THIS WEEKEND: WISE GUYS AND WOODY'S CHRISTMAS JAM

Friday night at 9pm, the fundraising fun continues with The Wise Guys at Sonny's Bar And Grill.

This is an excellent classic rock party band with an impressive song list that includes music from The Rolling Stones, Doobie Brothers, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and much more.

Then, Saturday Night, it's Woody's Invitational Christmas Jam with members from the Chixie Dicks and some of the other acts that have performed over the past few weeks to help In The Spirit Of Christmas.

It's going to be pretty loose and improv and definitely a good time.

No Cover - Donations ENCOURAGED for both events.

50/50 and Turkey raffles will also help in the fundraising effort.

Thanks To Maria Hawkins And Moonrunners

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.

Feeling Grateful

Dunno where to start. Will decipher the feelings and thoughts by next post.

Suffice it to say that we are in awe of both Maria Hawkins and the wonderful folks at Bass Line Station.

It was a successfull evening there. As it was at Sonny's with Moonrunners. If you missed them, you missed an entertainment bonus in your life. I'm no Nostradamus but I'll state today, these kids are ones to watch.

Pics and Vid material coming soon.

... And onward we move...

Thumbed via Blackberry

TONIGHT: MOONRUNNERS AND MARIA

MOONRUNNERS tonight at Sonny's Bar and Grill, 1119 Baxter Road. 8pm show! These kids are good. They won't be playing all night so be on time for it. A map to Sonny's can be found down the right column of this blog.

We'll also have a turkey raffle and 50/50 draw.

MARIA HAWKINS at Bass Line Station after 9:30. The "Blues Lady" is gonna tear it up for the cause tonight. Bass Line Station is located at 2557 Baseline Road.
CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Once again, we thank them all for their help.

Maria, I just heard a great song, Maria.......

Awrite. Awrite. No more WSS refs from me, EVER.

But, Maria Hawkins was on the Doc and Woody Show today with an original Christmas song for this very spirit we share. It was cool because it was bluesy and passionate.

I have a vision of producing it as a YouTube video, incorporating some of the images I've captured during this campaign and previous ones to not only express tribute to those that have helped in the past and continue to make a difference BUT to underscore the need that we all desperately want to erradicate.

Watch this blog next week. The audio file is still at the shop. I'll commence work on it Monday. Should be up mid-week after post-production.

Thanks, Maria. Thanks, Doc. And THANK YOU for logging in and checking us out.

Every bit helps and, with needs like this around us you CAN help - not only at Christmas (but that's for another post)

The work continues.....

Btw - of you'd like to help or donate, info is in the right column and contact coords at the bottom.

Cheers,
W



Thumbed via Blackberry

REMINDER: SATURDAY DOUBLE VENUE-DOUBLE FEATURE

Tomorrow night, we have two fine musical experiences from great acts who are donating their time and talents for "In The Spirit Of Christmas".

Starting at 8pm at Sonny's, a great young group of high school musicians with a s#*t load of talent - Moonrunners. Check out their vids posted here.

A special thanks to Bass Line Station and Maria Hawkins.

Maria will be performing at 9:30 at Bass Line Station tomorrow night, raising money as well.

We're grateful for her involvement.

50/50's and other raffles will be featured at both venues as well.

Maria will be a guest on the Doc and Woody show on CHEZ 106 this morning at 8:40 to help promote this great effort.

THANK YOU, CIRCUIT!

It was a great night, last Saturday, as Circuit Rocked the house at Sonny's.

It was a smaller crowd but a spirited one, raising over $300 for the night.

And thank you Circuit for donating your merch proceeds to "In The Spirit Of Christmas".

Looking forward to the jam on December the 8th. Various members of the acts that are performing during this campaign will be getting together.

Below is a video sample; a very cool and unique run of Zep's Whole Lotta Love. Keep in mind that, as with some other vids on this blog, it was shot with an ordinary digital camera - so audio and video quality is somewhat pedestrian. Still, it's worth a view.



UP NEXT: MOONRUNNERS at Sonny's and MARIA HAWKINS at BASS LINE STATION this Saturday. Details soon!