ISAAC SCOTT & DAVE CONANT - POSTHUMOUS BLUES LIVE NOW AVAILABLE
For more info, contact:
Bill Freckleton
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
NIAGARA RHYTHM SECTION RELEASES LIVE @ THE ANCHORAGE, VOL. 2.0
Hi, All.
Please see below. If you'd like a review copy of the CD, let me know, or I could send you MP3's as well.
Thanks,
Please see below. If you'd like a review copy of the CD, let me know, or I could send you MP3's as well.
Thanks,
Steve Goldberger
What: The Niagara Rhythm Section
What: The Niagara Rhythm Section
This week: SAT. OCTOBER 4th: Live @ the Anchorage 2.0 (CD RELEASE)
with special guest Chuck Jackson
Where: The Anchorage, 186 Ricardo St. Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, 905-468-2141
When: Every Saturday night - 9:45ish - no cover
The Niagara Rhythm Section
Live at the Anchorage 2.0
This is the second volume of a series of live recordings featuring Niagara Music Award winners, The Niagara Rhythm Section, Canada’s hottest back-up band and their weekly guests.
The Niagara Rhythm Section has been performing every Saturday night since 2003 at The Anchorage Inn in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. Steve Goldberger on bass and vocals, Dave Norris on drums, Penner MacKay on percussion (all veteran musicians originally hailing
from Toronto) and Herb Nelson on keyboards are the core of the band with several rotating guitar players filling out the mix (Steve Grisbrook, Ed Kopala and others).
Each week they invite a different Canadian artist to be their guest and they put on an unrehearsed two-hour show of live improvised music. Their guests have included both well-known Canadian name artists, as well as some of the most in-demand studio musicians in the country.
The Niagara Rhythm Section
Live at the Anchorage 2.0
This is the second volume of a series of live recordings featuring Niagara Music Award winners, The Niagara Rhythm Section, Canada’s hottest back-up band and their weekly guests.
The Niagara Rhythm Section has been performing every Saturday night since 2003 at The Anchorage Inn in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. Steve Goldberger on bass and vocals, Dave Norris on drums, Penner MacKay on percussion (all veteran musicians originally hailing
from Toronto) and Herb Nelson on keyboards are the core of the band with several rotating guitar players filling out the mix (Steve Grisbrook, Ed Kopala and others).
Each week they invite a different Canadian artist to be their guest and they put on an unrehearsed two-hour show of live improvised music. Their guests have included both well-known Canadian name artists, as well as some of the most in-demand studio musicians in the country.
They come from far and wide to spend a night with these stellar musicians and groove on the wonderful vibe.
Some of the guests artists over the years have been: Chuck Jackson, Tony Springer, Carlos Del Junco, Lance Anderson, Denis Keldie, Johnny Max, Gayle Ackroyd, Mark Lalama, John Dickie, Steve Grisbrook, John Mays, Al Lerman, Danny Marks, Jerome Godboo, Neil Chapman, Whiskey Jack, Tom Leighton & Conrad Kipping, Blair Packham, and many more amazing talents.
Most weeks, bandleader and record producer, Steve Goldberger will lug his 16 track mobile recording rig down to the club and record the show. Produced and mixed later at his “Hitsville NOTL/Shed Studios, these CD’s are a result of these efforts and capture some of the amazing
moments and great improvised jams.
Live at the Anchorage 2.0 features 12 tracks a variety of styles and artists:
- Chuck Jackson does a great reggae version of Bob Marley’s, “No Woman No Cry”.
- Lance Anderson does Professor Longhair’s “Back to New Orleans”
- Mark Rutherford does a swampy version of Ellington’s, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
- Tony Springer sings an soulful version of Albert King’s, “I Play the Blues for You”
- Gayle Ackroyd does a heartfelt version of Etta James’, “I’d Rather Go Blind”
- Mark Lalama does a great medley of Randy Newman’s, “You Can Leave Your Hat On”, combined with Billy Preston’s, “Nothin’ From Nothin” and “Will it go Round in Circles”
- John Dickie rocks out on the classic, “Long Tall Sally”
- Paul Martin and Martin Aucoin tear up the joint with the Stones’, “Sympathy for the Devil”
- Bob McNiven does a great bluegrass tune, “Can’t Stop My Heart From Loving You”
- Suzanne Hyatt funks the house with the classic, “Standing on Shaky Ground”
Some of the guests artists over the years have been: Chuck Jackson, Tony Springer, Carlos Del Junco, Lance Anderson, Denis Keldie, Johnny Max, Gayle Ackroyd, Mark Lalama, John Dickie, Steve Grisbrook, John Mays, Al Lerman, Danny Marks, Jerome Godboo, Neil Chapman, Whiskey Jack, Tom Leighton & Conrad Kipping, Blair Packham, and many more amazing talents.
Most weeks, bandleader and record producer, Steve Goldberger will lug his 16 track mobile recording rig down to the club and record the show. Produced and mixed later at his “Hitsville NOTL/Shed Studios, these CD’s are a result of these efforts and capture some of the amazing
moments and great improvised jams.
Live at the Anchorage 2.0 features 12 tracks a variety of styles and artists:
- Chuck Jackson does a great reggae version of Bob Marley’s, “No Woman No Cry”.
- Lance Anderson does Professor Longhair’s “Back to New Orleans”
- Mark Rutherford does a swampy version of Ellington’s, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
- Tony Springer sings an soulful version of Albert King’s, “I Play the Blues for You”
- Gayle Ackroyd does a heartfelt version of Etta James’, “I’d Rather Go Blind”
- Mark Lalama does a great medley of Randy Newman’s, “You Can Leave Your Hat On”, combined with Billy Preston’s, “Nothin’ From Nothin” and “Will it go Round in Circles”
- John Dickie rocks out on the classic, “Long Tall Sally”
- Paul Martin and Martin Aucoin tear up the joint with the Stones’, “Sympathy for the Devil”
- Bob McNiven does a great bluegrass tune, “Can’t Stop My Heart From Loving You”
- Suzanne Hyatt funks the house with the classic, “Standing on Shaky Ground”
And Steve Goldberger sings a couple heart-felt tunes including Tom Waites’ “The Heart of Saturday Night” and the Fringe Locals’ signature tune, “Come From the Heart” written by Susanna Hall and Richard Leigh.
Joining in the CD Release celebrations this week, we welcome our special guest, Chuck Jackson (www.chuckjackson.com).
Joining in the CD Release celebrations this week, we welcome our special guest, Chuck Jackson (www.chuckjackson.com).
You probably know him as the lead singer for the Downchild Blues Band. However, it was when he joined the Cameo Blues Band in 1978 that he really began to shape the distinctive rhythm and blues style that he has injected into many projects. Armed with a hot blues harmonica, Chuck was a "hired gun" on soundtracks of the internationally acclaimed Canadian TV production of "Night Heat" and on the 80's biggest hit "Miami Vice". Chuck served his apprenticeships with Bo Diddley, James Cotton, British R&B star Georgie Fame, as well as jam sessions with "The Blues Brothers" - John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd.
