Things have been a bit of a blur since I returned victorious from the IBC in late January. After a little flurry of media attention and another award (this time from the Calgary Blues Music Association...Lifetime Achievement/Hall of Fame) it was time to get back to gigging...after losing and regaining my wallet in the airport, waking up my wife to help pay the towncar driver, getting up for interviews, and a lovely Tuesday night celebration/gig at Mikey's Juke Joint I played the Calgary Mid-Winter Blues festival with my friend Fruteland Jackson, and Edmonton's Roots & Blues of Folkways winter event (a concert with Del Rey and a panel with Del and the great Allen Toussaint). A few more gigs in Alberta (including the lovely Ye Olde Jar Bar house concerts, outside Medicine Hat) and it was time to head for Victoria. A fund-raiser for Blue Bridge Theatre (I would spend the next 4 weeks there as musical director) and a lovely gig for the Victoria Blues Society at The Upper Deck included visits with friends Jason Buie, Tom Gough and Dave "Slim" Harris. I also got a chance to sit in with David Vest at his cd release for the great "Roadhouse Revelation" disc, at Hermann's Jazz Club. After opening night, and a house concert within a stone's throw of the ferry terminal, it was time to head to the Hornby Island Blues Week.
Hornby remains one of my faves, a great teaching environment in the company of fine musicians and a chance to hang with friends I've made on the Island over the years. Following the annual instructors' concert in Courtenay on Vancouver Island, I played a house concert in Campbell River before returning briefly to Calgary. Then the lovely Dream Cafe in Penticton, a one-nighter in Edgewood, B.C. and home (where the incredibly patient staff at Mikey's Juke Joint and The Blues Can keep my house gigs open to me when I'm not on the road). Festival season began with The North Country Fair, up north by Lesser Slave Lake, then the Portland Waterfront Blues Fest in Oregon (and a chance to catch up with Leo "Bud" Welch and Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton), Islands Folk Festival (Duncan, B.C.), Mission (B.C.) Folk Festival,Calgary Blues Festival and The Heritage Blues Festival (Wheeling, West Virginia). Tonight it's Mikey's Juke Joint here in Cowtown, then a week-end teaching at the Foothills Acoustic Music Institute west of Calgary, plus closing the show at the Mountain Shadow fest in Cochrane AB this Sunday. Back at Mikey's next Tuesday, then the Hot Springs Blues Festival in Arkansas, and a week of holidays with my hone on Gabriola Island. Therest of September I'll be in town, then playing the Rhythm and Blues Cruise down the west coast of Mexico; the Yukon Roots & Blues festival in Whitehorse, a tour of Saskatchewan, and the first week of November in Southern Ontario.
Come on out, catch a show and say howdy !
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Memphis !!!
Where to start ? After touring frozen Saskatchewan, playing one of my favorite gigs on New Year's Day (the annual "Hankover" show at the Ironwood Stage & Grill here in Calgary) and assorted other gigs, I got on a plane for Houston to make connections with a flight to Memphis where I would compete in the 30th annual International Blues Challenge. This is not your usual battle-of-the-bands horseshit where a bunch of people play for free and club owners line their pockets with beer sales...this is the premier gathering of blues talent on the planet, sponsored by The Blues Foundation. I was in the solo/duo category, along with 101 other competitors from Canada, the US, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Denmark, Australia and the UK. Each of these acts had to win a qualifying round put on by their local blues society just to be in Memphis.
I got to Houston without a hitch, but while having a beer in the bar adjacent to my boarding lounge the bartender mentioned that a bad snowstorm was rolling west. I looked at the monitor and could see flights beginning to be delayed, so I paid up and got a seat in my boarding lounge. Soon a counter person asked to see my boarding pass, and offered me $150 plus hotel, ground transportation and meal vouchers to take a flight the next morning. I politely declined and watched more flights being delayed and cancelled at airports further and further west. The counter person returned and doubled the offer, but I explained to her that I had to be in Memphis, on Beale Street, by 11:30 and I wasn't going on a different flight from my guitars (which had been checked through).
We came in from the south, following the river (Mark Twain's river, William Faulkner's river, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbeck's river) at twilight. Pure magic. I got to my hotel and noticed a text from pal Mike Clark, whose band were the other Calgary competitors. Meet at B.B.King's...which was right around the corner from me, five or six stops down the Main Street streetcar line for Mike. A few Maker's Mark and Flat Tire beer combos later, after listening to the brilliant Tuesday night house band, I went back to the room for some quiet time and a sleep. I wanted to have my wits about me for the orientation at the New Daisy Theatre next day at 11:30.
Breakfast in my hotel, the Westin On Beale (more correctly it should be called The Westin Almost On Beale, but what's half a block ?). Sort of up-scale, definitely could have been anywhere cuisine, but the coffee was good, the waitresses were friendly and it lay directly between me and my destination. The New Daisy Theatre (right across Beale from The Daisy Theatre) is a run-down, waiting for a loving restoration kind of a place, and once the doors opened there were line-ups (bands one side, solo/duo acts on the other) all the way from the bar (where passes were being handed out) to the stage and across the front of it. It took awhile to get through the line-up, to be told we had to come back later for the orientation. I went down the street to Ugly Juanita's, where eventually I got a schedule, and paid $3 for a lanyard to hang my pass from (I grumbled for a second, but then I remembered all the good work the Blues Foundation does for the music I love). Back to the New Daisy where we are told we are all winners, and told not to mess up and to be at our venues on time or lose points.
