​Gary Johnston-Vocals/Bass
Mike Johnston-Lead Guitar
In 1997, The band was without having a band name and exchanging creative idea's through music and lyrics. During this time in 1997, White Fire Reed consisted of Gary Johnston-Vocals and Guitar, Mike Johnston-Lead Guitar, Steve Podolchuk on Bass, and, Chuck Chaboyer-Drums.
During rehearsals in the basement, the band at the time mostly played "Covers" of other musical influences and it inspired them to dig deeper within their roots to form their own creativity. Most late nights after practice, the band went to their favorite coffee shop and the idea of the band name was discovered by Lead guitarist, Mike Johnston, during a coffee break and "White Fire Reed" was created.
In 1998, White Fire Reed was selected to perform at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival (CANAB) at the Toronto SkyDome. White Fire Reed was the only Rock/Alternative band that was featured in the performance tent that year.
The CANAB Festival Committee had requested for White Fire Reed to return to the stage in the following year in 1999 as a Main Stage Act and the band had shared the stage with Derek Miller, Eagle and Hawk, Eagle Feather Band, Joanne Shenandoah, and many other Aboriginal artists. The band also returned to the festival in Toronto in 2001, 2003. In November of 2010, the CANAB Festival had moved to the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, ON, where White Fire Reed had performed.
In 2001, White Fire Reed had appeared on APTN’s First Music and Arts Show with Waneek Horn. Both Gary and Mike spoke about how they became musicians and spoke of their dreams of developing a full length album.
In 2003, Both brothers, Gary and Mike Johnston decided to make a Demo/EP in Thunder Bay and approached original bassist-Steve Podolchuk to help them record their 3 song demo through Valente’s Music. Their EP consisted of the recorded singles-"The Only One" "Take My Heart" and "Blinded."
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​​Moving further to 2010, White Fire Reed managed to receive sponsorship through a local source to assist them with the making of their Full Length Album and the band decided to call it Positive Change. The band decided to record their album at STP-Sugar Tone Productions with Dave Allan, Co-producing and Engineering the album. You can also find their album online through their soundcloud.com page. It gives the consumer an opportunity to listen to the album before purchasing it.
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​You can also find White Fire Reed through many social networking websites online at Twitter, Youtube, Reverbnation, Facebook, Vimeo, CBC Radio, Instagram and, Myspace.
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