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| The Date: |
The Details:
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| June | |
| June 1 | It’s Sunday, but I’m NOT at Mulligan’s Pub. WTF!?!?! It’s the Awards weekend for the Country Music Association of Ontario (The CMAO). I’ll be MD’ing the fine band (consisting of the Western Swing Authority, plus me) and we’ll be backing up all the stars and nominees for the show. And Jason McCoy will again be the ultimate host. It will be held at The Music Hall in Hamilton and for more details and tickets go here. https://cmaontario.ca/2021-cmaontario-awards-nominees-announced-2/ |
| June 5 | I'm doing a private ‘Wendell Acoustic Show" in the Guelph area. It’s a house concert that only seats 35 maximum, but if you live up that way and want to come (possibly? no promises) let me know. I’ll see what I can do. |
| June 6 | The Montcrest Swing Band are playing at Grossman’s Tavern tonight starting at 7:00PM. This is a band made up of big-band loving players (sometimes 21 of us) and we play all the old stuff. Lots of Ellington, Basie, Les Brown, Goodman, Woody Herman, Jobim, and even some Bacharach. And since Fergus Hambleton is in the band he sings several selections. So now we have a vocalist! Reservations are recommended. Grossman’s Tavern is located at Spading Ave. Toronto, On. https://grossmanstavern.com |
| June 8 | Please! I beg of you… don’t make me write this shite all out again! I promise I’ll be good. I can’t take it anymore. Just go to almost any Sunday in my schedule and you’ll see I’m at Mulligans Pub again starting at 4:00PM. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| June 14 | Ed Smith and the Even Squares are playing again at the Black Bear Pub. This is a neat little spot on O’Connor Drive and every Tuesday night features top-notch jazz acts (I understand Lorne Lofsky plays there regularly) We play traditional country music and the band is hot, Hot, HOT!!! Downbeat is 8:00PM. The Black Bear is located at 1125 O’Connor Drive (Hey! That rhymes!) Their website seems to be acting funny/weird? So I won’t post it here. |
| June 15 | ARRGH! It’s Mulligan’s Pub once more. You know the details. Check any Sunday and then print them out and staple that to your forehead. That ought work! https://mulliganspub.ca |
| June 20 | The Stew are back at Long Branch (101) Legion for a night of music and dancing. WE do the music, YOU do the dancing! It all starts at 8:00pm. And the beer is extra cold and extra cheap! Located at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd in Etobicoke. Here’s the website: https://www.legion101.com |
| June 22 | Okay, Count to 10, breathe, breathe, Calm myself…I’m at Mulligans’ Pub again. Why? Because it’s Sunday and that’s where I am every Sunday (almost) You must know the deets by now. 4:00pm start. Good Music, good food, Website: https://mulliganspub.ca |
| June 28 | I’m doing another ‘Wendell Solo Acoustic Show”. This time for solo show at a lovely church in Hawkestone On. Just south of Orillia. The concert starts at 2:00pm and goes until 4:00-ish. This is small, private show. If you’re in the area and would like to attend, you’ll have to contact me. No promises, but I’ll see what I can do? |
| June 29 | I’m guest guitarist with my old buddy Ron Robertson. I produced an album for Ron last year and I love playing with him and the guys, (Mike and Albert). This gig starts at 2:00pm and goes until we stop. At the Port Dover Legion 212 Market St. East. They don’t seem to have website, but here’s their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/PortDoverRoyalCanadianLegionBranch158/ |
| July | |
| July 4 | I’m doing a gig in the Algonquin Highlands with Bill McConnell (of Steel Horse Gypsies fame) and Bobby Wiseman (of Blue Rodeo fame) at a place called Boshkung Smokehouse. We start at 7pm and go until 10. I’ve never been there but I do loved smoked food! The address is 1095 Redden Rd. Algonquin Highlands ON. K0M 2S0. Website: https://www.boshkungsmokehouse.com |
| July 5 | What are you going to do on a beautiful, sunny afternoon in Port Hope. Go inside and hear some great, traditional country music of course. Ed Smith and the Even Squares return to the Ganaraska Hotel, 30 Ontario Street in Port Hope. Downbeat is 2:00PM and we go until 6:00. Ganaraska Hotel website: http://www.ganny.ca |
