... indeed it is! And on December 16th and 17th, Santa checks off item number one on my wish list with a mini-tour with an indie-rock band as part of the OXmas Christmas Special with Sudbury's Ox, and a sleigh-ful of special guests! I'm special guesting on the OXMAS shows happening at Aeolian Hall in London on December 16th and at the PHOG Lounge on December 17th..!
OX sends London some winter chill from way up north in Sudbury, bringing along flurry of special guests for the sleigh ride; including myself Allison Brown, Daniel Romano of Attack in Black, Jenny Omnichord, Andy Magoffin, Nathan Lawr and Dave Mackinnon of the Fembots! The PHOG show on the 17th features Brian Dunn and Tara Watts as well as myself and Jenny Omnichord. The OXMAS tour follows the release of “Silent Night And Other Cowboy Songs”, a seasonal charmer as campfire lo-fi guitars combine with whizzing moogs and studio cacophony. Sponsored by GROOVES, you can get advance tickets there or at L’Atelier Gregorian, The Village Idiot or the Aeolian Hall Box Office for $15.00, or at the door for $18.00. $3.00 off the door price for bringing along a food donation to the Food Bank Of London. Expect a festive event like no other for the holidays- eclectic performances of traditional and oddball carols, fresh baked vegan cupcakes, elves, Oxnog, and maybe even a visit from Santox himself!
Snow Covered Cabin in a secret Northern Ontario Location
...and as the longest night of the year draws nearer, ... Cozy up in your favourite armchair with a mug of peppermint hot chocolate and listen to the flicker of the crackling fire while tuning in to CHRW Radio 94.9fm on Wednesday, December 22nd for my annual “FOR THE FOLK” Fireside Christmas Hour-And-A-Half, broadcast live from my secret snow-covered cabin in the woods….! Dale and Amanda are on Santa's "Nice" list for bringing you all such great programming since I left town, and as a reward he's given them both the night off ...- so I’m back on London’s airwaves for one night of holiday magic as I spin through classic nostalgic sounds of Christmas Past (some on LP!), and musical treasures of Christmas present… I promise no Robert Goulet this year.. but expect a few cheesy numbers (The Jingle Dogs?) thrown in the mix with some amazing folk, blues, gospel, bluegrass, R&B and country Christmas Favourites. And maybe Boney M, John Denver and the Muppets, and of course the Charlie Brown soundtrack. This year I might even share some stories and vintage recipes… The forecast is calling for Hank Snow so curl up real close to your warm radios for my heartwarming Christmas radio special on December 22nd, from 8:30-10pm on 94.9fm in London or over the internet at www.chrwradio.com…!
And don't forget that "Viper At The Virgin's Feet" makes an excellent holiday gift and you can either send me a note at allisoncbrown@yahoo.com and arrange to have me mail you a copy personally, or you can pick one up by SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES such as GROOVES in London. All the stores are listed in the "Stores" section above...
Happy Holidays and Best To You All in 2011..!
Allison
… taking a late November breather from big-city livin’ back here at the ol ‘ Souwesto homestead for a couple of Windsor shows this weekend… Saturday, November 27th I’ll be LONESOME LEFTY’s special guest at the FM Lounge (The Fish Market), show starts around 10pm and we’ll be passing around Lefty’s cowboy hat sometime during the show…
…. and on Sunday, November 28th at 3pm, I’ll be joining Wayne Bennett, Tim Swaddling, Lonesome Lefty & Friends along with the choir at the Sandwich First Baptist Church for a special gospel concert… make sure to have your Hallelujah on..!!!
… December 1st I’ll be sitting in as a special guest with Folkgrassers North Of Queen at Mitzi’s Sister, 9pm, PWYC partial proceeds to Autism Ontario…!
…….Just hear those sleigh bells jingling ring ring ring-a-ling bringing YOU to Mitzi’s Sister DECEMBER 12th for an ol’ fashioned Snowflake Serenade Sunday evenin’ including “Uncle” Dan Henshall playing the part of Jack Frost (mandolin), Jeff Kahl as the Abominable Snowman (guitar), and a blizzard of surprise guests …! Don’t let the snow keep you from drifting down Queen West ...to hear some lonesome sounds that will make you shiver in your socks, a flurry of ruckus raisin’ bluegrass, and sweet songs to melt your cold, cold heart. Plus a couple of Christmas numbers…! … Don’t flake out at home just cuz the mercury’s falling! The show starts at 9pm, Pay What You Can..!
See you angels out there in the snow!
Allison
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
... November and I'm just getting settled here in my new place in Toronto, just across the street from all my favourite places to play and hear live music..! This week on Friday, November 5th, I'm moseying down to the Cadillac Lounge to sing some harmony parts with Nashville gal LINDA MCRAE...
