2

Meaghan Smith; Laura Smith; Paul Guise; Art Gallery of the

South Okanagan; JaimeRT and Fiddleworks; Paula and Mike

Fredericks; Roddy Campbell at Penguin Eggs; Saltscapes

Magazine; Jazz East; CTV Live at Five; Concerts in Your

Home; Russ & Julie’s House Concerts; CBC Radio; the many

music artists who have submitted profiles to our site; everyone

who has linked to acousticroof.ca; all of the support and feed-

back that we have received.

Acknowledgements

Call for Submissions, Donations, and Ads

We are requesting submissions for our newsletter and website.

The more that we have, the better updated readers will be. This

includes articles, reviews, pictures, and your experiences. We

will try to post as much of your information as possible. Also,

acousticroof.ca is requesting donations, ads, and sponsorships

to help maintain the site as a free resource for visitors. For

more information and a breakdown of our site costs, please visit

www.acousticroof.ca/donation.asp.

Traffic Notes—By Paula Fredericks

Page 2 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

The posters had been up for weeks, the radio interview went well, and the opening band arrived safely from BC. Meanwhile our

head liner was off to Ontario for back-to-back shows with David Francey, and The Be Good Tanyas before catching a red-eye

flight home to NS for our gig.

If you host house concerts you can relate to the dizzying number of thoughts that run through your mind as the date approaches.

And as the day arrives, the questions keep coming. Will they show up for sound check? Who is going to feed them? Do they

need a place to stay? Will anyone show up on a cold, wet Sunday evening in late October?

These questions were eventually answered for me as our fourth folk show of the year went off to a rousing reception at the Pe-

tite Riviere Fire Hall in Nova Scotia on October 29th. 65 brave souls ventured out, thanks in part to a good deal of word-of-

mouth generated by earlier performances that week by The Gruff, up and down the South Shore.

The Gruff are four young women from Victoria. Phaedra, Jenny, Terri and Selena took Nova Scotia by storm, playing gigs each

and every one of the 6 nights they spent here, traveling from Halifax to Liverpool to Wolfville and points between. They use the

term "coastal country" to describe their sound, which includes stand-up bass, acoustic guitar, violin, snare drum, harmonica and

three-part harmonies. They featured original sounds from their self-titled third album, as well as some traditional arrangements.

Their finale, a cover of the Old Crow Medicine Show tune "Wagon Wheel" had everyone in the house singing along and want-

ing more.

Old Man Luedecke took the stage after a short intermission, and immediately captivated the audience with his witty storytelling,

heartfelt songs and amazing banjo-skills. He began the set with "I quit my job" a song about committing to a life of music and

feeling freed by the decision. It is the lead track from his critically acclaimed album Hinterland, and one of his many song writ-

ing gems. He played many other stand-outs from hinterland, and his first recording A Mole in the Ground, and previewed some

new material. For his finale he invited the Gruff-girls back on stage to sing harmonies for ?Joy of cooking?, an irreverent little

number about the meaning of life, as found in a cookbook.

The good people from Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival were in the room that evening. Rumour has it both acts may have

played their way into the hearts of those who matter when it comes to setting the line-up for next years festival. I certainly hope

to see them on the big stage next August.

In the meantime, we at Little River Folk are going to put our feet up, enjoy some other live music this winter, and dream up a

program for next year's concert series. Look for our next show in March or April…

The Old Man & The Gruff at Little River Folk—By Leif Helmer

A Saskatoon jazz duo has found a house concert venue of a different sort – one that floats. Paschall & Dahl recently negotiated a six-show con-tract for this summer with Shearwater Tours, owners of the “Saskatoon Princess,” an intimate 30-seat cruise boat that tours the South Saskatche-wan River.

Suzanne Paschall says it’s a perfect marriage of intimacy and “public-ness”. “We find that there are people who love the idea of a house concert, but may never host one themselves, or may not be invited to one,” she said. “This is a way for people to have the intimacy of a house concert experience, but not have to know someone who is having one.”

