Leisa Way & The Wayward Wind

Watch Leisa Way & The Wayward Wind

Leisa Way is a Canadian songbird whose magical way with musical storytelling has produced fourteen hugely successful 'musical documentaries'. These full two hour fully staged and costumed concerts have sold out at over 150 theatres across Canada. Leisa was honoured with a Toronto Musician of the Year Award in 2022, and featured on the cover of International Musician Magazine.

Leisa and her band are available to perform anywhere in the world! In Canada, the United States, or further abroad! The beautiful thing is that if you are doing a festival or need shows that can perform in repertory - Leisa can bring you a choice of quite a few different shows, all played by the same band. And audiences LOVE her shows.

For the last 15 years, Leisa has been solely producing & creating concerts that travel. She put together a band of some of the finest musicians in Canada, including pianist Bruce Ley who composed the music for an Academy Award nominated film, and her fiddler Nathan Smith, who recently won a Canadian Folk Music Award with his band, Vinta.

Bruce Ley/Doug Balfour/Danny McErlain (keys),
Fred Smith/Jack Gaughan/Adam Koopmans/Eric St. Laurent (guitars, banjo, dobro, lead vocals);
Don Reid/Daniel Barnes (drums)
Nathan Smith/Alex George (fiddle, mandolin & lead vocals);
Brant Garratt/Jesse Collins Jr./Tyler Check (guitar & vocals)
Al Braatz/Bobby Prochaska/Bob Hewus (bass & lead vocals). **Leisa jokes that the band is so good - she doesn’t need to show up!

Here is a list of the 14 sensational concerts they perform together:

- Sweet Dreams: The Music of Patsy Cline

- Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot

- Across the Pond: The British Invasion

- Rhinestone Cowgirl: Celebrating Dolly Parton

- Rock n' Roll is Here to Stay

- Country Jukebox: The Best of Country Duets (from the Grand Ole Opry to Today’s Country)

- Fever: Celebrating Peggy Lee

- With a Song in My Heart: Songs of the Great American Songbook

- Wichita Lineman: The Music of Glen Campbell

- Oh, Canada, We Sing For Thee! (an all Canadian celebration!)

- Opry Gold (The Hits of the Kings and Queens of Country)

Plus three holiday concerts:

- Have Yourself a Swinging Little Country Christmas

- Rock Around the Christmas Tree

- Home for the Holidays

What Presenters say about Leisa Way & The Wayward Wind Band

“Leisa is a Canadian Treasure, and one of the most talented and adaptable artists touring rural Canada today. Who else can offer you 9 or ten different show options?” Troy Greencorn, CD, deCoste Centre, Pictou, NS

"From the beginning Leisa and her band had the audience under a spell. Lively music, engaging personalities, and a flawless performance made for a memorable evening." Darlene Kowalchuk - Assiniboia & District Arts Council, SK

“Across The Pond brought us record sales, and SOLD-OUT shows. Our audiences love Leisa Way. She and her band are an absolute dream to work with. Young and old love her shows. Each band member is an outstanding artist on their own.” Erica Angus, ED, Theatre Collingwood, ON

“Leisa and the Wayward Wind Band put their heart and soul into every song and the audience responds with foot stomping, hand clapping, and singing. A must-see show!” Ray Gillis, Kinosoo Performing Arts, Cold Lake, AB

"Leisa and her band won the audience over the moment she stepped out on stage with her spectacular performance. I have never worked with a more accommodating or professional group in all my years of programming. The show was TOP NOTCH from curtain out to in!" Darcy Campbell, Director of Live at the Centre (Confederation Centre, PEI)

“Working with Leisa was amazing, from contract negotiations to load in and out. Her band are wonderful, professional musicians and Leisa was a high-powered bundle of energy in a tiny package!” Colleen Brines - Quesnel Live Arts, BC

“Opry Gold” packed the house at The Bluewater Summer Playhouse every show. A magical journey through the history and music of the Grand Old Opry!! Jennifer Webb, EC, Bluewater Summer Playhouse, Kincardine, ON

“The talent on stage is surpassed only by the audience’s enjoyment of the show.” Neil Scott, Surrey Civic Centre, BC

“Energy, Pride, and Smiles. That’s what Leisa Way brings to the stage. Oh yeah- and talent. Lots and lots of talent”. Moe McGuinty – GM, Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, North Battleford, SK

