Settling in for a cozy December... wrapping up my Christmas Card Fundraiser, I'm out of supplies having sent out lots of orders for special hand-cut sparkley cheer.. thanks so much to everyone who ordered cards and sent them to everyone on your list..!

Coming up on Friday, December 13th I'm joining up with Dan Belgue for an evening of song-swapping at Merlis' Coffeehouse and Eatery out in Kingsville... check out our video of "Rain & Snow"!

 The show starts at 6pm and we play until 9pm - Pay What You Can! 

I'm also putting together a playlist of my favourite Christmas songs for my annual Border City Roots 'Fireside' Christmas Hour coming up on Monday, December 23rd at 5pm - tune in on CJAM 99.1fm in Windsor/Detroit or from anywhere on www.cjam.ca - if you miss it, or want to play the show again you can download a podcast there too.

Merry merry and see you in 2014!
Allison

No-Sparkle Birds

November... making soup and settling in for winter in Windsor..    My Christmas Card Fundraiser is off to a good start in a flurry of sparkley paper snowflakes..!  Card orders have been a little less intense than last year and I'm only just past the $100 mark towards my $500 goal - but the holidays come fast so order your set soon to make sure you have them in time!  I did up some special Hanukkah designs as a special order, as well as for those who like a little less bling, non-sparkely.

Menorah Cards for Hanukkah

No-Sparkle Triangle Tree

Put your order in through the Kapipal Page here:
or you can send your order as an e-transfer or Paypal. I will have some packs of cards available at my upcoming shows. All of the regular cards feature glittery paper designs hand cut, by me, with little scissors. See close-up photos of all the designs on the ‘merch’ page.

Variety Packs of all designs are available individually for $2.00 or:
Pack of 5 cards: $10.00
Pack of 10 cards: $20.00
Pack of 15 cards: $30.00
Pack of 20 cards: $40.00

Cards with dark backgrounds have a white paper insert to write on. All cards come with a white envelope.
No boxes. Cards will be shipped in a bubble envelope. Shipping of 10 or more cards, add an additional $10.00. Email me for any special orders, packages of all one design or questions.

I'll have some available at the Made In Windsor Craft show coming up on November 16th at the Walkerville Brewery where I'm playing two sets of music from 11:30 to 1:30pm!

This week I'm playing at Carparelli's Sound Lounge as part of a Women Of Music lineup - I'm on at 9pm!

Working on putting together a big 2014 including a show at Hugh's Room in Toronto, a summer festival and possibly a trip to Austin and a tour to the East Coast!

See you out Novembering!
Allison

It's that time of year again...!  I'm starting up my Christmas Card Fundraiser, but I need your help with some pre-orders to get Santa's workshop stocked and supplied to spread holiday cheer.. orders placed before Thanksgiving Weekend (October 14th) will receive a BONUS CARD..!  Place your order on the Kapipal Page:


or you can send your order as an e-transfer or Paypal. I will have some packs of cards available at my upcoming shows. All of the cards feature glittery paper designs hand cut, by me, with little scissors. See close-up photos of all the designs on the ‘merch’ page.

Variety Packs of all designs are available individually for $2.00 or:
Pack of 5 cards: $10.00
Pack of 10 cards: $20.00
Pack of 15 cards: $30.00
Pack of 20 cards: $40.00

Cards with dark backgrounds have a white paper insert to write on. All cards come with a white envelope.
No boxes. Cards will be shipped in a bubble envelope. Shipping of 10 or more cards, add an additional $10.00. Email me for any special orders, packages of all one design or questions.

Coming up on October 19th - I'm  back at the F.M. Lounge with Lindsay Coleman & The Blue Ridge All-Stars...!   I'll be opening the show at 10pm along with my super new banjo-accordion power trio featuring Chris Crossroads and Vera Colley!

Soon I'll be cutting up snowflakes and reindeer spreading holiday cheer - get your orders in soon!!!
Allison

What a lovely August spent mainly in Southern Ontario... had a great show up at the big Zurich Bean Festival, went to up Summerfolk in Owen Sound, and wrapped up August with a beautiful day playing a set accompanied by Vera Colley on accordion and Chris Crossroads on banjo at the Kings Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg watching the Tall Ships sail past... summer is sweet but autumn is calling!

Canadian Women Of Song, Sept. 7th ~ Karen Morand, Janet Dixon, Me & Sharon Light!

Starting September with a show in Leamington with my pals Sharon Light, Karen Morand & Janet Dixon as we celebrate Canadian Women of Song with a concert at Knox Presbyterian Church on September 7th.  The four of us are covering our favourite Canadian women songwriters and singers - Jann Arden, Sarah Harmer, Buffy Ste Marie, Cowboy Junkies, Sylvia Tyson... and more!  We're helping raise the roof for The Bank Theatre and Meeting Place - tickets are only $12, don't take a chance, get your tickets in advance!

