Engage was founded in 2020 by Carla Bonnell and Rick Barlett as a collaborative project focused on songwriting and musical exploration. As the band evolved, so did its lineup and artistic direction. The addition of Peter Sisk, a seasoned touring musician from Hamilton, Ontario, and Greg Mansfield from Rusagonis, New Brunswick, marked a turning point in the band’s development.
Following Peter's return to Hamilton, Vernon Daigle—former member of Southern Drive, the original band of Canadian country artist Tristan Horncastle—joined as bassist, bringing a rich background in performance and arrangement to the group.
In 2023, Engage released their debut project The Time Has Come, now available on all major streaming platforms. The album earned the band a Bronze award for Band Album of the Year at the ISSA Music Awards. Their latest project, Master Plan: Side “EH”, has garnered further acclaim, with the group named finalists in six categories at the 2025 ISSA Awards.
In 2024, Engage welcomed Greg Mansfield to the lineup, whose creative approach to percussion and deep connection to his Mi'kmaq heritage bring a distinctive dimension to the band's sound.
Rick Barlett, a former member of the acclaimed Howard Brook Band in the late 1970s and early '80s, achieved regional radio success with his song Up In Size. In 2015, he released a solo album produced by Billy Sherwood, current bassist for the legendary progressive rock band YES.
Carla Bonnell released her debut solo album in 2014, produced by JP Cormier, following her return from Nashville in 2013. That album, The Liberator, featured original material from both New Brunswick and Nashville songwriters and reached the Top 10 on Canada's Earshot charts through mid-2015. Carla was inducted into the Minto Country Music Wall of Fame in 2014.
Collectively, the members of Engage are seasoned touring musicians with diverse backgrounds and influences. Their shared passion for storytelling through music forms the foundation of their distinctive folk-rock and folk-country sound, creating a compelling and authentic musical experience for audiences across Canada and beyond.