The Navigator’s have become of NL’s most well-known recording and live bands since forming in 2000. Their original writing and compositions inspired some of the music in the now world-famous musical Come From Away, currently playing at the Gander Arts and Culture Centre.  Writing hits like Dance and Sing, Pulling Oil From the Sand, and Living in the 709, the band has been presented on multiple TV and Radio programs for over 2 decades. Most recently being featured on the Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown on CNN and 20th Century Fox’s  show The Simpsons both in 2019.

With their distinctive blend of traditional and original music the award-winning group has performed and toured all over Canada, the US, and Europe and have released four full award-winning studio CDs.  Currently the band consists of the father and son team of Arthur and Aiden O’Brien as vocalists who include acoustic/electric guitar, fiddle, bass, keyboards, piano accordion and bouzouki as instrumentation. The group often includes well known multi-instrumentalist Dave Fitzpatrick from the Fables on drums and vocals or bass. 

Bob Porter, while small in stature, Bob Porter is an absolute giant in Newfoundland songwriting. With well-known songs like Ghost Out In the Fog, and Up She Rises his presence has been felt in virtually every kitchen and home in the province and elsewhere across the country, especially Alberta, his home for over 40 years.  Doing many shows between Alberta and Newfoundland, Bob has appeared on the prestigious Edmonton Folk Festival.  From Bears Cove  on the Great Northern Peninsula, Porter has carved himself a niche writing songs based on people, places and events of his home province earning him a following of dedicated fans, especially on the West Coast.  His catchy tunes with memorable choruses tap into a style that could be compared to a NL variant of John Prine.