Thursday, May 31, 2007

Steve Marriner closes off May 2007 Blues Jam at Irene's (Ottawa)



Riley Boyd - Astonishing Magic Shows


Billboard Blues Revisited by Larry Leblanc

I wrote the article below five years ago and I believe it is timely still today. It is also one of the best articles I've written at Billboard over the 17 years I've been writing for the publication.

Many of you will know what has since happened to some of the executives mentioned in the article and there may be lessons to learn here for today.

Larry
BILLBOARD

Tough Times Continue For Laid-Off Music Executives In Canada

August 03, 2002

By Larry LeBlanc

The concept of "career planning" may be virtually unknown within Canada's music industry, but with the market continuing to endure slow music sales, it's rapidly becoming essential for major-label executives.

Hefty industry staff cuts here within the past five years (notably at Universal Music (following its 1998 merger with PolyGram), Warner Music, Sony Music, and HMV) are still fresh in the memories of Canadian music execs. Other job losses followed last year's bankruptcies of independent music group Song Corp. (Billboard, May 26, 2001) and retail giant Sam the Record Man (Billboard, Nov. 10, 2001).

"This is a very small industry, and when there is a major blood-letting, there are so many people looking for jobs", Warner Music Canada President/CEO Garry Newman notes. "You're a 50-year-old promo rep; where do you go?"

The ongoing effects of the widespread layoffs in the industry are neatly summed up by Geoff Kulawick, CEO/President of Toronto-based indie label Linus Entertainment: "I have more people knocking on my door for work these days than I get tapes from bands."

With music retail remaining soft, neither Canadian-based affiliates of multinationals nor domestically owned distributors or labels are readily seeking to bring personnel (in some cases, high-caliber execs) back into the fold. As Sony Music Canada Senior VP of Sales Don Oates says, "Record companies aren't hiring. When a position becomes available, it's filled within a minute. When someone phones asking if there's something available, the answer is always, 'Not at this time.' "

Former label execs hoping to return to the music business face another problem: there are few prospective employers in Canada. Music distribution here is primarily handled by the five multinationals plus a handful of key independents, and there is only a small number of appropriately sized domestic indie labels.

"The older you are, the more understanding you are that the reason for downsizing was to bring in younger, cheaper blood", one unemployed source comments. "You see yourself as unavailable for positions you once held."

"Several industry figures note that it can be daunting approaching a prospective employer who may be a business friend, or closer. People take your first call only because they are curious", recalls PolyGram Group Canada former VP of Finance Garry Hubbard, who left the company in 1991. "You find that you are not a player anymore. People you thought were buddies are business acquaintances."

Randy Wells, former Senior VP of A&M Records (Canada), a casualty of the Universal/PolyGram merger, agrees: "Once you were on top of the world; then you're not. It's like starting all over."

Herb Forgie, who now works as a music industry consultant following 18 years at Warner Music Canada, says, "My advice is to network immediately." When Forgie left there last year, he was director of marketing and promotion for its domestic, international, and classical divisions. "As long as you're quick to say you are not looking for work and would just like to spend time talking with people, they will keep in contact with you. Try to get your resume in front of them and then see if you fit into their world."

Former Sony Music Canada Director of Artist Marketing Amber Meredith, who left that company after five years in 2001 and now manages Crash Test Dummies singer Ellen Reid, says: "There's a grieving process when layoffs happen, but afterwards, it's important for people to know what they want before they pick up the phone and make calls.

"Most former label executives agree they did little to plan their managerial careers. As Meredith notes, "Because it is such an all-consuming business, many people spend time doing one thing and doing it as well as they can."

Kulawick notes, "Few record company people have marketable skills for any other business. My advice to label employees is to improve your education, get more training, and multi-task, or you might find yourself taken out."

Universal Music Canada CEO/President Randy Lennox insists that "education and diversity are key to [executives] being successful. There are opportunities within our industry that are not being exploited. They should be seeing these opportunities."

Sony's former VP of International A&R and Marketing, Richard Zuckerman, who was laid off in 2000 after 15 years working for Sony in Canada and the U.K., agrees. "You've got to think out of the box. You then discover assets you haven't been using day to day."

Zuckerman works as a consultant to Celine Dion's Feeling Productions and U.K.-based management firm Toy Box International.

Sacked last October after 24 years at Warner Music Canada, Kim Cooke (latterly senior VP/Managing Director of the U.S. division) was quickly picked up as a top-level representative by MapleMusic Recordings, launched in February by Toronto-based entertainment company MapleCore with financial backing from Universal Music Canada.

"I didn't expect to work in the music industry again", Cooke confesses. "There aren't many positions open, even in the good times. Fortunately, I had some strong supporters at Universal, but I also brought experience in marketing, A&R, promotion, and senior management with me. That really helped me out in finding a job."

Contact Larry Leblanc at LJLE@aol.com.

Whack A Mole - Chris Grabenstein's Anthony Award-winning series continues!

Chris Grabenstein's newest book, WHACK A MOLE, goes on sale everywhere June 5th!

An innocent discovery on the beach in Sea Haven leads to a string of gruesome clues and one chilling conclusion: a long dormant serial killer is poised to strike again!

"Whack A Mole is as engaging and enjoyable as the debut Tilt-a-Whirl. Certainly more fun when read as part of a series, this title nevertheless stands on its own as a well-written mystery, complete with humor, humanity, a fast-moving plot, and memorable characters. Highly recommended." —LIBRARY JOURNAL

"Whack A Mole is filled with wonderful characters, is set in a great location, and has a first-rate murder mystery that grabs you, keeps you thinking and hits you with a surprise ending that will tear your heart out. It is a good standalone book, and fans of the series will not be disappointed. Whack A Mole is a fine read for any season." —Sharon Katz, REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE

"Grabenstein has done his homework. His portrait of summer on the Jersey shore, replete with tacky boardwalk arcades, kitschy souvenir and T-shirt shops, manic city folk who bring their attytood on vacation, and hordes of young people awash in hormones, is virtually note-perfect. Another winner in the Jersey Shore series." —BOOKLIST

And here's what one fan who got a sneak peek at the book had to say:

"Chris Grabenstein's Whack A Mole is the best of the 104 books I've read so far this year. This book has everything: a great puzzle with several plausible suspects, a protagonist with a strong moral code who 'won't lie cheat or steal and won't tolerate anybody who does', excellent pacing, witty word play, an interesting seashore setting, and a narrator, Danny Boyle, who is both wise and wisecracking. I raced through it in about 4 hours because I simply could not put it down. I highly recommend this book."
— Jan Watson, as posted on the DOROTHYL LISTSERV for Mystery Fans

ORDER THE BOOK from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or an independent bookstore.

YOU'RE INVITED!