I changed strings and went for dinner at Pig on Beale, a fine Barbeque place where both large front windows are full of BBQ trophies and they serve one of my favorite southern comfort foods, a barbequed bologna sandwich (with slaw and beans). It was time to wash offr the barbecue sauce and head to my venue, upstairs in Jerry Lee Lewis's club, in The 12 Bar. A nice little room, no stage but wood walls and floor good for that one warm sound bounce, and a soundman who seemed to know what he was about. On at 7, playing to a pretty full room with three judges sitting directly in front of me along with a time keeper (you lose points if you exceed your 25 minutes). I start playing and notice the judges and time keeper looking at me with big smiles and think "Damn, these are friendly folks." After the set I run into Alberta blues pals Cam Hayden (Edmonton Blues Fest/CKUA) and Holger Pederson (CBC/CKUA/Stony Plain Records) and head off with Holger and some folks from other blues societies, back to B.B.King's to catch thre Papa John Band, who are magnificent. I finish my evening with a feed of catfish at Blues City Cafe and head to bed.
Thursday is busier. A showcase at a knotty-pine paneled bar hung with moose heads, called the Kooky Kanuck. Noon, the place is full of people drinking beer and trying to either do business or listen to the blues. I opt for the latter, playing "Shake 'Em On Down" with the Mike Clark Band, then hustle back to Beale. I had taken a cab to the bar because it was cold and I didn't know where I was going, and the cabby wasn't taking any money...this is a city that loves it's musicians. 1:15 and I'm upstairs at the Rumboogie Club, doing an interview with Vinnie Marini for his internet radio broadcast, "Music From The Couch." A quick bite at Polly's Soul City Cafe and then try to fix my malfunctioning pre-amp...no luck, I'll have to play the set through a Blues Jr. amp again tonight. Judges dig it, two of them come up to tell me how much they dig it. I listen to some of the other acts, then head to the lounge at The Orpheum Theatre to catch my friend Brandon Issak, then we head for a beer (and discover we've both made the semi-finals). And more catfish.
Friday I discover my venue is right beside my hotel...a strange combo of Irish pub and southern food. I had been in earlier to catch Barbara Blue, a Beale Street fixture. The place is loud, but the soundman is cool and competent...things go down pretty good, and I head to the back room for a pulled pork dinner. Heading out to find a venue that's announcing the finalists, I run into Eddie "Devil Boy" Turner, and we have a good little hang while waiting to find out they're announcing finalists at the New Daisy. It's freezing cold in Memphis (colder than Calgary) and freezing inside the New Daisy. I get a beer and sit up at the back until, in amazement I hear my name announced as a finalist.
Next day starts out tense. The e-mail detailing finalist orientation at the Orpheum doesn't get to my cell phone (it's on my computer when I get home, however). I hustle to the theatre and apologize profusely, find out when I play, and then hang back stage for an eternity. A good visit with Lionel Young makes the time pass somewhat more pleasantly. I walk out to play my 20-minute set in the beautiful old Orpheum Theatre...I can't even let myself think about all the greats who've stood on that stage. Three acts later, it's over and I hear my name being called...I've won Best Solo/Duo and Best Guitarist (Solo/Duo). Holy Shit...more later (sooner than later).
I got to Houston without a hitch, but while having a beer in the bar adjacent to my boarding lounge the bartender mentioned that a bad snowstorm was rolling west. I looked at the monitor and could see flights beginning to be delayed, so I paid up and got a seat in my boarding lounge. Soon a counter person asked to see my boarding pass, and offered me $150 plus hotel, ground transportation and meal vouchers to take a flight the next morning. I politely declined and watched more flights being delayed and cancelled at airports further and further west. The counter person returned and doubled the offer, but I explained to her that I had to be in Memphis, on Beale Street, by 11:30 and I wasn't going on a different flight from my guitars (which had been checked through).
We came in from the south, following the river (Mark Twain's river, William Faulkner's river, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbeck's river) at twilight. Pure magic. I got to my hotel and noticed a text from pal Mike Clark, whose band were the other Calgary competitors. Meet at B.B.King's...which was right around the corner from me, five or six stops down the Main Street streetcar line for Mike. A few Maker's Mark and Flat Tire beer combos later, after listening to the brilliant Tuesday night house band, I went back to the room for some quiet time and a sleep. I wanted to have my wits about me for the orientation at the New Daisy Theatre next day at 11:30.
Breakfast in my hotel, the Westin On Beale (more correctly it should be called The Westin Almost On Beale, but what's half a block ?). Sort of up-scale, definitely could have been anywhere cuisine, but the coffee was good, the waitresses were friendly and it lay directly between me and my destination. The New Daisy Theatre (right across Beale from The Daisy Theatre) is a run-down, waiting for a loving restoration kind of a place, and once the doors opened there were line-ups (bands one side, solo/duo acts on the other) all the way from the bar (where passes were being handed out) to the stage and across the front of it. It took awhile to get through the line-up, to be told we had to come back later for the orientation. I went down the street to Ugly Juanita's, where eventually I got a schedule, and paid $3 for a lanyard to hang my pass from (I grumbled for a second, but then I remembered all the good work the Blues Foundation does for the music I love). Back to the New Daisy where we are told we are all winners, and told not to mess up and to be at our venues on time or lose points.
I changed strings and went for dinner at Pig on Beale, a fine Barbeque place where both large front windows are full of BBQ trophies and they serve one of my favorite southern comfort foods, a barbequed bologna sandwich (with slaw and beans). It was time to wash offr the barbecue sauce and head to my venue, upstairs in Jerry Lee Lewis's club, in The 12 Bar. A nice little room, no stage but wood walls and floor good for that one warm sound bounce, and a soundman who seemed to know what he was about. On at 7, playing to a pretty full room with three judges sitting directly in front of me along with a time keeper (you lose points if you exceed your 25 minutes). I start playing and notice the judges and time keeper looking at me with big smiles and think "Damn, these are friendly folks." After the set I run into Alberta blues pals Cam Hayden (Edmonton Blues Fest/CKUA) and Holger Pederson (CBC/CKUA/Stony Plain Records) and head off with Holger and some folks from other blues societies, back to B.B.King's to catch thre Papa John Band, who are magnificent. I finish my evening with a feed of catfish at Blues City Cafe and head to bed.
