Airwaves and Highways; June in Souwesto

27 Foot Toonie in Campbellford

Howdy Folks.. writing from my Garage Sale front desk here in Paquette Corners this long weekend… made about $20.00 for my tour fund so far, relaxing after a whirlwind of shows that took me across the entirety of the 401 from Windsor to Montreal… big thanks to tour pals Will Gillespie, “Uncle” Dan Henshall, Nancy Dutra and Willow Rutherford and all our special guests for some amazing adventures including a free-style breakout of West Side Story songs, champagne at 5am, two hot tubs, foot massages, a giant Toonie, some amazing Churchkey Brewery beer, and lots of wonderful friends old and new..!

Seven weeks to go before I head up north enroute to Winnipeg for the Live From The Rock Festival in Red Rock and the Trout Forest Music Festival way up in Ear Falls..!  Still trying to come up with a catchy name for my tour up north with “Uncle” Dan; “Magical Moose-tery Tour” and “Aurora-bori-Allison” have both been rejected.. if you think of anything please let me know..

Spending the rest of May and June working on booking more shows in Northern Ontario – still looking for concerts in KENORA, FORT FRANCES, DRYDEN and points around Winnipeg for the August 20^th-21^st.. hoping to fill those holes in my calendar soon.. 

I’ve also started doing some fundraising with a KAPIPAL account raising some money for gas, and in the hopes of making some cool tour T-Shirts to help us fill the Jeep Cherokee tank along our way.  Every little bit helps out:  http://www.kapipal.com/allisonbrowngasfund

 

I’m also back on the airwaves, this time here in Windsor/Detroit on CJAM 99.1fm filling in for Chris Crossroads on “Deliverance”; the show that delivers you from evil with the power of good music, Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30… stream it live or download the show archive at http://cjamlog3.cjam.ca/

May and June keeps me in Southern Ontario; this Friday, May 27^th I’ll be part of a lineup of songwriters at the Last Friday Coffeehouse in Leamington at the Cup2Mug Lounge, and Saturday, May 28^th I’m back for a solo concert at Taloola in Windsor…

Friday, June 10^th I join up with some all-star country players for a dance at the Merlin Community Hall – stay tuned for details…!

 Mystery Location

June 17^th and 18^th I’m reunited with longtime friend and collaborator, London chanteuse LEAH MORISE for two coffeehouse concerts!  Friday, June 17^th brings us to a mystery location, and Saturday, June 18^th we share the stage at Taloola in Windsor..!

Anna Atkinson CD Release June 24th

Friday, June 24th, Erin Gignac and I are both special guests celebrating the release of ANNA ATKINSON'S debut recording "Mooniture" at Mackenzie Hall in Windsor..! 

See you in Souwesto for the next couple weeks – looking ahead to touring and festival season!

Allison

Spring Touring - Southern and Eastern Ontario!

Allison Brown & Erin Gignac

... spent a cozy first slice of April in my new-old digs here at the Souwesto Homestead and getting hip to the Windsor scene.. spent my first weekend in town doing some Kareoke at Lauzon Landing and tripping out to Harrow to join Lonesome Lefty's Cryin' Shames for the annual Roast Beef Dinner Fair Fundraiser, but my first official performance as a new local is at TALOOLA with ERIN GIGNAC on SATURDAY, APRIL 16th at 9pm.

Will Gillespie

"Uncle" Dan Henshall

... May brings me back to the highway for a 401 tear with songman WILL GILLESPIE and our brave accompanist "UNCLE" DAN HENSHALL (who just got his own radio show on  SoundFM 100.3 in Waterloo) as we hit Not My Dog in Toronto on Tuesday, May 3rd, Maxwell's Music House in Waterloo on Wednesday, May 4th with special guest Anthony Damaio (May The Fourth Be With You!), The London Music Club on Thursday, May 5th with special guest Leah Morise, and grande finale on Friday, May 6th at the FM Lounge in Windsor (The Fish Market) with special guests Erin Gignac and Paul.  Don't miss this Southern spring of travelin' songsters...!

Willow Rutherford

Nancy Dutra

... four days later I'm back on the road again for a Spring Songstress Showcase with NANCY DUTRA and WILLOW RUTHERFORD as we wagon east to Montreal... we make stops in Toronto at The Press Club on Wednesday, May 11th, The Stinking Rose Pub in Campbellford on May 12th, spend a spooky Friday the 13th at the Music Market Cafe in Napanee, head up to the Yellow Door in Montreal for May 14th, and The Elmdale House Tavern in Ottawa on Sunday, May 15th.  Then I drive back to Windsor... I'll need lotsa gas for my Jeep Cherokee for these gigs.. cmon' out and buy a CD or two - makes an excellent gift!

"This Is Paradise: Corin Raymond At The Cameron House"

I'm also really excited that the first episode of my podcast "The Small Time Radio Hour" is now available online at Roots Music Canada..! "This Is Paradise: Corin Raymond At The Cameron House" is the 'pilot' episode for the Small Time Radio series I hope to continue on some online or airwave format in future; I hope to put one together once every couple of months so stay tuned.... On snowy January 20^th, I sauntered down to the Cameron House in downtown Toronto to interview Corin Raymond and capture some of the sounds of the evening with his band, The Sundowners.  It was Corin’s last Thursday residency show before heading out on the road for ten weeks, returning to his home stage in April.  Corin enlightens us with his thoughts on Small Time philosophy and model for independent music business, as well as shares his love for his songwriter friends, favourite venues and how the Small Time provides an opportunity for him to live out loud through his music.  “This Is Paradise” includes cameos by Dave Quanbury and Treasa Levasseur, and music from Manitoba Hal, New Country Rehab, Fish & Bird, The Unseen Strangers, Ann Vriend, and Scott Nolan.  “This Is Paradise” was edited by Kevin Zarnett, hosted and produced by Allison Brown, with production assistance from David Newland.  Sit back and listen as you join us at The Cameron House for an unforgettable night of music in the heart of the Small Time.  

