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| The Date: | The Details:
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| August | |
| August 2 | I'm sitting in for Mike McCurlie at the Coach and Lantern in beautiful downtown Ancaster. This gig starts at 8:30 and features the Judy Marsales Band leading the audience in a live karaoke situation. The guest picks the song, we find the key and off we go. Greatly entertaining and the food there rocks! No cover. C'mon out. Here's the directions and deets: http://www.coachandlantern.ca |
| August 4 | Ed Smith and the Even Squares are back at the Queens Legs. A (slightly seedy) little bar on Eglinton Avenue just east of Avenue Road. The great thing is we play real traditional country music. Nothing more modern than the mid 80's. Willie, Merle, Buck and Johnny... its all there. We kick it off at 9:30 and play until around 1:30. No cover, no hassle, great tunes. The Queens Legs is located at 286 Eglinton Ave. West. |
| August 6 | it's Mulligans in Mississauga yet again. C'mon out at 4:30 and hear some fantastic music. Not just country and rock classics, but songs you've never heard a bar band ever attempt. Galveston, Live and Let Die, Rhapsody in Blue, Tocatta and Fugue in Dm. Kevin Phillips and Mulligans’ Stew. No cover and pretty good grub. Here's the website: http://www.mulliganspub.ca |
| August 9 | it's the Judy Marsales band at the Coach and Lantern in Ancaster. If you're a singer you owe it to yourself to come out and sing a song or two with these fine musicians (and me). We start at 8:30 and go straight thru until 11:00pm. C & L website: http://www.coachandlantern.ca |
| August 12 | Ed Smith and the Even Squares are back at the Cornerhouse in Stouffbille. The same venue Ed and I have been doing, but this time it’s the entire band. Starts at 7:30. http://www.thecornerhouse.ca |
| August 17 | I’m again joining the Good Brothers as they kick off the Havelock Country Jamboree. For years now they been a fixture up there and this year I get to accompany them. It’s always a good time at a Good Brothers show. Also appearing the same night are Patricia Conroy, Aaron Pritchett, Jana Kramer. Info is here: http://havelockjamboree.com/lineup/ |
| August 20 | I'm sitting in with Kevin Phillips and the Stew at Mulligans Pub and Grill in the Woodchester plaza in Mississauga. We have a great time and you will too. Come enjoy a beverage and grab a bite while listening to the classiest bar band you'll ever encounter. Mulligans is located at 2458 Dundas St W. In Mississauga and we start at 4:30pm. http://www.mulliganspub.ca |
| August 26 | I’m heading out to Stratford to play Othello. No, my acting ‘chop' isn’t that developed. I’m gonna play with the band Moo’d Swings. They play a great set of material that comes from the 1920’s through to about the1950’s. I know that sounds like old stuff, and it is, but it has such beautiful melodies. (Something that seems to be devoid in the rhythmic based music that’s popular today.) Before I get on a soap crate and rant, let me just say I love doing this gig. They give me lots of solos and every tune is memorable. It helps make me a better musician. Their harmonies are excellent. Anyway I don’t have the venue or times details at this point but check back and I will soon. |
| August 31 | it's not exactly Lou Moore's birthday, but it's close enough to celebrate it. So that's what we're gonna do. We start at 8:30 and we do a 99 minute set. Lots of great music and if you have to work the next day you can get out of there and into bed in a decent time. For the diehard fans we do another set and end around 12:30. This all takes place at Colonel Mustard's in Newmarket. No cover but reservations are recommended. Here's their website: http://newmarket.colmustardspub.com |
| September | |
| Sept. 1 | I’m playing a gig in Hamilton with the awesome Mike McCulie. I often sub for Mike but we rarely get to play together. It’s always a treat… for me anyway. More of a chore for him. Details as they become available. |
| Sept. 3 | I’m up to do a private party in Haliburton. If you know these folks, I’ll see you there. If not I guess I won’t…. |
| Sept. 7-10 | It’s Canadian Country Music Week! This time it’s being held in Saskatoon. It’s always a great convention but when it’s in the west they get a little more fired up about it. I don’t know what I’ll be doing yet, but it’s generally been directing the Legends Show and the Discovery Showcases. Always fun, always interesting and you hear a lot of great music. If you haven’t been you should try it. I haven’t missed one since 1989. http://www.ccma.org/Host_City_2017_.html |
| Sept. 14 | I'm doing a show in Sudbury at the Motley Kitchen. You can go and have a dinner/show package with a lovely dinner and then I can give you indigestion, or you can just come for the indigestion part. It's being presented by the great Scott Merrifield, an icon of the folk world. Here's the link to order tickets houseconcertsudbury@googlegroups.com or you can phone for Tickets, see below. And here's all the details: Dinner and entertainment combined is $55.00 including HST. Show-only seats are $20.00 each. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the buffet dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the show approximately from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Reserve ASAP to assure good seats and dinner by calling 705-222-6685. |
