Biography
FRANCOIS BERTRAND
Born
in Montreal, (Quebec) Canada, François C. Bertrand studied
arts and communications at college Jean de Brebeuf.
Using the stage name of Francis Bay,
he becomes a radio and television host and is one of
the first Vj’s
of Quebec video station MusiquePlus.
He worked with several Canadian, French, American and international artists such as: Aerosmith, Meat Loaf, Sade, Johnny Clegg, Indochine, Roch Voisine, Daniel Lavoie, Vanessa Paradis, Gilbert Bécaud and many others.
Quebec MusiquePLus viewers of 1990 will remember an impromptu jam session with François and to-be superstar Celine Dion filmed for the Tv launch of Unison her first English album.
BACKGROUND
In 1995, François Bertrand starts his own ad agency Avalanche Marketing (which he is still operates) and concentrates exclusively on his advertising career.
In 2003, he starts writing songs with producer Daniel Barbe and records Land Crab, a reggae pop single. Daniel sends the song to his mentor Ben Kaye, based in Nassau in the Bahamas (Ben Kaye is a legendary and reputable figure of the Canadian record industry).
BACKGROUND (CONTINUED)
Ben Kaye adores Land Crab and goes in person to local radio in Nassau that instantly start airing the song. Ben even gives live interviews to radio stations to promote Land Crab!
Ben truly encourages François and Daniel to form a music group and to continue writing and producing songs that can also be used for the advertsing and film industry.
In October 2006, François creates Blasting The Beast and produces 17 songs with Daniel Barbe for the self-titled album Blasting The Beast Volume One.
Unfortunately, the fate cruelly hits Ben Kay who dies of cancer on February 3, 2007.
François Bertrand declares ¨Ben Kaye was the first recording industry person who supported our music. His legacy and inspiration will remain with us forever. Ben will be deeply missed and never forgotten¨.
The two members of Blasting The Beast are currently in production of their second album, due out in spring 2010.
DANIEL BARBE
Born
in Longueuil, (Quebec) Canada, Daniel Barbe comes
from a family of musicians and has worked
for over 35 years as a producer, arranger and songwriter
for several Canadian and international artists such
as: Bon Jovi, April Wine, Aldo Nova, Al Kasha, Robert Charlebois,
Roch Voisine, Ginette Reno and many others.
Daniel Barbe also produced the soundtrack of national advertising campaigns Such: Chrysler, Diet Coke, Maxwell House, Honey Combs, Sugar Crisp, Honda, KIA, Bank of Montreal as well as music and score for numerous film and television series.
© 2006-2007 
a business unit of Avalanche Marketing inc.