| July 11-12 | I’m so honored I’ve been asked to MC the Mud Creek Bluegrass Festival held at Ken Vernon Memorial Park in Parkhill Ontario. This is a 3 day event with lots of top bluegrass entertainment that I can’t wait to experience. I’m only hosting Friday evening and all day/night Saturday. Then someone else will be taking over Sunday. A special treat for me is I get to pick a little electric guitar on Friday evening as Crystal Gage takes the stage (Hey! Another Rhyme!) You'll hear some of my silly songs and I’ll keep you well entertained between acts. For tickets and info visit their website at: https://mudcreekbluegrassfestival.com |
| July 17 | I’m playing a fun gig in the Beaches with my pal Mike Daley. We make some great music together and we rarely do the same tune once (let alone twice). We start at 6PM and go until 8PM. There’s no cover but we will turn you upside down and shake you until your pockets are empty. The gig is at Castro’s Lounge at 2116 Queen Street East in the Beach area. Here’s their website: https://castroslounge.com |
| July 18 | Betty and the Bob’s fly once more. This folk music 'super group' only plays a few times a year. With 7 individual artists it’s harder than herding cats to get us all together. (We’re missing Katherine Wheatley on this one as she’s off touring with her band, Boreal). But you’ll still hear ME, plus David Matheson, Soozi Schlanger, Suzie Vinnick, David Woodhead and Rich Greenspoon! 6 out of 7 is pretty good odds (and we are a little odd). The gig takes place at Farmgate Cider. 4547 Mohr's Rd, Arnprior, ON. (613) 291-1788 We’re performing at the actual ‘Cidery’, (which brings several jokes to my mind… none of which I’ll put down in print.) The show starts at 7:00pm and more info on the Cidery, directions and tickets can be found here:https://farmgatecider.ca/products/music-in-the-cidery-betty-and-the-bobs And you can email them here: info@farmgatecider.ca |
| July 19 | I’m playing guitar with Elvis! Well not the real Elvis… he’s supposedly dead (or is he?) But it's a private event and I probably shouldn’t be writing about it? |
| July 26 | The Stew are returning to Revival 1863 in downtown Orangeville. This is a cool spot if you’ve never been there. (Hell! It’s a cool spot even if you have been there) We start at 8:00pm and go hard for about 3 sets.The band is Smoking (metaphorically), the drinks are Smoking (literally) and the food is Smoked (Depending on what you ordered?) Recommendations are recommended, call (519) 307-2100. 35 Armstrong St. Orangeville. Here’s the website: https://www.revival1863.com/home |
| August | |
| Aug 2 | I’m back down in the Port Dover area for a private gig. That means YOU can’t come. It’s with Ron Robertson and his band and it’s a fun celebration at a beautiful park overlooking Lake Erie. I can’t say anymore about it or I won’t get paid in pie! |
| Aug 8 | I’m once again playing with Bill McConnell and Bobby Wiseman. This time at the Old Flame Brewing Company, 140 Main Street, Newmarket ON. L3Y 3Y7. I’ve never been here either. Lots of new places this summer. This gig starts at 7PM and goes until 10. Here’s their website: https://oldflamebrewingco.ca |
| Aug 9 | I’m once again sitting in with my pals The Lost Patients. This one is at Markham Woods Golf Course... so it’s likely a private/members only affair. But what the heck.. It makes me look busy. Sorry, no info. |
| Aug 21-22 | I’m playing with my longtime buddy, Lou Moore at Canada’s biggest party, The EX! Yes the Canadian National Exhibition. I’ve been going to it since I was a baby and have performed there many times. We’re playing country and bluegrass with a tiny bit of rock from noon until 3:00PM BOTH days! Our show is free with admission to the EX. Here’s their website: https://www.theex.com |
| Aug 25 | I’m up in Killbear Park (a beautiful park!) playing for the Killbear Cottagers Assoc. I played for them a few years back and they must be sticky;ers for punishment, because I’m back again. (Or as I say, ‘Held Under by popular demand). No info as they don’t want stragglers like you coming to their private party. |
| Aug 29 | I’m once again adding my guitar playing to an already awesome band. The Lost Patients. This is another 'members only' gig at the Etobicoke Yacht Club. I wonder if I should come in my yacht? Or perhaps I’ll take my dinghy out? Not in Public!!! |
| September | |
| Sept 5 | I’m playing with The Steelhorse Gypsies (Bill McConnell again but this time it’s with the full band) at another gig at the Bushkung Smokehouse. The address is 1095 Redden Rd. Algonquin Highlands ON. K0M 2S0. The directions are on their website: https://www.boshkungsmokehouse.com |
| Sept 6 | I’m so honoured that I’ll be doing my own show at the Hollyrood Jamboree Country Festival Fall Classic. This is a 3 day event that I’ve played in the past with my trio with Steve Pittico and Shawn McCullough and myself. But this year I’m flying under my own steam (is that even a metaphor?) as I’ll be doing my show backed by the house band. And they’re really good. So make plans to hear some traditional country music and my humorous and flashy guitar-playing set. For tickets, directions and the full line-up go to: https://hollyroodjamboree.com/fall-classic |
| Sept 11 | I’m heading west to Kelowna BC for the Canadian Country Music Association’s annual Country Music Week. My duties are simple. Put a crack band together for the Legends Show. A cornerstone event at CCMA Week. I don’t know who will be appearing at this point... but you know who will? The CCMA. That’s who. Check out their website and it will tell you everything you need to know: https://ccma.org/kelowna-2025/ |
| Sept 13 | I’ll be doing one more ‘private' gig this summer with The Stew. It’s some sort of an afternoon ’Neighbours Party’ in the Orangeville area. That’s all I know about it. Sorry Peeps! |
| Sept 14 | The summer’s over and the fall is falling into place. Once again The Stew starts up at Mulligan’s Pub. Every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. I always used to say, ‘Great food, cold beer and great music with no cover charge.” But I was wrong. They do add a $5 entertainment charge on your bill. But you know, with a band of talented, factory-trained, professional musicians like we have, $5 ain’t too bad. Mulligan’s Pub is located at 2458 Dundas St. W. just one block east of Winston Churchill Blvd. on the south side. Here’s their website. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Sept 19 | The Stew is back at the Long Branch Legion. Branch 101. This is a fun gig that starts at 7PM and they dance at the drop of a hat. It’s cool inside, the beer is cheap and so is the band. The Legions website: https://www.legion101.com |
| Sept 20 | Wendell and Wheat ride again I haven’t been doing many shows with my good, old friend Katherine Wheatley this year. We’ve both been busy with other things. But we are getting together for this house concert show. It takes place in Port Perry. No solid details yet but I’ll be posting more info here soon. |
| Sept 21 | It’s Sunday so guess where I am and what I’m doing. Don’t make me repeat it! PLLLLLEASSSSE! https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Sept 27 | Bill McConnell, Bobby Wiseman and I are at The Pattie House 6673 Highway 35, Coboconk, ON. K0M 1K0. Another spot I’ve never been to. Downbeat is 8PM and we go until 11. The burgers sure look good on their website: https://www.pattiehouse.com |
| Sept 28 | Mulligan’s Pub! All roads lead here…well, all roads..if you’re on either Winston Churchill Blvd. or Dundas Street W. in Mississauga. You know the drill by now. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| October | |
| Oct 5 | The Stew is appearing at Mulligan’s Pub. Just look up or down to any other Sunday and the info will be readily available. My typing fingers are sore and bleeding. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Oct 11 | Ed Smith and the Even Squares tear it up once more at The Black Bear Pub. We have an excellent band of factory trained musicians and we love playing for the appreciative audiences here. We start at 8 and go until we’re exhausted. Be there or be square. Here’s their website: https://www.blackbearpub.ca |
| Oct 12 | Mulligans Pub once more. Look what you’ve made me do! I’m cutting and pasting an older blurb here, because I can’t think of any other way to do this. It’s Sunday! So guess where I am? No hints. You can do it. Think back, way back. Mulligans Pub with The Stew. Ringing any bells, Pavlov? Starting at 4PM. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Oct 17 | The Stew are again performing at Orangeville’s secret underground night spot, Revival 1863. Don’t ask me. I have no idea to what the name of this place is referring to? But it’s definitely a cool spot. They’re located at 35 Armstrong St... Rear entrance. Reservations are definitely recommended. https://www.revival1863.com/home |
| Oct 19 | OH NO! Actually OH YES! I’m back at Mulligan’s Pub in the Woodchester Mall, 2458 Dundas St. W. Miss. (one block east of Winston Churchill on the south side). Downbeat is 4:00PM and we rock until around 7:00-ish? Be there to be square. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Oct 23 | Wendell and Wheat head north to do a few shows for the folks in the near north. The one tonight is a private affair not open to the public, but I can tell you it’s in Sault Ste. Marie. It’s a little out of the GTA but it’s actually really good it’s in the Soo because so are our next two gigs. |
| Oct 24 | Wendell & Wheat are back at The Loft. An absolutely beautiful venue in the Soo. Part of the Algoma Conservatory of Music. Concert starts at 7:30PM. All the venue details and access to tickets are on their website. https://algomaconservatory.com/the-store/p/wendell-wheat-friday-october-24-2025-730-pm-the-loft |
| Oct 25 | On our way back home we’re stopping at a venue we’ve played many times. The Cafe-In-The-Woods. It is actually a ski lodge but Kerrene Tilson and her team present concerts in the non-skiing season. It’s a lovely warm night with fantastic desserts and the nicest people Little Current grows. For tickets contact Kerrene at (249) 977-0009 or you can do an e-transfer to manitoulinskiclub@gmail.com Doors open at 6:30 and show starts at 7:30PM. Cafe-In-The-Woods is located at Little Current Alpine Ski Club – 2619 Hwy 540. And because I’m way the hell up north I”ll be subbing out my regular Sunday at Mulligans… but they always get great subs. |
| Oct 26 | Once again The Stew is at Mulligan’s Pub. Every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. I always used to say, ‘Great food, cold beer and great music with no cover charge.” But I was wrong. They do add a $5 entertainment charge on your bill. But you know, with a band of talented, factory-trained, professional musicians like we have, $5 ain’t too bad. Mulligan’s Pub is located at 2458 Dundas St. W. just one block east of Winston Churchill Blvd. on the south side. Here’s their website. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| November | |
| Nov 2 | It’s Sunday so after you get out of church c’mon down to Mulligans’ Pub for some rip-roaring music by The Stew. Mulligan’s is located at 2458 Dundas St. W. in Mississauga. We start at 4 and go until after 7. Lots of fun, drinks and food, and a great crowd of regular patrons. Here’s the website: https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Nov 9 | Please no! Not again. Sorry, it’s not the gig i’m writing about. I love playing the gig! It’s the constantly having to repeat myself seemingly forever. I should just add a page to my website that say, ‘If it’s Sunday afternoon, you know where I am!’ But that wouldn’t help. Because once in a while I sub out. But not this Sunday. I’m at Mulligan’s again! You know the deets. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Nov 15 | Held under by popular demand! Ed Smith and the Even Squares are back at the Ganaraska Hotel in beautiful downtown Port Hope. (I seem to be playing a lot of ‘Ports’ this year. Port Perry, Port Dover, Port Hope. Guess gotta learn some sailor songs. We take the stage at 2:pm and don’t give it back until we’re done (around 6). This is traditional, country music played by factory-trained professionals. Don’t try this at home! http://www.ganny.ca |
| Nov 16 | Please! I beg of you… don’t make me write this shite all out again! I promise I’ll be good. I can’t take it anymore. Just go to almost any Sunday in my schedule and you’ll see I’m at Mulligans Pub again starting at 4:00PM. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Nov 18-23 | I have the honour of playing some gigs with a troupe I’ve been working with off and on for seven years. The show is different every year but always interesting. "Arts & Music Collide" is what they call it and I’ll try and describe it for you; While the performers take the stage and play some great versions of songs you know, a painter works quietly and diligently behind them. When we hit a musical climax he reveals what he’s been painting. It’s incredible! He can paint upside down, or on rotating canvases and even blind folded! And the portraits are alway a 'spot on' of the person he’s depicting. We did this several years so I know there’ll be some Beatle songs and this year he’s branching out to cover (and paint) other popular faces. The paintings are also available to purchase and the best thing is, the money goes to charity! You can’t beat it. And the musical talent is amazing. Richard Smith, a finger-style guitarist (Beckenham, England now living in Nashville) https://www.richardsmithmusic.com, his wife, Julie Adams (a professional cellist) https://www.richardsmithmusic.com/richard-smith-julie-adams, Sarah Smith (once from London Ontario now out in BC and she’s an internationally renowned singer/songwriter) https://www.sarahsmithmusic.com as well as Rory Hoffman (originally from North Dakota, now living in Nashville world renowned blind singer/guitarist from the USA) https://www.roryhoffman.com, myself (from good ole’ Streetsville, Canada) http://www.wendellferguson.com as well as a few more special musicians. I don’t have all the venues confirmed right now but they’re all in the South-Western Ontario area (London, Windsor, Guelph, etc.) Please check back closer to the date. These are shows you don’t want to miss! |
| Nov 30 | I’m back with The Stew. Mulligans Pub. Mulligan's is located at 2458 Dundas Street W. Mississauga. We start at 4PM and go until 7 or 7:30. This is a fun gig, we never play the same song, the same way, twice. And the endings are ALL fresh. But great musicians and lots of fun. Kinda like ‘Cheers’. I know everyone in the joint. Oh, and the food is great too! I eat there every week. Here’s the link: https://mulliganspub.ca |
| December | |
| Dec 7 | HEY! I’m not at Mulligans Pub this Sunday! Surprise, surprise! Oh the Stew are still performing there, but I’m subbing out to give my time to an excellent cause; The Annual Riverdale Share Concert. It’s a special day when many performers, musicians, dancers, choirs, actors and comedians (as well as sound professionals, theatre workers and just good people) donate their time to raise money for this great charity. The Riverdale Share ensures that everyone gets some food on their table and presents at Christmastime. As many families and individuals fall through the cracks and this organization helps insure they all can enjoy the holidays. It takes place at the Danforth Music Hall and starts at 2:00pm. It often sells out, so get your tickets early! For tickets and info go to:https://riverdaleshare.com |
| Dec 13 | Betty and the Bobs are making a rare appearance at Hugh’s Room Live. I believe we are anyway. This one isn’t 100% confirmed but it will probably happen. This is a venerated venue we played at very frequently when they first opened. But through the years we’ve tapered off more and more. Now at their new location we tested the waters last year and there’s still some interest in our band of seasoned folk artists. Who are we? Betty and the Bobs consists of three ladies up front; Suzie Vinnick (guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, vocals) Soozi Schlanger (fiddle vocals and percussion) and Katherine Wheatley (vocals and acoustic guitar). They’re all artists in their own right. But together, the vocals are stupendous. And behind them are Dave Matheson (piano, vocals, guitar) David Woodhead (bass, guitar, piano, vocals) Rich Greenspoon (drums and percussion) and me, Wendell Ferguson (guitars and vocals). We play a mixed bag of folk, country, blues and R & B classics, some humorous songs, some instrumentals and lots of original songs. I'm sure we’re going to have everyone roaring for our big ‘finale' with (or as I pronounce it, ‘Finally!’) Hugh's Room is located at 296 Broadview Avenue on Toronto’s east side. Here’s the website: https://hughsroomlive.com |
| Dec 14 | Guess what? It’s Sunday so you know where I’ll be. Cranking out the tunes with the Stew. A great bunch or talented musicians….plus me. We start at 4:00PM so be there or be square. You know the drill. 2458 Dundas St. W, Mississauga. Here’s the website: https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Dec 19 | The Stew are back in Orangeville at Revival 1863. We’ve been playing here regularly for the last few years and have amassed a good crowd of locals as well as some of our regular followers from our other venues. It’s a classy spot and reservations are recommended. We start at 8:00pm and here’s their website: https://www.revival1863.com/home |
| Dec 21 | I’m back with The Stew. Mulligans Pub. Mulligan's is located at 2458 Dundas Street W. Mississauga. We start at 4PM and go until 7 or 7:30. This is a fun gig, we never play the same song, the same way, twice. And the endings are ALL fresh. But great musicians and lots of fun. Kinda like ‘Cheers’. I know everyone in the joint. Oh, and the food is great too! I eat there every week. Here’s the link:https://mulliganspub.ca |
| Dec 28 | Please! I beg of you… don’t make me write this shite all out again! I promise I’ll be good. I can’t take it anymore. Just go to almost any Sunday in my schedule and you’ll see I’m at Mulligans Pub again starting at 4:00PM. https://mulliganspub.ca |
| 2026 | |
| January | |
| Jan 17 | Katherine Wheatley and myself have a duo known as "Wendell & Wheat” and we love playing together. It’s a symbiotic, magical pairing that always ignites. We don’t have to work at it, it just happens. She writes and sings beautiful songs and I write and sing well… my songs. But the beauty of it is you’re laughing one second and crying the next. (as one reviewer put it, ‘One doesn’t leave a dry eye in the house, the other doesn’t leave a dry seat.” We’re performing at the lovely Registry Theatre in Kitchener Ontario. For tickets and info please go here: https://registrytheatre.com |
E-mail: wendell@wendellferguson.com
