Love for the Grad Club - Fundraiser at Blu Martini - Sunday, June 9th + DRR Concert News

Attention music fans: the Grad Club needs you. Let's show the city of Kingston that we want live music to survive and thrive!

Come to Blu Martini on Sunday, June 9th from 3-8PM to support the Grad Club, and to take a stand for local culture and the small live music venue.

The story of the Grad Club's financial troubles are far from uncommon across the province, country, even across the world! Small music venues everywhere were forced to cease operations during COVID, burning through any reserves they had, and taking on support loans just to keep the lights on. Now loans are coming due and rents are being increased, the result being that the ecosystem of small venues in this country is under threat.

It's time to stand up for culture and recognize the importance of art and music as it relates to the collective well-being and mental health of our society.

Tickets are by donation($25 suggested) and are available on Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/896504116947 

This is going to be an incredible afternoon/evening of music!

Luther Wright will be hosting this concert event which will feature performances by:

Holy Wow
Jon McLurg Old Tyme Trio 
Piner
Hugh Christopher Brown & Stephen Stanley
Goldwing
The Mill-Rights
Tim Sheffield
Dead Root Revival

**plus surprise guests!!**

________________________________________

DRR CONCERT NEWS

In addition to the Grad Club fundraiser on June 9th, DRR has some fun concerts coming up over the next month. First up is the Summer Kickoff Music Festival at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith this Saturday, May 25th. This is a free admission event, and features music from 4-10 PM (our set is at 7 PM). 

Ottawa fans be sure to catch our show at The Rainbow Bistro on Thursday, May 30th with well-known local singer-songwriter Graven opening the show in full band style! Tickets available here: https://therainbow.ca/event/5434804/670192413/dead-root-revival-kingston-wsg-graven

On Saturday, June 22nd, Dead Root Revival returns to Furnace Falls Farm in Lyndhurst, ON. We are really looking forward to this concert, as we had an amazing show there last year, and the setting is magical for live music: a big old barn with a 100-foot ceiling. An important note for DRR superfans: while we are playing some shorter sets in the Kingston region, June 22nd will be one of the only chances this summer to take in the full-on two hour concert experience that you have become accustomed to seeing from the band. Not to be missed!

Toronto: we are returning on Friday, June 28th! Hold off on your holiday weekend excursions out of the city and take in a good ol' fashioned (early) rock show! We're at The Painted Lady on Ossington, Lauren Carson opens the show with a solo acoustic set at 7 PM. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dead-root-revival-with-lauren-carson-tickets-850383037557

See you at the rock show!

Tom

One Night Only: Brock Zeman and Tom Savage in Concert

If you are in the Chelsea/Wakefield/Gatineau-area next Friday, November 24th, don't miss the rare opportunity to take in a concert by myself and Brock Zeman! We've made a few excursions around Ontario in 2023 performing in-the-round style, and it makes for an entertaining concert, showcasing our distinctive songwriting styles. Fans of Americana, Roots, Blues, don't want to miss this one.

Motel Chelsea is located at 1418 Route 105 Chelsea, QC J9B 1P4

Tickets are available on Eventbrite ( https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/motel-chelsea-presents-troubadours-tom-savage-brock-zeman-tickets-688497363147) or at the door(reservations are recommended).

Spread the word!

Cheers,
Tom

Motel Chelsea presents Troubadours : Tom Savage & Brock Zeman

Combined, this duo of grass roots Eastern Ontario musicians have released 25 albums over the past twenty years, performed thousands of concerts, and traversed the continent more times than one cares to remember. Now they are joining forces to take you on a journey through their collective songbook; retelling tales of the road, love and loss, and life lived on the wrong side of town.

