Paul Quarrington - National Steel Guitar / Vocals
One of Canada's best-known authors, Paul's earliest artistic efforts were in music. The guitar was his entry into the world of the blues and Jazz. He quickly became accomplished on the instrument, performing in Toronto coffee houses and pubs. He had a successful introduction into the music business with his first professional partner and friend, singer/songwriter Dan Hill. The Quarrington/ Worthy composition "Baby and the Blues" was a number one hit single in 1980. Paul also lent a hand on a number of other performers projects, artists such as Graeme Card, Karen Gold and The Rheostatics. For years he performed as bassist for Joe Hall and the Continental Drift.
Awards: Martin Worthy - Drums / Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals A singer/songwriter, Martin has played drums for over 30 years. In the late ’70s he began working with Paul Quarrington. Martin and Paul’s music provides a rare combination of animation and subtlety, humour and insight. Their earlier songs were picked up by a number of successful Canadian artists. They also recorded their own album that contained a 1980 number one single - “Baby and the Blues”. In the 1980’s Martin was the drummer for the celebrated group, Joe Hall and the Continental Drift. In recent years Martin has worked as a piano restorer but now seems poised to re-enter music full-time. Stuart Laughton - Electric Guitar / Harmonica Trumpeter Stuart Laughton was a founding member of The Canadian Brass at age 19 and principal trumpet at La Scala, Milan under Claudio Abbado when he was 23. A graduate of Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute, he appears as a recitalist throughout North America and as concerto soloist with Canada’s major orchestras. Stuart has premiered many works by Canadian composers, including a concerto by R. Murray Schafer. Stuart Laughton founded Opening Day Recordings in 1993 and in 2003 he rejoined the Canadian Brass. Chas Elliott - Electric Bass / Acoustic Bass Chas was born in Toronto into a very artistic family. Before joining the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Bass Section in 1989, he had been Principal Bass of the Canadian Opera Company, National Ballet, Mainly Mozart and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestras. Very active in the Toronto recording scene, Chas has played on many feature films, television series and specials including Agnes of God, Moonstruck, Crash, Road to Avonlea, Robocop and The Arrow. Chas has also played on many recordings from The Scorpions, Hagood Hardy, Holly Cole, Rankin Family, Classical Kids, Moe Koffman, Rob McConnell, Louis Quilico, to the Glenn Gould Wagner Siegfried Idyll recording. After a hiatus of nearly twenty years, Chas has returned to the electric bass to pursue some musical dreams, including playing with Porkbelly Futures. Rebecca Campbell - Vocals Rebecca Campbell is a singer/songwriter, musician, photographer and arts administrator, but mostly she sings. Her music has been described as "emotionally rooted, lyrical, adventurous, impressionistic, intimate, poetic, full of surprises," always betraying a disregard for idiomatic boundaries. Rebecca was the vocalist for Fat Man Waving until they disbanded. She continues to sing with Microbunny, Anti-Gravity Machine, Carol Ann Weaver and Three Sheets to the Wind. She has shared the stage with countless artists, including Jane Siberry, Ian Tamblyn, Emmylou Harris, Ani Difranco, Daniel Lanois, Fred Eaglesmith, Alanis Morrisette, Sylvia Tyson, The Skydiggers and The Parachute Club. The vocals on Porkbelly Futures songs are incomplete until Rebecca adds her unique touch.
• Stephen Leacock Award for Humour in 1987 for King Leary
• Governor's General Literary Award for English Language Fiction in Canada in 1989.
• Genie Award for best screenplay for Perfectly Normal
• Genie Award for best song - Claire (from the movie Whale Music)
• Gemini Nomination for Best Writing In A Dramatic Series - Due South with Paul Gross, and John Krizanc
• Giller Award finalist 2004
