René Huard - Biography
Singer ~ Songwriter ~ Guitarist ~ Pianist ~ Harmonica Player
During his early years on the Ottawa music scene, from 1974 - 1979, René performed original music as René Williams and taped Live for Television, CBC’s “New Faces”, as well as performing in Williams & O’Neil Band at The First Annual Ottawa Blues Festival, opening for Taj Mahal, John Hammond Jr., John Lee Hooker, Powder Blues Band, and Son Seals.
During 1980 - 1989 he founded The Meteors; a rocking’ blues band which was signed to The Agency, subsequently touring the A-Circuit from Winnipeg to Halifax, and Upstate New York. The Meteors went on to perform at iconic venues such as, El Mocambo in Toronto, Imperial Garage in Niagara Falls, NY, Dollar Bill’s in Kingston, Ontario, Fryfogel’s In London Ontario. The Meteors also opened for UK’s The Blues Band, James Cotton, and Downchild Blues Band.
From 1990-1999 he performed as René Beau Dean, and Huard Band, with showcase performances in Toronto at The Diamond Club, and opened for Brent Lee and The Outsiders at The Cameron House. René recorded original music at Sounds Interchange Studios with producer Scot Boyling, along with a studio band.
René did a featured performance of original music at Songwriters Showcase, hosted by Paul Myers, with a live video performance at The Spadina Hotel for broadcast on Rogers TV.
From 2000 to 2008, many will recognize and remember René as the long time host with 39 episode of Antique Hunter on Global Prime TV. He recorded the theme song on harmonica which was featured in the opening and closing show credits in performance with the band. He recorded impromptu on-screen jam sessions with Juno Award winning Canadian blues artist Morgan Davis.
Other highlights of this era includes a recording session on harmonica with Fade Kings on their 2003 album release “Years to Recover”, and a performance as harp man at Limestone Blues festival with Odyssey Blues band, featuring his sister Suzanne Hyatt-Huard.
René had established himself as a consummate singer songwriter, performer, and musician during his early years. Relentlessly honing his musicianship and songwriting skills. Eager to get his music more widely heard, he began pre-production for his first full length solo album with Juno Award winning producer Alec Fraser Jr. This resulted in his first full length album “Blues Calling” produced by multi-award winner Jack de Keyzer and released in 2023. The album includes 12 original songs and a stellar line up of musicians including; Alec Fraser Jr, on bass, Al Cross on drums, Eric Lambier on keys and background vocals, and Richard Thornton on percussion and background vocals. Blues Calling charted in the top 20 on Roots Music Report and held on to the position of #11 for several months. The first single “Hard Times” found its way onto Holger Peterson’s CBC Saturday Night Blues Show, and also made it on to many US and international playlists with enthusiastic reviews, garnering him with many new listeners and fans around the world.
Upon the heals and success of “Blues Calling”, Rene was not content to rest on his laurels. He enlisted his old friend Rick Taylor, a renowned award winning finger-style guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, veteran singer-songwriter, performer, and roots music producer, to begin the pre-production stage for his new album “Gently Used”. René brought 16 new pieces to the recording sessions. The choices were whittled down to 11 songs by “Grey Owl”,… René’s favourite nickname for Rick. According to René, grey owls have the best hearing in the animal kingdom. A new 4 piece band was formed under the name René Huard Project; which includes, Peter Griffin on drums, Jeff Muir on bass, Rick Taylor on guitars and backing vocals, and René handling harmonica and guitar. With Rick’s signature style of slide and finger style lead guitar, Peter’s extremely melodic and intoxicating NOLA 2nd line style drumming, Jeff’s well versed and solid funk, blues and jazz on the 5 string and fretless bass, René’s groove oriented songs, up front harp and intriguing lead vocal and song lyrics, fun songs, and some serious blues grooves, it is a very danceable and intoxicating live show. The album stays true to the live experience, along with some creative production, primarily recorded live off the floor.
Guest performances on Gently Used include some real icons and veterans of live and recorded music in Canada with Thomas Nelson on back up vocals, Alistair Robertson on saxophone, Ed Roth on accordion and Hammond organ, and Chris Airyes on back up vocals.
René Huard Project has been building a solid live and exciting original music performance, a dedicated grass roots following in the Niagara Region, and spreading beyond.
The full length album “Gently Used” is scheduled for international release on November 5th, 2026.