Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Artist: Dottie Cormier, Album: Oh Happy Day, Song: Run Willie Run

"Red sirens blaring, dogs running up the hill, they couldn't find Willie, nothing left of that still.  Lots of broken barrels lying out on the grass.  When the sheriff catches Willie, he's gonna kick his ass.  Run Willie run."  Dottie Cormier is a country bluegrass artist from Toronto.  She made a name for herself as part of a bluegrass band called, Heartbreak Hill, during the nineties.  The band also included singer songwriter, Jenny Whiteley.  The band's full length debut was actually nominated for a Juno in 1999 but lost out to Kate & Anna McGarrigle.  Dottie ventured out on her own and in 2001, released this album, Oh Happy Day.  The song, Run Willie Run, closes out the album and it is a fierce, banjo/mandolin number about making moonshine and running foul with the law.  It would fit well in a music score for the Dukes Of Hazzard.  Dottie is joined by Chris Quinn, her old Heartbreak Hill band mate, on banjo.  Dottie still appears to be involved in music though finding recent information on her was a bit challenging.  She's collaborated with artists such Carolyn Mark (see blog 11/16/10) over the years.  As far as I know, this is her only release and finding a copy is very difficult.  At the time of this blog, I couldn't find any for sale.  You can hear the song, Run Willie Run, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjNvEEg-CK4).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!