Bluegrass music is now played in all countries around the world. It is truly amazing how it has spread from one man, Bill Monroe, to the rest of the globe. Unlike the situation south of the border, however, very few Canadian bluegrassers are able to make a living at it, or perhaps even meet expenses. Bands tend to record at their own expense, and sell their products during personal appearances. A recent trip to my local CD outlet revealed only one Canadian bluegrass band on the shelf.
COOT wants to give a means of distribution to the many excellent Canadian musicians.
Coot wants to give bluegrass fans an opportunity to hear bands from all across the country. COOT is my way of saying thank you for all the fun, excitement, good times, and hours of pure pleasure that I have enjoyed during the past 26 years that I have been involved in various aspects of bluegrass music. At the moment Ontario bluegrassers are heavily represented in the COOT catalogue. However, the Pioneers, the Spinney Brothers, and Ray Legere are from Nova Scotia. Crooked Stovepipe is from Newfoundland, and the Baler Strings are from Saskatchewan.