Acoustic Roots Festival

Matt Minglewood

Pretty Archie

Robert Bouchard

Charlie A'Court

Aaron MacDonald & Greg Favaro

Kimberly Fraser, Mac Moron, Aaron Lewis

Mike McKenna Jr

Jocelyn Nicole Hynes

2nd Generation

Maxim Cormier

Hearts of Kin

Chad & Jan Tetford

Russell Mathews

Delores Boudreau & Gilles Larade

MacArthur Dancers

Kevalone

Dara Smith-MacDonald  & Beverly MacLean

MORE PERFORMERS TO BE NAMED SOON

2026 Acoustic Roots Festival Artist Bio

Aaron MacDonald

Out of the woods of Mabou, a little town that beats in the musical heart of western Cape Breton Island, comes the soulful, ever-captivating, Americana singer Aaron MacDonald.

This indie songwriter is quietly making his mark despite the pandemic. Releasing new material for the first time since 2009, it has proven the East Coast has been longing for MacDonald to return. His first single this year, “Gonna Get There” debuted at #1 on the East Coast with his outlaw country follow-up, “My Soul & Me”, making an East Coast Top 5 splash, Aaron MacDonald has undoubtedly stepped back into the East Coast Music scene. He has been named as one of CBC Music Searchlight’s Top 100 Artists of 2021.

His new album, "It's Been Too Long" is available everywhere.

Charlie A'Court

If you go down to the crossroads of roots and soul, you’ll find singer, songwriter and guitarist  Charlie A’Court, whose honest purpose in life is to connect people, one emotion at a time.

Growing up in the rural village of MacCallum Settlement (outside of Truro, Nova Scotia), Charlie A’Court had little to rely on for entertainment except his imagination and music. Spending hours every day delving into his father’s collection of vinyl, Charlie would lose himself in a world of blues, roots, soul and folk. “I was discovering singers like Otis Redding and Sam Cooke and I remember being so profoundly moved and almost not old enough to know why” says Charlie. “There was something honest about the way they sang. They would sing with such conviction that simply commanded attention.”

Fearlessly bridging genres and challenging stylistic conventions, Charlie A’Court has toured Canada and abroad, with headline performances at the Stan Rogers Folk Fest, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Kerrville Folk Fest (USA) and Woodford Folk Festival (AUS). A’Court has shared the stage with high profile artists including James Cotton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Harry Manx, Martin Sexton, Delbert McClinton, Colin James and Dan Aykroyd.

Beverly MacLean
Beverly comes from Southside Boularderie, NS and is a Cape Breton fiddler and piano accompanist. Her love of music has been nurtured by her family and was influenced early on by Jennifer Roland, Allie Bennett, Stephanie Wills, as well as a variety of other Cape Breton traditional players. Beverly has become a regular player at ceilidhs, dances, and pubs and in 2019 she had the opportunity to perform internationally by travelling to Denmark. Beverly was a frequent performer at the Louisbourg Playhouse in their summer productions Spirit of the Island and One Night in a Cape Breton Kitchen and she spent some time performing with two cover bands while living in the Halifax area 

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Dara Smith- MacDonald

Dara Smith-MacDonald, born and raised in Antigonish, has been playing the fiddle for more than 20 years and now resides in Port Hawkesbury. With family roots in Inverness, she very quickly began to develop a style that is strong, lively and traditional. Dara has played for concerts, ceilidhs, and dances throughout Cape Breton, mainland Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and the USA. She has performed at the Antigonish Highland Games, the Acoustic Roots Festival, Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival, KitchenFest!, and Celtic Colours. In the summer of 2019, she traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with the fiddle group Hjaltibonhoga based out of Shetland. For over 15 years, she has been teaching fiddle at Colaisde na Gàidhlig / the Gaelic College and to students in her home and around the world via Skype. Dara is a musical director and a member of the Board of Directors with the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association with whom she has travelled to Boston and to Maxville, Ontario.

Delores Boudreau

  Delores Boudreau emerged on the music scene in 2002 and has maintained a strong and popular presence ever since. Described as “the best new Cape Breton singer” by Stephen Cooke of the Halifax Herald, she quickly earned a Best Female Artist of the Year nomination from the Nova Scotia Music Industry Association.