...Sunday, November 14th I'm back at Mitzi's Sister for the first of a MONTHLY Sunday show in the heart of Parkdale... next one is December 12th as it'll be the Second Sunday of every month into 2011..!
Joining in for the rukus is Jeff Kahl on guitar n' stuff, and Dan Henshall on mandolin n' stuff... more surprise special guests could be part of the nights musical adventures...
... I'm also starting to kick my work search into high gear, I'm pretty good at the following things:
~ Media Relations, Promotions, and Publicity - been starting to work for other musicians, if you have anything coming up and need press releases sent out or bios written, let me know!
~ Event Planning
~ Radio
~ Customer Service
~ Anything relating to the music industry at all
~ Voice-Overs, Narration and Session Singing (Commercials, Films etc)
~ Christmas Tree Decorating
... and anything else you think I might be just the right person for...!
Just in time for the clocks to fall back, my song "Saving Daylight" from 2005's "Everything That Shined" is now available for digital download on CD Baby and I Tunes.
Also a reminder that I am discontinuing my popular email-based newsletter and switching to updates via THIS BLOG - so make sure and add your email address where it says "Subscribe To Email Newsletter" just over to the right top bit of the page. Now I can add fun stuff like colour and photos to my newsletter updates..!
Howdy Folks..!
Autumn is off to a great start and I'm getting excited about being back at OCFF playing in the Roots Music Canada Songwriter's Speakeasy, in the Moose Lodge Room 524...! My one and only scheduled performance at OCFF will be at 1:00am on Friday, October 15th... but you know I'll be jamming it up late into the wee hours of morning throughout the Conference... No moosin' around this will be the best showcase room of the whole weekend featuring folks like Eve Goldberg, Raghu Lokanathan, Janine Stoll, Jory Nash and more...!!!
After the Conference hoopla, I head to Peterborough for a great night of Fishin' At The Spill, a roots music revue featuring Sarah Hiltz, Dan Frechette, The Unseen Strangers, and myself with Dan Henshall along for some accompaniment... October is a mighty fine time of year for some musical fishin’ so bring your rod and tackle down to Peterborough’s SPILL CAFÉ (414 George Street North, (705) 748-6167) on Monday, October 18th for FISHIN’ AT THE SPILL, a roots music showcase featuring Sarah Hiltz, Allison Brown, Dan Frechette and The Unseen Strangers..!
Dan Frechette
... and taking the weekend into Tuesday, I'm back in Toronto along with DAN FRECHETTE for a special double bill at Not My Dog - Arf! Arf! Tuesday, October 19th - cmon' down and see what all the howlin's about! Dan Frechette is a modern traditionalist troubadour in the roots music vein. Raised on Rock n'Roll records and radio, Frechette has crafted an original catalog of over 1300 songs with styles ranging from old tyme music to rockabilly. His political folk songs "Who Will Take My Place" and "Mists of Down Below" have been sung the world over by The Duhks. His provoking lyrics and emotional riffs and melodies don't stop there. Frechette is also known to many as a soulful, dynamic and engaging performer who showcases his songs on a wide variety of instrumentation. With his forays in to other styles and sounds Frechette has developed his own style and mastery on all styles of guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. His harmonica playing, while simple and melodic, has become a staple of the Dan Frechette sound. Frechette has toured internationally promoting his debut album "Lucky Day". "My Bride and I" from the album has been recorded by famed Irish folk-rock band Dervish. His new albums "A Quick Walk With Me" and "Hitting The Hard Road Straight" feature many fine original performances with world weary and insightful lyrics with his edgy vocals at the helm. His newest album "Performer", a live solo CD has received a 4 star rave review in the Winnipeg Free Press.
See you in Ottawa, Peterborough and Toronto for all the October Wildlife...!!!
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE TO THE EMAIL NEWSLETTER for further updates!
This September, Ontario folk warbler Allison Brown and Alberta’s rambling songman Scott Cook take to the stage for three double bill concerts in London (with special guests Simple Joy), Toronto and Windsor.! September in Southern Ontario marks Scott and Allison’s first shared billing; taking to the stage at the London Music Club, Mitzi’s Sister and at Phog! Allison brings along some special accompanist friends to spice up the September nights with a harvest of fiddles, mandolins, bass and harmonies.
Prairie balladeer Scott Cook is an Edmonton-based, world-traveling songwriter with heart forever on sleeve. Scott Cook sings real, honest acoustic roots music with a barefoot feel. He performs alone—accompanying himself with guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, and foot percussion—or with his band, The Long Weekends. Folk, roots, country, blues, and reggae weave around stories that shine a light on the human heart, evoking equal parts laughter, tears and wonderment. Cook has traveled widely, and brings a wealth of life experience to his songcraft and storytelling. He has made his full-time living playing music since 2007, touring extensively across Canada, the US, and Taiwan.