If you're anywhere near New York City on Tuesday, June 5, please join us at Partners & Crime bookstore in Greenwich Village for the official WHACK A MOLE launch party!

Wine & Cheese. Taffy & Fudge & Caramel Corn.

Tuesday, June 5th, 7 p.m.

With a reading and signing.

PARTNERS & CRIME Mystery Booksellers
44 Greenwich Avenue (corner of Charles)
New York City (212) 243-0440

To see where else Chris will be this summer, click here or simply visit www.chrisgrabenstein.com.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton - June Social

JUNE SOCIAL & VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT

“Come and get your just desserts!”


Date: Monday, 4 June 2007

Time: 6:00 p.m.***

Location: Bronson Centre
211 Bronson Avenue
Room 212
Ottawa, ON

***NOTE CHANGE IN TIME DUE TO HOCKEY GAME

For more information, contact us at the Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton office at 613-594-9255 or email epilepsy@magma.com.

Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton is a local non-profit organization providing support and information meetings for people with epilepsy, their families, friends and the general public.

http://www.magma.ca/%7Eeplpsyoc/index.htm
Van Morrison - T.B. Sheets (1974) (one of my favourite blues songs)


Peninsula Art League Presents Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival


(Illustration created by Michaela Baker)


Gig Harbour (WA) 23rd Annual Summer Art Festival

July 14 and 15, 2007
Gig Harbour, WA

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Replica's June/07 Gigs Include Two Cancer Fundraisers


Hey, Guys and Girls.

Big thank you to Dario, Chuck, Emily and the entire staff at Frank N Steins in Guelph, ON, last Saturday night. The place was awesome as usual and we rocked the house with our new songs and a crazy fog machine!!!! Due to a broken camera, we were only able to salvage one picture from the show. (See above.)

The whole month of June is absolutely insane for us. It'll be the most events we've ever done as a band in one month, but we're up to the challenge. We've invested in an onstage defibrillator for the older member of our band. I won't tell you who, but he plays drums and complains alot.

We're kicking off the gig marathon with a show for the Cancer Society in Georgetown. Their "Relay For Life" walk is something that we're all happy to be supporting and are looking forward to performing for them for the second time.
We'll also perform at the Brampton "Relay For Life" on June 22nd. We thank them for getting us on board for such a worthy cause.

This Saturday, June 2, we're back at Frank N Steins in Guelph. For all of our Guelph friends, we thank you so much for your support and look forward to each and every time we play there. Please check our sites for news, photos and dates.

http://www.replicarocks.ca/
www.myspace.com/replicacoverband

Love,

BJ
Graeme
Dave
Jess
George Olliver & Gangbuster @ Louisiana's - June 1 & 2/07


Back by popular demand, GEORGE OLLIVER & GANGBUSTER return to The Louisiana Seafood Restaurant in Brampton (Hwy 10 & Steeles Ave.), (905) 454-4460, this June 1, 2 (Fri. & Sat.).

George just helped celebrate CHUM Radio's 50th birthday @ Nathan Philips Square last Saturday......... 5,000 people were out for GORDON
LIGHTFOOT, George Olliver and Keith Hampshire. It was a great show, reminiscent of a Mandala concert with special guests.****

Louisiana's restaurant has it all.....great r&b, great food, dance floor and George doing all his famous vocal and dance moves. The boys will be "cooking" (musically-speaking) this weekend, so don't miss them. Come for dinner around 6 pm and catch G.O. & Gangbuster from 8-12 mid.

Louisiana is George Olliver's favorite r&b/soul restaurant/niteclub in Brampton, Ontario, and he's ready to turn on the steam. George is all cranked up because his new r&b-soul-gospel album is almost finished.

See you then and God Bless You,

Hunter-Hughes Prods.,
Whitby, ON

www.georgeolliver.com
Gary17's New Weekly Open Stage

My new weekly open stage, from 6-10 p.m. on Sundays, starts June 3!

I’m back in the saddle as host of a weekly open stage starting this coming Sunday, June 3! It’ll take place 6-10 at Happy’s Bar & Grill at 498 Horner Ave. in Etobicoke, ON, which is easily accessible by transit or car (details below) and offers free parking.

Speaking of free —if you get there between 6 and 7, you can enjoy a free burger and I can tell you these are not chintzy McDonald’s-style slabs of breaded beef but real honest-to-the-gods homemade burgers with all the toppings you want! Sweet, huh?

I’ll also have a few beer tix with which to thank participants and the weekly feature guest doing a half-hour set at 8 p.m. (I’ll be the feature myself for the kickoff night and will fill you in on the whole lineup of guests for subsequent weeks as they come up.)

Naturally there will also be a house guitar available for use and I’ll be in DJ17 mode between live acts, spinning tracks from Canadian and local singer-songwriters and bands —mainly those you read about in to-nite or who’ve been part of my various events and open stages over the years, naturally!

The club is easy to find and access. If you’re driving, you can take the Gardiner/QEW or the 427 south and get off at the Brown’s Line exit. The third light south of the off-ramp is the intersection of Horner Ave. and Brown’s Line (there’s a Petro Canada station on the northeast corner) and Happy’s is located right next to the gas station, a stone’s throw from the corner! There’s parking in front of and behind the club, as well as on the street.

It’s also easy to get to by transit. You could take the GO Train to Long Branch station (they arrive hourly at 11 minutes before the hour, going east, and 1 minute after the hour, going west) and then get the northbound Shorncliffe (#123 or #123C) bus from the TTC terminal there —they leave at 5:12/27/42/57, 6:12/30/50, 7:10/23/46/, 8:09/32/55, 9:18/41 and it takes about 3-5 minutes to get to the stop at Brown’s Line and Horner (ask the driver if you’re unfamiliar with the area).

If you’re coming from TO via the subway, you catch the Southbound #123 or #123C at Kipling Station. They leave at 5:00 /15/30/45, 6:00 /20/40, 7:00 /23/46, 8:09 /32/55, 9:18 /40 and take about 17 minutes to get to the corner of Brown’s Line and Horner.

NOTE, at 10:30 the frequency of the #123 bus changes to every half hour, going northbound from Happy’s about 10:06/32, 11:02/32, 12:02/32 and a final bus at 1:02 (gets you to Kipling in time to catch last subway) and southbound to Long Branch to the GO or 24-hour Queen streetcar at 10:20/50, 11:20/50, 12:20/50 and 1:20. (Last GO east is at 11:49 , last going west is 1:01 .)

Hope to see you on Sunday, June 3 and/or each and every Sunday afterwards for many moons to come!

Gary 17
Publisher & Editor, to-nite magazine
(online and hard-copy editions available)

Join our Yahoo Groups website at:

http://to-nite.bigsmokemusic.com

(also accessible at http://tinyurl.com/4naan)

Read all the current and recent stories about entertainment in Toronto.

