The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society proudly presents Royal Wood on Wednesday, September 21st at 7:30pm at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Royal Wood is the first performance in the Society’s 2016/2017 season.

Known for his classic cabaret pop style of music, Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood brings class, charm and a gentleman’s demeanor to the stage. Along with his four piece band, Royal Wood captivates audiences with intimate and charismatic performances packed with the heartfelt repertoire that continues to earn critical acclaim and prestigious accolades. Having received the iTunes Songwriter of the Year award and multiple Juno nominations in the same discipline, Royal has had the opportunity to co-write with notable artists including Randy Bachman (BTO, Guess Who), Colin James and Wayne Petti (Cuff the Duke).

Royal Wood’s music is heard in numerous TV and Film productions, including major TV shows Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Being Human. His abilities as a producer and arranger were recognized on his 2010 release The Waiting, when iTunes and CBC Radio 2 named his record one of the best albums of the year. His latest two album releases debuted in the Canadian Top 30, and he recently received CBC Music Awards’ nomination for Album of the Year.

His records have been released worldwide and he has successfully toured in Canada, USA, Germany, France, The Netherlands, UK, Ireland and Italy. Wood has also supported national tours with David Gray, Sarah Harmer and Serena Ryder.

Royal Wood released his most recent album, Ghost Light, in April of 2016. While his previous releases held a more modern vibe, Ghost Light returns to basics; without modern day studio trickery of auto-tuning and digital perfection, the album is warm, inviting and completely forthright.

“This album for me was a full return to writing and recording simply for the joy of creation – like when I was a kid. A true letting go and allowing,” says Royal, who played almost every instrument on the album; jumping around from instrument to instrument in the studio during the album’s production.

“I felt like on this album, I snuffed out the external Ghost Lights, and allowed my internal light to glow instead,” adds Royal, “this allowed the spirits of my past, present and future into the room to guide me along my artistic path.”

Tickets for Royal Wood are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $20 for students and are on sale now through the Ticket Seller Box Office by calling 549-SHOW (7469) or logging online to www.ticketseller.ca.

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre thanks the following sponsors for their generous support: the Prestige Inn, the Vernon Morning Star, the Okanagan Advertiser, the British Columbia Arts Council and the Government of Canada.

Long Way Out Video (2016)

I`m Afraid Video (2015):

Forever and Ever Video (2014):

From Royal Wood Electronic Press Kit, courtesy of Cadence Music Group (formerly MapleMusic Recordings):

There are various explanations for the term ‘ghost light’ in relation to the world around us. There is the supernatural narrative – that every theatre has a ghost, and that when the light isn’t lit, the darkness provides a chance for the dead to haunt us. And then there is the Royal Wood version of GHOST LIGHT. The kind that lets someone truly shine from within– raw, honest and open… and that’s why he has named his new record after this mythical glow.

“This album for me was a full return to writing and recording simply for the joy of creation – like when I was a kid. A true letting go and allowing,” says Royal. “I jumped around from instrument to instrument in the studio; playing piano and guitar solos, bass, keys, percussion, anything and everything I could get my hands on.” In fact, Royal played on almost 90% of the record, with a few artists like Hannah Georgas and Felicity Williams (Bahamas) adding their special blend of talents along the way. It was recorded in both Los Angeles and Toronto, with Bill Lefler and Royal at the production helm.

The result is an album that exudes raw emotion and emanates a feel of the songwriters of the sixties and seventies. Without modern day studio trickery like auto-tuning and digital perfection, the album is warm, inviting and completely forthright. “I felt like on this album, I snuffed out the external Ghost Lights, and allowed my internal light to glow instead,” says Royal, “this allowed the spirits of my past, present and future into the room to guide me along my artistic path.” The first single ‘Long Way Out’ exemplifies this definitive focus of the record. It’s gripping and melodic and screams with sincerity.

This album marks an immense change is his life and his artistic path, delivering more and more of a letting go to the forefront of his music. The record seizes his sincerest passion for creativity and imagination. It showcases a deeper understanding of where his journey began and what he wants to take it. GHOST LIGHT has given a new meaning to the path in Wood’s career, where unabashed creativity and performance will continue to shine and cultivate his trajectory – no matter where it leads.

Royal Wood – Highlights:

• First single from GHOST LIGHT, “Long Way Out” debuting at commercial radio October 2015, along with national press and marketing plan
• National tour planned to support GHOST LIGHT in spring 2016, including a show at the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall, with the NAC Orchestra
• Multiple JUNO award nominations
• Past press coverage includes: CBC Q, Toronto Sun, Canada AM, Exclaim!, NOW Toronto and more
• High-profile sync placements including: Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Hockey Night in Canada
• No. 1 added single HOT AC Radio – “Forever and Ever”
• 2014 Album The Burning Bright debuted in the Canadian Top 30
• CBC Music Awards nominee
• 2012 Album We Were Born To Glory debuted in the Canadian Top 25
• CBC Radio 2 – Top album 2010
2010 iTunes Pick for Top Pop Single, Top Pop Album, and Songwriter of the Year