Biography

Career Highlights

2013: Recording fourth album at HiStyle Studio (J.D. McPherson, Eddie Clendenning) in Chicago

2012: recorded & released Christmas EP, appeared at Ottawa Folk Festival, Ottawa Oktoberfest, lots of other gigs, writing material for fourth album, Ernie Legend joins on drums

2011: East End Rockabilly Riot (Toronto), Red Hot and Blue Rockabilly Weekend (Montreal) with Sonny Burgess, Jive Around The Clock (Montreal) and lots more!

2010: recorded at Cowboy Jack Clement's studio in Nashville TN with JM Van Eaton (Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Riley) and The Jordanaires (Elvis Presley, Ringo Starr). Resulting album "Last Night In Nashville" released Sept. 2010. Performed in front of a few thousand at Westfest festival.

2009: release of "Tupelo To Memphis" album. Reached #6 on national country/roots/blues charts on campus/community radio. Performed at Elvis SIghting Society benefit. Live radio performance on CHUO. Nominated for "Best of Ottawa" award. Performed in O-Town Hoedown festival.

2008: release of "Live at SUN Studio" album. Interviewed on CBC All In A Day by Adrian Harewood & featured in Ottawa Citizen. Performed in O-Town Hoedown festival

2007: travelled to Memphis TN, recorded debut album at SUN Studio, performed on Beale St.

History

Formed in 2006, The Kingmakers are Ottawa's premier rockabilly, swing, jive, country rock and roll combo, pulling out all the stops to put on an amazing live show that appeals to all ages. Just like the early pioneers of rock and roll, the band fuses a mix of styles from hillbilly to swing to R&B, into high-energy music and an engaging stage show that became known as "rockabilly".

The band features Clark Lawlor (vocals), John Cormier (guitar), Stephen K. Donnelly (upright bass), and Anastasios Basiliadis (drums). Click on band member's names for individual biographies.

A huge fan of early SUN Records and the pioneers of rock and roll such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, in 2007 the band travelled to Memphis, Tennessee to visit Graceland, Beale St. and historic SUN Studio. At the end of the tour of SUN Studio, while the other tourists were being escorted out, The Kingmakers took out their instruments, plugged in, and began a one-night session with engineer James Lott. The result is a raw, "live off the floor" recording much like the greats would have made back in the mid-fifties. This session was released as the band's first CD, "Live at SUN Studio".

Not content to rest on their laurels, the band started work almost immediately on the follow-up. Working in their own studio, "Tupelo To Memphis" was recorded in the fall and winter of 2008 and released in 2009. Featuring 15 originals, the CD showcases the band's writing, bringing a fresh sound to a vintage style. The album received great reviews from fans and in the press.

In 2010 The Kingmakers released their third album, "Last Night In Nashville", recorded in Nashville TN at Cowboy Jack Clement's studio, with a little help from The Jordanaires and JM Van Eaton. Read the full story (press release).