About Brock Zeman

“With a voice that recalls early Tom Waits crossed with Johnny Dowd, a talking blues style, and backing instrumentation that lays down a slinky late night groove Zeman makes MUSIC THAT FILLS THE SOUL… Discovery of the year so far.” -Americana UK

“Jaw dropping songwriting genius.” - Fatea Records

“His songs have more depth than can be realized first time through, which only enhances with each listen.” -Penguin Eggs

About Tom Savage

"Coming on like a rocking, later day Townes Van Zandt, Savage colors outside the lines with tales of those living beyond the margins. Every generation needs one who holds up the fun house mirror to the absurdities and this is a cult hero for our times"- Midwest Record Review

"We are dealing with a brilliant poet and troubadour" - Country Jukebox

"Recommended to those who still believe in Roots Rock power and poetry" - Lonestar Time

Back from tour! The CD is Not Dead!

Rolled back into Kingston after a long haul from Wawa, Ontario and slowly getting my bearings, and adjusting to being back home. As usual, the tour  was a hard slog, an enjoyable ride, a test of will and endurance and patience, and a whole lotta fun all rolled into one. Thanks to the venues ( and their staff), presenters, sound techs, fellow musicians, and friends new and old who opened their homes to this weary traveler. I very much appreciate your support.

This new record is a real trip. I've never done anything where art intersected with life so much. Developing the sound and playing style of the solo show and touring it over much of the past decade gives this new album the feel of the culmination of an 8 + year art project. The audience is a large part of the process, and it feels really good to give them (and you!) an album that reflects exactly what I'm doing on stage. 

Sales went really well on tour. The CD is not dead folks! If anything, I've seen an uptick in sales over the past few years. Needless to say, I am very thankful for this! As a full time musician ( performing mostly original music), merchandise sales are a vital ingredient to my survival in this business. I understand the convenience and choice that comes from streaming services ( I've used them myself), but I'm not seeing how to make money from them. And a large portion of the money I make from record sales goes directly back into my art. 

I was listening to some music industry podcasts while on the road, and they were chanting the mantra of "The CD is dead. Streaming is everything." and I couldn't help but ask aloud while driving, "But how do you make money from it!" They never answered me. My own conclusion: You don't!

It is for this reason that my new record, Great Beyond, will not be available on streaming services ( except for a single or two for a sampling). If you want to listen, you'll have to buy it. I make records for three reasons: 1) artistic expression, 2) to share my music with my fans, and 3) to make money to make more records. Spotify is good for the first two reasons, but the third, not so much.

You can help the cause! There are seven days left to preorder Great Beyond ( thanks to everyone who has contributed to the preorder campaign thus far). Check out the indiegogo site for special offers such as: CD + tickets to hometown release concert, The Box Set ( a collection of 4 CDS), and a House Concert ( 1 of these left at the discounted price). For those in the Kingston area who are planning to attend the album release concert ( with The Mill Rights and Dead Root Revival BTW), the preorder site is the best option for purchasing tickets.

A couple of shows to tell you about:

This Friday, Dead Root Revival will be fired up and ready to rock at The Red Lion in Belleville, after a month-long hiatus. 9:30 PM.

Saturday, October 19th, I will be bringing the solo show ( and new album) to the Few Acres Farm concert in Russell, ON ( near Ottawa). Message me for details.

And of course, Friday, October 25th is the Hometown Album Release Concert at The Mansion in Kingston!

See you on the road and thank you for your support.

Cheers,

Tom

Western Canadian Tour!

Hitting the road for a month starting tomorrow. If you have friends on the tour route, let them know I'm coming to town. Looking forward to some great shows and seeing friends along the way.