Stay tuned for more updates about my tour to Northern Ontario and Winnipeg this summer for the Red Rock and Trout Forest Music Festivals..!

Farewell Tour-Onto...!

Well Folks… it’s been a great six month “vacation” here in the big smoke; and it’s time for me to head back down to the Motor City to hang out in Windsor for a few months before I hit the road again this summer…. 

Ambre McLean

I’m marking the occasion with a FAREWELL TOUR-ONTO happening in various venues across the city through the month of March…March 1st I'm at the Aspetta Cafe in Kensington Market as part of  the Tumultuous Tuesdays series..

 

Jeff Kahl

Then I take a short spin back to London for a show as part of the Fast Feet Turn Left tour with Ambre McLean and Gabrielle Papillon on SATURDAY, MARCH 5th at the London Music Club..!

Myke Mazzei

I head back to Toronto for more shows at THE LOCAL with JEFF KAHL and MYKE MAZZEI on March 22nd, and a reunion of sorts with ERIN GIGNAC and ANNA ATKINSON formerly of The Rusty Halos on March 27th at NOT MY DOG...

Formerly The Rusty Halos

....still looking to fill as many dates as possible, so keep me in mind for special guest spots, as part of acoustic lineups and more dates may be added so stay tuned….! 

In other news; "Viper At The Virgin's Feet" got a stellar review in the Billings Gazette, from Billings, Montana...   Stay tuned for updates on when ROOTS MUSIC CANADA will be broadcasting online a new radio series called "THE SMALL TIME RADIO HOUR", the first episode is called "This Is Paradise" and features a night with Corin Raymond and The Sundowners at The Cameron House...!


April will bring me to the Motor City for more adventures, and touring with Nancy Dutra and Willow Rutherford this May..!

PS - ** JUST ADDED ** more shows on the Tour-Onto!

MONDAY, MARCH 14th ~ Not My Dog ~ 1510 Queen West
part of LES CATHERINETTES Monday night gals music series

Andrea Ramolo

with ANDREA RAMOLO
www.andrearamolo.com
and SAMANTHA MARTIN
www.samanthamartin.com
with ANNA ATKINSON on Violin
www.annaatkinson.ca
Starts around 10pm, PWYC

Samantha Martin

SUNDAY, MARCH 20th ~ CKLN 88.1fm ~ 7pm
Special Guest on ACOUSTIC ROUTES with Noah Zacharin
http://www.ckln.fm/

The Legendary Cameron House

MONDAY, MARCH 21st ~ THE CAMERON HOUSE
as part of Pat Phillip's Monday Night showcase
with a surprise backup band!!
408 Queen Street West
10pm ~ PWYC
www.thecameron.com

See ya's on the Tour-Onto!
Allison 

February's Sweet Spectacle!

 February greetings folks!  January had me hibernating after a great holiday touring with Ox and nesting down in the Souwesto homestead for a couple weeks.   Nice to take a breather from gigging to plan for a busy 2011..! 

… my first show of the new year brings me to the exotic far East end of Toronto for a songwriter’s night at Feather’s Pub on February 12^th featuring a whole night of sweet songsters on your Valentine’s weekend..

.. then I’m off to Stratford and London to be part of the GIRLS WITH GLASSES tour, doing special opening for spectacled songstresses Eve Goldberg, Karyn Ellis and Evalyn Parry; we’re at Foster’s Inn on Thursday, February 17^th and Friday, February 18^th at the London Music Club.  I’m playing a special afternoon show with some special guests including “Uncle” Dan Henshall on Sunday, February 20^th as part of the Old East Studios Sunday Concert Series.. 2pm, $10.00.  I’m back in London again on March 5^th at the LMC with Ambre McLean and Gabrielle Papillion..!

… in all this nesting time I’ve been working on a secret radio project that I’ve already told about a hundred people about, but not to worry the reveal will be coming soon to a radio or internet near you, stay tuned!  "Viper At The Virgin's Feet" has generated some excellent CBC airplay recently on "Here And Now" and was reviewed on No Depression!

I’m also still hanging out in Toronto looking for JOBS so if you hear about anything that would be up my alley let me know.  Soon enough though I’ll be back in my Jeep Cherokee hitting the road for an Ontario tour with Nancy Dutra and Willow Rutherford, (anyone in East or Southern O wants to do a house concert..?), and booking up August for a tour to Winnipeg and back enroute to the Live From The Rock Festival in Red Rock..!

Summer Dreams… Winter Sleeps…

See you sweeties in Toronto, Stratford and London this February!

Allison

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like OXMAS..!

OXmas makes your Christmas Cool

... 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

Snowflake Serenade at Mitzi's December 12th!

Lonesome Lefty

 … 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 27^th 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 28^th 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 1^st 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 12^th  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

... 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..!

Cheers to Autumn Adventures!
Allison