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Hockey song winner headlines Springfest

Multiple award-winning singer/songwriter Dave Gunning of Nova Scotia kicks off the event. Gunning’s connection to Sudbury is so strong, he considers Nickel City his second home.
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Springfest raises funds for the Out Of The Cold hot meal program. For each ticket sold, $5 will be donated. Tickets are $37.50 inclusive and can be purchased by calling Bob at 705-523-6200 or emailing [email protected].
Multiple award-winning singer/songwriter Dave Gunning of Nova Scotia kicks off the event. Gunning’s connection to Sudbury is so strong, he considers Nickel City his second home. In fact, one of his best known songs, “These Hands,” was written write here in Sudbury.

The Sudbury connection garnered national attention recently as Gunning and Sudbury’s Puck Hogs were neck-and-neck in the CBC Hockey Song Contest. While Gunning won the competition, he tips his hockey helmet to the Puck Hogs for nearly sending the contest into a shootout.

Gunning will be accompanied April 12 by Cape Breton’s legendary Allie Bennett. Bennett was the regular fiddler/bassist for Stan Rogers, John Allan Cameron and toured extensively with Rita McNeil, The Rankins and Natalie McMaster.

Also performing are Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley. In addition to his incredible guitar skills (Ferguson was named Canada’s top country guitarist six times), the audience can expect a steady diet of Ferguson’s comedic banter.

Katherine Wheatley will demonstrate her singer/songwriter skills during her portion of the show. A veteran of folk festivals and concert series in cross-Canada tours, Wheatley has justifiably been described by the Ottawa Citizen as “a performer to keep you on the edge of your seat.”

Suzie Vinnick closes out the evening with her blazing guitar and dynamite blues side players. With a voice described as having been “spun from gold,” the Springfest audience will get to experience Vinnick’s award-winning voice at the hotter end of the vocal range.

She will be accompanied by two amazing side players — bassist John Dymond (Colin Linden, Jason MCoy, Jimmy Rankin) and Roly Platt on harmonica (Ronnie Hawkins, Dutch Mason, Matt Minglewood).

Springfest is proudly presented by Northern Life and this year’s co-presenter, the Ivarsson family. Additional sponsor support has been provided by Agnew Lake Lodge, Jan Oystrick of Re/Max Crown Realty, Sudbury Credit Union, Dynamic Insurance, Sudbury’s Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Sudbury Travelodge Hotel and patrons Gerry & Deb Bakker and Dr. Jacques & Family.

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