BLUES ON THE RIDEAU @ THE COVE INN

Westport, Ontario, Canada


2019/20 SEASON

Our 15th Anniversary!

 

MONTHLY DINNER & SHOW FUNDRAISERS IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL CHARITIES FEATURING SOME OF CANADA’S BEST BLUES BANDS AT A CLASSIC COUNTRY INN IN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SMALL TOWNS IN EASTERN ONTARIO.




CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & PRINT THE 2019/20 POSTER


September 13

From Hamilton, Ontario

HARRISON KENNEDY & BAND


To kick off this year’s Series – from The Hammer – arguably Canada’s best Soul/Blues/Roots male vocalist (and a damn fine songwriter too) – Harrison returns to The Cove for a fourth visit. Growing up in Hamilton the Kennedy house was always full of music thanks to his famous uncle – Jazzman Jackie Washington who would bring artists home like Lonnie Johnson, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday when they were passing through. Harrison began his career in the late ‘60’s when his dynamic vocal talent earned him a spot on the world famous Motown band “Chairmen Of The Board” who shared the stage with artists like B.B. King, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and many more. When the band broke up in the ‘70’s Harrison returned to Hamilton and took a “real job” as a factory foreman only playing music on the side for the next couple of decades. But his love of the Blues was too powerful and in 2000 he returned to music full time with his first album “Sweet Taste”. 7 more have followed including his most recent “Who U Tellin’?” 4 of them were nominated for Juno Awards and he won in 2015 for “This Is From Here”. He’s also won 9 Hamilton Music Awards and received an astounding 38 Maple Blues Award nominations since 2005 in the categories of Male Vocalist, Acoustic Artist, Songwriter and Album Of The Year. Internationally he’s been nominated 8X for American Blues Music Awards and won the prestigious French Academie Charles Cros Award in the Blues category (other winners include Buddy Guy, Doctor John and Otis Taylor). The past few years Harrison has hooked up with the great Eric Bibb and toured with him, Ruthie Foster and another Canadian talented Michael Jerome Browne wowing audiences everywhere especially in Europe where he has a huge following. We are very honoured and pleased to welcome Harrison back - along with his great Hamilton band - to launch the 15th Anniversary season of BOTR at The Cove.

PROCEEDS TO RUBY GLAND CHARITY

 

 

October 11 & 12 *2 Night Stand*

From Toronto, Ontario

THE HOGTOWN ALLSTARS



Big band, big time Blues! Unquestionably one of the favourite bands to play this Series over the years – back for their 6th visit - this time for a 2 Night Stand! No wonder – the Allstars consist of 6 of the most talented, veteran Blues artists in the country with over 300 years of playing experience in total. 5 of them come from Canada’s legendary Downchild Blues Band - Chuck Jackson (vocals & harmonica), Michael Fonfara (keyboards), Pat Carey (sax), Gary Kendall (bass) and Mike Fitzpatrick (drums) plus Teddy Leonard on guitar (formerly with Fathead). All of them have received Juno Awards as members of Downchild and Fathead and individually they have either won, or been nominated for, a Maple Blues Award in their respective instrument categories. Led by dynamic singer/showman/front man Chuck Jackson these guys play a great mix of Blues, Soul and R&B classics as well as their own original material. The most commonly used adjective to describe this band on the Comment Cards from previous shows is “AWESOME!” The Hogtown Allstars have SOLD OUT every show at BOTR @ The Cove in the past so don’t wait too long before reserving your tickets for these shows!

PROCEEDS TO THE WESTPORT LIBRARY
& THE WESTPORT ARTS COUNCIL
www.westportontariolibrary.wordpress.com
www.westportartscouncil.com


www.garykendall.com/Bluestime/THAS.htm
 

 