In 1990 Chuck became the front man of the legendary Downchild Blues Band, appearing on JUNO-nominated albums Good Times Guaranteed, Come On In and on Lucky 13. Four-time nominee and winner of the Maple Blues Award's "Male Vocalist of the Year" in 2000. In 2002 Chuck was honored by the Toronto Blues Society with the prestigious "Blues With A Feeling"
Award for his contribution to Canadian Blues.
Chuck always puts on an amazing show and he draws a big crowd, so get there early if you want a good seat!
In 1990 Chuck became the front man of the legendary Downchild Blues Band, appearing on JUNO-nominated albums Good Times Guaranteed, Come On In and on Lucky 13. Four-time nominee and winner of the Maple Blues Award's "Male Vocalist of the Year" in 2000. In 2002 Chuck was honored by the Toronto Blues Society with the prestigious "Blues With A Feeling"
Award for his contribution to Canadian Blues.
Chuck always puts on an amazing show and he draws a big crowd, so get there early if you want a good seat!
Coming up @ The Anchorage, NOTL
The Niagara Rhythm Section with special guests:
Oct 11th - John Dickie & Steve Grisbrook
October 18th - Mark & Paul Lalama
October 25th - Denis Keldie & Neil Chapman
Nov 1st - John Findlay
Nov 8th - Tim Hicks & Bruce Longman
Nov 15th - Steve Grisbrook - celebrating our 5th anniversary at the Anchorage!
Nov 22nd - Al Lerman & Ed Kopala
Nov 29th - Espanola Slim & Steve Grisbrook
Dec 6th - Martin Alex Aucoin & Paul Martin
Dec 20th - Eric Mahar
Dec 27th - Bruce Longman
January/09 is "Niagara Month" at the Anchorage featuring:
Jan 10th - Marty Allen & Dave Tufford
Jan 24th - Vox Violins
Jan 31st - James Brown, Terry Walsh & Mike Dixon, and more TBA...
If you missed our shows lately, you can now see the Niagara Rhythm Section live and other homemade videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveGoldberger
Load up your ipod with our music or purchase our CD's at:
If you missed our shows lately, you can now see the Niagara Rhythm Section live and other homemade videos at: http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveGoldberger
Load up your ipod with our music or purchase our CD's at:
or at CDbaby:
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HOBBYHORSE @ SCI-FI CONVENTION (SILICON 2008) - OCT. 4
Hobbyhorse at Sci-Fi Convention
Hobbyhorse is playing at SiliCon 2008 on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct 4th. SiliCon 2008 is a convention covering "hard science, science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. Some of the topics covered include writing, painting, costuming, singing, model making, computer graphics, film studies, astronomy, robotics, other scientific areas, along with diabetes education and outreach."
Some of the featured guests at SiliCon this year are: author Larry Niven, artist Frank Lurz, Peter S. Beagle, Steve Engelhart and Carol Stoker (NASA Planetary Scientist). More details are available online at:
www.siliconventions.com/2008/
Hobbyhorse Concert at SiliCon 2008
Saturday, October 4th, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
Gateway Foyer, Doubletree Hotel
San Jose, CA
Other Hobbyhorse Shows
Fri Oct 10 08 08:00 PM Las Vegas, NV USVenue: International Alchemy ConferenceAddress: , Las Vegas, NV, US
Website
Fri Nov 07 08 07:00 PM Santa Clara, CA USVenue: Barefoot CoffeeAddress: 5237 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA, 95051, USDetails: Barefoot has some of the best coffee in the bay area! Website
Fri Dec 12 08 09:00 PM San Francisco, CA USVenue: Red Vic SessionsAddress: 1665 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA, 94117, USDetails: Hobbyhorse starts at 9:20, but there will be other great bands from 6:30-11:00. Website
More Hobbyhorse Music and Guests
More Hobbyhorse music and guest musicians are coming soon to the Hobbyhorse Cafe website. Stay tuned.
Annie & Phil of HobbyhorseHobbyhorse Music, LLC
www.hobbyhorsecafe.com
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Monday, September 29, 2008
BECKI SUE & HER BIG ROCKIN' DADDIES! - UPCOMING DATES (OCT. 3-4)
Wednesday, October 1st. at The Cascade Blues Association (CBA) members' meeting at The Melody Ballroom in Portland, 7pm
Friday, October 3rd, at Duff's Garage in Portland at 9:30pm
Saturday, October 4th, at Roadhouse 101 in Lincoln City (Oregon Coast) at 9pm
We have been honored with a nomination for a 2008 Muddy Award in the CBA's "Regional Blues Act" category for the second year in a row. Please come out to one of these shows (or ALL of 'em) to see what the fuss is all about! Then, if you think we measure up to your expectations of what a kick-butt blues band should sound and look like, and you are a CBA member, please cast your vote our way! We would really appreciate it!
We've also been honored with a nomination by King 5's Best in Western Washington's contest for best local band! Please click on the link below and vote for us!!
http://best.king5.com/becki-sue-and-her-big-rockin-daddies/biz/128196
www.bigrockindaddies.com
www.myspace.com/bigrockindaddies
www.myspace.com/tboyneal
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MICHAEL PICKETT & DOC MacLEAN - NATIONAL STEEL BLUES TOUR
514.695.6545
613.721.7771
http://www.basslinestation.com
RCHA Club
Kingston, ON
193 Ontario St.
Presented by the Kingston Blues Society
Gilmour St. Music Hall
Peterborough, ON
House Concert
590 Gilmour St.
Silver Dollar Room
Toronto, ON
486 Spadina Ave.
416.975.0909
http://www.silverdollarroom.com
Oct 10, 2008 - 8:00 PM
Moonshine Cafe
Oakville, ON
137 Kerr St.
905.844.2655
http://www.themoonshinecafe.com
The Boathouse
Kitchener, ON
57 Jubilee Dr.
Victoria Park
519.745.7202
http://www.boathousevictoriapark.com
The Lounge
London, ON
185 Queens Ave.
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GAYLE ACKROYD @ JOHN ELLIOT THEATRE (GEORGETOWN) - SAT., OCT. 4
Hi - I'm really excited about this concert and the release of the new CD, Give It All You Got!
I really hope you can be there to enjoy a great night of Entertainment!
IN CONCERT
Gayle Ackroyd and the Very Hot Band
Saturday, October 4 - 8 p.m.
$25.00
John Elliott Theatre
9 Church Street
Georgetown, ON L7G 2A3
www.town.halton-hills.on.ca/theatre
To order tickets, please call the Box Office at 905-877-3700 or click here to purchase online!