Thursday is busier. A showcase at a knotty-pine paneled bar hung with moose heads, called the Kooky Kanuck. Noon, the place is full of people drinking beer and trying to either do business or listen to the blues. I opt for the latter, playing "Shake 'Em On Down" with the Mike Clark Band, then hustle back to Beale. I had taken a cab to the bar because it was cold and I didn't know where I was going, and the cabby wasn't taking any money...this is a city that loves it's musicians. 1:15 and I'm upstairs at the Rumboogie Club, doing an interview with Vinnie Marini for his internet radio broadcast, "Music From The Couch." A quick bite at Polly's Soul City Cafe and then try to fix my malfunctioning pre-amp...no luck, I'll have to play the set through a Blues Jr. amp again tonight. Judges dig it, two of them come up to tell me how much they dig it. I listen to some of the other acts, then head to the lounge at The Orpheum Theatre to catch my friend Brandon Issak, then we head for a beer (and discover we've both made the semi-finals). And more catfish.
Friday I discover my venue is right beside my hotel...a strange combo of Irish pub and southern food. I had been in earlier to catch Barbara Blue, a Beale Street fixture. The place is loud, but the soundman is cool and competent...things go down pretty good, and I head to the back room for a pulled pork dinner. Heading out to find a venue that's announcing the finalists, I run into Eddie "Devil Boy" Turner, and we have a good little hang while waiting to find out they're announcing finalists at the New Daisy. It's freezing cold in Memphis (colder than Calgary) and freezing inside the New Daisy. I get a beer and sit up at the back until, in amazement I hear my name announced as a finalist.
Next day starts out tense. The e-mail detailing finalist orientation at the Orpheum doesn't get to my cell phone (it's on my computer when I get home, however). I hustle to the theatre and apologize profusely, find out when I play, and then hang back stage for an eternity. A good visit with Lionel Young makes the time pass somewhat more pleasantly. I walk out to play my 20-minute set in the beautiful old Orpheum Theatre...I can't even let myself think about all the greats who've stood on that stage. Three acts later, it's over and I hear my name being called...I've won Best Solo/Duo and Best Guitarist (Solo/Duo). Holy Shit...more later (sooner than later).
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
That Time It Never Quit Snowing
Wow...2014 ! How did that happen ? Well, it went like this. In January I stayed home, doing my house gigs at Mikey's Juke Joint and The Blues Can (both here in Calgary) plus a gig at National Music Centre (also Calgary) and taught a few private lessons...lying low and trying to recover financially from the collapse of a Spanish tour in December 2012. I also continued to work on my most recent cd with co-producer Russ Broom and a handful of other folks. February brought a winter blues fest in Camrose, AB (at the beautiful Bailey Theatre) and a 10-gig duo tour with my old pal Big Dave Maclean (including the gorgeous Dream Cafe in Penticton), and the annual blues & burlesque "Dirty Valentine" night at Mikey's. March saw the cd completed, plus my house gigs and shows at Legacy Guitars in Cochrane AB and a concert in Vulcan, AB. April 4 saw the release of the new cd, The Blue Highway (LowdenProud Records) to a full house at Ironwood Stage & Grill, then a flight to Ottawa to rehearse and perform "Big Mama" with Jackie Richardson at The National Arts Centre. The show was a howling success and I had time to hang with friends Tony D and Steve Marriner (Monkeyjunk), folk and blues radio hosts Chris White and John Tackaberry, and several guitar buddies passing through (Paul Pigat, Doug Cox, Morgan Davis),. We closed May 11 and I was back in Calgary May 13, playing the Blues Can, Bob Dylan's birthday party at Ironwood, two days as guest guitarist at Mount Royal Conservatory, a guitar clinic and house concert (also in Calgary) and a night at The Grandview Stage, just outside Rocky Mountain House AB.
In June I played Carlsons On Macleod, a beautiful club closed by the floods which hit downtown High River (fortunately all my friends there escaped without physical harm) and drove with my wife to California via old Highway 95 (Idaho-Washington-Oregon-Nevada route). After a lovely visit there with my family and my wife's sister's family in the SF Bay area, we drove home in time to play the Pincher Creek Cowboy Poets Gathering, where I put my back out...it wouldn't settle down and caused me to spent the night of our intense flooding in emergency, having to cancel Works fest (Edmonton) and North Country Faire appearances. July brought Stampede gigs with The Hackamores (my part-time Western Swing band), 2 performances of "Big Mama" at Vancouver Island Music Fest, and more. In August I played the Canmore Folk Festival for the first time in 20 years, including great workshops with Jim McLennan, Chic Gamine, and Matt Anderson, and returned as a teacher at Foothills Acoustic Music Institute (FAMI) just west of Calgary. I finished there, went by home for an hour, and flew via Seattle to Anchorage, from where I was driven to Wasilla (yes, Sarah Palin's hometown) to teach at Acoustic Alaska camp and play concerta in Anchorage and Seldovia. September was largely taken up with a tour of the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island, Hornby Island and Gabriola Island in British Columbia.