Contact by Telephone:

Weekdays till 7: 416-833-5219;

After 7 & wknds: 647-886-4820
Hamilton's Powerhouse/Chicago Transit - Upcoming Dates

Friday, June 1

Timothy's - Powerhouse/Chicago Transit
344 Brown's Line
Toronto (Etobicoke), ON
416.201.9515

Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23

The Gladstone Tavern - Powerhouse
1385 Main Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
905-545-4125
Powerhouse

Sunday, July 1 (Canada Day)

Brockville, ON

Friday, July 13 (Friday the 13th)

Port Dover, ON

Saturday, July 14 - Brampton Car Show

Brampton, ON

Sunday, July 29 - Ridgefest

Chicago, IL

www.powerhouserockband.com
Reminder - "Blues with a Feeling, Tribute to King Biscuit Boy"

June 2/2007

Leander Boat Club

Hamilton, ON

With: Kelly Jay, Jesse O'Brien, Sonny Del-Rio, John Gibbard, Ray Harrison, Darcy Hepner, Mark LaForme, Steve Strongman and Zark & the Sharks

Doors open 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $25, available at Cheapies, Dr. Disc, Stardust Records, Lou's Music, Looney Tunes, Picks and Sticks Music.

Proceeds to Richard Newell scholarships at Mohawk College (Hamilton)

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise



The World's Only Fully Chartered Blues Cruise

RESERVE YOUR CABIN NOW...DON'T MISS THE SHIP!
1-888-BLUESIN
1+ 816-753-7979
Hey, everybody.
Come join me on the high seas for the Blues Jam and Blues Festival of a lifetime. I will be hosting various jams on the Legendary Blues Cruise this coming October.
Check out the amazing line up on the Blues Cruise website - www.bluescruise.com
If you do decide to book a cabin, tell them Randy Oxford sent you and please do get in touch with me. We are looking for a strong NW presence on the blues cruise this year.
Sincerely,
Randy Oxford
253-973-9024
"BLUESIN"
Nobody Rocks the Blues Like Downchild!

Donnie ("Mr. Downchild") Walsh and Jane Vasey (1979)





Hock Walsh - 1974 (Photo by Gary G)


I admit I balked at paying $30 for a one-hour Downchild show earlier this year at Tucson’s, but I just couldn’t resist getting in on the fun this time around (May 26).

While Ottawa’s historic Barrymore’s nightclub has lost some of its original charm, Downchild (impressively opened by local guitar king Tony D) succeeded last night in rekindling the venue’s musical laurels. The band itself continues an almost 40-year-long tradition that began in the “Summer of ’69” (giving additional significance to Bryan Adams’ hit of the same name) with the recent release of Live at the Palais Royale, which was preceded in 2005 by an all-star recording of original material entitled Come On In.

I still miss hearing the late Richard “Hock” Walsh’s distinctive vocals, but the band was indeed fortunate to find a more than suitable replacement in Chuck Jackson (who also dazzles on harmonica duets with erstwhile guitarist Donnie Walsh. Likewise, although I’m not old enough to have caught Tony Flaim and Jane Vasey’s contributions to the band, I couldn’t be happier with the current longstanding line-up. Several members of the band (Gary Kendall, Michael Fonfara, Pat Carey, Chuck Jackson) perform and record with equally notable side projects, as well.

The larger than average dance floor was filled throughout the night, but not so much that there was no room to strut our collective stuff in a manner befitting the entertainment at hand. This is not music for the cardiac-challenged dancer or musician (but it would be my preferred method of "checking out")! I’ve only seen the band performing live perhaps a half-dozen times, but they always give 100% in their delivery, with a versatile selection of music, guaranteeing a fresh new show every time.

I’d like to thank a new friend, Angie, who spotted my “happy feet” itching for a dance partner. We (or, more accurately, Downchild) eventually succeeded in getting our respective dates up on the floor with us, so a fabulous time ensued for all. Check out these icons of Canadian musical history at www.downchild.com.

The show ended around 12:30, so the die-hard partiers moved across the street to the Royal Oak, where the Bank Street Boys were putting down some great grooves, too, including a rockin’ rendition of “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl”, a la Ten Years After (Alvin Lee’s band, that is). We also heard some Bob Dylan tunes, no doubt in anticipation of his imminent appearance at the Ottawa Bluesfest, an event that will likely bring hordes of additional tourists to this extremely festival-friendly town in early July.

Added to that excitement, of course, is the upcoming Senator-Ducks hockey tournament, so, putting politics aside, there really is no better place to be right now than the nation's capital!

D.D.
Alabama Blues Project - Topper Price Tribute


The Alabama Blues Project is extremely sad to report that Alabama bluesman Terry O’Neil “Topper” Price passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at his Southside Birmingham apartment at the age of 54. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Alabama blues community fans and musicians.


Topper was a Mobile native, a real deal bluesman and staple of Alabama blues with a hard-hitting style of harmonica, vocals and songwriting. He was the ultimate bluesman, harp player, singer, bandleader and performer.

Among his many other credits are recording sessions with Dickie Betts of the Allman Brothers Band at Criteria Studios and many guest appearances with bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Albert Collins, The Band, The Radiators and Brother Cane. His own bands included Cowboy, The Convertibles and most recently, Topper Price and the Upsetters.



Topper has also featured in many Alabama Blues Project showcases throughout the years. During his career, Topper recorded two CDs. He released Long Way from Home in 1997 and later débuted Nature (Part 1). He recently finished a third album in his home studio that has not been released, tentatively called Nature (Part 2).



Topper is grieved by his fiancé, Kelly Casey, as well as many close friends, fans and fellow blues musicians across the state. On Tuesday, May 29, The Nick in Birmingham is hosting a Topper Price open mic memorial with no cover charge, although donations are welcome. On Wednesday, June 27, The Nick will also host a Topper Price fundraiser to help cover cremation expenses, according to the Magic City Blues Society.



www.alabamablues.org

Friday, May 25, 2007

ERIC "TWO SCOOPS" MOORE - UPCOMING SCHEDULE


HOPE TO SEE YOU AT SOME OF THESE FINE VENUES - THEY ARE ALL FOR ALL AGES!

5/25 NW Folklife Festival
Blues Showcase/DANCE!
Centre House
Seattle Center - Seattle, WA - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
www.nwfolklife.org

5/31 Egan’s Ballard Jam House - Seattle, WA - 7:00 -10:00 p.m.
www.ballardjamhouse.com

6/15 New Orleans Creole Restaurant, Seattle, WA - 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

7/8 Waterfront Blues Fest - Portland, OR - 1:00 p.m.
With Washington Blues *ALL-STARS*

7/13 Egan’s Ballard Jam House - Seattle, WA - 7:00-10:00 p.m.

