Hornby Island Blues Workshop

Rick Fines is an accomplished songwriter, acoustic and dobro guitarist and vocalist with a very recognizable voice that turns from gravel to silk. He is arguably one of the best acoustic fingerstyle and slide guitarists on the folk and blues circuits in North America. His classic blues guitar picking and authentic sounding vocals hark back to the blues ancients. He worked with the trio Jackson Delta, and has played for legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins, songstress Colleen Peterson, folk icon Penny Lang and many others. In 1998 and 1999 Rick won Maple Blues Awards for Acoustic Act of the Year and in 2006 he won Songwriter of the Year together with Suzie Vinnick. In 2003 Rick’s song Riley Wants His Life Back won first place in the blues category at the very prestigious International Songwriting Competition (B.B. King was one of the judges) and in 2005 Rick took first place in the Sweet Gum Bottom Acoustic Blues Competition in Alabama. In addition to a busy touring schedule, Rick conducts classes and workshops and works with kids as part of the Blues In The Schools programs across Canada, and continues to be one of the cornerstones at the Hornby Island Blues Workshop.