Just sharing a few clips of some cover songs played at the Kingswood Pub in Richmond BC.
Tuesday and Friday nights I can usually be found here working my way through a few solo acoustic sets. Sometimes other great musicians show up to jam with me, thanks to Eddie Lam and Chris Newton for sitting in on this night!
A few weeks ago myself and a band assembled from past League of Rock members got ourselves out of bed before the crack of dawn to go and rock some tunes on Vancouver's Breakfast Television. (To see the BT feature click here and wait for it to load)
Host Greg Harper (pictured at top) and his BT audience got a little look at all things League of Rock and it was an exciting morning to say the least. We talked about our rearsals at NAL jamspace where bands come together and rehearse and prepare for thier final showcase at the Yale, and how they do this with the assistance of guest pro and celeb coaches such as Mick Dalla Vee (pictured) who is a member of rock legend Randy Bachman's band which is currently on tour with Bachman and Turner (who by the way just released an outstanding new album this past fall ). Mick also records/produces my original music and if you are a singer songwriter looking for a studio I suggest you get in touch with him here.
So for Breakfast Television host Greg Harper gamely played some drums and walked the viewers through the process of being in the league, the band played some tunes and we talked about recording in studio which is something all the bands are able to do in week 9 of each session before the final live showcase. To hear all the fantastic recordings from past Vancouver and Toronto League of Rock sessions please click this link.
Going into studio and performing are often activities that are 'a first ever' for new members and I have to say, I love that part of the LOR, witnessing all the firsts people get to experience. It was such great fun morning (even if it was early and I did have gig the night before) and it helped kick off the fourth session with a terrific bang. A session, I am happy to report, is already on its way to full swing.
Our first Join a Band draft event is where everyone shows up and is put into their band, then they break off into groups to discuss names, music, songlist etc...... it was held at NAL jamspace. It was really nice to see so many friendly faces from the past sessions (dear Stephen (pictured), my pal since session one was a delight to see after such a long busy summer away ). The energy was so good in the room that the brand new members felt welcome right away and I noticed there was considerably less nervous energy in this group compared to previous sessions. This I attribute to the fact that so many of the members have gone through the league before. It seemed to me that them knowing what to expect, left them without that persistent sense of fear and in its place was only anticipation and excitement (with a few butterflies thrown in for good measure). This is how it is supposed to be really and is one of the benefits of using a universal language like music to connect people. It is exemplified in every session I observe, I see that not only through music do these people become friends, but they learn to really hold one another up so that the rest may blossom. It's so frikken cool.
So people jammed a little, ate pizza, talked music, socialized a lot and we all walked away with each others email and contact info. Everyone set out to communicate throughout the week and prepare for our first real rehearsal date the next Wednesday. Which also went beautifully. Never before have I see bands gel right away like this. It's truly remarkable and a real pleasure to be a part of, I can't wait to see it all evolve.
(above pics, observing the bands is our fantastic award winning keyboardist/composer guest coach Simon Kendall (Doug and the Slugs), chillin out with the members and giving advice to the bands on week one~!)
Big thanks go out to past members Wayne Oberst, Lory Senft and Kara Bently for handling most of what it took to pull this whole thing together this session. It takes a lot of time and dedication to get the word out and let people know how much genuine fun and benefit the League is for this here hidden population of music, the unsung heros of rock. I think they are testament to the fact that this League is about the people in it as much as it is about the music they make when they are together. So thanks go to them for what they do, for each to help support 4 bands through this process as well as play in a band themselves...not to mention run their own lives.......its really something. I am proud to be able to M/C host the west coast League of Rock and am I glad so many great musicians are a part of it. I also love that I can turn to LOR members if and when I am looking to assemble bands for charity events next summer.
...is a day that is filled with music. Yesterday for example was a wickedly, powerful, musical adventure filled to the brim with diverse and unique experiences. It started with a trip to Long and McQuade in downtown Vancouver where I pitched up and played songs for about an hour or more, just me and my guitar and a bunch of musically inclined people wandering around in a big store full of musical instruments, it's the perfect place to practise under the influence (of others).
The reason for the occassion was that the folks at League of Rock are gearing up for another fall session so I joined Kara in her promotions that afternoon, figuring that it would be fun to point my guitar at the new promo for a while. Kara was busy chatting with people who lingered so she only shot one video but at least we got something. It does mean however that your musical selection today is, REM or REM.
It was cool to see LOR member Brandon again after all this time. He stopped by for a visit so I had a good chat with him about his current band and the recording they are doing and how much he is digging that. We talked about the benefits of his time spent in the League and we both agreed that the experience of joining a band, rehearsing, recording, learning from pros and then showcasing at a venue like the Yale all within 10 weeks, just can't be duplicated, and for anyone who is musically talented but too busy and perhaps inexperienced to put it all together themselves, this really is an effortless way to check out of your day job and check in to your inner rocker. And if you've read previous LOR posts you will recognize Kara who has joined team League of Rock (along with Wayne and Lori)!
Later that night I arrived to Lulu's Lounge at the River Rock Casino for my gig with the Hitmen, and I took this pic backstage just minutes before showtime.
I don't have words adequate to describe how much I love playing with this band, but it must come across very clearly as people tell me all the time that I look like I am having so much fun up there. It's true, I am having so much fun. This discussion came up as I chatted with an interesting crew of muscians after the gig. They were staying at the River Rock casino because they had a gig at the Red Robinson Show theatre with Burton Cummings, just hours before. As we were talking music and experiences, the League of Rock naturally came up as it was part of my day as well as is an inspiring part of my life. Well, it turns out the bass player whom I was talking to, actually had been a coach in the Toronto chapter!
Small world, in fact I was told there were a few in the band and on the crew who are very familiar with what Terry and Topher are doing over there in Toronto. It is so cool to talk to people who get it. Jeff Jones, the bass player for the Carpet Frogs (who were backing up Burton) was talking about his experience with the members and how great it was to watch them going through the League. He has an inherent enthusiam for music which I think is the tie that binds, that and just knowing how good it feels and appreciating how powerful it is for others to experience. It's a very cool thing really.
So anyhow, I figure all this coincidence was just too timely not to share, and this is a great chance to remind you that if you have been thinking about joining but haven't yet, the League of Rock is starting a new session very soon so now is the time to get in on it. Just think, this coming Holiday season you could be performing at the Yale for your family and friends.
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Question: As a parent, if I hear outrageous laughter coming from the back seat along with comments like "the moon is out early today" and then turn around and see this.........
This is a bonus post in follow up to my Road Trip post/video's at the VIMBC.
Kelly and I were chatting with Bill Henderson and it occured to me that part of our conversation contained an important message for songwriters so I don't want this footage to just sit on the cutting room floor. It relates back to one of the many seminars I went to at the VIMBC which was about monetizing digital downloads, Bill Henderson and Ralph Murphy were the panelists. Basically, file sharing is here to stay, and so it should be, it is a fantastic tool. At the same time, artists who should be compensated for their work, are not being compensated.
This is serious for all songwriters and music professionals, the current stats are staggering.
An estimated 1.6 billion music files are shared online in Canada each year. * The total number of purchased downloads in Canada was 38 million in 2005.2 * The proportion between these two is 98/2 – 98% sharing, 2% purchasing.
There are people who will argue that you can't monetize file sharing because grandmother Betsy would never download a file in her life and she just plays Bingo on Facebook so she shouldn't be charged and so on and so on.........of course...... this is why there is disucssion going on. I'm not sure that everyone knows this, but there is an unobtrusive way to monetize file sharing and music downloading which is fair to both the artist as well as the consumer, or non-consumer if such is the case. There is a proposal being discussed right now online at SAC and as a songwriter you should be a part of this discussion. The more songwriters who join in and lead the charge towards the inevitable, the more likely the change will be positive and productive and beneficial to all.
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Canada has given the world some of the greatest music ever produced. We believe that implementing a fair way of compensating Canada’s music creators for the online sharing of their music will usher in a new Golden Age of creativity. (from the SAC website)
For more info, and to lend your voice to the conversation, please go HERE~
And speaking of songwriting, here are a few clips from my showcase at the VIMBC.....
Welcome to my virtual scrapbook video of some highlights of our trip to the 2010 Vancouver Island Music Business conference. (I would like to say thanks to Kelly Brock my All Access Pass co-host, for giving me her song to use. Thanks Kel!) And also I must send huge thanks and hugs to Steve and Carolyn at Two Eagles Lodge in Union Bay for putting up with us putting us up! After staying there for a weekend I can see there is excellent reason that the Two Eagles Lodge has been awarded top honors for Bed and Breakfast's on Vancouver Island, it is a beautiful warm home in a stunning setting, where guests are treated like family.
In fact we felt so much like family that when Kelly and I arrived home from the wrap party at the Whistlestop and spotted headlights from a running car that was sitting over at the barn, so, we donned our Thelma and Louise dresses and drove down to the barn to find out who the intruders were (because when we left the party earlier, we were pretty sure everyone else was still there). It turned out however, that it was just Steve and Carolyn checking on the horses (which was really lucky because I'm not at all sure that Kelly and I had any inkling of an idea of what we were going to do if there really were robbers in the barn).
Ah but I digress, for those of you reading who are musicians, composers, songwriters, performers, bands or artists who are interested in working in music and getting the most out of the industry then the VIMBC is a great weekend to plan to attend for next year.
Something of note about this conference is that is does not anticpate growth in size. The VIMBC is limited to 500 people because realistically, space only allows for 500 people. It's perfect if you ask me. With no pressure to expand on the size of the conference, Susie and Andy have been able to focus on the quality of the content and make the most out of the intimacy of the setting.
Small and intimate means that the panelists are more accessable and the opportunities for relationship building are more realistic. Something about the small size of this conference seems to encourage people (panelists included) to let their guard down and become more approachable. It's an exclusive event but by the end of the weekend we all seemed to act like we are in this thing together, certainly moreso than you might get from an event that is larger, crowded and in a widespread more bustling setting.
And speaking of settings, could there be anywhere more beautiful than on an island looking out over the water? It was just so relaxing, and music focused. Music, music, music. If you love it, don't miss it.
For even more of an idea of the conference I invite you to watch Kelly and Rachael's All Access Pass feature which will take you to a couple of the seminars, talks to some of the panelists, and puts you right there in the audience during the concerts.
What a weekend. There were just SO many friends I had the great pleasure of seeing again, so many of us, we are so busy that our paths just do not cross often enough, but I am always so delighted when they do. I wish I could say hi to you all individually and thank you all for being a part of our fab weekend, this video celebrating the event will have to do! Enjoy!
PANELISTS ~Link-Fest~
CLICK ON NAMES FOR MORE INFO
Dan Hill
singer/songwriter, Recording artist, Producer, Author Patricia Conroy
Award-winning singer/songwriter, recording artist -CCMA “Album of the Year” (1993) “Female Vocalist of the Year” (1994) Bill Henderson
Chilliwack Lead Singer/Guitarist, Songwriter, Canadian Music Icon Sue Medley
Juno, SOCAN award-winning recording artist and songwriter Kevin Churko
Producer, Engineer (Shania Twain, Ozzy Osbourne, Ringo Starr, Robert Downey Jr., Lisa Marie Presley, Britney Spears, The Corrs) Ralph Murphy
Vice President, ASCAP Nashville. Producer, songwriter and music publisher. Brian Heatherman
President and CEO, FACTOR Angela Kelman
"Farmer’s Daughter" lead vocalist Tom McKillip
Producer (Lisa Brokop, Aaron Pritchett, One More Girl, Kenny Hess, Ian Tyson) John Dexter
Songwriter, Publisher, Label Owner, Producer (Melissa Etheridge, David Foster, Cheap Trick, Bif Naked, West End Girls, Alias, Mel Torme, Starship, Quarterflash Ron Proulx
Music Supervisor, Arpix Media International Jamie Warren
Singer/songwriter, Recording artist - the most awarded independent male artist in the Canadian country music industry Ron Irving
Internationally-acclaimed award winning songwriter, producer, publisher Steven McClintock
President, 37 Records. Award-winning songwriter, publisher and producer based in Long Beach Ca. Bob Funk
Producer (Patricia Conroy) Studio and Touring Musician Sue Irving
Music Publisher, Director, BC Country Music Association. Jerry Adolphe
Studio and Tour Drummer (Chilliwack, Lisa Brokop, Jim Byrnes, Roberta Flack, Meliissa Manchester, Sass Jordan, Seal) Bob D'eith
Music Lawyer, Executive Director, MUSIC BC, Peak Performance Project Faculty Don Adams
Artist Management (Donpaul Entertainment), Promoter (Merritt Mountain Festival) Gene Daniel
Live Music Promoter, Radio Group mogul Ted Moseman
President, Horizon International Talent Agency Douglas Romanow
Toronto-based producer and owner of boutique studio Fire Escape Recording Ed Harris
Marketing Director, Royalty Records, Calgary Stampede Kelly Brock
Independent Recording Artist and songwriter Terry O'Brien
SOCAN Education and Outreach Manager Joanna Maratta
Executive Director, BC Touring Council Jim Norris
President, Norris-Whitney Communications Inc. R Harlan Smith
President of Royalty Records, songwriter, producer,
publisher, CCMA Hall Of Famer Ed Henderson
Composer, arranger-orchestrator, guitarist, musical director and music producer in theatre, film and the concert stage Doug Edwards
Studio and Touring musician Phil Kallsen
Program Director, Country 105 FM, Calgary Bill Miller
Radio Promoter, Pitbull Promotions Ryan Mennie
Music Director, 97.3 The Eagle, Courtenay Michael Behm
Songwriter, Producer, Publisher, Label Owner Sean Hogan
Songwriter, award-winning independent Canadian Roots/Country Artist Scott James
Music Director, 100.3 The Q, Victoria DaveSawchuk
Music Director, 91.3 The Zone, Victoria Rob Bye
Regional Program Director, Island Radio Group Susie McGregor
singer, songwriter, VIMBC Event Coordinator Barry Stecyk
Province Playlist, President, HevyD Music Catherine Miller
Music Lawyer Vig Schulman
Concert Promoter, Cumberland Village Works