7/14 7ukwila Days 12:00-1:30

7/21 Bull Moose Blues Fest, Roosevelt H.S. 6 :00-9:00
SPONSORED BY WHOLE FOODS

7/26 Laurelhurst Park 6 :00-8:00

7/28 Buck Lake, N. Kitsap County NOON-1:30
CONCERT IN THE PARK

7/28 New Orleans - Seattle, WA - 9:00-1:00

8/2 Kent Station 6 :00-8:00

8/8 Redmond Town Center 6 :00-8:00

8/23 Occidental Park, Pioneer Square - Seattle, WA - NOON-1:30

8/25 Bainbridge Island Waterfront Park 4:00-6:00
TOWN&COUNTRY MARKETS 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!


CHECK OUR ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT AT

www.sonicbids.com/twoscoopscombo


THANX,

AMY

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Becki Sue & her Big Rockin' Daddies! is extremely honored to have been asked to perform this Friday night, May 25, at The Triple Door Theatre in Seattle as part of the Memorial Benefit Concert honoring the late, great Paul deLay. We do not know the exact schedule yet, but you can go to the following link for more details:

www.thetripledoor.net/event.aspx?eid=2349

On Saturday, May 26, we will be in Orondo, WA (near Chelan) at The Lone Pine Fruit Stand as part of their Summer Concert Series. Showtime is 8pm-midnight.

Our brand new CD, Big City Blues, will be available in early June. We will be having our first in a series of "Release Parties" at The Raging River Cafe & Club in Fall City, WA, on Saturday, June 16. We can't wait! More CD release parties will be announced later.

www.bigrockindaddies.com

www.myspace.com/bigrockindaddies
Captain Beyond (R.I.P.)

Original cover art for their final recording, Crystal Clear
Captain Beyond


Captain Beyond (2002 Photo by Dan Shephard)

For more info, visit Hartmut Kreckel's Captain Beyond fansite at:

http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/aprilskies/65/

Niagara Rhythm Section's Saturday Night "MUSICAL IMPROV" Series

This week's featured guest:

Sat. MAY 26th - ERIC MAHAR & HERB NELSON

Where: The Anchorage, 186 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL)
905-468-2141

When: every Saturday night 10:00 pm - 12:30 am- no cover

Way back in the early 90's while on a gig backing-up a female vocalist, I was fortunate enough to meet guitarist Eric Mahar and drummer Dave Norris, who were the other members of the back-up band that night. A few years later, when I first moved to NOTL and didn't really know any of the wonderful local musicians, these were the two guys I always called to come out from Toronto and environs and play music with me. As time went on, we became known as "Fringe Locals" and the band expanded, adding local keyboard wizard, Herb Nelson, drum maven, Penner MacKay and the many other great Niagara musicians that have been part of our collective over the years. Anyway, if you've never seen Eric live, he's an amazing, unusual guitarist and a wonderful singer. Herb is soulful and innovative keyboard player. It has been quite a while since the original five of us have all been together, so this Saturday is bound to be a fun reunion with our good pals Eric and Herb. For more info: www.stevegoldberger.com/fringelocals.html

Steve

___________________________________________

Other upcoming dates of note:

June 8th & 22nd - NRS @ the Sports Bar

More musical improv coming up @ The Anchorage

Now in our 3rd year, The Niagara Rhythm Section (Goldberger, Grisbrook, Norris & MacKay) with special guests:

June 2 - Mark Rutherford (legendary keyboard man)

June 9 - Bruce Jones (original Brazilian funk)

June 16 - Maria Aurigema (rockin' guitarist from Buffalo)

June 23 - John Dickie (another great singer/personality)

June 30 - Gayle Ackroyd & Ed Kopala (country soul & blues)

July 9 - Steve Grisbrook's birthday bash with Herb Nelson on keys

July 14 - Bruce Longman (eclectic roots & roll)

July 21 - James Brown & Terry Walsh

July 28 - Chuck Jackson

Aug/Sept - Denis Keldie, Espanola Slim, John Mays, Johnny Max & more

Sept 15th - Drums Along the Niagara - www.drumsalongtheniagara.com

______________________________________________________________Load Fill up your ipod with our music at:

www.stevegoldberger.com/downloads.html
Big Daddy G (Dave Glover) - May 2007 Newsletter



Hello again, blues fans & friends....


It's been a while since I last emailed you on Big Daddy G. I hope you have been keeping well. I am writing the second half of the new Big Daddy G CD. During the winter, I picked up the coolest tiny Boss 8-track recording studio so I am going to use that to help get my demos down. The plan is to get back into the studio this summer and get it done 'n out for the Fall !

As you may recall, last year I recorded 6 tracks for the new CD. They turned out fantastic! John Mays from Fathead and Jerome Godboo contributed vocals. Al Webster is on drums, Shane Scott is on bass and the sadly-missed Rod Phillips on keyboards. The one & only Alec Fraser is onboard as engineer & co-producer. I have a whole bunch more surprise guests and specials ideas for the rest of it, too!


I decided to keep the bigdaddyg.com website down for now, as it needs a major overhaul. In the meantime, have you checked out my MySpace page? It's got some sample tracks from the upcoming CD as well as a periodical blog by me, too!


What else is new? Well, I am doing a bike ride for charity in about a week. It's for a great cause. I lost a brother-in-law, Dave Mac, to a heart attack two years ago, so this charity has special meaning [see below].


All the best to you & yours.


'bye for now....


Dave


p.s. I'll have some festival & gig announcements coming out, too, in a few weeks...you'll hear 'cause you're on my list! lol


Don't forget to visit my special site for Big Daddy G on myspace!!http://www.myspace.com/bigdaddyg4blues

-----------------------

Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for the Heart


Please help me support a great charity! I'm participating in a charity bike ride on Sunday, June 3, and would be so pleased if you would sponsor me.

This is the Becel Ride for the Heart bike ride, which supports the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to see my personal website for the ride and it will show you how to do a pledge online - it's really easy!


Aaaaand since you're on my fan/friend list....HOW'S THIS:


Anyone who sponsors me will receive their choice of a Big Daddy G t-shirt or CD, free of charge, at my next show !


Please click here to sponsor me.

Thanks for your kind support!


Big Daddy G

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Johnny Vegas Band and Breanna Lawrenson @ WILPower Fundraiser - May 24/07 (Ottawa)



Johnny Vegas Band and Breanna Lawrenson @ WILPower Fundraiser - May 24/07

Women in Law (WIL) present "WILPower's Habitat for Humanity House" - a musical celebration, dinner and silent auction fundraiser.

Thursday, May 24 - 6-11 p.m.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Ottawa, Ontario

Tickets: $150 (corporate table is $1500)

For more information, call 613-749-9950, Ext. 225 or visit www.habitatncr.com.



