Great Big Sea And A Happy Halloween... (18/365)

On the 26 October, 2018 Alan Doyle did a question and answer session on a flight home from Nashville was asked some questions about how he spends Halloween.

Alan was asked 'What was your fav Halloween costume as a kid.....or adult!' And he responded 'hmm...goings as KISS with GBS at Acadia U Halloween Bash'. He then went on to explain he was Paul Stanley.

Alan shared a photograph from this show which was later used as a Great Big Sea Christmas Card on his official Instagram account in 2017. I have posted a copy here for those interested.

alanthomasdoyle #tbt to when we were KISS for Halloween and used it as a Christmas Card. 3 November, 2017 (No copyright infringement)

On a previous post I published this month I included some gorgeous photographs of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Beautiful Band in costume on Halloween in 2015 by Shehab Illyas. The post is called 'Happy Halloween... Throwback Thursday (10/365)'. They are totally gorgeous photographs.  

A happy and safe Halloween to all my readers and their family and friends.

Bob Hallett And 'The Slow Session'... A traditional NL music lesson (17/365)

An awesome poster advertising an awesome event. The poster is from the official Facebook page of Bob Hallett...

I have also included a post from Bob Hallett's official Twitter account of some of his musical instruments, tin whistles...

(no copyright infringement intended)

(photo credit Bob Hallett)

Russell Crowe's 'Bad Ass Ballards'... A slow Sunday afternoon on BBC Radio 6 Music (16/365)

Do yourself a favour and go and listen to this radio program...You will not be sorry you did ! Russell spins some great music and provides some interesting background to the songs and albums on this program and his connection to them.

This program is only available for a month after the first broadcast on the official BBC Radio 6 Music site...

So I have kept a copy of the set list here in case you visit this post in the future and wondered what was played...

The set list...

Alabama Shakes
Hold On

Tom Waits
Shiver Me Timbers

PJ Havey & Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Henry Lee

Billy Bragg
Blake's Jerusalem

Willie Nelson
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

The Style Council
Long Hot Summer

Tony Joe White
Polk Salad Annie

Michael Kiwanuka
One More Night

Angel Olsen & Alex Cameron
Stranger's Kiss

Bobbie Gentry
Ode To Billy Joe

Marvin Gaye
Abraham, Martin & John

Kris Kristofferson
Sunday Morning Coming Down

Johnny Cash
I Hung My Head

Madness
It Must Be Love

Life In The Twitter Village Five Years On... A revisit and update (15/365)

This week Russell Crowe hosted a radio program on the BBC called 'Slow Sunday' sharing some of his favourite slow ballads. And what a treat that was !

Five years on I thought it would be interesting to reflect on how Russell Crowe uses his official Twitter account.





'Life In The Twitter Village With Russell Crowe' was a post I wrote and published over five and half years ago. This post remains one of my most frequently visited posts. At the time of the writing and publishing of this post, Twitter was Russell's only official social media account. Since then he has created an official Facebook and Instagram account mainly to combat the number of fake accounts that continue to emerge.

While much has stayed the same, a lot has changed. For many years Russell followed 99 people. The number of people he is now following has increased to well over 180. Russell remains loyal to his friends (both old and new) and often promotes their work and achievements via his official Twitter account.

One of those things that has remained the same is Russell constantly shares his love of music with his fans and followers. I have been introduced to many interesting artists and musicians because of it. Some of them I have loved and others not so much. One of my new favourites is talented American sister duo Larkin Poe.

One of the things that has changed considerably over the past five years is the amount of celebrity news coming from Twitter and social media feeds including Russell Crowe. He continues to defend himself and correct journalists who may get things wrong and in particular those commenting on his personal life.

Perhaps one of the new developments are the gangs of fans, mostly mature age women. These women are often the first there anytime Russell tweets day and night. They also share a considerable amount off topic fan stuff they find online and personal details and information. Some tweets initiated can contain up to 30 individuals and can contain well over 30 or more response tweets. For example, celebrities timelines become filled with gifs for someones' birthday and other personal stuff. While this is all nice and good this kind of thing belongs more in a Twitter fan club than a celebrities' timeline. The number of fan clubs have increased.

There is also safety in numbers for these mature age fans who gang up on people who question them or one of their friends and also Russell. Some of these women think that the more their face is in a celebrities' timeline they might get noticed and responded too. Often other mature age women fans have asked to be untagged from these conversations.

These mature age women also make it difficult for other fans who have something interesting and on topic to say to get noticed and difficult for a celebrity with a genuine interest in fans to respond too. But these fans are learning to put things on the end of tweets initiated by Russell himself rather than leaving them in the main Twitter feed.

One of the things that remains the same is Russell still blocks people occasionally in sensational form and people have to delete their accounts which initiated the original post 'Life In The Twitter Village With Russell Crowe' below...

'Life In The Twitter Village With Russell Crowe' published 23 July, 2013...

Yesterday an Italian Russell Crowe fan was blocked from his Twitter account in front of over a million followers. @Russellcrowe to @franzecchini What could possibly be the point in tweeting that? Blocked 24 July 2012. The original tweet deleted.@franzecchini to @russellcrowe I meant that I don’t like her as actress not as person of course, just a point of view…Can’t understand why u blocked me 24 July 2013

I first followed Russell Crowe over three years ago in 2010 and stopped in April of 2012. Previously I had followed a Russell Crowe Facebook site that posted his tweets from Twitter. I was under the impression for a long time I was friends with him and sending posts to Russell Crowe not a fan page. I didn’t realise until much later he didn’t have an account on Facebook and the only social media account he had was Twitter. I stopped using my Facebook account in 2010.

At the time I joined the village a fictional space in cyberspace where he and followers known as villagers congregate and live by a specific philosophy that promotes caring and kindness not only towards Russell Crowe but to each other there were approximately 50 000 members. Russell Crowe was on a break from making movies spending time with his family, involved in his football club and doing the odd documentary. He tweeted American women (whose description shall remain private), his mates from Australia and America and the rest of us. Today gone are the young pretty women (whose description shall remain private) and is now more interested in comments. Twitter was seen as tool of amusement and relief for his boredom when away from his family and a way to defend himself against the journalists and newspapers.

Part of me is grateful for his presence on Twitter and social media. I have met many nice people and engaged in some delightful and fun twitter conversations. I have shared in the delight people get from being tweeted by him and his friends in particular more than once. (I was only tweeted once by Russell Crowe over two years and I eventually moved on). I have been introduced into some wonderful music through him for example Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea and Scott Grimes. I have been introduced to some interesting people that I would not have normally met like Allan Hawco who writes and produces a wonderful television program Republic of Doyle in St John’s Newfoundland. In 2010 Russell Crowe filmed an episode with his co stars from Robin Hood and I have remained a fan of the show ever since.

Russell Crowe has done many nice things and made a lot of villagers extremely happy. He has taken on the role of the birthday God wishing people happy birthday some who once they got their tweet were never seen again. He has retweeted for good causes, people have their questions answered, their comments responded to, their artwork praised and become Twitter friends with a famous actor/celebrity. I have seen him promote a range of musicians and artists for example Alabama Shakes. His followers have shared in the making of his movies, publicity stints and the ups and downs of his football club in Australia South Sydney. Perhaps one of the really nice things he has shared was his relationship with his children.

But for all the feel good stuff there has been a dark side as there is with any engagement with social media. I have witnessed some extremely bad bullying. I have seen people who as fast as they become friends with a famous actor ignored, dumped and occasionally publically ridiculed to a point they have to protect their Twitter sites. For anyone who follows Russell Crowe knows he is extremely loyal and I imagine quiet generous to his friends and business partners in his life. This is perhaps one of the most unspoken rules of being in the village loyalty not only to him but his friends as well. Any kind of criticism constructive or not may not be taken too kindly in particular when he is having a bad day.

It can be quiet devastating to those who get blocked for expressing an opinion. For many of them English is not their first language and they can be quite blunt unintentionally with what they say. Non English speakers are not as skilled as some Americans are at expressing themselves in the way he wants to be tweeted to. They are often unskilled or do not know what is expected when tweeting an actor/celebrity like Russell Crowe. To be humiliated in front of more than a million people can be a sole destroying experience to say the least and not deserved. Then there are those that get away with a lot worse behaviour and are never blocked or publically humiliated. People lose faith and move on very quickly. If they are really keen they can just create a new account and off they go again trying not to make the same mistake.

I have seen some other not so nice things. I have seen people ignored and blocked for no other reason other than their age or their photo or they might say the wrong thing on a wrong day when he is not at his shining best. Some women are more likely to get tweeted if they are young and pretty and have a nice looking photograph. And once tweeted off they go. So what is new in this world? And that is a frustrating thing for older mature women who tweet him regularly. There have been huge put downs and the total outright criticism of people’s art. Twitter no matter how controlled reveals a lot more than the user imagines. I didn’t like some of the things that were happening and I felt like a fool letting them take place unnoticed. There is a long list. Despite Russell Crowe revealing a lot about himself, there is part of me that remains loyal in not revealing what I learnt.

As the fan and the blocked fan’s followers and regular Russell Crowe villagers tried to explain the unspoken rules of village and comfort her, her apology seems to have fallen on deaf ears. If a villager speaks up they should be warned they may be ostracised into the village wilderness in public or just ignored not only with Russell Crowe but with other groups and individuals associated with Russell Crowe as well. Yet there are people who continue to follow him in the thousands. What is interesting in watching the Russell Crowe justice system in action is the number of villagers who just stand by and watch it all happen, without speaking up and without defending the victim. All for the promise of something as insignificant as a tweet. A tweet that buys silence to humiliation and suffering of someone they may have called an online friend and the fandom associated with being an online tweeting 'friend'.

Over the years he has endured many sensational episodes from what he has written on Twitter and reported by journalists. They range from Jewish circumcision, to criticising the media, opinions of politics, his separation from his gorgeous wife Danielle, to the heart break of missing his children, to the release of nude photos and his weight loss journey. I found this story about his Australian citizenship quest the most interesting.


'Oscar-winner Russell Crowe denied citizenship' by Vicki Roach News published by news.com.au on 26 June, 2013. ( No copyright infringement intended)

Because of this, he fails to meet the criteria for permanent citizenship under the Family and Community Services Legislation Ammendment (New Zealand citizens) Act 2001.

"Apparently I fall between the cracks,' said Crowe this week when asked about his citizenship status during an interview to promote the hit new Superman movie The Man of Steel.

Crowe intended to become an Australian citizen in 2006 at an Australia Day concert on the lawns of Parliament House, which was to be telecast live on Channel 10.

But the ceremony was canned at the eleventh hour because "the Government wasn't able to facilitate the process in time,'' according to a Ten spokeswoman. "He's keen but ... there are obviously certain protocols that need to be adhered to."

Seven years on, Crowe still hasn't satisfied those protocols.

"It's a very complicated situation,'' he said.

"This is the country I choose to live in, this is the country in which I spent my formative years, so it's kind of frustrating.

"But I am not the only person in that boat - there's a whole bunch of New Zealanders who have committed to a life here, who have had children here, who bought their first houses here, who have been productive, taxpaying members of society.

"I know why the rules are in place and I understand and respect that but there has to be some form of arbitration where you can sit down and state your case.

"These rules are not big enough to engage with the complexity of people's lives."

Crowe arrived in Australia in 1968. He has lived in Australia for 37 of his 49 years.

"As a young kid, I stood on the hustings at Watson's Bay and gave out pamphlets on how to vote for Gough Whitlam at the polling booth.

"I got a (Centenary of) Federation medal (in 2003). I was made into a stamp. Until recently I had an Australian wife. I have two Australian children. But I still fall between the cracks."

Crowe said while he identified as Australian, the most important reason for him to become a citizen was his two boys, Charles and Tennyson.

"If something goes down overseas we have to go to two embassies," he said.

But the actor also admitted that despite throwing his support behind Julia Guillard via Twitter last week, his current immigration status meant that he would be unable to follow that up at the polling booth come election day, since only Australian citizens can vote.

Alan Doyle And A Favourite 2018 Concert At Home...(14/365)

A couple of days ago on the 26 October, 2018 Alan Doyle did a question and answer session during a break on the way home from a songwriting session in Nashville. A fan asked him what was his favourite concert for this year and he answered the Iceberg Alley Tent Performance at home in St. John's.

So I went to see if I could see what the fans, the artists and musicians and official sites had shared via social media about Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Beautiful Band on stage.

I found some totally gorgeous photographs of the whole event (including Alan Doyle and The Beautiful, Beautiful Band) taken by talented local Newfoundland photographer Alick Tsui that were shared via his official social media sites and the official Iceberg Alley Tent Performance official social media sites. I have included one below.

I also found some nice photographs shared by bloggers 'Two Wild Tides' from their official Instagram account. They wrote a nice review that contained some photographs of Alan Doyle And The Beautiful, Beautiful Band and in particular another favourite Newfoundland group Shanneygannock. The review and photographs are available at their webpage 'Two Wild Tides'. I have provided a copy of the link to their webpage here. 

http://twowildtides.com/2018/09/24/media-spotlight-iceberg-alley-performance-tent/

Alan Doyle also did some publicity for the event. He took fans on a little video tour of the tent venue. If I had known there were seats for this event I would have considered going as St. John's concerts are my favourite too. The video is on his official Alan Doyle Facebook page. Alan also took the customary drop dead gorgeous selfies. I have included two below. These are from the official Alan Doyle Twitter account.

As always no copyright infringement intended.




(photo credit Alick Tsui)



(photo credit Peter Neil)



(photo credit Two Wild Tides)



(photo credit Two Wild Tides)



(photo credit Alan Doyle)



(photo credit Alan Doyle)

Russell Crowe, Alan Doyle And A Songbook Vol. 3... A reflection (13/365)

Recently Russell Crowe tweeted on his official Twitter account the Crowe/Doyle Songbook Vol. 3 had just started playing. He joked there were a few great tunes even if he said so himself and that Alan Doyle was a fan too. Alan responded by saying he was fan of anything with himself in it, for sure.

So of course I had to go and have a listen to this fabulous album as it had been a while. And I have to confess no matter how much Russell and Alan frustrate me at times I do love the music they create together.

Although both Russell and Alan are fabulous on this album I personally think the talented and fabulous Australian musician and singer Danielle Spencer is the star of this album and her contribution totally underrated. I totally love her voice.

After reading the comments posted on Twitter by fans I was totally surprised at how many of Russell's regular fans had never heard of this album and wanted to buy it. They didn't seem to know where to buy music from or maybe they were just hoping for a tweet from Russell.

I was surprised to read how many fans recommended streaming services which pay artists and musicians zip for their music and in some cases in the past breached copyright laws and paid them nothing for using their music. Even though Russell is a highly successful actor and Alan a musician in his own right they deserve to be paid for music.

At the time the Crow/Doyle Songbook Vol. 3 was released the CD was only available from a physical shop on the east coast of Australia. After a recent search I see that shop has since closed. 

When the album was released I bought it off Google Play. Google Play allows songs to be publicised by sharing via Twitter. I shared some of my favourites via my Twitter account. The album is available where all good digital music is sold.

'Great Big Sea, Newfoundland And The Fan Pilgrimage' A repost with new photographs and a video (12/365)

Reflection...

Every now and again my blog statistics point me to posts written long ago such as this one 'Great Big Sea, Newfoundland And The Pilgrimage' published on 14 May, 2013 about my trip to see Great Big Sea in Newfoundland. 

When I first published the post I used photographs from the Internet which I thought were much better than those I took on that trip. Yesterday, over five and half years later someone objected to me using some of the photographs contained in this post which were either reported and they were then blocked.

While that is the copyright holder's right under copyright law it seems kind of odd that after all this time someone would object to me using these photographs. So I removed the photographs out of respect. I didn't take any photographs during the Great Big Sea concert in St. John's so I put one up on of the concert in Halifax on the previous night. That has been blocked and so I have removed it. 

I decided to revisit my photographs from this trip to St. John's, Newfoundland and include some that were of similar scenes. Now when I think about it I should have gone with my own photographs in the beginning.

To replace the concert images I went looking for photographs and videos. From what I remember of the concert there were a lot of people on their phones recording videos and taking photographs but when I did several searches on social media and YouTube there wasn't a whole lot of stuff. I found some nice photographs shared on Twitter. No copyright infringement intended

I also found a gorgeous video with an Alan Doyle and Bob Hallett interview about playing at home in St. John's and the concert by CBC. The video also shows a few nice moments from the concert in which the boys walk off the stage. Alan Doyle picks up some flowers and blows kisses to the audience. I have provided a link to the video called Great Big Sea, 'Here and Now'

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2382290498

When I visit posts from long ago that have images blocked I am initially disappointed. But then the search begins for something new and I hardly ever fail to find something interesting and exciting.




(photo credit Heather Peters Jesso)



(photo credit Steve Kent)



(photo credit Barry Canning)




(photo credit Barry Canning)




(photo credit Marc A. Mapplebeck)

'Great Big Sea, Newfoundland And The Fan Pilgrimage' published on 14 May, 2013 

From the moment I stepped off the plane and took the short ride from the airport to my accommodation in downtown St John's I have been in love. Newfoundlanders have been friendly and welcoming, a change from the hustle and bustle of a big north American city that is Toronto, the weather glorious in all it's Spring shades from the deep biting cold grey overcast skies and rain to the sunshine blue skies. It is spectacular physically, culturally and historically. I understand why the members of Great Big Sea Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett and Sean McCann are eager to return here after weeks away on the tour. It would be easy to call Newfoundland home.



(photo credit Liz Smith)



(photo credit Liz Smith)

I have been fortunate enough during my time here to visit all the sights associated with Great Big Sea. Alan Doyle tweets affectionately his love of Leo's fish and chips. It was one of my first stops on this fan pilgrimage. I sat in a booth with a picture of the boys in their younger days signed hanging on the wall along with other famous people who ate there for example the Barenaked Ladies eating yummy fish and chips but made the big mistake of not ordering the gravy and dressing. I have also been to The Duke,The Ship, walked past Erin's (Bob Hallett's pub), Fred's Records, down George Street, visited Petty Harbour the home town of Alan Doyle, the LSPU Hall where Russell Crowe and friends did the first Indoor Garden Party Shows, Memorial University (where a poster of an early GBS show hangs on the wall) and walked up Signal Hill. St John's and its people are glorious indeed.




(photo credit Liz Smith)




(photo credit Liz Smith)





(photo credit Liz Smith)

The loyal faithful fans gathered at the Mile One Centre in the early evening on the 29 April 2013 to celebrate twenty years of Great Big Sea. It was a full house as one would expect from the people of St John's. People came from St John's, all over Newfoundland, the Canadian mainland and overseas to listen to music and celebrated with the boys in the band. It was interesting watching the meet and greet among fans, the music of this fabulous band uniting and bringing people together who probably only see each other at Great Big Sea concerts.

From the moment they stepped on stage they thrilled the audience. The crowd was certainly diverse including the more mature folks who enjoy a sit down concert to the young group who love dancing and drinking. But pretty soon every one regardless of age was up dancing in their seats. They played most of their old favourites like The Night Pat Murphy Died, Ordinary Day, Lukey's Boat, Consequence Free and Donkey Riding pleasing the die hard fans and playing some new music like Heart of Hearts and Live This Life while continuing to evolve and move on successfully with the crowd loving it.

The home crowd and the big stage enabled Great Big Sea to shine. After years and weeks on the road together on the bus for this tour the members of the band Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, Bob Hallett, Murray Foster and Kris McFarlane still had a lot of friendship and love for each other. While Alan Doyle is clearly the showman of the band the other members each held their own as talented singers and musicians playing an incredible diverse range of instruments and shining in their own right not to be left out.

There were two encores as one would expect. The first with talented and funny trumpet player Paddy Joe Boyle and the second with former member Darrell Power. The boys graciously acknowledging his contribution and welcoming him to the stage, leaving the audience wanting more.

I don't often agree with Lynda Elstad or @lyndahere in particular about her observations about the audience at Great Big Sea concerts but with these observations she has written about in her blog. While it is great the band has attracted some younger people to concerts and their music, seated in front of us were three young guys who arrived really drunk. They drunk, well skulled what seemed like a drink for every song and could hardly stand up by the end of the concert. They hung around in a group like teenage boys spending more time checking out girls and the audience, checking their phones and taking the occasional video than watching the band perform and listening to the music. Guys maybe time next the pub may be a better venue for you.

It is a shame that Great Big Sea don't play as often as they should in their home town and as often as their home town would like. It leaves their fans not taking them for granted and appreciating them when they do play. It also allows room for other new and emerging talents to develop and take the stage and the tradition that is Newfoundland music to evolve and continue.

Bob Hallett And The Great Big Good... A reflection (11/365)

Recently Bob Hallett shared a post on his official social media sites that reminded him of all the good Great Big Sea did for the community.

As a consequence the fans responded by saying how much pleasure their music and concerts gave them and all the friends they have made during their time. Many spoke of all the great charity work the band did along the way and continue to do as individuals now the they have gone their separate ways. I have to agree with all of those comments.

I have included a copy of the post from Bob Hallett's official Twitter account. No copyright infringement intended.

Happy Halloween... Thowback Thursday (10/365)

Although Halloween is over a week away, I decided to publish this post as I found these totally drop dead gorgeous black and white photographs from the talented photographer, musician and Alan Doyle and The Beautiful, Beautiful Band member Shehab Illyas.

Around this time three years ago Alan Doyle and The Beautiful, Beautiful Band were on The Barenaked Ladies' Silverball tour in 2015. On Halloween the band was in Medicine Hat and decided to get into the spirit of things by dressing up in costumes. Some fabulous photographs were shared by the band and fans via social media.

The full collection of photographs is available from a Shehab Illyas post on Tumblr. I have included the link for those fans interested here...

http://shehabillyas.tumblr.com/post/132300339496/bnl-silverballtour-x100-medicinehat-alandoyle

I have also included another gorgeous photograph by Shehab Illyas of Alan Doyle in his chicken costume from the official Kendel Carson Twitter account. No copyright infringement intended.

The Great Newfoundland Songbook... A radio program (9/365)

Technology never ceases to amaze me. I am catching up on listening to the latest episode of a radio program called 'The Great Newfoundland Songbook' hosted by Newfoundland musician and photographer Paul Kinsman and recorded in St. John's, Newfoundland. I am not listening in Newfoundland but thousands of miles away in Australia.

Each week on Saturday afternoon Paul Kinsman (a Newfoundland musician, photographer and radio host) talks about Newfoundland and Labrador songs and the times they reflect and how they are connected to their culture. During the first six episodes available Paul has been joined by other notable Newfoundland musicians and singers including Bob Hallett, Barry Canning, Chris LeDrew, Alan Doyle, Darrell Power, Barry Canning, Denis Parker, Sandy Morris and Colleen Power.

I have included a brief summary of the third episode as Paul Kinsman introduces Great Big Sea and their transformation from a Newfoundland to a Canadian band... 

During the third episode aired on the 22 September, 2018, Paul Kinsman talks with Sandy Morris, Bob Hallett and Alan Doyle about the traditional Newfoundland song 'Hard, Hard Times' written by William Emberely about hard times during the 1936 Great Depression and the different interpretations over time. Paul Kinsman introduces Great Big Sea and their song 'Ordinary Day' and goes on to discuss the writing of the song with Alan Doyle. Paul Kinsman, Chris LeDrew, Colleen Power and Bob Hallett conclude the episode talking about the song 'Saltwater Cowboys' about the migration of Newfoundlanders to mainland Canada.

If you love Newfoundland music and you want to listen to and learn more, you are going to love this radio show. Paul Kinsman and Bob Hallett are massively impressive, sharing their knowledge of traditional Newfoundland music, culture, history with humour and passion throughout the series. The recordings were available at VOCM on the Great Newfoundland Songbook page at the time of the publishing of this post. 

I have included a photograph of the official poster for the series and a photograph of Alan Doyle in the studio with Paul Kinsman. The photographs are from the official Twitter account of Paul Kinsman. As always no copyright infringement intended.

Bob Hallett And Friends... Learning traditional NL music (8/365)

When I was kid growing up in southwest Australia I was given the opportunity to learn music at school. In school I was given a cheap and nasty recorder to play. I met my best childhood friend learning music as we would practice together during our lunch breaks.

When I was a teenager a great aunt dumped her big old piano on my family. At least one day a week throughout my teenage years I would go to piano lessons, learn music theory and practice thumping out a range of exercises and tunes.

As I grew older I gave it away. The old out of tune piano still sits in my parent's house. The plastic recorder in the piano stool. When I learned the piano I always played what the teacher wanted or followed the piano book. Today I can still read music and play some pieces very badly.

So it was with great interest I read this article titled 'On with the slow: Learning traditional music, but at a temperate speed' by Annie Corrigan' published on 21 October, 2018 at cbc.com about the music sessions Bob Hallett and his friend Kelly Russell were having at Erin's pub in St. John's, Newfoundland to help pass on the Newfoundland music tradition to other musicians still learning their craft. The music these people want to play and love.

From the article...

"... At Erin's Pub on Water Street in downtown St. John's, there is a new weekly session intended for musicians like Hornell, who are still honing their skills and might be intimidated by the speed of regular trad sessions.

At the Slow Sessions, each musician takes a turn leading the group in a tune they know, at a speed they prefer. Russell runs the Tuesday night sessions, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Erin's Pub proprietor Bob Hallett — best-known as a former member of Great Big Sea — is the mastermind behind Slow Sessions. Erin's Pub hosts a Friday trad session that features top-notch musicianship and speedy tempos, but he says players who are still learning the tunes may feel out of place.

He and Russell are trying to create a different scene.

"Our goal here is to spread traditional music into the wider world, and one of the ways to do that is to make it easy to learn it," Hallett said..."

I can imagine myself being a fly on the wall at Erin's pub. This experience would be so awesome. The full article 'On with the slow: Learning traditional music, but at a temperate speed' by Annie Corrigan' published on 21 October, 2018 at cbc.com is available from the following link https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/slow-sessions-1.4870720

I have included a photograph of Bob Hallett and Kelly Russell doing what they do best from the article by Annie Corrigan. No copyright infringement intended.

Alan Doyle, Hockey Ambassador... A new role (7/365)

Yesterday, the Newfoundland Growlers won their first away game against the Manchester Monarchs from the American state of New Hampshire in the Eastern Conference Hockey League.

It was just over a week ago on the 12 October, 2018 the Newfoundland Growlers, the new ice hockey franchise in St. John's, Newfoundland won their first game against the Florida Everblades.

Alan Doyle who is ambassador for the team sang the Canadian national anthem 'O Canada' and the 'Ode To Newfoundland' to a packed house at the One Mile Centre. All the pre-game entertainment and the game were recorded live and are available at the Newfoundland Growler's official Facebook page at the time of this post.

The Newfoundland Growlers official Facebook page has also posted some fabulous photographs and video feeds from their first game, along with all the other games they have played for those fans interested in hockey. I found this great photograph of Alan singing at the first game and decided to post it here. As always no copyright infringement intended.

Go well Newfoundland Growlers.

Alan Doyle And A Newfoundland Adventure... A response (6/365)

"...It was a life-changing experience to be aboard the Adventure Canada expedition ship Ocean Endeavour for almost two weeks in early October, circumnavigating our stunningly beautiful province of Newfoundland. We anchored daily into bights, coves and harbours adjacent to UNESCO world heritage sites, outports and scenic destinations, becoming immersed in the physical geography, geology, archaeology, biology and culture of this great island province.

Part of the reason the trip was so exceptional was that there was a huge music component. We were treated to daily doses of Newfoundland music and culture, history and stories, from the likes of singer-songwriter Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), singer-songwriter-culturalist Tony Oxford, and flute and whistle player Gerry Strong (Cotillion)..." (Elizabeth Szekeres) 

As fans of Alan Doyle who follow him on social media know that he recently went on an Adventure Canada trip circumnavigating Newfoundland. Alan was one of several Newfoundlanders sharing their expertise of Newfoundland history, culture, music, geography and the natural environment with passengers.

The 10 day trip included visits to St. John's, outport communities, L'Anse aux Meadow a World Heritage listed Norse settlement, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station, Gros Morne National Park and Woody Point, Miawupkek (Conne River) First Nations settlement, and Saint-Pierre the last French colony in North America. And a what a trip that would have been visiting places that many tourists to Newfoundland would never get to visit while learning about Newfoundland from the resident experts. The trip has become one of my dreams for next year.

Alan, Adventure Canada and some of the other crew and passengers shared some of their highlights via social media. One of the passengers Elizabeth Szekeres wrote an article for the online music magazine rootsmusic.ca describing her experiences on the adventure of a life time and the role music played on the voyage. The article was then shared via the official Twitter sites of Adventure Canada and then responded to and shared by Russell Crowe.

If you are an Alan Doyle fan then you really should read this account of this unique experience.

The article 'Alan Doyle And Friends Aboard The Ocean Endeavour' by Elizabeth Szekeres is available at rootsmusic.ca and was published on 18 October, 2018.

The End Of Great Big Sea And To New Beginnings... Five years on (5/365)

"Jaysus. Let people be. Take care of yourself. But try and love all others. Even those you resent. The truth is always in the middle. No need to pour gas on the fire." Darrell Power, Former Great Big Sea founding member on the On-line Kitchen Party, A Great Big Sea Community Forum Facebook page...

A podcast with Sean McCann titled 'Second Chances, New Truths and Living Sober' was shared on the Online Kitchen Party, A Great Big Sea Community Fan Forum on Facebook by the usual sources. Although the discussion about this podcast (fostered by the usual sources) is in it's early stages I am going to put my two cents worth in via this blog post as I don't belong to that group.

It has been five years since Sean McCann and the other members of Great Big Sea, Alan Doyle and Bob Hallett went their separate ways at Sean McCann's request. During those five years I have read many interviews from all three and in particular Sean McCann and discussions from fans on social media and in particular on the On-Line Kitchen Party. I have written quite a few posts on this blog.

I think I have read everything that could possibly be said about this topic. Firstly, I am not going to listen to that pod cast and secondly, I absolutely agree with Darrell Power's comments after the initial post "Jaysus. Let people be. Take care of yourself. But try and love all others. Even those you resent. The truth is always in the middle. No need to pour gas on the fire. "

Sean McCann has been circulating a lot of memorabilia including photographs and videos about the early years of Great Big Sea via social media. There have been rumours of a reunion concert or concerts however, I think that is just a lead up to the book he has been writing. To be honest I think all the talk by Sean McCann of a reunion concert or concerts and meetings with the other boys is purely the promotion of this book and looking for ways to get a pay out for his share in the band.

For those fans interested there is a copy of the pod cast on YouTube.

Alan Doyle, The Producer (2018)... Splash 'N Boots (4/365)

Alan Doyle's official social media sites biography reads a brief list of some of his many accomplishments ... "Musician, Actor, Winker, Nodder, Habs Fan...and now Author too, I suppose." And now he has added 'producer' to that list.

During the Canadian summer of 2018 Alan has been writing songs and producing albums for the fabulous Newfoundland group 'The Ennis Sisters' and Canadian children's group 'Splash 'N Boots'. Alan, The Ennis Sisters and Splash 'N Boots have been sharing some of their adventures via social media and through the traditional media over the past couple of months.

This week Alan shared a post on his official Twitter site that he had gone to Toronto to continue working with Splash 'N Boots on their new album and had finished it.

I found a really interesting and enlightening article in which Splash 'N Boots talk about their role as children's entertainers in an online magazine called Samaritan. At the end of the article the journalist asks a question about working with Alan Doyle on their new album. I have copied the article below for those fans interested.

I have also shared some great photographs of Alan with Splash 'N Boots, one from his official Twitter page and one from the official Instagram page of Splash 'N Boots. As always no copyright infringement intended. 








'Q&A: Splash'N Boots Talks Plus 1 Tour, Hug Pillow and Alan Doyle Album' by Kym Hughes published on 16 September, 2018 in the Samaritan Mag (no copyright infringement intended)

It’s perhaps ironic that children’s entertainers — though vessels for shiny, happy, sticky singalongs about fantastical ephemera — in many ways carry more responsibility than their rock-and-roll brethren. And not just because getting drunk on the job would be a fast-track to disgrace and unemployment.

Children are hugely impressionable; lessons learned in childhood can and do irrevocably shape us forevermore. Imparting a positive message in a persuasive way that makes sense to a child while sustaining her attention is a towering achievement, as anyone who has ever tried to get a four-year-old to eat breakfast quickly can attest.

That axiom is well known to Nick Adams and Taes Leavitt, better known as Canadian children’s performers Splash’N Boots. The globetrotting, five-time Juno Award–nominees and Treehouse Television stars convey all sorts of fun, uplifting messages in their songs, from the joys of growing up (“Tilly the Tadpole,” from 2012's Coconuts Don't Fall Far From the Tree) to the power of love (“Bumblebee” from their latest, Love, Kisses and Hugs).

But Splash’N Boots take it further, finding unique ways to make their music and live shows inclusive while promoting notions of kindness and compassion. To wit: Lucas’ Letters, a pen-pal program aimed at autistic children but open to any kid with a pencil and paper. The duo promotes Lucas’ Letters on their website and beyond alongside other initiatives including the Sick Kids Foundation.

Splash’N Boots raise the stakes this fall with their Big Love, Kisses and Hugs cross-Canada tour which has several charitable and altruistic components, notably a partnership with Plus 1. Founded in 2005 by Arcade Fire to assist Haiti and today championed by heavyweights like Barenaked Ladies, Billy Talent, and Vampire Weekend benefiting everything from Amnesty International to Planned Parenthood, Plus 1 directs $1 from every concert ticket sold to charity.

In the case of Splash’N Boots — the first children’s act to partner with the org — funds will assist MusiCounts, the charitable arm of the Canadian Academy of Recordings Arts & Sciences (CARAS), providing youth music programs with instruments, especially adaptive instruments suitable for students of all abilities. As well, each tour stop will see Splash’N Boots bestow a Big Heart Award to a member of the community (child or adult) making a positive difference.

That gesture is an extension of an extraordinary encounter the duo had with a six-year-old Ontario child named Nicholas, who was being severely bullied in school but, with help from Splash’N Boots who gave him a heart-shaped "hug pillow," found a way to cope with the abuse while paying it forward.

As the highly affable Leavitt (a.k.a. Boots, so named for her snazzy footwear) tells Samaritanmag, the joys and accountabilities of performing for children are a daily revelation. She also reveals the pair will be recording their next album with former Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle.

How much preparation and rehearsal goes into a Splash’N Boots tour?

It’s what the next three weeks will be about (the tour launches Sept. 20 in Ford Macleod, AB, wrapping Oct. 28 in Glace Bay, NS). We are adding new songs and new stuff and it’s our most audience-interactive show. We really want to raise the level of audience participation. But you can only rehearse so much when the audience isn’t there.

Your primary audience is children but children come accompanied by adults which means you need to keep grownups entertained, yes?

For sure. I know when I take kids to a concert, I hope to be as entertained as they are. I think our main goal with the show is connecting kids to their parents and grandparents. We try to make it a collective experience as opposed to a show for kids.

Partnering with Plus 1 is a key component of this upcoming tour. How did the org get on your radar and what persuaded you to get involved?

We saw Plus 1 do a presentation at the Juno Awards a couple of years ago and have been thinking of ways to implement it into our shows ever since. We do sell a lot of concert tickets across Canada and we always aspired to do more with that. So this just worked out perfectly as we are also working with MusiCounts. It’s nice for us and for our audience to know that part of the ticket money is going towards something good.

The adult ticket-buyers will connect the dots to the charitable aspect of their purchase. How will you underscore that idea with the children?

We haven’t entirely figured that out, to be honest (laughs) but I do think we’ll be adding something about it to the shows. I have no doubt the kids would be excited to know they’re being a part of something like Plus 1.

How much do you hope to raise?

As much as we can. It’s $1 from every ticket, so the more tickets we sell, the more money for the charity!

What is the median age of your audience, and how young is too young to talk about weightier issues like empathy or bullying?

Since Treehouse TV, our audience has gotten younger. We do have people bringing babies although the main age is from two to seven. It can go up to age 10 or 11. I feel it’s good to start [these discussions] early with kids. They understand what’s going on and feel things deeply, so to teach kindness and inclusivity from the time they understand words is the way to go.

Has that always been part of your mandate, if we can call it that, or was the initial approach strictly entertainment with the deeper stuff developing later?

We never wanted to be teach-y though; we always saw music as a tool for connecting. And that’s always what we’ve been about: using music to connect kids to their parents and grandparents, but also connecting kids to each other which I think has led us to where we are now. We also continue to meet all these amazing families as we travel. We have a [fan] named Max from Hamilton [Ontario] who is 10 and has Down Syndrome. And we have a four-year-old girl, Kayla, who also has Down Syndrome. Both families were at a show together and watching Kayla’s parents watch Max get up on stage to sing a song — basically seeing Kayla’s family seeing that potential — was amazing. Through our show, those families ending up bonding. We’ve also seen that happening at our shows between parents of autistic children. It’s very moving, and by far my favourite thing about what we do. I recently got a video of Kayla singing one of our songs and I just… sobbed (laughs). It was so beautiful to watch this kid. That’s the power of music.

The Big Love, Kisses and Hugs Tour was inspired in part by a child named Nicholas. Can you speak to that?

We got an email about a year ago from a mom who was distraught over the bullying her son was enduring at school. She said she was coming to one of our shows and asked of there was anything we could do. We agreed to a pre-show meet-and-greet and I think we also made him a video. At the show we met this lovely little six-year-old, Nicholas, who was very shy but you could see the spark in him. He got us thinking about bullying. We were surprised it happened so young and so severely; Nicholas sustained a concussion and was experiencing anxiety and couldn’t sleep. So we posted to our Splash’N Boots Facebook wall asking parents how they handle bullying with their kids along with a picture of a yellow and blue heart (Splash’N Boots’ signature colours). It exploded with comments; parents began talking back and forth and again there was this connection happening, this common story.

A few months later we saw Nicholas again and we had a yellow and blue pillow specially made for him. We told him that whenever he was feeling sad or anxious he should hold the pillow. Nicholas kept this pillow, and ending up switching schools and things changed in his life. Then last February we had a show in Toronto and Nicholas showed up. He told us he had had a birthday and asked kids to bring money instead of presents so he could buy heart pillow just like his for everyone who felt sad and alone. Then he gave us this envelope with $200 cash. It was just so beautiful to watch and his mom said he’d come up with the idea himself. I can’t even tell that story without crying.

And what’s happening with the Big Heart Awards you’re planning on giving out on this tour?

People are applying through videos which have been amazing to watch. The criteria is people doing positive things in their communities. Small gestures and big ones alike; one kid has spent his summer delivering homemade cookies to police and fire departments. Adult support workers of kids with autism have been nominated. And little Nicholas is watching all the videos with his mom which is very sweet. They’re replying with thanks and telling people they love what they’re doing.

There’s a lot of responsibility with what you do, huh?

Yes, for sure, because kids do look up to us. It’s about having integrity. Sometimes in this industry there is this expectation that we will always be happy and up. To us, it’s more important to always be real which means allowing that we sometimes get sad and also have bad days so that kids understand things aren’t perfect all the time, but that it’s important to be yourself.

You list yourself as a vegetarian on your website. Do you get asked about that?

All the time. Parents ask me about it too; exploring fears around this diet and ensuring that it’s healthy for children. I am always happy to answer them. I became vegetarian the second I discovered what meat was. I think it’s important that kids understand what they’re eating and that their decisions are supported.

Finally, I understand you’re working with Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea fame on your new record. How did that come about?

We basically badgered him into working with us by tweeting at him constantly over the years (laughs). When we first started out and it was tough going, that Great Big Sea album with the song ‘Ordinary Day’ (1997’s Play) held us together. We are huge fans of his. And it’s a dream come true; we’re flying to Newfoundland next week to record vocals. He’s really into doing a kid’s album which is exciting for us. He’s pushing us in different directions. Look for that at the end of October.

Alan Doyle, The Producer (2018)...The Ennis Sisters (3/365)

Alan Doyle's official social media site biography reads a brief list of some of his many accomplishments ... "Musician, Actor, Winker, Nodder, Habs Fan...and now Author too, I suppose." And now he has added 'producer' to that list.

During the Canadian summer of 2018 Alan has been writing songs and producing albums for the fabulous Newfoundland group 'The Ennis Sisters' and Canadian children's group 'Splash 'N Boots'. Alan, The Ennis Sisters and Splash 'N Boots have been sharing some of their adventures via social media and through the traditional media over the past couple of months.

Yesterday Alan shared a post on his official Twitter site from The Ennis Sisters in which they released a song called 'Your Light' written by Maureen Ennis and Perry Chafe. They had all worked together with Alan Doyle to produce the song and now a video 'Shine The Light' and shared it via The Ennis Sisters' official YouTube site.

The Ennis Sisters did some interviews in the traditional media and online music media in which they talk about their new album, working with Alan Doyle and other topics published locally in Newfoundland and on the Canadian mainland.

I really liked this article in the Newfoundland Herald in which The Ennis Sisters talk about their new album, working with Alan Doyle, their NL tour and the recent passing of their father. I have copied this article here for those interested. As always no copyright infringement intended.

I was lucky enough to see the brilliant Ennis Sisters perform in St. John's, Newfoundland when I was there for a charity event for homeless people. Be sure to check out their album and official YouTube site videos.





'Ennis Sisters Keeping Time' by Krystyn Decker published on 17 May, 2018 in the Newfoundland Herald.

Teresa Ennis of The Ennis Sisters sits down with The Herald to talk about their upcoming album Keeping Time, their NL tour, and the recent passing of their father, John Ennis

The Ennis Sisters are back at it again, never taking a break from their musical explorations and releasing their thirteenth studio album titled Keeping Time. Having collaborated with the likes of Alan Doyle, Mark Murphy, and Perry Chafe, 11 of the songs featured on the album are original tracks with a fresh and edgy flair.

Keeping Time

“Maureen, Karen and I have been working on this album for a couple of years now, getting songs together and trying to figure out who the best producer would be for this album. We wanted to do something a little different, kind of challenge ourselves a little bit and so we met with a few people. We met with Alan Doyle, he’s just so amazing. He’s so positive, and it’s like he reaches for the stars at all points. He’s like, let’s go as big as we can possibly go with this, and just have a lot of fun with it,” Teresa Ennis shared in a one-on-one interview with The Newfoundland Herald.

“[The album’s] not quite as Celtic heavy. It’s got a little bit more of an edge to it. Having said that, we still do honour our roots in it. We have Cherish the Ladies featured on the album as well, a very Celtic, Irish female group. We’re really excited about it because it feels fresh, and different, and new. We’re really proud of how it turned out, and we’re so excited about releasing it and finally releasing some songs to the radio.”

Family First

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Ennis says she plans on spending a quiet day with her husband Joel and daughter Rosie at home, waking up to a nice family breakfast and a walk outside, assuming the weather cooperates, before heading to visit her mother.

“Mom this year, we’ll definitely have a special day because this is going to be her first Mother’s Day without dad. She’s doing okay. She has good days and bad days, but she’s hanging in there. It’s all an adjustment,” she shared.

Their father, John Ennis, was a talented button accordion player who loved music. “He played every single day, it’s just part of the sound of our, you know, musical soundtrack growing up,” she explained.

John Ennis worked as a power engineer with Newfoundland Power. Upon retiring, he became The Ennis Sisters’ manager, travelling and touring with his daughters until he felt it was time to pass them on to someone more experienced in the music industry. “We really were encouraged and supported. Mom and dad did everything, they were our managers for a time when we were first starting out,” Ennis explained.

“They were always there for us, encouraging us and supporting us however we needed and of course you know, most of the songs that Maureen wrote and the songs that we sang were influenced by mom and dad. They’d suggest songs, so a lot of the songs that they loved, we ended up recording or putting in our show.”

Upcoming Tour

Upon the release of the new album, there’s no doubt that an upcoming tour is inevitable. The Ennis Sisters will be performing in Arts and Culture Centres across the province, from Labrador West to St. John’s, and Corner Brook to Stephenville, plus more along the way.

“We’re touring with Cherish the Ladies, and they’re all master musicians. They’re incredible. We’re going to be singing with them and doing songs from our upcoming album called Keeping Time,” Ennis explained.

“We’re really looking forward to it because for the last number of years we haven’t really toured the province like this, other than our Christmas shows. We’re really looking forward to getting out again and playing some of our old classics, but also some new stuff from our upcoming album. I think people are really going to enjoy the show.”

Keeping Time is set to be released June 15. For tour information visit theennissisters.com or artsandculturecentre.com

Alan Doyle And 'A Newfoundlander In Canada'...Happy anniversary ! (2/365)

Yesterday, the 16 October, 2018 Alan Doyle reminded fans and followers on his official social media accounts that his book 'A Newfoundlander In Canada' was available. Many fans responded to the posts stating how much they enjoyed reading the book.

A year ago today on the 17 October, 2017, the book was released by Random House. The evening before Alan shared stories at a packed house at the Appel Salon in the Toronto Public Library. That event was recorded by the library and available on YouTube for those interested. I have included a photograph from the talk below from the YouTube site.

The talk at the Toronto Public Library was the first of many talks Alan did on a book tour throughout October and November 2017. I wrote a number of posts during October 2017 about the tour.

I have included a copy of a From The Road post 'Toronto Hotel' Alan wrote sharing his feelings and thoughts about the book and album about to be released. I have copied the post here for those fans interested. The post is from official Alan Doyle webpage alandoyle.ca. No copyright infringement intended. 





TORONTO HOTEL

October 17th, 2017

Friday was the day for the release of the new album A Week at The Warehouse I couldn’t be more happy with response to all the new tunes. Today is the day for the release day of the new book, A Newfoundlander in Canada. Advance readers have been giving glowing reviews and I am excited to finally get the stories out there. As ever, there’s a nervous energy and an anxious hope that people enjoy what they read. I think that is inevitable for anybody like me who loves to make people smile. So, suffice it to say, with sincerity, I hope you like the book.

A Newfoundlander in Canada is really a journal-like account of my earliest trips across Canada. It tells the story of what the vast and varied country of Canada looked like to me, a fella from the far, far east of the country who’d never really been anywhere but Home. Combine with that, the fact that this fella was seeing the country, the one his family had only recently joined, out the window of a band van as a folk-based quartet tried to bring the music of an Island in the middle of the sea to the mainland of Canada, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.

I am grateful to Martha, and Scott and Kelly and all at Random House Canada for all the help getting this done. Likewise, I am as grateful as ever to Bob Hallett who sat in front of me in the GBS van in more ways than one for so many years, as his memory is much better than mine.

A Newfoundlander in Canada available everywhere today.

Thanks All

Alan

Alan Doyle And The Juno Cup (2006)... Throwback Thursday (1/365)

During the week a fan shared a gorgeous photograph of Alan Doyle in full hockey gear playing hockey as part of the Juno Cup. 

Alan's love of ice hockey is well documented on social media and through the traditional media. He has regularly built an ice rink in his backyard during the winter and played in charity hockey matches during his years in Great Big Sea.

For many years Alan played in the Juno Cup, a charity game between retired NHL players and musicians as a lead up to the Juno music awards and then later coached the team. 

In 2006, Alan was captain of the team. The game proceeds went to CARAS, a music education program that provides music grants and scholarships to young Canadians.

I found a wonderful collection of photographs of Alan and his team full of musicians on the game played on the 31 March, 2006 in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2006. The photographs are by Darryl James. No copyright infringement intended.

The collection is available at the following link...

https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/the-assembled-rosters-of-musicians-and-ex-nhlers-after-the-news-photo/57228437

Cory Tetford And Friends Rock The Canadian Summer 2018...Some highlights.

During the Canadian summer months talented singer and musician Cory Tetford from Alan Doyle's Beautiful, Beautiful Band and some of his friends have been playing a number of gigs throughout eastern Canada and Newfoundland.

In the past I have researched, collected social media posts and written about Cory's gigs and I thought it would be great to put some here. They are some of my regularly visited posts.

During the Canadian summer Cory played the The Songwriters and Stories Concert Series (a private songwriters circle event) in eastern Canada, Seven Decades of Sandy on the 19 July in St. John's, the Newfoundland Songwriters Tour with Barry Canning, Paul Lamb and Chris LeDrew in August throughout Newfoundland and the Iceberg Alley Performance Tent with Alan Doyle and The Beautiful, Beautiful Band on the 15 September and opening act for Steve Earle on the 16 September in St. John's with fellow Beautiful, Beautiful Band members Kendel Carson, Kris MacFarlane and Shehab Illyas plus friend Chris LeDrew.

Not a lot is shared by fans or the musicians about these shows via social media although they are often sold out as fans seem to enjoy being in the present with the musicians or they keep what they take for personal use and not share via social media. 

From all the comments I read and the videos I viewed on social media the shows sounded totally awesome. I did manage to find a few gems and have posted them here for people visiting my blog in the future. There are a few short videos of performances under the musician's name or the event and some bootlegged videos from the usual sources on YouTube.

I have also included a copy of some drop dead gorgeous posters advertising the events as I love tour posters.

The photographs come from the official Twitter accounts of the holders. I chose them because they are fabulous photographs but also Newfoundlanders sharing and telling their own music stories. No copyright infringement intended.

The Newfoundland Songwriters Tour...





(photo credit Perry Chafe)





The Iceberg Alley Performance Tent (Opening Show)...








(photo credit Alick Tsui)





(photo credit Iceberg Ally Tent Performance)


Seven Decades Of Sandy....





(Photo credit Paul Kinsman)