We live about a 15 minute walk away, but it seems to take much longer due to the fact that some 1.3 million people who show up every year to the Taste of the Danforth, were right in front of us. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the festival, I highly recommend going … unless you hate crowds and good food!

This year we came armed with a decent sized back pack to put some of the zillion or so delicacies that we were bombard with from every direction in, to take home with us for later consumption. Greek food (obviously), Ethiopian, Taiwanese, Japanese, Irish, British, the Islands, Mexican, to name only a few, food stands are everywhere. Calories as far as the eyes can see. We bought a little bit of food to taste as we walked along the 3 km stretch of closed off roadway and then as I said bought a little bit more to stuff in my backpack to eat today!

The journey lasted around 3.5 hours. The dogs they aren’t a barkin’ all that much but as for my wife’s … It was just plain fantastic to get out of the ‘olde house for a while and finally enjoy some of the spectacular local events that are held in the little city of Toronto.

I’ve got some pic’s on the camera phone that I’ll upload sometime soon but I can’t find that damn USB connector. Am I the only one in the world to loose that thing from time to time?

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

So in honour of all of you out there that have had this train of thought for a while then, this tune is for you! Stay cool out there kidz!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mwc43Fd9DY

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

Glen Campbell leaned over his blue electric guitar, plucked a few strings and made a sour face.
“Dadgum it,” he said.
Campbell fiddled a few seconds longer while standing backstage at the IP Casino and finally found a perfect D chord.
“There it is,” he said, before turning on his heel and marching into the spotlight. He launched into “Gentle on my Mind” and — without so much as clearing his throat — nailed it.

“That first one is a doozey, ain’t it?” Campbell asked the crowd. AP

Now that would have been quite the emotional show for all who were in attendance that night in Biloxi, Miss.

I’ve read that he may have missed that odd word here or there but his teleprompter was his saving grace that show. Heck, I’ve been known to have done that from time to time accompanied with that one word I follow it with “Damn it!” Good for Glenn, I hope that he can enjoy his God given talent as long as he can.

For a guitarist/musician/singer-songwriter like Glenn Campbell, this disease must feel like someone coming up to you and hitting you in the heart with a sledgehammer. While I’m not getting any younger, I find myself once in a while walking in a room and forgetting what I went in there for and I’m sure you can find examples in your own life. I can only speculate at what he is going through.

Alzheimer, it seems to me, is a disease that appears to be coming at us as a society from all directions. It has affected a direct family member, a very dear friend’s own loving father and countless patients that I have had direct dealings with over the years.

I have seen it tear away and disregard peoples memories at will with no fear of the consequences! It not only has devastating affects on the patient themselves but their loved ones as well. If you know someone who has a loved one with this unimaginable disease, give them a hug … because they need it too!

If you feel like giving a simple donation to the Alzheimer of Canada society, check out their secure site and give a simple donation to the cause, one day you might need their help too.

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

The band was called the Mason Dixon band and they were the perfect band to showcase at a venue like this. The singer also said that this was their 8th straight year playing this venue and I’ll soon show you why.

So while waiting in line we heard a band warming up on stage doing a sound check. The guitars sounded great, the drum kit sounded small, (but a talented guy like Domenic or Julian Pavine, on a small kit can make people’s head turn) was ok, then came the sound of a keyboard in Hammond B3 mode. To me one of the greatest sounds that you can hear while a band is warming up is the sound of this thing, it makes the hair on my arms stand up! Then the band started playing.

First tune they performed that afternoon was Kansas Carry On My Wayward Son. The vocals were great, the band was tight, the smell of charcoal ribs, a light breeze blowing through my hair, a perfect sky and with these guys wailing away in the background, priceless!

They then performed a great version of Foreplay/Long Time by Boston, Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac), School (Supertramp) Thinkin’ Of You (Harlequin). The highlight for some people was trying to figure out that this annenna thing was that the lead guitar player/backup singer was playing. This instrument is called the

Then as we were exiting the park we where showered with Raise A Little Hell from Trooper, while watching people walking in, lip singing to the song, what a great way to leave this years event! Wish you we there.

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

There are actually several Ribfests during the summer months. The one we went to yesterday was located in Etobicoke’s Centennial Park. We’ve been there before mostly for the food but this year ran into this great band playing on the Rotary stage, but first to the fine local cuisine!

