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Source: here.
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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.
Contact through facebook.
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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.
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Name: Ric Moor
Music: Director of Music
Born and raised : Chatham Kent Ontario
Year: 1997
(2009 update, Ric and the band are still together making great music.)
The Greater Windsor Concert Band was formed in September 1997 by Ric Moor. He recognized a need in the community for a traditional wind ensemble – not only for audiences, but also for those adult musicians in town looking for a place to enjoy their hobby. At that time, Ric invited many of the people he knew would be interested, and began holding Wednesday night rehearsals with a small group of about 12 musicians.
Ric Moor, Director of Music
Ric Moor is a well-known local musician born and raised in Chatham, Ontario where he began piano lessons at eight years of age. One year later, he joined the Chatham Kiltie band and at age 10, took up the clarinet. He performed with the junior band at the CNE band competitions where they took first place.
Ric attended George Brown College in Toronto receiving a diploma in piano technology. He has been a practicing piano tuner/technician since 1982.
Ric enrolled at the University of Windsor in 1988 to further his music studies. There, he studied clarinet with Dr. Imre Rozsnyai, Sonia Morin, Blake Stevenson, and Steven Millen. He performed master classes with Theodore Oien and James Campbell. He performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall with the University of Windsor Chamber Choir. In 1992, he was graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree and the Board of Governor’s Medal. In 1993, he was graduated with a Bachelor of Education with specialty in Intermediate/Senior Instrumental Music.
Ric is in demand locally on clarinet and saxophone having played with such groups as the Windsor Community Orchestra, Macomb Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Light Opera, Peabody Bridge Demolition Crew, and the Lancaster Orchestra. He devotes most of his spare time now to the Greater Windsor Concert Band which he founded in 1997.
Notes from http://www.greaterwindsorconcertband.ca
Visit The Greater Windsor Concert Band here:
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Artists: The Laws
Releases: Ride It Out
Year: 2007
Connection: John Law was born in Chatham Ontario.
John Law – vocals, guitar, mandolin
Michele Law – vocals, bass
Note: Recorded in Nashville with producer Regie Hamm. The Laws trademark “tight-as-a-glove” harmony singing is highlighted throughout the 11 songs.
…..Cut to 2007, and John and Michele are not only husband and wife but are also partners in music, performing as The Laws and getting ready to make a strong move for greater recognition in the Americana ranks in this country behind a typically ambitious touring schedule (200-plus nights a year on the road) and a stirring new album for their own label, JML Music, titled Ride It Out. The duo’s fifth long player, Ride It Out is noticeably lacking any false notes in its compelling original songs, empathetic musicianship and emotionally charged vocal performances.
Recorded in Nashville with producer/writer Regie Hamm, and co-written with some of Music City’s top tunesmiths, Ride It Out showcases all the Laws’ strengths. Stylistically its songs range far and wide within a roots framework. Smooth country folk powers the album opening “Am I Still the One”; “Put Some Love Into It” is a jazz -tinged frolic keyed by Michele’s saucy vocal; the guitar-mandolin instrumental “Texacadia” is a Nickel Creek-style display of assured, hot pickin’; the classic country-tinged “Too Lonesome to Cry” features lyrics as simple, direct and devastating as the Steve Earle of “Valentine’s Day” and “Hometown Blues”; and, to close things out, “Getting Over You” is a bopping little folk-flavored ditty that evinces an ironic, Steve Goodman-like sense of the absurd in its account of someone doing everything but getting over a lost love. Vocally, Michele ranges from a soothing, plaintive, Emmylou Harris-like harmony (“Am I Still the One”) to assertive, Martina McBride-style belting (“Getting Over You”), whereas John’s rich, nasally tenor bears some semblance to that of the estimable Texas craftsman and New Traditionalist pioneer Radney Foster. And despite the presence of a few other players on the album, Ride It Out has the intimate feel of a Laws stage show, where the only sounds come from the duo’s voices and instruments.
John and Michele, who have become accustomed to living in their van (in fact, their personal possessions are in storage in Canada; they are, in essence, homeless), have made a commitment of sorts by putting down roots in Nashville, where they have rented an apartment and have signed a publishing deal with SWITR, Inc.
Not least of the Laws’ selling points is their acumen in the kitchen. They published a cookbook and have appeared on numerous cooking shows through the years, generating almost as much press for their culinary skills as for their music. They also offer shows that are part cooking workshop, part musical performance. This sprang from their determination to eat healthy while touring constantly.
Cooking or music? Music or cooking? At one point that might have been a tossup. Now, however, with the assured, resonant performances on exhibit on Ride It Out, it appears the Laws are really ready to start cooking. But not in the kitchen
Video mix from TV and live footage.
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Visit them here, here and here.
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Artists: The Laws
Two Releases: 1. Another Road. 2. Live @ the Camp St. Cafe
Year: 2005
Connection: John Law was born in Chatham Ontario.
John Law – vocals, guitar, mandolin
Michele Law – vocals, bass
Note:
” … terrific harmonies and strong song writing from an Ontario husband/wife duo at the crossroads of country, folk and bluegrass. ” The Montreal Gazette
The Laws worked Canada tirelessly, coast to coast, heeding the advice of musician friends who told them, “Stay in Canada and really work on your stage performance,” as Michele recalls. At the same time, they were building a repertoire of original songs to comprise the bulk of their live set. For three years they worked Canada and Australia, then made their fateful 2003 trip to Texas. By that time they had a second album (Two) out, which was followed in 2005 by two more long players, Another Road, a studio effort, and a live album recorded in Crockett, Texas, Live @ The Camp St. Café.
