k-blog article 45
rootsmusicreport.com/index.php?page=yearendchart&genre=folk
k-blog article 44
Corin Raymond, Jonathan Byrd, Kim Beggs in Medicine Hat, Alberta
photo credit: Piet Visser
What a great show we had in at Ye Olde Jar Bar in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Thanks to Piet and Ina Visser for hosting us!
Kim
k-blog article 43
Its fawm time, I am participating for the first time because I am finally home for the whole month of February. Here is the first tune I wrote this morning before breakfast.
All my songs will be recorded on Garageband and posted as an mp3.
If you are inspired to write 14 songs this month you can join www.fawm.org and share your stories!
Cheers
Kim
k-blog article 42
I was invited to be part of the CBC True North Shinny Show this month on Friday February 11 at the Old Fire Hall. This part of the hockey night in Canada Festivities that are taking over the Yukon that same weekend. I am thrilled to be backed by the fabulous David Sinclair for this show. Learn more about his impressive career here: www.davidsinclairmusic.com The other two acts for the night include: Manfred Janssen www.manfredjanssen.com and brigs www.myspace.com/andreadanielleburgoyne
This concert will be broadcast Canada wide in the spring.
k-blog article 41
January 14 with Natalie Edelson at Burnt Toast 7pm
January 15 with Sarah MacDougall a house concert in Robinson Sub. 7pm
January 22 with Kevin Barr, Graham Peters and Angela Riley at the Gold Pan Saloon in Gold Rush Inn 8pm
keep checking back for more shows
Kim
k-blog article 40
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/Canadian_Reflections/1595762709/ID=1610501029
k-blog article 38
First off, thanks to Christine Bougie (T.O.) for joining me at the showcasing in Ottawa at OCFF (Oct 14 – 17) and also at the Wintergreen Concert Series in Montreal (Oct 17). Killer playing. We played the Songwriters Association of Canada showcase to room full of people, along with plenty of guerilla showcases up stairs late at night. Good times and music in the Moonlight Café with Chris MacLean, Peggy White, Nancy Beaudette, Jane Eamon and Marianne Girrard. What songwriters!
Western Canadian Music Awards Conference (Oct 21-24)
And how about a big thanks to Moritz Behm, Tamara Nile and Dinah D for joining me at the WCMA’s (now known as Breakout West Festival) hosted in Kelowna, BC this year (Oct 21-24). We had a blast playing the shows.
The reviews are still coming in from the US. Blue Bones and I are featured on the Alternate Root Magazine website this week.
http://thealternateroot.com/alternate-root-weekly-features/alternate-root-artists-of-the-week
dog=god a film by Lulu Keating and Karen Hines for which I wrote the sound track (co wrote lyrics with directors) and co produced sountrack with Lisa Lemberg, was broadcast on CBC TV Canadian Reflections on October 9, 2010. (can't find a link)
--
http://www.kimbeggs.com
http://myspace.com/kimbeggs
k-blog article 36
Click here to vote!
The contest lasts for about two weeks and it is based on popularity so if you want to make a difference, it is important to vote as often as you can (once a day max) for your favourite nominated place and songwriter. I would really enjoy writing about a place in the Yukon. My life in the Yukon is one my main inspirations for life, creativity and it comes through in my songwriting.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Kim
k-blog article 35
Welcome. I am home now in Whitehorse, Yukon. I got home two weeks ago and am happy to be here. I spent two and half months on the road (since mid July) where I took in most of Canada. Including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Ontario and Quebec doing shows. After the Via Rail strike I was able to take advantage of the big sale they had so I bought the ticket and took the train most of the way home. I got to take in all the Western Canadian Provinces at a trains pace. Next time I will be sure to get to Newfoundland, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
A great time in the Maritimes playing the Lunenburg Harbour Folk Festival where I shared the stage with Lenny Gallant, Steve Dawson (who also joined me in my main stage set), Stephen Fearing, Tannis Slimmon, Laura Bird, Sheesham and Lotus, the Marigolds and many more. Lunenburg was an amazing historic town. The audiences were incredible. In Ontario I was joined by Natalie Edelson who sang great harmonies. We did a house concert in Ottawa at Lynne Hanson’s place. Thanks Lynne. And a show in Toronto at Not My Dog. Thanks to Charles and Marna for driving all the way from Detroit for the show. And thanks to Brian Kobayakawa and Justin Haynes for coming out to jam with us! It was a fun night.
At Pennyfest (a folk festival dedicated to Penny Lang) my great band was Natalie Edelson and Daniel Janke on upright bass. We double billed it with Bill Garret and Sue Lothrop. We headed off the North Hatley for a show at La Caravane, a very cool music venue with great sound and audience appreciation. I headed off to Nashville TN in late August to take in the Just Plain Folks Music Awards Show (worlds largest grassroots organization) where my first album Streetcar Heart was nominated for Best Roots Album. It was a great show with all kinds of music. I spent the next day writing with good friend and Canadian Songwriter, Linda McRae who now lives in Tennessee. It was worth the air miles to go down.
The Elton John Tribute night at Hugh’s Room, in Toronto was fabulous. Thanks Ben Sures for playing the guitar with me! A show with Penny Lang in Picton, ON couldn’t be missed. A show with Steve Slade and David Celia at the Moonshine Café, Thanks John! A house concert at Rosemary Phelan’s in TO. Thanks to Rosemary and Jason and everyone who came out to that. Thanks to my old high school friends for coming out to the shows.
Thanks to Laura Bird and Havier for hosting a house concert in Orangeville. And to all the folks who came out to that. It was a warm wrap up to a fabulous Canadian Tour.
Thanks Heidi Fleming for booking the tour and thanks to Heather Kitching for taking care of publicity.
http://www.rosemaryphelan.net/
http://www.laurabird.com
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 34
This Friday July 31 is my first show for the Maritime portions of summer touring.
Fr Jul 31 8pm The Vintage Bistro Hampton, NB
Sa Aug 1 8pm The Company House Halifax, NS
Su Aug 2 6pm Trailside Cafe Mount Stewart, PE
Aug 6 - 9 Lunenburg Harbour Folk Fest Lunenburg, NS
Th Aug 13 8pm House Concert Ottawa, ON
Fr Aug 14 10pm Not My Dog Toronto, ON
Th Aug 27 Penny Lang Folk Fest Montreal QC
Fr Aug 28 8pm Caravane North Hatley, QC
Sa Aug 29 JPF Music Awards (Roots Album) Nashville TN
Sa Sep 8 8pm Hugh’s Room Toronto, ON
Th Sep 10 9pm Moonshine Cafe Oakville, ON
Fr Sep 11 7pm House Concert Toronto, ON
I will be selling CD and digital download cards, magnets, pins and t-shirts at all my shows. If you can’t make it out to the show be sure to visit the Kim Beggs Indie Music Store. You can purchase all of the above. You can also buy in advance or make a donation, to help pay for my next album. I need to raise $35 000 by the end of October.
Hope to see you out at the shows!
Kim
k-blog article 33
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 32
Media release
April 29th, 2009
Contact Heather Kitching: 604-924-4968 / Heather@HeatherKitching.com
Another Award for Kim Beggs!
Places third in International Songwriting Competition Americana category
Kim Beggs on MySpace: www.myspace.com/kimbeggs
Yukon singer-songwriter Kim Beggs has added one more award to her list of honours, winning third place in the International Songwriting Competition’s Americana category. Beggs won for her song “Lips Stained Red [with Wine]” from her sophomore CD Wanderer’s Paean. It was chosen from a pool of over 15,500 submissions, and judges included numerous leading artists and record execs - among them Tom Waits, Loretta Lynn and Chris Hillman of The Byrds.
Says Kim: “Songwriting is one of the great joys of my life. It is an honour to be recognized by artists like Tom Waits and Loretta Lynn, who I admire a great deal.”
