As I stated in my previous post it was a successful night from both Sonny's and Bass Line Station on Saturday.Thanks to AJ and Lionel at Bass Line for not only providing the venue and supporting the effort, they also carved a healthy cheque for the cause, which was a complete and quite pleasant surprise (although, when one considers the community spirit and awareness generated from there, it shouldn't really come as a shock).
Such a gracious performer, as well, Maria Hawkins not only shared the stage with the Woodman for a most generous period of time, she was a marvel to watch as she worked the room effortlessly with wireless mic in hand, ad-libbing lyrically to the thought of the moment - always rhyming, always with timing. And the band kept the pace and mood at every turn. They were a treat to witness.
I recommend taking advantage of any and every opportunity to see this marvelous "Blues Lady" perform, especially when she's doing it for a cause (which is quite often). She's most worthy of the support.
The Moonrunners were everything I imagined they'd be from viewing earlier videos. Those videos, which had appeared it an earlier post on this blog, were from over a year ago.As I suspected, they grew in their repertoire, skills and timing and their stage presence held poise well beyond their years. Fifteen year old kids can, more often than not, exhibit any range of impressions from nervousness to pretentiousness. But not these guys. They were confident, comfortable and legitimately had fun playing. It was very impressive, to say the least.
As for where that came from, it would be no small measure of rationale to suggest their music teacher is the one and only Robert Farrell, one of Ottawa's greatest guitarists and long time friend of the Doc and Woody show, who happened to drop by for the first set.
The crowd was quite strong and it was evident that these talented lads have already cultivated a fan base that has begun to transend the requisite friends and family support posse.And, while the proud families and neighbors were in attendance, it was the reaction from the Sonny's regulars that was most effective. They could be forgiven for being mildly skeptical as they observed four pre-shavers assembling their gear and drinking coke.
But, with the authoritative strike of the opening chords, The Moonrunners had their attention and didn't release their grip through the entire performance.
I'll tell you, it made this little rookie event planner damned proud of his decision to bring these young men in.
Thanks, gents, for makin' US look good, too.
They'll most certainly be back in the new year.