Box Office Hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 2 pm - 6 pm (extended hours on show nights)
Gayle Ackroyd and the Very Hot Band
Gayle Ackroyd - Vocals, guitar
Cam MacInnes - guitar
Ed Kopala - guitar
Helena Kameka - piano, accordion, vocals
Gary Taylor - drums, vocals
Stephen Bright - bass
Gayle Ackroyd Gibson
Performer, Recording Artist, Teacher
www.gayleackroyd.com
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OTTAWA BLUES SOCIETY - INT'L BLUES CHALLENGE (REMINDER)
PRESS RELEASE
25 September 2008
“On the Road to Memphis”
Ottawa Blues Society - Blues Challenge
Round #1 of the Semi-Finals for The Ottawa Blues Society’s (OBS) “On the Road to Memphis – Blues Challenge” took place Wednesday, September 24, to a packed house at Tucson’s. It was a huge success! Ottawa’s own musician, J.W. Jones, was MC for the event and the enthusiastic crowd was treated to an all-band jam at the end of the evening’s competition.
Judges Bob Cabana (owner of Ottawa’s FabGear64), James Doran (organizer of the “Blues on the Rideau”series) and Todd Bernard (from DAWG-FM, Canada and North America’s first ever all-blues commercial radio, expected to hit the airwaves by Summer 2009) had their own “blues challenge” choosing the two lucky winners.
The two winning bands from Round #1, who will now advance to The Finals, include:
Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman and Wicked Grin
This local “Band” category competition is Ottawa’s first opportunity to participate in the prestigious Blues Foundation’s, “International Blues Challenge”. One talented band will be chosen the winner and represent Ottawa in Memphis, TN, February 2009 at the 25th International Blues Challenge.
During the local competition, bands are judged by the same criteria used for the International Competition in Memphis. Each band provides a 25-minute performance and is judged by regional volunteers knowledgeable about The Blues. The $5.00 cover charge and impressive raffle draws serve as fundraising support for travel and accommodation expenses for the winning OBS representative.
Round #2 of the Semi-Finals takes place Wednesday, October 1, 7:00 p.m. at Tucson’s, 2440 Bank St., Ottawa. Competing bands for Round #2 will include:
Phlegm
Tell Mama
Monkey Junk
The two highest scoring bands from each Semi-Final Round will advance as the four finalists for the “On The Road to Memphis”, Blues Challenge Finals taking place Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. at Tucson’s, 2440 Bank St., Ottawa.
For further information:
Debra Thornington, Director OBS
Tele: 819-684-4984 (evenings)
E-mail: debra@ottawabluessociety.com
http://www.ottawabluessociety.com/events.php
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Saturday, September 27, 2008
LARRY LEBLANC NEWSLETTER (SEPT. 27) [EXCERPTS]
QUICK TAKES
++ Larry LeBlanc has become a weekly columnist for the on-line entertainment service Encore Celebrity Access in the U.S. He will contribute a weekly Q & A column with entertainment industry figures from around the world.
++ Nettwerk One, the publishing arm of Vancouver-based Nettwerk Music Group, has signed Sinead O’Connor to an exclusive publishing deal. NW1 will handle the publishing rights of O’Connor’s new compositions, as well as her catalogue, which reverts to her over the next year. NW1 recently took on the catalog of 10,000 Maniacs and have signed John Spinks and Fredro.
++ The 38th Annual Juno Awards will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, March 29/09.
++ The Polaris Music gala will be held Sept. 29, 2008 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. The show, hosted by CBC Radio 3’s Grant Lawrence, will feature performances by Kathleen Edwards, Holy Fuck, Black Mountain, Basia Bulat, Plants And Animals, Shad, and Two Hours Traffic. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the winner of this year’s $20,000 prize.
++ The lineup for the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards, taking place Nov. 23, 2008, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, will include Figgy Duff, Murray McLauchlan, Rita Chiarelli, Asani, Anne Lindsay and Quebecois ensemble Club Carrefour. The ceremony will be co-hosted by CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers and Quebec musician Benoit Bourque.
++ Pop Montréal's Symposium, Oct. 1-5, 2008, will feature filmmakers Jem Cohen and Femi Agbayewa; singers Irma Thomas and Lydia Lunch; and veteran U.S. a cappella group The Persuasions.
++ The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals has awarded this year’s Estelle Klein Award to True North Records founder Bernie Finkelstein. The award will be presented during the 22nd annual OCFF conference in Ottawa from Oct. 23-26, 2008.
++ Globe and Mail is partnering with MuchMusic for an online ad campaign featuring the "10 Smartest and Savviest Musicians." A site will feature blogs by some of MuchMusic's VJs, links to artists' blogs and info about their education and how they used their book smarts to make it in the music biz. Over to you, Avril.
++ War Child Canada has two new benefit albums being released by Musicor on Nov. 25th, 2008. The English Heroes album features Beck, Duffy, Rufus Wainwright, TV On The Radio, and The Kooks. The French Héros album features Tricot Machine, Florence K, Terez Montcalm, Stefie Shock, Marjo, and Renée Martel. War Child Canada is also launching a “Busking For Change” event in Toronto on Oct. 2, 2008. That day Our Lady Peace, Neverending White Lights, Dave Bidini, Tomi Swick, The Waking Eyes, Brian Melo and James Black and Rick Jackett of Finger Eleven will be busking for change in Toronto streets in support of War Child Canada. Maybe they will run into some past Juno winners.
++ The new version of "The Hockey Theme”, recorded by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, débuts on Quebec’s RDS Oct. 10 and nationally on TSN on Oct. 14. The song was written in 1968 by Dolores Claman and had been associated with CBC's “Hockey Night in Canada” for nearly four decades. Meanwhile, CBC’s contest for its new hockey theme has drawn more than 14,000 entries. Songs from the five finalists will be featured on CBC's "The Hour" the week of Sept. 29. The five composers will then be featured on a one-hour CBC television special on Oct. 4. CBC will then open the polls for voters to cast their ballots by email, phone or text messages. Two finalists will be announced Oct. 9, with the winner named at the start of the "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast on Oct. 11, 2008.
++Virgin Music Canada will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a charity concert on Oct. 14, 2008, at Lee's Palace in Toronto. Among the label's past and present acts on the bill will be: The Northern Pikes, Colin James, Choclair and Pluto (No Mary Margaret O’Hara?). Proceeds will be donated to MusiCan. A limited edition vinyl collection entitled, Rare & Brilliant - Virgin Music Canada 25th Anniversary, will be available Oct. 14.
++ A newly-released DVD, Long John Baldry, 'It Ain’t Easy', presents a 1987 performance at Iowa State University featuring the late legendary Vancouver-based UK blues figure with his band, featuring co-singer Kathi McDonald.
RANDOM CHUCKLE
++ Hey, kids - want to fast-track your broadcasting career? Work first as a music artist.
Last month, Newfoundland and Labrador belle Kim Stockwood joined the EZ Morning Show in Toronto; mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah, rap poet Rich Terfry (aka Buck 65), and jazz diva Molly Johnson became new hosts at CBC Two. Meanwhile, Jian Ghomeshi, Danny Michel, Em Gryner and Randy Bachman continue to hold down hosting spots at CBC Radio, while veteran Kim Mitchell rocks at Q107 in Toronto.