Early October was spent with friends in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and (on returning home) a benefit performance for pal Amos Garrett who lost a considerable amount in the June flooding, followed by local gigs and students. November and December were a time to stay close and lie low with in-town gigs and teaching (and a three-day tour of Saskatchewan...nice to see friends Richie and Katherine Pollack, and Ken and Heather Peat Hamm out that way).
2014 : The 11th annual Hankover on New Year's Day sold out, and this week I play a house concert in St. Albert AB and the Saturday Night Special folk club here in Calgary, plus other in-town gigs and a house concert in Red Deer on the 31st. I will compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, Jan. 21-26, and February will see me at both Calgary and Edmonton winter blues fests. Keep the faith, support traditional and original music, and I hope to see you at a show sometime soon ! Stay warm and drive safe...
In June I played Carlsons On Macleod, a beautiful club closed by the floods which hit downtown High River (fortunately all my friends there escaped without physical harm) and drove with my wife to California via old Highway 95 (Idaho-Washington-Oregon-Nevada route). After a lovely visit there with my family and my wife's sister's family in the SF Bay area, we drove home in time to play the Pincher Creek Cowboy Poets Gathering, where I put my back out...it wouldn't settle down and caused me to spent the night of our intense flooding in emergency, having to cancel Works fest (Edmonton) and North Country Faire appearances. July brought Stampede gigs with The Hackamores (my part-time Western Swing band), 2 performances of "Big Mama" at Vancouver Island Music Fest, and more. In August I played the Canmore Folk Festival for the first time in 20 years, including great workshops with Jim McLennan, Chic Gamine, and Matt Anderson, and returned as a teacher at Foothills Acoustic Music Institute (FAMI) just west of Calgary. I finished there, went by home for an hour, and flew via Seattle to Anchorage, from where I was driven to Wasilla (yes, Sarah Palin's hometown) to teach at Acoustic Alaska camp and play concerta in Anchorage and Seldovia. September was largely taken up with a tour of the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island, Hornby Island and Gabriola Island in British Columbia.
Early October was spent with friends in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and (on returning home) a benefit performance for pal Amos Garrett who lost a considerable amount in the June flooding, followed by local gigs and students. November and December were a time to stay close and lie low with in-town gigs and teaching (and a three-day tour of Saskatchewan...nice to see friends Richie and Katherine Pollack, and Ken and Heather Peat Hamm out that way).
2014 : The 11th annual Hankover on New Year's Day sold out, and this week I play a house concert in St. Albert AB and the Saturday Night Special folk club here in Calgary, plus other in-town gigs and a house concert in Red Deer on the 31st. I will compete in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, Jan. 21-26, and February will see me at both Calgary and Edmonton winter blues fests. Keep the faith, support traditional and original music, and I hope to see you at a show sometime soon ! Stay warm and drive safe...
Friday, July 19, 2013
Mosquito Season
Well, it's been an interesting time (but then, aren't they all ?). After a flurry of late May gigsJo and I drove to California to visit family in Lancaster and Alameda. Calgary-Lewiston Idaho, Lewiston - Winnemucca Nevada, on to Bishop CA next day, then Lancaster. Visited with my Mom for two days, and had lunch with two brothers and a cousin (then evening with neices and nephews and their broods). 104 Farenheit with blowing sand and sagebrush. Then to the SF Bay area where we spent a day in the city with Jo's sister and kids. Coast route stopping in Sonoma County to buy some favorite wines, then Brookings for the night, just across the Oregon border. Giant redwoods and sensational coastlines. Next day Portland, and a few glasses of wine with brother-in-arms Robbie Laws, before driving to Sandpoint, Idaho for a final night in the US. I had probably the finest biscuits and gravy ever in a place there...even better than the old May's Diner in Diamond Springs CA. We crossed the border just outside Cranbrook BC, paying an outrageous extra penalty on our wine because BC is protecting its' wine industry (it's all they have left besides tourism). A set at the Pincher Creek Cowboy Poets Gathering (nice to see Allison Brock, Martin Hill, and other friends for a brief visit ) then home.
I had a bit of a cold/flu thing settle in, and then put my back out while hooking up a new printer. The off-shoot was that I couldn't breath after a few days, and spent the evening of the worst of Calgary's flooding in an emergency ward. After every test known to man, they agreed I simply had put my back out and had a lung full of crap, gave me half a dozen Percocets and sent me home (a marathon 90-minute journey around closed bridges and flooded streets). I'M FINE !
To the folks at The Works Fest in Edmonton and The North Country Faire, I'm sorry I had to miss 'em. Thanks to my buddy Paul Pigat for sitting in with my Western Swing band, The Hackamores, in my absence at NCF.
Next up, after a great bunch of gigs with The Hackamores over the first half of Stampede, we headed to Vancouver Island Music Fest for two performances of the play Big Mama ! (me as musical dire3ctor and Jo as stage manager) plus some workshops. The play was a howling success (I thought I was done with it at this point but we're looking at touring it more), and I got to shake hands with James Burton (totally one of my Telecaster and Dobro heroes) and sing with Terry Evans (check him out either solo, with Bobby King, or on any number of Ry Cooder cds). A visit with both sons and daughters-in-law plus grandkids Charlie,Vada, Jennings and Xavier, and we were home. Now it's play some local (nice) gigs while getting ready for Canmore Folk Festival and Foothills Acoustic Music Institute's August camp (teaching songwriting). Also I have to fit in hang time with my friends Greg and Mary from San Jose del Cabo, and hang out with Blind Boy Paxton, whose acquaintance I joyfully made on Vancouver Island. September brings a more intense tour of BC, and Saskatchewan is being planned for October or January. Lots more touring in support of the Blue Highway cd to come over the next months !
My heart goes out to my fellow Calgarians and those so deeply affected in High River after the floods...chins up and carry on.