Another Road 2005 Release:
Songs include: Six String and a Song, Texas Callin’
Long Way From Gone, Let’s Pretend, Wondering If There’s More,
I Turn To You, I’m Falling, Another Road, Dreams
Your Only One, Lovers Tune
Live @ the Camp St. Cafe – 2005 Release:
Songs include: Long Way From Gone, Six tring and a Song,
Beaumont Rag, Stone, Glass and Wood,
I Turn To You, Your Only One, Every Humble Knee,
Texas Callin’,Dreams, Lovers Tune, Believe Our Love,
Holes in My Shoes
Click on the video below to hear samples from the CD.
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Visit them here, here and here.
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Artists: The Laws
Release: Two
Year: 2002
Connection: John Law was born in Chatham Ontario.
John Law – vocals, guitar, mandolin
Michele Law – vocals, bass
Note: Two is The Laws second CD and features more country-tinged writing – Two was one of Country Music News’ top 10 CDs of 2002.
” … there’s no mistaking that this dynamic duo are about to become a headline attraction. Watch for The Laws to become the next Canadian-based act to attract international attention.”
Country Music News
Tracks:
Shelter Me Brother
Heartache and Booze
Watching Over Me
Let’s Hit The Road
Away
Pattersons Curse
Holes In My Shoes
Not In Two
Breakin’That Chain
Elijah
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Artists: The Laws (John and Michelle Law)
Release: Estimated Time Of Revival
Year: 2000
Connection: John Law was born in Chatham Ontario.
John Law – vocals, guitar, mandolin
Michele Law – vocals, bass
Note: The Laws first CD, Estimated Time of Revival is a stripped down acoustic collection of original songs. ETR was on the top rotation with the Galaxie satellite network and djs across the country.
Tracks:
1 Hobo Trail
2 Estimated Time Of Revival
3 Waiting Out The Storm
4 Willow And The Dove
5 Trail Of Diamonds
6 Stayin’ Up Late
7 Stone, Glass & Wood
8 One Track Mind
9 Believe Our Love
10 Dust Off Our Dreams
For his part, Chatham, Ontario-born John had a lifelong interest in music, but his exposure to it as a child was limited. His father had a Roger Miller greatest hits album, and a Johnny Cash album, and that was all. But John learned every nuance of both records, and he became infatuated with the guitar after being inspired by his sixth grade teacher, who often entertained the class with Bob Dylan tunes played on “a big ol’ electric Gretsch guitar,” according to John. “That did it for me; that hooked me. I just wanted to play guitar after that.”
John honed his instrumental skills over the next few years, a turning point coming when he was injured in a motorcycle accident at age 16. “That’s when I really got into guitar and started putting bands together because I couldn’t do much else. I just played in rock ‘n’ roll bands, ’70s rock ‘n’ roll style stuff. Neil Young was a big influence and I always played harmonica and guitar at parties, with friends. But the band was mostly rock ‘n’ roll.” Songwriting, he adds, was an afterthought: “There’s a couple of guys who did write original stuff, but I was always the guitar player or thinking of a bridge or something, a new direction–not really getting credit for writing bridges, but I didn’t know you could! I was always the guitar picker to put on a little sweetener to their songs. That was about it.”
John then moved to Toronto to play the street and eventually put together a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover band that toured throughout Canada for seven years. During that time he was also getting into American roots music through recordings by Doc Watson and Tony Rice, among others.
When John and Michele got together they moved across Canada to British Columbia where John started playing guitar and mandolin with roots country songwriter, Joe Charron.
“John and I decided together that music was such a big part of his life that I wanted to be part of that too,” Michele explains. “We had a five-year plan, and he taught me to play guitar, how to play bass–we’d have friends over to jam and it was all guitar players. So I said, ‘Maybe you should teach me how to play bass.’ Then I found out that I’m the third chick bass player in my family. Isn’t that freaky?”
On the side, for kicks, he and Michele and a couple of their musician friends put together a casual bluegrass ensemble known as One Track Mind and cut a homemade CD, Beyond the Kitchen Table. More to the point, he had taught Michele the fundamentals of the bass, and a plan began to take shape.
Michele had barely begun to learn her instrument when she filled in onstage for the Joe Charron Band’s absent bassist, at which point she also began providing harmony vocals. It was a trial by fire, but Michele proved to be a real trouper. “I got pushed into it,” she says, “but John plays at such a high level that I had to really step up to the plate.”
“We had some great opportunities in British Columbia while we were there,” Michele notes. “With this trio we were opening for some great acts, and people just kept encouraging the two of us to do our own writing. We had something special on stage. We didn’t know; we were both shy and having fun working with someone else as the front man. But we certainly listened. One day we got up and wrote two songs and just kind of got the bug. And the first time you do your own music on stage and people actually clap and like it, you realize, Yeah, this isn’t bad at all. This could be fun.”
John and Michele continued to write and began performing as a duo throughout British Columbia. Their recording career began with their debut, Estimated Time of Revival, recorded at Randy Bachman’s studio, in 2000.
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Husband and wife singer songwriters, The Laws, exploded onto the Canadian music scene in 2000 with the release of their first independent CD, Estimated Time of Revival, recorded at Randy Bachman’s Salt Spring Island, British Columbia studio. They were featured in major newspapers across the country (Calgary Herald, National Post, Ottawa Citizen) in support of their first cross-Canada tour. It was during this first ‘cross Canada tour that they were spotted by an Australia booking agent who booked them on the spot! They’ve since completed 3 highly successful tours in that country, including main stage at National, Tamworth, Port Fairy and Fairbridge Folk Festivals and appearances on Australia national television.