Sept. 11th - Townehouse Tavern - Sudbury, ON
Sept. 12th - Watertower Pub - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Sept. 13th - The Apollo - Thunder Bay, ON
Sept. 14th - Music In The Alcove - Red Lake, ON
Sept. 15th - Times Change(d) supporting Romi Mayes - Winnipeg, MB
Sept. 16th - Ship & Plough - Gimli, MB
Sept. 18th - Grass Roots Regina (The Exchange)- Regina, SK
Sept. 19th - Bohemia - Edmonton, AB
Sept. 20th - Legion Branch #31 (The Stand Easy) - Jasper, AB
Sept. 21st - Auditorium Hotel - Nanton, AB
Sept. 22nd - Woodlea House Concert - Red Deer, AB
Sept. 23rd - Infinitea - Fernie, BC
Sept. 25 th - The Heatley w/ JP Maurice - Vancouver, BC
Sept. 26th - Small Axe Bistro - Enderby, BC
Sept. 27th - Whitetooth Brewing Co. - Golden, BC
Sept. 28th - Twin Butte Country General Store - Twin Butte, AB
Sept. 29th - Ship and Anchor ( hosting open mic, 2:00 PM) - Calgary, AB
Sept. 30th - Last Chance Saloon (3:00 PM) - Wayne, AB
Oct. 1st - D'Lish by Tish Cafe - Saskatoon, SK
Oct.2nd - ARTSHumboldt Concert - Humboldt, SK
Oct. 4th - Midtown Stage - Dryden, ON
Oct. 5th - The Apollo - Thunder Bay, ON
Oct. 6th - Woody's Pub - Wawa, ON
Oct. 7th - Townehouse Tavern, - Sudbury, ON

See you on the road,
Tom

Download Free Music on NoiseTrade

I'm starting to add some of my back catalogue to my NoiseTrade page. First up, is my 2006 release, Never Shed No Tears ( you can also pick up my 2011 internet-only release Living Room Session). All downloads are FREE! However, I do encourage you to leave a tip. 100 % of proceeds go to Joe's MILL ( Joe Chithalen Musical Instrument Lending Library), which is an amazing community organization in Kingston, Ontario.

I also plan to scour the archives for outtakes, and live bootlegs, etc., to add to NoiseTrade in the future, so stay tuned!

Pumpkin Pie Coffee House Music Series/ Follow, Spin, and Win Contest

Things are revving up for what will be a busy summer of performances. Had a great holiday weekend of music that finished off with a double gig Sunday with The Tony Silvestri Band! First up, we fulfilled our duties as "The Seed-To-Sausage Band" in Tichborne at their annual "Day Of The Pig" celebration, then our caravan headed down Crow Lake Road to Westport (which was an absolutely beautiful drive) to The Cove for a show. Great crowd, as always, with folks coming from Kingston, Belleville, and Perth to take in some Holiday tunes ( and enjoy a fantastic Beef Brisket). Thanks everybody for helping to create the good energy in the room. We appreciate your support!

For those of you who may not know, The Tony Silvestri Band is a band within a band. Bonz, Richard, and I also perform as the Tom Savage Trio on occasion. 

But really, it's a band within a band, within a band, because Tony performs with us as well at shows that focus on my original material. If you have heard Everything Intertwined, you'll know the expert job that Tony did with his keyboard work on that album.

For those of you in and around the Kingston area, this Saturday is a great opportunity to see the band within a band...within a band, in action! We are performing at the Battersea United Church as part of the Pumpkin Pie Coffee House Music Series. This is a great listening room to perform in. The quiet that the audience provides really allows us musicians the freedom to work with the dynamic range of the songs in a way that is sometimes not possible in a barroom setting. Really looking forward to this. AND THERE IS HOMEMADE PIE!!!

  Tickets are $15, available at:

  Ormsbee's Mercantile, Sunbury
  Brian's Record Option, Kingston
                         or
  Reserve by calling 613-353-2889
  email: pumpkin.pie.music@gmail.com

Follow, Spin, and Win

I also wanted to let you know about a contest I'm running to help promote my Spotify page. Over the next couple Fridays, I'll be drawing winners of a Tom Savage - Everything Intertwined T-shirt, CD, and Poster.

All you have to do to be entered in the draw, is to follow me on Spotify, then share this link via facebook, twitter, or instagram. Be sure to tag @tomsavagemusic so I know you've shared. If you've followed me on Spotify already, and want to be entered in the draw again for the following Friday, simply share the link again and I'll put your name in the hat.

Last week's winner was Shelley Bishop, who already had a shirt, so she gave it to Bonz, who quite shockingly, did not have one yet.

See you on the road!

