Singer

Cape Breton’s J.P. Cormier is a spectacular multi-instrumentalist famed for his sincere, soulful songwriting. And Pictou’s Dave Gunning is an award-winning singer-songwriter and captivating performer known for his skills as a storyteller. Now, two of Canada’s greatest songsmiths return to Symphony Nova Scotia to celebrate the sounds of the season in this homegrown, hilarious, and heartwarming holiday concert.

EPSG:4326

A Gunning & Cormier Christmas

Dalhousie University

J.P. Cormier is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter and celebrated multi-instrumentalist. At the age of 5, J.P. began teaching himself to play the guitar. At 9, he won his first guitar competition against 30 other players 4 times his age. J.P. recorded his first album of bluegrass instrumentals at 16, which led to 10 years of living and performing in the U.S. His time there included many memorable nights at the Grand Ole Opry with artists such as Waylon Jennings, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and Vince Gill. Since returning to Canada, J.P. has released over a dozen award-winning albums. His impressive body of work has earned him 13 East Coast Music Awards, and one Canadian Folk Music Award. With 14 albums to his credit, there’s no denying Dave Gunning’s impressive body of work. The Nova Scotian folk musician has been recognized as a master of his craft, both as an award-winning singer-songwriter and a captivating performer. Known for his abilities as a storyteller, Gunning’s knack for connecting with audiences as he recounts the experience he’s earned on the road is, for him, very much a way of life. Gunning has never needed to look far beyond his Pictou County, Nova Scotia backyard for inspiration. That’s where his characters live. That’s where his stories come from. As two of the busiest solo musicians in the country these past two decades, it’s been impossible to schedule time to make a full album and properly tour it. But that all changed three years ago when Cormier moved just down the road from Gunning in Nova Scotia, and the pair were able to meet often at Gunning’s home studio. First, they picked some great songs. Then they figured out their guitar parts, and when ready recorded the guitars ‘live-off-the-floor’ simultaneously. Then they recorded their vocals together. This recording technique gave them what they’d hoped for, something unlike their solo albums: The power of Two. Two songwriters, interpreters, guitar players, and singers at their peak. It’s the power of the song. It’s two friends, brothers, uncompromising performers, making and now sharing the album of their lives. Their concert was one of the highlights of our 2024 season and we are thrilled to welcome them back as they tour behind their new duo CD, “Leather and Dust.”

Gunning & Cormier

Blackstone River Theatre

Never underestimate the power of two. The duo Gunning & Cormier go back 23 years when Dave Gunning had a fiddle player drop out of a show at the last minute. “He hired me for a gig when I was just back from Nashville, nobody knew me here,” says J.P. Cormier. “We were totally blown away by J.P.’s playing,” recalls Gunning. “I remember him saying if you ever do a CD, I want to play on it.” That happened – they played and wrote together whenever they could, coming up with songs that graced both their projects, over the years showered with awards and nominations on the East Coast and nationally. As two of the busiest solo musicians in the country these past two decades, it’s been impossible to schedule time to make a full album and properly tour it. But that all changed three years ago when Cormier moved just down the road from Gunning in Nova Scotia, and the pair were able to meet often at Gunning’s home studio. First, they picked some great songs. Then they figured out their guitar parts, and when ready recorded the guitars ‘live-off-the-floor’ simultaneously. Then they recorded their vocals together. This recording technique gave them what they’d hoped for, something unlike their solo albums: The power of Two. Two is as real as it gets. Two songwriters, interpreters, guitar players, and singers at their peak. It’s the power of the song. It’s two friends, brothers, uncompromising performers, making the album of their lives. There couldn’t be a better time to discover Gunning & Cormier, and the power of Two.

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Dave Gunning

Events

Past events

28 - 29 Nov, 2025

A Gunning & Cormier Christmas · Symphony Nova Scotia

Jan 26, 2025

Gunning & Cormier · Blackstone River Theatre

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