The Homegrown Hideaway Songwriters Round aims to spotlight artists from Norfolk County and surrounding communities, creating an environment that encourages intimate, heartfelt storytelling.

Each round four songwriters will take turns performing an original song and providing insight into their writing process. Time should allow for four to six rounds, with a brief intermission in between. Curated by Nolan Gibson, the goal was to gather a unique mix of artists and perspectives all under one roof.

Without further ado, meet your songwriters:

Ian James Bain

Ian James Bain is a country singer and songwriter based in Hamilton, ON.
A core member of Nicolette & the Nobodies, and touring guitar player for Jeremie Albino, Bain began his songwriting practice on the road and the time in between.
He recorded his debut album with Jonas Bonetta at Port William Sound, finding a personal, grassroots sound while remaining firmly rooted in country music.
‘Where I Wanna Be’ was released in October of 2022.
Ian next recorded a collection of songs with award-winning producer and pedal steeler Aaron Goldstein to be released early 2025.
Ian’s band of heavyweight players approaches Bain’s new material freely yet with precision grounded by the clear direction of Bain’s songwriting.
You can find him somewhere down the road.

York Street Thought Process

York Street Thought Process is a charming folk duo made up of Jaron Camp & Rachael Frankruyter. Drawing inspiration from John Prine & Bob Dylan, they capture the hearts of audiences through their strong storytelling which is woven together with graceful yet commanding vocals, imaginative guitars, & a variety of other instrumentation played by both Camp & Frankruyter; from mandolins to baritone electrics. York Street Thought Process leaves audiences captivated by the playful approach to folk music they offer.

Alison Schott

I grew up in Norfolk County, specifically Vittoria, Walsh and Simcoe. Interestingly, the village of Walsh is named after my mother’s descendants. They were some of the founding settlers in the area.

My family moved west in 1980, settling in Claresholm, Alberta. Its distinction? It’s the only stoplight stop heading south from Calgary to Fort McLeod!
We lived in Alberta for six years but always came “home” in the summer and worked in the fields of Norfolk County – strawberries, blueberries, and tobacco harvest.

I returned to Ontario for my grade 12 year at Port Dover Composite (not a good decision!). I was a studious student but that year I skipped all the allowable days! The pull of being with my family in Ontario outweighed the consequences of missing graduation, prom, the year book, and all the things a senior year should be. But the saving grace of that grade 12 year happened on June 10, 1986 when I met the love of my life. At the famed Turkey Point Hotel. Neither of us knew then that our families had been connected through music long before we were born. It was love at first sight! When we realized we were both passionate about music, the idea of a lifetime together felt like destiny.

Oh the stories I could tell from my life with Darrin Schott!!
You’ll hear them in our songs, and perhaps one day, they’ll be in a book. Wink, wink!

Facts about me –
• I married my life partner, Darrin Schott, June 10, 1989.
• We have two grown children, Jackson and Leanna. Each out in this world following their own paths and bringing us endless pride and joy!!
• We own one of only three Ontario dancehalls remaining from the 1950’s.
• Darrin and I formed, The Schotts musical duo officially in 2011 when we recorded our CD, after being together 25 years.
• For Darrin’s 50th birth year we embarked on a fiddle project. We wrote, recorded and filmed 50 (FIFTY!!!) fiddle tunes each centred around a village or hamlet in Norfolk County. You can find the project on YouTube by searching, the Norfolk County Fiddle Tune Marathon.
• Fun fact, we are quite famous in England for a song on our CD that we never play. One of the miracles of the internet!
• We have toured across Canada playing our songs and been supported locally by our communities and family and friends.
• We are also private music teachers. Giving lessons 6 days a week for over 25 years. Teaching has allowed me to witness people fall in love with music and learning, making the years fly by!!

Music is not what we do – it’s our life.
Sharing music is our definition of success and contentment.

Tony Duclos

Tony Duclos is a Norfolk County singer-songwriter, musician, who is best known for his harmonica playing and vocals in The Shoeshine Boys Blues Band, The Old Barn Doors and Lower Ground. Tony has co-written songs for the Diesel Dogs (Nasty Reputation) and most recently with his Band The Old Barn Doors. Scott (Boots) Ashley, Mark Wright and Tony began writing and recording original Canadiana songs a few years back. Songs like Harvest Party and The Old Barn Door have become local favorites among the Norfolk music scene.
The Old Barn Doors have joined forces with local singer-songwriters James Atkinson, Kevin Robinson and Ryan Morrison bringing together a Norfolk County Canadiana sound. Most recently Tony has been writing new material and is looking forward to bringing these songs to the studio and to future live shows.

In 2021 Tony Duclos and Local Norfolk County fundraising group The Birdtown Jamboree and Vinny Van Studio’s produced a Jamboree recording featuring Norfolk songwriters. Walts Backyard Rink is a song Tony wrote as a tribute to Walter Gretsky. This song and others can be found at Tony Duclos Music.