Hailing from Calgary Alberta, this well established country rock act has been making an impact in the music scene across Canada. With their most recent release from the 'Ride' album, 'My Kind of Radio' climbing the charts and currently sitting in the #18 spot, there 3rd release 'Sweet City Woman' hitting the #21 spot on Mediabase charts across Canada, 2 CCMA nomination's and a WCMA nomination under their belt, Jo Hikk has earned the right to be called one of Canada's top drawing “live” acts in the club and concert scene.
The band is comprised of brothers Kelly (lead vocals/bass), and Kenny Sitter (guitar/vocals), Don Jorgensen (keyboards/mandolin/vocals), and Al Doell (drums/vocals) .
Most recently Jo Hikk released their first video to CMT for their current release ‘My Kind of Radio’. The video was shot in Los Angeles with Warren P. Sonoda.
In February 2009, Jo Hikk was honored to have their song “Pimp My Tractor’ featured on the Big Rock Untapped CD Vol.2. 50,000 CD’s were distributed across Canada in specially marked cases of Big Rock beer.
Performing shows from Canada to Kandahar, Jo Hikk has shared the stage with some of the music’s biggest names. Known for their great vocal sound, energy and playful antics, Jo Hikk has a proven track record as a real crowd pleaser.
In 2007 Jo Hikk was honored to be nominated for the “Chevy Rising Star Award” at the Canadian Country Music Awards held in Regina. They were chosen to participate in the popular Tom Jackson seminar where they received a great response from fans and from the industry alike.
2008 was an exciting year for Jo Hikk being nominated for ‘New Group or Duo of the Year’ at the Canadian Country Music awards in Winnipeg, an honorable WCMA nomination for 'Outstanding Country Recording' for their 'Ride' album at this year's WCMA awards held in Edmonton where Jo Hikk performed a WCMA showcase at the Oil City Roadhouse. The band has a great fan base in Edmonton who has helped Jo Hikk chart 2 'top 10's' and #1 for their first single, 'Closer'.
"Highlights"
* 'My Kind of Radio' hits the #18 spot on Mediabase & the R & R Charts
* 'Sweet City Woman' hits the #21 spot on the R&R charts
* Nominated for 'Top New Talent of the Year' at the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards
* Jo Hikk 'Ride' Album nominated for 'Outstanding Country Recording' this year at the Western Canada Music Awards being held in Edmonton, October 16 to 19, 2008.
* Nominated for the 'Chevy Truck Rising Star Award' at the 2007 Canadian Country Music Awards
* Debut Album 'Ride' produced by multi-award winner George Canyon
* Performed at Rexall Place in Edmonton,Alberta, December, 2007 for the Armed Forces
* Jo Hikk's Myspace site hits 185,000,000 'real' views in 20 months
* First single 'Closer' hit the top 50 in mediabase and scores #1 In Edmonton January 1st 2008
* Second single 'Pimp My Tractor' released to radio in April, 2008
* Jo Hikk performs Concert May 31, 2008 and raises $42,000.00 to help raise money for the Rescue100 Horses
* Jo Hikk opens for Tanya Tucker in Edmonton, June 27, 2008
* Jo Hikk to open for Sara Evans at Merritt Mountain Fest July 13, 2008
Kelly Sitter
Lead Vocals/Bass
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, to musician parents, Kelly started his first band in Elementary school. His appreciation for a diverse array of music styling combined with a boundless vocal range and smooth sound has helped him develop a country style that is expressively unique, but firmly planted in tradition.
Kelly's professional performances are numerous and some highlights of his career include sharing the stage with accredited Canadian artists such as Lisa Brokop , Julian Austin, Aaron Pritchett and Paul Brandt.
He counts legends Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Nat King Cole, James Taylor, Ozzy, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn to be his major inspirations.
Kenny Sitter
Lead Guitar / Ganjo / Mandolin / Vocals
A native Calgarian and brother to Kelly, Kenny has been wailing on the guitar since early childhood. Bringing energy and antics to the stage, he adds the "rockier edge” to Jo Hikk and enjoys entertaining audiences with his ripping guitar solos.
Kenny toured with Canadian recording artist Julian Austin, entertaining the troops in Afghanistan and Dubai. He has shared the stage with some of Canada's finest such as Matt Minglewood , Charlie Major and Lisa Brokop as well as America's legendary Toby Keith.
His influences include; Van Halen, Sting, Ozzie , Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash & Jesse Cook to name a few.
Don Jorgensen
Keyboards/Mandolin/Vocals
Don grew up on a mixed farm near Olds, Alberta, and inherited a keen interest in horses from both his parents. He also had an affinity for the piano and was signed up for lessons. As a teenager, he spent hours in the tractor and in the process, became hooked on country radio.
He joined his first band in Edmonton, while completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. Since then, he has had a successful career in music, while maintaining his involvement with the family farm.
Nominated for CCMA all-star band (keyboards) nine times Don has worked with numerous Canadian Country music acts including: Duane Steele, Steve Fox, Brad Johner, Doc Walker, Julian Austin and Charlie Major. He was also a member of the Poverty Plainsmen for ten years.
His influences include; Little Feat, Bruce Hornsby and Ian Tyson.
Al Doell
Drums / Vocals
Born in Ashcroft, B.C. but spending most of his life in Calgary, Alberta, Al’s passion for music began at an early age when he first picked up his mother’s guitar. A natural born performer, by age 13 he had saved up enough money to buy his first drum kit.
Al's talents have been relied on by many artists over the years but it was in 1997 that he first joined forces with the Sitter brothers. Their tight vocal harmonies and undeniable chemistry was evident to all that witnessed them. It was only natural that these talents would one day reunite, sharing with the masses, their compelling stage presence in Jo Hikk.
Al has shared the stage with artists such as Paul Brandt, Blue Oyster Cult, Trooper, April Wine, and Loverboy.
Influences: Brooks & Dunn, Eagles, The Beatles, Ozzy, AC/DC, Van Halen
