Artist: Elyse Weinberg (AKA Cori Bishop) Release: In My Own Sweet Time Year: 2009 Genre: Folk, Alternative Folk Born: Chatham Ontario Canada Website: here. Preview or buy the Album: here.
Track Listing: 1. Anybody Out There? 2. Break It Wide Open 3. Hey My Baby 4. Remind Me 5. Operator 6. Darlin’ 7. The Shining One 8. Sleepwalker 9. Nothin’s Gonna Change 10. All Is Well
Produced by Cori Bishop & John Swinnerton at Sonic Sojourns, Ashland, Oregon.
Notes:
The Holy Grail. That’s how Andrew Rieger of Elf Power described the moment in 1999 when he first listened to Elyse’s long forgotten 1968 self-titled release. Back in the late ’60′s, the album received quite a bit of attention – so much so that Elyse appeared on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, in Newsweek and the L.A. Free Press, and at Shaffer Music Festival in NYC. She continued to write and record for Asylum Records. Cut to 30 years later when Rieger fell so much in love with her debut album that he contacted Elyse (now going by the name Cori Bishop and living in Ashland, Ore.).
The rest is history – Orange Twin rereleased the self-titled debut, along with two other of her songs from that era, one of which, “Houses,” features Neil Young wielding his distinctively ripping guitar sound. Since, Elyse’s story has become something of a rock legend – after the rerelease her album received massive amount of positive feedback in the press, and she was mentioned in Magnet, Time Out NY, Aquarium Drunkard, Creative Loafing (amongst others). Perhaps the most flattering result was two extremely successful indie bands, Vetiver and Dinosaur Jr. decided to cover “Houses” in the aftermath of the release.
Now, after playing extensively over the past few years, which included a date at Montreal Pop Festival in 2008, Elyse has recorded a new album for the first time since the late ’60′s – the aptly titled “In My Own Sweet Time.” Elyse’s voice is still captivating – at once sweet and melodic, while also sounding edgy and ragged, brimming with a sense of hope and liberation. As Andrew Rieger said, it’s scary and magical stuff, which is particularly captured in the album’s first single “Anybody Out There?”
_____________________________
Send your pictures & info to : Email us: chatham_music_archive@hotmail.com
_____________________________
Band:Dixie Cats Year: 2009 Home: Chatham-Kent Genre: Dixieland music
The Dixie Cats are a subgroup od the Chatham Concert Band that perform for smaller or on request functions. Other sub groups include The Hungry Five Polka Band, The Jingle Bell Rovers Christmas Group and The Primitive Roots Jazz Band, an 18-piece stage band for dancing.
Members (photo above) Phil, St. Clair Shad, Byron, John Green, John Revell, Vaughn P., John Leigh
Artist: Jim Moffatt Year: 2009 Release: Live At Crystal Gardens (Live) Resides: Victoria, BC Home: Chatham Kent, Light House Cove Genre: Roots & Folk, Pop
Buy the CD @ Itunes online here.
Visit or listen online here or here or here.
Notes: Jim is a story teller extrodinaire! His songs are personal, well composed and played and sung beautifully.
Songs: 01 Introductions 02 Blues Man 03 Introductions Lighthouse 04 The Lighthouse Keepers Dream 05 Intro to Free 06 Free and On the Road 07 Intro Working Hard 08 Working Hard Looken for Work Worken Nowhere Blues 09 Introduction Wizard 10 The Wizard 11 Encore Utah 12 The Logger
Bio: After growing up on the streets of Chatham Ontario, attending high school and finishing with no fixed address, attending numerous universities in both the US and Canada with a goal of football and wrestling, being a Zodiac pilot for Greenpeace “Save the Whales” and a short term in a Newfoundland jail for anti-sealing protests, Jim turned his attention to playing music. With his first test being in Calgary Alberta at the 1st Studio 1/ Keen Craft (Long and Mcquade) music award he walked away with top prize as a member of the duo “Bow River Lumber Company.” This was not a small feat as names such as Jan Arden, Oliver Krall, Scott Parsons and Jenny Allen were also on the program.
(Hi; Jim here….I bet you’re thinking “If this guy’s so great why have I never heard of him?” That’s simple. You never heard of me because just as I was starting to “make it” I went through a relationship loss, and I broke. Plain and simple. I sold all my gear and tried to quit the business. Did too for about 10 years. But as a friend of mine from the Nanaimo Folk club said “The big dog is back.” That’s all I want to say on the matter. I know some will think its not cool to bring it up but one thing I have learned is when there is a giant elephant in the room and nobody talks about it, it only get bigger. If you want to know more, ask me. Now, back to the important stuff.)
Jim has opened for Utah Phillips, Rosalie Sorrels, Connie Calder, Michael Lewis, and Scott Parsons, to name a few. His style and musical influences include suc all-time-greats as Stan Rogers, Harry Chapin, Chris De Berg, John Prine, and James Taylor.
Jim’s been around folk festivals, having played the Home County Festival in London Ontario, Blackfalds Folk Festival in Alberta and Vancouver Island Folk Festival and others. He has played universities from Windsor to Ottawa, from London to Thunder Bay to Calgary. He has been featured in L.A. at the Pier 1 Show, and was a band member with groups such as Hero, Panic and The Bow River Lumber Company. His first love has always been a singer-songwriter writing music to bring images to his listeners’ minds.
Band: Kristin Nicholls Band Release: EP (4 Songs) Genre: Rock Year: 2009 Formed: 2007
Notes: Kristin is from Chatham but now resides in Hamilton. His sister Brook Nicholls also recently released a great record too. These two sibling songbirds have been singing together since they were teenagers. Their first acoustic EP together is entitled “It’s Christmas” and should be released in 2010.
In late 2007, Kristin Nicholls teamed up with fellow long time musicians and close friends to form a new project dubbed “Kristin Nicholls Band”. Produced by multi JUNO AWARD winning producer Julius Butty his new EP is now available on itunes.
Tracks: It’s Ok, Alive Again, Stand Tall, Gotta Be More.
Members: Kristin Nicholls Luke Cronsberry Jamie Altena Allen Bilston
Band: Ancestors Release: NIGHTFALL 7″ Year: Feb. 2009 Genre: Indie Rock Reside: Toronto Home: Members from Chatham
Note: Wes played drums in a few good local indie bands before splitting to Toronto. The most notable being the punk trio “The Beat Junkies”, before leaving for Toronto. Chatham boys Wes Moore (Now bass guitar) and Corey Wells (Vocals. Guitar) also perform in “Buckets Of” and have made it back home a few times bringing that band to perform at the Elephants Nest.
300 press on black vinyl w/ MP3 download. Design and print by Michal Majewski
Tracks
Superpyscle, Black Dust, Future Confusion, Six Fathoms. CERN, Nightfall
The video ‘supercycle’. Camera and lighting by James Hayward.
Artist: Sal Piamonte Band Home: Ottawa Release Title: Free Money Genre: Rock Date: 2009
In 2000-2003, Sal moved to Chatham, bought a house, & brought his former band, “Daisy Ella Mojo Crew” to live with him. He was brought here through his day job that was based in Chatham at the time. He recorded at Eyrespace Studios while he was in town, and the local rock station was featuring one of their singles, “Friends Don’t Come Around,” at the time. As it stands now, Sal would love to make it back to Chatham and perform with his new band. Maybe the upcoming tour may see a stop in Chatham. The new album is a top notch release from this band and is worth a listen for sure.
Notes: Sal Piamonte’s music was featured in promos for Animal Planet (Discovery Channel)’s Tiger Week.
In fact, Sal also happens to be a successful psychological profiler for a provincial police force by day, and local rock star by night. Over the course of the last 10 years he has tested, interviewed and counseled everyone from prisoners, to autistic children, patients with brain damage and even paranoid schizophrenics.
But music is his first real, true love. This lifelong affair with music and the guitar began at age 5 on a trip with his mother to Australia. “I remember pretending to play the guitar on this plastic little guitar they had bought for me. When we returned to Canada, I asked my mom to buy me a real guitar and she wasted no time putting me in lessons.”