Delores has appeared at festivals throughout Nova Scotia, as well as in San Francisco, France, and Quebec. A true dynamo on stage, she now teams up with guitarist and vocalist Gilles Larade. Gilles is well known for his time as a sideman with Glen Roache and the Mustangs, where he showcased his guitar prowess and impeccable harmony work.

Now sharing centre stage, Delores and Gilles deliver a rich and engaging blend of Acadian, Celtic, Country, and Folk music. Together, this dynamic duo is sure to impress—be sure to catch them this summer at a festival or venue near you. 

Heart of Kin

Hearts of Kin are an acoustic duo consisting of sisters Danielle MacDonald and Shellie Tobin. Based out of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, these sisters have been singing and playing together for over 20 years. Originally from New Waterford, NS, they officially began performing under the "Hearts of Kin" brand in 2018.

These sisters aim to lend a fresh spin on some timeless folk and country. Heavily influenced and motivated by the wealth of musical talent in Cape Breton, Hearts of Kin bring a sisterly harmony to their own original arrangements.

Howie MacDonald

With eleven solo recordings already to his name, Howie MacDonald is a prolific composer and multi-instrumentalist from Westmount, Cape Breton, who released his first vinyl record in 1985. Shades of Tartan marks his 12th audio release!

Jason MacDonald

Singer/songwriter Jason MacDonald’s passion for music plays out in a driving acoustic fashion, wonderful storytelling and a warm personality that connects immediately with his audience. Since 2002 Jason has released three full length CDs and one EP of original material.  Tracks from his CDs have received significant radio airplay. His music has earned him award nominations from Music Nova Scotia, East Coast Music Awards, Independent Singer-Songwriter Assoc. and Top Honours in the Indie International Songwriters Contest. He has showcased at NS Music Week, East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Country Music Awards. A track from his last recording was chosen for the Atlantic Film Festival Music and Images Compilation. Recently he has licensed a track form one of his CDs to Sailing – Classics of Germany for use in promoting their cruise ship business. He has toured in the US several times doing shows booked through New England Celtic Arts. He has performed at several festivals that include the Milwaukee Irish Festival, Celtic Colours International festival, Kempt Shore Acoustic Festival and Acoustic Roots Festival to name a few.  Jason has toured in Western Canada that included performances at Calgary Folk Club and Northern Lights Folk Club in Edmonton   

Jocely Nicole Hynes

Jocelyn Hynes is a versatile musician, singer, and actor with a passion for using music as a form of therapy. Growing up, she honed her talents in singing and acting at prestigious venues like the Savoy Theatre. Alongside her theatrical pursuits, she cultivated her musical abilities, mastering the trombone since grade 4 and performing with the Cape Breton Orchestra.

After graduating high school in 2016, Jocelyn embarked on a journey at Acadia University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree over four years. During her time at Acadia, she expanded her musical repertoire, becoming proficient in piano, guitar, voice, ukulele, and trombone, while also delving into drumming classes.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted Jocelyn to return home, where she seized the opportunity to intern at Victoria Haven nursing home, utilizing music therapy to uplift and heal residents. In 2021, she showcased her songwriting prowess by composing three original songs for a HAT show called "Tell Your Story," performing one of them live at the HAT Live broadcasted Telethon. With a knack for crafting heartfelt melodies, Jocelyn has been composing original music since the age of 16, further refining her skills through structured coursework during university.

In 2023, Jocelyn found a new outlet for her musical talents, lending her voice to the congregation at a church in Louisburg. She also graced local events such as Crab Fest, Hope on the Hearth, and performances at the Louisbourg Playhouse. Her dedication and creativity culminated in the release of her debut single, "You're Here," in December 2023, marking the beginning of an exciting musical journey for this talented artist.

