Tom Bruyere, Billy Joe Green, Jimmy Morningstar, Ronald "Dooby" Jacques, Stan Indian, Tom "Sack" Indian, Charles Terris, Wayne Chartrand, Kurt Savinkoff, Sonny Bandura, Paul Hampton, Paul Huetley, Waylon Melonson, Scott Jacobson, REDACTED, Arden Bruyere, Peter Santorelli, Marty Coates, Sheldon "Buzz" Gardner, Frank Gerula, Tina Reed, Scott Connell, Steve Lalonde, Grant Turner, Kevin "IZ" Iserhoff, Larry "Cobra" Richards, Scott Skirving, Calvin Skead, Nick Skead, Chris Skead, Gordon Jourdain and last for now, but not least, Bogdan Blazevic.
This list if it included everybody who taught him something would crash the internet, Bert says thank you to all ....
Since Then: Over the years Bert has continued to perform live onstage with many different acts and has also spent many hours in the recording studio as an artist, studio musician, engineer and producer. He has also picked up the computer skills necessary to provide setup and graphic services to artists who are preparing their own work for market.
Current: At present Bert is doing gigs around the Thunder Bay area with his good friend of many years Frank Tyance and Wind Dancer. This 3 piece group also includes Grant Turner. Together, they can be seen at local clubs performing traditional, classic country and 50's rock-n-roll.
Future: On the the horizon, Bert is looking forward to a reunion of sorts. A few years back Bert played regionally and "on the road" with Scott Skirving and Skyward. Scott is back with new material and has asked Bert to again join him on Guitar. Sounds like fun. Other than that, he say he is, "still learning".