Coming from points far north, Nelson Stewart brings with him a wealth of musical experience. He has been performing for twenty-five years in such diverse musical genres as rock, Celtic, funk, folk, jazz and soundtracks. He plays several instruments: piano, guitar, accordion, bass, mandolin, sax, harmonica, bodhran, and various other drums.

Nelson was a founding member of the popular Celtic rock band, The Swinish Multitude, from Toronto, Canada. When the group later reformed as The FictionMakers, he became their lead singer and chief songwriter. Nelson has recorded with various artists as a studio musician and has shared the stage with such popular groups as Our Lady Peace, Big Sugar, Ashley MacIsaac, Leahy, Kilt, and The Mahones. Prior to the Rogues show with the United States Air Force Orchestra, the highlight of Nelson's musical career was headlining gigs by the FictionMakers at the Horseshoe Tavern, the Opera House, and the El Mocambo, site of legendary shows by U2, the Rolling Stones, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He continues to write, produce and record in his own facility, Mayhem Studios. The new FictionMakers album, Plead Like Angels, will soon be released on Mayhem Records, an indie label Nelson started to help unsigned bands in Canada.

Nelson graduated from McMaster University on the Dean's Honours List with a double major in English and History. He also received a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario, again on the Dean's Honours List. Nelson has been an educator since 1994. He currently teaches English and History in Canada where he also conducts a stage band, a funk band, and a concert band, and coaches soccer, volleyball, football, and baseball. His passion for education has led to his nomination for a Profiling Excellence Award, a series of designations recognizing and honoring exemplary programs and achievements within his school board.

In his spare time Nelson swims, reads, plays hockey and soccer, and wrestles with his cat Pablo and his dog Si. He also loves to drive his Shelby GT500. He collects books, instruments, movies, sports memorabilia, and music. While he loves all kinds of music, some of his favourite performers are: U2, Elvis, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Keane, Sam Cooke, Led Zeppelin, the Clash, Dave Matthews Band, Dean Martin, Ocean Colour Scene, Parliament, the Waterboys, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Johnny Cash, New Order, Billy Bragg, Manic Street Preachers, James, the Stereophonics, Rob Dickinson, the Cure and the Smiths.

His favourite actor: Steve McQueen. Hands down.

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The Band :: Randy :: Nelson :: Richard :: Rogue History