November 16

From Toronto, Ontario

SAMANTHA MARTIN & DELTA SUGAR

Born in Edmonton, now a resident of Toronto Samantha Martin and her band Delta Sugar played BOTR at The Cove for the first time last October and blew the doors off the place. That’s why they’ve been invited back this season. Their debut CD “Send The Nightingale” received major international airplay when it came out in 2015 and earned her 4 Maple Blues Award nominations (she was nominated for another 4 this past year – and a Juno Award). Samantha’s dynamic Blues/Soul/Gospel voice reminds you of some of the greats – Janis Joplin, Big Mama Thornton and Koko Taylor all come to mind. She’s complimented beautifully by her two great female co-singers – Sherie Marshall and Mwansa Mwansa with a full rhythm section behind them lead by guitarist Michael McCallum. Their latest record “Run To Me” released in April 2018 took an even larger leap forward with special guests Steve Marriner and Suzie Vinnick. It mmediately went to #1 on the Roots Music Chart, #14 on the U.S Blues chart and received major airplay around the world. Since then they’ve performed at major festivals across Canada and did a 10 country/75 show tour of Europe last year where they were so well received they’re headed back again this year. We’re very lucky – and very pleased - to have them back to play BOTR this season. You’d better get out and see them when they’re here though before they get too big to play smaller venues like this one. This is sure to sell out so once again, book early if you want to be there.
 

 

December 13

From Ottawa, Ontario

MONKEYJUNK

What can you say about this amazing Blues/Funk/Roots/Rock band? – Steve Marriner on vocals, baritone base, keyboards and harp, Tony D on guitar and Matt Sobb on drums. Since they blasted on to the scene in 2008 they’ve released 5 hit albums of mostly original music, won 2 Junos, 21 Maple Blues Awards, 2 Canadian Independent Music Awards and an American Blues Music Award. They’ve toured relentlessly to just about every corner of Canada appearing at major Blues festivals and clubs as well as internationally to a dozen different countries. Wherever they go they make new fans – affectionately known as “Monkey Junkies”. Luminaries like Dan Aykroyd (Elwood Blues), David Wilcox, Holger Petersen, William Shatner, Ritchie Hayward of Little Feat, actor Bruce Greenwood and many more count themselves as major MonkeyJunk admirers. Their sound is unique – to quote Tony D – “we respect the traditions of Roots music and then give it a modern approach”. Rock.com calls MonkeyJunk “way more than just a Blues band. They’ve brought the disparate elements of their sound together to create a truly modern sonic tapestry”.

We’ve been lucky enough to have MonkeyJunk play Blues On The Rideau twice previously and they’ve performed separately at The Cove a number of times as well – selling out all of their shows. If you’re looking for a date and a place to hold your Christmas Party that offers great food and drink and dancin’ Blues Rock as good as it gets then you couldn’t pick better than December 13th at The Cove Inn with MonkeyJunk! Call The Cove and book now!
PROCEEDS TO THE RIDEAU DISTRICT MUSEUM

Click here to watch YOU TUBE

 

 

January 17 & 18 *2 night stand

From Toronto, Ontario

JACK DE KEYZER BAND

If it’s January it must be Jack! Canada’s King Of The Blues guitar returns to BOTR @ The Cove for a record 9th visit.- most of them in the month of January. What a great way to shake off the mid-winter blues. Jack is an excellent singer/songwriter as well – in fact he won the International Songwriting Competition in the Blues category last year beating out hundreds of entries from around the world – an incredible achievement! Born in England Jack was raised in Hamilton where he apprenticed under the late, great King Biscuit Boy which no doubt helped him to develop his classic Blues-Rock style. His guitar playing has been compared to that of Hendrix, Clapton and Page. He formed his own group in the ‘90’s and they’ve evolved into one of the hardest working and most talented Blues bands in the country: Jack on vocals and playing that incredible guitar of his, Nick Succi on keyboards, Alan Duffy on bass, Richard Thornton on sax and Gary Donaldson on drums. There are elements of Rock, Funk, Swing and Jazz in Jack’s Blues and it’s all good! A 2X Juno and 7X Maple Blues Award winner he’s another all time favourite at BOTR. All of his previous shows have SOLD OUT so – I hate to keep repeating myself – you’ll want to reserve early if you want to attend one of these nights.

