DN61 features an interview with Canadian singer-song writer Justin Hines. Justin says that music is something as essential as breathing. Released in 2006, Sides features 14 tracks and lyrics that will move you. In talking about his music, singer-songwriter Justin Hines says, “Honestly, I don’t remember wanting to do anything else, period.” That sense of it being something as essential as breathing emanates from every track on his soul-searching debut album, Sides. Released in 2006, the album has been very successful. Justin joins me this time on DisabilityNation to discuss his music, disability and life experience.

About Justin: Justin absorbed his musical gifts from his family – “My dad plays a mean folk guitar,” he says, “and my mom has a great voice.” Justin’s been told that as a baby, he was carrying a tune before he was talking, and remembers that, “My grandmother Margaret always had this thing that I was going to be a singer. She had me singing in church and for relatives, so any stage fright left me early.”

There was also the influence of an inanimate – but equally musical – fixture of the household, a jukebox of his dad’s, loaded with old 45s. He’d sit in front of it for hours, listening to every song, note for note. It’s still in his basement, and it still inspires Hines with classic recordings by artists including James Taylor, Willie Nelson, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce and Harry Chapin.

Hailing from Ontario, Justin’s music has been heard across Canada and has resulted in recognition by the Canadian Independent Music Association. You can learn more about Justin's music from his web site. Justin also works hard to support the community through The Justin Hines Foundation. You can also download this music sampler in PDF format.

Want to get a copy of Sides? You can get the album in your local music store or from iTunes by clicking the following link.

Dial-up users click here to listen to the show.

Click here to get the transcript in MS Word or PDf format.

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