TANNIS SLIMMON - JANUARY 2009 NEWSLETTER

It has been an exhilarating week for the world with so much hope and positive thinking in the air. I thought it was a perfect time to bring greetings to you, my friends, family & folks. Welcome to all those I've met recently and my deep thanks for all the kind wishes sent since the Contemporary Vocalist of the Year award in November, my new license to sing!

News, briefly:

1. Big concert this weekend as guest artist with Open Voice Choir in Kingston, ON
2. Another award for 'Lucky Blue' - the Golden Porcupine Award
3. Distribution deal for 'Lucky Blue' - album now available to all Canadian music stores
4. Home Routes house concert tour in Southern Ontario
5. New links in the 'Gallery' on my website (including podcast, pictures and exciting video taken in Newfoundland)

....plus shows, glorious shows.... My website tannis.ca is a good source for all news, new or old.

In more detail:
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1. The moments are ticking away in the lead-up to one of the most exciting concerts I've ever had as a guest vocalist with the Open Voices Choir on Saturday in Kingston. This powerful 120 voice community choir is lead by the dynamic Andy Rush. Little did we know when he and I first talked of setting a gospel feel for the concert, that it would be so appropriate for this historic week. The choir will back me up on 3 tunes, including 'There's A Lift' which Andy scored in 2004 for the 'Blue Skies Festival' choir. And I'll sing solo parts on a number of the choir's pieces such as 'Heaven Help Us All' and 'Amazing Grace'. Since seeing the movie Amazing Grace, this song has an even deeper and richer meaning for me.
Concert details are at the bottom of this message, but also available on my website's shows page.
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2. Lucky Blue has been honoured again, this time by CIUT radio show host Steve Fruitman's 19th annual Porcupine Awards. I have great respect for Steve; he's one of Canada's most knowledgeable folk musicologists so I feel deeply honoured to receive The Golden Quill award for Songwriting. Recipients of all of this year's awards and Steve's interesting descriptions of why he chose them are here.

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3. The time has finally come when you can walk into any music store in Canada and buy my album! Ask your dealer to contact Outside Music for 'Lucky Blue' if it's not already in the store. Outside is a very happening company, and it's great that they are distributing a folkie like myself, who has always been a bit 'outside'.
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4. House concerts are one of my favourite places to perform! Anyone who has been to one will know that they are a very intimate way in which to enjoy live acoustic music. Mitch Podoluk, the founder of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, conceived Home Routes with the welfare of musicians in mind as well, by creating 'tours' of up to 12 house concerts virtually in a row. These tours have been flourishing in the Prairies, but a southern Ontario 'route' is now being developed and I'm thrilled to be doing one of the first in March....Toronto, Erin, Orangeville, Penetanguishene, Ashburn, details at the bottom, but also on my shows page. Home Routes is looking for more concert hosts in this area for the future, so if you're interested, visit their website.
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5. The gallery page of my website (tannis.ca) has become a repository for podcasts (new!), webcasts (live show back in Nov/08), and other doodads like pictures and video of my fateful trip to Newfoundland for the Canadian Folk Music awards and a serendipitous voyage on the sea. I hope to post some footage of this weekend's choir concert there too.

Thanks for listening and all the best for 2009!...Tannis.
www.tannis.ca myspace page

Shows, glorious shows, showcases and workshops (2009):
(More details always available on the shows page of my website; feel free to pass the word along to friends in any of these locations)
Jan 24 - Kingston, with Open Voices Choir, McArthur Hall at Queen's University
Jan 30 - Orillia, Orillia Folk Society's Fridayfolk, Swanmore Hall in Stephen Leacock's home
Feb 14 - Tottenham, House concert
Feb 19-22 - Memphis, TN, North American Folk Alliance conference showcase
Feb 28 - Toronto, Canadian Folk Music Awards benefit, 290 Shuter St. above Borealis Records
March 7 - Orangeville, with the Pomelos, Broadway Music
March 8 - Port Elgin, with the Pomelos,
March 14 - Toronto, Home Routes house concert
March 15 - Home Routes house concert
March 16 - Erin, Home Routes house concert
March 17 - Orangeville, Home Routes house concert
March 19 - Penetanguishene, Home Routes house concert
March 20 - Ashburn, Home Routes house concert
March 28 - Newmarket, with Katherine Wheatley, Old Town Hall
April 4 - Georgetown, with the Up-lifters, John Elliott Theatre
April 16 - Harriston, with the Pomelos, Harriston Town Hall Theatre
May 9 - Guelph, 'Exploring Vocal Harmony' workshop
Aug 6-9 - Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
More details on concerts.



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