A BIOGRAPHY
Now residing just north of Cobourg, Aiden McGill was born in Peterborough, Ontario and spent his early years in Cavan before moving to Newcastle. Here he was raised solely by his mom with his brother and sister. “We didn’t have a whole lot of spare cash around, but I had the happiest childhood upbringing that any kid could ever have. My mother raised us in the country, so I made use of what was around me to keep entertained”. This of course
included country music.
Throughout public school and well into college, he raised rabbits as a business. It was a business that helped him buy his horses, his orange Toyota cargo van called “The Pumpkin” and left him with some pocket cash to spend on music albums. He was also a "little brother" with the Big Brothers & Sisters Association. “This was an awesome part of my life. I do encourage anyone and everyone to support this great organization any way
that they can”.
“My mother was my first major musical influence, as well as life teacher. She played the guitar and had me sing along with her when I was very young. She always encouraged me to learn to play an instrument, and taught me everything she knew on the guitar.” Taking her advice, in senior public school he learned to play the trumpet, and was asked to join the school band during his first year. Music became an enjoyable pastime as he continued
playing into high school.
His first star struck experience happened when he attended his first outdoor music festival (which was the Havelock Jamboree). “I watched a beautiful and talented young gal perform on stage. Her name was Cassandra Vasik.” That was in 1994! Right then and there, Aiden decided that he would take his love for country music to the next level. He would work as hard as he could to be a professional musician and one day do a duet with
this beauty, Cassandra.
The very next weekend he retired his hundred-dollar La Patrie flattop and bought himself a brand new Takamine. Just recently, he traded in that guitar on a brand spankin’ new 16 Series Martin acoustic, which received its 1st battle scar at a show in Hastings, Ontario not 12 hours after he bought it. Back in 1994 he also bought a PA from a friend who was moving to Nashville. That friend was multi-award winning Canadian singer/songwriter, Tim Taylor. Aiden spent the next four years playing his guitar and singing with whomever he could. “I started to develop a style of my own”. With his sights set on stardom, and a voice that he made original to himself alone, Aiden started playing at bars, legions, lodges, parties, and outdoor events. Sometimes with one, two or more musicians, he eventually settled into performing as a single act. With his love of country music driving him, he
continued to play while working his hand at writing.
“I took a great deal of time off of my day gig to travel to Nashville, where I met songwriters, singers, musicians, and made some life long friends”. While visiting Nashville, Aiden played with good friends at well know clubs like Tootsies & Roberts, and throughout Printers Alley. It was a great learning experience. He also attended as many musical events in Ontario as he could. Along his travels he continued to meet various musicians,
writers and folks involved in different aspects of music.
Now was the time. Aiden decided to put his talents to the real test. It was time to try his luck at an album, something that he could sell off stage and build more bookings from. Having made many contacts in the music industry, he called on some close friends and put together a list of ten songs. The studio was calling and soon enough, after 2 years of working during the day, playing music at night and putting together his first album with what was left of the week, his CD was complete. Some of the songs were written by singer/songwriters Tim Taylor, Duane Steele, Wendell Ferguson and Suzy Conn. One track “Never Met Anyone Like You” Aiden co-wrote with Canadian Country Music Sweetheart, Shirley Myers. After doing this project and producing it himself, he jokingly called it FAR FROM PERFECT. It was then he realized how much hard work, dedication
and commitment went into creating an album.
Within a year the itch had returned and he was back on the phone with Tim Taylor in Nashville. “I said (to Tim) let’s do a really awesome album, something Cassandra would be proud of!” So once more he was traveling to the Country Music Capital. Tim and Aiden went over an exhaustive list of songs and demos, picking only the ones that make your hair stand on edge. With Tim as the producer, into the studio they went. Now with five new tracks laid down in a Nashville studio, “Hailey” emerged as the first release on Aiden’s
forthcoming album “Two Sides”.
Aiden has since released three singles to Country Music Radio; Hailey, Snowman Workin’ on a Suntan & Just As Gone. With inspiration from the great songwriting of Tim Taylor, Steve Fox, Jason McCoy and Sean Patrick McGraw, Aiden sang these songs onto Canadian Country Music News’ Top 100 Cancountry Hits chart. “Hailey” and “Just As Gone” were both named Canadian Country song of the week on Dave Schmidt’s Top 10 Super Country Hits within weeks of their nationals release and “Snowman Workin’ on a Suntan” soon caught a wave throughout western Canada, reaching #8 on country radio station charts. All three songs have traveled the globe receiving airplay from Holland to Australia, Japan to France with many stops inbetween. Aiden most recent international
accolade was receiving #4 chart spot in Spain with his latest release “Just As Gone”
Aiden’s album “Two Sides” is eagerly awaiting an anticipated release. Aiden has been working with the award winning musician/producer Mike “Pepe” Francis to complete this project. As well as doing some shows in Ontario while he finishes co-writing and selecting more songs to complete his album this summer, he also hopes to have most
of the renovations to his 150 year old property completed.
During the past year Aiden has been performing at outdoor concerts, festivals and town events. In September 2004, Aiden was approached to open the stage for George Fox on two consecutive performances. “It was an awesome experience. I have been a fan of his since he first appeared on the country music scene. It’s a huge rush to be able to perform with someone who has influenced my music career so much.” During Aiden’s touring, country radio has had the opportunity to sponsor many of his live shows, including CKQM Peterborough, CJKX Oshawa, CKNX Wingham & CKYC in Owen Sound. Aiden has also thrilled radio listeners performing a 50 minute live broadcast from the 2005 International
Plowing Match and Rural Expo on Wingham’s CKNX 920 Land-o-Lakes covered stage.
Recently he also joined up with Jutsun Media Group (JMG). Together with President Gerry Jutsun and Media Coordinator Laura Furtado, Aiden will be working towards a very busy and creative season. Be sure to check out their website www.jutsunmediagroup.com.
Check out his website, www.aidenmcgill.com, for info, sound clips, pictures, and updates.
“Maybe one day Cassandra will look me up for that long awaited duet!”
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