About Juanita

Juanita Wilkins is a roots artist with a mission - to tell the stories of rural Ontario - and her new recording project "Four Corner Town", is doing just that. Working with James Gordon at Pipe Street Studios in Guelph, Ontario, Juanita has achieved a clean, pure sound which showcases the touching and relevant songs she's written about the life and times of rural South Western Ontario. And these songs, written with her trademark writing style of intelligent lyrics and hummable melodies are the perfect vehicle for the voice that has been described in turns as pure and beautiful to smoky and sexy. With a three octave range, and the ability to sing everything from folk to country to blues and jazz, Juanita's stage show offers something for everyone - while disappointing no-one. Juanita has recently paired up with Mississauga guitarist and singer/songwriter Bill Candy, and the pairing is divine! Whether in the studio or on the stage, they have a lovely musical chemistry. Recent appearances at concerts, such as the Georgian Bay Folk Society's Winter Concert series, has had audiences spellbound and enthusiastically cheering for more. Some great news: One of Juanita's new songs, "Never Going Back", featured in this EPK, recently placed in the top ten in the OCFF's "Songs From The Heart" competition, and was submitted by the judges from that competetion to the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award.

Not one to be pinned to a single genre, Juanita's songwriting reflects her eclectic tastes in music - thoughtfully, and sometimes humourously, exploring relationships, world events, the human condition, and, especially close to her heart, the lives of women who work the farms in her rural neighbourhood. Looking to the rich history of Canadian Singer/Songwriters, Juanita feels that she has been guided and influenced by the likes of Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Fred Eaglesmith, Stephen Fearing, Lynn Miles, to name a few. Her first solo CD 'Stronger' is just that - a strong foray into the indie music scene. Juanita has opened for such artists as Stephen Fearing, Ray Bonneville, Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson of Skydiggers, and was chosen by Jane Harbury to be one of four performers at her "Discoveries" show at Hugh's Room in Toronto on February 13, 2007. Juanita continues to impress audiences with her insightful songs, playing to sold out houses in a series of songwriter showcases, such as the Glen Williams Songwriter's Circle in Georgetown, and the Museum on the Boyne's Songwriter's Showcase.

Juanita keeps her hand and heart in her local community volunteering as the Music Director for the Minto Arts Council in Wellington County - bringing in top Canadian Talent to concert events that function as important fundraisers for this awardwinning volunteer organization which promotes the arts in her locality. Juanita's dedication to live music shows in all aspects of her life, whether performing herself, or organizing live music events for others. Juanita is proud of her "Rural Roots"!

Juanita is also a proud member of ACTRA Toronto Performers, and does commercial vocal work; and recently was chosen from amongst a large number of candidates to be the national "voice" of Home Hardware.

Discography
Full length (12 track) indie release of "Stronger", with several tracks receiving airplay on Ontario radio stations: CKNX AM 920 Wingham, Ont., CKNX FM 102 Wingham, Ontario; Country 93 FM, Owen Sound, Ontario;Country 1510, Tillsonburg, Ontario; Easy 101.3, Tillsonburg, Ontario; CJCS, Stratford, Ontario