He fled to Canada to avoid being drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War.
Nominated 'Best Country Male Vocalist' at the Juno Awards in 1990.
A friend introduced him to Robbie Robertson of The Band, and he was signed to his first record contract.
As a youth he took piano lessons for 10 years, played organ in church, and picked up guitar after hearing rockabilly, blues and gospel on Memphis radio.