The end of 2024 marks the fourth year that I got back into my music with the intent of trying to make a living at it. I'm happy to say I have survived. It wasn't easy, but here we are. I've got some plans for 2025. I'll share some of this with you in hopes you'll want to support me in those efforts. Thank you....
I love playing around with different and odd instruments. When I saw people playing a regular wood saw on TV and getting musical sounds from it, I thought it was a trick! And it was until I was this old that I found out it could actually be played. I watched the incomparable, Sierra Ferrel play one and I had...
I've recently fallen in love with Cowboy Poetry. I was always aware of its existence because I saw some greats like Waddie Mitchel and Baxter Black on the Carson Show. Then I started listening to it, and it was like thunder in my chest! Here's a famous cowboy poem that many feel is one of the top three poems. It's called ...
Last weekend was the Folk Music Ontario Conference and it was my first time attending. As a first-timer, it can be very overwhelming. As I look back and debrief myself on it, I realize how much I missed. But what I did attend, was incredible!
During the Fringe North Festival in August, I performed my show, In the Tracks of the Black Bear. I've mentioned this show a few times in various newsletters and social media posts, so some of you are familiar. It was a great time, and thank you to the folks who came out. Also, a special thanks to Fringe North for the support....
I've talked about this project on my socials and some past posts on this blog. But, now I'm making an official announcement and the official release date will be October 12!
My latest single draws on personal experiences and feelings. Grey Bar Hotel is the title and it takes that from a slang word inmates often used to describe the jail. I started here in 1986 completely green. This was before they had college corrections programs. I still ask myself, why didn't I quit after my first shift? I persevered.
This is me about to open the box of my new vinyl LP of The Neighbourhood: Songs & Stories of a Blue Collar Raising. I haven't been this excited in a while. I'm thrilled for you all to see and hear it. A big thank you to my label, Morningstar Records and Mike Haggith at the label for making this possible. ...
Playing for smaller audiences has become the norm. Getting paid the same, if not less, than musicians did thirty years ago, has become the norm. The reason these things are happening is that people still haven't started coming back to live music. And that's the part that's hurting musicians.
Thanks for reading along. Here's part two of some of the independent artists that are out there who are bringing country and folk music to the forefront once again.