| Sept. 15 | I’m heading up to South River. It’s north of where I live but it’s south of North Bay and just south of where the actual South River empties into South Bay beside North Bay. Is that clear? I did the west I could. The show is being presented by Michele Bateman, a true patron of the arts. And it’s being held at a beautiful venue called NAISA. That stands for New Adventures In Sound Art and it was formerly Renee’s Cafe. For directions: http://naisa.ca It’s lovely sounding wooden room and I love playing there. It’s $20 for a seat and tickets are available by emailing Michele at michelebateman3@gmail.com I believe the show starts at 7:30. |
| Sept. 16 | I’m playing at a house concert in Manotick. Because it’s a house concert they bring in a crowd they have cultivated, but if you live in the area and think you’d like to attend, let me know. I might be able to pull some strings…. For more show info: mcgovet@rogers.com |
| Sept. 17 | I’m back from Manotick this morning and with the maniacs at Mulligans in Mississauga. Kevin Phillips and the Stew. It’s a weirdly eclectic band and we play everything from TV themes to opera and show tunes. We start at 4:00pm and it’s in the Woodchester Mall on the south side of Dundas between Erin Mills and Winston Churchill. (The street, not the great UK Prime Minister) Here’s the web site: http://www.mulliganspub.ca |
| Sept 22 | I’m the entertainment up at the Burl’s Creek Farmers Market. Every week throughout the summer there’s entertainment while you purchase your fresh fruit. And what better music to buy peaches by than yours truly? I start at 5:00 and go until 7:00pm. Burl’s Creek Farmers Market is located at 134 Line 8 S. in Oro-Mendonte just off Highway 11. Here’s the venue event web site:https://www.burlscreek.com |
| Sept 23 | September 23 I'm doing a songwriters night at the Cove in beautiful Westport. It's a quaint little resort with a great vibe and I've appeared there several times with Steve Piticco and Shawn McCullough. But this night I'm bringing the acoustic guitar and playing my ridiculous songs. Alongside of beautiful songs by Jenny Whitely, Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick. One JUNO winner and three nominees. This looks like it's going to be a great gig. This gig was organized by another fine songwriter/guitarist Kevin Head. There is a cover and details are likely on the Cove's own website: http://coveinn.com Reservations are recommended. |
| Sept. 29 | I'm subbing in once more for the great Mike McCurlie at the Fisher Pub in Hamilton. This is a cozy little club with a band set first and then an opportunity for talent to get up and sit in with the band. The drinks are gigantic and the food is awesome! Try the fish and chips. The Fisher Pub is located at 554 James St. N. in Hamilton ON, and we play From 9:00pm until midnight. No cover. |
| Sept 30 | I'm a man on a mission. Literally! I'm flying out to Mission BC to host and perform at a Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame show featuring myself, the Washboard Union, Kenny Hess, Kenny Hess, Becca Hess, One More Girl, Jackson Hollow headliner Aaron Pritchett (and possibly Jo-Jo Mason). The show will be a fund raiser for the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Ticket info on their website: http://www.ccmhalloffame.com/latest-news |
| October | |
| October 1 | I'm a man on a mission. Literally! I'm flying out to Mission BC to host and perform at a Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame show featuring myself, the Washboard Union, Kenny Hess, Kenny Hess, Becca Hess, One More Girl, Jackson Hollow headliner Aaron Pritchett (and possibly Jo-Jo Mason). The show will be a fund raiser for the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Ticket info on their website: http://www.ccmhalloffame.com/latest-news |
| October 5 | I’m in Hamilton again but this time I’m doing a special little concert at historic Grant Avenue Studios. Bob and Amy and the gang have been presenting intimate little shows there with a limited audience of about 20-25 people only. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with the artists. And what artists they’ve been, Gordon Lightfoot, Daniel Lanois, Garnet Rogers, and now… Me! Me and the lovely and talented Caroline Wiles. Caroline had a new album out this past year and I’m working on a new one, so lots of new material. We’ll be there for a double bill and a lot of fun. Here’s the website and the contact info is on there. https://www.grantavenuestudio.com/events |
| October 7 | It’s Betty and the Bobs biggest fan, both collectively and individually. Peter (Z.) loves this band and to prove it he will show up at gigs as far away as Sudbury, Sundridge, Kilbear Park, NotL, St. Catharines, Parry Sound and all over the GTA. So when he decided to throw himself a birthday party, who did he hire? Betty and the Bobs of course! If you’re not his pal we likely won’t see you. |
| October 14 | Big gig here. So secret I can’t even talk about it yet. Detail soon. |
| October 20-23 | I’m flying out to Vancouver to once more host the 41st British Columbia Country Music Awards show. This will be my return engagement and I’m really looking forward to it. But it’s a long night. Here in Ontario the CMAOntario gives out 16 awards. The BCCMA’s give out 30 AWARDS! Plus umpteen performances. I stutter a little in situations like this so I might be there until November! For information and tickets visit their website at: http://www.bccountry.com |
