| INTERVIEWS/PROFILES |
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| INTERVIEW WITH JACK DE KEYZER (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE) |
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| DW: Blue Angel Productions has secured Hamilton's Studio Theatre for the upcoming "Rhythm & Blues in the Hammer" gig, along with Powerhouse and Eden Hill. I suppose that could be interpreted as a formal nod to your latest achievement, albeit in a somewhat delayed manner. You normally take care of your own bookings, is that right? JK: Yeah, normally. DW: Was the somewhat delayed date because of your own scheduling logistics or did the company experience some difficulty in securing the venue sooner? JW: No, I believe Cathy (Richardson) of Blue Angel booked the place as soon as was possible. These places are often booked at least five or six months in advance and she had to work from my schedule as well. She probably booked it the day after I won the Juno, for the first available date. DW: When I heard Murray McLauchlan singing about a "hard-rock town" many years ago, I always thought he was referring to Toronto. Apart from Hamilton's strong demographic for country music, I feel the "hard-rock" reference is even truer, particularly with its enduring affinity for punk rock and rockabilly. Although your musical career began in the blues, while playing guitar for the late Richard Newell, you have early roots in rockabilly, as well, with the Bop Cats and the Rock Angels. Muddy Waters wrote a song called "The Blues Had a Baby (And They Named It Rock'n'Roll)". Are you aiming to show Hamilton, or Canada in general, that country, blues, r & b and rock'n'roll all come from the same roots and should be accorded the same respect? JW: Absolutely! It all comes from the same place. DW: Why do you think there are so few blues clubs in Hamilton? JW: There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of any clubs in Hamilton that feature live music. DW: Well, there are still quite a few in the North End�the country bars� JW: Yeah, but they're mainly just watering holes� |