Having watched the Princess go up and down the river in the summer, Paschall hit on the idea of the tradi-tional dinner cruise adding music. Owners Peter and Valerie Kingsmill were quick to say “yes”, as they had been thinking about music for quite a while. “Peter is a musician, and so is our skipper Mike Clark,” Valerie said, “and we had had some musical friends on from Alberta once a long time ago, and it was a big hit.” So Paschall’s written proposal, along with their press kit and CD, was warmly received. “Suzanne had thought through the presentation of the idea—the theme, marketing, etc.—and though we changed some of the ideas, the proposal was evidence that they knew what they were doing, and would de-liver a very professional and high quality product.”

Called “Louisiana Nights on the Sas-katchewan,” the cruise offers two op-tions to patrons. Tickets can either be purchased for the entire evening – a three-hour cruise that includes a full dinner, hors d’ouevres and the con-

cert after dinner. Or, be-cause the Princess returns briefly to dock after dinner, folks can also purchase the after-dinner hors d’ouevres, 1 ½-hour cruise and concert separately.

Paschall & Dahl’s duo show is a mixture of standards from the Great American Songbook and their original music, which they dub “swing noir”. With a key-board, amp and two micro-phones, they have a “footprint” of less than four by six feet, making them ideal for house concerts in even the smallest of rooms. With their first album a cou-ple of years old, and their second on the way, they have used house concerts for four years to help build support for their music in Saskatoon and surrounding communities.

“It’s a great idea that will sell well in the conference market,” said Mark England, a marketer for Tour-ism’s West Central region. “It’s unique, and conference organizers are always looking for interesting cul-tural offerings to add to their social schedule for conferees and their spouses. I think Louisiana Nights is going to be a great success.”

As if to prove that point, one of the dates has already been completely sold out to a confer-ence, and it was prior to the re-

lease of any promotion or publicity.

“We’re very excited to have the op-portunity to work with Valerie and Pe-ter and we hope that we also have the chance to tell people how great it is to have a live musical experience in a small space with a “private” audi-ence. Tommy and I get so much mu-

sical and emotional satisfaction from house concerts that it has become our preferred way to perform. We hope that providing this more public way for people to experience the inti-macy of a house concert will help us grow the network here in Saskatoon.”

Paschall has only one concern. “Well, I’m a very motion sensitive person, which is a nice way of saying I easily get sick, so let’s just say that Gravol will become a standard part of my pre-show routine.”

But it will be worth it, she says. The chance to sing on a hot summer’s evening while floating down the river promises to be a thrill all on its own. “Watching the sun set over the South Saskatchewan, performing with Tommy, people enjoying them-selves...maybe singing along…what could be better?”

What, indeed!

House Concerts...that float?

Page 2 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

A Saskatoon jazz duo has found a house concert venue of a dif-ferent sort...an intimate 30-seat cruise boat that tours the South

Saskatchewan River.

3

Page 3 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

Isaac and Blewett Transcend Montrose Life, for me, is a great long scavenger hunt, and wow, did I get the best list:

• Search for a partner who loves the things you love.

• Seek out a place and a way to live that feed your soul.

• Find pleasure in making your home a welcoming place.

• Look for ways for family and friends to gather together.

• Invite live music into your life and feel it change the world!

All of these were evidenced on the wild, mid-winter night when the warmly wonderful Tim Isaac and Jim Blewett rolled into our Montrose homestead; as natural a combination of hearts and minds and hands as I have ever witnessed.

Friends from near and far - many of whom had not yet had opportunity to love the lads’ songs but believed us when we said they would – braved the elements and settled in for what was to become a magical time. Town

folk and country folk met and mingled until, when the mu-sic began, all became entranced by the extraordinary sounds of Isaac and Blewett. Their music plucked and

plodded, danced and dove, slipped and swooped and subtly transformed the space into the sweetest place in the universe. Not a few of us had tears, many smiled at their wit and warmth, and all, I believe, felt the swells of emotion that rise when one is listening to music from the heart. I patted my life’s list in my pocket.

Spring is near, summer is com-ing, and we are looking for-ward to another day when live music fills the room and lifts our spirits to the timberframe roof beams – are you out there, Kev Corbett? Can you hear me, Thom Swift?

By Rena Kossatz

Oh, My Shepherds’ Pie

By Rena and Perry Kossatz

This aromatic comfort food is sure to

make your guest musicians smile!

