Leavin' Train

Marlee Dyonne

Marlee Dyonne has been singing and performing since childhood. From age 3-15 she sang with her family around the Annapolis Valley, NS. From age 15-18 she performed in a gospel quartet entitled "Tremont Girls Harmony" where she toured throughout NS with the now famed "McLean Sisters" and Donya Fiske demonstrating beautiful 4 part harmonies, and produced her first recording. Next she was crowned Miss Nova Scotia 1993. As an ambassador for her province she sang at several engagements. Her music career truly began to soar when she hooked up with singer /songwriter Roxeen Spinney. Together they became a duet sensation called "Golden Raven". Under this banner they released a recording, were featured on the cover of Bluegrass Canada Magazine, and performed at many Bluegrass festivals in Canada. They have also had the honour of sharing the stage with many of their Bluegrass heroes at the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival in Maine, USA.

Since her move to Ottawa, she has performed at various festivals and events.

Marlee writes and sings songs straight from her heart. Her voice has the ability to capture an audience and take a listener on a journey that stirs many emotions: from sultry sounds and quiet conviction to energetic enthusiasm. Her smile and friendly demeanour coupled with her drive and professionalism are elements that truly cause her to be a class act. She proudly now shares the stage with, Gilles LeClerc, Chris Barkley, and Dan Whiteley. Together as "Leavin’ Train" they are moving through the music scene like a steam engine.

Gilles Leclerc

Born in Cantley, Quebec in 1975, Gilles has been playing guitar for 16 years and mandolin for the past nine. He has spent the last nine years accompanyning singer/songwriters and playing in several well-known bluegrass bands. His skill in playing acoustic instruments is in great demand. He also teaches guitar and mandolin to students of all ages.

Gilles’ musical interests and influences are quite varied. His playing is influenced by the likes of Bill Munroe, Adam Steffey, Tony Rice, Larry Sparks and Chet Atkins. Currently Gilles showcases his mandolin talents as he is touring with "Handsome Molly" and "Northwind", two successful Ontario bluegrass bands. And more recently he has enthusiastically been working with Marlee Dyonne, Chris Barkley, and Dan Whiteley as "Leavin’ Train". This newly formed band highlights his beautiful dynamics and precision as a guitarist. His vocal ability is second to none, and he has been demonstrating his talent for songwriting as well. Together "Leavin’ Train" produces a blend of harmony that is captivating.

Chris Barkley

"We are proud to announced a big congratulations to Chris on his win! He won dobro player of the year at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards 2007! Way to go Chris! You deserve it!"

Chris Barkley is an extremely talented Canadian performer who plays the Dobro beautifully, distinctly and with energy. He has been playing music for 25 years on various instruments in different styles of music. In 1996 Chris began playing Bluegrass dobro. Having played with various bands over the past decade, including The Ridgerunners, Handsome Molly, Jeff Hagerman band,etc., Chris is equally at home in the studio as he is on stage. His talent has been featured on many music projects. He has also been no stranger in leading workshops all around the Canadian festival scene.

Chris currently performs as an important stylistic component in the band "Leavin’ Train", and also remains in great demand for studio work.

Dan Whiteley

Mandolinist and guitarist Dan Whiteley ranks among the most compelling and exciting performers of contemporary acoustic music on the Canadian music scene today.

Dan's musical résumé begins with numerous concerts and recordings as a "junior" member of father Chris Whiteley's Junior Jug Band, a funky children's group which earned Dan his first Juno nomination and a gold record at the age of eight. By his late teens, having taken up guitar in earnest, he was already making his mark on the Toronto blues scene. An apprenticeship out of high school with the renowned Whiteley Brothers Blues Band led to an invitation to play at the Chicago Blues Festival in 1994, representing the first appearance there by a Canadian group.

A passion for the authentic roots of music meant that it wasn't long before Dan began to fall in love with bluegrass, and his hard-driving mandolin playing was to become a force behind the well-known Toronto-based band, Heartbreak Hill. Their self-titled album was given a four-star rating by entertainment weekly Now Magazine and was nominated for a Juno Award in 1998 in the Best Album: Roots and Traditional category.

His ability to make the transition from the blues to bluegrass, from country to swing with such ease and musical honesty has led to credits on over fifty albums, including those of well-known artists Amy Millan, Sylvia Tyson, Fred Eaglesmith, Prairie Oyster, Fathead, Stephen Fearing and Sarah Harmer.

Dan maintains a full-time schedule playing with numerous artists in Ontario and throughout Canada. He recently has retaken the bluegrass scene by storm by climbing aboard with "Leavin’ Train".