Biography

Singer with the group Ian and Sylvia.

His parents moved to Canada from England, and he attended private school and played polo. He was a rodeo rider in his late teens and early 20s. While competing in a rodeo, he shattered his ankle. While in the hospital, he borrowed another patient's guitar and taught himself to play.

[on developing voice trouble] The sound [at the Havelock Jamboree] was set up for Nashville rock 'n' roll, all heavy bass. I stupidly tried to outmuscle the sound with my voice, which I'd gotten away with all those years. When I got offstage I knew I'd done something strange and terrible. Then it was too late.

I don't do nostalgia. I'm a writer and I keep writing. So I guess, in the final analysis,the approach I've taken has given me longevity.

What us cowboys do, we'll sell our CDs right at the show. They sell like hotcakes. Everybody at the show buys one. The record company does nothing. Absolutely nothing. Basically, if they've shipped you the boxes of CDs to Livingston, Montana on or before the date, they feel they're absolutely heroes and should be given the Legion of Honor or something.