Craig Cardiff

Craig Cardiff (born 9 July 1976) is a Canadian folk singer from Waterloo, Ontario who lives in Arnprior, Ontario. He has released sixteen albums, both live and studio-based since 1997. He has toured North America and Europe. In 2012, Cardiff was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo and for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Contemporary Singer of the Year.

Craig Cardiff was born July, 1976 to Judy and Charles Cardiff. He grew up with his younger sisters Catherine, Susan and Elizabeth in Waterloo, Ontario, where both his parents were school teachers.[1] Music was important during his upbringing and he was motivated by his parents to play an instrument.[2] His parents bought him his first guitar, a Gibson J-30, when he was 15, while one of his high school teachers, taught him the guitar during his lunch hour.[3] Cardiff began to perform at coffeehouses and with some bands in high school. While studying at the University of Waterloo, he performed at local pubs, open mic events, and coffeehouses. He also worked as a booking agent, organizing shows at Fed Hall, including the Guess Who.[3] Cardiff moved to the Ottawa area from Waterloo when he was in his twenties. He lived in Wakefield for a few years before buying an old farmhouse in Arnprior, which now also serves as a home recording studio.[4]

In September 1997, Cardiff debuted with the album Judy Garland (You’re Never Home) which included Deanna Knight, Tom Murray, Danny Michel, Joel Stouffer, Paul Mathew and Catherine Cardiff.[5] It was re-released in August 2006.[6] Cardiff released his album Goodnight (Go Home) in 2007. In 2007, View Magazine stated that while Cardiff “…maintains a dedicated fan base”, he “…is more a secret than a household name, despite his songs revealing the craft of one of the best in the business”. View Magazine stated in 2007 that he was “playing bigger rooms, touring more and receiving more critical acclaim” after his 11th release, Good Night (Go Home).”[7] The magazine called Goodnight (Go Home) “arguably Cardiff’s most accomplished release to date.”