The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 !Notes~ Check out our website at Tony DeBoer 8, Rot~ Aa.eolir BMACC thought it would most appropriate to dedicate our first feature article to Tony DeBoer, the man who has done more for the Ontario Bluegrass scen e then anyone else. Tony got hooked on Bluegrass music in his mid teens listening to WSM in the 1950's. He met some other Bluegrass enthusiasts at Carlisle. His basement became a place where pickers came to jam. From this gathering came the Skyway Bluegrass Club . Tony was instrumental in drawing up the constitution for the Club. It was this constitution that helped form the basis for the structure of BMACC. Something Bluegrass was started by Tony to keep himself involved in Bluegrass by selling strings, records and instruments. Tony's interest in bluegrass was ll Pa g e reinforced when his young son, Doug, took up the guitar in his teens. Many years later, we all know where that went! Tony formed the North ern Bluegrass .,.CD Committee to promote festivals and bring in top name bands. He has been instrumental in giving local groups their first taste of playing in front of large bluegrass audiences. Tony believes that the fans are a big part of the bluegrass scene and that youth venues at the festivals will help make this wonderful music attractive to the ne xt generation. The Canadian Bluegrass Awards began in 1979, as an extension of Canadian Bluegrass Review magazine, published by Jack and Pat Buttenham. This was my introduction to Bluegrass music. I just The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 happened to be playing tourist at Ontario Place, when I sat down on the grass to relax and was treated to the likes of Streets & Hills, Cody, and Cross Country Grass. Tony became involved a few years later and took over when Jack and Pat discontinued the magazine. Until about 1995, Lindsay became the venue for the awards show. The theatre was ideal for acoustic music but was small and the fans were scattered over many motels in the area. Tony worked out a deal with Deerhurst in Huntsville to bring the awards to a classier venue, where all the fans could be together in one location. At first, the stage was set up on the cover of the swimming pool -- that made getting good sound very, very difficult. After a few years, the present auditorium became available -- a beautiful room with better sound and space for a larger audience. Over the years, Tony has featured many A Message fronl our President Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to read this first-ever issue of the BMACC Notes. If you're reading this I don't need to tell you, but I'll do it anyway - our Central Canadian bluegrass and old-time scene is simply astounding - we have great musical talent, and an impressive community enjoying their music and supporting them. This is something which we all should be proud of. My involvement in BMACC stems from my belief that if we in the bluegrass and old-time communities work together, we can form an organization that can put our music on the map outside our own musical world. 21P a g e of the top American and Canadian bands. More importantly, he has given all the bands in the area a chance to showcase their talents in front of a very solid fan base. Tony believes that the fans are the most important piece of the bluegrass scene. With all of Tony's passion for Bluegrass music, it seems strange that he does not play an instrument. lfhe did, he probably would not have the time for all the needed administrative work that he does so well. Thank you, Tony, for all your hard work and dedication. n j J J J How many times have you had to explain what bluegrass music is to your work-mates, or explain that this music has a rich history that goes a lot deeper than Duelling Banjos? BMACC has the potential to make our music a part of the musical mainstream in Central Canada. Imagine if every "fork festival" had a bluegrass stage, if your local radio station played bluegrass on it. Your BMACC directors are working hard to spread the word about Central Canadian bluegrass far and wide - to organizations like the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies both of which have members