Sons of Maxwell
Encyclopedia
Sons of Maxwell is a Canadian
music duo who perform both traditional Celtic folk music and original compositions with a pop-folk sound. The duo consists of brothers Don and Dave Carroll, originally from Timmins
, Ontario
, now living in Halifax, Nova Scotia
. Don and Dave began singing together in college.
In July 2009 the band became an international media sensation when they released the country-style song and music video "United Breaks Guitars
," explaining how after United Airlines
personnel damaged their musical instruments, the airline refused to take responsibility or give compensation for the loss.
Dave Carroll was named Digital Artist of the Year and Video of the Year at the Nova Scotia Awards in 2009.
on United Airlines, resulted in the damage of a guitar belonging to Dave Carroll. After months of unsuccessful wrangling for reparations, Carroll wrote "United Breaks Guitars" to chronicle the real-life experience of how his guitar was broken, and the subsequent stonewalling reaction from the airline. The song became an immediate YouTube and ITMS hit upon its release in July 2009 and a public relations humiliation for United Airlines; The Times
reported that four days after the song's release, the company's share price "plunged by 10 per cent, costing shareholders $180 million". A second video, United Breaks Guitars: Song 2 was released on YouTube on August 18, 2009. The song takes a closer look at Dave Carroll's dealings with Ms. Irlweg and targets the flawed policies that she was forced to uphold. The third song, "'United We Stand' on the Right Side of Right," was released on March 1, 2010 as a humorous coda to the incident. In the song, Carroll sings how he is largely satisfied with the resolution of the affair since it has given his career a spectacular boost. However, he also notes that many people have shared their similar complaints with businesses and they must not be underestimated again.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
music duo who perform both traditional Celtic folk music and original compositions with a pop-folk sound. The duo consists of brothers Don and Dave Carroll, originally from Timmins
Timmins
Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, now living in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. Don and Dave began singing together in college.
In July 2009 the band became an international media sensation when they released the country-style song and music video "United Breaks Guitars
United Breaks Guitars
"United Breaks Guitars" is a song by Canadian musician Dave Carroll and his band, Sons of Maxwell. It chronicles a real-life experience of how his guitar was broken during a trip on United Airlines in 2008, and the subsequent reaction from the airline...
," explaining how after United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
personnel damaged their musical instruments, the airline refused to take responsibility or give compensation for the loss.
Career
While attending university, brothers Don and Dave Carroll began singing together. After graduation they began their professional music career. Sons of Maxwell has toured extensively both in Canada and internationally. The group won an East Coast Music Award in 2006 for the Vibe Marketing Country Recording of the Year with Sunday Morning. The Sons of Maxwell also won an ECMA in 2002 for Roots Traditional Group of the Year with Among The Living. They are 5 time ECMA nominees.Dave Carroll was named Digital Artist of the Year and Video of the Year at the Nova Scotia Awards in 2009.
United Airlines incident
The incident, which occurred on March 31, 2008 when the band was flying from Halifax to Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
on United Airlines, resulted in the damage of a guitar belonging to Dave Carroll. After months of unsuccessful wrangling for reparations, Carroll wrote "United Breaks Guitars" to chronicle the real-life experience of how his guitar was broken, and the subsequent stonewalling reaction from the airline. The song became an immediate YouTube and ITMS hit upon its release in July 2009 and a public relations humiliation for United Airlines; The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
reported that four days after the song's release, the company's share price "plunged by 10 per cent, costing shareholders $180 million". A second video, United Breaks Guitars: Song 2 was released on YouTube on August 18, 2009. The song takes a closer look at Dave Carroll's dealings with Ms. Irlweg and targets the flawed policies that she was forced to uphold. The third song, "'United We Stand' on the Right Side of Right," was released on March 1, 2010 as a humorous coda to the incident. In the song, Carroll sings how he is largely satisfied with the resolution of the affair since it has given his career a spectacular boost. However, he also notes that many people have shared their similar complaints with businesses and they must not be underestimated again.
