SEASON 2006-2007
BLUES
ON THE RIDEAU
DINNER & SHOW CONCERT SERIES
THE COVE COUNTRY INN, WESTPORT ONTARIO
DINNER & SHOW CONCERT SERIES
THE COVE COUNTRY INN, WESTPORT ONTARIO
NOVEMBER 17 |
JOHN CAMPBELLJOHN |
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"Cape
Breton’s JOHN CAMPBELLJOHN TRIO rolled
into the Rideau and absolutely rocked The
Cove - kicking off the 06/07 Blues On The
Rideau season in fine style. The house was
packed – in fact it was sold out over
a week ago with a waiting list of people that
unfortunately missed out.
JCJ on lead guitar and vocals backed by Grant Leslie on bass and Neil Chapman on drums gave the crowd a night to remember. John Campbelljohn plays slide and pedal steel guitar like a house on fire bending the strings to the edge with a voice full of passion and intensity and lyrics full of wit and humour. His songs are either originals or unique arrangements of classics like Mississippi Queen and Hendrix’s Little Wing. His music ranges from hard-drivin’ rockin’ blues to reggae to slow and sensual. Great variety. The crowd ate it up - the dance floor was packed all night. Judging by the quantity of CD’s sold JCJ just made a whole bunch of new fans. His new one “Weight of the World” in particular was a big seller. This album is guaranteed to win awards. $550 was raised for Guthrie House – a unique community-based health and social services Resource Centre in nearby Elgin. |
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DECEMBER 15 |
MARK BIRD STAFFORD & BAND |
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Mark “Bird” Stafford & his
Band delivered a great show December
15 at The Cove in Westport –
Mixing pure Chicago blues with some excellent jump and swing they had everyone up and dancing. Mark on harmonica and lead vocals sounded at various times like Little Walter, Big Walter Sonny Boy and James Cotton on both the old classics and his own fine compositions. His feel for a song is superb and fits well with the unique fat tone harmonica style he has developed. The backline included veterans Brian Downey on drums (well known to Ottawa area blues fans) and Dennis Pinhorn from Toronto on stand-up bass with 40 years of experience each between(Brian has played with the likes of John Lee Hooker |
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| and Eddie Cleanhead Vinson while Dennis
has backed Spencer Davis, James Cotton &
Ronnie Hawkins over the years). Oakville native Aaron Griggs on lead guitar fit right in laying
down tasty licks all night long. Lots of CD's, as well as some nice engraved
Mark “Bird” Stafford Hohner harmonicas,
were sold and signed – always a good
sign the crowd enjoyed the band. Door prizes
added to the festive atmosphere and everyone
had the opportunity to enter their name for
a Grand Prize of an all expense paid Weekend
for 2 at The Cove – draw to take place
at the end of the Series in April. |
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$350 was raised for the Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship Fund to help a worthy Westport student with their university |
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JANUARY 19 |
MIKE GOUDREAU BAND |
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Fresh from a great
performance as one of the Showcase Bands at
the recent Canadian Blues Summit in Toronto
the MIKE GOUDREAU BAND rolled in from Quebec's
Eastern Townships to THE COVE in Westport
last Friday January 19 as part of the BLUES
ON THE RIDEAU SERIES and delivered a sizzling
show. The night was Sold Out two weeks in
advance and the crowd wasn't disappointed. Led by Mike on lead guitar and vocals and backed by Harmonica Zeke on harp & acoustic slide guitar, Daniel Poulin on bass and Patrick Morin on drums this excellent band laid down their patented style of swingin', boppin' blues that had the dance floor packed all night. There were people of all ages in attendance from as far away as Toronto, Montreal, Peterborough, Kingston, Brockville, Wooler, Kemptville, White Lake and the Tay Valley as well as Westport and nearby Perth, Smiths Falls, Elgin and Newboro. A number took the Cove's Blues Weekend Getaway Package and made a mini-vacation out of it. |
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Here's what some of them had to say about
the night on their Comment Cards: “Loved the small, intimate venue, great food!, great occasion to meet with friends & neighbours. This place rocks!” Rated 10 out of 10 for venue, food, service, band & sound. Ron Koob, Kingston “We love the participation of the crowd, the good dancing and fun!!!. Great band!!!” 10+ out of 10! Bob & Shirley Shipton, Westport. Regulars who have attended every BOTR night over the past 2 years. “We enjoyed it all – the crowd, ambience, excellent food, wine...it's like being at a wedding where you know everyone!!”. Mary Carmichael, Toronto “The staff earns a 10+. Real sense of community here even though some, like us, came from far away”. Laurie Parker, Wooler “Great time! Worth the 2 ½ drive in the snow to get here!” Marilyn & Mike Crowder, Peterborough |
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| $600 was raised for the Westport Lions Club Mobility Van used to transport seniors and handicapped Westport area residents around the region (doctor & dentist appointments, shopping, etc). | ||
FEBRUARY 16 |
TREASA LEVASEUR BAND |
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| TREASA
LEVASSEUR and her Band joined the list
of great performances at the BLUES ON THE RIDEAU
Dinner & Show Series last Friday February
16 at THE COVE INN, WESTPORT. Unknown to most
of the audience prior to this evening she made
a whole bunch of new fans that night. Treasa’s mix of blues, soul, funk, R&B, folk, country and rock gave the crowd everything they wanted – especially dance music. Many of her songs were originals - she even wrote 5 new ones just for this Show! Songwriter, bandleader, singer extraordinaire (with a voice full of power and passion - think Etta James, Joni Mitchell, Dusty Springfield and Carole King rolled into one) keyboard, guitar, squeezebox and tambourine player – this talented lady does it all. Her band was solid and tight with Michelle Josef on drums, John Elliot on bass, |
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| Vandana Sharma on sax and Sean
Cotton on guitar and vocals. Once again the
dance floor was packed all night and once again
it was a sellout crowd including a solid core
of regulars who “just can’t get
enough” of these nights. 15% of those
who came purchased her great new CD “Not
A Straight Line” which should tell you
something.Treasa’s star is definitely on the rise.
She recently came back from performing in Cuba,
was one of only 16 Showcase artists at the Canadian
Blues Summit in Toronto in January and was nominated
for a 2006 Maple Blues Award as Best New Artist
of the Year. Next week she leaves for the Folk
Alliance gathering in Memphis, heads out to
B.C. at the end of March and will be playing
in and around Toronto including Hugh’s
Room and Healey’s over the next couple
of months. If you get a chance to see her don’t
miss it! $505 cheque to Duncan MacDougall of FRIENDS OF FOLEY MOUNTAIN a Not For Profit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and fostering appreciation for the natural and cultural history of this beautiful 800 acre provincial park overlooking Westport. |
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MARCH 16 |
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APRIL 20
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MAY 18 |
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JUNE 15
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