Bill Usher
Bill Usher | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Musician (percussionist), producer, record label executive |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, bongos, congas |
| Years active | 1970s to present |
| Labels | Kids Records, Elephant Records |
| Formerly of | Truck, Turin |
Bill Usher is an award-winning Canadian drummer and percussionist. During the 1970s he was a member of the rock group Truck.
Background
He played on Bob McBride's Sea of Dreams album that was released in 1973.[1]
As a producer he produced artist Mark Rust, whose recording won Calf Audio their 3rd Crown PZM competition.[2] In 1986, he became a member of the CARAS nominating and voting committee.[3]
He was also the president of Kids Records, a Toronto-based record label.[4]
Career
1970s
For a brief period he was a member of Truck and played bongos and congas on their 1973 self-titled album.[5][6] In March, 1977, Usher was part of Bruce Cockburn's band which also included musicians, Vob Bouchier on string bass and Pat Godfrey on keyboards. Cockburn and his band had embarked on a two and a half month Canadian tour beginning at the Playhouse in Fredericton on the 20th of February that year.[7] The tour which was described by Billboard as extensive was completed prior to June that year.[8] He played on Cockburn's Circles in the Stream album. In the Cash Box February 28, 1978 issue, the reviewer said that percussionist Usher supplies the spice.[9]
1980s
He produced the The Travellers' Merry Go Round album which was recorded at The Grange in Toronto and released on elephant Records LFN-80-03 in 1980.[10]
In 1985, he was in the group Tuin which also Cheryl Hurwitz, Dave Maddox and Christopher Woitach.[11]
According to the June 28, 1986 article in Billboard, his company Kids Records had decided to cut it's distribution deal with A&M Records because it was more economical for their office to handle it themselves due to its emphasis on libraries and specialty stores.[12]
In 1987 he won the Juno Award for Children's Album of the Year. In 2014, he received the Presenter of the Year award at the Pacific Contact booking conference and trade show in Burnaby.[13][14]
References
- ^ Billboard, December 22, 1973 - Page 52 Canadian News, From the Music Capitals of the World, TORONTO
- ^ Billboard, October 6, 1984 - Page 41 Pro Audio/Video,
SOUND INVESTMENT
, Calf: Winning Way With Mikes - ^ Billboard, April 19, 1986 - Page 76 Canada, Maple Briefs
- ^ Billboard, December 21, 1985 - Page 66 Seeking Space for Kids' Product BY KIRL LaPONTE
- ^ Discogs - Truck (9) – Truck
- ^ ArtistInfo - Truck
- ^ Billboard, March 12, 1977 - Page 109 Cockburn Tours
- ^ Billboard, June 4, 1977 - Page 73 Canada, Cockburn Gets New Recognition As Major Artist
- ^ Cash Box, February 28, 1978 - Page 18 REVIEWS ALBUM REVIEWS
- ^ RPM Weekly, Volume 33 No. 15 July 5, 1980 - Page 6 NEW ALBUMS, THE TRAVELLERS
- ^ ArtistInfo - Turin
- ^ Billboard, June 28, 1986 - Page 81 CANADA INDIES AT CROSSROADS
- ^ MusicBrainz - Drums! ~ Release by Bill Usher
- ^ The Golden Star, Apr. 22, 2014 - KHC’s Bill Usher takes Presenter of the Year honours