John and Michele were invited to play all of the prominent festivals in Canada (Edmonton, Winnipeg, StanFest) and toured extensively through their home country, including a 17-date Ontario theatre tour opening for Randy Bachman’s “Every Song Tells a Story” tour (supporting their 2nd CD, Two, also recorded at Randy’s studio). The Laws first foray into the United States in 2003 took them to the South West Folk Alliance Conference in Austin, TX, where they were immediately booked by every presenter in attendance! In Texas they went from opening act to headline attraction in 2 short years and were invited to perform main stage at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival 2004, 2005 and 2007 and Wild Flower Festival in Dallas in 2005 and 2007.
In 2007 The Laws were the first Canadians to win the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest in North Carolina, with their song, Am I Still the One. Noted Nashville music critic and Nashville Star judge, Robert Oermann, had this to say about The Laws in Music Row Magazine: “Am I Still the One is a languid, swaying, romantic melody that recalls The Everly Brothers in their prime. Yes, the harmonies really are that good.”
John and Michele have received further recognition for their songwriting and are now writing for Nashville-based publishing company, SWITR, Inc. The owners of the company were so impressed by their songs that they signed them on the spot and have included them as “Rising Stars” in their new PBS series “Legends and Lyrics”, alongside such songwriting greats as Kris Kristofferson, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin and Jimmy Webb!
Great picking and harmony singing, beautifully crafted and presented lyrics, heartbreaking stories of love and loss, John & Michele’s songs cross the boundaries of country, folk, pop, bluegrass and blues and are at home performing at folk, country or bluegrass venues. Their CDs have been on high rotation throughout North America on folk and Americana stations and they’ve been in the top 10 on playlists around the world!
While it can be tough to be a traveling musician, The Laws have found a recipe for success that keeps them healthy and happy. They do their own cooking when they’re on tour, and have developed their favorite recipes into a cookbook which has, in turn, led to bookings at major food and wine events, TV appearances and feature articles for their special mix of food and music.
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Artist: Brian Allossery
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario
Resides: Toronto
Band: Brian Allossery and “The Lazy Poets”
Release Title: Title: Everybody All Together
Year: 2008
Style: Pop: Power Pop
Tracks:
Everybody All Together, Crystal Ball, Understanding, Work of Art, Beautiful You, I Know What I Like, Movie Star , Criticize, Down With Love, She’s My Girl, Little House
Notes: A country boy who lives for music, moves to the big city to be a part of it all. Listen to the CD “Everybody All Together” and experience the desires and conflicts, denials and fulfillments, as he pursues the dreams that inspired his generation and countless others: freedom, love, adventure and security.
Canadian (rock, pop, jazz) musician Brian Allossery blends genres, as he collaborates with a collective of talented Canadian musicians known as “The Lazy Poets”, including Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo), Ray Coburn (Honeymoon Suite, Alannah Miles), Peter Nunn (Gowan) and Creighton Doane (Melanie Doane.)
“Crystal Ball” is the new single from the CD “Everybody All Together”, which has received coast-to-coast Canadian airplay on CBC radio and commercial stations. It’s currently being played on radio around the world (Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Turkey, Germany, the UK, Spain and Belarus).
Watch the Audio Video CD Preview below
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Listen and/or buy the CD here: http://cdbaby.com/lazypoets
Brian online: http://www.thelazypoets.com
Chatham Music Archive, Ontario Canada.
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Band: Fifth Season
Release Title: Patiently Waiting
Date: 2001
Style: Rock
Home: Alberta
Chatham Connection: Travis Nesbitt (vocals) was born and raised in Chatham Ontario Canada.
Tracks
1. Trebleface
2. Monday Morning
3. Patiently Waiting
4. Losing Ground
5. Everything’s Fine
6. Yesterday’s Ocean
7. Covered Eyes
8. She
9. The Static
10. You and Me
11. Neverland
12. Choked
13. A Cold Road
14. Funkapuss
CD
Notes:
Initially formed in 1999 by high school friends Travis Nesbitt (vocals) and Logan Jacobs (bass), Canadian alternative rock act Social Code was originally called Fifth Season. The LP Patiently Waiting was released in 2001, and the group later changed names to their present alias upon finding their original moniker to be popular already with a group overseas.
Inking a deal with Interscope in late 2003, the band released their debut album as Social Code, A Year at the Movies, in May 2004. Dates that fall were spent on the road in Canada headlining shows with Bif Naked and the guys from television’s Jackass. A few lineup changes occurred over the years; after guitarist David Hesse left the band in the mid-2000s, Chris Ruddy (ex-Drive by Punch) soon joined on to complete Nesbitt, Jacobs, and drummer Ben Shillabeer. Ruddy was later replaced by Morgan Gies on guitar. Social Code also opened for Good Charlotte on select Canadian dates during their 2005 tour. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide
From their penetrating lead track “Trebleface” to the melodic single “Everything’s Fine” (suburban life at its finest), to the anthemic splendour of “You And Me”, Fifth Season play with power and precision. Their songs attack all senses, from the visceral rock to the seemingly disturbing lyrics. Accomplished songwriters and musicians at the age of 21, the Edmonton-based band are the newest buzz band in Canada and the U.S. after playing NewMusicWest in Vancouver in May/01 and NXNE in Toronto in June/01. Fifth Season was chosen as the “Unsigned Pick of NXNE” by Karen Bliss, freelance rock writer, in Pollstar
The teenage rock musicians grew up in the cosy suburbs of St. Albert. They have the full support of their parents. One of the fathers is the band’s manager. Another dad got them all part-time jobs.
It helps that the 19-year-old vocalist is a natural and charismatic frontman. Backed by the raw intensity of his bandmates – guitarist Rob Schellenberg, bassist Logan Jacobs and drummer Andrew Patrick – Nesbitt has the makings of a world-class rock singer. His voice has power and an expressive quality heard in singers such as the Watchmen’s Daniel Greaves. Nesbitt did it without training or experience of any kind. He says his only stage time prior to joining the band was in drama class, or as the class clown (where his intended audience wasn’t always so receptive).