| October 27 | Betty and the Bobs reconvene in Brampton as part of the line-up for the Brampton Folk Clubs’ “Friday Night Folk Series’. At this point we’re not 100% sure all 7 of the members can make it? Suzie Vinnick and Dave Matheson are always traveling the globe. But we think we can get them all together. I’ve played this series many times and it’s a wonderful, warm crowd. But you have to get your tickets early because this event sells out so quickly…. as they have a lot of regular patrons. For show times and ticket and venue info go to:http://www.bramptonfolk.ca |
| October 29 | once again I'm the guitarist in the Mulligans Stew. The Stew is Kevin Phillips, Gary Taylor, Rob Gusevs, Rodney St. Amand and me. And we play some really awesome material. Stuff you don't hear other bands even attempt. We start at 4:00 and go to around 8:00. Lots of fun and guests often get up and do a number too. Mulligans is located in the Woodchester Plaza See their website: http://www.mulliganspub.ca/ |
| October 31 | it's Halloween and what scarier band to spend it with than Betty and the Bobs? Yes the folk supergroup is reconvening at Hugh's Room Live 2261 Dundas Street W. Toronto at 8:30pm. Reservations are recommended and there will be prizes for the best costumes. For reservations and ticket prices visit their website at: https://hughsroomlive.showare.com/ |
| November | |
| November 3 | Well if I got back from BC okay I’m going to be heading to Niagara-On-The-Lake along with my pal Katherine Wheatley to play at the Old Winery Restaurant with the Niagara Rhythm Section. It’s always a blast when we get together with these guys. Steve, Dave and Mike make us sound better than we are. And we always bring a few new songs along to keep the shows fresh. Both for us and the audience. And the food there is outstanding. Italian but GOOD Italian! We start at 9:30 and do two nice long sets. No cover. Here’s the Old Winery site: http://www.theoldwineryrestaurant.com |
| November 4 | November 4 I’m in a show that's a big fundraiser for Camp Kirk. Camp Kirk is a wonderful camp located in the Kawarthas that helps kids with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder and High Functioning Autism. They provide a strong nurturing, non competitive environment. And they’ve been operating for 25 years. I’ve done many gigs for them over the years and always enjoyed these selfless, giving people. Henri Audet and his wife Jane work tirelessly to make this place wonderful. I’m part of a package show featuring jazz singer Carol Welsman, her husband John Welsman, Molly Brown (Unsinkable I understand?) The Binders, Henri Audet and the Camp Kirk Choir. Oh and me of course! It will be held at the Toronto Centre For the Arts - 5040 Yonge Street, Toronto. For times and tickets go to: http://campkirk.com/event/ |
| November 19 | An intimate house concert style show at the lovely Midland Cultural Centre, this marks my 4th appearance there. Guess I’m ‘fair’ to Midland? The show starts at 7:00PM and the details will eventually show up here: http://www.midlandculturalcentre.com |
| November 26 | I'm back at Mulligans in the Woodchester Plaza in Mississauga at 2458 Dundas St. W. Their website is http://www.mulliganspub.ca/ We start at 4:00pm and go until 8:00. Always lots of fun and a new repertoire every show. |
| December | |
| December 3 | The annual Riverdale Share. This is an amazing concert with over 20 great acts. I’m usually in the house band (co-led by Tom Leighton and Steve Briggs) and occasionally I’m a featured performer. It takes place at the Danforth Music Hall and all the proceeds go to help families in the area that can’t afford food, presents or sometimes a place to live. Bring non perishable canned food items and feel good while you do good. |
| December 17 | I'm back at Mulligans Pub once again. Every Sunday Kevin Philips and the Stew get together to cook up some fine music. And about once a month I'm the designated guitar player. It's an extremely fun gig and there no cover and the pub food is great. Big fish and chips and great Sheppard's Pie. 4:00-8:00pm. http://www.mulliganspub.ca/ |
| 2018 | |
| January | |
| Jan 20 | Betty and the Bobs reconvene for the first time this year at the Newmarket Folk Society’s Concert Series. Detail will materialize as the date approaches. Here’s the official web site but this listing is so new, we’re not up there yet. Check back: https://newmarketfolksociety.wordpress.com/season/ |
| February | |
| March | |
| March 2-5 | Betty and the Bobs are once more the instructors for a long weekend folk camp for the Haliburton Folk Society. You can sign up for a myriad of classes. I’ll be instructing a course on the incineration of fiddles. If you have one at home, bring it along. I guarantee we’ll have a hot time. Bagpipes and hand drums are invited too. Along with ‘Ban'jos and Digeree’don’ts’. Seriously for info and to sign up, visit: https://www.winterfolkcamp.net |
| April | |
| April 20 | Myself and my good friend Steve Briggs are doing a duo. We always love playing together and tonight we get to do a set in front of an appreciative audience as part of Bob Bales, Springfling in Sudbury Ontario. Also on the show are the fantastic Traveling Mabels (three amazing gals and a few tag-along guys) and the band Union Duke. Details will be available in the spring. |
| E-mail: wendell@wendellferguson.com |
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