Wendy Dewitt & Her Trio @ Tulalip Resort Casino Jam - Tuesday, May 22/07 - Tulalip, WA

Hey, Everybody!

They call her the "Queen of the Boogie Woogie Piano" down in California, and now you can come see her with her band tonight in person at the Tulalip Resort Casino jam session, Tuesday, May 22, at 8 p.m., in Tulalip, WA (1-888-272-1111).

Wendy Dewitt and her Trio, from San Francisco, will be the featured artists for the evening with additional special guest the amazing Jon Parry on the electric violin.

All musicians are welcome to come and jam with Wendy and her band. She told me that she is ready to "jam all night" and she looks forward to meeting as many NW musicians and music fans as possible at the Jam...Bring your dancin' shoes for this one.

There is now a more relaxed dress code at the Tulalip Casino Jam session on Tuesday nights. Blue Jeans, T-shirts and sneakers are now OK to wear onstage on jam night.

Come on out and meet this dynamic performer on Tuesday, May 22, at 8 p.m..... Never a cover charge. Just walk on in and join the weekly Tuesday night party. I hope to see you there.

More info at www.randyoxford.com and www.tulalipcasino.com.

Sincerely,


Randy Oxford

Monday, May 21, 2007

Dollhaus - "Happy Friday/Endlich Freitag"


John Kay & Steppenwolf @ Lillehammer Rock Weekend - May 25-27/07


Notodden Blues Festival - August 2-5/07 - Notodden, Norge (Norway)


Also featuring blueswomen Deborah Coleman, Sue Foley, Roxanne Potvin, Rita Engedalen, Margit Bakken, Janiva Magness and Debbie Davies!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Steve Winwood - Live Concert Stream - May 19/07

We are pleased to announce that, in cooperation with The Country Channel, we will be offering a live stream of Steve Winwood's performance at Countryside Rocks on Saturday, May 19.

This concert, at the historic Highclere Castle, will benefit the Countryside Alliance, which works for everyone who loves the countryside and the rural way of life. Toward the end of Steve's set with his own band, Eric Clapton will join Steve for a performance of several classic numbers - their first live collaboration in decades. Don't miss this chance to watch a historic musical event live from your own desktop!

How To Watch:

Steve and his band will take the stage at approximately 9 pm GMT (4 pm EST). Shortly before that time, a new banner will show up on the home page of SteveWinwood.com (www.SteveWinwood.com). Clicking that banner will load the Windows Media stream.

On Windows systems, Windows Media Player should automatically begin playing the stream. Mac and Linux users also will be able to play the stream but may need to configure their systems to do so. We recommend that all users consult our "Frequently Asked Questions" section (www.countrychannel.co.uk/faq.htm) and review their system setups in advance of the concert. In the current concert schedule, Steve is slated to appear after Bryan Ferry.

Links:

Countryside Rocks www.countryside-alliance.org/countrysiderocks

The Country Channel www.countrychannel.tv

SteveWinwood.com www.stevewinwood.com
Hamilton Children's Choir - Annual Spring Concert - May 26/07

Join us for an inspired evening of song. Delight in the fresh and vibrant sounds of the Hamilton Children's Choir as they perform under the grace of world-renowned Artistic Director Zimfira Poloz.

Saturday, May 26 - 7 pm

Philpott Memorial Church
84 York Blvd.
Hamilton, ON

Tickets: Adults $20 Seniors $15 Students $10

To order tickets, call 905-527-1618 or visit

www.hamiltonchildrenschoir.com

This event broadcast is sent to you via THEZine. Visit our website to find out how THEZine can help your events.

www.thezine.ca
Stony Plain Records Newsletter #40 - May 14/07

In this issue...•

Four great new releases from Stony Plain Rave reviews for "Naughty Bawdy & Blue"Harry Manx & Kevin Breit: We Get LettersCorb Lund set to play UK's Glastonbury Festival Ian Tyson to receive honorary Doctorate of Letters degreeDuke Robillard news file Blind Pig artists play north of the borderKeeping in touch with Stony Plain

Busier than a single-armed wallpaper hanger, that's the story at Stony Plain these days. For starters, how about all these wonderful new releases? Please read on.

HOLGER PETERSEN
Stony Plain Head Wheel and President

Four great new releases from Stony Plain

MARIA MULDAUR: "NAUGHTY, BAWDY & BLUE" (SPCD-1319)

Already released in Canada, and due May 15 in the rest of the world.

The third in Maria's wonderful exploration of classic blues material. With Jim Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band in rip-roaring support, she explores classic black blues from the '20s, 30s and 40s when Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter were superstars and their songs titillated, shocked, and amused their audiences. Bonnie Raitt joins in on a Sippie Wallace classic, "Separation Blues."

DUKE ROBILLARD: "WORLD FULL OF BLUES" (SPCD-1323)

Released May 15 in Canada, June 26 in the rest of the world.

This is another special album of soulful blues from Duke Robillard, who has contributed so much fine music to the Stony Plain catalogue ever since "Duke's Blues" (SPCD-1195) was released in 1994. This is one for blues guitar fans all over the world. As if one CD isn't enough, this contains a free bonus CD with 11 more tracks of great music - well over two hours of great music for the price of a single CD. As our ads say: All killer, no filler!

HARRY MANX & KEVIN BREIT: "IN GOOD WE TRUST" (SPCD-1320)

Released in Canada April 10, due May 15 in the US and the rest of the world.

Harry Manx plays the blues with a south Asian accent; Kevin Breit is one of the most in-demand session players anywhere - and after CDs and world tours with the likes of Cassandra Wilson and Norah Jones, is anyone surprised? This unique pairing of two remarkable guitarists features original material, a surprising Bruce Springsteen cover and a traditional song, "Death Have Mercy."

VALDY & GARY FJELLGAARD: "CONTENDERS TWO: STILL IN THE RUNNING" (SPCD-1321)

Released in Canada April 24

Seven years ago, these two veterans of Canada's long-running folk and country music scenes got together for some laid-back, easy-going, tuneful recording. The result, "Contenders" (SPCD-1262), was a surprise best-seller, and the follow-up is every bit as good - simple, strong and sincere songs, shot through with the truth. This release is a must for folk and country fans and radio people.

Rave reviews for "Naughty Bawdy & Blue"

"Maria Muldaur's newest CD on Stony Plain honors the memories and music of groundbreaking blues women Ma Rainey, Victoria Spivey, Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, and Alberta Hunter. 'Naughty, Bawdy & Blue' features a dozen songs straight from the urban parlors, backrooms and bordellos of the 20's, 30's and 40s, and offers a more polished sound than these blues women's more rough-hewn Mississippi Delta contemporaries.
Maria's got James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band on most of 'Naughty, Bawdy & Blue;' Dapogny, a Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, is a world-renown musicologist and authority on ragtime and Jelly Roll Morton. That expertise shines through on this CD, and it's a reunion of sorts: James and his band backed Sippie Wallace, along with Bonnie Raitt, on Wallace's 1982 W.C. Handy-award winning Atlantic release, 'Sippie.' On 'Naughty, Bawdy & Blue' Bonnie joins Maria on a soulful version of Wallace's 'Separation Blues.'

'Naughty, Bawdy & Blue' is another solid example of Maria's tireless quest to keep the music of early blues women current: Both 'Richland Woman Blues' (2001) and her tribute to Memphis Minnie, 'Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul' (2005), earned W.C. Handy and Grammy nominations."
- Eric Steiner, Editor, Washington Blues Society's Bluesletter

"After 45 years of exploring nearly every corner of American roots music, Maria Muldaur has come full circle, returning to the blues - and the blues singers - that pulled her into the music in the first place.

Muldaur gets some help on the new record from fellow blues archivist Bonnie Raitt, who teams up with her on Sippie Wallace's 'Separation Blues.' Wallace influenced both Muldaur's and Raitt's careers during the early 70s." - Will Stewart, Ann Arbor News

Harry Manx & Kevin Breit: We Get Letters

Stony Plain and Newsletter editor Richard Flohil recently presented Harry Manx and Kevin Breit in concert at Hugh's Room, the city's pre-eminent acoustic music venue. Wrote Mark Neveu, a southern Ontario music presenter and enthusiast:

"Thank you for being able to present one of the most unforgettable and amazing concerts. Even though I've been fortunate enough to present Harry about six times in my former little listening room Readers (in Dunnville, Ontario) and having seen him at least a dozen times at various venues here and there, last Friday's spectacular concert certainly goes down in my book as one of the absolute best ones, period.

The pairing of Kevin's playing (how can we say it: Eccentric? intergalactic?) alongside Harry's warm and spiritual vocals and tones, all from a magic place where the Mississippi meets the Ganges, was simply perfect.
Thanks again. I Iook forward to seeing them this summer somewhere on the festival circuit."

Corb Lund set to play UK's Glastonbury Festival

Corb Lund and his band, The Hurtin' Albertans, will perform at this year's Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, June 24th. Held in south-west England, Glastonbury is the largest annual outdoor music and performing arts festival in the world - and this year's festival sold out almost instantly, with more than 100,000 tickets snapped up the day of sale.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Corb Lund has been deeply involved in a special set to air on "Great American Country TV" as a part of "The Edge of Country" series. The show will be seen on Saturday, June 30th @ 1:00 pm EST, and on Monday, July 2nd @ 1:00 pm EST.

After a three month spell to continue working on songs for his next Stony Plain CD, Corb played dates in Colorado, Texas, Arizona and California in April, and more shows have been set in Texas and Tennessee starting May 26. Then he's heading off to the UK; In addition to the Glastonbury gig, Corb and the band play shows in Glasgow, Leicester, Leeds, Chichester and London.

Meanwhile pre-production has started on the new recording - with Nashville's Harry Stinson once again producing. Sessions for the new CD will begin at the end of this month.

Ian Tyson to receive honorary Doctorate of Letters degree

Ian Tyson will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree at a Convocation ceremony at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC, on June 7.

A Stony Plain artist since 1988, Tyson has released a dozen CDs on the label. Along the way, in a career that began in the early 60s, he has hosted a long-running TV show, earned numerous awards (most importantly, the Order of Canada), and he continues to tour in Canada and the US.

"Ian Tyson is an icon in Canadian music," said Thompson River University President and Vice-chancellor Roger Burnsley. "We will be very proud to have him as an alumnus."

Watch for a long-in-the-works Ian Tyson tribute album, due in July.

Duke Robillard news file

Excellence in the Arts

On June 2, Duke Robillard will receive the 2007 Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts, which recognizes artistic excellence in Robillard's home state and on the national level. Additional award winners honoured that night will include Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis. Previous Pell honorees include actors Jason Robards, Robert Redford, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, as well as Stephen Sondheim and Beverly Sills from the music world.

On the festival circuit Duke will be performing at numerous blues festivals this summer. Among them:

June 3 - Mike Arnone's Crawfish Festival, Augusta NJ

August 8 - Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, Mont Tremblant QC

August 18 - Madison Ribberfest, Madison IN

August 19 - White Mountain Blues Festival, North Conway NH

August 25 - Calgary International Blues Festival, Calgary AB

September 9 - KSDS Ocean Beach Jazz Festival, Ocean Beach CA

Top 10 with a bullet

Duke's video, "Duke Robillard and Friends Live at the Blackstone Theatre", is #10 on the Real Blues magazine's list of best blues, soul and gospel DVDs released in the last 12 months.

Blind Pig artists play north of the border

Stony Plain is the Canadian distributor for Blind Pig's excellent catalogue of contemporary blues artists - and there's plenty of touring activity north of the border.

Big Bill Morganfield is playing dates later this month in Ontario and Quebec. This man's not to be missed; the spirit, legacy, talent and charisma of his father, Muddy Waters, is intact.

May 24 - The Casbah, Hamilton, ON

May 25 - Legion 560, Kingston, ON

May 26 - Silver Dollar, Toronto, ON

May 27 - Bub's Bar & Grill, Cobourg, ON

May 28 - Centre D'Art, La Chapelle, PQ

May 30 - Café Campus, Montreal, PQ

May 31 - The Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa, ON

Other Blind Pig artists are on the Canadian festival circuit.

Elvin Bishop will play the Labatt Blues Festival in Edmonton, AB, on August 24. Otis Clay and James Cotton will both play the Burnaby Blues Festival in BC on August 12. Norton Buffalo will play July 11 at the Ottawa Bluesfest (and comes back to Canada for some rare appearances with guitarist Roy Rogers in November in Calgary and Edmonton.

Keeping in touch with Stony Plain

REACH OUT TO STONY PLAIN

Check the new Stony Plain website to buy music, check the back catalogue, get bio information on our artists, and read news from past newsletters: www.stonyplainrecords.com

Snail-mail goes to P.O. Box 861, Edmonton, AB, T5J 2L8, Canada

Phone: (780) 468-6423

FAX: (780) 465-8941.

Write to Stony Plain's head man, Holger Petersen, via e-mail at holger@stonyplainrecords.com.

The new man in our too-busy stock room is Peter Chapman. Mail orders, web enquiries, occasional coffee making - this guy does it all!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Thank you from Too Slim and the Taildraggers

Greetings!

Summertime is almost here!

Too Slim and the Taildraggers look forward to seeing all of you at the upcoming shows. Please take a look at the tour schedule, so you don't miss out. There are festivals, indoor and outdoor events, boat cruises, all sorts of new and different dates coming up. Too Slim will be playing in Canada, Norway, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Washington, California, Utah Pennsylvania, Nevada, Colorado, just to mention a few... more dates will be posted, so check back often. See you at the rock show!

click here for the schedule

Thank you! We appreciate your support.

People like you make all the difference to Too Slim and the Taildraggers.

Nancy Langford
Too Slim and the Taildraggers

www.tooslim.org
Blues Element comin' at ya...

Sunday, May 20 - 9 p.m.

The Press Club
850 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, ON

Tuesday, May 29 - 10 p.m.

Grossman's Tavern
379 Spadina Ave.
Toronto, ON

and.....check it out online at

www.blueselement.com or

www.myspace.com/blueselement
Schedule for SpringRise Celebration tonight at Renaissance

It may not feel a lot like Spring outside tonight, but inside the Renaissance Café at 1938 Danforth Ave. (block-and-a-half west of Woodbine subway station), Toronto, ON, it’ll be warm and sprouting lots of new life musically and socially.

Here’s the schedule (slightly revised from previous ones because one of the members of Booster hurt their hand and can’t perform) for tonight’s SpringRise Celebration XXVIII show, which starts at 8 p.m. and for which cover is just $5.

8:00 Gary 17 Country Blues/Pop
8:15 Liana Di Marco Folk Rock
8:30 Linda Saslove Folk
8:45 Gord Wilks Folk Rock
9:00 The Nationals Double slide Blues
9:25 Paul Richard Protest/Folk Rock
9:40 Trevor Jones Reggae/Pop
9:55 Wildsmith Pop Rock
10:10 Monster Beach Hard Pop
10:35 Richard Wlodarski spoken word
10:45 Brian Pickard Pop Rock
11:00 Nichola Vaughan Pop Rock
11:15 Box Full Of Cash Country/Rock/Blues
11:40 Kim Doolittle Country/Pop
11:55 MOesch Folk Rock
12:10 Frank Wilks Pop Rock
12:25 Max Brand Maximum R&B
12:35 Fidget Punk Rock
1:00 Damon Hines Pop Rock/Jazz
1:15 Free-for-all, open stage artists

See ya tonight! –Gary 17

Gary 17
Publisher & Editor, to-nite magazine

Join our Yahoo Groups website at: http://to-nite.bigsmokemusic.com
(also accessible at http://tinyurl.com/4naan )
and read all the stories in the current and recent issues.

Telephone: Weekdays till 7: 416-833-5219; after 7 & wknds: 647-886-4820
jamesstreetmusic presents "It was 40 Years Ago Today" - June 1-2/07


[Message forwarded by www.thezine.ca]

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

NIAGARA FALLS EPILEPSY BENEFIT SEEKING BANDS/SOLO ARTISTS

M. Morningstar is putting on a benefit show for epilepsy at the Victoria Inn (the old Caverly Hotel) in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Saturday, May 26th.

Three bands have canceled out, so the host is looking for entertainment for that night. Unfortunately it sounds as if there won't be a vocal PA there - all the bands are bringing their own gear, but hopefully someone will allow the add-on groups to use their stuff.

If anyone is interested in playing, or knows someone interested in playing, please contact M. Morningstar at 905-933-1554. Bear in mind that this is a benefit show. Some bands have already asked to be paid - that is just NOT right! This is one of those times that you can give something back to the community out of the goodness of your heart.

Thanks for your time,


Marty Murray
George Olliver & Gangbuster


George Olliver & Gangbuster are looking forward to turning on the steam at this great little niteclub/restaurant called Whiskey John's this Fri., May 18, in Oshawa, ON, in the Island Plaza at King & Stevenson right across from the OC Centre, (905) 571-4533.

Come casual and bring your dancing shoes because George will be turning it on, featuring. Tony Padalino (keys) and Peter Mueller (gultar) from Canadian Idol. Of course, George will be cranking up the energy, so don't miss this performance in his home area of Durham Region.

Showtime - 9:30 pm

God Bless,


Hunter Hughes
Whitby, ON

www.georgeolliver.com
CLASSIC JAZZ VOCALIST ROBIN GREGORY


Classic jazz vocalist ROBIN GREGORY appearing with her trio -

BLISS RODRIGUEZ, Piano

OLLEN ERICH HUNT, Bass

JIMMY ROBINSON, Drums

at
ANNA’S JAZZ ISLAND
2120 ALLSTON WAY
BERKELEY, CA

(half-block east of Shattuck Avenue and downtown Berkeley BART)

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2007

8:00PM – 12 MIDNIGHT

COVER CHARGE: $7.00

TELEPHONE: (510) 841-JAZZ


Tuesday, May 15, 2007

to-nite magazine's "SpringRise " at Renaissance Café - Thurs., May 17

This year's "Springrise" festival offers a highly diverse lineup. Acoustic Folk, Roots and Folk Rock acts will be prominent among the performers at my upcoming SpringRise XXVIII Celebration concert at Renaissance Café in Toronto, Ontario, on Thursday, May 17, starting at 8 p.m.

The concert, for which cover is just $5, will offer an extraordinary variety of acts that includes singer-songwriters, duos and bands playing everything from Blues to Punk and what’s in between!

I’ll be hosting and spinning tracks between live sets and there’s also an open-stage component for unexpected special guests!

The lineup will include:

Kim Doolittle (Country/Blues);
The Nationals (double-slide Blues);
Fidget (fem-Punk);
Pop/Folk Rock songwriters Frank Wilks, Gord Wilks, Liana, Damon Hines, Linda Saslove, MOesch, Paul Richards, Brian Pickard and Nichola Vaughan; Rock/Blues combos and solos such as David Wildsmith Band, Monster Beach, Country/Rock tyros Box Full Of Cash, Booster and Max Brand; Reggae songwriter Trevor Jones; Rootsy picker Terry Hart; and the poet Richard Wlodarski.

Other acts are still being confirmed. I’ll send an update later this week or check my to-nite website (http://to-nite.bigsmokemusic.com) for lineup updates.

Renaissance is located at 1938 Danforth Ave., a block-and-a-half west of Woodbine subway station in Toronto, and offers a great variety of imported and local microbrews on tap and in bottles, plus a full selection of spirits and excellent, nourishing food and desserts. Kids are welcome 'til 11 p.m.

Gary 17
Publisher & Editor, to-nite magazine

Join our Yahoo Groups website at: http://to-nite.bigsmokemusic.com
(also accessible at http://tinyurl.com/4naan ) and read all the stories in the current and recent issues.

Telephone: Weekdays till 7: 416-833-5219; after 7 & wknds: 647-886-4820

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Saturday, May 12, in Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL)

What: Penner Mackay, Doug Miller & Steve Goldberger

Where: On the sidewalk in front of Ten Thousand Villages store.
Corner of Queen & Victoria in NOTL

When: SATURDAY, MAY 12 - 12 noon - 2 p.m.

As part of the Fair Trade Day celebrations, we'll be doing our annual acoustic jam out on the street using many of the rhythm instruments and flutes that are sold in the store.

NIAGARA RHYTHM SECTION'S SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC IMPROV

This week's featured guests:

SATURDAY, MAY 12 - MARTIN AUCOIN & PAUL MARTIN

The Anchorage
186 Ricardo St.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
905-468-2141

Every Saturday night - 10:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. - no cover

This week we welcome back our friends, Martin Aucoin & Paul Martin.

"Man, he can outright play" is what you hear about Martin Aucoin. He doesn’t just play, he lets you hear what he’s saying. Martin has played keyboards in numerous bands around Toronto, including with Johnny Max Band, Morgan Davis and Jack DeKeyzer, before moving to Nashville in 1990. He then toured with BJ Thomas for a year and a half. He also played on recording sessions for George Strait, Garth Brooks, Confederate Railroad and John Michael Montgomery. He has played live with Larry Carlton, Tony Joe White, Bo Diddley, Ricky Van Shelton, Alan Jackson, Alex Harvey, The Drifters, Mark O'Connor, as well as having a 4-year gig at the Grand Ole Opry with Jimmy C. Newman, the great Cajun singer. Also he's currently the keyboard player for The Wilkinsons. Despite all that, he's a real down-to-earth guy and we always have a ball whenever he comes to Niagara.

As an added bonus, we've also got Paul Martin, known for his work in the The Blushing Brides, Angel Marr Band, Tripminer, The Dylan Tree, Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, etc. He was here a few months ago and he wowed us with his superb guitar playing, great singing and a huge library of classic rock tunes you forgot you ever knew. [And he's an excellent visual artist, too! - DW]



Visible World Films has released “Down in the Woods”, a DVD about the life and music of Alabama bluesman Willie King. The film takes viewers on a journey into Willie’s world - a backwood, juke-joint musician who lives and breathes the blues every moment of his life. The DVD contains a 63-minute documentary and 40 minutes of live music. The DVD is available at Willie King’s website. In addition, a DVD Release concert will be held at Jupiter Bar & Grill in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on May 11th and at Willie King’s 10th Annual Freedom Creek Festival May 25th and 26th. Dutch filmmakers Saskia Rietmeijer and Bart Drolenga of Visible World Films came to America with the intention of producing a documentary about African American arts and culture in the deep South. When they met Willie, they decided instead to devote their efforts to creating a DVD about Willie's life and times.The DVD is a fascinating collage of Willie King's life and many activities, illuminated with searing live performances and interviews with his family and friends. It enables the viewer to experience something of what it is like to be a modern bluesman living in the Alabama Black Belt, "down in the woods.."Born on a cotton plantation in 1943 the son of poor sharecroppers, Willie was drawn to the blues at an early age. He made his first guitar out of bailing wire when he was seven and has been playing ever since. Cotton picker, moon shiner, juke joint owner, civil rights activist and social worker – Willie has done them all and now is one of the most popular blues musicians around. He plays big stages and festivals but always returns to his beloved Old Memphis, a small and mostly African-American community in rural Alabama where he lives in an old trailer and preaches the blues at house parties and in ramshackle juke joints. Willie spends much of his time supporting his local community and teaching young people the traditional culture and survival skills passed on to him from his people’s share cropping and slave ancestors.Willie King is one of the true innovators of the blues in the tradition of Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker. His music is powerful – an exciting, danceable mix of rural blues, soul and boogie, all in his own distinctive style. King’s lyrics are often political, fighting racism and a voice for poor blacks in the South. He preaches a message of peace, togetherness and social justice for all people around the world.

* BLUES *

Cara Smith
Program Director
Alabama Blues Project
(205) 752-6263
Freedom Creek Festival 2007 - Old Memphis, Alabama - May 25-26/07



FRIDAY from 4 pm to late, featuring Terry "Harmonica" Bean and Kent Duchaine plus Alabama blues talent Taylor Moore, The Old Memphis Kings, Grapevine, Robert, Alex, Rick Castillo, Whiteboy Corduroy and more!
SATURDAY from 11am, featuring legendary bluesmen Paul Oscher, T-Model Ford, Willie King and the Liberators PLUS MUDCAT, "Birmingham" George Conner, Jesse Daniels, Rev. Little, Julian Conner, Alabama blues women Caroline Shines, Debbie Bond and Sweet Claudette, plus The Project, Todd Johnson, Jock Webb, Pat Moss, and more!
This festival is made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Music Maker Foundation, Southern Arts Federations, Black Belt Community Foundation and other generous individuals, with assistance from the Alabama Blues Project.
Randy Oxford Band to Release Memphis to Motown

The Randy Oxford Band will be celebrating the release of their long awaited new CD, Memphis to Motown, on May 26 at Jazzbones in Tacoma, WA.

This will be an evening of multiple bands, dance routines, clowns, jugglers, surprise guests and more. The evening starts at 8 p.m. with the very popular Jude Dugan Band, featuring 18-year-old guitar sensation Ian Crawford.

After Jude Dugan, the Randy Oxford Band will play a set with selections from their new CD. Then a new and exciting band in town called Interstate Soul Code will make their NW debut followed once again by the Randy Oxford Band to close out the night.

All of this in one evening for only $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Come take a ride with Randy Oxford and his award-winning band from "Memphis to Motown". This will be an evening of NW entertainment to remember for a long, long time. Reservations are strongly advised.

More info at www.jazzbones.com or www.randyoxford.com.

HIGHER OCTANE @ BOSTON MANOR - SATURDAY, MAY 12

Higher Octane, featuring special guest Marshall Paul, will be performing at Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Drive, Burlington, ON (905-637-1984).

Mark Sepic @ California Pub and Grill (Toronto) - May 11/07

Hi, folks.

On Friday, May 11, from 9 pm - 1 a.m., I'll be playing solo at the newly refurbished California Pub and Grill (919 Pape Avenue @ Mortimer, north of Danforth Avenue, Toronto, 416-461-1251). The new owners have basically re-built the place and quite beautifully. Gone are the pool tables, tough-guy sports bar vibe, etc. Come help them wear it in gracefully!

peace,

Mark

www.marksepic.com

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Downchild @ Barrymore's - Ottawa, ON - May 26/07

Brand-New CD, Downchild - Live at the Palais Royale


Donnie Walsh - Performing at (Jeff) Healey's Club - Dec. 2006

(Photo by D.M. Wells)


Downchild
(www.downchild.com)