who hire hundreds and even thousands of bands each year for performances. Our aim is to put a resource into the hands of anyone who is in the position to hire entertainment, to make sure that they consider a bluegrass or old time act. And we want to promote our music on the radio, to build audiences for all the great bluegrass festivals which we enjoy already. Doing these things will only serve to boost the profile of bluegrass and old-time music, and bring more people out to the The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 impressive network of bluegrass clubs which we can now boast of in Central Canada. This is what membership in BMACC supports - the promotion and preservation of bluegrass and old-time music in Central Canada, and we'll all benefit, fans, bands, concert promoters and bluegrass clubs. If you are not a current member, I invite you to become one and join us in this exciting project! Let me thank those of you who have worked throughout the summer to help keep the BMACC wheels turning. We have received important and highly-appreciated support at all the events at which we promoted BMACC membership. We had a successful summer membership campaign and we know that many of you will be receiving this newsletter as a direct result of that campaign. Let me thank you for your support and tell you that we hope that you'll find this and all our subsequent issues useful and informative. As I said earlier BMACC is interested in promoting bluegrass and old-time music, and we hope that this newsletter can do just that. This first publication features Central Canadian bands in anticipation of this year's 29 th annual Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. Please do note that we have included all the band information that we had at press-time - please contact us if you have information that we might use in future issues. We hope that the band information helps inform those of you who have a hand in selecting the award winners, and also those of you who are attending this exciting event. While we're talking about the awards, let me take a moment to remind you that BMACC's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be happening at the Deerhurst resort at the same time as the Awards weekend. BMACC's directors are grateful to the Awards' producers in providing us the space for this meeting. Please do come out and take part in the meeting - we will be holding annual elections of the Board, and are anxious for the input of our members as we find ways to implement our mission of promoting and preserving our 31 Pag e music, and our goal of supporting the bluegrass and old-time music communities of Central Canada. We know that BMACC will only be successful in these goals if we can gain the respect and involvement of the communities, and BMACC representatives look forward to meeting as many of you as possible to do just that. BMACC's board of directors is made up of individuals from across South and Central Ontario who are hard-working and dedicated to making this organization a success. If you are from one of the regions which are represented on the BMACC board, I invite you to come to our AGM in November. BMACC is interested in representation from all regions as we believe that is the only way this project can be fully successful. I will look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in November. I am really excited to see this project develop. Yours in harmony, Amanda Lynn Stubley, President, BMACC BjJJJ A Special Thank You Starting in 2000, Tom McCreight publi s hed the Ontario Bluegrass Newsletter. It was mailed to many homes in Ontario and beyond. People looked forward to this quarterly publication and became informed and entertained with news of bluegrass events, recordings and personalities. Tom devoted much of his time to collecting stories and gathering information that he thought his readers would enjoy. Over the years, Tom learned much about the history of bluegrass, the music, the performers, the promoters and the fans. He The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 subscribed to club newsletters and professional music magazines and created OBN, which was respected by his colleagues as well as appreciated his subscribers. As BMACC begins this project, we would like to say thank-you to Tom for his outstanding contribution to the Ontario bluegrass music community. The Ontario Bluegrass Newsletter is an important part of our history and will be remembered and consulted as we begin to publish BMACC Notes. Thank you Tom, for keeping us informed and bringing the members of the Ontario bluegrass community closer together. 1JjJJj A TIP OF THE HAT TO OUR DIRECTORS The following people stepped up to the plate and got this organization rolling during the late spring and summer of this year. These folks deserve a hearty round of applause for their efforts in getting BMACC off the ground . Your Board of Directors: Amanada-Lynn Stubley - President London, ON -519-642-7987 Club : Thames Valley Bluegrass Association Gord DeVries - Vice-president London, ON - 519-668-0418 Club : Thames Valley Bluegrass Association Band : Foxtail Roland Aucoin - Treasurer Burlington, ON - 905-635-1818 Club: Skyway Bluegrass Band: Crosswind Wes Lowe - Secretary Woodstock, ON -519-539-8967 Club: Thames Valley Bluegrass Association Band: Gid-R-Done Gary Koenig - Membership Chair Thorndale, ON - 519-461-1293 Club: Thames Valley Bluegrass Association, Thorndale Bluegrass Club Festival: Thorndale Judy Fink - Clubs Chair Newmarket, ON -905-868-9182 Club: Pineridge Al Benner - Festivals/Events Chair Tottenham, ON -905-936-2008 Festival: Tottenham Band: Hometown Bluegrass Wayne Uncer - Bands Chair Innerkip, ON -519-469-3392 Club : Thames Valley Bluegrass Association Band: Gid-R-Done Peter Deveau Scarborough, ON -416-755-9521 Festival: Tottenham Donald Tarte Ottawa, ON -1-877-876-3369 Club: Ottawa Valley Bluegrass 41 P ag e The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 THE BANDS BYTOWN BLUEGRASS Contact: Ray Adams, Telephone: 613-258-5898 967 County Rd. 18, R.R. #1, Oxford Mills, ON, KOG 1S0 - e-mail: Glen Adams - banjo Ray Adams - mandolin Don O'Neil- guitar John Richard - fiddle Neville Wells - bass THE ABRAMS BROTHERS Contact: Brian Abrams .-. 613-547-2378 R.R. #3, Gananoque, ON K7G 2V5 e-mail: PINE RIVER Contact: Bob Tremblay 519-569-8128 81 Islington Ave., Kitchener, ON N2B 1P3 e-mail BLUE RIVER BAND Contact: Jim Mayville, 68 Grass Blvd., R.R . #4, Belleville, ON, K8N 4Z4 Telephone: 613-771-0492 Arnie Shaw - Guitar, banjo -lead & harmony AI Shaw - Bass -lead & harmony Buddy Clark - Banjo Jim Mayville - Mandolin, guitar -lead & Harmony GREENWOOD Hill Contact: John Doer - 519-743-6107 118 Massey Dr., Kitchener, ON, N2C 1M5 e-mail: 51 Pa ge GENERAL STORE Contact: Bill Blance: 905-451-9077 20 lad ore Dr., Brampton, ON, l6Y 1V5 email: Brian Riseborough - Guitar & Vocals Helen lewis - Autoharp & Vocals John Perkins - Bass & Vocals Norm Tellier - Mandolin & Vocals THE BACKWOODSMEN Contact: Lorne Buck 191 Goodrich Rd., R.R #2, Codrington, ON, KOK 1RO Telephone: - 613-475-3740 lorne Buck - Guitar Jimmy Ellis - Guitar The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 SILVERBIRCH Contact: Tom McCreight,General Delivery, Udora, ON, LOC lLO Telephone: 705-228-8426 - e-mail: Tom McCreight - Bass Gene Gouthro - Mandolin Jan Hanko - Fiddle George Scott - Guitar Graham Scott - Banio LONESOME WIND Contact - Pam Brooks-Armstrong 3961 Imperial Rd., R.R. #2, Aylmer, ON, N5H 2Rl Telephone: 519-765-1445 e-mail: L- R: Darrin Schott, Guy Tellier, Pam Armstrong, Gary D'Entremont, Paul Hurdle, Ken Robichaud NORTHERN SONS Bookings: Rory Gardiner 613-829-2176 or 613-820-6027 FAX - 613-829-7766 - 28 Okanagan Dr., Ottawa, ON K2H 7Gl Rory Gardiner - Banjo Thom Gardiner - Guitar Peter Mohr - Mandolin Marty Coney - Bass Chris Wilson - Fiddle CROSSWIND Contact: Roland Aucoin - 905-635-1818 e-mail: Dobro - Vern Buttenham Banjo - Tom Bezusko Bass - Roland Aucoin Guitar - Stan Hammond Marion Linton - Fiddle - 705-636-5004 Buck Marshall- Banjo - 705-685-7449 Steve Marshall- Bass - 705-636-5004 Merv Mulligan - guitar - 705-685-7888 e-mail: LEVEL CROSSING Contact: Garret Doyle - 905-547-1690 Email: Garret Doyle - bass/lead/tenor vocals Clint Street - guitar/baritone, Carl Goodman - banjo M ike Maynard - mandolin/lead/tenor vocals GOSPEL GRASS Contact: AI Spears - 613-821-1680 P.O. Box 154, Greely, ON, K4P INS 61 P age