Howdy Folks

In here you’ll find stuff about the John Henry band, John and Terry Morrison, and, of course, ol’ Lefty himself, who is recovering well from that bizarre puppetry accident.

You’ll also get lies and gross exaggerations about some friends and dubious acquaintances.

Fill your boots.

“Considering the places he’s been and the people he hangs out with, it’s amazing he still has his own teeth.”

Uncle Thirsty

John Gorham

John Gorham has been stumbling around the music scene in central Alberta for a long time, pretending to be a two-bit rancher, carpenter and prospector, playing the old taverns and hall dances with a variety of country bands as a singer and bass player. During this time he has met some great old-time fiddlers and musicians and developed an abiding love of bluegrass, early country music and western swing. Not greatly enamoured of ‘New Country’ or Nashville, he believes far more good music has come out of Texas. John’s been known to drive a long way to play a few fiddle tunes.

Beginning in the late ‘80s, John started accompanying singer songwriters Lindi Smith and Lesley Schatz, playing folk festivals and ultimately touring parts of Europe and the former Soviet Union with Lesley. A stint with the folk-jazz group Nicklefinger followed. Later he met and began playing for Joanne Myrol. Friendship with the Alien Rebels, arguably one of Alberta’s best rockabilly bands, led to Uncle Thirsty (Lance Loree)’s inviting John to one of the first Rosebowl jams, hosted by Mike McDonald. While not an earth-shattering epiphany, it rocked pretty hard, and John began to attend fairly regularly, often playing a mandolin-guitar duo reminiscent of the Blue Sky Boys with Mike Bunting. That duo was the genesis of Twang! , a popular bluegrass-swing band, which played around Alberta and Saskatchewan in the late-90’s, and recorded Six Pack. Latterly, the group began playing some of John’s original songs. In 2002 he moved off the farm and formed the John Henry band, featuring his tunes, and releasing Charmin’ Billy at the end of 2003.

John has worked briefly as a bassist with the Alien Rebels, and Washboard Hank, and also performs solo. He has recently been working and recording with Terry Morrison and the Swampflowers as well as backing the Almost Leather Band , Dustin Cole, and Rachelle Van Zanten from time to time. He has also made forays into musical theatre with “ Doc Leonard’s Road Apple Revue ”, and “ Red, the Missing Years ”, a tribute to Red Sovine which he co-wrote and produced.

After nearly losing his hand in a bizarre puppetry accident, – some stunt which involved the juggling of miniature, lit chainsaws – ‘Lefty’, as he is now called, is back in the saddle, with a cadillac ride of a band, mixing metaphors as if there was no tomorrow.

Some places Gorham has played

Edmonton Folk Music Festival, North Country Fair, South Country Fair,

Ness Creek Festival, Vancouver Island Folk Festival, Sasquach Festival,

McLeod Valley Music Festival, Edson Folk Festival, Big Valley Jamboree,

Skelterfest, Edmonton Chante, First Night Festival, Junofest, Alberta Songwriters Festival, Fringe Festival, Red Deer College, U of A,

Lydia’s, Karma Local Arts House, Jackdaws, Yardbird Suite, Sidetrack Cafe,

The Vat, Uptown Folk Club, The Cave, City Media Club, Full Moon Folk Club,

Sugarbowl, Black Dog Freehouse, Ironwood Grill, Original Joe’s, The Rev,

Minstrel Cafe, Ship and Anchor Pub, New City Likwyd Lounge, George Ryga House, Alberta Roots Music Society, Cafe Mosaics, El Zorro Loco, and just about every little country bar and hall in central Alberta.

Folks Gorham has opened for or shared the stage with

Travis Tritt, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Fred Eaglesmith, Bob Snider, Freakwater, Stephen Fearing, Pat Temple, Cindy Church, Tim Williams, Colin Linden, Amos Garrett, Bill Bourne, Roy Forbes, Ronnie Hayward, John Wort Hannam, Leslie Alexander, Tim Hus, Corb Lund, Old Reliable, D-Rangers, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, Swiftys, George Bushes, among others.