So far, no personal artist manager in Canada has ventured in the footsteps of Vancouver’s Bruce Allen, who handles Bryan Adams, Michael Bublé and Martina McBride. He hosts the weekly “Reality Check” on CKNW in Vancouver. Just a matter of time.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
++ Denise Donlon has become Executive Director of Radio at CBC Radio, effective Sept. 29, 2008. Donlon joined MuchMusic in the mid-'80s as a VJ and producer, becoming Co-host of "The New Music." She later served as General Manager of CHUM Television's MuchMusic and MuchMoreMusic. In 2000, she moved to Sony Music Canada as President for four years.
MICHEL RIVARD OF BEAU DOMMAGE ON YOUTUBE
If you haven't seen the Michel Rivard video on YouTube, you should. It has had over 600,000 hits in only a week, and it is a devastating satire on the difficulties facing Quebec musicians getting funding. Rivard is revered in Quebec and was part of its best-known group, Beau Dommage, for over 30 years. It doesn't matter if you don't know Rivard or if you are not a Canadian. If you know about the creative process of writing songs and dealing with bureaucrats, you will find this hilarious. For an English translation there's a button to push on the bottom right of the window.
I CAN TELL IT’S A CRISIS; I HAVE 40 EMAILS FROM AL MAIR
For Canadian Music Week, the Canadian Independent Record Production Assn., the East Coast Music Assn. (ECMA), the Western Canadian Musical Alliance, the check is not in the mail if the Conservatives continue in power. Nor should members of Holy Fuck hold their breath waiting for federal government tour funding.
Hundreds of Canadian cultural groups and artists recently learned they would not be receiving federal support in 2010 due to the Conservatives stripping $45.5-million from nearly a dozen arts programs.
Arts funding has emerged as a hot button election issue, particularly after Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended his government’s cuts with American-style, anti-intellectualism rhetoric, arguing that “ordinary people” object to tax dollars being used to fund glitzy galas at arts and cultural events…...Ordinary people understand we have to live within a budget.” Yet, a July 2008 report, “Valuing Culture: Measuring and Understanding Canada’s Creative Economy”, by the Conference Board of Canada, indicated that the economic footprint of Canada’s culture sector was $84.6 billion in 2007, or 7.4 per cent of Canada’s total real GDP, including direct, indirect, and induced contributions. Culture sector employment exceeded 1.1 million jobs in 2007.
Amidst charges that defunding of these programs will be devastating to Canadian musicians, actors and dancers, and to organizations who present the work of artists of all kinds, Harper has also called his party's decisions "good governance" and said the government must walk “a fine line” between providing financial stability and “funding things that people actually don't want.” Harper has, however, been very careful not to repeat in French his criticisms of artists, for outrage at his party's culture platform is most outspoken in Quebec where francophones are trying to maintain a distinct linguistic and cultural community.
If the Conservatives continue in power—particularly if they are handed their first majority government since 1988—the recent announced cuts may well lead to further significant cuts. Canada’s musical community has much to fear. A future body count would almost certainly include the Music Entrepreneurial Component (MEC) program launched by Canadian Heritage in 2005. MEC funds 19 Canadian-owned record labels.
Almost certain to be placed under review would be the overall cultural program, Tomorrow Starts Today, which includes programs administered by the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR). With the music industry worldwide in the throes of a slump and with lay-offs commonplace throughout the industry, as music sales have fallen, and with more and more Canadian musicians and labels depending on export revenues through sales and live performances to survive, the timing for the cuts is disastrous to Canada’s independent music sector.
The cuts began last month with the news that funding would be terminated for two industrial policy programs: PromArt, a program to encourage international promotional tours by Canadian artists overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs; and Trade Routes, a Canadian Heritage Department program enabling cultural producers to export their work. Then just prior to the election call, the Conservatives axed the Canada New Media Fund (CNMF), a $14.5-million-a-year program administered by Telefilm but funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, designed to create and distribute Canadian interactive new media both domestically and internationally.
As well, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has since decided not to be the lead organizer of the Canada Day London events going forward. For the last two years, the CTC and its partners had delivered events on Trafalgar Square, engaging some 30-40,000 people each year. The Conservatives announced the majority of these cuts in Aug. 2008 via phone calls by departmental officials to key stakeholder groups.
Press releases were pointedly not issued by either Ministers of Canadian Heritage or Foreign Affairs. Conservatives argue that the cuts are the result of a "strategic review" of arts funding-- part of an ongoing government-wide review to trim spending--that found the programs had either fulfilled their original goals or wasted money with excessive administrative expenses.
What is particularly puzzling is that the Conservatives killed the Canadian Memory Fund, the Canada.ca portal, and the A-V Presentation Trust--all programs relating to the digitization of Canadian content. These cuts are particularly devastating since Canada continues to lag behind much of the world in content for digital networks.
As Duncan McKie, Pres./CEO of the Canadian Independent Record Production Assn., has pointed out, “The Government of Canada recently introduced new legislation to amend the Copyright Act to give our cultural industries the tools necessary to meet the challenge of an increasingly globalized cultural economy. A few weeks later, they cut the very programs that abet access to these same markets. In this case, politics trumps policy.”
Canadian Heritage Minister Josée Verner has indicated that the Conservatives hope to craft streamlined replacements for PromArt and Trade Routes and have them in place by March 31, 2009. Verner insists that PromArt and Trade Routes need to be more "efficient" and "adept" at adapting to a globalizing marketplace. What is alarming, however, is that the Conservatives do not hide the fact that they killed the programs largely due to ideological reasons, indicating that that they do not want to support artists they considered "marginal" or "offensive."
Harper’s Press Secretary, Kory Teneycke, in fact, noted that, “In the case of PromArt, we think the [funding] choices made were inappropriate ... inappropriate because they were ideological in some cases, with highly ideological individuals exposing their agendas or [money going to] wealthy celebrities or fringe arts groups that in many cases would be at best, unrepresentative, and at worst, offensive."
The Canadian music acts singled out by the Conservatives include:
++ Toronto-based Holy Fuck, who received $3,000 for a 21-date European tour.
++ Tal Bachman, who received $16,500 to perform at music festivals in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Federal government money has helped Canadian Music Week, East Coast Music Assn., and the Western Canadian Musical Alliance to recruit talent buyers from the United States and Europe, including booking agents, film and television distributors, and technology specialists to their annual events. Also, federal funding has helped Canadian acts perform at such conferences as the CMJ Music Marathon in New York, and SXSW Music Trade Show in Austin, Texas (I’m not sure we needed 109 Canadian acts appearing at this year's SXSW, however). Little wonder that a slew of provincial government heads, as well as provincial music organizations, have condemned the Conservatives’ cuts, arguing that the elimination of PromArt and Trade Routes will devastate individual organizations as well as damage the cultural industries in their provinces.
Premier Danny Williams has already promised to "cover the financial gap" that would affect artists from Newfoundland and Labrador. The Liberals and the New Democrats have both indicated that they will reinstate the $45.5 million the Conservative government slashed. "A Liberal government would increase spending to arts and culture by $530 million over four years", says party leader Stéphane Dion. NDP leader Jack Layton says that his party would spend $125 million to preserve Canadian arts and culture. The party has also rolled out a glitzy arts platform that would also bring in an income-averaging tax scheme for artists, that would create a tax exemption for the first $20,000 of income earned on copyright material.
