Whiskey Sour

ANDRE E. PIETTE AND THE WISKEY SOUR

André Piette was born on September 21st, 1965, at 7:32am, at l’Hôtel Dieu Hospital in Cornwall, Ontario. He owned a guitar since age 15 but was only really inspired to play when he was in his early 20's. He was married, at the time, and had a brother-in-law who played guitar amazingly. What was even MORE amazing is that he was 90% deaf. He was completely deaf in one ear and could hear at 20% with his other ear but only with a hearing aide. Without the hearing aide, he was 100% deaf. His brother-in-law played so wonderfully that André figured if he could, why couldn’t he. This brother-in-law taught him many things and truly gave him his passion for music. Piette’s musical influences are rock, blues, and country.

André’s brother-in-law taught him to play guitar with his bare fingers. André was finger picking and did not use a regular pick to play and strum. The first song Pierre learned in its entirety was Dust in the Wind by Kansas. He learned it on his own with a music book and to this day it is still his favourite song to play.

Piette started playing music with bands 10 years ago. Before, he felt just too shy and nervous to play in front of a "REAL" audience. Until then, he only played for friends around campfires and family gatherings.

André’s first band was called "Acoustic Rush"; it was a three piece acoustic band and he was the lead singer. Other bands were, "Diggin' up Jake", "Derailed", "Smoke'n'Mirrors" and now "Whiskey Sour".

Piette always felt that music and live music should not only be about watching and listening, but also participating. André brings people on stage to dance or sing with him. If people don't want to come on stage, he goes out to them and dances with them to get them involved.

In all the bands Piette played with, he has always been the lead singer. He plays guitar and signs some songs. He loves to entertain and wants to ensure the audiences have a good experience.

Whiskey Sour has been THE most successful band he has played with. The band is four years old and still going strong. The group plays a wide range of music from country to rock and from pop to heavy rock, but all the time ensuring the audiences enjoy themselves and dance.

André’s dream would be to play on a HUGE stage someday and be the opening act for a recording artist. He would love someday to play at Lift-Off to his home town and for his family and friends.

André says: “I don’t ever see myself quitting music. I'll still be playing music when I'm in my 80's.”