Social Code Discography:
1999 Binbox – as Fifth Season
2001 Patiently Waiting – as Fifth Season
2004 A Year at the Movies
2007 Social-Code
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Band: Social Code
Release Title: Social Code
Date: 2007
Style: Rock
Home: Alberta
Chatham Connection: Travis Nesbitt (vocals) was born and raised in Chatham Ontario Canada.
Tracks
1. He Said, She Said
2. Bomb Hands
3. Everyday (Late November)
4. Shortest Line, The
5. Forever Always Ends
6. Don’t Tell Me
7. 10 Seconds To Go
8. Frayed
9. Without You
10. Best You Never Had, The
11. Forever Always Ends (Acoustic Bonus Track)
Notes:
This is the sophomore self-titled release through Universal Canada that spawned major radioplay for songs such as Bomb Hands, Everyday (Late November) and He Said, She Said. That latter song earned Social Code nominations at the Western Canadian Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Rock Recording of the Year, and continues to get frequent spins on the country’s modern rock radio stations.
After sharing the stage with bands such as Fall Out Boy, The Used, Good Charlotte, Ten Second Epic and Alexisonfire, Canadian punk-rockers drop their new highly-anticipated album
It’s more Social Code than anything we’ve ever done, asserts Nesbitt, who also designed the record’s artwork. This album is Social Code. The album, which was mixed by Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace, Simple Plan) and Mike Fraser (Metallica, AC/DC, Hinder), netted Social Code a deal with Universal Music, which will release it on May 8. And as for all the people who told them they couldn’t do it, all the inner turmoil and all the moments of lost direction? They’re all lessons that have made Social Code, stronger, better and wiser.
Social Code Discography:
1999 Binbox – as Fifth Season
2001 Patiently Waiting – as Fifth Season
2004 A Year at the Movies
2007 Social-Code
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Band: Social Code
Release: A Year at the Movies
Date: 2004
Style: Rock
Home: Alberta
Chatham Connection: Travis Nesbitt (vocals) was born and raised in Chatham Ontario Canada.
Members
Travis Nesbitt — vocals (Chatham)
Logan Jacobs — bass
Dave Resse – guitar
Ben Shillabeer — drums
Tracks
1. Beautiful
2. Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly)
3. Gone Away
4. Cats And Dogs
5. Miss You
6. Perfect Grave
7. Everything Fine
8. As Good As It Gets
9. Flurry
10. I Was Wrong
11. Waiting
12. No One To Save
Bio
Formed in 1999 by high-school friends Travis Nesbitt (vocals) and Logan Jacobs (bass), the Canadian alternative rock act Social Code initially operated under the name Fifth Season. The group issued Patiently Waiting in 2001 before changing to its present name, the bandmembers realizing that they shared their original moniker with a popular group overseas.
After a development deal with Columbia Records fell through, the band wound up ultimately inking a deal with Interscope in late 2003. Social Code released their proper debut album, A Year at the Movies, in May 2004, and the following fall was spent on the road, where the group played shows alongside Bif Naked, Good Charlotte, and the guys from MTV’s Jackass. The album went on to sell over 20,000 copies in Canada alone, though besides some attention for the song “Beautiful,” the band remained largely unknown in the United States.
Several lineup changes occurred over the years; after guitarist David Hesse exited the band during the mid-2000s, Chris Ruddy (formerly of Drive by Punch) joined the existing lineup of Nesbitt, Jacobs, and drummer Ben Shillabeer. Ruddy was later replaced by guitarist Morgan “Macchio” Gies, and the revised group built a studio in the basement of bassist Jacobs’ house before setting to work on a follow-up album. Released solely in Canada in May 2007, the self-titled Social Code heightened the band’s profile when its lead single, “Bomb Hands,” received heavy video rotation from MuchMusic. Also helping things was a string of early 2008 tour dates alongside likeminded bands Hedley and Sum 41. Again, though, Social Code’s U.S. presence was minor; they hoped to change things with the release of their U.S debut, the self-released EP He Said She Said, in late October 2008. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide.
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Visit Social Code here or here.
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Band: Salmonblaster
CD Release: Salmonblaster
Year: 1996
Home: London Ontario
Chatham Connection: Bass player Mat Davis is from Wallaceburg and played guitar for the biggest metal/ thrash band to come from Chatham (M.A.D. / The Mad)1988-1993.
Members:
Matt Worm – vocals, guitar, fx
Mat Davis – bass, guitar
Brady Parr – drums, backing vocals
Notes:
Formed in early `94, this intense and adventurous three-piece from London, Ontario recently inked a deal with indie label Liquid Records. Its self-titled debut features 14 songs of dramatic, borderline, schizophrenic stylings from punk sentimentalist rock songs, 80s new wave, trance-like dirges and even experimental noise. “When you dream about being in a band, you dream about being in this band,” wrote ID Magazine.
The band also played on the ‘Tom Green Show’ before it got picked up by MTV.
In 1997, The Janet Theory invited the band down to play the CAW Hall in Chatham with them and a few other local bands. This was the biggest underground indie show to hit Chatham’s vibrant scene that year.
The song ‘Freeway’ took the band to a level most bands would like to sit at. The guys gained heavy rotation and support from Much Music, and mainly college radio. Around this time, Nirvana was on top of the music scene which allowed bands of this genre a chance to get in the door.
Discography…
self-titled CD and cassette (1995)
Vroom!!! 7-inch (1995)
Tracks
Betrayal, Blast Off, Brian Jones, Drive It, Floating Eyes, Freeway, Justafish, Pulse, Shooting Stars, Skyrockets, Sugar Rush, The Perfect Fit, Transistors and Turbines, Visionblur
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Listen to the CD here.