First we picked up some Origional (Yes that’s how they spelled it right on the tin mug that came with it) Pappy’s Old Fashion Soda Pop. It was way too watered down for the price of $7.00. Tip: if you do get one, make sure to completely pull down on the tap until you see the colour of your drink otherwise you end up with a bad mixture. The mug does have a cool Army or Klondike gold rush appearance to it. Then it was off to Camp 31 BBQ to get us 2 Full Racks of Ribs with 2 orders of beans and coleslaw. Cost $48.00.

Just before leaving the Ribfest, we finally decided to get a taste of Bob’s Bloomin’ Onions. Cost $9.00. They get a huge onion and make it look like a flower. Then they dip it in batter then deep fry it and serve it with a Ranch Dressing sauce.

The parking as usual was crazy, for a more pleasant exit from the parking lot, ask the cop or attendant whee they want you to exit, it will definitely help with your blood pressure.

I’m sorry if I grossed out any vegans out there.

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

… the show has become a haven for collectors of all ages whose love of Vinyl, CDs, Paper Goods and other music collectables just can’t be quenched.

Just looking at our old record collection brings back such fond memories. We only took a quick look at our collection downstairs and they look to be ok. We have them in these thick old computer boxes that I got when I worked at this computer company called Kortex Computers, and put them on top of an old skid that places them around 8 inches off the ground.

So if your looking for something to do this weekend in the East End of Toronto this weekend then drop me a comment on this post and we’ll head off there for a blast!

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

This one video stood out to me, because as a performer, this is the worst thing that can happen to you when your playing a show. Some drunkin’ asshole talking about God only knows, while your pouring out your heart and soul to people you don’t know and who have paid money to come and see you live on stage. For all you artists out there you know what I mean.

The video below is from one of Jeff Tweedy’s concerts in Lambchop New Zealand. What Jeff Tweedy does in this clip is exactly what all us performer would like to do to those people who talk during shows. So everyone listen up and shut up! (Kiddin’)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3AOlbJXos

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

Now being a little more mature, musically that is, when I view a couple of their earlier shows on line I tend to pick up some unexpected treasures in those shows that I wasn’t really aware of back then. To see what I mean read on.

At work I’m always chatting with surgeons that use to play guitar in high school bands and our talks always revolves around obscure musical topics. This one day one of them told me about this particular Monkees episode that had Frank Zappa on it. Then right after saying this, this other surgeon chirped in and said that he was a massive Frank Zappa fan that went to see Zappa plays Zappa last year. Small world eh?

I then said, Really … Frank Zappa on the Monkees? You’ve got to be kiddin’ me. So off we went to a computer, did a quick youtube search and bang, there it was right in front of us.

Frank Zappa in a short clip on the Monkees show..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOI-SDYGviM

Michael Nesmith playing Frank Zappa and Frank Zappa playing Michael Nesmith interviewing each other as the other person, hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNJy-OgCzB0

Any Zappa fans out there?

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

Three months after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission told MuchMusic it can’t air fewer music videos than it already does, the same federal agency has denied a request to play more of them on a cable music channel that’s become a launching pad for dozens of independent Canadian artists. Vancouver Sun

This story was in the Vancouver Sun on February 15, 2011. How does a decision like this happen. Who actually calls it? What was their reasoning behind it?

I like watching Aux TV. The amount of indie acts are great and I think this kind of platform is desperately deeded around here. I’ve been watching AUX TV since Oct 2009 and although I’m not a huge dedicated fan, I like the change it brings to my TV entertainment.

Can someone out there tell me how/why the CRTC came to this conclusion?

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

They just appear to be having a great time in each others presence. I’m not sure what they’re getting at or if there is any purpose to the interview but it sure is entertaining at times! In one section someone alludes to the fact that it is being shot in a local TV studio somewhere in Calgary.If anyone out there knows more about the video please tell me, I’d love to find out.

Nash can’t remember, but he thinks there are serious stories to be told here, but..he…can’t…. remember. Jim…..Help!!! Just kidding. Iggy and Nash remember everything that happened over the entire six week tour, but they refuse to incriminate each other.
Nash the Slash’s Gravesite

At one point in the video, they show us some of the finer points of yoga and stretching. Come to think of it, they may have been the forerunners of the 20 Minute Workout video’s? Remember that show?

The video is very poor and grainy at times, I’ll warn you now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZnP_oNVko

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of meeting the man, without the bandages, at a local patio. It was so cool to finally meet a boyhood legend that it left me speechless … yes speechless!

Keep on Jammin’

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy