Man’s Best Friend

News out of Ottawa is that Ed and Frank Torres have been given permission by the CRTC to shift the DAWG format from blues and rock to a more commercial blend of mostly rock. Intensions are to keep the DAWG brand alive with an HD feed and links to partners like Ottawa Blues Society as well as TBS. Stand by for more news next month after the switch to see how things evolve. DAWG has been a beacon of blues support for years and it would be nice to see things continue in some way.

Angel Forrest on STOP!TV

Angel Forrest, MBA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015, performs selections from her new album, Angel’s 11, at Studio Merlin in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Produced for STOP! TV by Maurice Singfield with top notch sound recorded by John Cameron and mixed by Quentin Meek. Steve Hill, Matt Anderson and Brian Blain have all been profiled on STOP:

Eighth Annual Concert For Peace

The eighth annual Concert For Peace fundraiser returns to Crystal Beach, ON on Sept 4, 2016 with performances from Kevin Breit, Michael Pickett, Mike Branton, and Los Variants. Concert for Peace is a not-for-profit event that raises awareness and funds in support of environmental awareness. Proceeds after expenses go to ECOJUSTICE. Suggested minimum donation of $35 per person includes concert, food, soft beverages. www.concertforpeace.net

Blues on the Rideau Announces their 12th Season

James Doran’s monthly Dinner & Show Series featuring some of North America’s best Blues bands at the classic Cove Inn located in Westport, has a great lineup of top Canadian and international blues artists for 2016/17: Sept 23 – Spencer Mackenzie Band; Oct 21 – From Detroit, Laura Rain & The Caesars; Nov 18 – From Oregon, Karen Lovely Band; Jan 20 – From Toronto & Austin, Texas The 24th Street Wailers; Feb 17 – From Toronto The Hogtown Allstars (5 members from the legendary Downchild Blues Band plus guitarist Teddy Leonard); March 24 – From Texas & Toronto Danny Brooks W. Lil’ Miss Debi & The Memphis Brothers; April 21 – From Toronto, Jerome Godboo Band; and May 12 – From Vankleek Hill, Terry Gillespie Band www.BluesOnTheRideau.ca

James also hosts “Inside the Blues” Sundays – 7 to 8 pm and Wednesdays- 10 to 11 pm on DAWG FM (though changes are afoot over at the big dawg- see elsewhere in Loose Blues News). James’ wife Diane has been battling liver issues for almost 3 years and is now on a search for a living donor who would be willing to offer part of their liver to help regenerate hers. She’s been under the care of one of the top Liver Specialists in Ottawa and he’s tried to regenerate it by treating it with drugs but sadly that hasn’t worked. In May he recommended that she start the pre-screening process for a transplant. The urgency for whether someone needs a transplant or not is determined by what is called a MELD score. Her score is currently at 18. It has been as high as 19. Anyone with a score over 15 is a candidate for a transplant. If you would consider being a donor, contact [email protected]

Farewell to another venue

Toronto’s Joe Mamas is gone, and now 317 King Street West is no longer a home for musicians and many like minded people who share a passion for Soul music. Brooke Blackburn writes “Feelings of deep loss have come to me in my sleep these past few nights and continues as I write this. This loss is profound because Joe Mamas was a unique and special home for music. A musician’s home. It was our home. This home, made of brick and concrete, housed and brought together a family of generations of songwriters, soloists, improvisers and melody makers. It nurtured singers, keyboardists, drummers, bass players, guitar players, horn players, percussionists, violinists, DJs, dancers and many more. Over the years many great moments happened within these four walls and those will remain forever as memories in our minds and hearts. We will miss the opportunity to make more. Joe Mamas was professional and always responsibly paid their musicians. They housed and supported a range of great talents encouraging them to grow and educate through music, to express their art and share their music with patrons who respected the evolution of Toronto’s live music culture. Joe Mamas was also a welcoming home for our neighbours to the South. American visitors to Toronto who came up for business or vacation always expressed to us personally how welcomed and appreciated they felt with Southern style food and Soul music. Joe Mamas was a multi generation family run business that welcomed everyone. They did this with love, open arms, and dignity. A smile to all who wanted to share in the experience of live music, good food, and drinks after a long day. Congratulations Joe Mamas Toronto on your 14-year run and thank you for having us on board for this extraordinary ride! These past 10 years of us playing weekly ‘Talkin’ Loud Thursdays’, will always be a part of who we are as a band. You will be missed and are greatly respected. A very special thank you to Victor, Peter, Korry & Ashley for all you’ve done for us and for allowing us to do what we do! With Love, The Blackburn Brothers”.

Good Causes

Montreal-based organist Vanessa Rodrigues has made only a few appearances in Toronto but she has a good cause in the “Brazil Strings” youth music outreach in Brazil. Since its inception in 2013, Brazil Strings has touched the lives of over 150 underprivileged and at-risk Brazilian youth through string music education and now they have launched their first online fundraising campaign. Click, Share, Donate https://fundrazr.com/brazilstrings Meanwhile, closer to home, Hamilton’s own beloved son, drummer Jack Pedler was recently hospitalized for a week after taking ill with a painful condition called “diverticulitis”. He has had to cancel all his gigs for the next few months and is scheduled for two more operations between now and November when he hopes that he’ll be back playing again. To help get him through this rough patch, go to https://www.gofundme. com/2jf47pns