Qualicum musician Liam Docherty had several key concert appearances taken off his plate this summer because of the concert-cancellingCOVID-19 pandemic, including showcases at the Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival and Courtenay鈥檚 91原创 Island Music Festival. The 13-year-old blues phenom even saw his own album-launch party at GroundZero Acoustic Lounge in Parksville fall to the wayside as a result of pandemic.
But there is a silver lining for the singer, songwriter and guitarist. His debut album, Modern. Magic. Melody., earned Docherty a Maple Blues Award nomination on Monday for new artist of the year 鈥� making him the youngest nominee in the 23-year history of the Toronto Blues Society event. 鈥淚 did have hope, yes,鈥� Docherty said of his nomination. 鈥淏ut it was a bit of a surprise, to be honest.鈥�
The nod must have felt like a form of vindication for Docherty, who started playing professionally two years ago. The 91原创-born musician played his first guitar when he was four, but it wasn鈥檛 until a Victoria concert by guitar maestro Tommy Emmanuel several years later that he felt compelled to pursue the instrument further. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what introduced me to blues music. I especially liked his cover of Deep River Blues, by Doc Watson, and that took me to learning finger-picking and blues-style guitar.鈥�
Key shows opening Kenn Hamm and David Gogo exposed Docherty to what life is like as a main-stage performer. He had written some of his own songs by the time he came into contact with roots favourite Doug Cox, who quickly lent his support. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a really good mentor,鈥� Docherty said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 helped me in every way possible.鈥�
Modern. Magic. Melody. was produced by Cox, a Juno Award nominee and a guitar player of estimable ability, over two days in his Courtenay studio. Docherty came into the sessions with a solid foundation of skills (thanks in part to his Nanaimo guitar teacher, Gerry Barnum) so it took only a few hours to get usable takes, Cox said. The album features seven original songs and five covers, including Docherty鈥檚 full-circle take on Emmanuel鈥檚 Deep River Blues. He paid for the recording with his own money, which he earned from regular busking gigs on Salt Spring Island, where the Dochertys lived until Liam was nine.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a true musician,鈥� Cox said. 鈥淚 hesitate to just call him a blues musician, because he鈥檚 a great songwriter, too. But he has reverence for the blues masters, and takes the time to learn about them. He鈥檚 not just learning a bunch of Robert Johnson tunes. He鈥檚 got a depth to his writing, both musically and lyrically, that is amazing for a kid that age. He鈥檚 the real deal.鈥�
Docherty has earned enough money from performing to purchase each guitar he plays, including his trusty Taylor GS-Mini. He has also fundraised for various charities by busking, earning thousands of dollars for charity over the years. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a depth of maturity to him as a writer, and also as a guitar player, that is ahead of the curve, for sure,鈥� Cox said.
Docherty has begun to branch out from acoustic to electric guitar, and is already thinking about another album. His parents, who are from the U.K., have played key roles in his development. His father introduced him to the guitar, while his mother home-schools Docherty and his two younger brothers. They are the furthest things from stage parents, Cox said, and their enthusiasm has kept Docherty interested in playing for playing鈥檚 sake, not for fame. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 hesitate to call him one of the best acoustic blues players on 91原创 Island,鈥� Cox said. 鈥淗is natural talent is something else.鈥�
Shows to support Modern. Magic. Melody. won鈥檛 be back on his calendar for some time, but he remains steadfastly committed. He never looks at practising as a chore, saying he picks up the guitar when he feels inspired. Sometimes it鈥檚 for an hour; in other instances, it鈥檚 for large chunks of the day, he said. Music is already a serious pursuit. 鈥淚鈥檝e set some goals for myself,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 really want to play [the Texas concert series] Austin City Limits and I鈥檇 also like to go visit Mississippi and explore the heritage of these great musicians.鈥�
Docherty said he would also like to take part in a youth showcase at the International Blues Challenge, which is held annually in Memphis, Tennessee, and has produced winners ranging from Susan Tedeschi to Tommy Castro. 鈥淚鈥檓 not in it for any kind of fame or anything. I just love the guitar. I love playing it.鈥�
