I started writing this article from the parking lot of Camp Bimini waiting for Max to get in the car after a quick outfit change to get ready to go to his show at the Stratford Blues and Ribfest with the Mitchell based Alivia Judge Band. My car of course knows it's way to Bimini after years (or probably more like decades) of travel to the famously fun camp! Also with no end insight for another half decade as this was Max's leadership training camp to become a CIT next year. Now after this weekend my car has also memorized the way back and forth to the Stratford Vetrans Bandshell for the Stratford Blues and Ribfest... The weekend began with me hitting the stage early
Friday evening with my new band (Steph and the RoadHounds) We had a blast and loved the venue! Sound guys were fantastic and more importantly, I didn't have to do it!! (Set up, run sound, or tear down!) We stuck around to hear all the other great music that evening and it was great!!
Saturday I was asked to sing backup for a song with St Marys, Stone Town Cowboys, which is a Lynyrd Skynryd Band (and since I didn't get to live out my life's dream Of performing with the actual band, well this was pretty close!). Rain skirted around the event, gave a few blasts before the events opening acts each day but brought mainly sunshine and beautiful weather for the showtimes! So much talent! And free (and accepting donations) it was a well attended and wonderfully run event! My buddy Stevie T took on the main leadership role and kept it as a well oiled machine, the sound as I said was stellar and the vendors had something for everyone! It was awesome to see wee ones dancing, and people of all ages attending! It truly was a community and family event!
Sunday the youth talent started out with Alivia Judge Band with Max on drums and Dustin at the helm guiding the group, on bass, a few of our other favourite Deep Water and Skyline people Jaron and Mackenzie backed up the talented Alivia, who has written all of her own songs! I being back for this somehow became the MC for the youth talent portion! Ok well I loved doing that and was happy to thank the TD Bank who sponsored this! I myself was sponsored by the Sunset Diner in St Marys, I got to plug their burgers and wings on stage and I guess it is something you just hear but these events are mainly driven by sponsors in the community. The hours of volunteer work to put together such an event I know well. But standing at the event is always the reward and having a full house (or lawn/tent and road) was just such a great reward! I always believe in promoting and supporting music in our communities as it brings us out together to enjoy something in common! Some people poo poo the noise but I do believe they are by far the minority. I was even delighted to see the mayor of St Marys and family wandering in to the event to enjoy the music. I was equally glad to see he had survived the new cliff diving feature at the quarry! We sure do have some awesome things to do in this area! Packing every moment into summer that we possibly can.
Saturday started at
9:30 drop off at Bimini and ended into the wee hours of the morning watching the amazing Dylan Wickens at the DH after the early (noise bylaw) closing downtown, it was just a wonderful night of music that just didn't end. The last band (Juno award winning, and absolutely amazing trio) MonkeyJunk sat front row to watch their fellow blues player perform. It was a magical night. I love the blues and all of these bands who are original and amazing with great chops and so much skill and talent! Stevie T did a great job this year leading the team in getting an amazing weekend of entertainment, with all of the people involved helping him and I can't wait to see all the photos and footage from the young videographer and photographer, who were everywhere!! And I am just at home for a quick spell dropping Max and writing this before heading back for 5 the last two acts, Stevie T and Yeager to finish out the event. I must admit I'm a bit tired and my recently sprained ankle only created minor set backs. But with now several shows and a showcase behind me, I prepare for Canada Day celebrations with more musical projects both in St Marys and Mitchell! The question remains... how to pack so much great stuff into one seriously short season??? Hope to see you all out in the summer festivities!
I started writing this article from the parking lot of Camp Bimini waiting for Max to get in the car after a quick outfit change to get ready to go to his show at the Stratford Blues and Ribfest with the Mitchell based Alivia Judge Band. My car of course knows it's way to Bimini after years (or probably more like decades) of travel to the famously fun camp! Also with no end insight for another half decade as this was Max's leadership training camp to become a CIT next year. Now after this weekend my car has also memorized the way back and forth to the Stratford Vetrans Bandshell for the Stratford Blues and Ribfest... The weekend began with me hitting the stage early Friday evening with my new band (Steph and the RoadHounds) We had a blast and loved the venue! Sound guys were fantastic and more importantly, I didn't have to do it!! (Set up, run sound, or tear down!) We stuck around to hear all the other great music that evening and it was great!! Saturday I was asked to sing backup for a song with St Marys, Stone Town Cowboys, which is a Lynyrd Skynryd Band (and since I didn't get to live out my life's dream Of performing with the actual band, well this was pretty close!). Rain skirted around the event, gave a few blasts before the events opening acts each day but brought mainly sunshine and beautiful weather for the showtimes! So much talent! And free (and accepting donations) it was a well attended and wonderfully run event! My buddy Stevie T took on the main leadership role and kept it as a well oiled machine, the sound as I said was stellar and the vendors had something for everyone! It was awesome to see wee ones dancing, and people of all ages attending! It truly was a community and family event! Sunday the youth talent started out with Alivia Judge Band with Max on drums and Dustin at the helm guiding the group, on bass, a few of our other favourite Deep Water and Skyline people Jaron and Mackenzie backed up the talented Alivia, who has written all of her own songs! I being back for this somehow became the MC for the youth talent portion! Ok well I loved doing that and was happy to thank the TD Bank who sponsored this! I myself was sponsored by the Sunset Diner in St Marys, I got to plug their burgers and wings on stage and I guess it is something you just hear but these events are mainly driven by sponsors in the community. The hours of volunteer work to put together such an event I know well. But standing at the event is always the reward and having a full house (or lawn/tent and road) was just such a great reward! I always believe in promoting and supporting music in our communities as it brings us out together to enjoy something in common! Some people poo poo the noise but I do believe they are by far the minority. I was even delighted to see the mayor of St Marys and family wandering in to the event to enjoy the music. I was equally glad to see he had survived the new cliff diving feature at the quarry! We sure do have some awesome things to do in this area! Packing every moment into summer that we possibly can. Saturday started at 9:30 drop off at Bimini and ended into the wee hours of the morning watching the amazing Dylan Wickens at the DH after the early (noise bylaw) closing downtown, it was just a wonderful night of music that just didn't end. The last band (Juno award winning, and absolutely amazing trio) MonkeyJunk sat front row to watch their fellow blues player perform. It was a magical night. I love the blues and all of these bands who are original and amazing with great chops and so much skill and talent! Stevie T did a great job this year leading the team in getting an amazing weekend of entertainment, with all of the people involved helping him and I can't wait to see all the photos and footage from the young videographer and photographer, who were everywhere!! And I am just at home for a quick spell dropping Max and writing this before heading back for 5 the last two acts, Stevie T and Yeager to finish out the event. I must admit I'm a bit tired and my recently sprained ankle only created minor set backs. But with now several shows and a showcase behind me, I prepare for Canada Day celebrations with more musical projects both in St Marys and Mitchell! The question remains... how to pack so much great stuff into one seriously short season??? Hope to see you all out in the summer festivities!
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