The ISC honour follows a major spike in American airplay for Wanderer’s Paean. Just last month Beggs was ranked the top Canadian artist at American folk radio, while Wanderer’s Paean was the most-played Canadian album. Beggs also locked up the top THREE spots on the list of most-played Canadian songs with “Ain’t Gonna Work,” “Lay it All Down,” and “Wanderer’s Paean.” This was Beggs’ second consecutive month dominating the Canadian content chart at American folk radio. In February, she was the top Canadian artist, Paean was the #2 Canadian album, and she held the top two spots on the most-played Canadian songs chart.
Beggs’ third prize placement in the ISC is her highest yet in the competition, but it’s not her first. She earned an Honourable Mention last year with her song “Walking Down to the Station,” while the title track from Wanderer's Paean was a semi-finalist. Beggs has several other honours under her belt too: a 2007 Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Outstanding Roots Recording – solo; a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Best New/Emerging Artist; and a 2006 Porcupine Award for Find of the Year. In addition, her music has been selected for a number of film and television projects. “Shipyard Song” was featured in the CBC documentary “Shipyard’s Lament”; "Bucko," from her Streetcar Heart, album was featured in the CBC TV series “Borders”; and Beggs has been asked to compose for several short films. One, “Dawsontown Melted Down,” aired on CBC television, and another, “dog=god,” won second prize at the Dawson City International Short Film Festival 2009 for Yukon Filmmakers.
Beggs performs a unique sweet dark old-time tinged roots music that draws inspiration from old country and bluegrass, but is unmistakably influenced by the expansiveness and desolation of the North. She combines delightful acoustic arrangements with sweet country vocals and lyrics that reflect on the wanderer’s spirit and the journey through life and death. Yet for all the allusions to tragedy, the songs never sound “heavy” thanks to Beggs’ uplifting melodies.
Beggs has toured all across Canada and into the United States. Last year, she completed an extremely successful debut tour of the UK that included a Canada Day performance at London’s Trafalgar Square. She also appeared on Bob Harris’ BBC Radio 2 program – listenership: 14 million - after the host reported receiving “a full post-bag of mail” about her music.
Beggs recently recorded a bilingual song for the Lynn Miles-produced Yukon Women in Music compilation, Tether Hooks and Velcro. She is currently working on a new CD, Mama’s Dress, due later this year.
Beggs sells all her music at her on-line store at www.KimBeggs.com. She is currently also pre-selling copies of the new album to raise money for its completion.
End of Media release.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 31
Kim Beggs Trio: Todd Livingston, Kim Beggs and Brian Kobayakawa in Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.
They will be performing at SxSW 2009 this Thursday, March 19 at 8PM in the Driskill Hotel Victorian Room.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 30
It has been going great!
We will be showcasing at SxSW in Austin TX at the Driskell Hotel in the Victorian Room at 8pm on Thursday March 19.
Check our tour schedule!
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 29
9pm, a double bill with the Echo Hunters. I hear this venue is absolutely fabulous.
http://www.ledivanorange.org
4234 Saint-Laurent
(514) 840 9090
Thanks to the Yellowdoor for helping to promote this show and my whole tour with the Echo Hunters
through Quebec and BC.
http://www.echohunters.com
See you tonight!
Kim
k-blog article 28
7:00 pm UK time
11:00 am Yukon Time (and BC & California)
2:00 pm Ontario Time
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/radio/wk29/thu.shtml
Bob Harris' Gallery
Photo Op! Kim Beggs and Bob Harris
BBC Interview Commentary
Here is a quote from Bob Harris on a previous broadcast:
"Well one of the things I really like to do on this programme is play you very good tracks by people that maybe you haven't heard before, so always it's particularly good to get great feedback from tracks that I play and I always know that I'm on to something when I get a really full postbag about a particular piece of music and I played that track a few weeks ago to amazing reaction so I thought you would like to hear it again it's called "Lips Stained Red With Wine", the album is Wanderers Paean it's released on the Caribou label by Kim Beggs, Canadian Kim Beggs and this is her second release, I think it's really lovely this album old time music as with Rachel Harrington the track before." Bob Harris BBC Radio Two, UK 03/15/07
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 27
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 26
After the interview we took a picture for the BBC and Bob Harris's Website. When I get my camera back from England, I will put the photo up on my website as well.
John Wort Hannam arrived today with Tyler Bird and Scott Duncan. We met at the Constantine, Folk Roots in the Cellar, where we played that night. Emma Scarr was playing as well and she also promoted the hell out of the show. The place was packed and we were all happy. And tired from jet lag.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 25
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 24
Dave Henningson is making a film of this tour. He made a wonderful film about the connection between the Uranium Mining in the Northwest Territories and the Atom Bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. Worth seeing.
On this tour I played solo, as a duo with harmonies, and also with a four-piece band with harmonies, fiddle and bass. John Wort Hannam is a fabulous singer and songwriter and he was kind enough to share his band with me for the tour. Thanks John! My band consisted of Natalie Edelson on Harmonies, Scott Duncan on Fiddle, and Tyler Bird on Bass. They were all fabulous.
I was expecting to have a few days off after my first show but to my delight I was invited to open for Barry for two more shows. David Ferrard of Scotland was also in London and played his songs as well. He sings like a maniac and he can also drive on the "wrong" side of the road. We played at the Sheepwalk to a full house. The next night we played at the Dog House. This was an under the radar gig for Barry. And it was full house. Ken Hunt is a journalist who came to the show and ended up doing a write up for his on line magazine.
http://en.world.freemusic.cz/index.php/the-green-ray-the-dog-house-kennington-cross-london-22-june-2008/
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 23
Kim Beggs has been mentioned in the Sunday London Times article about Canadian Women Performers.
Click Here to Read Article
Stay tuned for her premiere tour of England this June 21 - July 8th. Including Trafalgar Square for Canada Day (that's July 1st) at 7:00 PM.
She will have CDs for sale right there!
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 22
I performed four new songs. The show, called Mama's Dress, evolved throughout the weekend. I had three appearances in the Cabaret Room at the Guild Hall. I performed the songs on stage, while taking/making phone calls to various people in my life.
This handbill was designed by Ruth Heijne, of Whitehorse.
New Musical Works by Kim Beggs
Mama's Dress
Can't Drive Slow Yodel
Highlights included: Sharone Maldavar's -Bad to the Bone- doing her comedy/storytelling of life through her 30's, 40's, 50's and her 60's, Nicole Bauberger -100 Dresses for Nakai's Homegrown Festival, 2008- visual artist, Celia McBride's - Anatomy of a Broken Love Affair- playwright, Joseph Tisiga - Un(en)title- multi-media. There were many more that were not listed but still brilliant and others that I did not get to see at all and wished I had.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 21
Drove up to Dawson City and arrived just in time for the monthly Coffee House. Brenda Baxter and George McConkey were playing some tunes original songs. It sounded great. The next day I put on a song-writing workshop for adults at SOVA (School of Visual Arts). I also performed at the Robert Service School for the kids.
I had supper with my Dawson film-maker friend, Lulu Keating, and Charlotte Gray, the writer in residence in Dawson City.
I wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics for Lulu Keatings's film Dawsontown Melted Down. It has been included on a Yukon Compilastion DVD called Picturing Yukon. Dawsontown Melted Down has also been picked by CBC TV and will be broadcast in the near future. Eventually the song will available for radio play.
Mayo, Yukon
Arrived in Mayo and performed a concert at the School for the kids. The next morning I put on a song-writing course for the grade 9 and 10's.
Keno City, Yukon
Drove to Keno from Mayo and ordered a house special pizza from Mike's Snack Bar. Delicious. Ran into an old friend, (like an old cobweb) so went and had a visit before hitting the road back home to Whitehorse.
It was a beautiful drive. I was inspired to write a yodel song on the way home. I learned that yodelling while driving, makes it hard to stay the speed limit. Hence my new song called "Can't drive Slow" was inspired and would written two weeks later in time for the Homegrown Festival 2008.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 20
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 19
I am a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition this year (listed as 2007) for my song "Walking Down to the Station". "Wanderer's Paean" is a semi-finalist. I will find out the results in April 2008.
I showcased at North American Folk Alliance in Memphis this year. The Yukon Roots Music Showcase Suite was an absolute hit! Kim Barlow and Gordie Tentrees with Bands were also there showcasing and helped to organize the room. Natalie Edelson and Mark Smith with Music Yukon were stars as well with all their hosting and organization. Talk about team effort. We invited distinguished Canadian Artists to join us with showcasing which made the room even more exciting and inviting Thursday through Saturday midnight until 3am!. We will surely do the same next year!
Kim Barlow, Gordie Tentrees, Cara Luft, Catherine MacClellan, John Wort Hannam, Bill Bourne & Madagascar Slim, Rose Cousins, Deering and Down, Joel Plaskett, Maria Dunn, the McDades, Stephen Fearing, David Myles were all part of the magic!
.and just in!
Dirty Linen Magazine
"It's not surprising that Wanderer's Paean has been nominated for several awards in Canada. Everything about the album, from the songs, singing and production, to the album graphics is tastefully rendered."
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 18
We drove to Boston this morning and picked up Natalie from the Airport. We were late. We had a hard time tearing ourselves away from the beautiful house and people. It was good to see her standing there. She was a little limp from a long journey, not the way the crow flies, from Whitehorse. She piled into the car and the three of us drove to Monticello New York for the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance.
Same Mold Same Mold was written on the walls Kutchers Country Club, this incredibly wonderfully, crookedly complicated (slightly moldy) place will be shut down. Condemned. NERFA will be somewhere else next year. I will miss the starship enterprise lounge with all the lights.
FOLK DJ's CHOICE
I performed a for the annual Folk DJ showcase night. Sonny Ochs nominated me this year. What an honour. We played three sad songs. I probably should have thrown in one of my funny light-hearted ones.
Red Hot Canadians
Bob Hamilton, Charlie Sohmer, Tannis Slimmon, Natalie Edelson, Ken Whiteley and Kristin Sweetland Danny Bakin and more!
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 17
Woke up. Flew to Fredericton for the Maritime Tour.
Oct 24-Nov 5th, 2007
Maritime Tour
This was my first tour ever of the Maritime Provinces. I wish I could have done shows in PEI and Newfoundland. As it was we did shows in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Everyone we met along the way was a gem. The air was beautiful. The voices in the beautiful old houses we stayed in, kept calling at me for songs. If I could have, I would have stayed and wrote for them. I wish the voices could have warned me that the next two gigs would be washed away by the Tropical Storm.
Anyhow.
First show at a very cool café in Woodstock called Fusion. Then Charlotte Street Arts House in Fredericton. What a great venue. Great Sound. My old friend Lucie Desaulniers (previously of the Whitehorse band: Inconnu) was in the audience, (little did we know until she yelled out). She and her husband Michel, ended up putting us up the next night and cooked us a beautiful lobster supper with potato salad. The next day we got two shows in. The first was early, at the Sessions café. Then we scooted over to the Anglars Association Coffee House run by Sandy, who put us up last minute. We got called to play five or six songs and sold a wack of cds. The young fiddler, was releasing his newest CD so I called him up to join us on the last tune. Great player.
The Seahorse show was interesting. Tanya Groundwater opened the evening with a few of her wonderful tunes. She used to live in Whitehorse but returned to her homeland a couple of years ago. It was great to hear her playing again. Her voice is pure and perfect, with curly cues that make it distinct. Her songwriting is really smart and enticing. Watch out for her.
Nov 6th
The tour was fabulous. I am coming back for more next fall. I love the east coast people.
Nov 7th
I love the east coast people in both countries, and the architecture, and the richness of history. The walls keep talking to me. One day I will answer.
Stayed in a beautiful little town in a very big house near Boston. I felt like princess sleeping on the top floor. Yummy coffee for breakfast and wonderful hosts.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 16
The interview was all new stuff. Not a rehash of the same old thing, which is easy to happen when you are doing a lot of interviews. Nope, she was just as interesting in this hour as she was in the first hour. (There were some hours in between when I had the privilege of sharing the stage and hanging out with her this summer at the Edmonton Folk Festival.) After her interview I went over to say hello and touch base. Buffy says, "Just remember that you are a quarter inch ahead of everybody, so give them a chance to catch up". I have to keep reminding myself of that.
SOCAN Songwriters Showcase
I got my chance to play the Mae Wilson Theatre during the SOCAN Songwriters Showcase. Jason Plumb was leading the show with his tunes. We were joined by Alex Cuba (holy) and Doc Watson. We traded songs for an hour and a half. The sound was great. Thanks SOCAN. Thanks Mae.
Awards Ceremony PerformanceThis was a blast. The hanger was huge! Must have been thousands of people in the audience. There was food back stage along with wine and beer. And there was a makeup crew to make everybody to look purdy for the show, which was being recorded for TV broadcast. Of my own free will, I decided to go for it. They packed my face with foundation (I felt like a corpse made to look alive), and put various bits of makeup on. And they curled my hair with a great swooping outwards swirl. They made me look purdy. I am going to have to pick up one of those big fat curling irons so I can look like that all the time. Maybe I can pay Bob extra to curl my hair.
John Wort Hannam and I performed a medley of our tunes. It went really well. We played my tune "Lay it all down" and John's tune "Two bit Suit". John and I harmonized for one another while Bob accompanied with the rayco (dobro). Other great performances included: Nathan, Shane Yellowbird and Jen Lane, Buffy St Marie, and more..
After the show, I went back to the hotel and partied with Alberta. Great party. I stayed up until four am or so. Hanging out with John Wort Hannam, John Ellis and Leslie Alexander.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 15
My official showcase was at Jakes Saloon. Bob Hamilton joined me on vocals, dobro and mandolin. I skipped over some of my tender waltz's that would be lost in the frat house ruckuus and the stench of brew, and wailed out some of the ones that would turn a chin to listen. It worked.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 14
I went to see John Wort Hannam perform with his band at the Mae Wilson Theatre (the best venue at the WCMA's). He was bloody amazing. Great songwriter. Great presence. Great band. And also great solo!
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 13
I just found out I have been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best New Artist! That ceremony will be on Dec 1st in Gatineau, PQ.
Great time. I arrived on the Thursday in Regina and then got a lift from the airport to Moose Jaw, in the volunteer run shuttle. I ran into my band mate Bob Hamilton on the street. He had just come from the liquor store, which he said was the old train station. Cool. I love trains. I headed over to the CBC reception where there was some grub and wine to drink. I ran into Barb Dunlop and Nancy Lewis De Graff who are our Yukon Government Film and Sound reps coming down to check out the music industry.
Kris Demeanor and his Crack Band were showcasing on Thursday night so I made a point of going out to that. Kris is one of my favourite songwriters. "One Shoe" still gave me goose bumps and - despite the frat house ruckus and the stench of brew - there were many in the audience whose hearts were won that night. Kris is coming up to play Frostbite 2008 and I am sorry I will miss him as I will be on the road.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 12
Brian Kobayakawa and Trevor Mills are two Toronto bass players (upright and otherwise) who really know how to support their bands and people they perform with. They organized a showcase room called Sushi Sweet! upstairs in the hotel room for all the people they play with. I was happy to be included in this room of incredible music. I love these guys. Good and talented people.
My showcase in that room was packed. And I had a great band, which consisted of Christine Bougie on lapsteel, Tamara Nile (T-Nile) on back up vocals, and Brian Kobayakawa on upright bass. I love it! These people are seriously talented!
T-Nile performed a great showcase for Folk Alliance Canada and was great. I sang harmony for her on one song. Penny Lang was hosting the evening. She is a treasure.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 11
The only other show I did since my return home from summer tour was the Neil Young Tribute concert in Dawson City on September 16. The show was organized by my good friend Holly Haustein of Dawson City. It was an amazing evening that took place at the historic Palace Grande. Many talented musicians from Dawson City shared their Neil Young interpretations. The man was there in sprit whether he knew it or not. We are hoping that Neil Young will to Dawson City and play at the Palace Grande himself.
Yesterday, it was the last happy hour Friday at the Taku bar located at 4th and Main St in Whitehorse. It is closing down for good this weekend. It has been a constitution for many people well before I arrive in the Yukon back in 1991.
I remember finding out that the Taku was also my Dad's watering hole, back in the 60's when my folks lived in the Yukon, before I was born. I thought it was so cool that 25 years later, there I am sitting and drinking in the same place, maybe even in the same chair. He and my uncle were working at a gold mine near Carmacks, Yukon.
Every Friday carpenters, social workers, the unemployed, cabin people, the lonely, musicians, journalists, coffee roasters, poets, people of all walks of life etc, would gather at this place and hoist jars of beer on tap and otherwise and catch up on the weeks events. The unemployed would find jobs. The lonely were not so lonely anymore. We would hang there for hours, eat supper, if we remembered, and then go dancing at the Capital or the T&M where either the Agents of Chaos or else the Dave Haddock Band were playing.
Last night me and Natalie and Anne Louise went out for supper after happy hour and then returned for drinking and dancing afterwards. We missed Kim Barlow who is out on tour as we speak. Hurricane Jane was out too, as well as some of the other old guard. I would mention their names but they may wish to remain off the grid. The Brandon Isaacs and Dave Haddock Band were helping us tear up the dance floor. My head is fuzzy today.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 10
Bob Hamilton accompanied me on dobro, mandolin, lapsteel and backing vocals for the whole tour this summer. Last weekend I played the Edmonton Folk Festival. Big campfire alright. A highlight for me was playing a songwriter workshop with Buffy St Marie and Stephen Fearing. We performed six times over the weekend including three workshops, a concert, and last minute "tweener" on Mainstage on Saturday Night right Mary Margaret O'Hara. We performed a live, on-site, performance interview for CKUA with Tom Coxworth,. National Public Radio (NPR) from the US, recorded my concert and a couple of the workshops for broadcast.
I spent two weeks at Bluegrass Camp down in Sorrento BC. What a great way to wrap a tour: great music for two weeks with a festival in the middle.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 9
Toronto's David McEathron, started off the night. Great turn out, thanks to a great review in the NOW magazine and article in the Toronto Star. And, of course, friends telling friends about the show. Thanks!!!!
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 8
I hosted the Lonesome and Sunny workshop on Saturday. Sad songs. I sang a few help from Bob and Brian. And then Karyn Ellis, Laura Bird and more showed up to play something lonesome too.
Chris Luedecke had a workshop too so I went and played a tune or two there. He also played a wonderful concert on Saturday Night. Just him and his banjo, chair and hat.
My concert with band, on Sunday night went great. I had a really good time playing. Right after the choir. I was warned that a lot of people get up after the choir because they have to eat dinner. Of course everyone can still hear the music from their campsites. But to my delight, most people stayed. There was a very good crowd.
Got some great late night/early morning jamming at various campsites. My tent was in the trees, so I wasn't woken up by the afternoon sun.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 7
We just played our third show last night at the Blacksheep. There was an excellent turnout of enthusiastic new and confirmed fans and dancers. Lots of beer and CD's were sold. Jan Purcell and the Pines started the night out with a great performance. They are playing at the River Valley Bluegrass Festival this weekend near North Bay.
All the shows have been going extremely well. Great venues and great audiences.
The reviews and articles have been pouring in.
Here are the links below:
Now Magazine Great Review (4 NNNN's and a bullet)
Ottawa Sun Article
Ottawa Xpress Article
Toronto Star Article
More later, I am off to Blue Skies Music Festival this weekend so will be off grid until Monday. We are playing Mitzi's Sister in TO on Monday Aug 6th and then the Boathouse in Kitchener on Wed Aug 8th. A house concert on the 7th in Walkerton.