Walk under a ladder and let those black cats cross your path on the way to Taloola on Friday, September 13th for a superstitious set of solo unplugged songs... not playing any of the 'hits' tonight - new stuff, and old stuff off the beaten set-list track.

 

Then on September 27th I'm at the Roundhouse Centre LCBO for a indoor busking experience with Chris Crossroads from 4pm to 8pm.... cm'on and see us while you pick up your weekend supplies!

And I wrap up September with a House Concert in London on Sunday, September 29th with my good travelin' pal Scott Cook - more details on that just get in touch!

Another great Souwesto September... !
Allison

Return Of The Blue Coupon

Sointula, B.C.

Such amazing times on Vancouver Island and aboard VIA Rail's "The Canadian" through the end of June and most of July as "Uncle" Dan Henshall and I made our way across the continent for ten great western shows in Vancouver, Sointula, Campbell River, Nanaimo (twice), Courtenay, Protection Island, Duncan and Victoria (twice in one day) and our grande finale on Pelee Island way in Ontario's southlands smackdab in the sorta middle of Lake Erie.  Thanks so much to everyone who helped us out on our way especially all the amazing folks who hosted us for sleep, food and house concerts and all you 'Wreckless' donors who helped us out with our sweet rental wheels from "Rent-A-Wreck"...! Couple tour pics are below...

And it's true - the "Secret" is out!!  I recorded four songs at Andy Magoffin's House of Miracles studio up in Cambridge this May and the tracks are up and ready to download from right here on my music page on allisonbrown.ca or on Bandcamp... these four new recordings will be included in an upcoming full-length release.  The physical CD version of "Secret Identity" features four 'hit' tracks from "Viper", as well as two live bonus tracks for a ten song collection.  To celebrate the ten year anniversary of my original 'blue coupon' included in my 2003 "Pizza & Beer" demo, I've revived the blue coupon and included it again in physical copies of "Secret Identity"...! Limited edition copies are available at Grooves in London, and at Red Cat Records in Vancouver.

 My August adventures keep me mainly at home in Southern Ontario, but I will be scooting up to Summerfolk to record a special feature for "Border City Roots" on CJAM... and I'm sure I'll be jamming at the campfires and on the open stage...
Coming up next on my concert calendar is the big Zurich Bean Festival in Zurich, Ontario on August 24th, catch our set at 1pm (With Uncle Dan & Jeff Kahl on bass), then stick around for the bean dinner and bean dance - if you miss it, you'll wish you would have bean there..!

Then later on September 1st, I'll be in Amherstburg for the Tall Ships Festival along with my pals Chris Crossroads and Vera Colley as a trio... 

Here's a couple of tour highlights:

Allison & Uncle Dan aboard "The Canadian"

Mount Robson from the VIA Dome Car

Our "Rent-A-Wreck" Chevy Optra

From Protection Island looking at Gabriola

Boats, Cars and Trains, Trains Trains!

Allison & Uncle Dan are headed out on VIA Rail's On-Board Entertainment Program aboard "The Canadian" this July for a 29 day ramble including five nights and four full days on the train playing songs for the folks riding the rails.  We arrive in Vancouver on Canada Day, and from there hop on the boat to Vancouver Island for 9 island shows... we need to rent a car to traverse the Island for our 13 days, and the most practical and economical way to travel the island is with a 'rent-a-wreck' pre-loved vehicle..!  But - we need your help, we're on a shoestring for this tour and every little bit helps - you can contribute to our "Wreck-less" on Vancouver Island fund at http://www.kapipal.com/wrecklessonvancouverisland - don't let us go "Wreck-less"!  Lots of great contribution incentives - free songs, free T-Shirts, free greeting cards!

Check out the full details on all our out west shows on the 'shows' page ..!  We end our tour with a grande finale on Canada's southernmost Island as part of the Pelee Island Music Series.. so from the far west to the far south!

I'll bringing along a NEW EP recording!  The Secret Identity EP is almost ready for your ears - four new tracks I recorded at Andy Magoffin's House of Miracles in Cambridge this May..!  Features some amazing work from Uncle Dan on Mandolin and Bass, Chris Crossroads on Banjo, Lonesome Lefty Houston on Fiddle, Scotty Hughes on Guitars, JJ Ibsen on Piano and Organ and yes, my first recordings with a full Drum kit by Marshall Bureau..!

 Hey - remember my infamous BLUE COUPONS..? To commemorate the ten year anniversary of the Pizza & Beer demo I'm reprising my coupon campaign - the Secret Identity EP will include a special coupon redeemable for the upcoming full-length recording.

 

I can't wait to hit the road and the rails and the water this summer for some great musical adventures on my fourth tour of Vancouver Island..! See you all out west....!!

