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Released August 20th., 2005.
The Salmon Splash Concert Contest is over, and the lucky Winner, Peter Russell (left) picked up his prize from CHMR Program Director Ernst Rollman (right). Peter won a pair of tickets to this years Salmon Splash Concert, including transportation in an air conditioned motor coach, compliments of Parsons & Sons Transportation. I haven't had a chance to speak with him yet, but I hope he had a great time!
Speaking of great times, The St. Johns Folk Arts Council presented the 29th Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival August 5th, 6th and 7th in Bannerman Park (which is in downtown St. John's). I spoke with several attendee's, all of whom agreed that it was a great time! For a wrap up of the event, check out their website www.sjfac.nf.net for all the details.
The world lost a great blues legend in July, with the passing of Long John Baldry. I had the great pleasure to meet him (very briefly), and see him perform at the 2002 Ottawa Bluesfest. He was a larger than life character with a talent and charisma that made him one of the greats. He will be missed.
Some happier news from July, Kathy and I had the good fortune to attend the Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest for the first time since 2002. While there this year I had the chance to interview some of the biggest and best names in the blues for this falls run of the Songwriters. It will be "A Songwriters Roadtrip", and you can see below for a full schedule!
One of the highlights of my trip to the Ottawa Bluesfest was having the chance to sit down with Kent Dykes of Omar & The Howlers. In my almost 30 years as a DJ and producer at CHMR I have met and mingled with some impressive people, but none so much as Kent "Omar" Dykes.
Beyond his tallent as an artist, he has a heart of gold as big as his home state of Texas! His new album, "Boogie Man" is now available and I highly recommend it! Omar will be featured on one of those afore mentioned episodes of the Songwriters, which promises to be a great show!
I have to go on record to thank everybody at the bluesfest for their help, especially A.J. Sauve. As media co-ordinator, he is the man I deal with directly when it comes to setting things up, and I can honestly say I have never worked with anyone better. You're second to none, A.J.! Keep up the great work!
Next weeks Songwriters will feature an interview I did on July 8th of this year with former Klaatu drummer, Terry Draper. His solo work with Bullseye records is an impressive and eclectic collection that ranges from Concept albums, to Childrens music! Terry is quite a character with a dry wit and great sense of humor that makes him the perfect guest on the Songwriters.
Speaking of the Songwriters... August was a great month, which included interviews with Geoff Gibbons featuring his album Sentimental Maniac (Aug 7), Jeff Jones (Aug 14), and Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds (Aug 21). The fall season is now set, and will feature interviews with artists conducted during my trip to Toronto and Ottawa this past summer. The fall schedule looks like this:
Sunday, Sept 4th.; Blue Room
Sunday, Sept 11th.; Justin Ruttlidge
Sunday, Sept 18th.; Wild T & The Spirit
Sunday, Sept 25th.; Capital B
Sunday, Oct 2nd.; Mud Boys
Sunday, Oct 9th.; Magic Slim & John Primer
Sunday, Oct 16th.; Ruthie Foster
Sunday, Oct 23rd.; Omar & the Howlers
Sunday, Oct 30th.; Harlem Gospel Choir
Sunday, Nov 6th.; Billy Branch
Sunday, Nov 13th.; Carl Weathersby
Sunday, Nov 20th.; Quarter Life
Sunday, Nov 27th.; Fred Litwin
Sunday, Dec 4th.; The Hammer Heads
Sunday, Dec 11th.; David Gogo
Sunday, Dec 18th.; Paul Symes
Sunday, Dec 25th.; Best of the Bluesfest Special
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. The plan was to broadcast one episode each Monday from June 13th to August 29th, at 8:30 pm, Newfoundland Time, but due to some ill health, I missed a week. That means the Monday Night Epic will not return until September 12th!
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! Unfortunately, Misty Blue has moved away. She's a lovely lady, and will be sorely missed.
The Hangover Cure hasn't had any major upheaval's lately... other than me being sick for a week. 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, there's more than one way to skin this Cat! ;)
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!
Speaking of Contests! In October, I will be giving away copies of Geoff Gibbons CD "Sentimental Maniac" on the Hangover Cure. I have 5 copies to give away, and there's 5 Sundays in October... What a Coincidence! (N'yuk n'yuk n'yuk!)
So be listening to The Hangover Cure for your chance to win!
Keep the Faith!
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