Ian has been with us for gigs at The Rose and Crown in Mitchell and Wally's Tavern in Guelph as well as the Byron Legion in London.
Ian also graced us with posting a couple of video segments from our performance at the Rose and Crown on Youtube. One features "Nadine" featuring Jan Figurski's vocal stylings and the other features Ian's playing at the end of "It don't matter what you say".
We had a bit of a scare in the late spring. Lead guitarist Tim Dillon was hospitalized with chest-pains and eventually under went angioplasty and the installation of a stent to ensure proper blood flow to all areas of his heart.
As a result of these health complications Dave, who was booked to perform with Tim at the Owen Sound Metis Gathering on June 21 went alone but found the necessary talent to make the show go on! One of Dave and Tim's early heroes - Rudy Couture Jr. acted as lead guitarist and accompanist along with Cavan Young on congas.
Dave apologized for presenting something other than what was advertised, but told everyone to hold onto their seats, because they were in for some really creative and spontaneous stuff - the stuff of which magic is made.
It turns out he told no lies that day.
Rudy is such a quick study and has a diverse repertoire of songs and sounds.
Cavan is a great percussionist, but kept everything in order and was very creative while doing so.
There really is no way to replace each of the musicians who have played with DDBB. Each one has contributed a unique flavour to the blend. So it was when sax player Creg Johnston came to play with us a year and a half ago. He will be missed just as we've missed all other former members.
Speaking of sax, our good buddy and former sax-man, the very hot Rob Munroe re-united with the band to back up our friend, the sultry voiced MizA at Quai du Vin Winery in a benefit for the Alzheimers Society of St. Thomas on July 18, 2008. His renditions of Junior Walker's "Monkey Jump" and "Shotgun" are exciting in the extreme.
Special mention should go to Dave Dreher who sat in on drums with only four practices with which to master all of the structural variations in our arrangements.
The guys are still hearing good things about that gig and can be proud especially considering that we produced our own sound system from two cobbled-together P.A.s (Including a custom-made monitor by Dave Dillon.)
One of the highlights of the time immediately after Creg's departure was a return guest appearance by jazz-guitarist Mark Henning for a spot in the Divergencies variety show at the Palace Theatre.
Mark has been filling in the guitar spot when Tim has other commitments as well as trading licks with him when both can appear together.
Mark just recently hosted his very own backyard bluesfest featuring a whole slew of people from several blues and jazz bands. Dave fronted one pick up group backed in part by the superb Steve Clark on six string bass, Mark on lead guitar, with Jake Levesque and fellow Jack Richardson Award nominee Don DiCarlo each spelling the other off on keyboard.
We're looking forward to the first guest appearance of Don DiCarlo with DDBB!