Tom

The Savage Sound : Sunshine and Southbound

So, it's been nice hanging out with you Winter, for the last month, but I do believe I need a little break. Gonna head on down to Florida, play a few shows and catch some rays.

Here's where I'll be:

Jan. 19th - Ransom Steele Tavern - Apalachin, NY ( 9:00 PM)
Jan. 21st - Edmund's Oast - Charleston, SC ( 6:00 PM)
Jan. 22nd - House Concert - Charleston, SC
Jan. 25th - Lucky Leprauchan - Davenport, FL (8:00 PM)
Jan. 27th - Captain Hiram's Resort - Sebastian, FL ( 3:30 PM)
Jan. 28th - House Concert - Sarasota, FL
Jan. 31st - Natura - Orlando, FL ( 8:00 PM)
Feb. 1st -  Lucky Leprauchan - Davenport, FL(8:00 PM)
Feb. 3rd - Yellow Dog Eats - Gotha, FL ( 6:00 PM)
Feb. 4th - Green Door Music Hall - Fort Walton Beach, FL (9:00 PM)
Feb. 6th - Blue Moon Diner - Charlottesville, VA (8:00 PM)

See you on the road!

Tom

Lonesome Highway Tour : September 1st - October 8th

Hitting the road again, friends. The solo show is taking it up another notch this year. A couple of new surprises in store and a pretty awesome sound if I do say so myself. Hope to see you out at one of my stops across this fine country of ours. Please share and help spread the word.

Best,
Tom

9/1 - Pan Chancho BBQ and Band Series - Kingston, ON

9/2 - The Garnet - Peterborough, ON
9/3 - HopeFest - Pefferlaw, ON
9/4 - Acoustic Grill - Picton, ON
9/6 - The Townehouse - Sudbury, ON
9/7 - Naturally Superior House Concert - Wawa, ON
9/8 - Apollo - Thunder Bay, ON
9/9 - The WhiskeyJack - Perrault Falls, ON
9/10 - Selkirk, MB - TBC
9/11 - Watson Arts Centre - Dauphin, MB
9/13 - The Needle Vinyl Tavern - Edmonton, AB (5:30 PM)
9/13 - Cha Island Cafe - Edmonton, AB (8:00 PM)
9/14 - Rum Runner - Coleman, AB
9/15 - The Twin Butte General Store - Twin Butte, AB
9/16 - Palomino - Calgary, AB (5-9 PM)
9/17 - House Concert - Red Deer, AB
9/18 - Lorenzo's Cafe - Enderby, BC
9/20 - WISE Hall - Vancouver, BC
9/22 - Rockwater Bar & Grill - Golden, BC
9/23 - Auditorium Hotel - Nanton, AB
9/24 - Mikey's Juke Joint ( w/ Kent McAlister) - Calgary, AB
9/25 - Last Chance Saloon - Wayne, AB ( 3:00 PM)
9/26 - Shannon's Pub - Regina, SK
9/27 - The Capitol - Saskatoon, SK
9/28 - Winnipeg, MB - TBD
9/29 - Pappy's Cafe - Wabigoon, ON
9/30 - Apollo - Thunder Bay, ON
10/1 - Loplops - Sault Ste. Marie, ON
10/2 - The Townehouse - Sudbury, ON
10/7 - Grumpy's - Montreal, QC

10/8 - House Concert - Ottawa, ON

Eastern U.S. Tour!!!

Super-excited to head out on my first U.S. Tour. Long overdue I say! Gonna hit 12 stops along the way. Please share this photo with the hashtag #TomSavageTour to help spread the word. See you on the road!

 

Have Yourself a Brooding Lo-Fi Christmas

Now available on CD Baby  you can purchase my 2011 Ep, Living Room Session.  This record is what the title indicates : songs recorded in my living room. Me, my guitar, and one microphone recorded live off the floor. Truly lo-fi. I love the simplicity of this recording and may revisit this production style in 2016.  So, if the holiday season gets you down, with its rampant consumerism, credit card debt, and surfacing of deeply-hidden family issues, my record may just cheer you up.