FROM THE DESK OF LARRY LEBLANC
Many of us have mixed views of government-based funding to the arts and there are those who are deeply concerned about the Conservatives’ commitment to Canadian culture. Indeed, there are artists and companies that need funding, particularly considering the economic climate of today. There is also a pivotal role for the federal government to play in encouraging performing art, because the Canadian market can be inundated by foreign influences.
However, despite the contribution of the arts to society and the economy, despite the large numbers of people employed in the arts sector, and despite the often low-income status of artists, the Conservatives seem intent on hacking away at the arts in their new budgets. Significantly, masked by government explanations of thrift and program rationalization, the funding cuts so far have been framed in explicitly ideological language. Critics say the Conservatives are intent in appointing themselves as guardians of public morality while appealing to those Canadians who are opposed to public funding for cultural industries.
While I respect the right of the federal government to modify programs, the whole affair reeks of bungling. If the Conservatives believe there are better ways to spend taxpayer dollars than supporting these programs, it should have canceled the programs and immediately put forward alternatives. It is not so much that we under-fund our musicians -- which we do in many cases -- but the outcry from the cuts is more due to expectations from the music community in Canada.
Every musician who has ever traveled the Canadian tour circuit in a rented van knows where they have been. In the middle of winter, it’s bears in the middle of the road in the Rockies, snowdrifts in northern Ontario, and driving through Saskatchewan at 25 km. an hour because the roads are so icy you aren’t supposed to travel. Summer time, it’s driving at frightening speeds across deserted prairie roads so hot the asphalt and tar is melting. It’s blowouts in the middle of nowhere. It’s floods in the Maritimes. It’s fights in the parking lots, fights inside and the band fighting to be heard.
For decades, Canada’s proximity to America was viewed as diluting the cultural blood of the country. Canadian artists would gaze south, obsessive in both their fascination with, and fears of, the massive American marketplace with its seductive popular culture, fearful of American influence and with smug contempt for American values, real or imagined.
When Canadian artists ventured outside Canada to win recognition before the ‘90s, Canadians generally seethed with resentment. Every success story led to agonizing articles in the Canadian media about the country being unable to hold onto its heroes or its identity. Even those who intermittently looked elsewhere for support were often damned by Canadians.
We can debate the issue but such initiatives as broadcasting content quotas, and two decades of federal and regional funding programs for the Canadian-owned sector of the music industry, have played pivotal roles in establishing Canadian musical talent at home and abroad.
Canadian labels and artist--with both federal and provincial government support--are now viewed as punching above their weight on the world stage. But it comes with a high cost. The independent sector in Canada today is absolutely reliant on government grants. Government funding has allowed the multinationals to practically opt out of the A&R process--to only cherry-pick acts via distribution.
An abundance of artists, managers, labels, publishers and other gadflies have continually lined up at the funding trough over the years. Many of them are so crippled by fear of losing money that they refuse to take any form of career risks, in order to insure that their bets are hedged by funding—not always forthcoming, however, from federal and provincial sources.
The sad fact is that many artists with high profiles and strong reputations, with catalogues of albums, still often lack expert management, or the experience to look after their careers—bare minimums to sustain a long-term career. With its large number of cult artists, Canada is also a graveyard of shattered hopes and careers where many of the acts are like over-the-hill prizefighters who don’t have the good sense to retire when their diminished gifts have made them look damn foolish.
What's most unsettling about the Conservatives' decision is that their cutbacks are not only on a monetary basis but are intended for politicalizing funding--holding back funds for those they deem offensive or subversive.
Harper told the Globe and Mail that government must avoid "funding things that people actually don't want." Government arts budgets are relatively small compared to other federal programs. But I have never understood why so much of the arts feels it has a fundamental right to be subsidized. What does a starving musician have over a starving graduate of any other difficult profession? No doubt there are starving graduates of programs who could use a boost from Ottawa, just as much as the members of rock bands or hip hop posses. It's a matter of figuring out who deserves what and how much and insuring overall funding acts as a catalyst for economic development.
I fully agree with Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, who lauds FACTOR’s support of musical diversity, and the grassroots sector. “You want the representatives of your culture to be more than just the pop hit,” he says. “Although they are a great story, they don’t tell the whole story of what’s going on in Canada. FACTOR has been an enormous boost in telling Canada’s musical story.”
The Conservatives argue that some programs will be replaced because they have not been efficient. What are the new programs? When will they be announced? Or if the Conservatives are suggesting that only offensive culture not be promoted, who decides what that is?
Right now, I prefer Holy Fuck over the Conservatives.
Journalist/broadcaster/researcher Larry LeBlanc has been a leading figure in Canadian music for four decades. He has been a regular music commentator on CTV’s “Canada A.M” for 35 years, and has been featured on numerous CBC-TV, CTV, YTV, Bravo! MuchMusic, MusiMax, and Newsworld programs in Canada; VH-1, and EEntertainment in the U.S.; and BBC in the U.K.
Larry is a weekly columnist for Encore Celebrity Access in the U.S. He was a co-founder of the late Canadian music trade, The Record; and, until 2007, the Canadian bureau chief of Billboard for 16 years. He has been quoted on music industry issues in hundreds of publications, including Time, Forbes, The London Times, and The New York Times.
He has acted as a consultant for the Canadian Competition Bureau, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, the Canadian Private Copying Collective, and the Neighbouring Rights Collective of Canada, as well as such Canadian media group as Astral Media, CHUM Radio, Rogers Communications, The Evanov Group, and Harvard Broadcasting.
Larry sits on the board of the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada. The LeBlanc Newsletter is exclusively carried and archived by Canadian Music Week in Canada at:
It is available in the U.S. at Encore Celebrity Access:
Larry LeBlanc
To be added to this email list, write:
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
DAVE RAVE NEWS - SEPT. 23/08
Hey, everybody. 'hope you’re doing well.
Just wanted to let you know I’ve going back to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to play again at the Hexagon with the Sons of Gloria. I’m looking forward to seeing Tom and the gang again there this Saturday, September 27.
I’m also headed back to Europe for my third tour this year. It should be a lot of fun crossing the pond with Ralph Alfonso to see old friends and new acquaintances. When I get back, I’ll be playing New York City at The Cutting Room with the Bedsit Poets and George Usher on October 21st.
Details about all of these shows and a few more are on my site at www.dave-rave.com.
Rick Andrew, Tim Gibbons and I had an acoustic Shakers reunion that was recorded by Tom Wilson for his brand new Shadows and Light Song Series. Here are the links.
"Leave My Woman Alone": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxGI-UZ6d8k
"Loving You": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zRrXx2QKw0
'can’t wait to see you all on our travels.
