
A cross-reference to the first overnight radio show (CKCU 93.1 FM) placing a heavy emphasis on Canadian blues and fusions of same (2007-2012). From 2012-2014, "Rockin' the Blues from Canada" was broadcast on CHMR 93.5 FM (where it originated in 2005 as "Patchwork Blues"). This 'blog' was born in 2004 as a promotional tool for arts-related news until Geocities reclaimed its free websites. See also: http://nlbluessociety.blogspot.ca
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Hi, everyone.
We have a pile of upcoming June shows from one end of Ontario to the other.
Our next Toronto show will be this coming Saturday, June 16th, at The Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. West, headlining the Toronto Tattoo Expo NIX party weekend. We will be joined by our good friends, Daylight For Deadeyes. Hornets hit the stage at 11:30. Come early to make sure you get in. Our last Bovine show was sold out.
Other upcoming June dates
June 15th @ The Boathouse, Kitchener / Waterloo
June 16th @ The Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
June 17th @ Wonderclock, 873382 5th line, EHS Sovereign Township of Mono,
near Orangeville. On at 10 AM
June 22nd @ Rainbow, Ottawa
June 23rd @ Call The Office, London. Opening for former Deadboys guitarist Cheetah Chrome
Also a very special thanks to everyone that came out for the NXNE show. We know that everyone was really thirsty, including us. We can't thank you enough for sticking around for the show. There will be lots of Jager and Beer at the bovine show... we guarantee it.
Hope to see you out at a show soon.
cheers
The Brown Hornets
www.thebrownhornets.com
As part of the 28th Annual Sound of Music Festival in Burlington, Ontario, our band, Higher Octane, will be performing at Joe Dogs on Friday, June 15, at 10:30 p.m. Come early or risk a long line-up.
www.myspace.com/higheroctanerock
Check out the full music line-up for the Sound of Music Festival - June 14-17/07 at:
George has just performed at 2 major r&b events in Toronto (see below) and Jackson's Point has always been a stronghold for soul music.
George will be inviting several of his local special guests, so it's going to be a great night. Bring your dancing shoes and if you can't dance, don't worry; George has moves for everybody.
God Bless,
Hunter-Hughes Prods.
Whitby, On
www.georgeolliver.com
NEWS RELEASE
George Olliver helped celebrate CHUM RADIO'S 50TH birthday @ Nathan Philips Square in Toronto on Saturday, May 16/07.............. 5,000 people turned out for Gordon Lightfoot, George Olliver and Keith Hampshire. It was a great show reminiscent of a Mandala concert with special guests.
He also just headlined the LUMINATO (YORKVILLE "SUMMER OF LOVE" FESTIVAL) on Saturday, June 2/07. Also on the bill were Luke and the Apostles (featuring Peter Jermyn) and Sylvia Tyson. This was a tremendous success, as the heart of the Cumberland/Yorkville district was flooded with patrons from across Canada, reminiscing about Toronto's 60's and 70's music scene, which was YORKVILLE.
George Olliver was hired to perform at these events because of his credentials as a Juno nominee and also for his significant contribution to this era in Canadian recording and live performance with his legendary bands ........... "MANDALA", "GEORGE OLLIVER & THE CHILDREN" AND NATURAL GAS".
Bless,
Hunter-Hughes Prods
Whitby, On
(905)668-6659
www.georgeolliver.com

