Al Brisco Bio

BIOGRAPHIES of Canadian Steelers

AL BRISCO
Canada's Ambassador
of the
Steel Guitar

Born & raised on the family 'APPLEDALE' farm in the community of NORTHCOTE, near RENFREW, ONTARIO, CANADA, where early musical influences included the school & church. Five years of piano music lessons plus learning some chords on the acoustic guitar lead to playing bass at the age of 16 with country bands.

One of these bands named The Countrymen were desirous for a steel guitar, & since there wasn't a pedal steel within many miles, Al proceeded to build his first one, from a picture on a Pete Drake LP. After many tuning frustrations, Al purchased his first factory-built pedal steel, a Fender 400, finished high school & went on the road making music his career. In 1966 he took delivery of his first Sho-Bud pedal steel.

His influences over the years include Ralph Mooney, Tom Brumley, Buddy Emmons, Buddy Charleton & Lloyd Green. Since there were no cassette tapes in those days, he practiced with a LP turntable which would play a half speed, putting coins on the tone arm to slow it down to pitch. (really great for the record grooves!)

Al started doing recording sessions in the late 1960's, & in 1970 he put the hit sound on the song "COUNTRYFIED" by Dick Damron. Over the years, he has been active doing session work with such names as: George Hamilton IV, Pure Prairie League, Ian & Sylvia Tyson, Gordie Tapp, Gary Buck, Tommy Hunter, & Johnny Burke, to name a few.

Al was in demand, playing on the road over the years with people such artists as Grant Carson, Sons Of The Saddle, Honey West, & then in 1972 he was called by Ronnie Hawkins, taking the position as band leader. During his 4 years with "The Hawks" playing mostly Rock 'n Roll, gave Al the experience of using a Leslie organ speaker and a fuzz tone, taking the steel guitar into a new dimension. During this tenure he got to back up many notables, such as Frank Zappa, The Band, Kris Kristofferson, Beverly D'Angelo, & many others.

In 1976 Al joined Johnny Burke & Eastwind, one of Canada's top country groups, & in 1977 assisted in making "Wild Honey", a #1 record . Eastwind were in demand as the first choice for back-up musicians for live gigs, as well as CTV's Funny Farm, & CFGM's Opry North syndicated radio show. During these years, Al also assisted Eddy Fulawka in building pedal steel guitars.

In 1979, Al was instrumental in starting the Steel Guitar Club Of Canada, (S.G.C.C.), now named "Steel Guitars of Canada" (SGC).

1981 saw Al quit the road & start working a Cosmo Music in Richmond Hill, Ont., where he worked for nine years, maintaining The Steel Guitar Club Of Canada, as well as playing misc. engagements. He left Cosmo in 1991, continuing to operate the S.G.C.C.

He's been playing at various steel guitar conventions & events, doing seminars, etc. throughout North America & Europe, such as playing Scotty's International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis, MO, regularly since 1982.

Other highlights of Al's career include the October of 1994 induction into The Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame & the subsequent release of his first solo album, "PICKIN' UP THE DUST", containing 10 pedal steel guitar instrumentals, available on CD or Cassette, & which by the way is receiving fantastic reviews!

Throughout 1995/96 Al has been occupied promoting his record, playing with Carroll Baker & other misc. gigs, steel guitar concerts & seminars, operating The Steel Guitar Club of Canada, as well as assisting his wife Betty in other business partnerships, including establishing their 'Complimentary/Alternative Health Care Business'.

"KEEP STEELIN"

...But Don't Get Caught!

Order a copy of Al Brisco's "Pickin' Up The Dust" at APPLEDALE MUSIC.

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