Take care,
Kim
k-blog article 6
We will continue on to Dawson City and arrive just in time for the Dawson City Music Festival (July 20-22).
If you are reading this blog and want to come to Fort Selkirk for the very special concert, all you have to do is get hold of a canoe, find a ride to Minto which is a good place to put in (from there it only a days paddle to the Fort). Pack food, clothing, tent and what not, for five days. Pack for sun, rain, wind, heat, cold, joy and tears. Bring a big blue water jug. The river water is drinkable but silty, especially after the White River comes into the Yukon. There is a good water pump at Fort Selkirk to fill up. There is no espresso or snack bar at Fort Selkirk. The Yukon River is a gentle giant but it is a fast mover. You need to know how to eddy, otherwise it will step on you.
The other option is booking a seat on the motorboat that goes from Minto to Fort Selkirk and back for $100.
See you on the river.
Kim
k-blog article 5
Kim
k-blog article 4
I had great time playing with my band, which was made up of Daniel Janke on upright bass and vocals, Natalie Edelson on harmony vocals, and Steve Dawson came up from Vancouver to play with us as well. I will definitely be playing with him again sometime down the road. It was fabulous! Adam Haynes, a Kentucky fiddler from the James King Band, got up and played a couple of tunes with us on Sunday. Very sweet.
One of my favourite moments was singing the Hazel Dickens song, "Don't put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There", with Natalie Edelson and then Betsy Ellis from the Wilders playing the fiddle.
Annie Lou was another highlight for me. That is a new band made of Anne Louise Genest, Kim Barlow, Keitha Clark and Lindsay Dickson (she's from Haines, AK). They did a bunch of oldtyme/bluegrass stuff as well Anne Louise's new excellent songs.
On Saturday Night a bunch of us went to the dust bowl at the Alsek Festival to do some jamming. It went until 5:30 am. And remember it didn't get dark because it is summer in the Yukon. We still had to check out of the motel room by 11am and carry on with the festival all day Sunday!
Links:
http://www.thejameskingband.com/
http://www.wilderscountry.com/
http://www.fcow.net/
http://www.blueberrybluegrass.com/artists/DownToTheWood.asp
http://www.steepcanyon.com/asp/scrhome2.asp
http://www.caribourecords.com/algenest/
http://www.kluanemountainbluegrassfest.com/performers.html for art johns
http://www.danieljanke.com/daniel/janke.html
http://myspace.com/natalieedelson
http://www.blackhenmusic.com/ for steve dawson
Kim
k-blog article 3
3 moose (1 dead one)
2 caribou (1 dead one)
1 ram
Oh yah, last week I co-wrote a song with filmmaker, Lulu Keating (and Maureen Abbott), for her new short film, which will be released soon. The film and song are called "Dawson Town Melted Down". Lulu has a website in the works.
http://www.redsnapperfilms.ca
I plan to be writing and performing for more films.
This weekend (june 8-10) is the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Haines Junction, Yukon. We will be one of the headliners. Joining me in the band is Steve Dawson, Natalie Edelson, and Daniel Janke.
http://www.kluanemountainbluegrassfest.com/performers.html
Have a terrific day!
Kim
k-blog article 2
My new album, "Wanderer's Paean" has been getting great airplay.
It's been one of the top ten Canadians on Galaxie Channel (Folk Roots) steadily since February; and the International FOLK DJ playlist stats, steadily since January. See Airplay Charts
CBC Radio One and Two have been giving it great airplay as well as BBC Radio Two.
http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/THE_SUNDAY_EDITION/20070318.shtml
http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/WEEKENDER/20070602.shtml
http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/DISC_DRIVE/20070509.shtml
http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/FRESH_AIR/20070304.shtml
http://www.kneeling.co.uk/playlists/toptenprog1.asp?programme=c
Kim
k-blog article 1
Kim