Ottawa musician hopes your vote will secure an international rockabilly songwriting win
Ian Cook really wants to ‘be your man’.
That’s the title of his song that’s made it to the finals of an international songwriting competition called the Rockabilly Rumble. (listen here)
“There were entries from 20 countries and I was one of 16 songs that made the cut,” explains Cook.
The artist performs with Dimestore Playboys, an Ottawa-based rockabilly-swing band. He’s been part of the local music scene for about 35 years but describes himself as new to songwriting.
“I’ve actually written fewer than ten songs.”
That’s why making it so far in this competition is such a thrill.
Cook is also excited about the artists doing the judging.
“The songs were judged by Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats; James Burton, lead guitar player for Ricky Nelson and then later band leader and guitarist for Elvis Presley; and country music star Lorrie Morgan.”
Cook is guaranteed a third place finish since he has advanced to the semi-finals but with your help, and vote, he could secure a win.
Ian Cook in studio. (Supplied photo by Shawn Tavenier)
Ian Cook in studio. Photo by Shawn Tavenier.
When not playing musical instruments Cook is repairing aviation instruments.
“My Dad started Woodlawn Instruments 35 years ago. My sister and I now run the company, repairing aircraft instrumentation.”
“Be Your Man” can be downloaded on the band's Bandcamp page or streamed on Spotify.
If Cook looks, or sounds, familiar, you may have heard him perform with The Wild Ones, The Town Cryers, Rustbucket, The Kingmakers, or Jr. Gone Wild.
“I was originally a drummer, I switched to rhythm guitar and fronting the band I'm in now, Dimestore Playboys.”
Voting for this round ends Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.