I had a bit of a cold/flu thing settle in, and then put my back out while hooking up a new printer. The off-shoot was that I couldn't breath after a few days, and spent the evening of the worst of Calgary's flooding in an emergency ward. After every test known to man, they agreed I simply had put my back out and had a lung full of crap, gave me half a dozen Percocets and sent me home (a marathon 90-minute journey around closed bridges and flooded streets). I'M FINE !
To the folks at The Works Fest in Edmonton and The North Country Faire, I'm sorry I had to miss 'em. Thanks to my buddy Paul Pigat for sitting in with my Western Swing band, The Hackamores, in my absence at NCF.
Next up, after a great bunch of gigs with The Hackamores over the first half of Stampede, we headed to Vancouver Island Music Fest for two performances of the play Big Mama ! (me as musical dire3ctor and Jo as stage manager) plus some workshops. The play was a howling success (I thought I was done with it at this point but we're looking at touring it more), and I got to shake hands with James Burton (totally one of my Telecaster and Dobro heroes) and sing with Terry Evans (check him out either solo, with Bobby King, or on any number of Ry Cooder cds). A visit with both sons and daughters-in-law plus grandkids Charlie,Vada, Jennings and Xavier, and we were home. Now it's play some local (nice) gigs while getting ready for Canmore Folk Festival and Foothills Acoustic Music Institute's August camp (teaching songwriting). Also I have to fit in hang time with my friends Greg and Mary from San Jose del Cabo, and hang out with Blind Boy Paxton, whose acquaintance I joyfully made on Vancouver Island. September brings a more intense tour of BC, and Saskatchewan is being planned for October or January. Lots more touring in support of the Blue Highway cd to come over the next months !
My heart goes out to my fellow Calgarians and those so deeply affected in High River after the floods...chins up and carry on.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The middle of the merry month of May
Wow, where does the time go ? I think I can answer that...it gets poured into a million different projects and a few distractions. Things have been a little bit hectic since the crash of my Spanish tour (tied directly to the crash of the Spanish economy, and indirectly to letting a well-intentioned amateur set it up). While we both had the time off Jo and I headed to Seattle for a week-long getaway...I play Seattle area now and then but Jo had never been. We stayed in a boutique hotel mid-way between the Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square, walked the block and a half to the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, spent a lovely afternoon there Christmas shopping, and had to go twice to Ivar's Acres of Clams (yummmm). We went to the Experience Music Project to catch a horror and science fiction movie memorabilia display, plus a film about friend Jim Marshall (one of the premier LP cover photographers of the '60s and early '70s). I held my hands in the air over Hendrix' Stratocaster trying to catch some vibes. Back to Calgary and back to work...I produced two outside projects (those are getting harder and harder for me to do, because my chops are holding up way better than my patience), and finished my new CD The Blue Highway, on Lowden Proud Recordings...a very cool, mostly solo recording I did with my pal Russ Broom at his studio (The Broom Closet). It includes covers of numerous traditional country blues, plus a Pachuco blues by Lalo Guerrero (check out Ry Cooder's "Chavez Ravine" cd or the movie "Zoot Suit" to hear more of Lalo's stuff); a Hawaiian tune by Sol Ho'o'pi'i (one of my fave steel guitarists ever); five new songs of mine including a short rag from Alberta Theatre Projects production of Intimate Apparel; and a re-make of a tune from the cd I cut with Big Dave Maclean years ago.
Dave and I did a two-week whirlwind tour in February, catching amazing luck with the weather and having a ball...I love hanging out with no-drama, no bullshit cats who can actually play the music with some passion and some feel. After some very cool western swing gigs with
The Hackamores (Lolita's Lounge and the Willie Nelson tribute at Ironwood, Carlsons on Macleod in High River, and the Lethbridge Folk club), a killer evening at The Bassment in Saskatoon, a show on the Vulcan, AB arts & culture series, and my cd release party at The Ironwood, it was time to pack up and head to Ottawa for a month-long gig at the National Arts Centre...a run of Big Mama ! The Willie Mae Thornton Story (starring Jackie Richardson, and with myself, Ron Casat and Kevin Belzner in the band). A beautiful theatre, a great staff, and standing ovations every show from opening until closing. Had a great time hearing and hanging with Tony D and Steve Marriner (Monkeyjunk); Pat Braden, Bob Hamilton, Brandon Issak, Keith Picot, and Paul Pigat (all in town for Northern Scene fest); Morgan Davis, and Doug Cox. I always feel blessed to be a part of such a talented and cool floating community. I appeared twice on CKCU FM's "Canadian Spaces" program (RIP Chopper McKinnon), and once on John Tackeberry's "Black & Blue" show on the same station, and really enjoyed discovering Steve's Music on Rideau Street and The Ottawa Folklore Centre on Bank Street (I brought home a beautiful old bandurria which I'm in love with).