Personal life
Aside from their busy music schedule, the Carroll brothers also serve as firefighters in Halifax, Nova Scotia (since 2003). Don Carroll began a full time career as a firefighter with HRM Fire and Emergency Service in 2008. Dave Carroll remains an active volunteer firefighter for the city.Discography
As a solo artist, Dave Carroll has released the album Perfect Blue. In addition, Sons of Maxwell has released the following albums and singles:Albums and Song Tracks
| Year | Album | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Sons of Maxwell | Maggie; Closing the Mine; Mr. Tanner; Sixteen for Awhile; Farewell to Nova Scotia Farewell to Nova Scotia "Farewell to Nova Scotia" is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia of unknown authorship, collected by folklorist Helen Creighton. It is believed to have been written just prior to or during the First World War. "Farewell to Nova Scotia" brings the listener back to an age when Nova Scotia was... ; Closer to Fine; Never No More; Early One Morning; Cecilia; Mairi's Wedding/Tell My Ma |
| 1995 | Bold Frontier | Free to Be; The Mary Ellen Carter; Mary's Song; Sixteen for Awhile; I'm Your Man; Old Dan's Records; Sailor's Story; Piano Man Piano Man (song) "Piano Man" was Billy Joel's first major hit and his signature song. "Piano Man" was released as a single in November 1st, 1973 and has been on several albums... ; Maggie; Street Man's Confession; Bold Frontier |
| 1998 | Live at Tim's House | Wild Colonial Boy; Fox on the Run; Ste. Anne's Reel; Rocky Road to Dublin; Field's of France; Irish Rover; 16 Tons; Ramblin' Rover; Country Boy (Thank GOD!); Those were the days; Pack up your troubles-Long way to Tipperary-Roll out the Barrell |
| The Neighbourhood | The Neighbourhood, Will You Come Home, Queen Of Argyle, The Lighthouse, Pandora, So Many Things, These Things I Believe, Oceanside Again, And We Danced, Prospectors | |
| 2000 | Sailor's Story | Farewell to Nova Scotia Farewell to Nova Scotia "Farewell to Nova Scotia" is a popular folk song from Nova Scotia of unknown authorship, collected by folklorist Helen Creighton. It is believed to have been written just prior to or during the First World War. "Farewell to Nova Scotia" brings the listener back to an age when Nova Scotia was... ; Mary Mac; Sonny's Dream; Peter Street; Yellow Submarine Yellow Submarine (song) "Yellow Submarine" is a 1966 song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney , with lead vocals by Ringo Starr. It was included on the Revolver album and issued as a single, coupled with "Eleanor Rigby". The single went to number 1 on every major British chart, remained at number 1 for four weeks... ; The Irish Rover The Irish Rover "The Irish Rover" is a traditional Irish song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end. It has been recorded by numerous artists, some of whom have made changes to the lyrics.... ; Barrett's Privateers Barrett's Privateers "Barrett's Privateers" is a folk song in the style of a sea shanty, written and performed by Canadian musician Stan Rogers, having been inspired after a song session with the Friends of Fiddler's Green at the Northern Lights Festival Boréal in Sudbury, Ontario... ; The Mermaid; Last Shanty; The Leaving Of Liverpool Leaving of Liverpool "Leaving of Liverpool", , also known as "Fare Thee Well, My Own True Love", is a folk ballad, a popular and wistful song. The song's narrator laments his long sailing trip to America and the thought of leaving his birthplace and loved ones... |
| 2001 | Among the Living | Among The Living; So Confusing; Mile A Minute; Lady From L.A.; Mrs. Stanley; Burning Bridges; 507; These Things I Believe; Easy Come Easy Go; Workin' Man; When The Circus Comes To Town; Hold On; Get It Jumpin' |
| Instant Christmas | Christmas In Kllarney; Cape Breton Christmas Eve; O Holy Night; Christmas Time At Home; Bleak Mid Winter; Let It Snow; Mele Malikimaka/Hawaiian Christmas; First Christmas Away From Home; Go Tell It On The Mountain; I Saw Three Ships | |
| 2004 | Sunday Morning | The Best Things; Uphill Battle; Like You Do; You Let Me Love You; Everyone; Live In The Movies; Games People Play; Whole Lot Lighter; Everyday Of Your Life; Give Me a Reason; I'm Willing; The Best Things; Mr. Nobody; Sunday Morning |
Singles
| Year | Single | CAN Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "The Neighbourhood" | The Neighbourhood | |
| 1999 | "And We Danced" | 54 | |
| "Oceanside Again" | |||
| 2000 | "Queen of Argyle" | ||
| 2001 | "So Confusing" | Among the Living | |
| 2002 | "Burning Bridges" | ||
| 2004 | "The Best of Things" | Sunday Morning | |
| 2005 | "Uphill Battle" | ||
| 2009 | "United Breaks Guitars United Breaks Guitars "United Breaks Guitars" is a song by Canadian musician Dave Carroll and his band, Sons of Maxwell. It chronicles a real-life experience of how his guitar was broken during a trip on United Airlines in 2008, and the subsequent reaction from the airline... " |