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Released June 20th., 2004.
OK, so it's been a while! That means we have Lots to catch up on, don't we.
First of all, I should explain. In May, I attended the Klaatu Kon 2005 in Toronto, where I met the members of Klaatu, and generally had a great time! But the timing was such, that I didn't have time to do a News Update, so I just did the Trip update, which replaced the News... but now things are back to Normal... or what Passes for Normal around here, anyway!
So, it's Summer time! The grass is green, the birds are singing, and the Festivals Season is gearing up! The big one for me is the Cisco Systems Blues Fest in Ottawa! This years star studded line up includes a variety of acts including The Black Eyed Peas, ZZ Top, Allison Krauss & Union Station, John Prine and a whole lot more.
For me, the big news is; I will be in attendance at this years Blues-fest! Kathy and I will be leaving July 2nd, which means that for the first three weeks of July, all my shows will be pre-recorded! I am currently working on lots of interviews, for the Songwriters, so keep an eye on the update for news from the blues-fest!
A little closer to home, this years Salmon Splash Concert, in Grand Falls/Windsor, looks like it's gonna be a dandy! Centennial Field will be rocking on July 16th to the sounds of David Wilcox, Finger Eleven, K-Os, and The Tragically Hip... to name a few! To add to the excitement, CHMR is teaming up with Parsons & Sons Transportation to present the Salmon Splash Contest! One lucky CHMR listener would win 2 tickets to the Salmon Splash Concert, including transportation on an air conditioned Parsons & Sons Motor Coach! Listen to CHMR for more details!
The other big concert event of the year is the Klondyke Concert in Bay Roberts! The "Afternoon" line up includes The Stars of Canadian Idol, (Karaoke anyone?) including Kalan Porter, Theresa Sokyrka , and local hero, Jason Greeley. Then at night it's Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Chilliwack and Two former members of the Guess Who; Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.
Coming up in August, the St. Johns Folk Arts Council will be hosting the 29th Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. The event is scheduled for August 5th, 6th and 7th in Bannerman Park, which is in downtown St. John's. There's no word on who will be appearing at this years festival, but it's always a great time! Keep an eye on their website www.sjfac.nf.net for all the details.
The province of Newfoundland will be dotted with festivals of all shapes and sizes this summer, so get out and explore our musical heretage, and out province!
There have been some interesting developements on the local music scene. Last week Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe performed an impromptu concert at a local bar. As with most celebrity appearances in St. Johns, the place was mobbed. A crowd of excited locals, mingled with the media, and a Hollywood entourage, to cheer Crowe on as he performed music from his latest CD accompanied by Alan Doyal of Great Big Sea. I spoke with a couple of people who were there. They both confirmed that, although there was much excitement at the novelty of the event, Russell shouldn't quit his day job just yet!
OK... Enough of this Movie star pretending to me musicians stuff... Now let's look at what some Real Musicians and Artists are doing these days!
One of the great kick backs to the Toronto trip for Klaatu Kon, was the opportunity to sit down with Don Stagg and Ann Burstyn of Dream Aria. They are working on a new project that could see them included in a soundtrack. I cannot say more than that for now, however, I heard the first mix of the peice they recorded... and it is impressive! Ann has a voice that must be heard to be appreciated. Her vocal tallent is matched only by her desire and drive to be the best at her art. With Don's guidance, watch of Dream Aria to become one of Canada's most unique live music experiences!
Speaking of experience... Last week on the Songwriters, my guest was Dee Long (formerly of Klaatu) from an interview recorded in Toronto during Klaatu Kon, which leads me to this... As I said earlier, Kathy and I are heading upalong to attend the Ottawa Blues fest in July, and we're going to make a side trip to Toronto to do an interview with Terry Draper (Also formerly of Klaatu) for a future episode of the Songwriters, featuring music from his solo albums. Terry's unique an innovative approach to music, combined with his interesting and lively personality, promise an interesting show, to say the least!
The local scene is starting to gear up for the festival season. I spoke with Tony Batten, of Shamrock and Dungarvan, who told me that both groups are going to be very busy this summer. "It's not like I'm not already busy enough", he said, "We're not going to stop this summer." Personally speaking, I don't know where he gets the energy! I've watched tony set up the gear, sound check, perform a full set with one band, then another full set with the other, and still have enough energy to stick around and party with the audience! (Oh to be young and energetic)
Duane Andrews was in a few weeks ago for an episode of the Songwriters in which we featured some new, previously unreleased music, including a peice recorded at last years Sound Symposium. The ECMA award winner also shared his stories of working at the St. Johns Sound Symposium. "The event happens once every two years, and is a real treat to experience," he said, "I just wish they could make it an annual event."
Speaking of the Songwriters... As I will be out of town for most of July, all the episodes of the Songwriters will be repeats of the most popular shows of the past few Months! The schedule for July looks like this:
Sunday, July 3rd.; Klaatunes (The 2 Hour Special)
Sunday, July 10th.; Reverend Billy C. Wirtz (You Demanded it, so here it is... Again!)
Sunday, July 17th.; Richard Shindell I have had several very positive feedback's on this show
Sunday, July 24th.; Fergus O'Byrne of the 29th Ann. Newfoundland Folk Festival
Sunday, July 31st.; Ra Maguire of Trooper!
Many of the above mentioned artists have CD's available. If you would like to pick up a copy of any of these CD's, (In person or online), just visit Fred's Records. They have the best selection of local music you're likely to find, along with all your favorites!
In on Air News;
The Summer Tradition is back! Douglas Adams original BBC Radio play, The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy is back for the summer, as part of Cosmic Debris. Zaphod, Ford, Trillian, Arthur and Marvin are back, with one episode broadcast each Monday from June 13th to August 29th, at 8:30 pm, Newfoundland Time. That means the Monday Night Epic goes on hold for the summer... but not to worry epic fans! The MNE will return in September!
The Blind Lemon Blues is chugging along nicely. In recent weeks, Misty Blue, Host of Patch Work Blues on Friday Nights on CHMR, has been comparing notes with me and Fanboy. Between us, we have discovered some great new artists that should make for some great listening!
The Hangover Cure hasn't had any major upheaval's lately, although I did get a call and an e-mail from a gentle man in Massachusetts, who has been tuning in the show via the internet. The e-mail, from Richard G. LeBlanc, said; "You're getting too popular for your web server. I got kicked off yesterday and couldn't reconnect the RealAudio." Apparently, the server was full! He went on to say that he was able to sign in using MP3 Stream on Winamp... so a word to the wise, when listening online.
I never realized how wide spread the audience for the Hangover Cure was... Until now! While taking qualifiers for the Klaatu Kontest, I recieved calls or e-mails from Ontario, Manitoba, New Mexico, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Sweden, Germany, and Australia!
What can I say, but Thank you all for listening!
Keep the Faith!
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