Volume 9 Issue 4 October 2015 www.bluegrasscanada.org CANADIAN BANDSV o l u m e 9 I s s u e 4 October 2015 Publisher - The Bluegrass Music Association of Canada Editor - Mike Kirley Design/Production - Gord DeVries The Bluegrass Canada magazine is pub- lished quarterly in January, April, July and October. Copies are distributed to members of the organization. Individual membership fees are $20 for one year, $38 for two years or $54 for three years. Organizational memberships are $50 for one year, $98 for two years or $146 for three years. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced without the written permission from the Publisher. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO.42167060.RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO BMAC, c/o Gord DeVries, 22790 AMIENS ROAD, KOMOKA, ON N0L 1R0 519-719-2501 membership@bluegrasscanada.org. Please send articles, calendar in- formation, photos and letters to : Bluegrass Canada Mike Kirley 831 Rose Street, Cambridge ON N3H-2G2 Email: mikekirley@gmail.com Telephone: 519-653-4975 Deadline for submissions is the 1st of the month pereceding the month of publication. Advertising- Contact Barb Duncan at 705-499-7656 barbieduncan01@gmail.com for rates and information. CD Reviews: Pat Moore 612 Courtenay Ave Ottawa ON K2A 3B5 Bluegrass Music Association of Canada BMAC is a non-profit organization devoted to the preservation and promo- tion of bluegrass and old-time music in Canada, and supported by the volun- teer efforts of its members. BMAC Mission Statement The BMAC mission statement as enacted in the by-laws: a) Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Bluegrass and Old-time music throughout Canada. Goals: b) To support individuals, groups and organizations involved in bluegrass and old-time music. c) To provide leadership and promote education among fans, clubs, bands and artists. BMAC Board of Directors President - Denis Chadbourn lea@thot.net - 705-776-7754 Vice-President - David Porter porterd@blackburnlodge.com Secretary /Treasurer - Roland Aucoin raucoin@cogeco.ca - 905-635-1818 Membership/Website - Gord DeVries gord.devries@rogers.com - 519-719-2501 Magazine Editor - Mike Kirley mikekirley@gmail.com - 519-653-4975 Advertising - Barb Duncan barbieduncan01@gmail.com - 705-499-7656 General - Murray Hale murrayhale@hotmail.com - 705-474-2217 General - Wilson Moore jwmoore@ns.sympatico.ca - Reg. column contributer Ongoing Volunteers Elaine Bouchard (MB - Event Calendar) - boucharde@live.ca Gary Hubbard - (ON - Regular column contributer) Sue Malcolm (BC - Event Calendar) - sue@suemalcolm.com Jerry Murphy - jerry@jerrysnews.com (NS - Event calendar + regular column contributer) Joe Rohrer - (ON - Regular column contributer) Bryon Thompson - (BC - Regular column contributer) Pat Moore - (ON - CD Reviews) Printing- A N B Print Inc. 4026 Meadowbrook Dr. #135 London ON N6L 1C8 519-621-0321 Distribution- Strictly Addressing 4-1025 Hargrieve Rd. London ON N6E 1P7 519-433-424WHAT’S INSIDE Table of Contents4 Membership Co-ordinator’s Message5Dave Porter Editor’s Message6Mike Kirley CD Review: Echoes….by Rescue Junction7Mike Kirley In The News8Gord DeVries New members this quarter8Gord DeVries Bluegrass Senior picker9Joe Rohrer Bands: Musician, Performer, or Entertainer?10Ted Lehmann Advice From An Old Farmer11Anon. Music On The East Coast12Jerry Murphy Bands - Eastern Canada 14 Staff QBBC Report 18 Mike Matejcic Rant - Digital Music War 18 Marc Geiger Bands - Central Region 20 Staff Interview with Dennis McCarthy 32 Staff Bands in the Prairies 36 Staff Bands on the West Coast 38 Staff Bands in the North 41 Staff The Buzzard 42 Mike Kirley Bluegrass In The Country 43 Tom Sasvari - The Recorder BMAC Organizations Listing 44 Membership Database Radio on the Air 46 Staff • ANNUAL AWARDS ISSUE • MORE INTERVIEWS - NEWS ITEMS - REGULAR COLUMNS ARTICLE SUBMISSION - THE DEADLINE IS THE 1ST OF DECEMBER 2015 SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO MIKE KIRLEY FOR INCLUSION IN THIS ISSUE. NEXT ISSUE (JANUARY)5 Our President is up to his elbows in a new business venture, so I vol- unteered to take the pressure off and write a note in his place. Denis has expressed the intention of *not* standing for a position in the executive at the upcoming AGM, so part of my message is going to be an appeal to folks across Cana- da to consider stepping up to the plate, agreeing to a Board position with this organization and possibly accepting the position as President. What this organization requires is a person with deep bluegrass roots, organizational and leadership qual- ities and a vision for the future. If you know of such a person, please share this article with him/her. I would also like to speak to you about my own job as Membership Co-ordinator. I’ve been amazed at the flood of positive comments we’ve received, in person and by email, about the wonderful job we’re doing with our two principal methods for communication with you – the Bluegrass Canada maga- zine and the bluegrasscanada.org website. Yet, our membership num- bers have been relatively static. Yes, we’re growing, but not nearly at the pace one would expect. How