Take care,
Raver
dave@dave-rave.com
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AMANDA STRAWN TO GUEST ON CKCU 93.1 FM'S "IRON MAIDENS" - SEPT. 24
Montréal singer, guitarist and songwriter Amanda Strawn (now residing in Ottawa) will be sitting in for an informal chat with CKCU 93.1 FM's "Iron Maidens" host D.D. Rocker on Wednesday, September 24, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. EST.
The broadcast can be picked up on your FM radio dial in the National-Capital Region or streamed online at www.ckcufm.com. Support campus/community radio!
www.geocities.com/irocktheblues/indexpage.html
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IRISHFEST 2000 A GRAND SUCCESS, THANKS TO/FROM MATT NELLIGAN
Thank You! To the fans of Irish 2000 for making this our most successful event ever! We could not have accomplished any of it without you. I sincerely hope that you had a great time, and that you plan on joining us again next year on September 18th and 19th, 2009!
We will e-mail you all of the info on our 2009 linuep after January 1st, and very much appreciate your support. If you have any suggestions for next year's entertainment or for ways that we can improve the event itself, please send us an e-mail. Thanks again and see you next year.
Matt Nelligan
Festival President
********************************
Dear Festival Supporters -
On the weekend of October 3rd and 4th, 2008, we are sponsoring a special weekend to honor the accomplishments of Irish 2000 Founder and New York State Hibernian President Matt Nelligan.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, October 3rd, with a special concert by Hair of the Dog at the Albany Irish-American Center at 375 Ontario St., in Albany, NY. Tickets are $15 and tables of ten are available. The show starts at 8:30.
Admission to the Friday show is FREE if you purchase a ticket to the dinner honoring Matt on Saturday, October 4th, at 6:30 pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Albany. Tickets to the dinner are $80, which includes Prime Rib Dinner, Salad and Dessert, along with open Bar and entertainment and dancing by the Cunningham Brothers Band from New York City.
To make a reservation for the dinner or the concert, call Liam McNabb at 518-489-1752 or e-mail him at liammcnabb@hotmail.com. Please join us for this special weekend honoring Matt for his hard work on behalf of the Irish community.
Sincerely,
Brian Nelligan
Event Chair
Irish2000 Fest
www.irish2000fest.com
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EPILEPSY OTTAWA-CARLETON AND THE BAY'S "GIVING DAY" - NOV. 1
Hi, Everyone – We Need Your Help!!
We need your help to sell The Bay’s “Giving Day” tickets to your friends, family, co-workers, or church members as a fundraiser for Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton.
“Giving Day” is a one-day (November 1st, 2008) shopping event designed to help organizations (such as ours) raise much-needed funds.
Tickets are sold for $5.00 each, and Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton will get to keep all the proceeds from each ticket that you sell.
People who buy the tickets will then be treated to exclusive discounts, contests and in store events at The Bay only on November 1st. Ticket holders not only get 15% off almost all regular and sale merchandise but also have a chance to win a holiday makeover worth $2,500. A great way to do some early Christmas shopping!
Discounts include 15% off regular, sale and clearance women’s, men’s & kids’ apparel, accessories, jewelry, footwear, bed and bath items, housewares, frames, luggage, china, crystal and silverware, personal electrics, all seasonal items, furniture and mattresses.
“Giving Day” will be held at all Bay stores, Canada-wide, on Saturday, 1 November 2008. See www.thebay.com/givingday for more information.
Please let us know how many tickets you would like to sell/buy.
Call the Epilepsy Office at 613 594-9255 or e-mail us at info@epilepsyottawa.ca.
Thank you for helping us to raise funds to continue with our EOC meetings, support groups and "Seizure Smart" presentations.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
Topic: Epilepsy and Laughter Therapy
Speaker: Jean Louis Dube, Laughter Therapist
Date: Monday, 6 October 2008
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bronson Centre
211 Bronson Avenue
Room 221 (Subject to change, so please check notice board
in main foyer when you come in)
Ottawa, ON
We hope you are able to attend.
For more information contact the Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton office at 594-9255.
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.
www.epilepsyottawa.ca
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Monday, September 22, 2008
B.C.'S LINDSAY MAY TOURING EASTERN CANADA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, BC (August 21, 2008)
LINDSAY MAY, LIVE ON HER EASTERN CANADIAN TOUR - SEPT. 12-28/08
Rave On Studio presents British Columbia's own Lindsay May, live on her first Eastern Canadian Tour. Promoting her debut album, Bronze and Blue, award-winning artist Lindsay May excites audiences with her edgy folk rock and powerful soul-filled blues and jazz influenced vocals.
Using elements from her own life and those around her, Lindsay's songwriting is a refinement process through years of songwriting and musical training. A storyteller is made, not born. Be witness to the creation of Canada's next superstar.
Lindsay May remains Vancouver’s newest musical sensation and continues to attract the attention of the media and audiences throughout British Columbia. Come out and see Lindsay LIVE and purchase a CD, one dollar of which will be donated to The Alzheimer's Society of Canada.
The Alzheimer Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit health organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer's and related diseases. Founded 30 years ago, it was the first organization of its kind in the world.
The Society consists of a national office, 10 provincial organizations and more than 140 local offices across the country. Together, we work nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer's disease, and to advance the search for treatment, prevention and a cure. The Alzheimer Society depends on donations and volunteers to support its programs and services. The vast majority of funding is contributed by individual Canadians.
Rave On Studio, a multi-purpose recording studio, opened its doors in 2004 to independent artists, and now encompasses a wide range of services including voiceover, film score and soundtrack recordings, writing, artist management, CD cover art and preparation, and full production and tracking services.
Run by the team of Chris Doskoch and Jenn Ashton, Rave On Studio combines a high level of creativity with over 30 years of professional player and music industry experience.
For more information, please call Jenn at 604.294.3007 or email raveonstudio@gmail.com.
http://www.lindsaymay.com/
LINDSAY MAY LIVE ON HER EASTERN CANADIAN TOUR
September 12th-28th, 2008.
September 18th, 2008 8pm Lop Lop's, Sault St Marie, ON
September 19th, 2008 8pm Renee's Cafe, South River, ON
September 20th, 2008 8pm Shaika Cafe, Montreal, QC
September 21st, 2008 9pm Elmdale House Tavern, Ottawa, ON
September 23rd, 2008 8pm Free Times Cafe, Toronto, ON
September 25th, 2008 8pm The Coffee Lodge, Sarnia, ON
September 26th, 2008 8pm Freeway Coffee House, Hamilton, ON
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THE ZINE - SEPT. 22 [EXCERPTED]
Music, Dance, Live Performance & Festivals
Sign up for the download of my new film, "Slacker Uprising". This is my gift to you as I approach my 20th anniversary as a filmmaker; I just wanted to give back a small token of appreciation for your support of my work. You're also making history, as this is the first major feature-length film ever to debut, not in theatres or on DVD, but as a no-cost download on internet. You have my blanket permission to pass this movie around to anyone in the U.S., watch it with your neighbours, friends and families, project it on any screen in America, and use it as a fundraiser for your candidate or your non-profit. Here's the link: http://slackeruprising.com.
Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place.
