Terry Fernihough

As part of my Songwriters features, meet my friend Terry Fernihough. Terry has been involved in music for over 40 years, starting his first band in Grade 9. Even then, the focus was on original material, beginning his lifelong study of songcraft from Motown, Elton John and the Brill Building writers up to the present day country, pop and folk artists.

His first breakthrough came when he went to his first CCMA Week, which was held in Regina. There he performed at an Open Mic with one of his songs catching the ear of Donny Parenteau. The two met up to write at the Winnipeg CCMA Week the following year. “Sun Shower” became the lead single off Donny’s Bring It On album. The song was nominated for song of the year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards plus the album received a Juno nomination.

His second cut as cowriter was with Tonya Kennedy. “Better” appeared on her album He’s Everything You’re Not, which went on to get an East Coast Music Association Awards nomination for album on the year.

Then came Teagan Littlechief who took “I’ll Bring The Party,” a solo write of Terry’s, to Number One on the National Aboriginal Countdown. Terry and Teagan cowrote the follow-up “Hell Bent and Heaven Bound,” which also went top ten on the same chart.

So far, in 2021, Terry has 15 cuts, with several more pending, and 6 of his songs have been featured in independent feature films.

Along the way, he was also one of the founders of the CMAO – Country Music Association of Ontario. This may be his proudest achievement to date. And well he should be proud as the CMAO is well run and a supportive association for Ontario artists.

So, artists, if you need a co-writer, look Terry up on his Facebook page.