CLIPS AND COMMENTARY FROM CANADA'S BEST KNOWN UNDISCOVERED OLD WHITE BLUESMAN

Friday, March 18, 1994

meeting Brian Cober

The Grover Exchange with Blue Willow. Had a great night – Brian Cober of the Nationals sat in with his unique double-slide style. Colin. . . introduced himself and invited me to come by his regular Sunday Jam at Grossman’s

Monday, March 14, 1994

Canadian Music Week

Canadian Music Week. It came and went and I wasn’t there. No great loss, these things do come around again – I was at a TBS board meeting with Richard Flohil (when I called him Dick on the phone he was quick to retort “I’m Richard – I haven’t been Dick for years” – I guess I dated myself). Anyway I mentioned that I thought I might be entitled to some media accreditation but he said “It’s a bit late for that!” In fact, it was the last day or so. Next year. Every time I see Neill Dixon, the pres of Canadian Music Week I can only remember him as a coffee-house owner, a sweet guy who seems to have become a little hardened (shellacked?) by the music industry. The Juno’s took place without me. I couldn’t even attend the special showcase for the blues nominees – it’s the first time blues has been a category, and I designed the print ad and poster that was part of the advertising campaign that announced “Canada’s Got The Blues”. Met Kathleen Miller at the Record offices and mentioned that I knew her boyfriend Cash. The first thing she says to me is “Yes, we live together. I went out with him when he was in Downchild and he dumped me. Now I make him suffer – You ask him! Just ask him!”

Southern Comfort New Talent Search: Unbeknownst to me, Steve Jones sent in the tape we made in my living room – it was pretty rough and I'm sure the judges were under whelmed.

At Southern Comfort, I didn’t get to the media party after the Etta James show (neither did Etta) but Peter Donato came up to me afterwards saying “Where were you – I had an invitation for you. . .”
Canadian Music Week. It came and went and I wasn’t there. No great loss, these things do come around again – I was at a TBS board meeting with Richard Flohil (when I called him Dick on the phone he was quick to retort “I’m Richard – I haven’t been Dick for years” – I guess I dated myself). Anyway I mentioned that I thought I might be entitled to some media accreditation but he said “It’s a bit late for that!” In fact, it was the last day or so. Next year. Every time I see Neill Dixon, the pres of Canadian Music Week I can only remember him as a coffee-house owner, a sweet guy who seems to have become a little hardened (shellacked?) by the music industry. The Juno’s took place without me. I couldn’t even attend the special showcase for the blues nominees – it’s the first time blues has been a category, and I designed the print ad and poster that was part of the advertising campaign that announced “Canada’s Got The Blues”. Met Kathleen Miller at the Record offices and mentioned that I knew her boyfriend Cash. The first thing she says to me is “Yes, we live together. I went out with him when he was in Downchild and he dumped me. Now I make him suffer – You ask him! Just ask him!”

Unbeknownst to me, Steve Jones sent in the tape we made in my living room as a submission to the Southern Comfort New Talent Search – it was pretty rough and I'm sure the judges were under whelmed.
Never made it to the media party after the Etta James show (neither did Etta, apparently) but Peter Donato came up to me afterwards saying “Where were you – I had an invitation for you. . .”

Wednesday, March 2, 1994

the part-time (barely)managing editor in action

Called up Sandra Tooze to write the lead article for Blues Newsletter – I would never have considered calling her because she quit as editor of the Blues Newsletter after only one month. But she’s going to do it – and she has a great interview with John Hammond talking about Muddy Waters' music and some great recollections about Muddy’s funeral.