Tracks: 01. One Night In Paradise 02. The Rogue 03. Who’s That Knockin’ 04. 1000 Miles 05. Balance Of My Shame 06. Misery 07. Hard Luck Woman 08. Ain’t No Time 09. Free Money 10. Where Wild Horses Run 11. One Last Goodbye
Early 2010 update: The band is currently between drummers, but fill in drummers include Nick Sennema and current guitar player for “Punish Them”, Jordan Guinty.
Notes: The name stands for “shed union district standards”. They play a full set of originals but can also play a set of covers to fill out a long night. Covers include the likes of Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, and more. The band is entering the studio in 2010 with plans to release a demo in the summer of that year. Locally, S.U.D.S. play at the Elephants Nest often, as well as at Encore.
Some former bands: Danny Wright previously from Hundred Proof Bryce Birkin from Us & Omens, as well as currently with the Black Watch.
Band: Southwest Blues Review CD Release: Under the Covers Year: 2009 Home: Chatham-Kent Ontario Genre: Blues
Members: Tony Meriano – Drums
Aug Polowick – Guitar
Rob Watson – Guitar / Vocals -
John Gardiner – Bass
Byron Brunton – Harmonica / Trumpet
Leia Weaver – Vocals
Pictures: Live band pic above: (L-R) – Aug, John, Leia, Tony, Rob, Byron.(Ridgetown 2009)
Drum pic: Tony setting up his pink drums for a gig, talking with his good friend Dennis Tatchell.
The CD: A collection of 10 tracks of old and modern groovy blues standards.
Notes: “The Southwest Blues Review formed in spring 2006, bringing together talent from all corners of the county. From Ridgetown, Leia Weaver and Rob Watson made the journey to meet in Cedar Springs at Barnyard Studios with Tony Meriano and Aug Polowick, The band was brought together thanks to the vision of John Gardiner from Wallaceburg. A year later, they firmed up the lineup with the addition of Byron Brunton of Blenheim.
The Southwest Blues Review became a local favourite for community festivals, fundraisers, art openings and any all around good time. Their influences and inspirations include Big Mama Thornton, John Mayall, Etta James, Motown and Stax sounds, the Downchild Blues Band, Daddy Longlegs, Irma Thomas and many many more.
The Southwest Blues Review lost their drummer and founding member Tony to a sudden illness in 2010.
Band: The Golden Eagles Release: The Gold Album Year: 2009 Formed: Early 2008 Home: Windsor/ Chatham-Kent
Members:
Jamie Reaume – Vocals and guitar.
Neil Tupling – Bass (ex-Lost Souls Division)
Geoff Yunker – drums.
Notes: Some of you may know singer songwriter Jamie Reaume from his previous band Foreign Film Star, or saw him play a solo acoustic show in Chatham or Windsor. He used to often play at the Elephant’s Nest and other venues while growing up in Chatham.
Jamie is currently living in the Windsor area and his new band involves musicians from there as well.
This is a great indie CD worth checking out. Their first single “Cell Phone” is a great indication of jamie improving consistently with his song writing and song structures. This track alone shows signs of a band who gets it and has worked hard to drop tracks that simply rock without trying to over play, be too artsy, or too safe.
Track Listing 01 Cell Phone 02 See You Coming 03 Bird Of Prey 04 Go 05 Surfing At The Circus 06 Don’t Wanna Know 07 Twenty Something 08 Dr Shark’s Leather Couch 09 The Duke
The Gold Album was recorded from November 2008 to March 2009 at Sharktank Studios in Windsor, Ontario and was engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Plancke. The album features guest appearances from Sara Hines as Sally, Mark Plancke as Dr. Shark and Jose Ramirez as El Diablo.
Band: Mike Gorman (Michael) Release: Ghosts and Empty Trains Year: 2009 Genre: Folk, Blues, Home: Chatham-Kent
This release is full of good story telling and musical warmth from Mike Gorman. It was recorded right here in Chatham at Eyre Space Studios by Bob Hiltz.
Musicians: Mike Gorman – Acoustic Guitars, vocals, harmonica
Bob Hiltz – Bass, vocal, piano, guitar, banjo, tambourine, dobro Mike Schatte – Guitar, mandolin Stephen Gorman – guitar Byron Harrett – Saxophone, clarinet, flute Dean Harrison – Piano, organ, accordion
Tom Lockwood – Guitar Andy Tattersall – Guitar Jonathon Davis – Drums Dave D’Hanyns – Guitar
Bernie Graham – Bass Byron Brunton – Trumpet Sarah Hiltz – Harmony Vox
Linz Ross – Harmony Vox
Band: This End Up Home: Chatham-Kent Style: Cover band Year: 2009
Members:
Mike – Vocals, bass
Carl – Guitar
Jeff – Drums
This End Up has been together for a long time. Jeff (the original drummer) left the band for a few years but is now back with his buddies.
The guys also have a popular spin off of this band known as “Toast & Jam”. They are an acoustic duo performing your favourite songs in pubs and around beach area’s. Good fun.
You can keep a look out for them at Jersey’s in Chatham.
Band: Dismata Release: Understand Year: 2009 Genre: Metal Home: Tilbury
You can find this release through CND Records.
Members:
Darren Marchand : Vocals
Rich Dupuis : Guitar
Joel Caron : Drums
Jamie Monteros : Bass
Track List 1. March Of The Ignorant 2. Deadhorse 3. Primrose Path 4. The Only Way Out 5. Dying Since October 6. Endless Noose 7. Stop The Bleeding 8. I Am Dead 9. Leech 10. The Man Who Smacked God
Cary Templeman is a jack of all trades. You probably have been at a club the night he was the DJ, or attended a city event like the parade or Olympic torch ceremony, in which he was the MC or performed at. Among other things, he is also a dance teacher in Chatham and a high spirited individual always working on something. Well, Southpaw also released a video this year entitled the ‘Chat-Town Hustle’.
Event: Rock Stock Date: August 15th 2009 Location: Chatham-Kent Airport Tickets: $44.99
The annual ‘Rock Stock’ concert is in its second year.
2009 featured many bands and reports estimated between 3-4000 people this year. Less of a crowd than last year, but still the only music event put on that draws a crowd in the small city of Chatham.
Who Played?
Main Stage:
Collective Soul
Futures Past
The Latency
Fall and Divide
Dean Lickyer
Faber Drive
Crash Karma
Mobile
Mariana’s trench
Side Stage:
The Grave Misunderstanding (local band)
The Johnstones
Time
Square Root of Margaret (local band)
Stereos
Ashes of Soma
Priestess
Heavy Stage:
Anu beginning (local band)
Lifeboat
Blood Shot Eye
Nerve (local band)
Hundred Proof (Local band)
Left Turn City
Punish Them
Baptized in Blood
Arm the Homeless
Artist: Jeff Healey Release: Songs from the Road Year: 2009 Genre: Blues Rock Chatham Connection: Guitarist Dan Noordermeer is from Chatham.
Band:
Jeff Healey (vocals, guitar)
Dan Noordermeer (vocals, guitar)
Dave Murphy (vocals, keyboards)
Alec Fraser (vocals)
Al Webster (drums).
Tracks: I Think I Love You Too Much, I’m Ready, Stop Breaking Down, Angel Eyes, Come Together, Hoochie Coochie Man, White Room, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Whipping Post, Teach Your Children Well, Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
About Dan: Guitarist extraordinaire Dan Noordermeer has also been performing in the “Dave Murphy Band” for almost a decade, and continues to dazzle audiences with his formidable talents. Originally from Chatham, Dan now resides in Hamilton. Dan is known for his Samson-like mane of hair and his wicked sense of humour. Unlikely as it seems, Dan was a full time country musician for many years before joining the band. But for those familiar with his playing it’s no surprise, since he has an uncanny ability to play every style of music with incredible authenticity, passion and virtuosity.
CD Notes:
Appearing almost 18 months after Jeff Healey’s death, Songs from the Road is the first posthumous disc from Jeff Healey. Collecting highlights from his 2006 performance at Norway’s Nottoden Blues Festival, plus 2007 gigs in London and Toronto (the latter in his hometown club, the Jeff Healey Roadhouse), Songs from the Road paints a good portrait of Healey the road warrior, playing old favorites, both of his own and a wide variety of classic rock and blues artists, including Muddy Waters and two from the Beatles. Healey doesn’t surprise here, either in repertoire or attack, but he does satisfy, both as a guitarist and an all-around entertainer, making this collection a nice coda to his career.
* Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Watch the video below of Dan with Jeff in Norway, performing Jeff’s hit single “Angel Eyes”. Live at Notodden Blues Festival August 2006.
Duo: Ray Francis and Lucy Schaefer Year: 2009 Genre: Country Music
The musically talented duo performs at Churches and nursing homes around Chatham Ontario.
Ray Francis, 78, has been writing and performing music for over 60 years. He has released six records and earned success in the 1960’S and 1970’S as a recording artist, entertainer, and radio star.
Ray is a true world class musician and human being who lives and breathes music with a passion that cannot be denied. He continues to bring smiles to his audiences with his talent, sincerity, humour, and just plain likeability.
To learn more about Ray’s music, please visit previous posts in the Chatham Music Archive.
Ray’s Discography:
Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills – 1963 – Country Jamboree
The Whippoorwills – 1964 – The Whippoorwills
Ray Francis – 1973 – The Country Way
Ray Francis – 1973 – An Olde Tyme Christmas
Ray Francis – 1974 – Two Sides of Country
Ray Francis – 1975 – The Good Old Days
Band: Social Code Release: ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Date: 2009 Style: Rock Home: Alberta Chatham Connection: Travis Nesbitt (vocals) was born and raised in Chatham Ontario Canada.
Band Members:
Travis Nesbitt – Vocals
Logan Jacobs – Bass
Ben Shillabeer – Drums
Morgan Gies – Guitar
Official band note: During the “freezing cold of an Edmonton winter” with producer John Travis, who made a name for himself working with such heavyweights as Kid Rock, Buckcherry and Sugar Ray. It strips away the pop punk and radio flavour-of-the-day tracks that Social Code had been known for, and delivers the red meat of the music. From the gloriously grinding and noisy first single Satisfied and the catchy as all hell Buy Buy Baby to the heavy, boogie rocker Fight For Love and the surefire heartbreak, prairie rock anthem I’m Not OK, the 10 tracks draw on influences as seminal as Springsteen, Zeppelin, The Stones, Cheap Trick and The Black Crowes while being entirely true to the band’s own sound.
The band will be playing Chatham Sunday Nov.22 2009 at Encore.
Track Listing:
Rock ‘N’ Roll
Nothing Left To Lose
Satisfied
Buy Buy Baby
Real Girl
Fight For Love
You Never Know What You Got Until It’s Gone
Stay
I’m Not Ok
Too Late For Tomorrow
Credits:
Produced by John Travis
Mixed by Mike Fraser
Additional Production on “Satisfied” & “I’m Not Ok” by Logan Jacobs
Note: I have been lucky enough to share shows with Social Code a few times and I can tell you that they are a great bunch of guys who are appreciative of the scene. Usually headliners get cocky and fill the stage with gear leaving opening bands with little room to do anything. When playing with these guys, they offered to share drum kits and do whatever possible to make it easiest for all bands to get a fair shake in stage show and ease of transitions. These guys deserve your support and it is nice to see that they have maintained their Canadian courtesy & politeness despite such a jaded world they travel upon. I am not a band ass kisser by any means, these guys have worked hard and do it the right way. S. Beaulieu
Social Code Discography: 1999 – Binbox – as Fifth Season 2001 – Patiently Waiting – as Fifth Season 2004 – A Year at the Movies 2007 – Social-Code 2009 – ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Visit Social Code here.
Listen to Social Code here.
‘BAND’ING Together Posted By ELLWOOD SHREVE Chatham Daily News Nov.14th 2009
If you have a favourite local band still playing or from when you were younger, try checking out the website www.chathamusicarchive.com created by Shawn Beaulieu.
In a short period of time, the 35-year-old Chatham resident has compiled an impressive amount of information on local bands and musicians, including photos and small biographies, which are listed by both name and year released.
Beaulieu began the project about four or five years ago as a blog, but since being laid off six months ago, he has been able to devote several hours a day to the website.
“All of a sudden it turned into more than a hobby and all of a sudden it got bigger and bigger,” Beaulieu said.
He has been a part of the local music scene as a member of the band Foster Child, which became the Janet Theory.
Beaulieu credits the help he has received from Jeff Mifflin, who works at Strings N’ Things and is the guitarist with The O’Hara Brothers band. He said Mifflin was able to access photos of several local bands that have been displayed at the local music store over the years. He also noted the members of the 1980s group Manpower, which have teamed up again this year, “got me into a lot of this.” Beaulieu said the website is getting the attention of several local musicians, past and present, noting people have been coming to him with information. Beaulieu is impressed with the wealth of musical talent and the wide range of genres that has come out of the Chatham-Kent area, and wanted a way to show that to the world.
He has done extensive research at the Chatham Public Library, gathering information dating back to 1889 with the formation of the Chatham City Band. There is plenty of interesting information on well-known older bands, including the Melody Ramblers, which once boasted current country music star Michelle Wright as its lead singer. When Wright left to pursue a solo career, she was replaced by Wendy Jenkins, who also enjoyed success with the popular band. Then there is The Missing Links, including members John, Fred and Eddy Larson and Bill McGrath, whose 1966 album “It’s Link Up Time,” was produced by Paul Shaffer, best known today for his long stint with the David Letterman Show.
The site is also filling up with information on several local bands from today’s era. Beaulieu said the website can also serve as a resource for bands that are looking for musicians with certain skills or local clubs that want to hire local bands to play. “I only knew about 10 per cent of the bands when I started doing this,” Beaulieu said. “There’s a big scene going on, but nobody knows each other.”
Name: Laura Moelker CD Release: Unfolding Stories Year: 2009 Performance: classical concert pianist Home: Chatham-Kent Resides: Hamilton
Notes: The CD is a collection of classical piano music from Chopin, Mendelssohn, Gershwin, and Schubert.
Official Bio Laura Moelker, a native of Chatham, Ontario, is a classical concert pianist with a profound love for music. Her outgoing personality, remarkable enthusiasm and precision at the piano have given her enormous success and praise from audiences.
Laura grew up in Chatham, Ontario where she began taking piano lessons at the age of 5. Born into a musical family, Laura received unending support from her parents and siblings. She continued taking lessons and received numerous awards in local music festivals, including the O.R.M.T.A. award, which she received in 1999. This only encouraged Laura to continue in her musical studies. In 2002 Laura moved to Hamilton, Ontario where she continued studying music at Redeemer University College under Dr. Christiaan Teeuwsen and world-renowned pianist, Valerie Tryon. In May 2006 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music (piano performance). Upon graduating Laura continued her classical training with the Royal Conservatory of Music and in January 2009 graduated and received her ARCT diploma in piano performance.
Laura now works as a freelance musician in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently involved in various musical activities within her local community.
Visit Laura online here.
Listen to her music here.
Band: Unity Release: God’s Will Be Done Year: 2009 Genre: Spiritual, Contemporary Christian Home: Chatham-Kent Ontario
Note: The release contains 11 original recordings. Songs about everyday Christian life, songs exemplifying charity, to songs that teach Christian values in an uplifting spirit, from light hearted stories to medatative moving ballads. All part of God’s Will being Done.
Members:
John Couture – acoustic guitar, vocals
Marc Caron – harmonica, vocals
Brian Benoot – bass, violin
Dean Robert – guitar, bass, vocals
Ruth Mazan – 12 string acoustic, vocals
Tina Pumfrey – keyboard, vocals
Paul Caron – main percussionist, backing vocals
Tracks: 01 A New Beginning 02 Your Big Plan 03 God’s Will Be Done 04 Jesus Understands 05 Searching 06 Four Falls 07 Hands and Voice 08 Jesus Took Me Back 09 Cry Me a River 10 Collection Plate Blues 11 Welcome Me Home
Buy or preview their music online here.
You can also buy the CD at Gospel Text Book Store and St. Michael’s Catholic Shop.
Visit them onlinehere.
Artist: Jay Allan Release: The Wrong Direction Year: 2009 Genre: Country Home: Bothwell
Notes: Ontario singer/songwriter Jay Allan has been writing songs since the age of 14. Today Jay is a dedicated and driven country music singer songwriter with an original sound. As an active member of the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), SOCAN and the Songwriter’s Association of Canada (S.A.C.) Jay is being recognized in the Canadian Country music scene, performing at many music events and festivals including opening for great Canadian acts such as Jimmy Rankin, Julian Austin & Doc Walker and releasing his first single ‘Rumourville’ to country radio across Canada.
Name: Kevin McMillan Musical: Singer (Baritone, later tenor) Year: 2009 Born: Listowel, Ontario Chatham Connection: Moved to Chatham in 1987 with his wife and son. (His wife is from Chatham)
1983-1986 – Master’s and Doctoral degree (Juilliard School New York)
Mr. McMillan has received 4 JUNO nominations and won a GRAMMY award in 1992
Kevin is the founder and president of the Capitol Theatre Association
KEVIN MCMILLAN is one of Canada’s most respected singers and pedagogues. His career has spanned over 20 years with more than 700 concerts, 15 professional recordings, a Grammy award, a Gramophone award and numerous Juno award nominations.
Critics have praised his “elegant voice” and “singularly remarkable interpretive skills” in appearances with virtually every major North American orchestra, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony.
He has also established a presence in Europe, with appearances in the major concert halls of London, Berlin, Barcelona, Hamburg and Prague. He has worked with such conductors as Herbert Blomstedt, Pierre Boulez, Sergiu Commissiona, Raphael Frühbeck de Burgos, Sir Andrew Davis, Charles Dutoit, Neeme Jarvi, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Kurt Masur, Sir Roger Norrington, Hellmuth Rilling and the late Robert Shaw.
After preliminary schooling at the Universities of Guelph and Western Ontario in Canada, Mr. McMillan studied at the Britten-Pears School in England, and attained a Master’s Degree at the Juilliard School in New York. His primary focus has always been the oratorio and orchestral repertoire, and his vocal flexibility and scholarly musicianship have afforded him a broad range of styles and periods – from Monteverdi and Bach to Britten and Penderecki.
Despite an unfortunate farming accident 25 years ago that left him a partial paraplegic, he has had the opportunity to perform operatic roles in concert performances. Mr. McMillan is one of Canada’s pre-eminent recitalists. He has been described as an “outstanding Schubertian” whose “voice of glowing freshness and beauty is at the service of an intelligent, lively and distinctive personality.”
In the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario, he not only mentors a large studio of singers, but also teaches IPA Diction for Singers and coaches the Bach Aria Group. In Chatham, ON, he is the founder and president of the Capitol Theatre Association – a group responsible for the restoration and renovation of this historic theatre into a fully equipped 1,200 seat performing arts centre.
Notes: McMillan was featured in the CBC TV profile, The Music Must Go On. He founded the Chatham Capitol Theatre Association in 1996, for which he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
Band: The Long Lots Release: The Long Lots Year: 2009 Style: Rock Home: Chatham-Kent
Members Jay Amerlinck:vocals,guitar.
Jeff O’Rourke:bass.
Jason O’Rourke:drums.
Gary Jongbloed:guitar.
Notes: The Long Lots self titled debut captures all the raw energy of their live performance. Crowd favorites “In Mexico“, and “Candlelight” are an indication of the rock classics we can expect from this 5 piece for years to come.
If you were alive in the Ontario Indie Scene in the mid 90′s, chances are you came across several of the brainchilds of Jason Amerlink and Gary Jongbloed…..the guitar duo of The Long Lots. Jason fronted two very successful bands, “Velma“, and “The Huskies“, making his mark at indie shows across Southwestern Ontario. After the demise of The Huskies, Jason met up with old pal Gary Jongbloed to form Arecibo, a guitar driven group reminiscent of Tristan Psionic or Polvo. Arecibo were regular openers for the local scenesters but never fully made the scene themselves.
Now the two are bound by blood……brothers in law and are bound by a new band…..The Long Lots. And these guys aren’t fighting to make any scenes today…they are the centre of the indie rock scene in Chatham Kent. In the spirit of brotherhood, they are teamed with ther brotherly rhythm section of Jason O’Rourke (drums), and Jeff O’Rourke (Bass).
Armed with a Blazing live show, The Long Lots are headed to your town. Make sure the fridge is stocked.
Buy the CD here:
Visit the band online here or here.
Band: Big City Year: 2009 Home: Chatham kent Style: Country
Members:
TERRY ASHLEY – lead guitar and lead vocals
NICOLE SHAW- bass guitar and vocals
RANDY COYLE- drums, whistles and web mgr.
Additional Musicians:
Charlie St. Denis – fiddle and mandolin
Dale Rivard – steel guitar and vocals
Randy Vereecken – steel guitar
Frank Yankovich – guitar and vocals
The BIG CITY Band has become one of the most popular country acts in the Chatham-Kent and surrounding areas.
They have been performing together for over 10 years, to capacity crowds wherever they go.
The group works in three configurations, therefore being able to fit any kind of event format and budget. The first would be the trio, which consists of Terry, Nicole and Randy. The second version of the band, would be the four piece quartet, that work primarily in larger dance clubs, and the third is the five piece group, for major events and shows. This combo has done shows and festivals with Charlie Majors, Beverly Mahood and Thomas Wade, to mention a few.
You can catch the band at the Golden Tap or the CBD in Wallaceburg.
View their website and listen to the music at ’Myspace’ here.
Rachel Schwarz is an award winning vocalist, dramatic artist, choral conductor and performer. She has starred in a variety of sold out productions from opera to Broadway cabaret, and maintains an active career as a soloist throughout the community.
She studied choral conducting at the University of Western Ontario and has been successfully conducting concerts in Chatham-Kent for many years. In addition to her work with the PURE Youth Choir Rachel is currently the music director at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Chatham. She is accomplished in choral conducting, singing and solo performing but she is also an accomplished pianist, organist and violinist.
Rachel has studied singing in Canada, the United States and overseas, and is a highly sought after private voice instructor and coach. She is very excited to share her love of music, her knowledge and wide experience plus her enthusiastic approach to performance with this fantastic group of young musicians.
Since their debut in 1993, the four members of Quartette have been both publicly and critically acclaimed for their lush harmonies and delightfully diverse repertoire. Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, and Chatham’s own Sylvia Tyson are seasoned singer/songwriters whose influences range from blues and gospel to folk and country to jazz and pop.
Quartette has received several Juno nominations, won a Canadian Country Music Award for best vocal collaboration, performed with major symphony orchestras across Canada, and recorded the 14 CMT-TV special, “A Quartette Christmas.”
Sylvia will perform Saturday November 28, 2009, at the Kiwanis Theatre in Chatham with the Quartette.
Note: Catch Jamie live Nov.20th 2009 at the Kiwanis Theatre in Chatham.
Jamie Hillman is an award-winning singer, pianist, composer, and conductor. He holds an ARCT diploma (Piano Performance) from the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Bachelor of Music degree (Honors Music Education with concentrations in both voice and piano) from the University of Western Ontario, the Master of Music degree (Choral Conducting and Literature) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as certificates from Conservatory Canada. His list of teachers include Kevin McMillan, Tina Yanchus-Hibbard, Dr. Chester Alwes, and Dr. Ollie Watts Davis.
As a tenor soloist, Mr. Hillman performed Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Creation with the Laudate Dominum Choir and Orchestra and Shuetz’s St. Matthew Passion with the Prairie Masterworks Chorale and Red Deer College Chamber Choir. He can be heard regularly on the Sunday morning radio show “Songs for the Heart.”
A highly sought-after collaborative pianist, Mr. Hillman has shared the stage with many singers, including the internationally-renowned baritone, Kevin McMillan. In 2004, he worked as Apprentice Accompanist at the Berkshire Choral Festival in Massachusetts.
