Wendell Ferguson

Who is Wendell Ferguson?

In his own words, Wendell is: “A buffoon, a fool, a charlatan and a general nuisance”, but he adds, “I can play guitar…a little.”

Wendell Ferguson is in fact a guitar-player’s guitar-player, a six-string virtuoso artist with a great big sense of humour. He has won nine CCMA Awards, has been named Guitar Player of the Year seven times by the CCMA and has been twice nominated for a JUNO Award. His CD, “Menage A Moi”, won Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

The Early Years
Born and raised in Streetsville (part of Mississauga), Ontario, Wendell left school at 17 to pursue his musical dreams. Through the 70’s he was “on the road and livin’ the dream”. In the 80’s he founded his own recording studio. In 1987, Wendell formed the five-member country band Coda The West. Initially the band worked as The Travelling Road Show Band for CKGL radio in Kitchener, opening shows for many of the country’s top touring acts. In 1991, Coda The West performed as the ‘house band' for Country Music Week, staged in Hamilton. The band was nominated for CCMA’s 1993 Vista Rising Star and Group of The Year awards. In 1992-93, they were nominated for a JUNO Award as Best Country Duo or Group.

If that wasn’t enough success, Wendell’s session work on guitar was growing in-popularity during this and he was frequently booked on tours with top-level Canadian artists, including: Shania Twain, George Fox, Duane Steele, Tommy Hunter and Michelle Wright. In addition, his own skills and artistry as a singer / songwriter and comedian were keeping him busy working his own shows and ‘house’ dates. For over ten years, Wendell served as the Musical Director for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards Show. In 2005, he co-hosted that Awards Show with country star Paul Brandt. In September of 2024 he will be the Musical Director of the CCMA Legends Show in Edmonton.

So what should you expect when you come to see Wendell Ferguson? Fun! Great musicianship and more fun! Expect to laugh until you cry (or at least chuckle and roll your eyes) at Wendell’s antics, lyrics, playful banter and crazy stories from the road. Wendell is one of Canada’s favourite comic philosophers so you can expect a little wisdom and a whole lot of silly. Above all, expect to be amazed with Wendell Ferguson’s awesome guitar pickin’ and grinnin’.

If you like Folk and Country with a great big twist of comedy (and who doesn’t) then this is the concert for you.

Check out Wendell’s videos on YouTube.

Questions? [email protected]

Host or Publisher Spirit of Rasputin’s