MacArthur Dancers

The MacArthur Dancers are known for their award winning creative stage Choreography, as well as their Traditional Celtic Dance performances. In 2017, they won the Canadian Choreography Challenge Title. The dancers are trained in Scottish Highland Dance, Cape Breton Step Dance, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary and Modern styles. This helps to enhance their stage and performance skills, and bring Choreography to life on stage. Whether it be a local charity, international festival, or a professional stage show, these dancers perform at over 100 events a year. Cape Breton Island is known for its living Gaelic/Scottish culture, and this group has been continuing this passion through a shared love of dance, expressed through instruction and performance. They will continue to pass this along through many generations to come.(www.macarthurdance.com</span>

Matt Minglewood –

 Genre – Northern Rock with a Canadianna feel, a musical hybrid with one foot steeped in the musical roots of blues & country and the other knee-deep in rock. Minglewood, known for his high octane shows will have you enjoying his brand of rock as it should be heard, wrenched from the heart and shot from the hip. For all music fans with a taste for the blues & rock, to witness this band is a feather in your cap. Joining Matt on stage is Moon McInnis on drums & vocals, Donnie Hann, a suburb bass player is back in the fold after a 40 plus year hiatus, Nick McInnis adds his immense talent on guitar and with Jeff Stapleton tickling the keyboards & vocals. The youthfulness in the band has added a fiery spark to their shows. Hope you got the opportunity to catch one of their shows, you won’t be disappointed. 

Matt has released 14 recordings and has amassed numerous awards & accolades including 

two ECMA awards for 2018 ‘Blues Recording of the Year’ and the coveted ‘Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year’ awards. In 2019 was honored to be inducted into Casino NS Music Hall of Fame.

 A few of the awards he has amassed throughout his career include: East 

Coast Music Awards

 2018 Fans Choice ‘Entertainer of the Year’ 

2018 Blues Recording of the Year for ‘Fly Like Desperados’ 

2008 Blues Recording of the Year for ‘The Story” 

2006 Blues Recording of the Year for ‘Live at Last’

 Lifetime Achievement Award 

Maple Blues Awards

 2015 Blues with a Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement) 

2013 Entertainer of the Year Award

Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival 

2005 Dutch Mason Blues Award

 Canadian Country Song of the Year Me & The Boys 

1986 Great Canadian Blues Award

 CBC Radio Saturday Night with Holger Peterson 

Honorary Doctorate from UCB 

Two Juno Nominations & Three Gold Records 

Bestowed with the Queens Jubilee Medal for his contribution to Canadian Music

 Amsterdam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZZsrK8u20s Website – 

www.mattminglewood.com Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/Matt-Minglewood-26299009470/ Facebook- www.facebook.com/Matt-Minglewood Twitter - www.twitter.com/MattMinglewood Instagram – www.instagram.com/matminglewood YouTube – 

Pretty Archie

Pinning down the sound of Cape-Breton-based quintet Pretty Archie has always been about as easy as catching a greased pig, but with the release of their new, self-titled album the band is confident that their unique mix of folk, Americana, bluegrass, Alt-Country, and East Coast music will appeal to a wider audience than ever before. Celebrating their tenth anniversary with what is arguably their finest work to date, the album was released on February 11, 2022 via Curve Music/Warner Music.

Robert Bouchard 

A life-long performing artist, Robert Bouchard has toured this national vast expanse on more than one occasion. He is a bonafide country sensation who has earned many accolades, the most recent being an induction into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame.

No stranger to television cameras, Robert Bouchard accepted an invitaion to appear on the popular Tommy Hunter Show, among others.

A native of Arichat, Cape Breton, Robert showed both his Irish and Country Sides in a introductory recording of the same name. In the years that followed, Robert and duet partner Giselle, recorded 2 more albums. These were followed by 3 solo recordings adding up to a total lifetime of 6 recording projects.

Today, we are about to witness the cream rising to top yet again with the release of his new CD entitled 'That's What I Live For'.

His fans have already heard and witnessed what he was placed on this earth to do, sing & entertain!Others are in for the finest country artist to ever emerge from these parts.

Dennis ‘Nick’ Boudreau is a most sought after and respected guitarist. Nick toured extensively with country artists Robert Bouchard and Cornelia & Billy. He toured Canada and Germany, work that lasted most of his adult life. Nick was a featured guitarist on a Rankin Family tour. He is modest and humble, yet musical colleagues sing his praises as a player of guitar, banjo, bass, and mandolin. Throughout his entire career, Nick has always partaken in fundraising initiatives, especially for persons with serious illness.