A Celebration of the Afghani Political Cartoons of the late Said Rahimi, who was tragically killed in Hamilton [Ontario] on Jan 15. Featuring four outstanding Canadian political cartoonists:
Terry Mosher, political cartoonist - Montreal Gazette; Brian Gable - Globe and Mail; Graeme MacKay - Hamilton Spectator; and Roy Carless, Hamilton Political Cartoonist.
Also featuring live music, Afghani hors d'oeuvres, door prizes and original cartoons and other items for sale. MC for the evening will be CBC radio personality Jeff Goodes.
All money raised by the event will go into a trust fund for Rahimi's wife and children.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Bryan Prince Bookseller, the Carnegie Gallery, Arts Hamilton - Jackson Square, La Jardinere, OPIRG and The ICAA.
Please call 905-524-0606 or email cartoonsspeak@gmail.com for more info.
This event broadcast is sent to you via THEZine.
Visit our website to find out how THEZine can help your events.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Tune into CHUO 89.1 FM on Monday, June 11/07, at 3 p.m. for the debut segment of "Iron Maidens", a multi-genre music programme highlighting music from the female of the species. The show will have a special focus on lesser-known local (Ottawa) and other Canadian women in the music industry, but will also include international female performers/composers from the U.S. and elsewhere.
The show has not yet been allotted a regular time slot. Stay tuned for more information.
In the meantime, visit my website(s) at www.geocities.com/irocktheblues to view playlists from my former show, "Patchwork Blues" (aired in St. John's, NL, and Hamilton, ON).
Happy listening!
D.D. Rocker
(ddrocker@yahoo.com)
Friday, June 08, 2007
Featuring:
Willie Leigh – Vocals, Harp John LaRocca – Guitar
Babe Myles – Drums Shawn O’Halloran – Vocals, Bass
Appearing:
Fri. June 22 - 9 pm
The Ancaster Alehouse
1242 Garner Rd. W. (at Hwy 2)
Ancaster, ON
905-304-4545
( Formerly Duff’s Bar - at Duff’s Corner next to The Egg & I )
Check out The Stingrays Website: home.cogeco.ca/~stingrays
For bookings or information, contact:
John LaRocca
(905) 574-9857
jlarocca1@cogeco.ca
Hey, Blues Fans!
Becki Sue & her Big Rockin' Daddies! will be at The New Orleans Creole Restaurant in Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA, this Friday and Saturday nights, June 8-9, at 9 pm. We will have as a special guest Son Jack Jr. playing Delta-style blues on our breaks. You do not want to miss this!
Our new cd, Big City Blues, should arrive from production some time next week. Please look for our cd release party announcements to come soon!!! The new disc will be available at our gigs, on our website, at www.cdbaby.com, and hopefully at record stores near you!
ADVANCE NOTICE:
Friday, June 15 - Vancouver Microblues Festival at Esther Short Park - Vancouver, WA
5:45 - 6:45
Saturday, June 16 - Fall City Days @ Raging River Cafe & Club - Fall City, WA
12:30 - 3:30 (outside) and 9:00pm - 1:00am (inside)
www.bigrockindaddies.com
www.myspace.com/bigrockindaddies
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Thursday, June 7 - Benefit for Cancer Cure
Friday, June 8 - Maria Hawkins
Saturday, June 9 - CD Release for Kevin Marks (Montreal)
Friday, June 15 - Eddie Turner (Colorado)
Saturday, June 16 - The Hammerheads
Wednesday, June 20 - Storm( Montreal)
Thursday, June 21 - Tea For The Voyage (Kingston)
Friday, June 22 - The Brown Hornets (Toronto)
Saturday, June 23 - Barrelhouse
Wednesday, June 27 - Eamond Dowd (Dublin)
Thursday, June 28 - Jen Plummer + Paul Disalle
Friday, June 29 - David Gogo (Vancouver)
Saturday, June 30 - Fathead
Sunday, July 1 - Canada Day Party! with Salted, Big Mojo & David Gogo
