Brian was motivated to learn music while attending his young daughter's piano recital. Together they worked on their crafts and refined their skills. Brian's first band was a group called Legends. They played covers of legendary artist's from the 60's and 70's. The band needed a lead guitarist and Brian stepped-up to fill the gap. Brian eventually left the band and started his own. His power trio played across the festival and night club circuit under the name, "The Brian Risk Band". The results were exciting and then Brian became interested in the tribute concept.
Brian went to see a show put on by a colleague. The band was called Saturday Night Special and was a tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was a great show and Brian decided to move things in a new direction. He took the next 9 months to develop a new show which would celebrate the music of legendary Canadian, Neil Young and his colleagues, Crosby, Stills and Nash. The show featured an acoustic set and an electric set . The show has played many festivals and soft seat theatres throughout the province to rave reviews. When the pandemic hit, the show was put to bed for a few years only to be renewed by the Tribute Specialists with a new line up and new look.
Brian answered an ad on Kijiji by the Tribute Specialists during the pandemic. It was an odd advertisement looking for a keyboard player for a tribute band but it made no mention of the band name, Brian applied regardless as they looked professional and seemed to have the right stuff. He was delighted to hear the target band would be the Rolling Stones. A few months later, he auditioned for the band based in Sarnia and now plays in The Rolling Stones Tribute Band and the UK Invasion Band.
Brian has been volunteering at the North Bay Regional Health Centre for 20 years doing a music therapy program. He plays on the long term care floor to patients struggling with all types of issues and are hospitalized for lengthy stays. HIs music, conversation, and humour provides encouragement and laughter to support their roads to recovery.
When the pandemic hit, Brian's world took a hit too. There was no live entertainment, no coaching, and teaching was done online. He decided to take advantage of his downtime and ramped up his skills in vocal harmony, keyboards, bass guitar, and drums. He has now become a very versatile performer who is also very skilled in the business side of music.
Copyright © 2023 Brian Risk - All Rights Reserved.