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"Dan McKinnon is a brilliant Canadian folk musician with unparalleled song writing and interpreting skills and a voice that could in fact fill a castle! But what’s more…he connects so beautifully with his audiences. Guaranteed! Songs from the heart, many maritime, many from the land, written with respect for the folk tradition(s), and every one of them stories you won’t forget." - Larry Kaplan
"Undoubtedly the hit of Cleckheaton Festival... "
Though he can trace his family back to the Skye McKinnons, only a few generations removed from Scotland, Dan himself hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the Canadian Maritimes, an area rich in the musical and cultural traditions of the North Atlantic.
"A special night with Dan McKinnon. Marvelous powerful voice delivering many thought provoking original songs with great story telling to set the scene... Very accomplished guitar accompaniment... Just lovely..."
- - Cramlington Folk 2022
Dan's warm baritone voice, superb guitar arrangements and original compositions have won him widespread praise. Thoughtful songs and smooth melodies cover the entire folk spectrum.
Dan has tremendous stage charisma and engages an audience - both hearts and minds. He's equally happy on a large festival stage or a small venue or folk club, telling stories in song. And what stories... tales of the British war brides of Canadian servicemen in the 1940s... the story of how Canadian merchant navy sailors eventually got the recognition they deserved for their war service - sixty years late... and the true tale of a bride who wanted the best wedding dress and lost her beau by chasing her dream...
From the Living Tradition Review - "Undoubtedly the hit of Cleckheaton Festival this year was this supremely warm-hearted, warm-voiced singer-songwriter from the Canadian Maritimes. Encountering Dan's music for the first time is a life-affirming and immensely enriching experience. He comes armed with a package of exceedingly fine self-penned songs, almost any one of which would be the envy of many a more well-known songwriter. You can hear from the moment he steps out in front of an audience that he's one of the most engaging and genuine performers on the scene. Dan is blessed with a gorgeous baritone voice, and an exceptional command of phrasing, light and shade perfect for conveying the nuances and narratives of his uniformly finely-crafted songs." - David Kidman
"One hell of a treat to see. He's a great singer, great songwriter, and a great performer." - Mick Peat, BBC Radio Derby
Dan has received nominations for two MIANS Awards: Folk/Roots Recording of the Year & Male Artist Recording of the Year! As far back as 1998 he was given the AMTEC Award of Merit for the album Between Wind and Water and he was the Nova Scotia winner in the tenth and final CBC Atlantic Song Contest for the song, "Lakes of Bras d'Or."
"An excellent night of music from Dan McKinnon at Catshill last night. Great songs sung with a truly awesome voice and introduced with interesting and entertaining chat. A true master of his craft."- Bob Bignell, Bromsgrove Folk Club and Festival
A true troubador, Dan travels the country with one guitar, one backpack and one train ticket.
Tours booking now:
April/May 2026 and
May/June 2027
APRIL 2026
We 8 April
Cottingham Live
The Back Room 173 Hallgate HU16 4BB
Th 9 April
Bromsgrove Folk Club, Catshill Social Club, 13 Meadow Road, Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 0JJ
Fri 10 Apr
Norwich Folk Club
Christ Church Centre, Magdalen Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 4LA
Sat 11 Apr
Taunton, Fivehead Folk, Fivehead Baptist Church, Butchers Hill, Fivehead, Taunton, TA3 6PD
Thu 16 Apr
Bideford Folk Club
Joiners Arms, Market Place, Bideford. EX39 2DR
Sun 19 Apr
Readifolk
Community Hall at Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street, Reading RG1 4RA
Wed 22 Apr
Banbury Folk Club
Church House, 2/3 North Bar St, Banbury, OX16 0TB
Thu 23 Apr
Newport Lyceum Folk
Crindau Constitutional Club 45 Malpas Road Newport NP20 5 PJ
Fri 24 Apr
Northwich Folk Club
Royal British Legion (Social) Club, Firth Fields, Davenham, Northwich CW9 8JB
Sun 26 Apr
Guisborough Folk Club -
Clubhouse, Rugby Club, Belmangate, Guisborough, TS14 7BB
Mon 27 Apr
Glenfarg Folk Club
Gateside Memorial Hall, Main Road, Gateside KY14 7SY
Wed 29 Apr
Irvine Folk Club
Vineburgh Community Centre, Quarry Road, Irvine KA12 0PS
Thu 30 Apr
Black Swan Folk Club
Peaseholme Green, York, YO1 7PR
MAY 2026
Mon 4 May
Stirling Folk Club
Stirling Rugby Club, Bridgehaugh Park, Causewayhead Road, Stirling, FK9 5AP
Tue 5 May
Ayr Folk Club
The Market Inn, 2 Castlehill Rd, Ayr, KA7 2HT
Thur 7 May
Nitten Folk Club
The Dean Tavern. 80 Main St, Newtongrange, Dalkeith EH22 4NA
Fri 8 May
Lake District Folk Club, The Pavilion, 77, Main Street, Staveley LA8 9LN
Tickets
Sat 9 May
Folk on the Pier Festival
Cromer Pier
Mon 11 May
Boston Folk Club, The Eagle, 144 West St, Boston PE21 8RE
Tue 12 May
Dartford Folk Club
Dartford Working Mens Club, 40 Essex Rd, Dartford DA1 2AU,
Wed 13 May
Dorking Folk Club
Dorking Golf Club, Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, RH5 4BX
Thu 14 May
Islington Folk Club
Brewhouse & Kitchen - Highbury, 2A Corsica St, London N5 1JJ