Whew - a really amazing couple months since my last update..!  Had an amazing trip down to Nashville and Memphis with Will Gillespie, Uncle Dan and the amazing Susan Robinson... thanks so much to everyone who supported this trip by buying Christmas Cards.  Got to sing at the Bluebird Cafe, sing into Elvis' microphone at Sun Records, jam with some killer bluegrass players, and dip my toes in the mighty Mississippi River.

And I have a brand new video filmed at Graeme & Jen's house concert in Hamilton by the folks at Old North Productions .. check it out right here on the main page ---> or in the "Photos and Videos" section.

And yes- this month I'm starting to work on a NEW RECORDING project featuring two new songs, one great old trad gospel number and a country favourite.  Heading up to Andy Magoffin's House of Miracles studio in Cambridge next week..!  Copies of "Viper" are dwindling... but you can still download most of the album right here on allisonbrown.ca.

May and June are jam-packed with gigs too!  May 25th marks my very first time taking the stage at CALL THE OFFICE in London as part of a rockin' show with Ritalin Boy, Metro4, and TreeTop featuring Casper. Then I'm back to Windsor for an evening of songs with my pals Mike Galbraith and CBC Searchlight Finalist Ambre McLean on Friday, May 31st at the FM Lounge... 

 

Then I head up the 401 the next day to open Carole Allison's CD Release party at the London Music Club on June 1st.. And June 2nd I'm hanging out in London for a show with Uncle Dan Henshall at the E.V.A.C.  in the afternoon at 3:00pm - seating is limited, arrive early.  Suggested PWYC $5 to $10...

 

Saturday, June 8th I'm back at Taloola for an unplugged acoustic one hour set beginning at 8:00pm! Also doing a set a the Downtown Windsor Farmer's Market at Noon the same day...

And still working on booking my Vancouver Island Tour this July as me and Dan head out on VIA Rail's On-Board Entertainment Program... here's how I do it and where I'm at so far!  See you on the road and at home..!
AB

Been a busy start to 2013.. a fantastic birthday show at Taloola, and a really sweet time at Winterfolk - check below for a video by Randall Cook - and amazing times at Folk Alliance!

April adventures await... I'm off to NASHVILLE and MEMPHIS for a musical pilgrimage with my songster pals Will Gillespie and Uncle Dan Henshall..!  Big thanks to everyone who helped out with this by buying Christmas Cards - I made almost $500 towards my Nashville fund, so our gas tank will be filled no problem!  We're not playing any official paying shows, just open jams and hanging out!  Before we get there, we're playing two for the road in LONDON and WINDSOR on April 11th at the APK, and April 12th at the FM LOUNGE..! 

Coming up this July I'll be headed to Vancouver Island for some shows including a stop at the Victoria Folk Society - still working on setting up more shows, so if you know where I should play on Vancouver Island let me know, house concerts, festivals, anything goes!

Also doing a cool show at the Pelee Island Quarry in July too -!
Be sure to stay tuned to Border City Roots every Monday from 5pm to 6pm on CJAM 99.1fm - this week coming up I have Lefty Houston as my guest to pay tribute to Stompin' Tom Connors.  You can VOTE for Border City Roots for this year's JAMMY awards at www.cjam.ca !

Here's a great video from Winterfolk by Randall Cook- also available in the "Photos and Video" section!
Allison

Lots on the horizon for 2013...

Howdy Folks - got lots cookin' up for a busy and musical 2013..!

But January will have me mainly in 'planning and booking' mode... looking to book some mid-Ontario shows in April, so if anyone would like to host a house concert or has venue suggestions in your town please let me know...!

Getting some new photos taken this week, and will be doing some major site updating over the next few weeks to freshen things up here on allisonbrown.ca. 

My next show is coming up at Taloola - a special birthday show featuring some surprise special guests... Friday, February 8th..!

Gearing up for performances at WINTERFOLK XI happening at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto from February 14th to the 17th.  Stay tuned for workshop and concert times and locations.  Also on Sunday, February 17th I'll be playing a special church show at Emmanuel Howard Park United Church in Roncesvalles at 10:30am, Monday, February 18th I'll be special guesting with the Hamstrung Stringband at The Local.. and on Wednesday, February 20th I'm doing a song-swap show with Manitoba Hal and Shawna Caspi at The Tranzac...!

This all before showcasing in Will Gillespie's Old World Romance Suite at Folk Alliance International - also happening at the Delta Chelsea... so I'll have about a week and a half in Toronto in February - hope to reconnect and visit with pals in the big smoke...!

In the meantime I'm looking ahead to gigs in Mid-Ontario in early April, my first trip to Nashville in Mid-April and starting a NEW RECORD in May.  Yes, new record.  With new songs on it.

Thankfully I still have a job as a motorcycle mama- still selling raffle tickets for the United Way Harley Davidson, you can get your ticket for the draw on February 11th online at http://www.weareunited.com/harley.

Gearing up for a big year - see you all soon!!

Allison