does one reconcile this con- trary factoid? My theory is that you aren’t telling the right people of your satisfaction. It’s nice (for us) to get a pat on the back – but it would be nicer if you became responsi- ble for introducing some of your friends to our services and gaining us some new members. A key point I wish to make is that “Bluegrass Canada belongs to you!” We have eleven Directors, largely centered in Ontario, but we *don’t* own the organization. We are all volunteers, working without pay, trying hard to provide more and better opportunities for Canadian bluegrass artists to work, learn and grow and for bluegrass enthusiasts to experience more, and better access to excellent bluegrass music everywhere in Canada. What does ownership mean? When you buy a house, you un- derstand there’s responsibility that comes with the deed – you need to maintain the property, pay your taxes, be a good neighbour, and the list goes on. Now, I know that you may not feel you asked for the ownership of The Bluegrass Music Association of Canada, but here it is. You own it. You can either feel blessed or cursed, but like a fairy angel looking over you or a bad toothache, here it is! It can either wither on the vine or grow into the effective bluegrass organization it was meant to be. Many folks who contemplate joining the organization think of it in terms of ‘subscribing to a magazine’. We need to dispel that inaccurate assumption. One of our important goals is “To provide leadership and promote educa- tion among fans, clubs, bands and artists.” This involves communica- tion. We communicate with several methods: MEMBERSHIP CO-ORDINATORS MESSAGE by Gord DeVries 1) the bluegrasscanada.org website is a compendium of up-to-date ac- curate information about the state of bluegrass music in Canada. 2) The Bluegrass Canada magazine, which is published quarterly, is mailed to each member. 3) We maintain a Facebook page “The Bluegrass Music Association of Canada”, and our admin staff constantly monitor and make time- ly postings in this medium. So, how can you take ownership? What we need now is a grassroots movement of every member, indi- vidual or organizational, to help us to sign up everyone in the blue- grass community who has an inter- est in seeing the music grow. We need to reach that 2000 number. We need qualified folks from across the country to step up to the plate and become involved with the organization. Take the case of Bryon Thompson of Mill Bay, BC. He agreed to lead the charge on Vancouver Island, which has result- ed (already) in a dramatic increase in exposure for 10 or so bluegrass bands on the West Coast. Jerry Murphy of Nova Scotia provides a regular article of the state of blue- grass on the East Coast, and with Director Wilson Moore of Halifax, has greatly increased our member- ship numbers from that region. Folks, please consider what you can do to help. Take ownership! and for goodness sake, keep pickin’ and keep smilin’ Gord6 and 22. See you there. The 31st Annual Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards will take place at the Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro on October 17th. There will be more than 20 Awards and Presentations, as well as showcase performances by Award Winning Bands. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketpro.ca and click on Atlantic. The host hotel for this year is Best Western Plus Glengarry in Truro. We will try to have pictures of Award winners for the next issue. I would also like to ask everyone to pray for me. I am having another MAS flare up. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is Man- dolin Acquisition Syndrome. I need another mandolin like another hole in the head. But I find myself sneaking down to Long and Mc- Quades just to play this beautiful Eastman mandolin. The temptation is so strong, and it is under $800. It is calling my name. Totally irrational desire. I have two beautiful mando- lins. I must walk away; banish the thought from my mind. So help me God. Get behind me Satan! --Mike EDITOR’S MESSAGE Greetings strummers and hum- mers! Another fantastic summer of festivals and outdoor gatherings. Some under a full blue moon. Bill Monroe would have loved it. What great weather we had! Welcome to the band issue. We are growing in number, as you can see. Many new entries from British Columbia, thanks to our new writer on the coast, Bryon Thomson. Some of last year’s entries have re- formed and created new bands as well. Thanks so much Bryon. Jerry Murphy keeps us in the loop with his trips to three Prince Edward Island Festivals and one in Nova Scotia. Great job Jerry! The interview this issue is with Dennis McCarthy, an old friend and promoter from St. Catherines, On- tario. Dennis shows the infectious enthusiasm of a true Bluegrass fan. Be sure to read his thoughts on procuring Lou Reid and Darrell Webb for a concert in October in the Burlington Legion on Friday, Oc- tober 16, at 8 p.m. You won’t want to miss this one. Give Dennis a call, 905-984-4095 for tickets. Dennis also shares some of his thoughts on having been in the bands Border City Bluegrass, and Niagara Blue. It was a