"Billy Manzik is a great songwriter, right up there with Steve Earle and Ryan Adams."
Michael Murphy, Supervisor, Capitol Records Mastering
Billy Manzik
Billy’s journey began where Highway 61, the ‘Blues Highway’, ends - in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The soundtrack for his childhood was provided by his guitar-slinging, country singing mother, and her love of all things sound. He spent his formative years playing guitar and travelling the world, ultimately ending up in Calgary, Alberta. With the guidance of many of Calgary’s musical luminaries, Billy went into the studio to record.
'Billy Manzik' was recorded in Calgary at Rocky Mountain Recording Studio, produced by Rob Smith and Daniel J Coe (Aerosmith, The Trews), and mastered by Mark Chalecki (Cracker, June Carter Cash) at Capitol Records in Hollywood. The 13 tracks include guest performances by Canadian greats like country-blues singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Tim Williams, pedal steel journeyman Charlie Hase, and former Crash Test Dummies violinist, Bill Zulak.
Since its release, the album has received extensive radio play across the country and abroad, charting well on several Canadian !earshot roots charts, as well as being featured on CBC Radio’s “Key Of A”. His performance at the 2008 Alberta Songwriter Sessions was recorded and broadcast on CBC Radio Two’s “Concerts on Demand”. He and his band kicked off the 2008 Juno Awards weekend in Calgary with a spirited performance at their Awards Reception. He has performed on stages, festivals and workshops with the likes of Blue Rodeo, Elliot Brood, Madagascar Slim, Ndidi Onukwulu, Cara Luft, Stephen Fearing, Tim Williams and Ken Hamm, among others.
