Tag Archives: Winnipeg

Corin Raymond’s Bookworm & Music, July 27 @The Sunset Saloon!

July 27 @ The Sunset Saloon!

Tell the Band to Go Home & Steel Belted Radio proudly present:

Corin Raymond‘s Bookworm & solo acoustic musical performance!

Monday, July 27
7:30 pm.
$20 Advance tickets will be sold to ensure a full house! It will not be hard to move these tickets come July, so get them while you can.


Corin Raymond
is a dynamic, engaging performer. He’s a hell of a songwriter and even more of a song supporter. His most recent album is a collection of songs by great Canadian songwriters. He paid for it all with Canadian Tire Money. It’s a story that took on a life of its own and was written about and reported on widely in the media last year. Now, he’s turned it into a new one-man show all about The Great Canadian Tire Money Caper, and it’s coming to the Winnipeg Fringe Festival this July. (here’s a review of the new show) He’ll be performing his new show nightly July 15-26 at The West End Cultural Centre, and once word gets out about Corin’s performance, it’ll surely be packed nightly. Corin is also doing a set of music at his home away from home, The Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club on Saturday, July 25, where he’ll be backed by and opening for Kieran West & His Buffalo Band! It’ll be a rockin’ good time, and it too will be jam packed.

Previous to this new fringe show, Corin performed his first one-man-show, Bookworm at our Fringe Festival in 2012. It was such a powerful, amazing, entertaining show, and I’m one of many people who have been asking Corin when he was going to perform it in Winnipeg again. Well, this is the only performance he’s got planned!

Bookworm is amazing. Here’s the brief bio:

A story of a father reading to his son, growing up in a library, plus Spiderman, Ray Bradbury, and meeting the Minotaur for the first time just outside Wawa.

Written and performed by Corin Raymond
Dramaturged by TJ Dawe
Directed by Morgan Jones Phillips

Storytelling that has comedy, drama, plenty of beauty and life-inspiration, and a climax no one could possibly predict, all wrapped into an hour.

Audience: 12 and up

Warning: This show WILL open your heart.

Here are some press quotes, and even they don’t really do this incredible show justice:

Raymond’s way of connecting with the audience is remarkable, and he will generously share his prized personal and fictional stories with you”.CFUV Radio

Some storytellers leave you gaping, forgetful of your surroundings and only wanting more. Corin Raymond is this storyteller. He is the man who is passionate about the pronunciation of Roald Dahl’s Grand High Witch’s speech pattern. He can recount the tale of Theseus from memory, in detail and will freely admit to memorizing the opening lines of his favourite book. And while it would be possible to simply sit and listen to Raymond tell the tales of ancient Greece, Bookworm also manages to convey the cross-generational influences and complex relationship between a father and son. It’s well-paced, well-performed and will have you heading to the first bookstore as you leave the theatre while calling your dad to say hey”. Samantha Power, Vue Weekly

Corin Raymond is a storyteller who by the end of the night you’ll have known your whole life.” The Globe and Mail

“The best compliment I can think of to give Corin Raymond’s charming and utterly engaging Bookworm is that it’s like being read to for an hour by a guy who’s totally passionate about the story he’s reading—which is exactly what Bookworm is. An ode to books and the people who love them, Raymond cleverly mixes everyday autobiography with an inherited love of what lies between the covers of his favourite books; and while there is a great surprise waiting in the final minutes of the show, it isn’t the crux of the show—Raymond’s own passion is…Bookworm is the kind of show you want to share with everyone you know. Every local bookstore owner or worker, book club member or solo lover of the printed word—be it fiction, poetry, history or comic books—must see this memorable production.” John Threlfall CWmagazine.com

​Reserve your advance tickets as soon as you are able!
Watch an excerpt:

Watch the whole show if you really want to RUIN it for yourself:

Music:

This one will stop you in your tracks:

Mike June & Jess Klein at The Sunset Saloon, June 27!

JuneJessBanner
Tell the Band to Go Home & Steel Belted Radio proudly present:

Mike June & Jess Klein
at The Sunset Saloon (house concert in Westwood)
Saturday, June 27, 2015
8:00
Suggested donation $20-25 (price flexible, all proceeds to these talented musicians)

(also appearing June 28 at The StuDome in Crescentwood. Contact us and we’ll hook you up with details about that one! You can also visit the Facebook page for that one.)

If you wish, bring a drink for yourself, and/or a snack to share, but we’ve always got plenty of all of those on hand!
I do believe that there will be another batch of our special custom homemade ice cream! Planning is underway for the perfect flavour.

All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever)! Our house is family friendly (we’ve got 3 kids, a trampoline, and plenty of room, so feel free to bring the family), easy-going, friendly, and open to all! If you don’t know us yet, come on down and make some new friends!

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below! Forward this to a friend!

Facebook event

Mike June website

Jess Klein website

How YOU doin’?

Last year, New Jersey native, Austin, TX based singer/songwriter/all around great guy Mike June appeared in Winnipeg alongside the legendary Jon Dee Graham. Truth be told, we would have let Jon Dee bring just about anyone along, because were so excited to have him. I was too busy dreaming of how to become pals with Jon Dee to really do much homework finding out about this Mike June guy. That allowed me to have one of the most pleasant surprises of the year, because Mike turned out to be absolutely fantastic! With a quick wit, an undeniable charm, and a list of powerful and amazing songs, Mike won us over, and how. I couldn’t wait to see more of Mike.

(psssssttt… Did you miss last year’s show? Want to relive it? Here, check this out!

Well, earlier this year he posted that he was going to be doing shows in the “upper midwest,” and asked if anyone wanted to put a show together. I have no clue where the “upper midwest” is, but I know that we’re definitely upper, and west seemed about right, so I chimed right in and got to work trying to bring last year’s sensation back to town. I thought that, for once, I’d throw Stu Reid a bone (I’ve picked up more than a few tasty scraps from my old pal over the years) and ask him to maybe host a show too. He hesitated.

Then the bombshell dropped, and Stu’s tune changed mighty quickly. Turns out, Mike June is bringing someone along, too. Once again, he could have invited that Nickelback douche for all I care, so long as he came back to town and played some songs again. Turns out, we got a MUCH better deal!

Joining Mike on this portion of the tour, and in life, is the fabulously talented Jess Klein! Jess was a folk fest sensation when she appeared here in 2000 and 2003. I was a huge fan from the get-go, and I’ve followed her career ever since. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that this powerful singer/songwriter who blew everyone away at The Folk Festival would someday play in my living room.

Dreams do come true!

Check out an interview with and live performances by Mike & Jon Dee last year on UMFM

and a 2003 interview with Jess Klein

Podcast: November 23, 2014

Ever year, it’s my goal to prove that not all Christmas music is cheesy and terrible. Some of it is even pretty great. We present some strong evidence to prove the point today. We’ve also got new additions to the amazing Willie P Bennett Legacy Project and a few upcoming shows to preview.

playlist
part 1
part 2

Podcast: Steel Belted Radio – Nov. 20, 2014 with Lynne Hanson & Last Ditch on the Left

Lots of what we love most, live music tonight, as we’re joined for conversation and live performances by acclaimed Ottawa area singer/songwriter Lynne Hanson, and a wonderful, upcoming local duo named Last Ditch on the Left!

playlist
part 1 (Lynne Hanson)
part 2 (Last Ditch on the Left)

Podcast: November 16, 2014 – with Barney Bentall

Tonight marks the return of Barney Bentall & The Grand Cariboo Opry, and that’s a great reason to celebrate. We’ve even got an interview with Barney to tell us all about the magic. Plus, there are more great upcoming shows, and we’re slowly and carefully easing into holiday music mode.

playlist
part 1
part 2
part 3 (Barney Bentall/Grand Cariboo Opry)

Podcast: Steel Belted Radio – Nov. 6, 2014 – with Oh Susanna

November is the month of non-stop live shows in Winnipeg, so we’ve got a bunch more to preview this week! Get on out there and enjoy some of the best live music in the world as it’s passing through our city! One of the most exciting is the return of Oh Susanna and her Namedropper collaborator Jim Bryson! A chat with Suzie, tonight.

playlist
part 1
part 2 (Oh Susanna)

Podcast: November 2, 2014 – with Steph Cameron

Today, a heap of great new music, and then we jump forward and back in time, as we preview some more exciting upcoming shows, including Namedropper featuring Oh Susanna, Jim Bryson, and Keri Latimer, and then jump back to Thursday, when an exciting upcoming young performer named Steph Cameron stopped in town and dropped by the studio to chat and sing some songs!

playlist
part 1
part 2
part 3 (Steph Cameron)

Lynn Miles @ Sunset Saloon, Aug. 7!

new lynn pic press LGLynn Miles w/special guest Scott Nolan
Thursday, Aug. 9, 2014
Live at The Sunset Saloon (House Concert, Westwood, Winnipeg)
7:30 pm
Suggested donation $25 (all money goes directly to this talented artist!)

If you wish, bring a drink for yourself, and/or a snack to share, but we’ve always got plenty of all of those on hand!
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever)

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!
Forward this to a friend!

Canada is renowned for its great songwriters and musicians; that much is undeniable. But among the crowd, there always stand a few who loom large and who impress and inspire all of the others. Lynn Miles is one such artist, and she’s in a rare class of songwriters. Throughout her career, from her acclaimed 1996 debut, Slightly Haunted, to the most recent, universally praised album, Downpour, Lynn’s albums have had a rare, consistent beauty – there aren’t any duds anywhere in the catalogue, and everything she’s done has stood above so many others. She writes some of the most powerful, personal, moving songs in the world. The only people who can say that they haven’t been moved by a Lynn Miles song are those unfortunate folks who haven’t heard them.

3womentruthAnd it’s true, her name does not loom as large in the public consciousness as some of her contemporaries, but so many great artists can be counted among her many, many devoted fans. She recently completed a co-headlining tour with two outstanding songwriters, Eliza Gilkyson and Mary Gauthier, called 3 Women and the Truth.

And Lynn Miles brings that truth with her wherever she goes. Her songs tend to lean toward the sad, lonely, desperate part of the human condition. She’s lived it all and isn’t afraid to write about it. Consider her duet with Jim Bryson on her 2010 album, Fall for Beauty (easily one of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard. If this doesn’t put a lump in your throat, you’ve never loved.) (listen here: www.sonicbids.com/band/lynnmiles2/audio/#Goodbye)

But Lynn Miles shows are far from a downer. In concert, she’s hilarious, charming, and really engaging. You’ll laugh as much as you cry, and you’ll fall in love with this wonderful woman and her legendary songs.

As if seeing Lynn wasn’t amazing enough, she often hires a hotshot guitar player to back her up (Keith Glass, Ian Lefeuvre, Jim Bryson, and more) and this time is no different. She’s tapped into the deep pool of talent in Winnipeg and come up with a pretty great choice, Scott Nolan! We’ve been wanting to have Scott visit the saloon for a long time, so we might not let him leave!

Lynn doesn’t come around here very often. She performed on a multi-artist bill in 2009, as part of a Bluebird North event in 2004, and at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2000. All of this is to say that you might not be getting another chance any time soon! We do hope that she has such a great time that we can convince her to make it a little more regular. Here’s hoping.

It needs to be said that this amazing opportunity is entirely thanks to our pal Devin Latimer at The Trout Forest Music Festival! Lynn is part of another great lineup at the festival, Aug. 8-10 in Ear Falls, ON. This truly is the best little festival in Canada, with a stunning drive to the site, a gorgeous site, and the most relaxed, laid back atmosphere anywhere, this one is an annual highlight for me. If you’ve never been, consider checking it out this year for more Lynn Miles, and many more! www.troutfest.com

Leave a public comment below:

Jon Dee Graham & Mike June in Winnipeg

Something truly special happened this week in Winnipeg, and I sure hope you were lucky enough to be part of it. The mighty Stu Reid pulled off quite a feat when he lured the great Jon Dee Graham, Texas songwriting/guitar playing legend, to come to Winnipeg along with his touring partner Mike June, for 3 shows. The first was here at the TTBTGH home office, The Sunset Saloon, and it was incredible. It was a night filled with Jon Dee classics, a terrific introduction to Mike June, and it was topped off with some of Jaine’s finest ice cream to date!

IceCream

 

After that, things switched over to a jam-packed StuDome for another amazing show, entirely different from the first. The last night was held at The River City Social Club. The pouring rain chased some people (wimps) away, and those people missed out on one of the most amazing shows ever held in this city. The show featured an all-star Winnipeg band composed of Damon Mitchell, Tom “Twisty” Fodey, and Emmett “Corndog” Van Etten, affectionately dubbed “The Winnipeg Cocks” (Jon Dee’s regular band in Texas is “The Fighting Cocks.”) I’ve been to many, many shows, but it’s been years since I’ve seen anything even remotely close to being as powerful, memorable, and amazing as this one. It will live in my Top 10 shows of all time list for a long time to come, I’m sure.

Somewhere in there, Jon Dee and Mike were kind enough to head on down to UMFM to record an interview and some live performances, and those will air TODAY, June 22 on Tell the Band to Go Home, 2-4 pm CDT (the live bit is at 3:15, but there’s music from both right off the top as well.) Listen live: http://www.umfm.com/listenonline/

Here’s a brief preview of one of Jon Dee’s performances:

Here are some of Stu’s clips from River City Social Club. The night started off with an amazing solo section where Jon Dee played some of his most beautiful songs, and told some astonishingly hilarious stories (I hurt myself laughing so hard!)

And here are some photos from the visit:

Please, friends, check out:

Mike June

Jon Dee Graham and his amazing music

And make sure you do your best to attend shows at The Sunset Saloon (including Martyn Joseph July 29!), The StuDome (including Leeroy Stagger, June 26) and River-City Social Club (including Rodney Decroo in July.)

Listen to The Twang Trust, Wednesdays, 6-8 pm on CKUW: http://twangtrust.ca/

Jon Dee Graham @ Sunset Saloon, June 17!

The house concert hosting racket has been amazingly good to me over the past 5 years, so there’s no reason to expect that it could get even better, but it continues to! Our Old Pal Stu at CKUW‘s Twang Trust is bringing in some serious superstar performers this summer, and he’s sharing the wealth, so we get a piece of the action!

Jon Dee Graham, Live @ Sunset Saloon, June 17!

Jon Dee Graham, Live @ Sunset Saloon, June 17!

JON DEE GRAHAM 
with special guest from Austin, TX: MIKE JUNE
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 7:30PM
THE SUNSET SALOON (House concert, Westwood, Winnipeg)

All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, or whoever might tag along!)

You can bring a beverage of your choice to enjoy or some food to share, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so it’s not necessary, so feel free to show up and enjoy whatever’s on hand!

*Space is limited, so RSVP early. Seating is limited, so some may stand/dance/move around.

You should also check out Martyn Joseph live at The Sunset Saloon, July 29!

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!

What’s more, this is just Night #1 of JDG’s 3 Night / 3 Venue House Concert Tour of Winnipeg! 

Night #2 will be at The StuDome in Crescentwood. Jon Dee will be performing accompanied by another acclaimed Austin artist, Mike June who will also perform an opening set.

A special treat on Night #3 will be a bonus closing-set at River City Social Club (Point Douglas) with an all-star Winnipeg backing band featuring Corb Lund‘s secret weapon, Grant Siemans on guitar, Twisty on bass and Corndog on drums!

Admission is a suggested donation of $20 each night. Anyone who attends all three nights of the tour will receive a $10 discount on the series – $50 for all 3 nights. And trust me – all good-hearted people need to be there all 3 nights! 

It’s understandable if you don’t know Jon Dee’s name, but if you ask any musician, you’ll get an enthusiastic response. Graham started out in legendary punk band The Skunks, went on to play for a long time with Alejandro Escovedo in The True Believers, was a member of The Resentments, played backing John Doe (X) and Kelly Willis and has added his talents to records by the likes of The Gourds and James McMurtry. In short, Jon Dee is a true musicians’ musician, but non players will be dazzled by his talents as well.

First and foremost, he’s a powerful guitar player who can hold his own alongside anyone, but he’s also a great singer with a unique, gruff voice, and a masterful songwriter, revered by many (see the great 2008 Jon Dee tribute CD, “Big Sweet Life,” featuring Matt the Electrician, Bob Schneider, James McMurtry, and many more.)

In a town full of legends, Austin, TX, Jon Dee Graham is one of the most respected. He holds down two weekly residencies at the legendary Continental Club. On Wednesdays, he plays a rockin’ set with his band, just before James McMurtry takes over for his weekly set. On Sunday nights, he hosts Jon Dee Graham and friends at The Continental Gallery. I had the immense pleasure of attending both last year, and they’re memories that will stay with me forever, two very different, but equally amazing shows.

Here’s a moment from the Jon Dee & Friends show I saw, featuring some unexpected Winnipeg content:

If I ever get tired of songs like “Holes” or “Laredo (Small Dark Something,)” I’ll know that I’ve given up on life and it’s time to move on. I’d travel just about anywhere to see this guy, but incredibly, I will get to see him in my living room.

Seriously, DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

Need more convincing? Watch these (and more!)

One of Jon Dee’s most requested and amazing songs:

Watch a full show featuring his rockin’ band!

JDG

Leave a public comment below: