About Showman and Coole

Through twenty years and a couple of thousand shows together in bands such as The Foggy Hogtown Boys and The Lonesome Ace Stringband, John Showman and Chris Coole have developed a deep and instinctual musical bond. Having performed across North America and Europe at festivals ranging from Merlefest to Mariposa, their music lurks around a truly unique space that is somewhere on the outskirts of old-time, bluegrass, and folk.

Since falling in love with the sound of folk and early country music at the age of seventeen, you could loosely divide Chris Coole’s 30-year career as a full-time musician into three eras – ten years as a Toronto street and subway busker; ten years playing bluegrass residencies around Toronto’s bar scene; and ten years touring internationally; both solo and with the likes of The Lonesome Ace Stringband, The David Francey Band, and The Foggy Hogtown Boys.

“Apart from being my life’s passion, music has always been my job, and I’ve always taken a sort of workaday approach to it. I think that has helped temper some of the ups, downs, and emotional pitfalls inherent in pursuing a life in the arts. There’s just always been something to show up for – whether it was a subway station every morning at 7 am, the Silver Dollar Room every Wednesday night for fifteen years, the tour van, or a banjo student. It may not make for the most glamorous PR copy, but It’s definitely the main plot of my musical journey.”

Throughout this musical journey, Chris has perhaps become best known as being one of the leading purveyors of the modern clawhammer-style banjo. He has developed a highly personal style that has often been described as instantly recognizable.