Biography
Born in Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba on August 1, 1953 to parents Emile and Mary Catherine Ranville; Errol Sydney was the 8th of 12 children. Errol was a natural entertainer, taking to the stage, guitar in hand, at the early age of 8. Although a shy youngster, Errol discovered confidence while on stage driven, in part, by his God-given gift of music.
Several of Errol's siblings became talented musicians and or vocalists - Brian, Stirling, Delphine, Randy, Wally and Don. All of the them, including Errol are self-taught instrumentalists. Errol credits his earliest music mentors to the likes of the Carter family, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles. Somewhere along the way Errol gained the family nickname "C-Weed", and the rest is "history" as they say!
Forming his first band in 1965 while only in high school in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, C-Weed & the Weeds, the name later changed to simply, The C-Weed Band. Comprised of Errol & siblings Wally Ranville and Don Ranville, the musical journey began…
In 1980 The C-Weed Band, still an unknown, stunned the Country Music world upon the release of Robbie Robertson's song Evangeline, on Errol's first album, "The Finest You Can Buy". The song quickly rose to # 1 on the Canadian Country Radio charts, and marks the beginning of The C-Weed Band popularity.
Brian Ranville, older sibling to the boys played an instrumental role in creating publicity and The C-Weed Band "hype" during that initial period where the band was still unknown. Errol refers to Brian as the "Spindoctor" who worked tirelessly to promote the band, simply recognizing that The C-Weed Band not only had amazing talent and star power, but believing that these young, fearless aboriginal men could shatter barriers in the music industry ………..he was right! With several of their songs being played on mainstream radio, The C-Weed Band blazed across Canada and the U.S. in their own tour bus, show after show, year after year, gaining new fans and popularity wherever they played.
Two years later The C-Weed Band struck gold again as the song High and Dry, written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, also went #1 on the Country Music charts. Now wanting to write his own music, Errol recorded several albums (and continues to) using his own penmanship. Magic in the Music was nominated for a Juno Award in 1985 & 1986.
In 1987, several albums later, the now well-known Ranville brothers parted ways. Errol continued to record as a solo artist. Errol also tried his hand at the night club business in Winnipeg, then Edmonton, Saskatoon, and for a short time in Thunder Bay, operating under the name "C-Weed's Cabaret". The concept was to give Aboriginal bands a place to showcase their music.
In 1988 Errol released the first of a few solo albums, A Tribute to Southern Rock, along with a video to accompany the song Old Rodeo Cowboys. The video aired on MuchMusic. In 1998 Errol created a new The C-Weed Band, and in 2000 released the CD "Run as One".
Errol wrote and recorded the song (by the same name) Run As One using traditional Aboriginal drumming and chanting, which even today brings a C-Weed audience to their feet. The song, acclaimed by many as the "Aboriginal Anthem" of the century with catchy guitar hook and heartfeld lyrics, drew a Juno nomination in 2001.
Errol returned to Manitoba in 2002. Errol began working for the Province of Manitoba in Dec of 2003. He then moved to the Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association ( MARIA ) to develop the Aboriginal Music Program (AMP) from April 2004 'til December 2005. Errol served as Executive Producer for Manito Ahbee, and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards in 2006 & 2007, in which he created highly successful, internationally acclaimed shows.
In April 2005 Errol was inducted into the Aboriginal Hall of Fame by Eric Robinson, Minister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Sport and NCI General Manager Dave McLeod.
Errol Ranville has played an integral part in paving the way for today's Aboriginal musicians, having been one of the first Aboriginal singer/songwriters in Canadian history to have achieved recognition and success spanning almost 3 decades. Far from retirement, Errol and The C-Weed Band continue to perform live shows around the world.
Errol's latest CD release, "Magic in the Music", a greatest hits cd, released May 21, 2010, is anticipated yo be the best The C-Weed Band seller yet…..
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