Award winning musician coming to Strathmore

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

John Wort Hannam first began playing guitar and singing 10 years ago, after his desire to become a musician finally propelled him to launch his career. Before becoming a musician,Hannam taught Grade 9 Language Arts at the Kainai Nation for five years. In 1997 when he heard a Loudon Wainwright III record, he was hooked by both the music and the stories. In 1998 he bought a guitar and started learning how to play, and in 2002 he quit teaching to follow his musical career. 

Strathmore Musical Arts Society has brought a number of acts to town already this year, including Jack De Keyzer and the Sixties band. They are also responsible for finding Hannam. 

“They contacted me after seeing me play at the Mountain View Music Festival this past summer,” said Hannam. 

Hannam has been recognized for his musical talents numerous times since beginning his career, including being a 2010 Juno Nominee for Roots and Traditional in the Solo Category, the Calgary Folk Festival Songwriting Competition grand prize winner in 2009, and winning a 2008 Folk Alliance Music Award for the Best Traditional Artist Nominee. The one that meant the most to him was the, “Kerrville New Folk song writing competition in Kerrville TX. The granddaddy of US song competitions,” said Hannam. 

He said one of the coolest things in his musical career is when he gets to hear his songs on the radio. 

Hannam will be in Strathmore on Feb. 4 performing at the Travelodge. 

For $50 per ticket guests will receive dinner along with the show. Tickets will be available throughout December at Music Centre Canada, Pro Water Conditioning, Assist Business Centre and PJ’s Appliances.  People can also go online to www.strathmorearts.com and purchase tickets through PayPal.