fun chat. The CD review in this edition is Rescue Junction’s latest project, Echoes. I picked up this one August 8th at the Holstein Bluegrass Cele- bration. I gave it the old car stereo test. It is still in the player, and it is almost September. Not only that, my wife Jan loves it too. Go to their website and download Hold On. It is free, and it will give you an idea of the precise treat- ment this band gives to Kaitlyn Gerber’s songwriting. She has 5 originals on this CD and they are all superb. I’m going to keep her in mind for the nominations for the awards at Deerhurst this Novem- ber. Speaking of Deerhurst, make sure to get your rooms reserved. The Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards promise to be very enter- taining this year, November 20, 21, by Mike Kirley7 “Holding On” tight to the steering wheel.) You can download it for free here: http://www.rescue- junctionband.com/ Northern Border Bound de- scribes a trip from Indiana to Can- ada to “sacred northern ground”. Kaitlyn delivers this fast-paced autobiographical selection with her typical smooth phrasing and vocal finesse. The antique-like recording effect at the beginning and end sandwich this song with an almost pioneer feel. Kyle sings Kaitlyn’s final original, At the End of That Road, in which he assures us that he will return from his journey to be “at your side”. It is sung with soothing back-up vocals. There are two Ron Block compositions on this endeavour, Along the Way moves at a fair clip and encour- ages us to “walk like kings”. In the Shad- ow of Your Wings is sung with an uplifting message about faith in the Divine, and has a guest singer, Summer McMahan. The effect of Kaitlyn and Sum- mer together approach- es Alison Krauss’ level. I’ll Live Again, and Just as the Sun Went Down are traditional sounding Gospel numbers with echoes and layered harmonies. The latter is sung a cappella, and brings audi- ences to a hush when performed live. nies in the choruses. Hold On is an ABBA-like anthem that charts new territory in Kaitlyn’s cre- ative sound palette. I have a set of B&W500 speakers in my man cave; and I love to crank this an- them up until our whole bungalow is pulsating. I was puzzled by the sound of the solid beat in this one, and so I took the opportunity to ask the band at the Holstein Fes- tival this August what they used to make that sound. You would never guess. They kept opening and shutting their instrument cases to the beat. They haven’t quite figured out how to do this on stage, but the studio effect is quite original. Unorthodox maybe, but certainly very original. (This song is a great one for cruising down the highway singing at the top of your lungs alone in the car after midnight with both hands Otherwise known as “The Moose Album”, this project is the latest in a series of fine fare from this young band from Millbank, Ontario. The cover has a soft wa- tercolour of a moose’s head with huge antlers. Apparently scientists have discovered that the moose’s antlers are shaped the way they are because they act as an “am- plification system” receiving, translating, and making percepti- ble sound waves from beyond the animal’s visual field, as the liner notes describe. Rescue Junction believes we are also equipped to perceive signals from beyond the usual margins, spiritual “sounds” that our souls translate for us. They have designed this work to assist us in hearing the “echoes of home”. This is the gist of this album, and the more you play it, the clearer this theme becomes. Kaitlyn Gerber has five originals on this CD, and they are all meaningful well- thought out com- positions. The first, Echoes describes an existential yearning for a better new world than we have never known, and echoes of the wind are calling us home. Steel Wheels is a mid-tempo tribute to one’s hometown. Grateful for a childhood that would “rival any king’s”, Kaitlyn and her brother Kyle trade phrases in the verses and deliver perfect family harmo- CD REVIEW: ECHOES….BY RESCUE JUNCTION CON’T PAGE 9Sad news for Holstein Bluegrass Festival attendees. 2015 was the last year for this superb event held annually on the first weekend in August. It will be truely missed! News: In June of 2015, CountyRoad 5 BluegrassBand released it’s long awaited debut CD entitled “Up North”. It features 11 original titles penned by members of the group as well as a traditional fiddle tune which was arranged by former member Gene Martin. The CD has received extensive airplay in Kings- ton on the local Queen’s University Radio CFRC where it debuted at #1 and remains in the top 10 on the folk/roots/blues chart. They have also received airplay throughout the Ottawa Valley, Owen Sound, and as far away as Thunder Bay! CD’s can be ordered online via email at countyroad5.cr5@gmail. com. East Coast Band “Eight Wheel Drive” will have performed their last set at the East Coast Music Awards Show this October. Individuals • Larry Perry • Bob Johns • Nellie Holmes • Darrin Schott • Bill Jackson • Janet McGarry • Graham Stone • Craig Kent • Paul Moquin • Shelley Brown • Chris Whitney • Bill Smith • Gerard Campbell • Vic & Doreen Goertzen Organizations Bands • The Osmond-Davis Band • Davis & Grant • Canyon Mountain Band • Maple Hill • The Monroe Sisters • The Nelson Family 8 IN THE NEWS NEW MEMBERS THIS QUARTER To Serve You Better As a BMAC member, you can expect prompt, courteous and comprehensive service. And that’s exactly what you’ll get each and every time you need help with your membership. That’s our promise to you. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit our online membership services at www.bluegrasscanada.ca /oss7_pro/register.php to fill out a membership registration form, renew your membership, or make changes to your current membership profile. Changes in address, email, phone number, etc. are important for us to be able to continue delivering services to you. Membership Expiry You will find the membership expiration date included on your Bluegrass Canada magazine mail- ing label. Please use the enclosed expiry notice letter to mail in your renewal cheque, or simply log in to your account online and pay by credit card or Paypal. You can mail a renewal cheque at any time to: Membership Co-ordinator Gord DeVries 22790 Amiens Road Komoka ON N0L 1R0 Help Us grow our membership Each magazine includes a mem- bership application form. If you like the magazine, pass the form on to a friend. Our only revenue source is through the annual membership fees and advertising. More members = more services. Bluegrass Canada is produced and managed 100% with unpaid volunteer labour, so your money will directly affect our ability to improve.9 I ain’t just tired, I ain’t just sore I’m just pacin myself and achin for more when I fall I don’t bounce back up like I did when I’s fit I just laid sprawled out on the ground where I lit I get outa bed afore sunlight hits the ground and by early afternoon I’m naptime bound. but get a bass fiddle ,a banjo that rings, a guitar playin rhythm and a fiddle that sings some folks pickin, some singin with toes keepin time people gather to listen to the music so fine some folks sittin , some standin , some dancing around , all because of that sweet bluegrass sound it’s a terrible way to waste your day makin friends and memories that don’t fade away I’ll bet when I die , if heaven’s my fate I’ll hear bluegrass music when I pass through the gate ! BLUEGRASS SENIOR PICKER By Joe ‘Honest t’ Goodness’ Rohrer JOIN NOW! Becoming a member of BMAC couldn’t be easier (or less expen- sive.) If you are able to access the internet on your desktop, laptop or iPad device, you have all you need! Simply navigate to www.bluegrasscanada.org and click on the “Register” button at the top right of the website. You’ll be taken to a simple regis- tration form which will first ask you to select the Membership Type. Let’s assume for the sake of this discussion, you wish to be an “Individual Member”. Click in that box. The next choice is whether you wish to pay by Credit Card, or ‘Offline’, which means you’ll send in a cheque. Next, you’ll need to fill in a ‘security code’ simply by copying a few distorted looking characters into an input box. (That’s for BMAC’s security, to verify that we’re dealing with a person, not a machine.) We need your Name and Address info and also ask you to select your own username and password. Note that the info fields that are identified with a red aster- isk are mandatory. The next sections of the form are optional and the purpose is fully explained on the form. Once you’re done this, just Click on “Submit” at the bottom. Be assured that BMAC does not share your information with third parties. Once you’re a member, you will have access on the website (using your username/password) for private member’s information such as magazine back issues and minutes of Director’s meetings. That’s it. Call Gord DeVries if you need help. 519-719-2501 Joe Rohrer is the bass player for Rhyme N Reason CD REVIEW: ECHOES….BY RESCUE JUNCTION He Goes to Church is perhaps one of my favourites on the CD. It’s a slow waltz about a conver- sion experience due to the death of a spouse. The new dobro play- er, Nick Huber does a stellar job setting the mood for this one. Kaitlyn tackles an Emmy-Lou Harris classic, Green Pastures in a slow lilting 6/8 time, and does it justice. Kyle’s cross picking man- dolin solo is tastefully done. God Spoke His Name has a swing- ing melodic hook that propels it along; and there are beautiful layerings of vocals in this hymn. Neath the Light of Your Love is a simple and pure lullaby done to perfection. The CD ends with Fernweh, a brief family chorale describing homesickness for a place you’ve never been. The overall effect of this touch is mystical. In conclusion, this project is a winner in all categories: singing, songwriting, recording, CD Jacket design, and that elusive quality that connects with the listener. It shows careful planning and exe- cution, and attention to all the de- tails. A welcome refresher to the Bluegrass Gospel world, it is the first of its kind to my knowledge in Canada. I am happy for Rescue Junction. “Echoes” is an artistic triumph that will echo down the halls of Canadian Bluegrass for a long time to come. Congratula- tions! Mike Kirley CON’T FROM PAGE 7Next >