I kid. Actually, I really enjoy Christmas, though I could do without the materialistic aspects of it. Which strikes me as funny as I write this because I am asking you to buy my record! 

But, on that subject, I was reading a post from a friend online the other day, and she said that the best gifts are those made by independent artists. This is so true! Whether it be music or art, or even furniture, supporting those who are making their own way with their craft has a real impact. First, the financial benefit for the artist. Second, the money goes straight back into the local economy. Third, the social message it sends. I support the arts. I support community. I am not a slave to the corporation by giving gifts made of pieces of plastic that have been shipped over from China.

So, swing on by CD Baby and download Living Room Session. Six songs of dark, brooding, lo-fi, anti-folk goodness. What could be more Christmasy than that!

1. The Less You Seem To Know -  a psychotic breakdown in a big box store 3000 miles from home
2. Par For The Course - about getting old ( the title is in tribute to my late grandmother. Par For The Course was one of her favourite sayings)
3. A God I Can Call My Own -  an agnostic gospel song
4. Bleed That Pig -  raping the planet is just no good
5. Lonesome Highway - a dark secret, a hidden past, a fork in the road between calamity and redemption
6. Never Been Seen -  quite possibly the saddest song I've ever written about what else, mortality 

"Take The Wheel And I'll Steer" Tour - Starts Sept. 10th

Hitting the road again next week! Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting new friends along the way while I share my songs and stories on this 21 date Canadian Tour.

I also have a cool new sound that really pumps up the solo show. You'll have to come out to see and hear what I'm talking about.



Please share and help spread the word!




TOUR DATES


Thursday, September 10th - The Apollo w/ Harpdog Brown - Thunder Bay, ON

Friday September 11th - House Concert - Sioux Lookout, ON

Saturday September 12th - The Bijou - Kenora, ON

Tuesday, September 15th - Cha Island Cafe - Edmonton, AB

Wednesday, September 16th - Gilmore Guitars - Red Deer, AB

Thursday, September 17th - Twin Butte General Store - Twin Butte, AB

Friday, September 18th - The Palomino (upstairs from 5-9 PM ) - Calgary, AB

Saturday, September 19th - BJ's Creekside Pub - Kimberley, BC

Sunday, September 20th - Lorenzo's Cafe - Enderby, BC

Tuesday, September 22nd - The Railway Club w/ Lola Parks - Vancouver , BC

Thursday, September 24th - The Elk and Oarsmen - Banff , AB

Friday, September 25th - The Auditorium Hotel w/ Jay Bowcott - Nanton , AB

Saturday, September 26th - Ship & Anchor ( 3 PM ) - Calgary, AB

Saturday, September 26th - Mikey's Juke Joint w/ Jay Bowcott - Calgary, AB

Sunday, September 27th - Last Chance Saloon - Wayne, AB

Tuesday, September 29th - Grass Roots Regina - Regina, SK

Wednesday, September 30th - The Cavern - Winnipeg, MB ( supporting Andrew Neville & The Poor Choices)

Thursday,October 1st - Pappy's Cafe - Wabigoon, ON

Friday, October 2nd - The Apollo - Thunder Bay, ON

Saturday, October 3rd - Loplops - Sault Ste Marie, ON

Sunday, October 4th - Le Fromagerie - Sudbury, ON

Music is Life and Life is Good

It has been a very satisfying couple of weeks for me musically-speaking. The past two weekends offered up some great moments on stage, starting with the May 2nd Songwriter's Circle at The Cove in Westport, ON. I really enjoy this format. Four songwriters on stage, passing the guitar around, sharing songs and stories, and trading licks. On this night, it was myself, along with Chris Brown, Luther Wright, and Seamus Cowan.

The first set, we all played our songs individually, passing my old Guild around, then in the second
set, we all collaborated on each other's songs. This was a lot of fun. I ended up jumping around from guitar to bass, and even piano for one song! I was really impressed by Seamus' singing and his songs. I'd heard Luther and Chris before in this style, but had mostly heard Seamus playing in bands. The acoustic thing suited him quite well.

