– Dan Aykroyd
Roaring through bracing, high-octane performances since 1969, the band founded and continuously steered by harmonica and guitar ace Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh is as vibrant today as when Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi went sniffing around for inspiration for their brilliant Blues Brothers venture back in the 1970s. The pair elevated Downchild’s “Shotgun Blues” and Walsh’s “(I Got Everything I Need) Almost” to smash status on their 1978 Briefcase Full of Blues record.
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our dear friend and longtime tour manager, Art Theberge. Art passed away peacefully of natural causes on the morning of April 8, 2026, with his best friend and lifelong partner, Liz Tisdall Bloomfield, by his side. Known affectionately to Donnie as “Feh,” Art…
The Governor General of Canada has appointed Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh to the Order of Canada, recognizing more than five decades of extraordinary contributions to Canadian music and culture. The honour—the nation’s highest civilian recognition—celebrates Walsh’s lifetime of dedication to the blues and his role in shaping Canada’s musical legacy. “Congratulations to the newest appointees…
Due to popular demand, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band are THRILLED to announce that a second FAREWELL TOUR show is being added at Hugh’s Room Live in Toronto on November 12, 2024! The band will be joined by special guest Jeff Rogers. Tickets ON SALE TODAY at https://buytickets.at/downchild/1427235
Tickets for The Legendary Downchild Blues Band’s intimate hometown FAREWELL TOUR performance at Hugh’s Room in Toronto on November 13, 2024 are SOLD OUT!
Downchild are happy to announce that Juno Award winning guitarist, Tony D (MonkeyJunk), will be performing as their special guest on their FAREWELL TOUR shows in Edmonton (St. Albert) at the Arden Theatre on October 3rd at 7:30 pm and in Calgary at the Arts Commons Engineered Air Theatre on October 4 at 7:30 pm! Tickets…
The Legendary Downchild Blues Band are thrilled to announce that 12X Maple Blues Award winner Suzie Vinnick will kick things off for the band’s FARWELL TOUR show at the Imperial Theatre in Sarnia on November 2, 2024. Tickets for Sarnia are available at BUY NOW! For all of the latest tour updates, check out the…
Donnie Walsh was instrumental in the founding of the Jane Vasey Memorial Scholarship fund at Brandon University. The fund was co–founded by Vasey’s late parents (Dorothy and Ross) and Downchild Blues Band in 1983 to sponsor keyboards students in the Brandon University (alma mater of Vasey) school of music.
Each year 2 scholarships in the amount of $2,500.00 have been awarded. The fund has grown to the amount of $80,000.00. Downchild continues to fund scholarships through benefit performances. The benefit amount is doubled thanks to a special program sponsored by the Government of Manitoba.
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