artist Kim Beggs

Award-winning Yukon singer-songwriter Kim Beggs is embarking on a cross-Canada tour this spring, offering up both a collection of favourites from her first two albums and a sneak preview of her forthcoming new project, Blue Bones. The album is currently scheduled for release this summer, with copies going to North American media on July 21st. It will mark Beggs’ debut on the esteemed Canadian roots label, Black Hen Music. 

            The forthcoming tour will be a special treat for lovers of female vocal harmonies as Beggs will be joined by fellow Appalachian-inspired Yukoner Natalie Edelson. Edelson, who is also influenced by the vocal quality of Hazel Dickens’ and Alice Gerards’ coal mining songs, sings low harmony to Beggs’ sweet-dark melodies, enhancing the high lonesome sound of Beggs’ sophisticated country / Americana compositions. She also brings a touch of subtle colour through supporting instrumentation, including percussion, banjo and electric guitar.  Beggs and Edelson have been singing together since the ragged old campfire days, and their long association shows in the unique blending of their voices. 

Beggs herself has made her mark on the Canadian roots scene since the release of her previous album, Wanderer’s Paean, in late 2006. She represented the nation at Canada Day celebrations in London’s Trafalgar Square and, most recently, was a nominee in CBC Radio’s Sonquest competition.  Wanderer’s Paean has earned her Canadian Folk Music Award, Western Canadian Music Award and Just Plain Folk (U.S.) Award nominations along with a Porcupine Award for Find of the Year. She has also been recognized by the International Songwriting Competition for four consecutive years. In addition, Beggs’ music has been featured in a number of films and television shows, and one of those films, Dog = God has just been picked up by the CBC’s Canadian Reflections for broadcast this summer. The same show also picked up Dawsontown Melted Down, another film featuring Beggs' music. Both films were featured last month at the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto.

 With the coming release of Blue Bones and with Beggs’ new relationship with Black Hen Music, the singer’s profile only stands to grow even larger—earning her further accolades that many would say are richly deserved.  This opportunity to see her in intimate settings like cafes and house concerts may prove to be a rare one.