There is talk that we will do this again. Perhaps on Wolfe Island next time. I hope so.


This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of performing at The Pumpkin Pie Concert Series in Battersea, ON. What an incredible vibe! I love church halls and I love listening audiences...and I also love pie, so this was pretty much the perfect gig!

I've performed at many house concerts and small coffeehouse-style venues over the past couple of years touring my solo show, but this was the first opportunity in awhile that I have had to do so with a band. Bonz Bowering ( drums) and Alexander Tikhnenko (bass) did an excellent job holding down the rhythm. Some special moments on stage for sure. I love to play a room where the audience is so attentive. It's nice to have the ability to take advantage of the silence in the room, and play with the dynamic range of the songs. We rode the wave in No-Win Situation for sure - at one point bringing it down so quiet that I was barely touching the strings on the guitar as I was soloing. Then kicking it back up again, eliciting spontaneous applause from the crowd, and sending shivers up our spines.

Music is life and life is good.

Saturday May 2nd - Songwriter's Circle featuring Tom Savage, Chris Brown, Luther Wright, Seamus Cowan

A couple of cool shows coming up over the next couple of weeks in the Kingston area. Hope you can make it out and spread the word to your Kingston/Westport/Perth/Battersea area friends.

First up, this Saturday at The Cove in Westport :
 

SONGWRITER'S CIRCLE feat. Chris Brown, Seamus Cowan, Tom Savage & Luther Wright
Should me more than once a year but these nights have really turned into something special. Chris and Luther have worked together for years now and Tom helped inspire Seamus back in the day. It's all coming together now.
CHRIS BROWN has produced a who's who of Canadian talent and started with the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir and has been a part of Chris & Kate Fenner duo for a long time.
SEAMUS COWAN is from Westport and his family run The Cove. His bands Bullmoose and Spoon River experienced considerable CanRock longevity and he has played with Spencer Evans and Jazz Night for close to two decades. Notably, he toured with The High Dials of Montreal for two years.
TOM SAVAGE is a road warrior, songwriter a la Dylan-esque stories. Plays guitar with Hendrix poise and Neil intensity. His band Tom Savage Trio have toured Canada lots and the new Foley Mountain Playboys are his bluegrass gem.
LUTHER WRIGHT is a Canadian folk/bluegrass hero. His band Luther Wright & The Wrongs cross many boundaries, states and provinces. The recreated Floyd's The Wall and have toured for about 2 decades now. The Hootenannys he does with Jenny Whiteley and others are legendary.
Snuggle in for evening of orginal songs and creative renditions of classic beauties. Wha-La! Enjoy!-11pm
$10
www.chrisbrownmusic.com
www.spoonriverband.com
www.tomsavage.ca
link

 

Then on Saturday, May 9th, I will be performing at the Pumpkin pie Concert Series in Battersea. Playing in a trio with Bonz Bowering on drums and Alexander Tikhnenko on Bass. Going to be some fun and interesting jams happening.
 

When: Sat., May 9, 2015 - 7:30 PM

Where: Battersea United Church Hall

Advance tickets are $12 ($15 at the door), available at:

Battersea General Store, Battersea
Ormsbee's Mercantile, Sunbury
Brian's Record Option, Kingston

or call 353-2904 or 353-2889 to reserve tickets
email: pumpkin.pie.music@gmail.com

Found this concert in the CFRC archives...

Back in February, me and the boys ( Kevin Davidson on fiddle, Kevin Bowers on lead guitar, and Bonz Bowering on Drums) helped out the CFRC fundraising drive by performing at the launch party at Musiikki Cafe. I remembered the other day that the concert was broadcast live on the air that night. I searched the archives, and sure enough there it was.

It was a bit rough sounding. I tried to clean up the sound a bit and edited out the calls for cash from the station. It's just the music here.