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds ground lean natural beef

8 potatoes, peeled and chunked

1 cup corn niblets

¾ cup tomato paste

¾ cup crushed tomatoes or chili sauce

½ to ¾ cup milk

1 large onion, diced

1 medium red pepper, diced

¼ cup butter

ground black pepper

ground cloves

sea salt

Sauté finely diced onion, red pepper, and corn in grape seed or olive oil.

Brown ground beef; season with ground pepper, ground cloves, sea salt.

Boil, mash, then whip potatoes with milk; add generous blob of butter.

Combine browned ground beef, sautéed vegetable mixture, and tomato combo.

Spread in 9 inch by 13 inch by 2 inch baking pan; compact gently.

Top with whipped potatoes; stylize per preference/theme – see photo!

Brush top lightly with melted butter. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-25

minutes, or until potato topping is golden brown.

Allow to set before serving. Accompany with a generous side of greens.

Recipes Under the Roof

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Easy Pickin’s Why is it that you often learn about

some of the best things after you’ve

left a place? I grew up in Ontario,

but I never heard of Ottawa’s Lynne

Hanson. Well, now I have, and I can

tell you that I’ll be doing my best to

book her for a fall house concert.

Lynne Hanson’s 2006 debut release

“Things I Miss” has all of the best

pieces of a solid acoustic recording including great lyric-

centered tunes, fantastic vocals, and complimenting instrumen-

tation.

Lynne’s voice has a smoothness that is reminiscent of Anne

Murray, K.D. Lang, and Joni Mitchell. She has a wonderful

warmth and familiarity in her lyrics that draws you in front of her

fire (a great quality for house concerts).

It’s not hard to mention a few worthy tracks on the album. “Fell

Down a Wishing Well” speaks of only being able to come back

the way that you came. We’ve all been there. “Different Story”

is a killer love song with a sweet melody and harmonies. It’s

about the final moment between a couple with a failed relation-

ship. It’s so heartbreaking, yet I never want the song to end.

“Things I Miss” speaks of time spent searching for something

that you thought you needed when it was there all along.

Well, even if you think that life has passed you by, don’t miss

getting your hands on Lynne’s CD and/or booking her for your

next house concert. Visit www.lynnehanson.com for more.

Other Easy Pickin’s include Michael Pickett’s “Live at Winter-

folk,” Eve Goldberg’s “A Kinder Season,” and Ben Sures’

“Goodbye Pretty Girl.“

By Julian West

Concert Listings March 25 Mackerel Jack in Halifax, NS

March 28 James Gordon and Sons in Coldbrook, NS

April 1 Old Man Luedecke in St. Margaret’s Bay, NS

April 13 Julian West in Halifax, NS

April 27 Bill Garrett and Sue Lothrop in Milton, ON

April 27 Randy Jones and The Reflections in Ponoka, AB

April 28 David Myles in Halifax, NS

May 12 Rebekah Higgs w/ Jon McKiel in Petite Riviere, NS

June 1 Melwood Cutlery in Milton, ON

June 2 David Myles in Petite Riviere, NS

June 20 John Wort Hannam in Sackville, NS

June 21 David Francey and Guests in Petite Riviere, NS

Page 4 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

5

House Concerts have been going on for quite a while, be it an impromptu kitchen party, or a midwinter night gathered in front of a fireplace with a guitar or two strumming a song to warm more than just cold feet. They are something that can happen without too much organization but require key ingredients to keep everyone happy including the organizer, the audi-ence, and the perform-ers.

I first learned of House Concerts when listen-ing to CBC Radio one day where the local station, as they so of-ten do, was interview-ing an emerging musi-cian who was coming to town. But he and the band were not there to play a theatre or a bar; they were there to play in someone’s home. I later called the host and learned about what they were doing and how they did it.

I am now planning my 9th concert (in just over 2 years) and have had calls or ques-tions in the street from the regulars in the audience about when and who is playing next. I have to say, I need a bit of a break from putting another gig together be-cause they really do take a little effort. But it is the up front effort that makes any undertaking a success and therefore that much more enjoyable.