Mr. Hillman’s choral compositions have been premiered and performed by a number of ensembles. His well-known composition, Who Would Have Thought?, was recorded by Les Choristes (University of Western Ontario), and garnered praise and discussion in an article in the International Journal of Education & the Arts. His Psalm was given its European premiere by the Nathaniel Dett Chorale.
A noted conductor, Mr. Hillman recently served as Assistant Conductor of both the University of Illinois Concert Choir and Black Chorus. His tenure with the Concert Choir included conducting the ensemble at numerous venues while touring Hawaii where he also copresented a lecture-recital at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities. He is the founder and former director of the award-winning Chatham-Kent Treble Choir.
A young, enthusiastic pedagogue, Mr. Hillman has held appointments at several institutions, including Prairie Bible College, where he currently teaches. His students frequently win awards at competitions and have gained admission into post-secondary music programs in both Canada and the United States. In the summer of 2006, he served as a Faculty-Artist member at StudiO: the Ollie Watts Davis Vocal Institute and as Vocal Director at Camp-of-the-Woods in New York. Recent adjudicating engagements have taken him to music festivals in Lacombe and Sherwood Park, Alberta. Mr. Hillman is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors, and Chorus America.
Musician: Rene Brosseau Year: 2009 Home: Chatham-Kent Ontario Instrument: Pedal steel and slide guitar Style: Country Music
pictures from Sept. 11th. 2009
Rene Brosseau performs with 2008 New Male Vocalist in Canada Gord Bamford. His hit songs include “POSTCARD FROM PASADENA”, “BLAME IT ON THAT RED DRESS”,” LITTLE GUY,” “DRINKIN’ BUDDY” & “WENT FOR 1 BUT STAYED ‘TILL 2”.
Rene is a world class pedal steel and slide guitar player who chooses to keep Chatham as his home. He has played with many international acts and continues to be called upon by high profile groups that come through Canada.
Members Bob Wilson – Bass
Phil Caron – Vox & Guitar
Rick Chrysler – Drums
Jeff Mifflin – Guitar
The band is made up of top notch players with roots deep in the cities history of the most popular local bands.Those who don’t know bassist Bob Wilson, well, you have heard him play before. A little flashback video below of Bob in the Kim Mitchell band with their hit ‘Go For A Soda’.
Band: The Chatham-Kent Mountaineers Debut Release: Feed ‘em Their Teeth Release Year: 2009
Home: Chatham-Kent Ontario Formed: 2008
Notes: The Chatham-Kent Mountaineers are a Celtic and East Coast influenced band that also play Irish drinking songs in good spirits and entertainment.
Members:
Dan Davidson – drums
Stew Morton – vocals, guitar
Kevin O’Brien – bass, vocals
Rob Rankin – banjo, mandolin
Mark Stacey – vocals, guitar
Alysson Storey – fiddle, flute, vocals
Band: Nikki Ninedoors Release: Unapologetically Pop Vol.1: Music To Cut Yourself To. Year: 2009 Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada
Tracks: 1. Unapologetically Pop 2. It’s Called The Past For A Reason, Darling 3. Some Things Change 4. Don’t Cry 5. I Don’t Hate You Like I Used To
Note:
It’s the first solo project from Dave Richie, former guitarist for Dead Girls Union and The Janet Theory.
Nikki Ninedoors is about the music. There’s too much spam today, by
bands that spend more time on the Internet, trying to convince people
they’re good, instead of working on the most important element: the
songs. Nikki Ninedoors strives to let the music do the talking and let
the listeners be the judge.
The debut EP is Unapologetically Pop Vol.1: Music To Cut Yourself To.
As the title suggests, the songs are written to be catchy and no apologies
will be made for not being “metal” enough.
Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Dave Richie at Empty Heart Studio.
Artist: 7th Reign Home: Chatham Kent /Sarnia CD Release: Fallen Empires Year: 2009 Style: Power metal. Local connection. Marios Panayiotis is from (and lives) in Chatham Kent.
Band is:
Brian Soulard – Vocals Marios Panayiotis – Guitar
Adrian Robichaud – Bass
Jared Tomlinson – Keyboards
Johnny Roberts – Drums
Another Great Canadian Power Metal Band with light progressive elements, Featuring: former Eidolon vocalist, Brian Soulard. If your a fan of Megadeth or Fates Warning or Eidolon, this band may be your thing.
This is the bands 2nd release, the bands first “self titled” Release was very nicely received by metal reviewers around the world and received many high praises. This album is quite a step up from their last, so we envision it doing quite well.
The band 7 th REIGN was formed in January 2005 by Marios Panayiotis and Brian Soulard. (ex- EIDOLON vocalist) They started off with one goal, to form the kind of band that they would want to hear and see live. They were not worried about current trends or past influences but instead concentrated on creating good music that would cross many themes and styles but was built on the best form of music……METAL!!
Songs 01 Servants of the Lost
02 Unbeliever
03 7th Reign
04 Fallen Empires
05 Betrayed
06 The Other Side
07 Deliverance
08 Requiem for the Dead
Click video below to hear a few guitar solos from Marios on this record.
Artist: Aaron Allen Release: A Place Called Hell Year: 2009 Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Resides: London Area
Tracks: 1.No One Knows 2.A Place Called Hell 3.Anyone 4.Backbone 5.New Blues 6.Nashville 7.Moving On 8.Oh My Lord 9.Run 10.A Song For Her 11.Black Eye 12.I Woke Up Today 13.Woman So Fine 14.A Light’s Always On 15.You and Me
About:
Aaron Allen, born August 1, 1981 in Chatham, Ontario, is a Canadian alt-country/blues/acoustic/rock singer-songwriter. Driven by influences such as Neil Young, Ryan Adams and Bob Dylan, Aaron’s approach to writing music starts from the power of his lyrics which are sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes straight up rock and roll but always true to his heart and honest. Aaron believes in making music that is timeless and continues to carve out his place in the music industry to ensure a long career in doing what he loves.
Aaron’s greatly anticipated, third album entitled A Place Called Hell is now available. He will be touring solo in the spring/summer of 2009 . Although the Small City Saints (tSCS), featured in Aaron’s sophomore, self titled album, will not be by his side for this tour, his family and friends, which made up tSCS are still very much involved with the recording process, which had always been very important to Aaron. Throughout his albums Aaron’s brother Myles has held it down on the drums, his wife Aimee sang complimentary harmonies as well as piano, organ and bass guitar and engineer Andy Magoffin lent his skillful ear and many musical talents, including trumpet, bass, guitar and drums.
Aaron also continues to write for the Canadian late night talk show J.R. Diggs Man with a Van including writing the opening theme song Man with a Van and many other sketch songs and music bits. Dedicating an entire episode to Aaron, he got to showcase a live version of his rockabilly/blues song Moving On from his upcoming album as well as his first television interview.
Aaron’s album Aaron Allen & the Small City Saints landed a spot on CHRW’s Top 100 Albums of 2008 and received a nomination for CHRW’s Local Indie Album of the Year in 2008. His music continues to gain airplay on radio stations across Canada and has charted in cities Guelph, London, Quebec, Windsor and Calgary.
Hopes for his third album are to hit a higher level by signing to an appropriate label, making music videos and extending his tour to the United States. Aaron will always strive to continually build a strong foundation through his fans and hard work and to grow as a songwriter and musician.
Artist: Julie Ross Singer, Guitarist, and Song Writer Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Year: 2009
You can see her live hosting ‘Open Mic Night’ every Tuesday at the Elephant’s Nest on King Street in Chatham. The instruments are supplied
She is also performing at Big Shots with Linz every Friday through the summer.
