Kyle McKey – The eMTee’s and Before
Kyle McKey riffs on a career that has spanned over 20 years already. From his very early start in The Family Band, with his father Fred and brother Dean, to […]
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Playing an average of 150+ shows per year around the world, John Allaire is easily one of Canada’s top independent road warriors. In fact, he recently celebrated his 3,000th career show with a series of sold out concerts in 2024. John has won many awards, including the Americana Songwriters’ Association award in Nashville for best lyricist and the Toronto Independent Music Award for “best live show”. Penguin Eggs magazine has called John “the next Canadian music legend” and “a new Neil Young”. His storytelling and quick wit make him a perennial festival favourite and a stalwart club-land institution.
John is best known around the Nation’s Capital as the host of “The Allaire Show”, a weekly singer-songwriter series at Quinn’s Ale House in Old Ottawa South and Brews and Blues in Stittsville, featuring guests from around the world. He, along with his backing band, The Campistas, were asked to be one of the opening acts for Neil Young and Crazy Horse on their 2024 Love Earth Tour.
John was a founding member of the ‘80s and ‘90s alt-rock band, The Town Cryers, and has shared the stage with hundreds of other popular acts, including The Black Crowes, Steve Earle, Snoop Dogg, Wilco, Three Days Grace, City and Colour, Blue Rodeo, Alejandro Escovedo, David Lindley, Donovan, HooDoo Gurus, BoDeans, Alanis Morrisette, Drive-By Truckers and many more.
He has, in recent times, become known as the “poet laureate” of the NHL Network. Basically, he writes songs and parodies for the sports network and appears live at their headquarters in Toronto or on site for special events.
John is versatile in presentation and can perform as a solo act, duet or with his 4-piece band, “John Allaire & the Campistas”.



Kyle McKey riffs on a career that has spanned over 20 years already. From his very early start in The Family Band, with his father Fred and brother Dean, to […]
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