There’s no question there are a few things that make all the difference in hosting and enjoying a music event in your own home – here are what I think are the most important:

Promotion and music type

Maybe it is my rural location but give yourself at least two months to make people aware of the act that is coming; clearly describe the genre of music, go-ing beyond the musicians own adjectives so that you attract an audience who will appreciate and enjoy the music and you don’t lose folks who think this sound is not for them; and be sure you know the music yourself (and perhaps like it).

Ask for cash up front

Do not rely on people, especially friends, saying, “Great, sign me up, I’ll be there.”

A house concert can be perceived as a simple get together and some people seem to think they can change their plans and not show and they won’t be missed. This can play havoc with what

the band receives if they are just playing for gate receipts, or your own pocket book if there was an arranged price. I provide people with passes when a “donation” for the band is received and this is always well in advance of show time. This has to be the worst part of hosting – taking money from friends, neighbours, etc., but if you do not make this a standard practice you’re looking at misery. The pass acts as not only a re-minder of the show (musicians, date, and time) but as a commitment by the pur-chaser to support the event. I try to sof-ten the business approach by writing on every pass, “100% non-refundable – wholly transferable”, and my favourite

part of hosting a concert, next to the mu-sic night itself, is selling that last pass – its time to relax and get ready for a night of music.

Cater to your audience

It’s the folks who have committed to come and pay to see music in your home

who allow this to happen for each other, the musicians and you. I serve snacks (chips, nuts, coffee, and crackers) and ensure there is ice, glasses and some-times extra mix, limes or lemons on hand. I also have an out-of-the-way place for coats and boots, explain where the bathroom and the exits are, and tell everyone to make themselves at home. Everyone feels they are part of the event and this makes people want to be part of the next one – in fact more and more people are bringing homemade treats to add to the spread around the table.

Feed the musicians, if you can

As mentioned, the musicians usually have to travel to get to my home but even if they are coming from just across town offer them supper before the show. This is a great way to settle into your evening of hosting and also get to meet and know your musical guests. When you go to introduce them later that evening it’s as if you are introducing a colleague or band mate.

Those are four of the more important points that help me make these events enjoyable, but be sure your room is a good size with good views, don’t pack too many people in; have enough but not too many seats; best not to have any pets around; and remind people that you are a responsible host and that they should have a dedicated driver. As a non-smoker, I have a no-smoking venue and that is very acceptable these days and in fact expected, especially in Ontario as there is no smoking in bars or any public places. And remember that even while

the music plays you are the host of the musicians and the audience – be prepared to cater to both throughout the night and realize as much as you would love to sit back, a host is a host and should be responsible for ensur-ing a good event.

So, plan well, plan early and enjoy the fact that you have just ar-ranged a great live music event in your very own home. It’s hard not to enjoy the music and entire atmosphere and want to do it again and again.

By Peter Garapick

Cookin’ Up House Concert Success

Page 5 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

The Rick Fines Trio is the latest act to perform at the

home of Peter Garapick this past February 9th. The

50 people who were there were wowed as he played

a blues, roots, jazz sound and told not a few stories

that got a chuckle or two from the audience. He’s a

great entertainer who travels all over the country

and may be in your neck of the woods soon – like

most musicians, they love to play and a house con-

cert let’s them play to a dedicated crowd.

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Do: 1. Attend a house concert if at all possible - there's no

better education.

2. Become excellent at what you do. It's amazing how many people delude them-selves. (want proof? Ameri-can Idol)

3. Be personal. Show that you've done your research, and that you regard the host as a valuable human being who is doing a wonderful thing for the arts - even if they won't book you.

4. Be humble. Understand that no matter how good you are, there will always be people who aren't turned on by your music.

5. Be reasonable. Understand that hosts have limited schedules - and will never be able to book every act they like.

6. Be consistent. People are busy, and sometimes mes-sages don't get returned. If that hurts your feelings, you are doomed. Every host is different, but it is wise to follow up (no more than once or twice a month) un-til you get at least a “we received your package.” After that, back off. An occasional polite reminder (“I’m tour-ing in your area in November...”) no more than once a quarter should keep you from wearing out your wel-come. If you get a “no, thank you” or no response for a year - be respectful and move on.

7. Be generous. Consider hosting a house concert for an artist you admire. Think of it as a Karma deposit.

8. Be pro-active. There's no quicker way to get house concert bookings than to educate your fans - consis-tently. Emails, website links, and announcements from the stage!