Since I got home it's been the usual madhouse of catching up correspondence and bills that pile up when one's gone, booking a BC swing for September, and gearing up for the late spring and summer season. I taught three nights at Mount Royal Conservatory's "Campfire Guitar" class, today I resume jam-host duties at The Blues Can for the next 3 weeks, Mikey's on Tuesday nights for the next 2 weeks, a guitar clinic (sold out) and house concert at Asylum for Art on Saturday May 25 (oops, almost forgot The Ironwood's annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash on Friday the 24th). The following week I am at The Grandview Stage (outside Rocky Mountain House) for a dinner concert, on the Saturday I return to Carlsons On Macleod for a solo show featuring tunes from the new cd. Then Jo and I are driving down to California to visit my Mom who will turn 85 next month. I have to be back for the Pincher Creek Cowboy Poets Gathering June 14th, but if time allows we'll make day-stops in the Bay area and Kelowna on the way back to visit family. Then it gets really crazy for a bit...The Hackamores play Lolita's Lounge on Sunday the 16th of June, then we're off to the North Country Faire at Driftpile, AB (I also have a 1 set gig in Edmonton on the way through). I play Bookers Crab Shack in Calgary June 28-29 with the 4-piece Electro-Fires. Then the Calgary Stampede, with The Hackamores playing The Ironwood July 6, Palomino the 8th, and Mikey's Juke Joint the 9th. Hop in the car and head for Vancouver Island for the Vancouver Island Music Fest where Big Mama! runs one show each on the Saturday and Sunday (plus a side-stage concert for me). Home to appearances at Legacy Guitar House in Cochrane July 20th, South Calgary's Sundays in Parkland concert series on the 21st, Canmore Folk Festival on the August long week-end, and teaching at Foothills Acoustic Music Institute in Bragg Creek August 22-5. Plus the regular Staurday and Tuesday gigs at The Blues Can when I'm in town.
It's also been a tough time the last while with the loss of so many friends and co-workers...RIP Johnny V, Bob Brozman, Si Garber, Barrie Cline, and Donny Cummings. Go out and hear some music (or make some) and try to show your family/friends how you feel about them every chance you get.
Hasta Luego, Amigos !
Dave and I did a two-week whirlwind tour in February, catching amazing luck with the weather and having a ball...I love hanging out with no-drama, no bullshit cats who can actually play the music with some passion and some feel. After some very cool western swing gigs with
The Hackamores (Lolita's Lounge and the Willie Nelson tribute at Ironwood, Carlsons on Macleod in High River, and the Lethbridge Folk club), a killer evening at The Bassment in Saskatoon, a show on the Vulcan, AB arts & culture series, and my cd release party at The Ironwood, it was time to pack up and head to Ottawa for a month-long gig at the National Arts Centre...a run of Big Mama ! The Willie Mae Thornton Story (starring Jackie Richardson, and with myself, Ron Casat and Kevin Belzner in the band). A beautiful theatre, a great staff, and standing ovations every show from opening until closing. Had a great time hearing and hanging with Tony D and Steve Marriner (Monkeyjunk); Pat Braden, Bob Hamilton, Brandon Issak, Keith Picot, and Paul Pigat (all in town for Northern Scene fest); Morgan Davis, and Doug Cox. I always feel blessed to be a part of such a talented and cool floating community. I appeared twice on CKCU FM's "Canadian Spaces" program (RIP Chopper McKinnon), and once on John Tackeberry's "Black & Blue" show on the same station, and really enjoyed discovering Steve's Music on Rideau Street and The Ottawa Folklore Centre on Bank Street (I brought home a beautiful old bandurria which I'm in love with).
Since I got home it's been the usual madhouse of catching up correspondence and bills that pile up when one's gone, booking a BC swing for September, and gearing up for the late spring and summer season. I taught three nights at Mount Royal Conservatory's "Campfire Guitar" class, today I resume jam-host duties at The Blues Can for the next 3 weeks, Mikey's on Tuesday nights for the next 2 weeks, a guitar clinic (sold out) and house concert at Asylum for Art on Saturday May 25 (oops, almost forgot The Ironwood's annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash on Friday the 24th). The following week I am at The Grandview Stage (outside Rocky Mountain House) for a dinner concert, on the Saturday I return to Carlsons On Macleod for a solo show featuring tunes from the new cd. Then Jo and I are driving down to California to visit my Mom who will turn 85 next month. I have to be back for the Pincher Creek Cowboy Poets Gathering June 14th, but if time allows we'll make day-stops in the Bay area and Kelowna on the way back to visit family. Then it gets really crazy for a bit...The Hackamores play Lolita's Lounge on Sunday the 16th of June, then we're off to the North Country Faire at Driftpile, AB (I also have a 1 set gig in Edmonton on the way through). I play Bookers Crab Shack in Calgary June 28-29 with the 4-piece Electro-Fires. Then the Calgary Stampede, with The Hackamores playing The Ironwood July 6, Palomino the 8th, and Mikey's Juke Joint the 9th. Hop in the car and head for Vancouver Island for the Vancouver Island Music Fest where Big Mama! runs one show each on the Saturday and Sunday (plus a side-stage concert for me). Home to appearances at Legacy Guitar House in Cochrane July 20th, South Calgary's Sundays in Parkland concert series on the 21st, Canmore Folk Festival on the August long week-end, and teaching at Foothills Acoustic Music Institute in Bragg Creek August 22-5. Plus the regular Staurday and Tuesday gigs at The Blues Can when I'm in town.
It's also been a tough time the last while with the loss of so many friends and co-workers...RIP Johnny V, Bob Brozman, Si Garber, Barrie Cline, and Donny Cummings. Go out and hear some music (or make some) and try to show your family/friends how you feel about them every chance you get.
Hasta Luego, Amigos !
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Damn Near Spring
I can't believe I've let this blog sit idle since August or earlier...time flies, but like a jet ! So many changes...the new cd, The Blue Highway, will be coming out (after many self-inflicted delays) in about a month, on Lowden Proud, which makes me label-mates with my friend Stephen Fearing ! Cover art is done and masters go to manufacture Monday (watch here for posts).
I didn't tour Spain in the Autumn, as was the plan; a combo of flaky promoter and economic disaster caused me to pull the pin on that one, triggering a small economic disaster at my house (lost a few grand on that turkey, I'll tell ya). But, by producing 2 other cds while working on mine, playing every gig that came along here in Southern Alberta, and touring with Big Dave Mclean I've returned things to their normal, shaky footing.