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Artist: Cassandra Vasik
Also known as Cassandra Leigh
Release : Different
Release Year: 2000
Genre: Country / Pop
Home : Blenheim Ontario Canada
Cassandra Vasik is a Canadian country singer/songwriter from Blenheim, Ontario. Signed to Epic Records between 1990 and 2000, she released three studio albums for the label. In that same time span, she charted eleven singles on the Canadian country charts.
Tracks:
1.Dirty Water
2.Good Enough
3.Diggin’ the Hole
4.Sanctuary
5.Happy
6.I Remember You
7.Anything You Want
8.Going Back Home
9.The Well
10.Different
11.You Make It Go
12.If I Don’t Fit In
Play video below to sample music from this CD
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Visit her website here.
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Artist: Cassandra Vasik
Also known as Cassandra Leigh
Release: 1993 – Feels Like Home
Genre: Country / Pop
Home : Blenheim Ontario Canada
Cassandra Vasik is a Canadian country singer/songwriter from Blenheim, Ontario. Signed to Epic Records between 1990 and 2000, she released three studio albums for the label. In that same time span, she charted eleven singles on the Canadian country charts.
Winner of two Juno Awards.
Her second album fuses a traditional sound — like the Patsy Cline-ish opener “Sadly Mistaken” — with a modern and somewhat mysterious edge and look. The best songs feature an organic blend of acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, pedal steel and harmonica. Unfortunately, several others, including the lush, monster ballad “Almost Like You Cared,” resort to that dreaded synth-strings crutch. Still, every nuance of Vasik’s delivery suggests “contemporary woman,” sensitive and introspective but also self-assured and firmly in control of her own destiny. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide.
All fourteen songs were written by Tim Thorney and Erica Ehm (with an assist by Ms. Vasik on several) who also produced the album. Erica Ehm was making a name for herself as MuchMusic’s (and Canada’s) first female VJ.
Highlights include Fortune Smiled On Me, a duet with Russell De Carle who was the lead singer of Canadian Country band, Prairie Oyster, Stand Your Ground, a fiddle-drenched two stepper and Lavender Hill, a beautiful waltz.
Tracks
1. Sadly Mistaken
2. Fortune Smiled On Me
3. The Man I Never Knew
4. Stand Your Ground
5. Almost Like You Cared
6. Lavender Hill
7. Afraid To Drive
8. She Talks
9. Roll Like A Wheel
10. As Far As The Story Goes
11. Sometimes A Harbour
12. The Parade
13. I Can Forgive But I Can’t Forget
14. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Note: This year (1993) Cassandra returned from a tour that entertained U.S. troops in Germany, France, Israel, Egypt and more.
Cassandra Vasik – 1993 – Feels Like Home – CD Preview.
if video does not show, watch it here.
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Cover
Artist: Cassandra Vasik
Also known as: Cassandra Leigh
Release: 1991 : Wildflowers
Record Label: Epic
Genre: Country / Pop
Home: Blenheim Ontario Canada
Cassandra Vasik is a Canadian country singer/songwriter from Blenheim, Ontario. Signed to Epic Records between 1990 and 2000, she released three studio albums for the label. In that same time span, she charted eleven singles on the Canadian country charts.
Winner of two Juno Awards.
Tracks
01. Black Book
02. Burning Witches
03. Which Face Should I Put On Tonight
04. When Will I Become A Man
05. It Comes Back To You
06. Those Stars
07. Fading Footsteps
08. Painted Cafe
09. Wildflowers
10. I Walk Alone
11. Innocence
12. Talk About Me
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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.
Members:
Christina Stein (Fabischek) – Vocals
Chuck FitzGerald – Guitar, Vocal, tech.
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.
Links: The Shake Band and Chuck on Myspace.
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Artist: Amy Rivard
CD: Cashmere
Year: 2005
Born: Chatham Kent Ontario
Resides: Windsor
Style: Adult Contemporary, Jazz
Amy’s brand new CD release “CASHMERE” is, as its title suggests, a collection of silky pop tunes, seductive Latin rhythms and soft jazz favourites along with a few smooth originals.
About:
Amy Rivard is a singer, actress, writer. She was most recently seen touring as a chorus member with the group Celtic Woman. Additionally, Amy recently created the webisode series, “What’s Up Canuck?” starring Candy Canadiana, a character Amy created while being on the road. She is writing and producing new episodes for youtube and hopes to get 1 new webisode up per month.
Ms. Rivard is a classically trained singer and began her singing career by competing in many Kiwanis festivals where she placed first in opera/operetta & musical theatre. Soon thereafter, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honors Degree in Music Theatre from the University of Windsor. This program was the only University Degree Program in Canada and accepted roughly 12 students per year. She has toured with Riverdance and performed the show on Broadway at the Gerswhin Theatre.
She toured the musical Camelot in a co-production with the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Theatre Calgary, & the Citadel Theatre. In addition, she toured with Sam Orbison’s production about his brother Roy Orbison, “The Roy Orbison Story” and Celtic Woman in their tour Celtic Woman: A New Journey as a chorus member. Amy spent over a year in Japan where she performed at Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo Disneyland & the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta.
Amy is always busy collaborating and writing. She wrote her one woman cabaret show which has been seen across the globe on SilverSea 6 Star Cruiselines, the Old Vic Theatre in London, England & the Cafe De Paris. Her cabaret also brought in the 2005 New Year at Second City in Toronto. Amy performed in a number of Toronto clubs and released her debut album Cashmere. The album contains numbers from the Great American Songbook, Cashmere, written by Amy and songs written by George Grosman(son of Oscar winner, Ladislav Grosman,The Shop on Main Street)
Amy can also be seen in a number of commercials, which can be found on her website and on Youtube. You can currently see her on PBS in Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey and Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration
Listen or buy the CD here.
More links: Her home and ‘Myspace’.
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Band: The Shoeflies
Music Release: Loudmouth Jimmy
Home: Chatham Kent and Area
Year: 1997
In December 1996, The Shoeflies parted ways with bassist Chris Brownrigg over musical differences. In January 1997, The Shoeflies confined themselves to Citadel Recording Studio in Bothwell Ontario to record Loudmouth Jimmy. Guitarist Cory Dawe played bass on the recording, and the album was a collection of material written and performed since Three Chords and the Truth.
In March 1997, The Shoeflies recruited former Janus guitarist Dan Surman to play bass.
On July 26, 1997, two days before The Shoeflies were scheduled to play a show at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, Dan Surman left the band to pursue a tech position on a cruise ship in the Caribbean.
On July 13, 1998, Clark Allore decided to leave the band for personal reasons. At that point, The Shoeflies still had 12 more shows booked, so Clark fulfilled his obligation to the band by playing the remaining shows. Clark’s last show was on September 4, 1998 in Ridgetown, Ontario, and it marked a definitive end to a chapter in the band’s history.
After Clark Allore announced that he would be leaving the band, The Shoeflies started auditioning drummers in August 1998. The band eventually settled upon Chris Rayner.
In January 1999, The Shoeflies parted ways with bassist George Anstey. George’s replacement came in the form of Carrie Young. This would mark the only time there was a female member of the band. It is unclear if Carrie’s involvement was meant to be of a permanent nature, but she only stayed for a short period of time as she was no longer with the band by August 1999. This marked the fourth time in their history that The Shoeflies were in search of a new bass player.
Notes edited from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shoeflies#Discography
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Band: The Shoeflies
Music Release: Three Chords and the Truth
Home: Chatham and area.
Style: Christian Music
Year: 1994
During the summer of 1994, The Shoeflies returned to Mud Creek studios to work with producer Greg Sabitz to record their first full-length album, Three Chords And The Truth. While Richard DeJonge played keyboards and Cory Dawe played electric and acoustic guitars on the recording, session musicians were brought in for the bass and drums. Of note, Richard’s brother David DeJonge (who was playing in the Toronto indie-band Janus at the time) made his debut with the Shoeflies on this project adding vocal harmonies. The album was much more serious than the 12-song recording 2 years prior, and had more of a Christian rock influence. This influence lead to an opening of a door into the Ontario Christian Rock scene, where the band became a household name for many years, and garnering radio airplay on Christian radio stations in Ontario, as well as other parts of the country.
Shortly after the break-up of Janus in March 1995, David DeJonge (vocals/guitars) officially joined The Shoeflies. The addition of David to The Shoeflies had an immeasurable impact on the band as he brought strong songwriting and performance skills, a second lead vocalist role, plus adding vocal harmonies. The Shoeflies, now a trio, played a series of summer events culminating with the annual Rhubarb Festival in Sheddon, Ontario.
The Shoeflies in 1996.With a desire to move into a more band-oriented direction, The Shoeflies relocated to Toronto, Ontario and added former Janus drummer Clark Allore and bass player Chris Brownrigg in January 1996. This band line-up played a series of shows throughout Ontario during the balance of 1996. The shows at this time were a mix of bar gigs, as well as Christian shows. Since The Shoeflies’ brand of Christian Rock music is much more subtle than mainstream Christian Rock acts, they were able to play in both music scenes without having to vastly change their song selection in their live shows. But while the band enjoyed various degrees of success as a cross-over act, there were rare moments of criticism from the Christian audience for “not being Christian enough” (the name “Jesus” only appears in one song in their entire catalog), or in one instance, they were told that they “can’t serve two masters”, perhaps suggesting The Shoeflies were hypocritical for engaging in both music scenes.
Notes from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shoeflies#Discography
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Band: The Shoeflies
Release: The Shoeflies (1992)
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada
Year: 1992.
Members:
l to r in above from 2001 picture.
Randy Doucette – bassist
Cory Dawe – guitarist
David DeJonge – vocalist/guitarist
Richard DeJonge – vocalist/keyboard player
Clark Allore – drummer
The original line-up formed in 1992 in Chatham, Ontario, with high school friends Richard DeJonge and Cory Dawe. With a Casio keyboard, a guitar and two cowboy hats, the two played as a mock-country duo known as Rikky Dee & The Shoeflies.
In 1992, the group released a self-titled 12-song album of joke songs including “Sneaky Old Bootknife”, “Kiss Me Or Kill Me” and “Prison Life’s A Bore”. During their “Not Quite World Tour,” in early 1993 the duo, now known simply as The Shoeflies (they dropped the Rikky Dee moniker at this time), played shows in Cincinnati, Kentucky, Nashville, Memphis, and various other cities in the United States.
At the end of 1993, The Shoeflies went into Mud Creek Studios in Chatham, Ontario to record “Fly To You”, a radio single that would be used to promote the band. Vocalist Ivan Arneill sang harmonies on the track, and the song received substantial radio airplay at the University of Windsor campus radio station, where Richard DeJonge attended at the time.
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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.
Click the video below to play the CD preview.
If video does not appear, watch it here.
Visit Sarah online here: www.sarahhiltz.com
and http://www.myspace.com/sarahhiltz
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Band: Sixth Concession
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario
Year: 1973
Members:
In order of the picture (left to right)
Jim Smith
Shelley Browning
Eldon Brown
Doug Smith
Vaughn Pugh.
