Richard Flohil Fonds

Biographical History

Richard Flohil (born 1934, Yorkshire, UK) is a Canadian music promoter, publicist, and journalist. He is also a former artistic director of the Mariposa Folk Festival.
Flohil began his career in journalism at the Evening Press in York, England. He eventually became chief reporter at the Selby Gazette and Herald. Flohil also worked in publicity – his first client being the future composer of the “James Bond” theme, John Barry. His interest in jazz and blues eventually brought him to North America. He moved to Toronto in 1957, where he worked as an editor and freelancer for various trade publications and explored the city’s burgeoning music scene. Working as a concert promoter in the late 50s and early 60s, Flohil was involved in some of the first appearances in Canada of major blues artists such as Sleepy John Estes, Muddy Waters, Bobby Bland, and Buddy Guy.
In 1965, Flohil became an advisor on blues programming for the Mariposa Folk Music Festival. His role with the festival expanded to include stage hosting and conducting on-stage interviews. He eventually became the publicist for the festival and authored several of its programmes over the years. In the 1980s, he became the festival’s artistic director, introducing audiences to artists such as Ani DiFranco, Moxy Fruvous, and the Barenaked Ladies. Flohil has also served as an MC and workshop host at folk festivals across Canada, including the Edmonton Folk Festival, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and the Hillside Festival.
At the same time, Folhil built a career in journalism as well as publicity. In 1970, he became the editor of “The Canadian Composer” (a role he held until 1993). Flohil would go on to co-found the weekly trade publication “The Record”. Flohil also contributed to such publications as FYI Music News, Roots Music Canada, and The Sound Café.
It was also in 1970 that Flohil started his publicity and promotions company, Richard Flohil and Associates. Over the years, he helped to launch the music careers of artists like k.d. lang, Loreena McKennitt, Shakura S’Aida, Serena Ryder, and the Downchild Blues Band. Flohil’s publicity clients have also included Ian Tyson, Long John Baldry, The Crash Test Dummies, and Stony Plain Records.
Flohil is the winner of several awards, including a Casby Music Award Special Achievement Award, a SOCAN Special Achievement Award, and is a member of the Mariposa Folk Festival Hall of Fame.