..Biography
:: Check out The Mizzen Men EPK (Electronic Press Kit) online.
:: Check out Wayne's Burke's Biography below..
Wayne's parents bought him his first guitar, at the tender age of 10, in 1969,
at which time the family resided on Mira Road, on the outskirts of Sydney,
Cape Breton.
By the age of 13, Wayne, along with good friends Terry Peters and Bobby Dupe,
started jamming together, spending hours upon hours practicing,
wanting to one day play on "ANY" stage, anywhere.
Two years later, along with Terry's brother-in-law Jerry Carson,
"The Silver Shadow's" got their first break, performing at a variety concert
in Westmount, just outside Sydney.
From that point on, and for the next few years, the group played all around
Cape Breton Island, at pubs, weddings and concerts.
They played anything from Chuck Berry, to Bachman Turner Overdrive,
and Wayne definitely somewhat attributes the versatility of "The Silver Shadows",
to the musical successes he's had over the past few years.
He also played for a short time while in high school, with the rock band "Rage",
along with good friends Kenny Theriault, Lawrence Lelievre,
and present day Mizzen Man, best friend and bandmate, Tom Mills.
It was during his tenure as the frontman and lead vocalist with Rage,
Wayne learned how to manipulate the range of his vocals.
In 1978, a year after graduating from Riverview Rural High School,
Wayne put down his guitar, and commenced what resulted in being,
a 26 1/2 career with The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
His career afforded Wayne and his family the opportunity to see most of the
country, and meet many wonderful people. At the same time,
he was always quick to pull out his guitar, at a house party,
or to perform for any charity or variety concert where a good cause was involved.
In 1985, in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Wayne had a short stint of playing
professionally once again, with good friends Michael Cerkowniak,
Marcel Lemieux and Bruce Yakoweshn, in a group called "The Mike & Wayne Show".
A few years later, in 1988, Wayne found himself on the rocky shores of Newfoundland.
By 1994, he had been transferred to St. John's where he teamed up with friends
Roy Young, Bruce Mesh, Leonard Pink, Brian Companion, and Kal George,
to form the all police band, "Justice Combined". Two of the lads
(Roy and Bruce) along with Wayne, went on to form the Celtic Trio,
Companion Waye. They spent a short time playing the St. John's music scene,
until July, 1998, when Wayne was once again transferred, this time to New Brunswick.
The transfer to New Brunswick soon resulted in the birth of The Mizzen Men.
Wanting to keep his music alive, after moving to the Saint John, NB area from
St. John's, NF, Wayne began playing with a host of local artists.
Within 6 months, he joined up with his friend, and fellow church choir
bass player Paul Burns, and began jamming. By this time, Wayne's son
Chris had become an accomplished musician, playing 10 different instruments.
The chemistry was perfect, and the trio began playing the New Brunswick and
Maritime music scene, performing at Festivals, Concerts, Benefits,
and the local pub scene.
In May of 2000, The Mizzen Men released their debut CD entitled
"Kitchen Saturday Night", a compilation of mostly original material.
NOTE: (The CD was produced at The Sound Expression Studio's in Lake Utopia, NB,
where The Mizzen Men worked with well known New Brunswick Producer,
Christian Gay... It was an incredible experience working with Chris,
who went above and beyond, bringing the best out of the band...)
The CD was well received by folks all around Atlantic Canada, and began
immediately receiving radio airplay in many different cities around the country.
Just 2 of The Mizzen Men's many highlights over the past few years,
would include opening for John Allen Cameron at The Lunenburg Fishermen's
Picnic & Reunion, and winning the 2001, K97.3 Maritime Music Talent Search
in Saint John, NB. The Mizzen Men have also shared stages with many
other great Maritime musicians such as J.P. Cormier,
Gordie Sampson,
Charlie A'Court and
Terry Kelly, just to mention a few.
In 2005, Wayne's son Chris moved to Ontario after graduating from college,
pursuing a career as a Youth Minister and Counsellor.
The Mizzen Men continue to perform, with good friends Kim Dykeman,
Tom Mills and Ray Carrier, admirably filling the void left by Chris.
Also in 2005, along with his good friend Tim Stackhouse of Saint John, NB,
Wayne co-wrote, recorded, and released the tribute CD, "I'll Be Waiting",
for the four slain RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alta.
NOTE: (Once again, Producer Chris Gay came forward and did another great job,
getting the CD recorded and out to the public...
Learn more about The Sound Expression Studio's at www.atlanticwaves.ca )
The project was well received by the media and public,
will all proceeds from CD sales going directly to the members, families trust fund.
Of late, Wayne has been doing a lot of travelling and performing, with his
old high school buddy, Tom Mills
of Sydney, Cape Breton. Tom has been described as being one of the
finest guitar players on Cape Breton Island, and his talents certainly
enhance Wayne's strong vocals, story telling, and overall interaction
with their audiences. For more information on Tom, check out his website
at http://www.tommills.ca/
The Mizzen Men have performed at countless festivals, concerts and conventions
over the past 7 years, their distinct Celtic/Maritime sound, giving their
listeners a unique, and true Maritime experience. Recently, the group has played
at such venues as The Stan Rogers Folk Festival,
The Kempt Shore Acoustic Festival,
Festival By The Sea in Saint John,
The Lunenburg Fishermen's Picnic & Reunion,
The Pictou County Lobster Festival,
and The Big Pond Folk Festival, just to mention a few.
Wayne also performs solo whenever the opportunity arises,
including an ongoing gig on the Prince Edward Island / Nova Scotia Ferry.
Taking in a Mizzen Men performance will afford the listener the opportunity to
enjoy a host of instruments, from guitars to mandolins,
whistles, flutes, and harmonica's, accordions, fiddles
and percussion instruments. So get ready to clap your hands and stomp your feet,
when Wayne Burke and The Mizzen Men hit the stage,
performing many of their own original tunes, along with countless well
known Traditional, Maritime and Contemporary favorites.
Wayne retired from the RCMP, on November 11th, 2004, and relocated from
New Brunswick to Murray River, PEI... He and his wife Darlene are High School
sweethearts, having met on a French Club trip to Quebec City in 1976...
They've been married since 1979, and have four children... Leah (23) lives in
Summerside, PEI, and works in the Tourism industry... Chris (21) who of course
is one of the original Mizzen Men, is married to Jennifer, and lives in Madoc,
Ontario where he is a Youth Pastor, and still plays in two different bands...
Donald (14) and Robert (13) are in grades 9 and 8, and are typical active
teenagers... Aside from his passion for music, Wayne loves to golf, sail,
and work around the yard of his 125 year old Victorian home.
Press Kit Pictures
:: Check out The Mizzen Men EPK (Electronic Press Kit) online.
:: Or check out Wayne Burke's Press Kit Photo below..
(click image to download high resolution (300 dpi) image - 2048@1536 pixels
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