The Bel-Vistas

In 1987, The Bel-Vistas began from an earlier band, The Game from the east of Toronto, Canada. The line-up consisted of: Mark Ripp (lead vocals, guitar) Bob "Buzz" Hamlyn (lead guitar, backing vocals) John Toffoli (drums, percussion) Micheal Baxter (bass, backing vocals) A self-titled cassette of original songs was issued around Toronto at their gigs and the tape came to the attention of Eureka Records' Joel Wertman who signed the quartet. The label released 1992's 'Somewhere Along The Line' which resulted in three successful singles on local radio. A publishing deal for songwriting privileges was also inked with Sony. The band soon quit their day jobs and did cross-Canada tours with Blue Rodeo and Jack deKeyzer. With the dissolving of Eureka the band found themselves label-less but have plugged away ever since, gradually changing from a traditional roots-rock approach to New Country with the independent 'Pretty Ugly' CD. The band formally ended in the 2000’s, though solo shows of Mark Ripp or Mark Ripp & The Confessors happen sporadically. The group has managed to place tracks on the European Blue Rose country compilations in recent years.