News

1
The Mill Race Society British Isles Pub Sessions
2
Canadian Folk Music Awards 2015
3
Linda McRae – October 9
4
Same Latitude As Rome… CD Giveaway
5
Stephen Fearing with Jane Lewis
6
We’re Sailing on Cayamo…
7
Jesse Winchester – New Album
8
Fearing & White – We Came Together
9
Cambridge Live Music
10
Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville
11
The Wailin’ Jennys at Harbourfront
12
Win a Jennis CD!
13
Folk Roots Radio
14
Craig Cardiff
15
April 26 Show – Part 1
16
April 26 Show – Part 2
17
David Celia
18
Ian Reid
19
Fundraiser for Mary Anne Epp
20
Fred Eaglesmith – Ticket Giveaway
21
New Country Rehab
22
Fred Eaglesmith
23
Fearing & White – Tea & Confidences
24
Singalong With Sam & Jane
25
Kev Morse

The Mill Race Society British Isles Pub Sessions

The Mill Race Society’s biweekly traditional music sessions take place on the 2nd and 4th Sunday from 2–4pm through the winter and spring. The pub sessions are informal gatherings for musicians who enjoy playing traditional jigs, hornpipes etc! The repertoire is primarily English music, although some tunes are shared with the Irish, Scottish, Canadian, and American traditions. Sounds like lots of fun. Musicians (and non-musicians) are welcome.

2nd Sunday: Brownstone Gastro Pub
39 Queen St. E., Hespeler Village, Cambridge
2015 dates: Sep. 13, Nov. 8. (No session Oct. 11)

4th Sunday: Argyle Arms
210 King St. East, Preston, Cambridge
2015 dates: Sep. 27, Oct. 18, Nov. 22

For more information visit millracefolksociety.com.

Canadian Folk Music Awards 2015

The nominations for the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards have been announced. Pharis and Jason Romero lead the pack with four nominations for their album “A Wanderer I’ll Stay”. Their nominations include Traditional Album of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Traditional Singer of the Year (Pharis Romero), and Producer of the Year (Pharis and Jason Romero with David Travers-Smith). Amelia Curran (St John’s, NL), Fortunate Ones (St John’s, NL),  Jenn Grant (Lake Echo, NS),  Whitehorse (Toronto, ON) and Catherine MacLellan (Charlottetown, PEI) each received three nominations.

This year’s youngest nominee is nine year old Vancouver Island artist Stella Swanson for the album “I’m Not A Bunny” in the Children’s Album of the Year category. Inspired by Stella’s pet bunny Romeo, the album was produced by Comox’s Helen Austin, a previous Canadian Folk Music Award and Juno Award recipient and a nominee this year with her group Big Little Lions.

Check out the full list of nominees here. We’ll be previewing the nominees on upcoming editions of Folk Roots Radio.

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Linda McRae – October 9

Linda McRae brings her solo show to Silence on Friday October 9 in support of her new album, “Shadow Trails”. Linda is perhaps most widely known for her time with Spirit of the West, and prominent involvement on two of their most enduring songs, “Home for a Rest” and “If Venice is Sinking”. Since leaving the band in 1996, however she has developed a very successful solo album culminating in the release of an excellent solo compilation, and a fabulous introduction to her music, “Fifty Shades of Red” in 2014.

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Same Latitude As Rome… CD Giveaway

Peter Boyer from Same Latitude as Rome will be joining us on Folk Roots Radio Overtime on CFRU 93.3fm on Saturday May 9 from 10-11 a.m. to play tracks and chat about his new album, the JK Gulley produced ‘Early Days’. And, guess what, we also have a couple of copies of the album to give away. On this week’s Folk Roots Radio (Episode 193) we’re playing Peter’s song ‘Union Man’ about the birth of the Canadian labour movement. All you need to do is tell us the name of one of the two big labour strikes in Canada that were pivotal to the development of organized labour in Canada, and were mentioned in that song. Easy. Send us an e-mail or contact us via the website and we’ll be mailing that CD right off to you!

Stephen Fearing with Jane Lewis

Stephen Fearing is back in the Guelph ON area for an Eden Mills Community Hall fundraiser on Saturday April 4 2015 at 7 p.m. Stephen’s solo performance will draw on his eighth and most recent solo recording “Between Hurricanes” (2013). Guelph based singer-songwriter Jane Lewis, who released her debut self-titled album in 2014, will be the opening act. It is hoped that the concert will help pay for the ongoing refurbishment and energy-retrofit of the venue. Check out our recent interview with Stephen Fearing HERE.

We’re Sailing on Cayamo…

We’re sailing on the roots music cruise Cayamo from January 17-24. The plan is to enjoy a little R & R and respite from, let’s be honest, the (at times) brutal reality of a Canadian winter. We’ll be relaxing and enjoying amazing music from a bunch of great artists (I’m not going to name any of them so you’ll have to go and check them out here yourselves and possibly consider signing up for a future trip – it’s pretty cool!). Generally we will be recharging our batteries prior to coming back with a whole bunch of new music and interviews to share with you. In the meantime, why not check out all the great music and interviews we currently offer here. While we’re away we’ll be playing a couple of archive shows but that isn’t a bad thing. If you don’t believe me – check out our archives on Mixcloud. There’s lots of great stuff to keep you entertained until our return. See you with an all new show and interviews the weekend of January 31!

Jesse Winchester – New Album

When Jesse Winchester passed away early in 2014 I think many people thought that the music had died with him. Well, the good news is that is not the case. A new album, “A Reasonable Amount Of Trouble”, has just been released on Appleseed Recordings. The album was recorded while Jesse’s cancer was in remission and features nine Jesse compositions alongside three cover versions.

The self-written songs on the album are all quintessentially Jesse Winchester – songs that cover the whole gamut of life experiences from transient pleasures (“All That We Have Is Now”), to tongue-in-cheek rockers (“Never Forget to Boogie”), and an uneasy peace (the heartwrenching “Just So Much”). Never maudlin, A Reasonable Amount of Trouble is inevitably tinged with an awareness of mortality but not a drop of self-pity. The covers are all sweet oldies, “Rhythm of the Rain”, “Devil or Angel” and “Whispering Bells”. Jesse plays acoustic guitar and keyboard and sings in his uniquely weightless tenor, there’s an attuned rhythm section, and guest appearances by “newgrass” country Grammy winner Jerry Douglas on lap steel and legendary saxophonist Jim Horn, among others. The new album was produced by Mac McAnally (Jimmy Buffet’s producer), who also plays lead guitar. Buffet, a huge Jesse fan wrote the liner notes.

Its an excellent album, one that really grows with you. We’ll be playing songs from the album on Folk Roots Radio. In the meantime, here is Jesse Winchester with the easy on the ear and relentlessly upbeat “All That We Have Is Now” (2014, Appleseed Recordings). For more information visit jessewinchester.com.

Fearing & White – We Came Together

Fearing & White, the great collaboration between Stephen Fearing and Andy White, will be back in Ontario in September for a few shows to promote their second album “Tea & Confidences”. Coming up after an outstanding performance at the Hillside Festival, they are definitely well worth checking out in concert. As usual, sidesman extraordinaire Gary Craig (Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, Tom Cochrane) will be sitting in on drums. They will be at Neat, Burnstown (Sep 12), Aeolian Hall London (Sep 13), The Acoustic Grill Picton (Sep 14), The eBar Guelph (Sep 16), The Moonshine Café Oakville (Sep 17), Hugh’s Room Toronto (Sep 18), Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC (Sep 19) and The Pearl Company, Hamilton (Sep 21). For more information, visit  fearingandwhite.com. Check out the new single, “We Came Together” from Tea & Confidences (2014, Lowdenproud Records)

Cambridge Live Music

Cambridge Live Music is a new group that’s come together to promote live music, of any genre, publicly available in Cambridge Ontario. They’re run by volunteers and funded by donations. They’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about live music and interested in helping out with their website, social media, photography, videography or festival set up. If you can help them out, get in touch at [email protected]. Sounds like a great way to indulge your own interest while helping the group strengthen its promotional efforts to support local and predominantly independent musicians. I think that’s what they call a win-win-win.

Tannis Slimmon and Lewis Melville

Tannis Slimmon, the Guelph-based singer-songwriter with the golden voice, tunes up for her BC tour with a special concert with her long time musical collaborator Lewis Melville at the Music In The Wood, 122 Main Street South, Rockwood on June 28 2014 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. To reserve, call (519) 856-9266 or email [email protected]. For more information visit tannis.ca.

The Wailin’ Jennys at Harbourfront

The Wailin’ Jennys play the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto on Saturday June 21 2014. Tickets are $35 and are available online here.

When the Wailin’ Jennys started out they were just three solo singer-songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg. Since those humble beginnings they’ve grown into one of today’s most beloved international folk acts. Founding members Ruth Moody (vocals, guitar, accordion, banjo, bodhrán) and Nicky Mehta (vocals, guitar, harmonica, drums, ukulele) along with New York-based Heather Masse (vocals, upright bass) continue to create some of the most exciting and exquisite music on the folk-roots scene.

For more information check out thewailinjennys.com.

Win a Jennis CD!

We have a copy of “The Current”, the new CD by Jennis to give away. Jennis is the new musical project by last week’s in-studio guest Dennis Gaumond. The Current is a great album and it could be yours if you can answer this very simple question: Please tell us the name of Dennis Gaumond’s musical collaborator in Jennis. Send your answer to us by Wednesday June 4 2014. We’ll pick a winner that day. If you include your street address, we’ll even mail the CD to you!

Don’t forget that can still catch Jennis’ Guelph area CD launch on June 6. You’ll find all the details here.

Good luck!

UPDATE: (June 6 2014). Congratulations to Rachael. Jen Gillmor is working with Dennis Gaumond in the Jennis project. A copy of their new CD The Current is now winging its way to you!

Folk Roots Radio

We’ve just completed 100 posts on our new website. We hope you are enjoying it. As always we’d love some feedback – whether it is a suggestion for music to play, artists to invite into the studio or a Guilty Pleasure – that song you still love although you think others will find it unfashionable. Take it from me, there are a lot of people out there who will enjoy hearing your Guilty Pleasure, and learning why you still like it. We’ll catch up with you on Saturday morning, bright and early with a new mystery theme, a couple of interesting interviews and lots of great music. You won’t want to miss it!

Craig Cardiff

Craig Cardiff will be in Cambridge on Friday May 23 2014 for a show at the Galt Club (2nd floor above Cafe 13), 13 Main St, Galt, Cambridge. Tickets are $15 online from www.craigcardiff.com or $20 at the door. The support act will be The Vaudevillian. Show starts at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.). Promises to be a great night.

April 26 Show – Part 1

Due to a power outage at the University of Guelph on April 26 2014 we were unable to broadcast online. However you can listen to the show here. Because of the size of the file we’ve split it into two parts, Part One and Part Two. You can check out the playlist here. Enjoy.

April 26 Show – Part 2

Due to a power outage at the University of Guelph on April 26 2014 we were unable to broadcast online. However you can listen to the show here. Because of the size of the file we’ve split it into two parts, Part One and Part Two. You can check out the playlist here. Enjoy.

David Celia

David Celia will be bringing his own brand of folk to Magnolia Café, 88 Yarmouth St in Guelph on Thursday April 24. The support act will be Guelph’s own Tricia Brubacher. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 (or PWYC). Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to book your place. The perfect idea for date night!

Ian Reid

Rockwood’s own, singer-songwriter Ian Reid will be releasing his latest album, “Delivered on Delhi Street” in May. We’ve been given a sneak listen to the album, and are pleased to bring you the title track which documents the birth of a certain baby at Guelph General Hospital. We’re sure you can guess who. Ian will be joining us live in the studio in the run up to the album release. For more information on Ian check out his website at ianreid.ca.

Fundraiser for Mary Anne Epp

Our good friend Jack Cooper from BerLen Music will be joining us on Folk Roots Radio on April 5 2014 to chat about a special fundraiser for singer-songwriter Mary Anne Epp taking place at the ANAF in Guelph on April 12 at 8:00 p.m. A minimum donation of $10 is suggested and you can register online here. Mary-Anne’s song, “Rhoda” was written about an encounter with a homeless woman. Little did she know that she herself would end up homeless one day. Mary-Anne has written many great songs and hopefully this fundraiser will help Mary-Anne get back on her feet. To learn more about Mary-Anne’s story, read this article in Chateleine. There, but for the grace of God…

Fred Eaglesmith – Ticket Giveaway

Fred Eaglesmith is setting off on his Small Town Ontario Spring Tour. He’ll be playing legions and other small venues across rural Ontario. We’re lucky to have some tickets to giveaway for the show in Kitchener at the Kitchener Polish Legion Branch, 601 Wellington St North on Thursday April 3 2014 at 8 p.m. and in Freelton at the Valens Community Centre, 1818 Valens Road for Friday April 4 2014 at 8 p.m. To get into the draw, all you need to do is let us know the name of Fred’s new album. What could be easier?

For more about Fred Eaglesmith’s spring tour, check out this post and fredeaglesmith.com.

New Country Rehab

New Country Rehab are about to kick off the prairie leg of their North American tour. To celebrate, they are releasing “Lost Highway”, a free EP available for download now via Bandcamp.

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Fred Eaglesmith

Fred Eaglesmith is heading back on to the road with his travelling show this spring to celebrate the launch of his latest album (number twenty, for those counting), the AM (and FM) radio friendly “Tambourine”.

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Fearing & White – Tea & Confidences

Fearing & White release their second album, Tea and Consequences on March 4 2014. The album, recorded at The Cottage in Guelph in January 2013, features Stephen Fearing and Andy White with Gary Craig on drums/percussion alongside special guests Guelph-based multi-instrumentalist Jeff Bird on harmonica and Lee Harvey Osmond’s Ray Farrugia (drums). Fearing and White are on tour in Western Canada during March and April, and will surely be coming through southern Ontario later in the year. Check out the tour dates online at www.fearingandwhite.com.

Singalong With Sam & Jane

Join Sam Turton and Jane Lewis for their monthly singalong at Magnolia Café in Guelph. The next session takes place on April 7 2014.

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Kev Morse

“Kev Morse – Smile”
Singer/Songwriter Kev Morse will be live in the studio with us on Folk Roots Radio on CFRU 93.3fm on March 15. Kev will be previewing songs from his second solo album “In The Blood”. You won’t want to miss it!

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