Michael Moore, Director
"Slacker Uprising"
H A M I L T O N M U S I C A W A R D S ( H M A )
Awards, Festival & Conference - November 13-16
The 2008 HMA's return to Hamilton Place Theatre for the second straight year. Over 1,000 people attended last year's awards show, which was broadcast nationwide on E!. This year's awards ceremony is hosted by Patrick McKenna and Tom Wilson and features musical performances, award presentations, tributes to lifetime achievers, special guest presenters and pre-produced video segments. The awards ceremony is the highlight of the 4-day long event.
www.hamiltonmusicawards.com or contact JP Gauthier jpg@hamiltonmusicawards.com
K I W A N I S C L U B O F H A M I L T O N
Come out for a wonderful evening of entertainment, as the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hamilton, in partnership with the Burlington Social Club, presents our version of the popular T.V. show, "Dancing With The Stars". "Dancing With our Community Start" is on Tues., Oct 21, at 5:30 pm, at Carmen's Banquet Centre, Hamilton, ON. You won't be disappointed. We are also looking for sponsors and door prizes. Any support you can offer will help us continue our good work in the community. For further information on the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hamilton, visit our web site at www.kiwanishamilton.com. Hope to see you there.
S E N S A T I O N A L E L O R A
Immerse yourself in "Sensational Elora", a festival of the senses. This 11-day festival, running from October 2 - 13, will feature the renowned music, art, drama, film, food, scenery, and heritage architecture of Elora, Ontario's Beautiful Village. For more information and tickets please contact: Sensational Elora at PO Box 911, Elora, Ontario, N0B 1S0, Tel: 519-846-5638;
www.sensationalelora.com or e-mail info@sensationalelora.com
C L A I M Y O U R V O I C E
No charge or cost to you! Vocal Workshops for new clients on September 27th, November 1st and January 24th. Workshop location is at Soul Art Studio, 231 Bay St. North, Hamilton, Ont. To register for a workshop contact Claim Your Voice Studios at claimyourvoice@gmail.com or call 905-544-1302. Private lessons and gift certificates also available.
T H E P E A R L C O M P A N Y
Artword Theatre and The Pearl Company are joining forces and are ready to go. Artword @ The Pearl has a full season for you: original theatre, cabaret, concerts, film and dance. Keep checking our website for more info about the season.
www.thepearlcompany.ca
Call The Pearl Co 905-524-0606 to reserve.
For the complete edition of The Zine, visit www.thezine.ca.
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TOURING ARTISTS BRING IT HOME
Touring artists bring it home at intimate house concerts
Cassandra Szklarski
Canadian Press
Sept. 22, 2008
House concerts have been an underground staple of the folk community for decades, supporting fledgling and even bigger acts with intimate shows that guarantee enthusiastic audiences. Literally held in a music fan's house for no more than a few dozen people, the concerts gained ground as a way to sustain a lengthy tour. But these days, observers say gas prices and a shortage of venues have turned the offbeat shows into a lucrative method to keep live folk music going, pointing to tour circuits based entirely on house concerts.
Folk music lover Mitch Podolak started up Home Routes last year to connect musicians with homeowners willing to provide their abodes for money-making performances. As is the tradition, the host provides a bed and warm meal while the artist gets 100 per cent of the take.
"They make real money", Winnipeg-based Podolak says of artists who choose to go this route. The average folksinger in Canada is grossing somewhere between $10,000 and $12,000 (a year), and some of the performers have been coming off Home Routes making $5,000 net in two weeks. So you can see what the relationship is.
"Traditional venues are tough to book, with an increasing number of artists competing for a limited number of gigs", says Podolak. "Combined with rising costs for gas and accommodations, touring doesn't always make economic sense", he adds. With Home Routes, artists embark on 12-date house concert tours in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
And it's not just lesser-known artists that take part. John Mann of Spirit of the West is currently doing a house concert tour of Manitoba, with stops including Falcon Lake, Onanole, Lac du Bonnet and Winnipeg. Barney Bentall is slated to run through homes in Alberta and Saskatchewan in February, with gigs in Annaheim and Osler, Sask., and Hinton, Alta.
Podolak, who started Home Routes last year, says he's working on setting up similar runs in southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Participants tend to be folk or roots acts, but there are the occasional pop and indie rock acts that have staged low-key shows to vault their careers. "For obvious reasons, house concerts are best suited to solo or duo acts with acoustic shows or limited stage setups", says blues/folk artist Little Miss Higgins, who estimates she's done about 10 such performances in Saskatoon and Edmonton, in addition to larger shows at such established venues as Hugh's Room in Toronto.
"There's actually people who kind of retrofit their house to accommodate 30 to 50 people", says Higgins, on the line from Huntsville, Ont. "One couple even built a little stage and had lights in their living room. It was pretty cool. A lot of people love it because a lot of people don't want to go to a bar, and it's nice because they can just come and hang out at a friend's house or meet some new people and see a show. We've had a really great response and we usually sell lots of CDs."
Musician and house concert aficionado Fran Snyder says the phenomenon has grown significantly in recent years. The Montreal-born Snyder runs the online gathering post, www.concertsinyourhome.com, which has registered about 220 concert presenters, about 20 of them Canadian. "About 500 artists have signed up as willing performers", he says. "There's artists that'll make $500 at a house concert one night and then make $60 the next night at a club. That's just reality", says Snyder, who's based in Lawrence, Kan. "House concerts used to be sort of these filler dates - an artist would be going from one festival to another on the weekends and during the week they'd be looking to pick up any kind of gig they could, and so they'd email their fans or call their fans and say, ‘Hey, I'm coming through town, can we do something on a Wednesday night or a Thursday night, even if it's a small turnout?' But now, the economics have totally flipped around and guys like me, I won't tour unless there's a house concert involved because that's the only way I can afford to tour. I'll book the house concerts on the weekends and then if I need to, I'll fill in with the club on a Thursday night or Wednesday night when I'm on the road."
House concerts tend to thrive in smaller communities, where opportunities for live music can be limited. The eastern Ontario town of Perth is one hotspot, thanks to the efforts of Steve and Sue Tennant, who run a monthly show out of their home.
"If you were to come to our place when we're in the season, you know, our stage is up all the time, we hardly have any living room furniture", says Steve Tennant, whose biggest booking was Stacey Earle, Steve Earle's sister.
"We bought 30 chairs to go with the other 10 that we have. We kind of have a long living room across the front of the house and then we have a dining room that sort of L-shapes off it through an archway. And so we have about 10 or 15 people that sit between the kitchen and the dining room and another 30 that are in the living room. We've had up to 55 people at shows."
Publicity for house shows is generally spread by word-of-mouth, ensuring a tight-knit crowd that's there for the music. Running a house concert is obviously not for everyone, but anyone tempted to stage their own show should investigate local regulations first, advises Snyder. House concerts generally welcome a "donation" to skirt the appearance of a home-based business, he says. Meanwhile, the host should never accept money to run a concert, even if they've spent money to set up the gig, says Snyder.
"The hosts do it because they love it", he says. They become tastemakers in their community. It's a great way to bring their neighbourhood, their friends, their acquaintances together and experience music in a way that you just can't in traditional venues. The idea of hearing the stories behind the songs and getting to know the artist on a personal level, not just the guy up on stage who sings a few songs, but you actually have time, during the break and after the show, to chat with the artist and get your CD signed."
http://www.homeroutes.ca
http://www.perthhouseconcerts.com/
www.concertsinyourhome.com
[Message forwarded by Larry Leblanc - ljle@aol.com]
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Sunday, September 21, 2008
BRANDY RECORDS SUPER JAM FEATURES STEVE MADDEN - SEPT. 21
Brandy Records Super Jam (week 2)
Celebrity Spotlight Mini-Set - Sunday, Sept. 21/08 - 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Steve (Maddman) Madden is the the celebrity guest, performing a 4-song mini-accoustic set. Every week a different winner... great prizes from our many sponsors...
Grand Prize, Record Deal.
McGradie's Tap & Grill
Victoria Park, just North of Ellesmere, South of Hwy. 401
Toronto, ON
Phone: 416-449-1212
Sundays, 2 pm - 7 pm or later!
Andy O'Connor, Host
Brandy Records Super Jam
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Friday, September 19, 2008
BLUES THERAPY PLAY BENEFIT @ FLORAL HALL TONIGHT (SEPT. 19)
Hey, folks!
Late details just in for a benefit performance by Blues Therapy in Everett, WA, tonight!
In case you don’t have plans for tonight (Friday 9/19) or would like an alternative,
Blues Therapy is reuniting to play a set of their funky rhythm ‘n blues at a benefit event
to help cover medical costs for a friend.
Join us at Floral Hall at Forest Park off, 41st Street, just a mile west of I-5 in Everett, WA.
Randy Norris and Jeff Nicely will open with an acoustic set beginning at 7:00 pm or
shortly after, then the full band with Larry White and Robert Thomson will follow for
an electric set, playing some of Blues Therapy’s favorites.
I believe dinner is sold-out, but dessert, coffee and Blues Therapy can be enjoyed
for a $10 donation at the door.
-Jeff
GUY DEL VILLANO & LEE ATKINSON @ STELLAR BLUES SHOWCASE - SEPT. 25
Piano Man/Composer/Vocalist Guy Del Villano and Canada's answer to Eric Clapton, guitarist Lee Atkinson (both of Royal Oak Sunday Blues Matinee - Bank & Gloucester), will be the special guests co-hosts at the Thursday Night Stellar Blues Showcase on Thursday, September 25 at Irene's Pub in Ottawa, ON.
They are standing in for Johnny Russell, who will not be available, as scheduled. The event is brought to you courtesy of bassist/sound engineer/guitar repairman Mike Ktenas (formerly of The Mudboys, etc.) and drummer Corky Kealey (of Heaven's Radio fame).
Check out photos taken by Bob Acton at previous Stellar Blues Showcases at:
http://bacton.smugmug.com/share/cFoCZfrollzaE
www.irenespub.ca
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MC RECORDS ARTISTS ON TOUR (EG KIGHT, ANDERS OSBORNE, ODETTA)
M.C. Records Artists Hitting The Road
Hi, All!
I don't know about you, but I could really use a break from the recent economic news.
Check out some live music, buy a CD. Wouldn't you rather support a musician than a global finance company?
Thanks,
Mark Carpentieri
M.C. Records
631-754-8725
www.mc-records.com
EG Kight has one more date in the U.S. before her two-week tour of Germany. On August 19, EG Kight released her first CD on M.C. Records. It's Hot In Here will move you with her first-rate singing, songwriting and musicianship. Plenty of great reviews and airplay. If you are a fan of Marcia Ball or Delbert McClinton, this release will be for you!
It's Hot in Here features her blazing guitar work and fiery, resonant voice. Patriot-News
EG Kight has hit a home-run with this excellent album. The Planet Weekly
EG Tour Dates
* SEPT 20 - BLUE ROCK BOOGIE AND BLUES FEST - CINCINNATI, OH
* OCT 01 - 13 - Tour of Germany
* Nov 6th - Fat Fish Blue - Cleveland, OH
* Nov 7th - Hey Hey Club - Columbus, OH
* Nov 8th - TBA - Cincinnati, OH
* NOV.11 - The Living Room, NYC
* NOV 14 - PUCK LIVE - DOYLESTOWN, PA
* NOV. 21 - Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem, PA
* NOV. 22 - Landhaven, Barto, PA
* NOV. 23 - Jeremiah's - Williamsport, PA
* DEC 05 - BRADFORDVILLE BLUES - BRADFORDVILLE, FL
* DEC 06 - THE KEYS - MONTOMGERY, AL
* DEC 12 - LITTLE CARNEGIE of the SOUTH - MACON, GA
* Jan 24 2009 - The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise - FT Lauderdale, FL
Kim Wilson Performing with Mark Hummel's "Blues Harmonica Blowout":
Kim Wilson has been focusing most of his time on his band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds. You can see Kim in some rare solo dates next month with Mark Hummel's blues harmonica blowout.
Kim Wilson solo tour dates:
October 16: Crystola Bar & Grill w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Woodland Park, CO
October 18: Blues Masters at the Crossroads w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Salina, KS
October 19: Barfly w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Omaha, NE
October 20: Zoo Bar w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Lincoln, NE
October 21: Cabooze w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Minneapolis, MN
October 22: Blues On Grand w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Des Moines, IA
October 25: Knuckleheads w/Kim Wilson & Magic Dick - Kansas City, MO
M.C. Records released New Orleans sensation Anders Osborne's first CD in five years on Sept. 25, 2007. Coming Down is a beautiful testament to his adoptive home New Orleans and his wife. Anders will be playing New Orleans. 'hope to see you there.
“He’s created one of the best albums of the year.” Andy Whitman, Paste Magazine
Anders Gigs:
Sep 26 2008 - Tipitina’s - New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 18 2008 - Crescent City Blues Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 25 2008 - Le Bon Temps - New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 30 2008 - Venue TBA - New Orleans, Louisiana
Odetta continues to move audiences, as she has for over 50 years. Gigs in Canada, the East and West U.S. Coasts, as well as the Midwest.
Odetta Tour Dates:
09/20/08 - BARDAVON 1869 OPERA HOUSE, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
10/02/08 - MCCABE'S GUITAR SHOP, ROYCE HALL, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, LA
10/03/08 - MCCABE'S GUITAR SHOP, 3101 PICO BLVD., SANTA MONICA, CA
10/04/08 - SLIM'S STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - BANJO STAGE,
SPEEDWAY MEADOWS, GOLDEN GATE PARK, S.F., CA
10/12/08 - Bermuda International Film Festival - Hamilton, Bermuda
10/24 & 25 - Hugh's Room - Toronto, Canada
11/02/08 - FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST - SIMSBURY, CT
11/10/08 - FRIENDS OF THE ARTS - LOCUST VALLEY, NY
11/14/08 - ORONADO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - ROCKFORD, IL
www.mc-records.com
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