"Scott Cook has distilled his travels down into songs powered by a sharp eye and is exactly the kind of act you'd be happy to stumble down the hill or through the birches and hear at a music festival...warm like a campfire, familiar like the lake down the road... deepthinking, introspective stuff" -Fish Griwkowsky, The Edmonton Sun
“He is, without question, the most endearing of folk hippies in this uptight town—a reggae country bluesman whom Willie Nelson would get along with better than pretty much any of us, which means everything. The music on his new one is pretty, thoughtful, & hopeful —lustful for life and eternally grateful.” -SEE Magazine, Edmonton
Saturday, October 2nd at The Taloola Café
ALLISON BROWN
Presents an evening of acoustic music
Unplugged and Mostly Solo
9pm, PWYC
Limited Seating, arrive early
396 Devonshire, Windsor
Roots songstress Allison Brown took some time out back home in Essex County this September to shake off some road dust after her two-month tour of Canada’s west following the spring launch of her new recording, “Viper At The Virgin’s Feet”. Allison marks her move up to Toronto after ten or so years living in London, Ontario with a special acoustic unplugged mostly solo concert at Walkerville’s intimate Taloola Café on Saturday, October 2nd.
Allison Brown is back in town sharing the stage with some of her favourite songsters; Winnipeg’s DEL BARBER, Toronto’s COURTNEY FARQUAR on Wednesday September 15th at the London Music Club!
These September shows mark Allison’s first concerts following her two-month tour across Canada’s west celebrating the release of her new record “Viper At The Virgin’s Feet”.These shows also mark Allison’s first London performances as an “out of town act”.Hiding out in her Souwesto secret headquarters resting up for a big move to Toronto in October, Allison is happy to catch up with friends and fans in London with two triple bills.Allison brings her signature spark back to the London stage, joined by several surprise special guest accompanists.
Wednesday’s triple bill features DEL BARBER and COURTNEY FARQUAR:
DEL BARBER is a rambling gambling singer songwriter born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Del’s musical influences include: Townes Van Zandt, Greg Brown, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, and Wilco among many others. Del is also heavily influenced by literary giants such as Farley Mowat, Wendell Berry, Jack Kerouac et al, and Kathleen Norris to name only a few. His own writing reflects his contrasting loves of the city and the country, a tension he welcomes with open arms.
"Nowhere I'd Rather Be", COURTNEY FARQUAR’S debut full-length album is captivating right from the very first note. She opens up her heart and soul in a series of unforgettable songs that conjure up beautiful images and lure you into her world. Produced by Ben Riley and Dylan Heming, this album blends pop, folk, country, and a hint of jazz resulting in a unique sound that distills the essence of Courtney’s love for music. "The recording of this album was such an amazing experience. Everything came together so naturally and I feel that it’s evident in the outcome of the project. It's an honest record, the real deal." Dreamy yet down to earth, the title track feels like you're floating through a love story you never want to end.
This September, Ontario folk warbler Allison Brown and Alberta’s rambling songman Scott Cook take to the stage for three double bill concerts in London (with special guests Simple Joy), Toronto and Windsor.! September in Southern Ontario marks Scott and Allison’s first shared billing; taking to the stage at the London Music Club, Mitzi’s Sister and at Phog! Allison brings along some special accompanist friends to spice up the September nights with a harvest of fiddles, mandolins, bass and harmonies.
Prairie balladeer Scott Cook is an Edmonton-based, world-traveling songwriter with heart forever on sleeve. Scott Cook sings real, honest acoustic roots music with a barefoot feel. He performs alone—accompanying himself with guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, and foot percussion—or with his band, The Long Weekends. Folk, roots, country, blues, and reggae weave around stories that shine a light on the human heart, evoking equal parts laughter, tears and wonderment. Cook has traveled widely, and brings a wealth of life experience to his songcraft and storytelling. He has made his full-time living playing music since 2007, touring extensively across Canada, the US, and Taiwan.
"Scott Cook has distilled his travels down into songs powered by a sharp eye and is exactly the kind of act you'd be happy to stumble down the hill or through the birches and hear at a music festival...warm like a campfire, familiar like the lake down the road... deepthinking, introspective stuff" -Fish Griwkowsky, The Edmonton Sun
“He is, without question, the most endearing of folk hippies in this uptight town—a reggae country bluesman whom Willie Nelson would get along with better than pretty much any of us, which means everything. The music on his new one is pretty, thoughtful, & hopeful —lustful for life and eternally grateful.” -SEE Magazine, Edmonton
Holy Smokes - lookit this!!! I just uploaded my own background from some funky paper I scanned!! This is almost as fun as my trad cut and paste posters - maybe I'll scan some of those and post them if you like.
AB
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hey folks - trying out Blogspot just to see what happens My regular website is still ye olde myspace page www.allisonbrown.ca will take you right there. AB
