Many perform music but few live the experience 24-7.
As a lifelong entertainer, Earl Wilfong’s love of performing, anywhere and everywhere, is unparalleled. Where there’s an audience, there’s a will to do what he does and do it very well.
Born and raised in Peterborough, Wilfong’s passion for music was kindled at age 8 in church choir settings. A year later, he added the drums and guitar to his musical arsenal, forming his first band at age 11 before honing his talents through high school when, at age 17, he came away a winner from the Canadian Jazz Stage Band Festival, earning all-star drummer status in the process.
Wilfong subsequently took his talent across Canada and the United States, as well as overseas to Germany and The Netherlands. Comfortable with most any music genre, he has performed with Jack Bailey, Joe Henderson, Lisle, Highway and Blindstone Bridge, to name but a few. If that’s not impressive enough, he has shared stages with The Kentucky Headhunters, Rosanne Cash, The Good Brothers, Valdy, Burton Cummings and the late Jeff Healey.
Despite a busy performance schedule, one undeniable truth has remained a constant – Wilfong has never forgotten where he comes from. That has not only brought him numerous collaborations with local musicians such as Danny Bronson, Barry Haggarty and Cyril Rawson, but also benefitted numerous local organizations and charities. Simply put, Wilfong has rarely, if ever, said ‘No’ to gifting his talents to the benefit of this cause or that.
The list of benefactors of Wilfong’s charitable ways is long and varied: the United Way, the Children’s Aid Society, Activity Haven, the Canadian Cancer Society, The Festival of Trees, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and the Peterborough arts community…the list goes on and on. The homeless, the hungry and the disenfranchised among us have had their plight eased as a result of Wilfong’s unwavering commitment to their wellbeing.
Just as he soaked up music at a young age, many a young aspiring musician has benefitted from Wilfong’s willingness to mentor them. For a number of years, he has taught music lessons, no doubt passing on the most important lesson of all in the process – love the music and the rest will fall into place.