These are the kind of guys you want to hang out with. Durham County Poets is made up of Kevin Harvey (lead vocals), David Whyte (electric and acoustic guitar and vocals), Neil Elsmore (acoustic guitar and vocals), Carl Hufh (bass, horn, vocals) and James Preimel (drums, percussion). They tell their story much better than I. Just know that if you like roots, blues, gospel then this is the concert for you.
So for more on the band, watch these two videos and then come out on Sat Aug 11 to see them live:
It’s a funny story how we got Over the Moon. We saw them somewhere….maybe on Facebook and really liked their music but then found out they lived in Alberta. So we got in contact asking if they ever came out to play in Ontario and if they did, would they like to come to Desboro Music Hall. Craig got back to me and said in fact they’re planning a little tour of Ontario. Then he hits me with the fact that he used to live in Desboro! What are the chances that we contact a band in Alberta and it ends up being someone from Desboro…the tiny little community of Desboro?! I love it. It means they were meant to come play for us and I’m glad we found each other.
Over the Moon is made up of Suzanne Levesque and Craig Bignell. They have a wonderful story of how they met, fell in love and started playing together. Craig was trying to play a song in front of a group and was nervous and stumbling a little when Suzanne came in with her bass and voice and they created magic. From that moment on, they sang and played together and eventually even got married! And their music has the same flavour as their story; part beauty and part magic. There’s wonderful harmonies, various instruments, a little bit of country, a little bit of swing and a little bit of folk all mixed in to create magic. Check out their cover of “Love Hurts”
Don’t miss out. Catch them on Friday June 1, 2018 at the Hall.
All Ages
Opener: Doris Folkens
Doors open 7pm
Music starts at 7:30pm
Our next musicians, James Hill and Anne Janelle, are not only partners in life and in music they were first solo artists in their own right. So we thought we would feature them individually before showing you what they can do together. Their music is hard to put into a box as they both like to push the boundaries of genres. Prolific in creating their solo albums, an album together, a family and touring; these two seem to have endless energy. Between the two of them, they have created at least 9 albums including the Canadian Folk Music Award winning True Love Don’t Weep, which was their first collaborated album. Sit back and enjoy getting to know them both.
James Hill
James Hill and ukulele go together like peanut butter and jam or macaroni and cheese (at least to us North Americans). Now how did a boy from Langley, BC get into the ukulele? Through the wonderful institution of school, of course. (This is one of those stories that people point to when they say, “Don’t cut arts funding in schools!”) A boy first introduced to the ukulele at eight ends up becoming “possibly the best ukulele player in the world” (Waikato Times) andall because his school had mandatory ukulele instruction. During his youth, he played with the Langley Ukulele Ensemble before embarking on a solo career. He has toured internationally and is played on CBC and has even been called “the Wayne Gretzky of ukulele” by Stewart McLean from Vinyl Cafe on CBC. Over the years, he has put out quite a few solo albums and is not only an amazing ukulele player, but also a song writer. He shows us what a ukulele is capable of (things we didn’t even know were possible!). He is always pushing out and so his music is always fresh and full of surprises.
So if you are a ukulele fan, this is the concert to come see.
Next, we’ll meet up with Anne Janelle, James’ wife and musical partner and then see how they became a pair.
Check out their Events Page for their bios, videos and links.
We’re very excited to announce our Opening Night line-up:
My Sweet Patootie and Alicia Toner
Saturday April 22, 2017
Do you remember the local band, Tanglefoot? Well, two of their members, Terry Young and Sandra Swannell along with drummer, Paul Clifford have formed, My Sweet Patootie, a contemporary roots and ragtime band. They are high energy, lots of fun with great toe-tapping music. They have performed across Canada, the States and the UK. Yet they come from our own Grey/Bruce! They’ve just released their latest album, Pandemonium in August 2016.
Opening for them is, Alicia Toner, originally from New Brunswick and now making PEI her home. We’re lucky she is in town to be able to perform at our opening night. She is the ultimate “triple threat” (what we call someone in theatre who can sing, dance and act.) Alicia is that and more as she also plays several instruments including the fiddle. She has performed in over 30 theatre productions across Canada and Europe. Now concentrating on her music career, she is releasing her first album in June 2017.
Summer is nearly over as August comes along. For a little pick-me-up to remember the carefree days of summer, come on out to see Trent Severn and Leah Mathies on Friday August 12.
Trent Severn is comprised of three very talented ladies on their own – Emm Gryner, Dayna Manning and Lindsay Schindler – but put them together and it’s an explosion. Their songs are quintessential Canadiana. What does that mean? Well, with songs such as “Stealin Syrup” (about the big maple syrup heist in 2012) and references to Mulroney, the Bluenose, William Lishman (the guy who taught geese to fly with his ultralight aircraft), Steven Truscott (who was wrongfully convicted at the age of 14) and of course snowstorms, how could they be singing about anything but Canada? Some of the ideas for the songs come from experiences with other Canadians and the communities that make up this great country. They love hearing stories from all parts of Canada. (Who knows? Maybe Desboro will make it into their next song…) They’ve even sung with Col Chris Hadfield! Their songs are country and folk rolled together with banjo, guitar, bass, violin/fiddle, stomp box and three part harmonies. It’s going to be a fun time! We’re very much looking forward to hearing their voices echoing through the Hall.
Leah Mathies is another bright light in the world of music. She’s got a fresh, young voice that hails from a farm from the Owen Sound area. She’s only beginning her career but is already a prolific writer. You might have heard her song, “Mesmerized”, which she wrote when she was in Grade 10! She’s what you might call “a rising star”. Come out and support our local artists. We’re excited to have her join us and show off what she’s been working on.
Don’t miss this night of fantastic harmonies, stories and fun.
So come on out on Friday August 12, 2016
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
All Ages
If you want to read their bios and hear some songs, go to their Events Page
Tickets available: Buy Tickets online
Box office hours (Saturday August 6: 9am – 12pm)
Phone/text Joe Klages (519) 377-2358
At the Door (if there are any left) the day of the concert
With the hotter weather, we thought July is the perfect month for a little blues and maybe a little sing-a-long. So on July 2, we have Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian treating us to their gutsy vocals and guitar playing. Joining them as the opener is Gathering Sparks who love a good sing-a-long and create beautiful harmonies.
If you can believe it, Goodman Guitars has named a guitar model after Alfie. If anyone is a guitar connoisseur, it seems to be Alfie. So if you enjoy a good guitar riff and some resophonic guitar, this is your night. Add in Nicole, who specializes in flute, piano and her own slide guitar, and you have a talented duo, you don’t want to miss. They have been playing solo and together for years and just made their first record together a couple years ago called, Come On In My Kitchen.Check our their music and come see them play live.
“Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian are old-style slide guitarists, multi-instrumentalists and a blues duo not to be missed. Featuring Alfie’s belting baritone vocals mixed with Nicole’s sass and jazz flute, they bring you blues, roots and originals in a way you have never seen before. Come on into their kitchen, and you won’t be disappointed.” -from their website
Our opener is Gathering Sparks who consist of Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis. Again, these are two talented solo artists who came together to create something different because of a mutual love of harmonies and songwriting. Their style varies and can include influences of folk, blues and gospel. They love a good sing-a-long and incorporate that element into their shows. Their shows are always fun and a good time is had by all. Check them out.
“What a delight! Great songs, great singing and lovely harmonies.
I’m singing along as if I’ve known these songs forever.” — Sharon Hampson of Sharon, Lois & Bram
So come on out on July 2, 2016
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
All Ages
If you want to read their bios and hear some songs, go to their Events Page
Tickets available: Buy Tickets online
Box office hours (Saturday: June 25, July 2: 9am – 12pm)
Phone/text Joe Klages (519) 377-2358
At the Door (if there are any left) the day of the concert