Monday, July 2 - Chris Jagger's Atcha, Opening: the Echo Hunters
Friday, July 5 - Watermelon Slim
Saturday, July 6 - Eric Tessmer
Sunday, July 7 - Burnside Style
Wednesday, July 10 - Anthony Gomes
Thursday, July 11 - Elmer Ferrar & Chris Duarte
Saturday, July 13 - Dead String Bros
Sunday, July 14 - John Mooney & Blusianna
www.therainbow.ca
KISS 105.3 FM announced at a CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) birthday party for Shane, an 8-year-old survivor of leukemia, that he has received over 5.6 million cards, an astonishing feat that nevertheless fell short of the 350 million he was seeking. Considering he had only about 125,000 last month, that's still something he can be very proud of! He turned eight years old on May 30/07.
www.shaneswish.com
Hey, everybody.
I just wanted to remind you to circle your calendar with some of my upcoming shows including the CD Release party at the D Lounge on June 20th. I’m very excited about this show, this being my New York City release party for my new album with Mark McCarron, In the Blue of My Dreams. We will have a full woodwind quartet with cello and string bass all conducted superbly by Mr. Mark McCarron himself and possibly some special surprise vocalists.
And don’t forget this weekend I’m in Chester, CT, with Lauren Agnelli and other special guests. More details are below:
June 9 - BENEFIT FOR THE CHESTER LIBRARY
THE OLD CHESTER MEETING HOUSE
4 Liberty Street Chester, CT 06412
6-9 p.m.
Dave Rave & Lauren Agnelli with Ira Sakolsky, Dave Brush, and Rodney Maxwell, Clan Rutherglen, Paul Neri, Lisa Rich & Friends, Eric & Sandra Lauren Lichter
June 20
CD Release of Dave Rave and Mark McCarron's brand new effort, In The Blue Of My Dreams
D Lounge
Doors at 7 pm
Show at 7:30
101 East 15th Street, Basement Level
New York, NY 10003 (p)212-375-1110
info@dloungenyc.com
www.dloungenyc.com
Check out my site for more shows that I’m playing at www.dave-rave.com.
Hope to see you soon. It’s gonna be a fun summer.
Raver
News for JUNE 2007
Good Day! We are in Toronto on Fri. June 8th @ Axis Gallery & Grill, if you are in the area drop by and join us! Axis Gallery & Grill 3048 Dundas Street. West Toronto, ON (416) 604-3333 NEW Live recording... www.myspace.com/TheShiftersBand
Listen to our live performance @ Timothy's on April 15th of this year, we have 4 songs recorded 'Live' in our alias myspace account. Performance included a selection of R&B, Funk, Rock, and Blues covers. When you get a chance, drop by and say 'Hi' at our first Myspace.com account @ www.myspace.com/thejukesband Thank you for your support!
www.TheJukes.ca
Jun 08,2007
Axis Gallery & Grill3048 Dundas Street. WestToronto, ON (416) 604-3333
Jun 15,2007
Happy Hog Roadhouse2 Mill Street EastTottenham, ON 905-936-6086
First time appearance
Jun 16,2007
The Fox and Fiddle1300 King St. EOshawa, ON 905 438 9333
Jun 23,2007
Mad Dogs and Englishmen Pub2157 Royal Windsor Dr.Mississauga, ON (905) 855-0217
First appearance in 2007
Jul 07,2007
Harwood Blues7 Harwood AvenueAjax, ON (905) 427-2143
Jul 13,2007
The Ganaraska Hotel - "The Ganny"30 Ontario StPort Hope, ON 905-885-5571
Jul 14,2007
The Ganaraska Hotel - "The Ganny"30 Ontario StPort Hope, ON 905-885-5571
Matinee, 2:00-5:00pm
Jul 14,2007
The Ganaraska Hotel - "The Ganny"30 Ontario StPort Hope, ON 905-885-5571
Sep 21,2007
Wally's Tavern107 Wyndham Street NorthGuelph, ON 519 827-1486
Back for the new school year
Sep 29,2007
Jack's Filling Station948 Simcoe NorthOshawa, ON (905) 723-4047
hi folks
here's what's up this season, starting with the slippery boot pub's ever popular open mike tomorrow night (Thursday, June 7). it goes from 9pm-1am and is open to all musicians.