It was a really cool vibe in the room that night and I'm happy to have found this document of it. Have a listen and share it around. Some songs on here that have never been recorded before.




SET LIST

1. Keep Movin' On
2. Driftin'
3. Train Keeps A Rollin'
4. Sleepy Small Town
5. Amarillo
6. Nothing But A Bad Dream (w/ Megan Hamilton)
7. The Slow Decline (w/ Megan Hamilton)
8. Seventeen Years


Remember to support your local community radio station. They bring you the real goods!

Sensory Overload : Folk Music-Style

Steve Purtelle stands proudly in front of the Acoustic Jam Records elevator skin

Steve Dawson laying it down

It has been a week since I got home from the Folk Alliance conference in Kansas City, and I think I am almost recovered. Lots of late nights and quite a festive atmosphere! 

However, underneath the reverie, one could feel a strange energy permeating from the hundreds of musicians that were gathered in the halls of the Westin Hotel last week. A quiet desperation if you will. Musicians spend a good deal of money to attend these conferences, so it only makes sense that there is some pressure to "get something out of it", as it were. It can be overwhelming.  I decided to approach the week as a time to play lots of music, have fun, and to meet new people and connect with old friends and acquaintances. I came away from the conference having accomplished all of these goals.

Brock Zeman

The coolest thing about Folk Alliance is the "private showcases" that happen after the official conference wraps up for the evening. Basically, three floors of the hotel are taken over by musicians, with a series of mini-concerts going on in every room. It was really cool walking from room-to-room and checking out different music. Most of my time was spent in the Acoustic Grill/ Acoustic Jam Records room helping out Steve, playing lead guitar for Brock Zeman, and playing my own sets of music.

Me, Rick Fines, and Brock hanging out after the show

The most fun we had was hanging out after the shows. Myself, Steve, Brock, and Rick Fines, would sit around strumming the guitar, sharing songs, shooting the breeze, and drinking a few. We all thought it was ironic that we travelled 2000 miles to hang out with a group of guys that live about 2 hours apart from each other. That's how it goes sometimes. 

     Musically, it was the Canadians who impressed ( there was a large Canadian contingent in attendance). I got a chance to hear my buddy JD Edward's new project, The Small Glories, and they were great. JD and Cara Luft have a great chemistry on stage, and I predict this group will be a Folk Fest Favourite over the next few years. Another group that impressed me was Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar. The sheer vocal power of this group is inspiring. Good, solid (R&B Folk/Blues) writing. Check 'em out!

Rick Fines and I jammin'

Kansas City Here We Come!

If one were to compute how many times the famous song was referenced when speaking of Kansas City, they would most likely find an error message on their calculator. Yet I still choose to refer to the song in my subject line. It never gets old I tell ya!

Very excited to be heading down to Folk Alliance next week with my friends Steve Purtelle and Brock Zeman. Steve is the owner/operator of the Acoustic Grill in Picton, Ontario, and also has his own record label, Acoustic Jams. Brock and I both have records released on the label ( recorded Live At The Acoustic Grill).

              


For those not familiar, the conference has their official showcases throughout the week, but also allow for "private showcases" to be put on in the hotel rooms later on in the night. A lot of great music and partying is going to happen!

The Acoustic Jams Showcase has got a great line-up of acts performing. Along with Brock and myself ( I'll be playing lead guitar for Brock's sets as well which I'm really looking forward to) will be Danny Michel, Rick Fines, Ray Bonneville, Slocan Ramblers, and many more. It's gonna be hard to leave that room.

I hope to grab a bunch of pics and share them with you when we get back.


Cheers,
Tom

Show your community radio station some love!

In a world in which radio is dominated by music content that is determined by a handful of people at corporate headquarters in Toronto or L.A. , it is refreshing that we still have community radio  to turn to when we want to hear something different. Something new! 

As much as I love CBC, I have to confess that Radio 2 can leave me flat, after having heard the same song at same time every day for a month. Contrary to what their advertising suggests, there is definitely playlisting  going on, and the general feeling of having a tune shoved down your throat. "You will like this! This IS REALLY GOOD!" Well, maybe it was good before you played it 50 zillion times...

