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John Lennon would have been 70 today

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I wonder what John Lennon would have done for his birthday if Mark David Chapman had not taken the heart and soul of a generation from us on that Monday December 8th 1980 @ 10:55 PM?

It’s wild just to think about what John Lennon would be doing, as a modern day artisan, if he was with us today.

I think that he’d be a rather hard working multi-media god.

He could have created some of his magical music right in the comfort of his Dakota apartment and then released it on iTunes or some other site. He could have produced fabulous digital art for art galleries or for sale. He’d more than likely have a blog to use as a soapbox to bring us his message about his comments on society. He might even have had a Twitter account, who knows?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okd3hLlvvLw

What do you think John Lennon would be doing to celebrate his birthday if he were alive today?

Keep in Jammin’




Centennial Stage construction at the CNE

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I was watching a news story a couple of months ago about vintage videos, both from private and official video collections, from some of the past CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) years. The people who run the CNE thought that they had something special here and they wanted to share it with the rest of the world. They weren’t quite to sure how to achieve this, but they eventually decided to put it up on Youtube so that everyone could enjoy the CNE archive films.

I just watched quite a few of the CNE videos and I have to say that some of these clips brought back a flood of fantastic memories of past visits to CNE or The EX as most of us locals call it.

My favorite video of the entire collection was the one that showed the making of the main portable stage at Exhibition Stadium. Up until watching the video that I have, BTW included at the end of this post, I never knew the actual name of this stage. They call it the Centennial Stage.

This stage supported some of the greatest acts of the 20th century! The Who, Pick Floyd, The Police, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, John Cougar Mellencamp (ha, I finally had the chance to say his old name out loud!) and Simon and Garfunkel just to name a few. The best show that I have witnessed there, from a pure sound point of view, was Pick Floyd in 1987? They went all quadraphonic on us at that show, very trippy!!!

So I hope that the video below brings back some great memories for you if you had the chance to visit this stage or the Toronto CNE in the past.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f34Wd1VLDwg

Keep on Jammin’

Danforth Music Hall closing?

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I just read an article on Google that the mighty Danforth Music Hall is being shut down by the owners of this landmark on the Danforth for not paying their rent.

Every time I drive by the Danforth Music Hall, I can’t help but think about all the great acts that I’ve seen within it’s hallowed walls. The most recent acts I’ve witnessed there are Rick Wakeman and Amos Lee.

The company that use to rent the Danforth Music Hall put in tons of time, energy and money into the building in 2005. They brought it back to it’s original aesthetics. The overall set up in the hall is fabulous. The seats are comfortable and the overall feel to it is relaxing to say the least. They also installed a great PA system that is far superior to the one that was there back in the 80’s and 90’s.

“It’s gone through all sorts of transformations,” said Gerald Whyte, president of the Riverdale Historical Society. “It was the only [National Theatre] that was still operating as a theatre.” Globe and Mail

Electra Films Ltd., the company that currently owns the building, is either trying to remove or just get it’s money from Ellipsis Leisure Retail Inc., I’m hoping for the latter. A notice that is posted on the front doors of the building states that Electra is owed a little bit more than $44,000 in rent back rent.

I for one hope that Ellipsis gets back on more stable financial footings in the very near future and they keep this jewel of The Danforth open for years to come.

Keep on Jammin’ Music Hall!

Ted Nugent is in trouble again

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The crazy guitar/hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent was charged with killing a helpless deer while taping a TV reality show for the Outdoor Channel called Spirit of the Wild, last February. A game warden was a witness to the event and said that he targeted a deer that was too young to be hunted.

Ted Nugent guitarist and avid game hunter

His defense lawyer entered a no-contest plea on Nugent’s behalf Friday. The charge is a misdemeanor counts of baiting a deer and failing to acquire an authorized signature to confirm the kill’s legality.

Mr Cat Scratch Fever was originally facing 11 charges, but his attorney was able to get the charges dropped after a negotiated a deal with the courts. Mr Nugent must pay a fine of $1,750 fine to reconcile the affair.

Still crazy after all these years!

Keep on Jammin’


Intergalactic Guitar anyone

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Now is it just me or is this the most intergalactic looking guitar that you’ve every seen? It appears to be part spaceship and guitar all rapped up in one. Ah, this must be the Spaceship Super Star‘s guitar! Finally I found the Solar Power Laser Beam Guitar that Prism was talking about. All that is missing is the solar panels.

intergalactic looking guitar

Keep on Jammin’

Guitar Hero pays homage to RUSH’s 2112 album

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The video game Guitar Hero, from Activision, is paying tribute to our very own RUSH’s 2112 album! It will be coming out this September in the Warriors of Rock Guitar Hero video series.

For the uninitiated, 2112 isn’t your average rock album. It’s about the fallout from a galaxy-wide war in the year 2062, which ended with an oppressive organization, known as the Red Star of the Solar Federation, in charge. The federation exerts its influence over cultural matters through their conduits, the Priests of the Temple of Syrinx. But things begin to change for the better in the year 2112, after a rebellious man discovers a guitar in a cave and proceeds to rock out. Essentially, it’s the plot of Footloose, but with a bunch of spacey, Ayn Rand philosophy thrown in. CBC News

Even though I hear that Guitar Hero has used some of Rush’s tunes in other issues, this years homage to them is special to me. I remember listening to this album when it first came out to today. I figured out every little riff that i could. Man that was a awesome concept album! I know I’ve talked before about my dislike for this game due to the lack of guitar skills needed to play this thing, and I still hold those views, but I must admit I might check out my nephew’s copy of it when it comes out! Hear that AJ, what are ya waiting for!

Keep on Jammin’

Last night at Sarah’s Acoustic Afternoon was a blast!

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Too bad that I didn’t play! I couldn’t play because of this very nagging ear infection that I have been going through the past little while. It’s like being under water and it makes it hard to concentrate on what your playing. Oh well, there’s always next weekend’s Acoustic Afternoon!

I did get down there yesterday afternoon around 5 PM to see an old bass guitar player hero from the past, the great Doug F. His bass chops back in the day was a true inspiration for me as a very young guitar player growing up in Brantford and attending St. Pius X Church.

He was one of those intimidating musicians, in my mind due to my young age at that time, that just had a certain air to him. At first he made me feel not worthy to play in front of because he was so good! I’m sure that most of us out there has had a similar experience when we first start playing?! After getting to know him years later, I quickly found this not to be true at all.

We all sat out on the patio at Sarah’s and the weather could not have been better. Oh ya, some team from Spain won some kinda game? We chatted there for a while and then we decided to head off to our place to sit in our backyard for some more fun in the sun. Our very overly friendly Greek neighbour Nick had his whole clan over again and he asked us over to join them for some great food, (damn those Greek people know how to BBQ) and drinks. After leaving there with around 2-3 days of diners, we came back to our place.

I brought out the my trusty Larrivee and played some background music to go with our conversation. It was perfect!

So that was my day in paradise my with wife and an old guitar hero!

Keep on Jammin’ Doug!

My next live gig is at Sarah’s Cafe on Danforth Ave.

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I’ll be performing on Sunday July 11th at Sarah’s Cafe Bar which is located at 1426 Danforth Avenue, Toronto. I normally don’t announce where I play but this is unique venue to play. It’s an open mike event with a crowd that is quite musically educated. It’s full of singer song writers that mostly entertain the audience with their own original works of art. The audience just sits back and respectfully admires the performers. Now this is a crowd that I am looking for!

This event is called Acoustic Afternoon and is run by a well known local music lover/performer/promoter named Dan McLean Jr. This is not the only show that he runs in Toronto. He also runs gigs for local musician’s like Emerging Artists at Free Times Café at 320 College St on the last Wednesday of every month, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern at 370 Queen St W and of coarse the one at Sarah’s.

While at Sarah’s last Sunday I met this guy sitting at the bar named Jason. If you have a moment, check out some of his Pod Cast shows that are available on his site. Anyway, Jason told me that he had just played on stage a minute ago. He said that he just recently started attending some shows and was going up on stage to try out some of his new material and said that the crowd is just amazing!

So if you’ve got a minute to spare this coming Sunday then head off to Sarah’s Cafe Bar and kick back for some fantastic local talent! Hell, maybe I’ll get my crowbar out to pry open my wallet and buy ya a beverage or two, cheers!

Keep on Jammin’

Scarborough 16th Vintage Guitar Festival

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Canada’s 16th Vintage Guitar Show is a great event to check out some nice vintage guitars. It will be held Saturday June 26th 1:00 to 8:00pm to Sunday June 27th from 11:00am to 5:00pm. This guitar festival is located at Scarborough Community Center 3600 Kingston Road (at Markham Road) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. See Map for details. The price of admission is a reasonable $10.00 at the door.

I just came back from this year’s show, my first ever I might add, and I liked what I saw. The main vendor and it’s driving force behind the gathering of like minded individuals is Tundra Music. They were the largest both there by far. The amount of guitars on display was breath taking. My favorites were

  • 1969 Gold Top Les Paul for $20,000
  • a nice well used 1936 Martin acoustic for $25,000
  • a beautiful 1957 Fender Strat, the price for this one I didn’t get. Damn I wish I had more dollars the cents!

I went to the show just for the fun of it and to be around some vintage guitars. To be amongst other guitar enthusiasts is a great feeling. There was no special effects anywhere on the floor just straight forward rock and roll guitars.

The one smaller but very experienced vendor that I liked was Terry Gallie. He had some great guitars on display for us at the this years show. He may of had a much limited variety to view then Tundra Music but it was his intensity that was infectious. His company is called Atomic Age Vintage and you can get a hold of him at (416) 423-4617 or e-mail him directly at atomic@bell.net to see what he has in store for you.

Another merchant was K.S. Sound from Schooner Cove Nova Scotia. He had some interesting guitars for sale and was very friendly and helpful to talk to. This is just a hobby for him at this point but he plans to jump in with both feet when he retires later on this year. I’ll have to go back next year to see how he is doing with his new venture.

Then there was this other small both that was showcasing his personal collection for guitars. He is from Hamilton but I didn’t get his name due to so many wandering around him trying to inquire about his stock at the show.

In a future post I’ll put some pic’s up for all of you to see exactly what I saw at Canada’s 16th Vintage Guitar Show. So if your in Toronto this weekend, NO PROTESTER’s PLEASE, then stop on by to take in this years show. I’m more then sure there is something at the festival for everyone!

Keep on Jammin’

Playing at a talent show at work

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Well I was asked to perform at this years talent show at the old hospital. It was fun just going up there and playing a few songs with 2 separate acts! The guys in each act are great co-workers. I’ve met both of them over the years and we get together with once in a blue moon for a little relaxing jam.

The first act was with Adrian. We both played guitar and shared vocals on Hole Hearted by Extreme. We pulled it off ok. Adrian, no not the guy from Rocky, is a great bass player with audio skills that most musicians would love to have on stage with them. His place is crammed with tons of sound equipment. Mic’s, a couple of sound boards set up and functioning, a couple of computers, instruments, even a couple of disco balls all ready to be fired up!

In the second act I performed with Sean. Sean is a south paw who played guitar and the harmonica. His main forte is drums. The number we played was Neil Young’s acoustic version of Rockin’ in the Free World. Sean pulled off a great harmonica solo half way through the song and the crowd seemed to like it.

The only thing that made my blood boil was the DJ/sound guy. He is a great guy don’t get me wrong, it’s just that he was very late to show up and we only had a couple of seconds for a sound check each right before each song. The sound was distorted and unbalanced so much so that some of the audience members commented on it after the show. I guess when your a group that is using a Karaoke sound board in a live show, what can you expect, right?!

I am a perfectionist that loves to use nuances of sound and push them to it’s limits, that is what I’m known for during performances. Depth is my best friend. That day, I left depth behind, only to use the polite words of the audience as a prop.

So that’s what is new with me so far this summer. Otherwise I’ve been doing some great gardening, welcoming new neighbours next door and taking life real easy. Once in a while you just have to sit back and not only smell the roses but work on them too!

Keep on Jammin’

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