excuse the re-use of an old message - but it's very apropo here:
a great way to get your yaya's out at the beginning of the week - express yourself - do your thing, be it
stevie wonder, kerouac
martha graham - arching back
way beyond the blue horize
of the starship enterprise
ah - swilling suds in swell salloons
or juggling or playing spoons
with peter sellers and the goons
so many wonderful baffoons
to brighten up a thursday night
and give 'toronto life' a fright
or-if they're good-a righteous wedgie
come out and ride the cutting edge..ee!
Thursday, June 7th, hosting the open mike at Slippery Boot Pub 1552 Avenue Road, North York - (416) 783-9992
Friday, June 8th, 10-11am, private event, Oakville, ON.
Friday, June 8th, 1-1:30pm, Trio with Steve Tattersall, drums and Colin Campbell, bass, in a benefit for the Herbie Fund on the front lawn of the Hospital for Sick Children which is located at 555 University Ave. http://www.operationherbie.com/
Saturday, June 9th, 1:30-2pm, interactive family percussion at 245 Queen's Quay West, with Peter Jarvis and the Subtonic Monks
Saturday, June 9th, 6-10pm, with Carlos Del Junco, harmonica/vocals at Tara 128 Dunlop Street East, Barrie, ON 705-737-1821
Sunday, June 10th, 1:30-2pm, interactive family percussion at 245 Queen's Quay West, with Peter Jarvis and the Subtonic Monks
Friday, June 15th, 8pm to 10pm, duo with Espinola Slim, harmonica, at Ground Swell, in alliston, ON
96 Victoria Street West Unit 6 Alliston, ON. 705-435-4120
Saturday, June 16th, 10-11am, private event, Mississauga, ON.
Saturday, June 16th, 6-10pm, with Carlos Del Junco, harmonica/vocals. Jumpin Jax Downtown 17 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON Phone: 705-730-6759
Sunday, June 17th, 10-11am, private event, Toronto, ON
Wednesday, June 20th, 10-11am, private event, Pickering, ON.
Friday, June 22, 6-9pm, Trio with Steve Tattersall, drums and John Yelland, bass, at the danforth/logan stage for the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival
Saturday, June 23rd, 2-6pm, private event, Uxbridge, ON.
June 24th, 5-9pm, solo, at The Ancaster Old Mill Inn – 548 Old Dundas Road Ancaster, Ontario – 905.648.1827
Saturday, July 7th, 3-6pm, private event, Toronto, ON.
Saturday, July 7th, 9pm-1am, solo, The Emerald Inn - 3073 Bloor Street West, Etobicoke - (416) 236-4586
Sunday, July 8th, solo, 6:30-10:30pm, The Waring House. located at the junction of Hwy 33 and County Rd. 1 in Picton. For Reservations call : 613-476-7492 or 1-800-621-4956 http://www.pec.on.ca/waringhouse/map.html
Friday, July 13th, 8-11pm, with Phil Kane, guitar/vocals, The Moonshine Cafe
137 Kerr St. Oakville, ON 905-844-2655 www.themoonshinecafe.com/
Saturday, July 21st, 5-8pm, private event, King City, ON.
July 22nd, 5-9pm, solo, at The Ancaster Old Mill Inn – 548 Old Dundas Road Ancaster, Ontario – 905.648.1827
Friday, August 3rd, 10pm-12am, with Lesley Young & Band at Mitzi’s Sister, Toronto, ON1554 Queen Street West (416) 532-2570
Friday and Saturday, August 10th and 11th, 8-11pm, solo, The Crow’s Nest, Tobermory ON (519) 596 2575 http://www.crowsnestpubanddeli.com
Wednesday, August 15th, 7-11pm, with Espinola Slim, vocals/harmonica, The Oasis Bar & Grill 31 King Street East, Cobourg, Ontario (905) 372-6634 http://www.blogger.com/#
Thursday, August 16th, 8-11pm, with Carlos Del Junco, vocals/harmonica, The Crow’s Nest, Tobermory ON (519) 596 2575 http://www.crowsnestpubanddeli.com
August 30th, 8pm, with Carlos Del Junco, harmonica/vocals; Al Cross, drums. Hugh’s Room 2261 DUNDAS ST. WEST, TORONTO ON, (416) 531-6604
Sunday, September 2nd,
3:30-6:30pm, solo, Ten Feet Tall 1381 Danforth Avenue - (416) 778-7333
www.marksepic.com
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