Community radio cuts away the music business BS, and focuses on the music and its merits. This gives my cynical little mind hope for the future of art. 

And of course there is the community aspect. Supporting local musicians and promoting local community events is what they are all about.

This is why on Friday I will be lending my talent to help kick off CFRC Kingston's funding drive at Musiikki Cafe on Brock St. It's going to be a great night of entertainment and a fun party! Also on the bill will be Megan Hamilton ( who sang on my new record, and will sing a couple of songs with me on this night) and The Nate Crockett Band.

Lay down your 10 bucks and support your local community radio station Kingston!

8:00 PM start

Brock Zeman at The Toucan this Saturday

Saturday night I'll be playing an opening set down at The Toucan,  for my friend Brock Zeman and his band. Brock is one helluva wordsmith and he plays the bass parts with his feet! It's gonna be a killer show. Check out this video for his tune, Day Before Tomorrow.

10:00 PM start

Podcast : Lew Has A Beer With Songwriter Tom Savage

I sat down for a chat and a beer with one of my #1 fans, Lewis MacDonald. We talked about the new album, life on the road, songwriting, hot tubs with record players and sandwich presses, scented CD covers, and more. Check it out and please share!

Check out the latest review for "History of A Common Man"

Kingston, Ontario singer/songwriter Tom Savage delivers some heart-on-his-sleeve acoustic goodness with his latest solo effort. “Don’t Plan On Starting Now” holds the singer’s rough around the edges but painfully smooth voice hostage over a slow groove, while “Rougher On Me” is a delicate ditty filled with pop culture references. “Mercy Killing” gets a little tougher than the rest, while “A Brief Moment Of Eternity” will win over fans of The Band. Closer “The Slow Decline” builds and eats at your guts, worthy of soundtracking your downfall in a dive country bar six miles past nowhere. But, you know, it’s hopeful too.

CD Release Concert This Friday is Also A Book Launch

Come out on Friday, October 24th to celebrate the release of my new solo album. Very proud of how this record turned out and it's already receiving some great reaction from across the country.We'll be playing the songs from the album live for the first set, then we will break out the epic jams for the remainder of the evening.

Kevin Bowers' will open things up with a reading from his new book " Travels For The Seriously Curious". 

$10 suggested donation or PWYC for the cash-strapped, under-employed. The Show will take place in The Wine Cellar at The Mansion. Show starts at 7:00 PM.



About "History Of A Common Man" 

It has been eight years since Tom Savage last put out a solo studio recording. An artist who follows where the muse takes him, Savage spent much of the last decade rolling down Canadian highways with his rock and roll trio, playing it loud and proud, and producing a Canadian Country-Rock classic in the process with Tom Savage Trio's 2008 release, The County Line.

History Of A Common Man continues Savage's exploration of Folk, Country, and Americana genres. From the teenaged lament of Skinny Kid to the under-medicated psychotic ramblings of Take The Wheel And I'll Steer, from the road-weary musician in Rougher On Me to the tear-drenched Country of All Over You, History Of A Common Man finds its stories in people who live on the margins. Outsiders looking for their place in the world.


Have a listen to "History Of A Common Man" on Soundcloud. Please click "Like" and share.






About " Travels For The Seriously Curious"

Take a ride through the Bible-Belt, catch authentic blues music in a Mississippi juke joint, drink Budweiser with a member of the KKK, argue the merits of Wal-Mart and evolution with a radical Mormon. Go to a surreal cowboy party and attend an authentic striptease, canoe over drowned cities and find Puritan ghosts in high-lonesome harmonies. This trip is for anyone with a romantic soul that feels hemmed in by the day-to-day world of institutions, politics, relationships, and jobs. Travels for the Seriously Curious challenges limitations and romances potential by applying the process of creativity to the pen, the road, and to life. It pulls on the tangled knot of fear and prejudice that twists in the heart, and rolls out a map of the America that shapes us.