Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
David Gogo (born March 18, 1969), is a Canadian blues guitarist who is currently signed to the Cordova Bay Records label.
David Gogo is the cousin of Trooper keyboardist Paul Gogo.
History
Gogo was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and received his first guitar at the age of five. At the age of 15, he met Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage at the Royal Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia and was encouraged by the blues legend to pursue a career in blues. By the age of 16, he was getting regular work as a musician. Gogo formed a band called The Persuaders, which eventually opened for blues performers such as Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins. After a European tour supporting The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gogo signed a solo record deal with EMI Records. He soon after performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with the likes of B.B. King, Otis Rush and Blues Traveler. He also guested on Tom Cochrane's Mad Mad World album while working on material for his upcoming debut album. The album David Gogo was released to critical acclaim and received a nomination for a Juno Award.
Despite its many successes, Gogo's debut album was never released in the United States, and Gogo made the decision to leave EMI Records in order to pursue his passion for the blues. His next album, "Dine Under the Stars", was released in Europe by French label Dixiefrog Records. He also signed with Canadian Independent label Ragged Pup/Cordova Bay Records. Several successful European tours and American blues festival appearances followed, as well as the albums "Change of Pace" (a rock-oriented blues album) and "Bare Bones" (an acoustic blues album) in 2000. Gogo was named Musician of the Year at the 1999/2000 West Coast Music Awards.
"Halfway to Memphis" was released by Cordova Bay Records and Dixiefrog Records (Europe) in 2001. The first single from the album "Skeleton Key" - the song Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode - was released in the summer of 2002. Gogo's bluesy rendition of Personal Jesus garnered him an award for Guitarist of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards for 2002.
The special "Live At Deer Lake: Official Bootleg Series - Volume 1" was released in 2003. It is a live recording of songs mostly found on "Skeleton Key", recorded just outside Vancouver in Deer Lake (British Columbia). The album was nominated for a Juno Award in Canada.
Gogo's eighth album, entitled "Vibe", is a compilation of original songs written with the likes of Tom Wilson, Craig Northey (Odds/Colin James) and John Capek. "Vibe" was released in 2004 and showcases Gogo's vocal strengths and guitar skills on songs like "I'll Do Anything" and "300 Pound Shoes". Renowned blues guitarist Jeff Healey makes a guest appearance with a guitar solo on "She's All Right". In 2004 Gogo also made a guest appearance on Bob Walsh's album "Bob Walsh Live – A Canadian Blues Rendez-Vous". He received his second Guitarist of the Year award at the Maple Blues Awards for 2004.
In 2006, Gogo released another acoustic blues album as part of his Bootleg Series. "Acoustic: Official Bootleg Series - Volume 2" features the rich tones of Gogo's 1930 National Steel guitar as well as his 1915 Gibson and a modern day 12-string. "Acoustic" was nominated for a Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year.
In 2008, Gogo's music was featured in the Steven Seagal movie Kill Switch.
Gogo's tenth album was recorded in his own home in Nanaimo, British Columbia. "Different Views" was produced by Juno-nominated producer Russell Broom (Jann Arden, Sam Roberts, The Dudes) with guests Shaun Verrault (Wide Mouth Mason), roots diva Carolyn Mark, and jazz great Phil Dwyer. "Different Views" was released in July 2009.
Gogo's most recent album is titled "Soul Bender", named after the Fulltone guitar pedal of the same name. The album was released in June 2011. It is a combination of original songs and covers, including "The Changeling" by The Doors and "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson.
Awards and Accolades
Juno Awards
The Juno Awards are presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Maple Blues Awards
The Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s blues awards, "honouring the finest in Canadian blues". They are the only comprehensive national best in blues awards program. The program's goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement. The Maple Blues Awards have been presented by the Toronto Blues Society since their inception in 1997.
Canadian Indie Awards
The INDIE Music Awards happen every March in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week.
Western Canadian Music Awards
The Western Canadian Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony for music in the western portion of Canada, that originated in its current form in 2003. The awards are provided by the Western Canada Music Alliance, which consists of five Member groups from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and Yukon.
West Coast Music Awards
The West Coast Music Awards were an annual music awards ceremony, presenting awards to musicians from British Columbia and the Yukon. In 2003, the West Coast Music Awards combined with Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to form the Western Canadian Music Awards.
