Time: 9 p.m.
Cover: none

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 Born and raised near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Braden is a small town kid with a big heart. At the age of five, he would emulate his father on a 1/8th sized fiddle and before long was playing along side him for dances, jamborees, and fiddle contests. At the age of seven, Braden picked up the guitar and now at 19, has grown into an exceptional artist interweaving traditional Canadian fiddle tunes with beautiful original melodies on guitar. A natural born storyteller, Braden’s heart felt lyrics, unassuming stage presence and natural good humor creates a live show that leaves his audience cheering for more.

            In 2008, Braden became the Alberta fiddle champion at just 16 years of age. In 2009 and 2010, he was first runner up and in 2011 he once again claimed Alberta’s top fiddle prize. He has been a representative of Alberta’s strong vibrant fiddle community at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition three times and in 2010 was chosen as one of eleven finalists amidst a field of Canada’s best.

            Braden teaches at numerous music camps across Alberta and is currently compiling a book of original fiddle tunes that will be released in spring of 2012. He continues to perform traditional and original fiddle music with the Gates Family Band and traditional bluegrass music with the IGP Stringband.

            His mastery of the fiddle transfers seamlessly to guitar to underpin his dirt folk storytelling style of homegrown original tales about stuff that matters. When he debuted at the Canmore and Edmonton Folk Festivals this summer his new EP, “Take it or Leave it” flew off the shelves.
Braden is an active mentor, working extensively with Les Bucherons touring in schools across western Canada to promote Canadian history and French Canadian culture and music using songs, stories and dances. He also works as a mentor for young songwriters and musicians in Alberta.

            With all that he has accomplished, it is hard to believe that Braden is only 19 years old. Whether it’s making you dance with a hard driving fiddle tune, think with a political protest song, or pull at your heartstrings with a homespun ballad, Braden in live performance is unforgettable. Drawing comparisons to Corb Lund, Tom Waits and Dylan, for Braden the future is bright and the road is long.