The tour with Big Dave was a riot, mostly sold-out houses. Thanks to all the presenters and audiences alike. It also kept me from being able to attend the Folk Alliance conference in Toronto...I'm not sure that's a bad thing, as I haven't left a FA conference with any new work for some time now. It strikes me a little bit as a party for the entitled (presenters/managers/etc.) and the desperate (performers). I'll probably do it again but not at the drop of a hat.
My wife and I spent a lovely week in Seattle before the holidays, a consolation prize for the collapse of the Spanish tour. I've played there many times over the years but Jo had never been. We had a lovely time and I got to play tourist (The Underground Tour) and visit the Experience Music Project again, while Jo shopped for yarn.
I'll spend mid-April to Mid-May at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa as musical director for the play, Big Mama : The Willie May Thornton Story; then drive to California for a visit with family; then it's festival time (more on that soon !)>
I didn't tour Spain in the Autumn, as was the plan; a combo of flaky promoter and economic disaster caused me to pull the pin on that one, triggering a small economic disaster at my house (lost a few grand on that turkey, I'll tell ya). But, by producing 2 other cds while working on mine, playing every gig that came along here in Southern Alberta, and touring with Big Dave Mclean I've returned things to their normal, shaky footing.
The tour with Big Dave was a riot, mostly sold-out houses. Thanks to all the presenters and audiences alike. It also kept me from being able to attend the Folk Alliance conference in Toronto...I'm not sure that's a bad thing, as I haven't left a FA conference with any new work for some time now. It strikes me a little bit as a party for the entitled (presenters/managers/etc.) and the desperate (performers). I'll probably do it again but not at the drop of a hat.
My wife and I spent a lovely week in Seattle before the holidays, a consolation prize for the collapse of the Spanish tour. I've played there many times over the years but Jo had never been. We had a lovely time and I got to play tourist (The Underground Tour) and visit the Experience Music Project again, while Jo shopped for yarn.
I'll spend mid-April to Mid-May at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa as musical director for the play, Big Mama : The Willie May Thornton Story; then drive to California for a visit with family; then it's festival time (more on that soon !)>
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Festival Madness
With August nearing the half-way mark, and 3 festivals yet to go by Labor Day, finally there's time to write a new post (the fire trucks and police cars attending a near-by fire in the middle of the night woke me up anyway). Just before Canada Day I appeared at The Blues Can here in Calgary, with a band of friends and colleagues under the name The Blues Can All-Stars : Bill Dowey, leader of The Blues Devils and The Hoodoo Sons, former host of The King Eddy Hotel's legendary Saturday jams; Donald Ray Johnson, singer/writer/drummer extraordinaire (Taste of Honey, Maurice John Vaughan, Phillip Walker, Freddie King, and more); Greg "Jr." Demchuk, from the DuRite Aces, formerly from the Rockin' Highliners; Mike Clark, sax player with everybody from Albert Collins to Ian Tyson; Tommy Knowles, bassist for Rita Chiarelli, Kathi MacDonald, Long John Baldry; and me. Smoking sets Friday/Saturday nights, plus I hosted the Saturday Afternoon Jam...then got up Sunday (Canada Day) to play a set with the house band from The National Music Centre at Fort Calgary. A rehearsal for a Stampede show, my regular Tuesday night solo gig at Mikey's Juke Joint, and starting on the Thursday, two shows a day at the Stampede grounds playing banjo on a medicine wagon for 11 days. Add to that a wedding gig with The Electro-Fires (my long-time electric roots & blues outfit) plus 3 club gigs with The Hackamores (the Western Swing band I've been a part of for the last 2 years) and you begin to understand how badly my ass was dragging by the end of the rodeo. The Monday immediately following, I sat in with Steve Pineo's trio at Mikey's, augmented by Mike Clark on Sax and Greg Haugesag on trumpet/fluglehorn, while visiting with Greg and Mary Hubbard...the 2 of them were my hosts for 3 weeks while I toured Baja California del Sur this past winter.
The next night was my Tuesday solo gig at Mikey's, then Friday with the Hackamores at High River's excellent club, Carlson's On Macleod. Next day was the Blues Can Saturday jam, which I've been absent from ever since (thanks, Vernon Wills, for subbing) and won't get back to until Labor Day week-end. After my Tuesday gig it was The Calgary Folk Music Festival with The Hackamores (and a solo roots workshop which ended with Betty Lavette singing "Every Day I Have The Blues" while sitting on my lap). Shows by Chris Isaak and Junior Brown were highlights, plus workshops with Pokey Lafarge and Chatham County Line.
After a day off, Jo and I hit the highway for Kelowna, BC, for a gig at The Minstrel Cafe and a visit with son Josh, daughter-in-law Heather, and newest grandson Charlie. Next was a goodly drive and a ferry ride to Vancouver Island where I performed in concert in Spirit Square in Campbell River, then next day we drove to Nanaimo, caught the short little ferry to Gabriola Island, and I performed at Feedlot Studio. After a lovely night at Hummingbird b&b (wish we could have stayed longer) we were up early for a marathon...ferry back to Nanaimo, ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver, then a drive up Fraser Canyon to Wells, B.C. for ArtsWells fest. 15 hours including ferry rides. Tons of deer from twilight on, a virtual wall of moths and dragonflies hitting the grill and windshield, and a cow moose with calf ambling across the highway. 3 sets in one day, get paid and packed and spend a day in Barkerville. Jo had never been, so we looked over the town (a restored ghost town which, at the height of the Cariboo gold rush, was said to be the biggest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco), Jo panned for gold, we ate Chinese for lunch in the restored Chinatown, then we were off to Quesnel and 100 Mile House for days off.
