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"Arena Ready" is the 3rd album from one of Canada's favourite singer songwriters Bob Kemmis. This 11-song musical journey takes the listener through lush sixties-influenced pop landscapes with a funny, intuitive, and intelligent host who frequently cuts to the core. Produced by Craig Northey (The Odds) Arena Ready features not only Bob but a number of Canada's most talented performers, including Keith Scott (Bryan Adams), Rob Baker (Tragically Hip), Phil Comparelli (54-40), Simon Kendall (Doug and the Slugs), Steve Dawson (Zubot Dawson) and The Odds alumni of Craig Northey, Doug Elliot and Pat Steward. Supporting himself in the 90's as a guitar tech for Vancouver pop/rock band The Odds, Bob experienced a number of sojourns in Nashville where he was a guest writer at Warner Chappell Music. Finding Nashville's 'cookie cutter' songwriting formula less than stimulating, Bob returned to Vancouver and began to concentrate on solo performances and the making of his debut CD "Kemmisutra". "Kemmisutra", garnered much critical acclaim setting the stage for Bob's second full-length album, "Tomorrow Doesn't Look Good Either". An acoustic effort, Bob's sophomore album built on the acclaim of Kemmisutra and established Bob as a singer/songwriter to be reckoned with. Both albums received nominations for the Georgia Straight Music Awards and The West Coast Music Awards the resulting buzz led to many high profile shows across Canada. Bob spent much of 2001 as the keyboard/guitarist for 54-40, before being hand-picked by Jann Arden to open her 26-date cross-Canada tour in June 2000. Attracting rave reviews for his engaging live show Bob then opened for artists as varied as Chris Isaak, Badly Drawn Boy, Ron Sexsmith and Jim Cuddy in rapid succession. Bob then moved back in to the familiar shadows of the guitar tech this time working for Bryan Adam's band while he wrote material for his third longplayer. Fast forward to 2004 and Bob Kemmis is back in the spotlight with an album that hooks the listener from the get go full of songs that get stuck in your head and hang on for dear life. Couple that with an autumn full of Canadian live dates and Bob Kemmis is truly Arena Ready.
"....Bob Kemmis just might be one of Canada's best kept secrets."
"...this guy can write a smart-ass lyric as easily as he can drop in to Joe Average's home and offer up a sentimental slice of life."
"...strong sense of melody and great lyrics."
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