Notes: The band is made up of members from their 1970 line up as ‘Seven’. Throughout the seventies, Doug, Vaughn, Jim, and Eldon, along with guitarist Shelley Browning, continued performing under the name “Sixth Concession”. Although lacking a full horn section, the group nevertheless continued to polish and perform tunes by groups such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat, & Tears, utilizing Vaughn on trumpet, and adding St. Clair Shadd on tenor sax.
As the seventies drew to a close, the band went into a period of inactivity, due in part to the family and career commitments of its members. Their love of music and performing was never lost, however. In the early eighties, inspired by the movie “The Blues Brothers”, and in particular by the line “We’re putting the band back together”, the boys decided to revive the group, this time under the name “Niteflite“. The band initially consisted of the same members as “Sixth Concession” and performed in that configuration for several years. For a short time in the late eighties, a three-piece horn section was added, featuring George Willson on trumpet, Jack Drobko on trombone, and St. Clair on tenor sax.
Throughout the nineties, Niteflite continued to perform primarily as a 5-piece group, but their love of the horn-band sound never diminished.
In 1984, Vaughn Pugh, himself an accomplished musician on both keyboards and trumpet, had become the director of the Chatham Concert Band. As such, he had access to many fine Chatham-area musicians, and in 2003 was thus able to select several of these talented people to form the present Niteflite horn section. The new members include Al Rathwell on trumpet, Pat Bates on trombone, Rocco Desantis on alto sax, St. Clair Shadd on tenor sax, and John Leigh on baritone sax. The group’s playlist includes tunes by Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Ides of March, The Beatles, and many, many more.
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Band: Seven
Year Formed: 1970
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario
Members:
Milan Kuchta
Doug Smith
Vaughn Pugh
Dave Jamieson
Eldon Brown
Bill Patterson
Jim Smith
The band was noted for having a 3-piece horn section which was not a common thing. Seven was short lived, but members went on to form ‘Sixth Concession’ and later Niteflite. The band could be heard performing tunes by groups such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat, & Tears.
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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.
Listen to them here.
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Band: Niteflite
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Area
Year: 2006
Formed: 1981
Style: Classic Cover Band
Members
(From left to right in the above pic.)
John Leigh (Doc) – Baritone sax
Pat Bates – Trombone
Jim Smith – Bass/Vocals
Vaughn Pugh – Keyboards/Vocals/Brass
Rocco Desantis – Alto Sax
St.Clair Shadd – Tenor Sax
Eldon Brown – Drums
Al Rathwell – Trumpet
Doug Smith – Guitar/Vocals (foreground right)
The bands set lists include Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Blues Brothers, Beatles, Los Lobos, Blood Sweat & Tears, Wilson Pickett, and many more.
Niteflite History (From Official Bio)
Niteflite assumed its current 9-man configuration in 2003, but has existed since the early nineteen-eighties. The rhythm section, comprised of Doug Smith, Vaughn Pugh, Jim Smith, and Eldon Brown, has been together since 1970, when they formed a group called “Seven“, which featured a 3-piece horn section. And, although short-lived, this early horn-band experiment was a foretaste of things to come.
Throughout the seventies, Doug, Vaughn, Jim, and Eldon, along with guitarist Shelley Browning, continued performing under the name “Sixth Concession“. Although lacking a full horn section, the group nevertheless continued to polish and perform tunes by groups such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat, & Tears, utilizing Vaughn on trumpet, and adding St. Clair Shadd on tenor sax.
As the seventies drew to a close, the band went into a period of inactivity, due in part to the family and career commitments of its members. Their love of music and performing was never lost, however. In the early eighties, inspired by the movie “The Blues Brothers”, and in particular by the line “We’re putting the band back together”, the boys decided to revive the group, this time under the name “Niteflite”. The band initially consisted of the same members as “Sixth Concession” and performed in that configuration for several years. For a short time in the late eighties, a three-piece horn section was added, featuring George Willson on trumpet, Jack Drobko on trombone, and St. Clair on tenor sax.
Throughout the nineties, Niteflite continued to perform primarily as a 5-piece group, but their love of the horn-band sound never diminished.
In 1984, Vaughn Pugh, himself an accomplished musician on both keyboards and trumpet, had become the director of the Chatham Concert Band. As such, he had access to many fine Chatham-area musicians, and in 2003 was thus able to select several of these talented people to form the present Niteflite horn section. The new members include Al Rathwell on trumpet, Pat Bates on trombone, Rocco Desantis on alto sax, St. Clair Shadd on tenor sax, and John Leigh on baritone sax. The group’s playlist includes tunes by Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Ides of March, The Beatles, and many, many more.
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Chatham Concert Band
Year: 2008
Home: Chatham Ontario Canada.
Formed: 1927
Website: http://www.chathamconcertband.ca/
Chatham Concert Band Members Receive Ontario Volunteer Service Awards in 2008 for their time with the band.
Vaughn Pugh – 40 yrs
Al Rathwell – 30 yrs
Carol Verkaik – 30 yrs
Ken Crone – 30 yrs
Tony Kurecka – 15 yrs
Pat Bates – 10 yrs
Tabitha Jennings – Youth Award
Notes: Vaughn Pugh has been bandmaster and conductor of the Chatham Concert Band since 1984, following the death of Phil Carney, who had been bandmaster since 1960.
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Chatham Concert Band
Year: 2007
Home: Chatham Kent Ontario Canada.
Formed: 1927
Chatham Concert Band Members Receive Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.
On April 11th, 2007, the following Chatham Concert Band members received an award for their years of service to the band:
Mr. Bill Patterson – 40 years
Mr. Phil Emerick – 40 years
Mr. St. Clair Shadd – 30 years
Mr. Terry McConnell – 20 years
Mr. Dave Brown – 10 years
Mr. Bill Dawson – 10 years
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The Chatham Concert Band
The Chatham Concert Band was organized in 1927 and in 2002 celebrated 75 years of continuous operation. The band is under the direction of BandMaster Vaughn Pugh.
