Robert Maciag Professional Biography
To see one of his live performances you would be thoroughly entertained by his casual off hand conversational manner, unique sense of dry humour and captivated by his finger style acoustic guitar work which punctuates the show.
As a vocalist Robert has great pitch and enhances any melody with a rich and warm baritone voice that is very easy on the ears. He has sung on numerous albums and jingles, done commercial voice-overs and of course his own songs. His most successful radio jingle "People Come First at IGA" aired on radio for over six years. Two seasons as a background vocalist on "The Ronnie Prophet Show" CFTO-TV not only broadened his scope of experience working with such artists as Chet Atkins, Don Everly, Brenda Lee, George Jones and countless others, but additionally introduced him to some of this country's finest studio musicians with whom he has worked with and been influenced by over the years.
He has successfully released three singles for airplay which have led to a string of appearances as guest artist on a variety of TV shows from Edmonton to Toronto to Nashville.
Singing opened a door to the world of musical theater in 1984 when Robert took on the lead role of "Jim" in the original Canadian production of "Pump Boys and Dinettes" an off Broadway smash hit that garnered the cast and crew no less than 4 Dora Awards! After one year at the Toronto Variety
Dinner Theater the production toured eastern Canada winding up with a three month stay at the Charlottetown Festival. Robert in total notched over 500 performances to his credit.
Acting in musical theater went hand in hand with acting for television and film. Through the eighties Robert appeared as an SOC or lead character in an array of commercials including Labatt, Kraft, Canon, Eaton's and Nissan as well as appearing as the 'mystery man' for Maria Christina wine. Film work as an extra included working with actors Charles Bronson and Wilfred Brimley.
Additionally Robert cites the following as highlights in his career:
-Teaching guitar to young Inuit children at a music camp for two seasons, Iqaluit Music Society, Nunavut, Baffin Island.
-Taking on the role of songwriter, music and tour director for a children's show, "Sandra Beech in Concert", touring Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador.
-Putting on benefit and Christmas concerts at various hospitals including Sick Kids in Calgary, St. Michaels, Markham and the Lyndhurst facility for para and quadriplegics.
-Showcasing at the infamous 'Bluebird Cafe' and 'Legends Lounge' in Nashville.
-Receiving three Guinness World Record certificates for his participation in the Canadian Musicians for Liberty marathon, a continuous 181 hour performance held in October 2001, which raised over $35,000 for the Red Cross relief fund post 9-11 and set three world records. Other participants included Downchild Blues Band, Jeff Healey, Five Man Electrical Band and Ronnie Hawkins to name a few. Robert was given the honour, by Chuck Jackson one of the organizers, of performing as a finale his own composition called "Angels in Heaven" .
Brian Linehan once said of Robert after seeing him perform at a Toronto club, "he is a gem yet to be discovered". Trips to Nashville have taught him that the bar of excellence is very high and with the years of experience that he has under his belt Robert Maciag is always improving his craft.