9. Be accommodating. Each house concert host has dif-ferent needs and concerns. Learn them. Honor them. And make sure they understand your needs.

10. Be cool. You're an artist for Pete’s sake! You CAN be professional without being corporate.

Don't: a. Ignore 1-10 above. Especially #2.

b. Lose heart if things don’t happen quickly. Hardly any-thing good ever does.

c. Underestimate travel costs, and travel time.

d. Forget to build your mailing list. It's more important than selling CDs.

e. Ignore the musical tastes of the host. If they want bluegrass - you better be bluegrass before you call.

f. Expect guarantees. If you must ask, be gentle, and be prepared for a "no."

g. Expect to fill 2 hours with one album of material.

h. Forget to ask about pets/smoking if you are allergic or dependent on either.

i. Be desperate. It shows. It always shows.

j. Forget that people want to have fun. If your music is depressing, your stage patter better not be.

k. Underestimate the intimacy of house concerts. Some artists are uncomfortable being that close to the audi-ence.

l. Assume that the host can fill the room without your help. Be ready to promote if their house concert series is open to the public.

m. Assume room and board are included, or anything else for that matter, until you ask.

By Fran Snyder

www.concertsinyourhome.com

www.fransnyder.com

House Concert Tips for Artists

Page 6 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

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South Shore Scene and Heard

Page 7 The Roof, Spring, 2007, Issue 4

You might think that quaint saltbox

homes, crashing surf and seafood is

about all we have going on down on

Nova Scotia’s south shore. As it turns

out, this area is fast becoming a

house concert hotbed.

Anchored by the renowned Lunen-

burg Folk Harbour Festival held each

August, live music has found a per-

manent home in Lunenburg county.

Over the past 12 months, with the

help of acousticroof.ca things have

really accelerated for live music in

the area.

In April Little River Folk began host-

ing established and up-and-coming

performers, using the community fire

hall in Petite Riviere as a venue. Dar-

ren Arsenault, Nick Jeffrey, Verbal

Warnin’, Old

Man

Luedecke,

The Gruff,

and Museum

Pieces were

part of the

2006 concert

series.

Spring 2007

features headliners Rebekah Higgs

(May 12), David Myles (June 2) and

David Francey (June 21), with Amelia

Curran and Gysophilia lined up for

the fall.

Last November, the Folk Harbour

fest expanded

its musical

offerings to

bring high

quality live

acts to the

Pearl Theatre

stage every

month. James

Keelaghan,

Ray Bonne-

ville, Rose

Cousins, and

Isacc & Blewitt

have been

featured so

far.

And this January Seaweed Events

was launched, hosting indie folk trou-

badour Craig Cardiff at the Pearl

Theatre.

Upcoming

shows in-

clude Bocce

with Knock

Knock Gin-

ger April 3,

and the

United

Steelworkers of Montreal with the

Tom Fun Orchestra on May 26.

As Lunenburg county expands it mu-

sical offerings, the same trend ap-

pears to be happening in both

Queens and Shelburne counties fur-

ther down the shore. Venues such as

the Astor Theatre, Mersey House

and Osprey Arts Centre continue to

improve facilities and make extensive

bookings to support live acts.

These intimate stages offer a unique

opportunity for touring acts that book

into Halifax for a weekend show to

share their music in nearby stages

around the same date, within an hour

or so of the city.

By Leif Helmer

These intimate stages offer a unique

opportunity for touring acts that

book into Halifax for a weekend

show to share their music in nearby

stages around the same date, within

an hour or so of the city.

Credits & Contact Cover Photo by Tim Isaac

Welcome to our new house concert venues including

108 King, Liberty Concert Series, BobCat House Con-

certs, Back Alley Music House Concert, Massa House

Concerts, Bicentennial Theatre, and Borden Street Folk

House

Writers: Julian West, Rena Kossatz, Peter Garapick,

Fran Snyder, and Leif Helmer

Editor: Julian West

Email: contact@acousticroof.ca

Website: www.acousticroof.ca

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For more on the three Lunenburg

concert series see any of the follow-

ing:

www.myspace.com/littleriverfolk

www.seaweedevents.com

www.folkharbour.com