The Band members are musicians from the local area and perform in the following areas:
Free public concerts are performed every Wednesday evening in Tecumseh Park, Chatham, Ontario from the last week in June to the first week in September.
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Band: The Ken Crone Trio
CD Release: ‘Bout Time
Year: 2008
Genre: Jazz
Home: Chatham-Kent
Members
Ken Crone – piano
Pat Crone – drums
Ed Laporte – bass
Tracks:
01 just friends
02 Canadian sunset
03 Europa
04 Tangerine
05 thethingswedidlastsummer
06 my favourite things
07 watch what happens
08 gentle rain
09 poinciana
10 opus one
11 just squeeze me
12 take the train
13 oscars blues
Notes:
* The Release contains 13 tracks recorded at EyreSpace Studios and live at the Blind Dog Bar and Grill in Chatham Ontario Canada.
* All songs were recorded in the summer of 1997 and 1999 and includes covers from many of the jazz greats.
* Ken & Eddie have been playing together since the late 1950’s. Ken’s son Pat joined the group on drums in the late 1970’s. Ken also plays for ‘ManPower’.
* Ken Crone has worked with Bill Cosby, Phyllis Diller, the Mills Brothers, the McGuire Sisters and other legends.
* At age 80, Ken Crone has been making music for almost 70 years. For the past 3 years, the Ken Crone Trio has been performing to sold-out crowds at Studio One in Chatham.
* Born in St Thomas, Ken Crone moved to Chatham at around age 18, and has called it home ever since.
* Ken also worked for a few years in London Ontario, from 1962 – 1967, where led the house band at the Iroquoir Casino. This was the venue for many of the international touring acts of the time and Ken’s group backed them all.
Recording Credits: Stephen Fowler and Bob Hiltz.
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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.
If video does not appear, watch it here.
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.
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Branch 28 Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band
Home: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Year: 1945
Band photo in front of old Branch location, around 1947-48
Back Row: Joe Simms, Anges Golbathe, Elmer Howard, Joe MacDonald, Hank Brown, Ken Hamilton, Mr. Morrel,
Roger Brown, Charlie Pollock
Front Row: P/M John MacDonald, Bobby Patterson, Tom Anderson, Harry Anderson, Len Sketcher, Bill Tuskington,
Bill Laurie, Bob Dickie
Sixty plus years (as of 2006) of continuous service is a long time and quite an accomplishment for any organization, particularly a Pipe Band. Initially formed in 1945, it wasn’t until 1946 that the pipes and drums of Branch 28 marched forth in the tartan it still wears today, the Stewart of Fingask.
The band personnel were:
Pipe Major Robert Dickie
Pipers John MacDonald, Sandy Kennedy, Rodger Brown, George Simms, Bill Hamilton, Ken Hamilton, Harry Brown, Charlie Pollock, George MacDonald and Ken Kenny.
Drummers Glen Pearson, Bill Turkington, Bill Laurie, Bobby Patterson, Jim Haynes and Len Sketcher.
In 1962, a Junior Pipe Band was formed by Comrade George MacDonald and it was from this group the Senior Band was able to maintain its supply of excellent pipers and drummers. The fact that three of the Junior Band pipers have gone on to become Pipe Major of the Senior Band speaks well for them and their instructors.
Throughout the years following its formation, Branch 28 Pipe Band has performed in parades across Ontario, Quebec, and the neighbouring states of Michigan and Ohio. Thousands of miles have been marched and countless hours of music have been played. The band has participated at numerous Zone, District, Provincial and Dominion Legion conventions. It has represented Canada in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on two occasions, 1968 and 1994. On both occasions, it had the honour of being invited and was the only pipe band to participate.
In April of 2002, the pipe band participated in the Scotland Power Tartan Day celebrations in New York City. The band, along with over 7000 other pipers and drummers marched down 6th Ave. (Avenue of The Americas) and into Central Park. The event was twofold: one to celebrate Tartan Day, and two, to raise money for cancer research through the Gilda Radner House.
Members of the band have also taken part in the 55th and 60th anniversaries of the liberation of Holland.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 28 Pipe Band has the distinct honour of being one of the oldest, continuously active Legion Pipe Band in the province of Ontario.
Senior Pipe Majors: Robert Dickie 1945-1949
John MacDonald 1949-1950
Sandy Kennedy 1950-1954
Henry Brown 1954-1963
George MacDonald 1963-1965
Max Crawford 1965-1980
Dick Laurie 1980-1992
Walter Tomaszewski 1992-1996
Ken Poole 1996-2002
Ron Stead 2002-2006
Jeff Campbell 2006-
http://www.br28legionpipeband.com
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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
http://www.br28legionpipeband.com/
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Band: Muttley Bisnett
Type: Cover band
Year: 2002
Style: Metal / Rock
Members:
Andrew Gardner – Vocals
Jay Warwick – Guitar
Adam Dysarz – Drums
Steve McDonald – Bass
In 2002 Muttley Bisnett was born. A four member cover band that covered material including Tool, Finger Eleven, SOAD and others. In September of 2002 front man Andrew Gardner relocated to Banff Alberta. The band continued on and jammed whenever Andrew was home but eventually split up in late October 2003. In early 2004 the bands guitarist Jay Warwick got talking to ex Janet Theory drummer Chuck Young. They both were interested in jammin a bit just for fun.
A date was set and ex MB members Adam, Jay and Andrew met with chuck for the first time. Adam (MB Drummer) Picked up the guitar as did Andrew (MB Vocalist). Jay Switched to the bass, and Chuck took to the drums as always. By the end of March FL3P was born.
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Chatham Music Archive 