Driving down the Cariboo Highway I was able to show Jo the ranches I had worked on in the area, and we joined friends Rick and Liz Jones for a lovely dinner which was cut short by a phone call telling Rick his saddle horse was down with colic. We took the makings for a drench (basically a way to fill the horse's intestine with vegetable oil so they can pass whatever's making them colic) but the horse was back up on her feet (albeit in a bit of shock) when we got there. Next a drive across Highway 24 to Clearwater (between Jasper and Kamloops) for 2 nights at pal Doug Fenwick's Blue Loon Grill, then the drive home last Friday. On Saturday (my birthday) I played with The Hackamores at Mountain View Music Fest in Carstairs, then
Sunday at the Okotoks Olde Towne Show & Shine vintage car show. Tonight and Friday Happy Hour are both at Mikey's Juke Joint, Saturday is the Central Alberta Music Festival (with old buddy Morgan Davis), and Sunday is the wrap up of the Spaghetti Western Festival here in Calgary, where the Hackamores close it off at The Ironwood Stage & Grill. Next week it's Mikey's, The Sunnyside Farmers' Market, and The Edmonton International Blues Festival with Big Dave MacLean, Greg Demchuk, and the five-piece version of the Electro-Fires. September's schedule is a little easier, largely taken up with composing/recording music for Alberta Theatre Projects production of the play, Intimate Apparel .
I turned 64 (!!) last Saturday...I just want to say that I'm truly grateful for the birthday wishes, for my wife and family, and to still make my living from music at an age when most players have either given up, or been given up on. From mid-November until early December I'm doing a Home Routes house concert tour in Southern Ontario (plus a return to the Greenbank Folk Club), then the Lethbridge Folk Club with The Hackamores, and from December 11-20 I'm doing gigs in Madrid and The Canary Islands for blues societies there...plus arrangements have been concluded for a new cd, on Lowden Proud, due out hopefully this Fall. Hope to see you at one of the shows !
The next night was my Tuesday solo gig at Mikey's, then Friday with the Hackamores at High River's excellent club, Carlson's On Macleod. Next day was the Blues Can Saturday jam, which I've been absent from ever since (thanks, Vernon Wills, for subbing) and won't get back to until Labor Day week-end. After my Tuesday gig it was The Calgary Folk Music Festival with The Hackamores (and a solo roots workshop which ended with Betty Lavette singing "Every Day I Have The Blues" while sitting on my lap). Shows by Chris Isaak and Junior Brown were highlights, plus workshops with Pokey Lafarge and Chatham County Line.
After a day off, Jo and I hit the highway for Kelowna, BC, for a gig at The Minstrel Cafe and a visit with son Josh, daughter-in-law Heather, and newest grandson Charlie. Next was a goodly drive and a ferry ride to Vancouver Island where I performed in concert in Spirit Square in Campbell River, then next day we drove to Nanaimo, caught the short little ferry to Gabriola Island, and I performed at Feedlot Studio. After a lovely night at Hummingbird b&b (wish we could have stayed longer) we were up early for a marathon...ferry back to Nanaimo, ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver, then a drive up Fraser Canyon to Wells, B.C. for ArtsWells fest. 15 hours including ferry rides. Tons of deer from twilight on, a virtual wall of moths and dragonflies hitting the grill and windshield, and a cow moose with calf ambling across the highway. 3 sets in one day, get paid and packed and spend a day in Barkerville. Jo had never been, so we looked over the town (a restored ghost town which, at the height of the Cariboo gold rush, was said to be the biggest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco), Jo panned for gold, we ate Chinese for lunch in the restored Chinatown, then we were off to Quesnel and 100 Mile House for days off.
Driving down the Cariboo Highway I was able to show Jo the ranches I had worked on in the area, and we joined friends Rick and Liz Jones for a lovely dinner which was cut short by a phone call telling Rick his saddle horse was down with colic. We took the makings for a drench (basically a way to fill the horse's intestine with vegetable oil so they can pass whatever's making them colic) but the horse was back up on her feet (albeit in a bit of shock) when we got there. Next a drive across Highway 24 to Clearwater (between Jasper and Kamloops) for 2 nights at pal Doug Fenwick's Blue Loon Grill, then the drive home last Friday. On Saturday (my birthday) I played with The Hackamores at Mountain View Music Fest in Carstairs, then
Sunday at the Okotoks Olde Towne Show & Shine vintage car show. Tonight and Friday Happy Hour are both at Mikey's Juke Joint, Saturday is the Central Alberta Music Festival (with old buddy Morgan Davis), and Sunday is the wrap up of the Spaghetti Western Festival here in Calgary, where the Hackamores close it off at The Ironwood Stage & Grill. Next week it's Mikey's, The Sunnyside Farmers' Market, and The Edmonton International Blues Festival with Big Dave MacLean, Greg Demchuk, and the five-piece version of the Electro-Fires. September's schedule is a little easier, largely taken up with composing/recording music for Alberta Theatre Projects production of the play, Intimate Apparel .
I turned 64 (!!) last Saturday...I just want to say that I'm truly grateful for the birthday wishes, for my wife and family, and to still make my living from music at an age when most players have either given up, or been given up on. From mid-November until early December I'm doing a Home Routes house concert tour in Southern Ontario (plus a return to the Greenbank Folk Club), then the Lethbridge Folk Club with The Hackamores, and from December 11-20 I'm doing gigs in Madrid and The Canary Islands for blues societies there...plus arrangements have been concluded for a new cd, on Lowden Proud, due out hopefully this Fall. Hope to see you at one of the shows !
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