User:Trevor Finlay

TREVOR FINLAY
When Trevor Finlay stepped onto the stage of The Rutledge in Nashville, TN in the fall of 2008, it felt like home. Maybe that’s because it was home -- the industry showcase marked the culmination of a musical journey that began in Canada over 10 years ago, and eventually brought Trevor to Music City to further pursue his career as a touring performer and songwriter.

It was a natural learning curve for the multi-talented musician, who’s been playing guitar since he was nine, and first began performing in clubs while he was still a teenager. Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Trevor grew up listening to the work of Muddy Waters, the Rolling Stones, Albert Collins, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Brian Setzer and Buddy Guy. He paid his dues north of the border, and through steady touring, club gigs and annual appearances at respected events like the Ottawa Blues Festival and the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the young roots rocker built a powerful fan following and enviable radio airplay. Momentum was further fueled by Trevor’s numerous nominations and awards, media attention and critical recognition from Billboard, Real Blues, and the Toronto Blues Society, among others.

Sandwiched in between were four CDs that he recorded and released independently: Morning Man (1998), Bumpy Roads (2001), the all-acoustic Home Tonight (2003), and Show Me What U Got (2005).

It was inevitable that Trevor would eventually find his way to Nashville. His eclectic, stir-fried mix of guitar-driven roots rock, blues/rock and rockabilly created a natural fusion with Southern rock, gospel and contemporary country influences introduced to him by working with such collaborators as Leslie Satcher (George Strait), Walt Aldridge (Delbert McClinton), Ray Barnette (Gretchen Wilson), and Bruce Wallace (Jewel).

Touring in the U.S. and abroad remains a mainstay of Trevor’s musical popularity. Over the course of his career, he’s shared the stage with everyone from John Hiatt, James Brown and Booker T and the MG’s to Kid Rock and Chris Isaac , as well as Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy. Trevor spent seven weeks on tour in Australia in 2007, earning an endorsement for a VioLap, a unique lap steel guitar created and produced by Cole Clark Guitars.

Now, with his move to Nashville and an influx of new dimensions to his songwriting, Trevor is looking forward to recording his fifth CD sometime this year.