Grit, Resilience, Heart. Gordie Tentrees

GRIT- Born in Hamilton, Ontario the product of a broken home raised on a family farm before bouncing around in foster home homes finding focus in sport even becoming a golden glove boxer. From the ring to the stage with stops in between as a school teacher and youth worker grateful for every moment.
“I feel fortunate to have had such unfortunate moments that have enabled me to become who I am today”

RESILIENCE- Penned his first song at the age of 24 after moving to the Yukon. “I was always felt comfortable putting words together inspired by a family of writers led by my grandmother 70’s west coast Canadian poet Rosemary Hollingshead, my evolution as a songster & musician is directly related to my focus as a boxer. I knew it would take 10,000 hrs to learn finger style guitar much like it took to throw the perfect hook in the ring” He explains. “Breaking down each process then building it up over endless repetition hooked me on music. After his first 3 records Fred Eaglesmith took him on the road to Europe/UK and even a historic tour of Route 66 in the US from Chicago to Santa Monica offering helpful advice and support with an early introduction to the reality of the business of music while encouraging him to make his own way. He has since shared the stage with Mary Gauthier, James Cotten, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Steve Poltz, Fred Penner, Danny Michel, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings and Kelly Joe Phelps studying every sound they made on and off the stag

HEART- He is the proud father of 4 kids and is greatly inspired by his wife. When not on the road he works as a member of a land based after recovery team Shawthan Nazhi writing healing songs with indigenous families on their journey towards reconciliation. The program won the 2023 Arctic Inspiration Prize given out to members by celebrating and providing seed-funding to Northern teams with innovative project ideas they want to see in their community. “As a non-indigenous Canadian I am grateful to live in place where the opportunity to help build capacity and support my community is possible”

His song ‘EVERY CHILD” won a 2023 International Acoustic Music Award inspired by his journey as a parent to indigenous children while working with families for 25 years.
Gordie has recorded 8 records, performed over 3000 concerts in 14 countries, signed a publishing deal with Bluewater Music (Nashville), nominated for Western Canadian Roots Album of the Year Award, and Americana category finalist in the International Song Competition judged by Tom Waits, Jerry Lee Lewis & Loretta Lynn. Tentrees is just getting started.

“Tentrees’ delivery is so relaxed and unpretentious it’s impossible to not get drawn into his world, sounding like a young John Prine”  
NO DEPRESSION

“Very superior songs on a terrific album, heartfelt and hysterical” R2 MAG (5 Stars)

“Sounds like an album Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan might have done if they were starting out today”
IRISH POST (4/5 Stars)