Rik Emmett (of Triumph) Acoustic Duo Performance with Dave Dunlop.
Rik Emmett gained international notoriety as the lead singer/songwriter/guitarist with Triumph. Four gold & platinum decades in the music biz have provided entry into the Canadian Rock Hall of Fame, the Music Industry Hall of Fame and the Juno Hall of Fame, with a few ‘Best Guitarist’ awards in various categories garnered along the way.
A guitar magazine once wrote that Rik Emmett was “… his own worst enemy. He’s one of the only guitarists out there who may be too talented for his own damn good”. In a tabloid/sound bite world, the comment offers insight on a 21-year solo career, recognizing a unique artist still going strong based on being a loyal friend to his gifts instead of a slave to fashion with luggage to match.
Rik holds true to his dreams of the magic power of the music, and shares that with every audience, every night that he performs.
Dave Dunlop’s working relationship with Hall of Famer Rik Emmett had grown to the point that they released a duo project called ‘Strung-Out Troubadours’, with Dave co-writing, recording, co-producing, mixing and performing, all in his Room 9 studio. The strength of the duo’s chemistry led to their winning ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Group/Duo’ at the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz awards, where they were the most heavily nominated act. Each of the ‘Troubs’ was also up for “best guitarist”. Far from resting on their laurels, they recorded their follow-up CD entitled “Live at Hugh’s Room” [produced and mixed by Dave], showcasing the acoustic duo in a magical evening captured just before Christmas 2006 at the fabled “Hugh’s Room” in Toronto.
In 2008, Dave joined the re-formed Hall of Famers, ‘Triumph’, supporting the original line-up of Rik Emmett, Gil Moore and Mike Levine.
The ‘Troubs’ have since followed up the “ Hugh’s Room” disc with the 2009 critically acclaimed release “ Push & Pull”, again produced at Room 9.
Currently, Dave continues to balance his studio work with touring.