“Leisa’s concert is the talk of the town. Everyone really enjoyed the concert and many said it was the best ever. Leisa and the band were awesome.” Lynn Kot - President, Weyburn Concert Series, SK

"Across the Pond" was a big hit for us, setting the tone for our most successful season in 40 years. Great material, high energy, a real crowd pleaser." Simon Joynes, AD, Port Stanley Festival Theatre, ON

“In my opinion, your group was the BEST entertainment we've had in the three years since I came back to Hudson Bay from Vancouver! I can't wait to get you all here again! Safe travels to all your future destinations”! Tracey Knihnitski, Hudson Bay Allied Arts Council, Hudson Bay, SK

“We’ve presented three of Leisa’s shows. We love working with her and our audiences just love her.” Lee Bolton- ED, Imperial Theatre, Saint John, New Brunswick

“Leisa’s performance was one of the most nostalgic, heartwarming, emotionally charged, toe-tapping evenings our audience has ever had the good fortune to experience!!" Martina Begg - Osoyoos Arts Council Concert Series, BC

Across the Pond brought the biggest crowd of the summer to Grand Bend's beach for our Concert Series, with over 1500 people in attendance. The audience loved it!” Mary Alderson, Chair, Sunset Concerts, Grand Bend, ON

"Thanks to Leisa Way & the Wayward Wind Band for a polished and professional performance. They were a personable group of musicians who were a pleasure to work with. Audience members actually hugged me to thank me for bringing in this show. “Oh Canada - We Sing for Thee!’ was truly enjoyed by all." Tonia Vermette, Yorkton Arts Council, SK

“Leisa Way’s concerts have taken Upper Canada Playhouse by storm for 9 years with repeated sold-out runs. I would encourage any presenter to include these audience-pleasers in their season. They are polished and dynamic productions performed by some of the finest and talented musicians in the country”. Donnie Bowes, AD, Upper Canada Playhouse, Morrisburg, ON

OTHER REVIEWS:

“The crowd-pleasing finale being provided by Leisa Way, a honey of an entertainer. Having dazzled crowds for years as Patsy Cline, she now turns to Dolly Parton in Rhinestone Cowgirl”. The Toronto Star

“Way’s new concert, Rhinestone Cowgirl: A Tribute to Dolly Parton, is designed to leave audiences amazed, hugely entertained, and clamouring for more. It’s not just that Way has a voice with extraordinary range and power, she also manages to capture the essence of Dolly Parton, a star for over five decades. Leisa Way is spectacular in Rhinestone Cowgirl. All I can say is: What a band! What a show! What a lady! The Morrisburg Leader

“Way’s Dolly Parton show is more than just another tribute concert. She sings Dolly’s songs, and then tells anecdotes and facts about Dolly’s life between numbers….Way brought her popular Patsy Cline show to VPP last year, but this year’s tribute to Dolly is even more entertaining and provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase Way’s amazing vocal talent and comedic skills.

Entertain This Thought, London, Ontario

“Leisa Way’s brilliant portrayal of this unforgettable country music icon has to be her greatest triumph to date” Country Music Jukebox, Germany

“No one has come as close as Way in emulating the essence, the voice and the passion of the country music legend…. Way causes shivers with her grandiose voice." Banner Review, 2005

"Leisa Way, starring in Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline, is a powerhouse of a singer and entertainer. Although a tiny person, Way dominates the stage, filling every corner of the theatre with her rich, vibrant voice. And if ever an actor could be said to be “channelling” the late, much loved Patsy Cline, then that actor is unquestionably Way."

Way’s strong, heartfelt vocals evoke the kind of deep emotional response that was the hallmark of Cline's own performances. Songs like "I Fall To Pieces," "She's Got You," and "Crazy" still have the power to break your heart. But the show offers much more than hurtin' songs….Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind delivered the goods in full measure. The Sarnia Observer

“A Canadian singer with a beautiful voice….an artist of grand talent” Radio Lyon, France

“Way’s Country Jukebox is upbeat, humourous and musically, a knockout. You can’t get better performers than these musicians anywhere.” Morrisburg Leader

“The band is outstanding! Leisa, as usual, is smashing in ‘Fever‘” Orangeville Banner

“Leisa Way captures her in a way that I am sure Peggy Lee would be flattered.”

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