Discography A day in the life – 2004
Julie Ross Band – 2004
Middle Ground – 1999
CD’S Julie appears on * Steve Shearer & The Erie Ramblers
* Ray Whaling – Party Train
* Dave Lockbaum – David’s Ashes
* Mitch Robinson – Brother With A Record
* Sarah Hiltz - The People Of Chatham Kent
* Mike Hazael – Unauthorized
Artist: Robin Banks Release: Christian Dozzler and Robin Banks Title: Livin’ Life Year: 2009
Resides: International Home Town: Chatham Kent Ontario
Track List
1.COCKTAIL OR BEER
2.LIVIN’ LIFE
3.WALKING
4.ROXANNE
5.SISTER
6.INTO THE LIGHT
7.NO MORE
8.OUT OF THE BLUE
9.LAST TIME I SAW TEXAS
10.IF YOU WANNA BE MY GAL
11.EVERYBODY LET’S DANCE
12.FOR PETE’S SAKE
13.I JUST WANT MY LEGS AROUND YOU
14.STORY OF THE BLUES
(songs 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 written by Christian Dozzler, AKM
songs 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 written by Robin Banks, SOCAN)
ROBIN BANK$ – vocals on 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13
Discography Honestly
Live After Dark
Permanent Record ROBIN BANK$ IS A FEARLESS WOMAN OF MUSIC who abandoned the comforts of Canadian life to follow her artistic path. In 1999, after a brief flirtation with success in the Canadian, Detroit and Chicago Blues scenes.
ROBIN BANK$ took a leap of faith and moved her career to Dallas Texas. There, she immersed herself in the rich Texas Blues tradition and was mentored by those artists who had initially inspired her, including the late “Sweet” Sam Myers, W.C. Handy Award winning Mississippi/Chicago Blues Artiste. Her close friend and teacher, Sam Myers, recorded 5 songs with ROBIN BANK$ on her internationally acclaimed and self produced, all original CD titled “Honestly”. She recorded a second CD while in Texas called “Live After Dark”. Miss Banks performed some 240 nights per year in and around Texas with the nation’s top Blues musicians including Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarists Johnny Moeller, Nick Curran and Kid Ramos, just to name a few.
The South loved her as she toured throughout Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. In 2003 ROBIN BANK$ took her brand of Texas and Chicago style Blues to Europe where she performed throughout Belgium and Holland to music fans who appreciated her sound, style, sincerity, authenticity and dedication to this great African American art form. After the death of her mother in 2005, ROBIN BANK$ made another bold move and brought her career to the Caribbean island of Jamaica. She blended her seasoned collection of industry skills with the powerful music culture that exists in Jamaica and quickly became known as the “thee Blues singer in Jamaica” performing with legends like Earl “Chinna” Smith, former guitarist with Bob Marley and the Wailers. She took on the title of Jazz Band leader and Cabaret Singer and added Classic Soul, R&B and Reggae to her repertoire. She also developed and mentored young artists coming up through the Edna Manley College of the Performing Arts, teaching young singers about the magical vocal traditions of Blues and Jazz. The roots. She remained prolific touring, writing, recording and of course performing at some of the islands finest Resorts, Hotels and Festivals as well as the celebrated Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 2007. In 2008 she sang at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston for the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the honourable Bruce Golding. The Jamaican press loved her bold and sassy stage persona! “A real entertainer…” An accomplished and internationally renowned vocalist, band leader, songwriter and record producer with close to three decades of performance experience under her belt.
Miss Banks began her career and her love affair with Jazz and Blues as a Jazz Vocal student at Humber College in Toronto in 1981. By 1992 she organized the debut incarnation of The ROBIN BANK$ Blues Band who won the Toronto Blues Society’s New Blues Talent Search in 1996. She went on to represent the Toronto Blues Society and compete at the International Blues Talent Competition in Memphis Tennessee. She would soon release her debut CD titled “Permanent Record”. In 1997 ROBIN BANK$ won the Stony Plain New Artist of the Year Award at the Toronto Blues Society’s Maple Blues Awards and in 1998 she was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards. ROBIN BANK$ also performed at the 10th Annual Women’s Blues Revue in Toronto as well as multiple appearances at the Harbourfront Jazz and Blues Festival, DuMaurier Jazz Festival, Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Dallas Blues Festival TX, Blind Lemon Jefferson Festival TX, Bluestock Festival TN, Tyler Blues Festival TX plus others, too many to mention. “Banks has independently built a career deeply rooted in the Blues and Jazz traditions” “ A powerhouse vocalist with awesome stage presence” “Banks is the real deal”
Band: Western Swing Authority (The) Year: 2009 Home: Ontario, Canada Chatham Kent Connection : Drummer Charles St. Denis Style: Western Swing
Note: Charles has played in many bands. In his early days of drumming, he played in M.C.M. and Company with Cassandra Vassik.
In the classic style of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and inspired by great bands like The Time Jumpers and Asleep at the Wheel…. The Western Swing Authority is a collaboration of studio and touring musicians who share a common love for western swing and have taken it upon themselves to create an opportunity to play it..
Band Members:
Shane Guse – Fiddle
Stacey Lee – Vocal
Paul Chapman – Guitar
Dan Howlett – Fiddle
Pee Wee Charles – Steel Guitar
Matt Lima – Bass
Charlie St. Denis – Drums
Since April 14th, the WSA plays every other Tuesday night from 8:30-11:00pm at the Commercial Tavern in Maryhill ON. Come out and hear some great music and have a great time. It’ll be the best five bucks you can spend on a Tuesday night!!
Artist: Shaune Ann CD Release: Does Anybody Really Care?” Born: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada. Year: 2009
Tracks
1. Warm Mix 2. Acoustic Mix 3. Radio Mix
Credits:
Written by: Shaune Ann Feuz Vocals by: Shaune Ann
Produced and Arranged by: Tim Kobza
Drum Programmimg : Eric Valentine
Bass: J.V. Collier Guitar: Tim Kobza Keys/Organ: Brandon Coleman
Background Vocals: Denaime Jones Photo by: Joshua Roy
Note:
A musical journey that began 20 years ago and influenced by such divas as Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand, Shaune Ann Feuz knew her destiny belonged in music. She is a dynamic singer and performer with a voice that is powerful, sultry and velvety smooth. Shaune Ann’s unique blend of music unites the sounds of Contemporary/Pop with the cool undertones of Jazz. She developed her passion for Jazz while at Humber College in Toronto and has spent the past five years developing new material in anticipation of new album release due out later this year.
Since moving to explore life outside of Canada in 1997, Shaune Ann has continued to expand her portfolio of original material by recording new songs and performing across the USA, Canada and internationally. She has performed in a myriad of languages including Ancient Egyptian, Hebrew, Italian, French, German, Spanish and English.
Success & Accolades…
•”Let’s Talk About Love” written and performed for TV Movie called “Z3″ (Disney Channel) with Phil Marshall (Aired June 2004)
•”A Whole New Me” written with Phil Marshall and performed by Julie Regans for movie called ‘Revenge of the Middle Aged Woman” for CBS; achieved #1 in ratings for movie of the week on CBS for 2004.
•”Love Changes Everything” is an original song written & performed by Shaune Ann and featured in the ABC Family Network Movie-Of-The-Week special “I Want To Marry Ryan Banks” in January 2004.
•Contributed vocals to the Dreamworks Animated feature film “Sinbad” featuring the voices of Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones &Michelle Pheifer (Released July 2003)
•Finalist for the KLAC 570 AM “Fabulous Finds” 2003 Jazz Contest
•In 2002, provided background vocals for Enya’s performance on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show
•Performed the closing theme song for the final episode of Survivor II – The Outback
•2002 Re-release of her ballad “Come Morning” received regular airplay on the WAVE 94.7 FM and various other smooth Jazz stations in Canada.
•Ceasar’s Palace – July 4th, 2002 Weekend Celebration in Las Vegas, featured Big Band/Jazz singer.
•Semi-finalist in the 2001 USA Songwriters Competition for her original song “I Can’t Carry You”, she was invited to perform in a showcase in February 2002.
•In 2001, toured with Peter Fonda and Branscombe Richmond (Renegade) in Tahiti and Campo Grande, Brazil as a lead vocalist for the World Motor Cycle Tour representing Indian Motor Cycles.
•Winner of the 2000 Millennium Talent Search, a pilot TV show for USA Network.
•Finalist in the 1999 Lilith Fair Competition to tour with Sarah McLaughlin, sponsored by Star 98.7 FM, chosen for the Top 20 finalists out of 3,000 applicant submissions.
Artist: Shawn Daudlin Release: Running On Empty Year: 2009 Type: Pop Born: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada Resides: Toronto area.
Band: Vocals: Shawn Daudlin Keyboards: Alan Poaps Guitar: Kim Ratcliffe, Dave Gray Bass: Steve Lucas, Drums: Al Cross
Tracks:
01 Running On Empty
02. My Heart Beats For You
03. My Reflection In Your Eyes
04. Call On Me
05. Won’t Be Coming Back For More
06. The Ghost Of You
07. When All Is Said And Done (feat. Michele McErlean)
08. Just After Midnight
09. Good For You
10. Another One Of Your Goodbyes
11. One Day
12. My Heart Can’t Tell You No
13. Too High To Climb (feat. Toni Anderson)
Note from Shawn:
Finally, my sophomore cd is released and boy, have I learned a lot. Alan Poaps and I put a good deal of energy into the writing and producing of these songs. This collection easily spans the last eight years of my life. The ups and downs. There were moments during this process that I truly felt like I was ‘Running On Empty’. Still present are the high energy pop songs you’d expect to find from a Shawn Daudlin recording. What’s new, I feel, is the heart put into some of the more serious ballads. The overall theme is still the highs and lows of love. Someone once said that you write what you know. I’m not sure anyone really truly knows about love, but God do I try. ‘Running On Empty’ has something for the youthful listener and for the more mature music lover. There are hints of Motown, an old school sound. To me…this is still Great Music. I hope the listener thinks so to.
Demo Kid Note: I spent allot of time at Shawn’s house when I was a little kid since my father was in a band with his dad at the time. I don’t remember much from age 4-7, but I do know that watching them practice was my first time seeing a band. I remember clearly how vibrant his father was. He owned the room. He is a character like no other I have ever met in my life. I just found out today about Shawn’s music career and that I knew his dad. Very cool. Because of this, it does not surprise me one bit that Shawn has a passion for music and entertaining. He was born with it. Cheers Shawn.
Name: Dwane Stephens Year: 2009 Home Town: Chatham Ontario Canada Resides: Alberta Canada Current Band: Ikons (Kiss Tribute Band)
Dwane has left town years ago but is still a vibrant person in the music scene. He is currently playing ‘Gene Simmons’ in the Alberta based Kiss Tribute Band ‘Ikons’ but began playing here in Chatham in the legendary Aberdeen days. It was good to catch up with him by phone. Those of you who know him, here is what is up.
Dwane also builds his own bass guitars for his own company.
Ward Bass began in 2005. After 20 years of involvement in music and playing numerous types and brands of basses, Dwane decided to design and build a custom bass on his own. After building his first bass, he decided to further his knowledge by taking a lutherie course with master builder Joe Kovacic of Lado Guitars in Lindsay Ontario.
Now Dwane has designed and made numerous basses and guitars and offers a number of bass models as well as custom orders, based on customer specifications. All Ward basses come standard with EMG active or passive pickups, Aguilar preamps are available. Hardware and accessory options are endless on custom orders.
Now located in Strathmore Alberta, Ward Bass has opened a new workshop ready to support local and international musicians.
The early days.
Some of the bands he has played for around Chatham include:
Mount Zion, Electric Voodoo, Robin Banks Band, Fat Doug and the Sinners, and Adam Minor of Sarnia.
He also played in a Pink Floyd tribute band and produced his own work under the name Carpedium.
NASHVILLE STORM & FORTY BELOW Type: Cover band Home: Chatham Kent Year: 2009
Nashville Storm & Forty Below, performing a mix of new and old country, 50′s & 60′s music and classic rock.
Members:
Lead vocals / acoustic: Paul Larocque/Nashville Storm.
Lead Guitar/vocals: Chris Bird Drums/vocals: Adam Danielski Bass/vocals: Tammy Jones
Notes: Tammy has played with many different talents, such as Mark Lindsey, Rene’ Comeau, Tim Dee, Ken Ramsden, Frank Yankovitch, Greg Mankiss,Dale Revard,Chris Bird and Chuck Fitzgerald to name a few along with many known great drummers.
Some of the bands she played with were Shenendoah,at the age of 18 which was her Mothers band, Kanyon, The Continentals, Marquis, Crooked River Band, Tempist, No Conditions,JRB TRIO,Slip n Out, 40 Below, and XSTATIC!!! Catch them here:
http://www.myspace.com/nashvillestorm ,
http://www.nashvillestormnet.com/ ,
Band: Toast And Jam Style: Duo / Cover Band. Year: 2009
Mike and Mark (Toast And Jam) have been busy playing heavily in 2009 around Chatham, Windsor, and Port Stanley.
Covers include the Beatles, C.C.R., Bryan Adams, Barenaked Ladies, Eagles and so much more. Pretty much everything you would want or expect to hear at a pub just off a beach area. Good times.
Band: Face 4 Radio Year: 2009 Type: Cover Band Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada
Line-Up Mat Drew- Vocals/Percussion
Jesse-Dylan Verleye- Bass/B.Vox
Dave Richie- Guitar/B.Vox
Mark Levitzky- Lead Guitar
Chuck Young- Drums/Samples
Description:
Face 4 Radio is southwestern Ontario’s newest party band. Specializing in playing what YOU want to hear, this band also knows how to get in on the fun being had on the dance floor and throughout the club. Face 4 Radio has a wide variety of material to select from and is prepared for any gig: bars, dance clubs, festivals, corporate functions, etc. The band consists of members from some of Chatham-Kent’s favourite bands: The Janet Theory, Foster Child, Dead Girls Union, Finding Core and Sound of Static.
Artist: David Ostrosser (53) David Nelson Ostrosser Release Title: SECOND HAND STORE Year: 2009 Born : Chatham Kent Ontario Resides: Gatineau, Quebec Canada
Notes: The CD contains 12 original songs, most in an Americana or roots country vein, although there are a few crossover pop surprises and one French-language number. There’s also a fun dance remix of the title tune. The sessions for this album have seen the cream of the Ottawa Valley’s country and roots musicians populate its tracks. Steel player Al Bragg has played with Carol Baker, the Family Brown, Terry Carisse and South Mountain and he puts down some unbelievable tracks on David’s album, while Ball and Chain’s Michael Ball does a masterful job of accompanying him on the violin. Contemporary folk artist Christine Graves adds harmonies and various Ottawa Folklore Centre alumni colour the album with all manner of guitars: resonator (dobro), baritone, electric and acoustic. Each production choice of the artist and of co-producer René Gely (including string arrangements featuring classical musicians) seemed to raise the quality bar ever-higher.
Bio: David Nelson Ostrosser was born August 2, 1955 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. His parents, fervent evangelical Christians, were both active in gospel music from and early age, and David’s father Robert travelled extensively with the musical Rutledge brothers, brothers-in-law of weepy Canadian evangelistic television host David Mainse. In 1960, David’s family moved to Australia with other members of his father’s singing group, where they help to establish a novel (at that time) youth camp with a cowboy-style, horse-centred theme.
Followed a return to Canada where the older Ostrosser was a part of several other ranch camp ministries, both in Ontario and in British Columbia. After a series of moves that saw David change primary schools seven times in seven years, the family settled down in Mission, British Columbia, where David first started writing songs and playing music.
After starting out on trumpet at 11 years of age, David switched to drums, at 16 backing first country singers, and then a blues band fronted by a pub singer from England named Steve Caller. Itching to go on the road playing music full-time at this point, David switched to piano and took over on lead vocals. The band travelled around B. C. and to the Yukon, and did several house stints in seedy Vancouver bars in the city’s infamous Downtown Eastside, notably at a club called Fort Boogie, where they would do four sets before a bizarre crowd of junkies and homeless drunks, while naked go-go dancers gyrated on each side of the stage.
Following the evaporation of the high hopes of that first creative musical unit, David tried his luck in Toronto for a while, then returned to B. C., playing in countless bar band and duo collaborations and travelling throughout Western Canada, from Ft. Simpson in the Northwest Territories to Neepawa, Manitoba.
David produced a couple of singles in the 1980s, including “Check-Out Baby, Don’t Check Out On Me”, a whimsical creation that received respectable airplay for an independent record in those dying days of the vinyl format.
