John Wort Hannam
Alberta’s John Wort Hannam has been on a roots-fueled troubadour journey for over two decades, spinning songwriting gold from the chaff of the lives he has encountered and those within his fertile imagination. Twenty-plus years into his career, he shows no sign of slowing down. He appears to be gaining both momentum and a wider audience, winning two 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Solo Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year. Audiences and critics hear something special in his narrative, lyrically driven songs. Effortlessly mixing rich and clear timbered vocals with lyrics that tug at the heart, his sound is both unique and familiar.
Born on the island of Jersey in the UK, he immigrated to Canada at the age of nine, and like a lot of performers, John began his singing career in a choir – the Calgary Boys Choir. He later discovered the guitar and his knack for writing songs in his early thirties while working as a teacher on the Kainai Nation in Blackfoot country. In 2001, John quit his teaching job and made himself a promise – he would try his hand at writing songs for 10 months or until his employment insurance ran out. When time was up, he had a handful of songs. Those songs would become his first recording, Pocket Full of Holes, released in 2003. Today, the Alberta musician is recognized as one of the best folk roots songwriters in the province. He has released 8 full-length recordings, and has a few feathers in his hat for his effort that included a Juno nomination, three Canadian Folk Music Awards, a coveted Kerrville, TX New Folk Songwriting Competition win and numerous other Canadian Folk Music Award and Western Canadian Music Award nominations.