A Busy Weekend

Well, here goes...there is a new emergence on the Edmonton music scene, which consists of a bunch of old guys. With my age old partner, Dave 'Crawdad' Cantera, we have assembled an interesting band of irregulars we like to call 'The Fabulous Canola Tones'. This was a brainstorm of ours which stemmed from one of our old mantras; "Take the gig...worry about the players later." This band has been brewing for years, and has more members than the Edmonton Symphony...well, not quite, but you get the picture. Tonight we are playing at LB's in St. Albert, and tomorrow we finish up the Blues on Black and Whyte event at O'Byrnes on Whyte Aveenue. This time around we will have myself, Crawdad, Jim Donnett on guitar, Dave Bridges on bass, and Mark Ammar on drums...a smokin' lineup. However, this band has consisted of many players including; Tom Roshkof, Don Marcotte, Mike Sadava, Scot Morgan, Kelly Pikula, Mark Sholtz, and Barry Howse, just to name a few. Oddly enough, we seem to be getting more and more gigs due to the fact that, depending on the venue, we can virtually play any genre required. We just take the gig and fill it with the players who fit the bill...what a concept. Come check it out tonight in St. Albert at LB's (9:30 - 2:00), or tomorrow at O'Byrnes (6:30 - 9:00). You won't be disappointed...after all...we are The Fabulous Canola Tones!!
Oh, and don't forget...'church' on Sunday at the Newcastle Pubs' Sunday Soul Service...whew!!

Lots of news...

Wow..where do I start...a huge announcement yesterday. Bruce Conte, the guitar player from 'Tower of Power' and 'Earth Wind and Fire', has agreed to to do one club date while in Edmonton. That date is February 26 at the Newcastle Pub...holy crap...I can't believe it...

Next up is the 'Heart of the City' fundraiser, also at the Newcastle. This is to raise funds for a very worthy cause, helping the upcoming 'Heart of the City Festival' supporting the arts for inner city youth. On the bill for the show is the band 'No Foolin' with special guests, '100 Mile House'. This will be an awesome show...

Then we have a very special evening planned for March 12, when the Newcastle is proud to host the 40th anniversary of one of Edmontons' most beloved bands, 'Hot Cottage'. These guys were rockin it out before I even reached puberty, and they still know how to kick it up. Special guests on the stage that night will include 'Big Hank Lionheart and A Fist Full of Blues',  along with a few surprises, I'm sure.

Keep your ears open...there's more up the road! On July 9th the Newcastle will host the second annual 'Little Warriors/Newcastle Pub Poker Run'. This was one of the highlights on the schedule last year, and was a huge success raising an unbelievable $15,000.00 for this very important cause. The morning starts with all of the bikes in the parking lot in front of the pub...what a site to behold...and continues throughout the day. Festivities include a silent auction, and culminates in fine style with music and dancing in the evening. Returning again this year to provide the grooves, are 'The Vindicators'. These guys really know how to lay it down.

That's it for now...I will keep you all updated as new events come up...
Cheers...

The Sunday Soul Service

Well, I'm up and about on this fine Sunday morning. Coffee is good...my cat Missy is nestled on my lap, and I am looking forward to another fine day of music at the Sunday Soul Service. It amazes me how far this jam has progressed. Not many people remember that this jam room was christened many, many years ago. As we approach the anniversary of our Sunday jam (7 years in April), I can't help but think back on the humble beginnings. It was the Ottewell Pub at the time, and I did a Monday night jam for what turned out to be seven-plus years. I remember when it first started, and telling the owners, Clark and Fadi, that this would take time to build. It did....I played by myself for nearly three months until my first jammer came to play. His name was John, and he brought his accordion to play, of all things, German hymns. The irony is not lost on me...welcome to heaven, here's your harp...welcome to hell, here's your accordion. The cool part is that John still comes to the jam, and continues to practise his accordion with hopes of a repeat performance. He will always have a spot, and will not be forgotten. That has been the premise all along...everybody gets to play, regardless of their ability.

Now, 14 plus years later, we are blessed with many awesome musicians who come to play on a regular basis, and appreciative crowds each and every week. People ask me now, after playing music professionally for nearly 35 years, if the dream is still alive. The obvious answer is that "the dream never dies, just the dreamer". However, you do become more realistic. When I first started as a pro, my career was predicated by watching the likes of Winston Quelch form One Horse Blue, Doug Jensen from Jenson Interceptor, Brent Mcnab from the Models, Stu Mitchell and many more of the local legends who I idolized at the time. These great musicians are now my friends, and I get to play, write and record with them all the time. When I think about them, and all of the great fans in this wonderful city, my answer has to change...I've already made it...
See you at "church"...Cheers...

Friday Night Gig

What a blast we had last night...my "other" band, The Fabulous Canola Tones, played at O'Byrnes on Whyte Avenue...the place was absolutely jammed...lined up at the door for most of the evening, I could not believe the amount of people in that pub. Kudos to the staff who were totally on the ball, and, even with the elbow to elbow crowd, continued to be extremely pleasant and efficient. This was a fill in gig for us, but we are back there next Saturday, as well. If last night was any indication, next week should be a freakin' zoo...stay tuned...

My First Blog

As luck would have it, I am blessed with a plethora of fine friends who, in their own way, assist

me with things that I didn't know existed. One of these is a fellow I met a while back who

has, for some reason, helped me with getting the word out.

His name is Bob Kenyon.

Bob is obviously a wizard on the computer, and has established the "Ya Gotta Network" which is

a wonderful resource spot for a multitude of information nuggets throughout western Canada. As

this is my first blog, I would be remiss in not mentioning the work he has done for me and the

many members and contributors in various fields of interest, not the least of which, is the local entertainment industry. Unlike the entertainers he promotes, he goes about his business without fanfare.

So, having said all of that, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Kenyon, for your love of music, and your commitment to the artists that you support.

It has not gone unnoticed...

Cheers, Bob...

Willy James