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On Friday Night, the 5th of 104 shows in 92 days for Doc MacLean and Big Dave McLean performed with their matching ladies (2-1930s steel guitars), washboard and harps with a slow and soulful Mississippi River sort of blues.

They are quite a pair, having played for near 40 years each and with the likes of Muddy Waters. Their sound board instructions were akin to ' Get it close son and we'll fine tune by backing away from the mics.' The personalities were not specially alike, but they complimented each other well.  Read more »

Steve Marriner played to a full and ultimately satisfied house Saturday. This show had a different 'welcome to my living room' feel to it. Very energetic, intimate and interactive. Mr.Marriner again played a kick drum, kick-tambourin, 4 different guitars and a myriad of harmonicas, many songs became medleys and the whole evening had a fantastic blues exploration feel to it.

One thing became clear as the evening progressed, Steve's insistence that he's not funny is just wrong.  Read more »

A concert that few knew what to expect from  turned into a favourite for many.  The trio of Kim Halliday, Sarah Beattie and Ora Barlow play a combination of Fiddle, Ukulele, Maori traditional instruments, Cajons, Guitar, Stomp Peddles, Percussion and Vocals with lyrics in Maori, Rotuman and English.  This, as it turns out requires a fair amount of sound board work. Thanks to Stephen and James, we got it right.  Read more »

Julian was on Saturday the 25th with Bassist James Thomson and Bill Hefferman made a special guest appearance to recite a poem about Pete Seeger. Speaking strictly from 8 minutes of youtube evidence the music was fantastic the ivory work, and vocals were of a quality that belies Julians age. The standup bass was accomplished and the on stage vibe seemed easy and at home. They played until 11:00 to a full house.

Kim and Adam were out of town, so Sharon ran the show with some key help. It's great that everything went so well.  Read more »

With a voice made for singing the blues, Michael Pickett played solo to a full house for a full 2 hours and entertained with sets that created itself throughout the evening.   The songs were altered between beautiful, poignant and hoppin'.  He ended his first set with an astounding harmonica, vocal and clapping number that displayed his harp skills honed from a career past where he played harmonica in full bands before going solo.
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Even as our little space in a small village in a decidedly Scottish township showed up on the Proclaimers facebook and my space sights, it seemed unreal. 

It got very real when a white van pulled up with the Charlie, Craig and the band members and manager.  They were very gracious and had a bite in the garden before the crowd showed, with the occasional kilt, and Scottish gear (if it's not Scottish, it's....).   Read more »

It was a real thrill to see Terry Tufts, hear his songs and wonder at the effortless guitar mastery on the schoolhouse stage.

It was a very friendly and welcoming feel in the room, from the handful of songs about tobogganing (I love tobogganing), to the always pertinent song that suggests indignance is appropriate, but 'count to ten and breathe'.  Read more »