About Elton

Hi, my name is Elton Adams, I was born and raised in Roddickton, Newfoundland, Canada. Growing up, I was surrounded by a family of very talented singers and musicians.  Everyone from my oldest grandparent to my youngest cousin can play an instrument and sing. The church and local hockey rink were two of my major influences in Roddickton. Despite the fact that I’m not a stranger to the hockey stick and have played on various teams, music was most certainly my first love.

Where the Music Started

I’m not quite sure when I began to sing or perform but it was well before I began school. My mother would have me sing for the church all the time, whether I wanted to or not…and I enjoyed it most of the time even at a very young age. My interest in the guitar began at the age of eleven; I would grab my dad’s ‘78 Ovation Custom Legend and strum on it for hours. I became so addicted that it was hard to focus on anything but music. I always felt like I had conquered the world when I learned a new cover tune, I had to play it for my friends immediately.

The Canadian Forces

At the age of seventeen I enrolled in the Canadian Forces. During my first six years I was employed with the First Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in Shilo Manitoba. While serving with this Regiment I worked in both B and C batteries and ventured to Bosnia on Roto 7. It was also at this time I started to write my own music. While with the Artillery I played and sang for the troops all of the time. In Bosnia my band, "Guns and Hose’s"(this was our band name because the Artillery had the big-guns and we practiced in a Fire hall—hose’s) opened up for the CANCON show. Domestically, I had a band called, Dirty Laundry and we performed for almost all of the Regiments functions, private parties, and local bars.

I have served my country for over eight years and am a Military Police-Officer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  With only two years in the Military police trade I received notification that I was to embark on a seven month tour to Afghanistan.  Further, I would need to complete 8-months of work-up training in Edmonton before the tour began. While in Edmonton, I really began to focus on my song writing.  I would perform for my fellow soldiers often and this paid off immensely.

What A Soldier Left Behind

One of the songs I wrote, "What a Soldier Left Behind" was heard by my supervisors and the response was extremely positive.  It lead to performing at our farewell parade on January 17th 2008.  There were over 2000 personnel present for the parade, both soldiers and their families.  The song became and is still growing into a big hit amongst the Canadian Forces community.  I was presented with my Colonel and General’s commendation for the song.  The reaction I received motivated me to write more of my own music.  So, when I returned to Halifax for my 3 week embarkation leave, I recorded 4 songs at Denmark Production’s Studio, owned by Juno and ECMA (East Coast Music Awards) judge and music producer of the year, Dennis G. Field.

Commendations

On March 20th 2008, I performed, "What a Soldier Left Behind", in Afghanistan with Canada’s beloved rock band, Blue Rodeo, at our "support the troops" concert, again the response was incredible.   I received General Hillier’s, (our retired Chief of Defence Staff) commendation and I received many thank-you’s from my fellow soldiers, civilian employees and retired NHL Players (Doug Gilmour sent me a signed jersey) who were present at the show.   It was unforgettable.  Now that I’m back from Afghanistan I have finished recording my first album at Denmark Productions and I have just signed a major deal with music distribution company Matchbox Recordings.   Matchbox Recordings released my album in the UK on March 2, 2009.

Special thanks to my wife Trudy, my greatest supporter, she is the key to my music success.   Also, to all my family and friends who as always, believed in me…thanks – you are all awesome!

Elton