For more information, visit www.tremblant.ca.Monday, June 04, 2007

Hello, everybody - 'hope you are all well.
Thank you for your continued support of the Stellar Cast thursday nite blues showcase.
Corky Kealy and I look forward to bringing you fine music week after week.
Take care,
Mike Ktenas
Mojo Guitar Repair
mike@mojoguitar.ca
613.260.8652

Right Away Monday is a stormy novel of unlikely beauty, peopled by unforgettable characters — including one Valentine Reid, Clayton’s burnt-out and battered rocker uncle; the lovely though world-weary Monica; and the shrewd Mike Quinn, slum landlord and owner of the Awl and Hatchet. Unnervingly authentic, these are the constituents of a world grown weary and wasted, with a new generation stumbling blindly behind. But oblivion is only skin deep. Beneath the wreckage of youthful distraction lie the vast and abiding questions that haunt our quietest moments — questions of destiny, fate, mortality and of our connections to one another.

Sunday, June 03, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
Hey, everybody.
I just wanted to take a few minutes to let you know what’s been happening in this past month… and what a month it’s been!
First off, I want to thank everybody who participated in every way, shape and form to my birthday party at the Casbah (in Hamilton) on the 18th of this month. From the wonderful family and friends who played at the party and came by to wish me well and the generous people who contributed to my surprise gift of a guitar, which I look forward to picking up soon, thanks to you all. I’d also like to thank those of you who sent me birthday greetings from abroad - they meant so much. A special thanks to Lisa Millar and Rick Andrew for organizing the party and to Brodie for donating the club. A great night!
Two days after the party, I took off for Liverpool, UK, along with Rick Andrew, Dave King and Mark Foley, where we played three shows, including 2 amazing shows at the Cavern Club and 1 at Lennon’s. At the first show at the Cavern it was the AC-Milan Cup match and the audience, all revved up for a great cup final, joined the band in a rousing Buddy Holly medley. At that show it was also nice to see fellow Bongobeat artist, Linda McLean, who was on tour with Nick Harper.
The second show we closed the night at the Cavern Club. Highlights of the night included an energetic show by Ari Shine and the Plastic Heroes, along with an amazing reunion of the Diodes, all of whom joined us for a rousing version of “Let’s Shake”, featuring Bongobeat ringleader Ralph Alfonso. Also joining us onstage was Bullseye’s Lisa Millar.
The third show was an afternoon show at Lennon’s - a couple of doors down from the Cavern. At this show Dave King’s friends from the Pete Best band joined us for the encore where Paul, Pete’s bass player, blew us away with an amazing version of Long Tall Sally, and then we took it home with Rick, Paul and I singing the joyous Beatles song, ‘One After 909’.
To cap a wonderful afternoon, we all joined the Diodes onstage for their hit, “I’m Tired Of Waking Up Tired.” Bullseye President Jaimie Vernon was also in the audience filming us for posterity.
Ralph and I were also interviewed that day for BBC-Merseyside by celebrated DJ and legendary British Invasion historian, Spencer Leigh.
On the final day of our trip Dave King and I went to a local Parbold pub and appeared as special guests of Brian Gold - a fine singer from Liverpool. Brian had also joined us onstage at the Cavern for a couple of songs on the second day. This was a very special show because it was the end of the trip and the people from Parbold gave us such a warm reception. What a way to say good-bye. A special thanks to UK friends Brian and Gail Shackley for acting as chauffeurs, hosts and navigators.
I’ve got a new album coming out with Mark McCarron on Bongobeat and lots of shows to look forward to this summer. I’ll keep you posted but in the meantime, check out my website, as it's being updated daily.
In the meantime, here are two of my shows coming up in the next couple of weeks:
Dave Rave with Bill Culp
June 1 - Lightnin’ Jack’s - 230 Main St. - Port Dover, ON. Show starts at 9 pm, 519-583-9719
Dave Rave with Lauren Agnelli & Friends
June 9 - Chester Meeting House - 4 Liberty St. - Chester, CT. Show from 6-9pm
Thanks again for an amazing month, everyone.
Raver
www.dave-rave.com
Thursday, May 31, 2007
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.

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
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
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

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.
http://www.replicarocks.ca/
www.myspace.com/replicacoverband
Love,
BJ
Graeme
Dave
Jess

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
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
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
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


RESERVE YOUR CABIN NOW...DON'T MISS THE SHIP!

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).
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.

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
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
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

For more info, visit Hartmut Kreckel's Captain Beyond fansite at:
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/aprilskies/65/
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

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

www.womeninlaw.com (U.K.)
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
Sunday, May 20, 2007
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

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

