The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 ACOUSTICAL STRINGS The Spence Family Bluegrass Band R.R. #1, Cannington, ON , LOE lEO - Telephone: 705-432-2598 Roger - Dobro - Lead & Rhythm - Lead Singer Lorraine - Bass - Lead & Tenor Singer Barry - Guitar, Rythm & Lead - Lead, Tenor & Baritone Singer Contact : Gretchen Lamer: 519-866-5910 56878 Jackson Line, R.R. #4, Stratfordville, ON, NOJ 1YO e-mail: Gretchen Lamers - Vocals Ross Greer - Bass Brett Coehlo - Fiddle Ray Surette - Guitar/mandolin/banjo Jim White - Guitar HON EYG RASS (formerly Sweetgrass) Contact: Karen Snell, R.R . #1, Dwight, ON, POA 1HO 705-635-3549 e-mail Karen Snell- Bass and vocals Eleanor (Ellie) Bell- Guitar and vocals Marie Gustafson - Mandolin and vocals Ray Winterstein - Banjo Contact: Chris Quinn - 416-819-8990 Chris Quinn - banjo Andrew Collins - mandolin Chris Coole - guitar John Showman - fiddle Max Heineman - bass HOMETOWN BLUEGRASS Contact: AI Benner, P.O. Box 195, Tottenham, ON Home: 905-936-2008 - Work: 647-430-5761 Website : Wayne Douglas - Guitar, Dobro Ed McDowell- Bass Leslie Dawn Knowles - Fiddle Mike Kirley - Mandolin, Guitar AI Benner - Banjo 71 P ag e The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 FOXTAIL Contact: Gord DeVries 70 Millridge Ct., London, ON, N5Z 4P4 Telephone: 519-668-0418 e-mail: gdevries@foxtaiLca - Website: foxtaiLca Nora Galloway - guitar, lead & harmony vocals Marnie Niemi bass, lead & harmony vocals Gord DeVries - dobro, lead & harmony vocals Larry Johnston- banjo Pete Robertson - fiddle THE GOIN' CONCERN Contact: All ison Brown 519-679-5608 HARD RYDE Contact: Doug deBoer/Melissa Sherman 95 King William Cr., Cambridge, ON, N3C 4J3 Telephone: 519-249-0397 e-mail: Melissa@hardryde.caWebsite:hardryde.ca Doug deBoer - Guitar Wayne Ferguson - Fiddle Dave Jack - Banjo Will Meadows - Mandolin Richard Koop - Bass THE UNCALLED FOUR Ray Loponen Ken Jacobson AndY Ritchie Dave Nattress Contact: Bob Balabuck - 807-622-7137 Attn: Raymond Loponen 354 Fitzgerald St., Thunder Bay, ON, P7A 2P2 E-mail: sbalabuck@hotmaiLcom Website: www.uncalled4.pelimanni.on.ca Ray Loponen - bass Ken Jacobson - fiddle Andy Richie - guitar Dave Natress - banjp e-mail: website: James Cummins - mandolin, lead guitar, vocals Allison Brown - rhythm guitar, vocals Jedd House - bass, vocals FORTY-40 WEST BLUEGRASS Contact: Steve Hanes 613-825-1856 10D Spring Grove Lane, Nepean, ON, K2J 2C6 e-mail: PRAIRIE SIDING Contact: David Blakney - 519-975-2792 P.O. Box 153, South Woodsley, ON, NOR 1VO e-mail: David Blakney - mandolin/vocals Dan Sullivan - guitar/vocals Merril Mills - bass/vocals Don MacAulay - banjo 81 P a g e The Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada Newsletter Volume 1 October 2007 DON COUCHIE & THE SPIRIT OF BLUEGRASS Contact: Don Couchie - 905-201-1968 e-mail: niimki@yahoo.com http://www.doncouchie.com Don Couchie -lead guitar/vocals Bill Vickers - mandolin/tenor vocals Peter Atkins - banjo/baritone & bass vocals Jimmy Young - fiddle/lead /tenor & baritone vocals laura Couchie-Reid - bass/lead & tenor vocals · GID-R-DONE NOTRE DAME DE GRASS Contact: Hello Darlin Productions 514-524-9225 3788 Rue St. Andre, Montreal, QC, H2l3V7 e-mail: info@hellodarlinproductions.com Matthew large guitar/lead vocals, Guy Donis - banjo Bob Cussen - mandolin/baritone vocals, Heather Schnarr fiddle Andrew Horton bass/tenor vocals TH E DIXI E FLYERS Contact: Wayne Uncer - 519-469-3392 R.R. 112, Innerkip, ON , NOJ lMO e-mail; wuncer@xplornet.com Wayne Uncer - bass, vocals Jane Uncer guitar, mandolin, vocals Don Hutchinson banjo, guitar, vocals Wes lowe,.- mandolin, guitar, vocals Bill Hutchinson -.Iead guitar Bob Tremblay dobro, vocals Contact: Ken Palmer - 519-433-7105 33 Craig St., Suite 3, london, ON, N6C lE9 Bert Baumbach guitar Ken Palmer mandolin Paul Hurdle - banjo Blair Heddle - dobro Brian Abbey - bass e-mail: bigkenny@hotmail.com BILL WHITE and WHITE PINE GRASS BACKWARDS Contact: Lee Roy - 705-262-2524 Matt Navrad - 705 -268 -4437 Daryl Rodgers - 705 -568-0070 Contact: Bill White - 613-372-2400 Bill White - guitar and vocals Joe Wh ite - fiddle and vocals John Renne - bass len Heatherington - banjo and vocals Barry Calthorp - resophonic guitar 91 Pa g e Next >