A growing interest in Quebec music and literature prompted a cross-Canada move, and David began a new musical career in Hull, Quebec, in the early nineties, hooking up with two other local musicians for a house gig in a bar just off the notorious Hull Strip (since cleaned up). It was light years away from the music of Harmonium and the glory days of Quebecois “Peace and Love” of the mid-seventies, and the engagement came to an abrupt end when a half-dozen police raided the club and came onstage to arrest the drummer.
After an interval away from music during which he went back to school to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Translation, started a family and generally settled down for good, David was inspired to write a half-dozen new songs and combine them with a number of older originals and record them with the help of Gatineau producer René Gely. The result is Second Hand Store, an LP-length collection of country and americana originals that bears witness to David’s affection for the vinyl medium.
Band: The Shake
Year: 2009 Home: Windsor based Chatham Connection: Chuck is from the Chatham area. Cover Band: Rock, oldies, popular, country and dance.
What: This duo has the talent and energy to win over and delight even the most morbid party pooper! No one will escape the infectious “let’s party” atmosphere this group sets from the first minute they hit the stage.
About Chatham area guitarist Chuck:
Raised on a farm outside of Chatham in the hamlet of “Eberts”. Chuck was lead to instrumental music at the age of 10 when he was exposed to playing the ukulele in music class. This was so cool, he thought, if I add a couple more strings … wha-la a guitar. From that day, Chuck longed to be the fastest guitar player in Eberts, a title he still retains.
“The Shake” is a rewarding experience for Chuck. After many years of playing rock and pop music for the baby boomer generation, as well as hauling mountains of equipment … ah-h-h well, nothing has changed, the passion still lives.
Artist: Sarah Hiltz Release: How Many Fires Year: 2009 Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada Style: Acoustic, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Folk.
Song List:
01. Strong As Death
02. Thank You Mr. Yorke
03. Homesick
04. You’ll Fall In Love
05. Amnesia
06. Wind And Iron Collide
07. Ultimate Inadequecy
08. You Don’t Know
09. Rosita
10. Maker of Desire
Sarah Hiltz:Vocals, guitar & percussion, Kalimba, Keys. Musicians: Andy Tattersall – Guitar
Bob Hiltz – Bass, Organ
Byron Harrett – Sax, flute
Dan Stronks – Banjo
Franklin Fitz – Choir
Graham Kivell – Piano. Keyboards, Organ
Jeff Johnson – Drums
Jordan Michaelis – Percussion, Drums, Choir. Bowis
Leanne Hessel – Cello
Linz Ross – Choir
Tim Tanner – Drums
Chatham Music Archive Review:
It is not surprising that this is a very rich release from Sarah considering her passion and educated musical background. This release is fresh in that it blends the modern styles with retro vibes. It is experimental, but never crosses the line of becoming strange or lost. Simply put, it is a beautiful and complete work of art. I don’t want to use the words mature when describing music, but Sarah has grown as a musician quickly and is becoming an innovator of our scene.
The best part of the CD is that her vocal styling and voice is original. When you hit play, you know it is Sarah singing. I am really curious and excited to hear what is next for her music. Keep your ear out.
Sarah is very active in the live music scene and is always out there playing. Go see her live and look for the CD.
Shawn.
All Music by Sarah. Produced by: Sarah Hiltz Engineered by: Bob Hiltz, Ass. with Sarah. Mixed and mastered by: Bob Hiltz Photography by: Tim Cooper.
Official Bio:
Drawing comparisons to both Billie Holiday and Feist, musician Sarah Hiltz is a paradoxical blend of old world and modernity. She’s been praised for her ability to tell a story through song, but isn’t afraid to take risks when she performs.
While her tasteful and sometimes unexpected note choices have made Sarah an in demand session vocalist, she is now turning her focus onto her own collection of originals and is in pre-production for her first full-length release. In the meantime, Sarah continues to write and study piano, as well as perform regularly as one half of an acoustic duo.
Sarah has been performing since childhood and composing for almost as long. At the age of thirteen, she won the Chatham-Kent Song Contest to write the official song of Chatham-Kent. Following the competition, she recorded her first independent record of all original tunes and released it in the fall of 2001. In 2004, Sarah’s writing was again recognized when she placed first at the Kiwanis Music festival in the original composition category.
Later that year, Sarah moved to Toronto to study voice at the world-renowned Humber College Jazz Program. At the same time, Sarah was the vocalist for the Jef Kearns Four, a jazz quartet that performed in her hometown, Chatham. She went on to host a weekly jazz evening at the William Street Café in the fall of 2006, leading a quartet under her own name. In no time the evening grew into success, drawing people every Monday night to brave the Canadian cold in favour of warm vocals and hot coffee.
White Lights Over London Style: Rock Home: Chatham Kent & Area Formed : 2002 Year: 2009
Members: Matthew Sullivan – Vocals, Guitars
Richard Randall – Guitar
Ben Lahmer – Bass
Steve Porter-Drums
The “Band” has taken various incarnations since 2002. Matt and Ben are from Chatham. Rick is from Wheatley and Steve is from Windsor. Several demos have been posted to their myspace page.
Band: Manpower (Man Power) Year: 2009 Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada Year Formed: 1983 What: Good time rock & roll cover band. Yesterday’s Classics… Todays Hits.Current Members Rick Rankin – Vocals, Guitar
Brent Hunter – Bass
Pat Crone – Drums
Original members Rick Rankin – Vocals and guitar.
Tom Starks – Hammond organ, keyboards
Mark Wood – Keyboards and Bass
Rick Chrysler – Drums
Manpower have been rocking Chatham Kent & surrounding areas since 1983. With top notch players and a good sense of humor, they survived and seen it all. I met up with them tonight (July 4th 2009) as they were opening up for David Wilcox at Rib Fest here in Chatham. When asked how they managed to stay together for so long, Rick said in a joking way that none of them have been sick yet. Cheers to good health.
From 1977-1983, the band was named ‘The Force’ before the name change to Manpower.
Pat shares his talents through teaching drums at Strings and Things and his father Ken has been a huge part of the music scene also.
The best part of being in a band is the events you get to be a part of. I asked Manpower what was their favourite gigs or places they have played. The answer…. Boogie Till You Puke 1978.
The band is very active and can be seen at clubs, festivals, and major events all around Ontario.
Mr. Rankin also performs in a new duo with Waide Holland named “Texas Tee”. This more intamite presentation of music fits nicely into the local scene, providing more live music into venues that cannot host full (loud) bands.
Below – Manpower was kind enough to answer some history questions for us about past local venues and bands in and from Chatham.
The interview with Manpower above is what really got this website off the ground. It wasn’t until I talked to them that I realized I didn’t know anything. Quadrant? Turf Room? Jack Austin Trio? Wilf Lancaster? Pickadilly? Well since then, the website has filled up nicely and there is lots of musical history and genres going on that most of us do not even know about, but know now. Thanks to Manpower for being cool, fun, and informative.
_______________________________________________
Branch 28 Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band
Home: Chatham, Ontario, Canada Year: 2009
For over 60 years they have provided pipe music for the residents of Chatham-Kent and beyond.
Photo from National Liberation Day Parade, Wageningen Holland, May 5 2008
Pipe Major: Jeff Campbell
Drum Major: Jack Lambe
Drum Sergeant: Joel Merilees
Current Band Members (as of 13 Mar 2009)
Paul Arsenault, Stephen Arsenault, Cheyenne Bogaert, Travis Bogaert, Nathan Brown, Katie Burchiel, Jordan Butler, Tom Clark, Rick Dibbley, Brenda Everingham, Brent Flaglor, Miriam Ivison, John Johnston, Dan Jordan, Justin Steele, Sandy Keith, Russell Lambe, Steve Lambe, Dick Laurie, Ken MacEachern, Wayne McDermid, Karen Melton, David Meurkes, Jim Meurkes, Kathy Poole, Ken Poole, Sarah Rooke, Ron Stead, Drew Sydorko, Doug Vince, Jessie Vince, Dan Vinter, Bob Warren, Ethan Wilson,
Caulan Witherow, Joe Witherow
Artist: Elyse Weinberg (AKA Cori Bishop)
