Season of Performing Arts: JP Cormier
Event Details
The Harrison Festival Society presents JP Cormier, a Canadian musical virtuoso whose talents span bluegrass, folk, and Celtic traditions, live at the Harrison Hot Springs Memorial Hall on Friday, January 9.
Born John Paul Cormier in London, Ontario in 1969, Cormier began playing guitar at age five and won his first competition at nine. A self-taught prodigy, he quickly mastered a wide array of instruments including fiddle, mandolin, banjo, piano, and dobro, earning acclaim for his uncanny ability to play by ear.
By sixteen, he had released his first album and was touring the U.S. festival circuit, performing alongside legends like Waylon Jennings, Earl Scruggs, and Marty Stuart. His time in Nashville and appearances at the Grand Ole Opry cemented his reputation as a gifted sideman and session musician. In 1989, he studied music education at Northeast Mississippi Community College, one of the few institutions specializing in bluegrass.
Cormier’s solo career blossomed in the mid-1990s after returning to Canada, where he began writing and performing his own songs. His discography spans dozens of albums, and his storytelling style—often rooted in real-life experiences—resonates deeply with audiences. Notably, his song “Hometown Battlefield,” inspired by his Afghanistan tour, went viral for its poignant portrayal of PTSD among soldiers.
With over a dozen East Coast Music Awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and a Juno nomination, JP Cormier remains a beloved figure in Canadian music. His electrifying performances, heartfelt lyrics, and unmatched instrumental prowess continue to captivate fans worldwide.
Event Details
Date: Friday, January 9
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm | Show starts at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $28.50 + GST
A bar and concession will be available. The show will be two 45 min sets with a short intermission.
Tickets are available online at harrisonfestival.com, by phone at 604.796.3664, or in person at the Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison Hot Springs.
About the Harrison Festival Society
Known worldwide for its professional artistry and small town hospitality, the Harrison Festival Society has long been a beacon for growing acceptance of diversity and purpose fueled programming. Each July for more than 45 years, the Society has produced the internationally acclaimed Harrison Festival of the Arts, a nine-day, cross-disciplinary, multicultural art event set amidst the small town atmosphere and breathtaking scenery of Harrison Hot Springs, BC. A non-profit, grass-roots organization, the Society also presents an annual Season of the Performing Arts from September to May and works closely with a number of Fraser Valley partners in continuing to bring high-quality, inclusive and accessible performing arts into the area.