In Loving Memory of our bandmate Fran Madigan

Fran MadiganWe are mourning the loss of our longtime bandmate, Fran Madigan. He died of that modern medical scourge known as cancer, January 9, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones. We knew Fran’s diagnosis was terminal, he was always up-front about it. In fact, Fran had come to a place of acceptance, with grace and gratitude.

The ones who are struggling with acceptance are those left behind. I can truthfully say that Fran was a great musical partner. Our musical collaboration began decades years ago. I was doing a solo pub gig in the Dover Arms on Denman Street, back when musicians were actually paid for live entertainment! In the darkness in the back of the pub, I could hear the most amazing vocal harmonies. Not knowing who it was, after my first set I asked “Who is doing that amazing singing back there?” It was Francis Madigan. He brought his guitar down the next night and the rest, as they say, is history.

Our gigs in the earlier days of Whistler, before the days of Blackcomb, are among my favourite musical memories. By day our recreation was lake fishing, and at night we rocked it up in Tapley’s Pub. They were good times!

Our final musical project was our trio Willy Blizzard. Along with my wife Andrea on double bass, Fran added banjo, guitar and amazing vocals. Fran’s dry sense of humour literally saved us during hard times on the road. We are so thankful to have had these many years with Fran.

Fran lived life on his own terms, more than anyone I know. He was a humble man with a head full of intelligent thoughts and ideas, he was independent, and he believed in justice. The great pride that Fran did hold dear, was the pride he felt in his two children, Kevin and Emily.

Roll that rock, Fran!

John and Andrea

Willy Blizzard – Armadillo Road

Options: Purchase physical CD here (Buy CD link) using the PayPal link, or phone our office (604 730 7851) to arrange payment and mail out.  Armadillo Road delivers the band’s signature indie-roots sound laid on oriterial. The songs are diverse in theme and place with Southern influences (Red Haired Girls and Tennessee Tonight) as well as songs that are true to our Northern roots (Old Coot II and Rocky Mountain Train)

Willy Blizzard – In From the Cold

Options: Purchase physical CD here (Buy CD link) using PayPal, or phone our office (604 730 7851) to arrange payment and mailout.  These songs draw on the classic themes of Canada:  the landscape, the people, the history.  It is the echo of a canoe, a chain saw, a fish boat, and laundry flapping in the wind.  The music carries the stamp of our land.

John Hough – Train Through a Northern Town

Physical album available using the PayPal link, or contact us for your own personal mail-out!  John’s solo album Train Through a Northern Town is a taste of Canada, from life on the Atlantic coast to western stories of outlaws, as well as forgotten places in between. Featuring original material, and a few beautifully executed covers (Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers) it is quintessential Canadiana. 

Under the Moss – Raking The Coals

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A compendium contemporary folk, both instrumental and vocal, showcases the traditional music of Ireland, and more.  This Celtic album stems from John’s first band, Under The Moss, which was the house band at the Folk Life Pavilion, at Vancouver’s world fair, Expo 86.