A Black Hen Music History
By Douglas Heselgrave
(originally published in No Depression.com)
Without intending to, Vancouver musician, producer, and label owner has carved out a roots music empire for himself.
I recently caught up with Steve Dawson at his home studio in East Vancouver during a rare moment of calm between recording, producing and live gigs. An unintentional workaholic, Dawson never lets any grass grow under his feet as even on a ‘day off’, he’s agreed to meet me before helping a friend remix a few songs in the afternoon. Dawson has operated his own Black Hen Record label since 1995, and has since released over thirty albums under its imprint. Since its inception, Black Hen artists have won over 20 music awards including 5 Junos (Canada’s Grammy) in various categories. Black Hen recently released ‘Things About Comin’ My Way’ a tribute to the seminal depression era blues band, The Mississippi Sheiks. The roster of international artists - such as Bruce Cockburn, Bill Frisell, John Hammond, The North Mississippi Allstars and Van Dyke Parks - who contributed tracks have made this the highest profile CD in the label’s history.
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