ENGAGE is an award-winning Canadian folk-rock, folk-country, and Americana band from New Brunswick, founded in 2020 by singer-songwriters Carla Bonnell and Rick Bartlett. Known for their genre-smashing approach, ENGAGE blends the warmth of folk, the heart of country, the energy of rock, and the soul of Americana into a sound that is unmistakably their own. Joined by bassist Vernon Daigle and drummer Greg Mansfield, the band has built its identity around original songwriting, powerful musicianship, meaningful storytelling, and a commitment to creating music that connects with listeners on a deeply human level. Rather than following musical trends, ENGAGE allows each song to determine where the music needs to go, creating a diverse catalogue that moves naturally between folk, country, rock, roots, and Americana.
ENGAGE's music has earned recognition both at home and internationally. Their debut project, The Time Has Come, received the 2024 Bronze Award for Band Album of the Year from the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA). The band's music has since continued to gain international attention, with radio airplay across North America, Europe, Africa, and beyond. Their standout single “Guitar Strings” reached #1 on the European Academy of Country Music (EACM) chart, while ENGAGE has also been featured in publications including Cashbox Canada and Tittinus Magazine. Their current project, Master Plan: Side “EH”, represents another step forward in the band's evolution, showcasing their distinctive blend of folk, country, rock, and Americana.
In 2026, ENGAGE reached another major milestone with its induction into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame and continues to receive significant recognition within the independent music community. At the 2026 Josie Music Awards, ENGAGE is nominated in five categories and received a total of 6 nominations in the International Singer Songwriters Association. Together, Carla and Rick continue to lead ENGAGE's creative direction, combining songwriting, musicianship, production, and sound engineering to create music that refuses to be confined by genre. With a growing international audience and a catalogue built on honesty, resilience, and real-life storytelling, ENGAGE continues to prove that independent music from New Brunswick can reach far beyond its borders. Every song begins with a story. Every performance begins with a connection. Every listener becomes part of the journey. This is ENGAGE.