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Balladeer and actor John Gogo hails from a musical family in Snuneymuxw (a.k.a. Nanaimo) on Vancouver Island. Best known for writing and performing his folk songs about the people and places, the true and tall tales of the West Coast, John produced his sixth full-length album, Western Balladeer.
The LP’s wistful, “Cougar Annie,” was inspired by Western Canadian legendary pioneer Ada Annie Rae-Arthur. The homesteader carved out a five-acre garden in the wilderness, ran a successful nursery, post office and general store while raising 11 children. She became known as “Cougar Annie” after word got around about her shooting around 70 cougars and countless bears that had threatened her kids and garden.
One of the aspects of Ada Annie‘s life that intrigues me was that she outlived four husbands. My story of her is sung in the form of a letter written from the perspective of a potential suitor. – John Gogo
Western Balladeer features Duke & Goldie (Eric Duquette & Jena Gogo), Jeri Gogo, Tyler Lieb, David Essig, Ed Peekeekoot, Paul Gogo, Brent Gubbels, Alan Moberg, Tobin Stokes, Rick Scott, Daniel Lapp, Dazy Weymer & Valdy.