PROCEEDS TO ST. EDWARD’S & RIDEAU VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

www.stedward.cdsbeo.on.ca www.rideauvista.ucdsb.on.ca

 


February 21

From Stratford, Ontario

BILL DURST BAND

If you like your Blues hard & heavy in the style of ZZ Top you don’t want to miss this night! It’s Bill’s first visit to BOTR @ The Cove and I don’t know why it’s taken this long for us to get him here. I’ve been a big fan of Bill’s stuff for years. Growing up in Wingham, Ontario he was influenced by Motown, R&B, Soul and the British Blues invasion artists – especially Jimi Hendrix. He formed a classic Rock band called Thundermug in 1969 and they had a #1 radio hit and went on to record 5 albums. He also spent some time in a ZZ Top Tribute band and you can certainly hear that influence in his music today. Bill put out two solo albums in the mid ‘80’s but it wasn’t until 2000 that his career really took off. He created his power trio – a “fuzzy, psychedelic Blues band” as he calls it with Joe DeAngelis on bass (who also co-writes the songs with Bill) and a drummer and boy do they lay down a big sound for just 3 guys. They’ve now done 5 albums together and have won or been nominated for a long list of Blues and Blues Rock Awards since then. If you’re not familiar with Bill’s music check out his website – and his extensive list of You Tubes and see for yourself why you’ll want to be here for this show!

PROCEEDS TO KICK IN FOR KIDS, RIDEAU DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL www.rideaudhs.ucdsb.on.ca

Click here to watch YOU TUBE


 


March 20

From Nanaimo, BC

DAVID GOGO BAND

* Show CANCELLED due to COVID 19 pandemic. Rescheduled for 2020/21 Season.

Visit The Duncan Showroom You Tube channel to see his Virtual Concert in their Archives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlmFMrT6hx8 David is also doing regular Virtual Concerts online on his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/DavidGogoBlues/

Here’s another famous Canadian Blues Rock guitarist/singer/songwriter who is long overdue to play BOTR. Born and raised in Nanaimo, BC at age 15 David got to meet Stevie Ray Vaughan backstage at a concert in Victoria and after hearing him play SVR encouraged him to pursue a career in the Blues. He did, formed a band, and very soon was opening for artists like Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, George Thorogood and many other Blues legends. A European Tour and record deal with EMI followed (he now records with Cordova Bay). Some of David’s songs have been featured in films and television and been covered by a variety of artists including Buddy Guy. He’s also released a ton of great albums including his most recent “17 Vultures” – his 15th. David has received 6 Juno Award nominations, been named Guitarist of the Year 3X at the Maple Blues Awards, named Musician Of The Year at the West Coast Music Awards and won for Blues Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. He’s also built a large base on international fans - to quote Ireland’s Sorted magazine “I doubt there is another Blues guitarist around at this moment who can speak through their instrument quite like David Gogo can….modern Blues at its best!” If you’ve never seen David Gogo LIVE you don’t want to miss this show. If you have seen him you know why you’ll want to be here!

PROCEEDS TO THE RIDEAU WATERWAY LAND TRUST www.rwlt.org

 

April 17

From Kingston, Ontario

MISS EMILY w. BAND

* Show CANCELLED due to COVID 19 pandemic. Rescheduled for 2020/21 Season. Visit Miss Emily’s Facebook page to see her April Virtual Concert - or watch it in the Archives on her Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/themissemilymusic/ She is also doing regular “All Request Sing-Along Shows” on her Facebook page during the pandemic lockdown

Born and raised in Prince Edward Country near Kingston Miss Emily Fennell started her career at age 12 singing her way around county fairs in southern Ontario winning competition after competition with her incredible voice and delivery. By 15 she already had a strong following in Canada, the US and the UK. In 2011 she opened for The Tragically Hip and began a relationship that would change her career and remains tight to this day. “In Between”, her 5th album, features Gord Sinclair and Rob Baker from The Hip and takes you on a musical journey through the streets of Memphis, the Jazz cool avenues of NYC and funky block parties in Motown. I first saw Emily and her great band perform at the Canadian Blues Summit in Toronto last February and was, like the rest of the audience, blown away. I immediately approached her to play BOTR this season and was very pleased that she said yes. She also ended up getting a lot of bookings to play major Canadian Blues festivals this year including Orangeville, Kitchener, Lighthouse (Kincardine) and Harvest (Fredericton NB) – very impressive. There’s an added cool connection between Miss Emily and The Cove – Manager Seamus Cowan who is also a very accomplished musician – plays bass in her band. Come and see this exciting and incredibly talented rising star whom the music critic at the Kingston Whig-Standard stated “can bring the house down just as well as Janis Joplin could. Do yourself a favour and catch one of her live shows. Quite simply, WOW!”

PROCEEDS TO COUNTRY ROADS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE www.crchc.on.ca

Click here to watch YOU TUBE

www.themissemily.com

 

May 8

From Victoria, BC

DAVID VEST w. BAND

* Show CANCELLED due to COVID 19 pandemic. Rescheduled for 2020/21 Season. Visit Hermann’s Jazz Club, Victoria BC to see his May 8 Virtual Concert https://www.facebook.com/hermannsjazz/live_videos/ or www.davidvest.ca in the Archives after the show David is also doing regular Monday night 1/2 hour LIVE Virtual Shows called "Streetcar Named The Blues" at The Duncan Showroom 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqAa7Kp-HNFRMn8K7024mhg/videos

Although David has been a resident of Victoria, BC for many years he’s an authentic, Southern-born and raised boogie-woogie piano player, an old style Blues shouter singer and a consummate entertainer. Born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1943 David played his first gig in 1957 and was good enough by 1962 to open for the late, great Roy Orbison. He then went on to play the lively Florida panhandle club circuit teaming up with artists like James Harman. Then on to Kansas City where he shared the stage with the late, great Big Joe Turner and Texas where he toured with Jimmy T99 Nelson for many years. Interestingly David also wrote the first songs that Tammy Wynette ever performed. From there he moved to the Pacific Northwest and became the co-leader of one of the most popular Blues groups of that era in the region – the Paul DeLay Band. That’s where he met his Canadian bride-to-be and moved to BC. Since then David has won the Maple Blues Award for Keyboardist Of The Year 5 of the past 7 years and been nominated for Best Recording Of The Year. He’s played most of the major Blues festivals in Canada and has been recognized by Holger Petersen of CBC radio’s famed Saturday Night Blues as one of the best Blues piano players in the country. This is David’s 3rd visit to BOTR @ The Cove and he’s coming back with a red hot band. We are very pleased to have him for the Grande Finale of our 15th Anniversary season.

PROCEEDS TO WESTPORT IN BLOOM
www.davidvest.ca
 

*NOTE: Bands and dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances so check with The Cove closer to the performance for updates.


DINNER & SHOW $70

(plus HST)

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

CALL THE COVE (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-COVE-INN
or email
info@coveinn.com



All nights run from 7-11 pm and include a delicious full course buffet dinner followed by the show and dancing. There are great Door Prizes and a Big Draw for two Grand Prizes at the end of the season from all of the Comment Cards submitted over the year.

Comfortable, well-priced ACCOMMODATION is available at The Cove, nearby B&B’s and a motel – but BOOK EARLY. All the rooms in town usually sell out on BOTR nights.

The Cove Inn is located at 2 Bedford St. in Westport on the shores of Upper Rideau Lake - part of the beautiful Rideau Waterway (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It’s only a 1.5 hour drive from downtown Ottawa, 45 min from Kingston, 3 hours from Montreal or Toronto.

DIRECTIONS - GOOGLE MAP
 

 



BLUES ON THE RIDEAU is produced by
CHOOSE THE BLUES PRODUCTIONS, Kenmore Ontario www.choosetheblues.ca www.facebook.com/ChooseTheBluesProductions
 in co-operation with THE COVE INN, Westport Ontario www.coveinn.com www.facebook.com/TheCoveCountryInn

Sponsored by
JACOB’S CREEK WINES www.jacobscreek.com
PERTH BREWERY www.perthbrewery.ca
OTTAWA BLUES SOCIETY www.ottawabluessociety.ca
DAWG FM Ottawa www.dawgfm.com
LAKE 88.1 FM Perth/Rideau Lakes www.lake88.ca