Biography

In 1981, four employees of Wakami Lake Provincial Park, near Chapleau, Ontario, formed the Wakami Wailers to interpret Canada’s colourful history through songs and stores. In 1984, Mark Despault, Rob Hollett, Mike Bernier, and Jeff Allen were commissioned by the government of Ontario to develop a musical interpretation of the provinces rich logging heritage. They develop the interpretive showcase “The Last of the White Pine Loggers” , and since then this show has since been enjoyed by audiences throughout North America, The Epcot Center, Florida, The Filene Center in Washington DC to Expo 86 in Vancouver. They have performed the soundtrack to award-winning films : The winter camp, a depiction of life in a turn of the century lumber camp, and places of time, and exploration of the first 100 years of Ontario Parks. Today the band has produced 4 successful albums including their latest project, “Un, Deux, Trois....Four”. Their first album “Last of the White Pine Loggers” ,recorded in 1985-86, is a collection of lumbering songs composed in the mid 1800’s - early 1900’s. “Waltz With the Woods” came out in 1993, a tribute to national and provincial parks, features mostly songs composed by the band members. River Through the Pines” was released in 1999 and continues the theme of their first album...songs from the early lumber-camps . The band has just released their fourth album “Un, Deux, Trois...Four”celebrating Canada’s landscapes and heritage.