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!!**

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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

Let's Keep the Music Alive!

One week left in the "Driftwood - Remembering Sandy Stubbert" GoFundMe campaign. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. It feels good to be sending Sandy's music out across the country. She put her heart and soul into this record and would have loved that it is being heard.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sandystubbert

We are wrapping up the campaign on June 15th, so get your donation in if you haven't already. Raising funds for AMHS-KFLA (Addiction and Mental Health Services, Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington) and MIKES (Music Industry Kingston Emergency Support).

DRR Live Stream from The Toucan

Dead Root Revival has been on a forced hiatus due to COVID-19, so we were most thankful for the opportunity to perform at our hometown pub again, even if there was no audience. The rock show is definitely another energy level!

Here is the full concert for your viewing and listening pleasure!

As the country continues to reopen, many in the arts community will be left behind, with no live shows aside from some possible summertime outdoor activities. Art is a vital part of our society, and I encourage everyone to do what they can to support the many artists who are in need at this time. This can be done by purchasing merchandise or sending virtual tips for livestreams, but also I encourage you to lobby local, provincial, and federal governments to continue (or give funding to new)programs that support artists during these drastic times.

Let's keep the music alive!
Tom

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

Pre-order New Tom Savage Record Today!

Calling on all of my friends and fans, I'm so excited to share with you the news of my impending album release. My eighth record! I think you guys are really going to dig this music. A bit of a shift in styles for me, more of a pop/indie vibe on some of the tracks. I'm very proud of how this record turned out. Muchos gracias to Zane Whitfield, Dylan Lodge, and Phil Bova for sculpting the sounds.

And the band! Oh my God! It's a pure joy to hear the keyboard mastery of Tony Silvestri on this record. In his element, with Fender Rhodes and Hammond Organ as his tools. You can't beat those tones and the skill with which he manipulates those instruments.

Anyone who has seen Bonz Bowering perform live know that the 'Animal' t-shirt he sometimes wears certainly befits his on stage persona. We did our best to capture some of his lightning in the recording bottle on this project. Ultimately, I was most impressed with his tasteful, thoughtful approach to the songs. Chills.

My childhood friend, Seamus Cowan, rounds out the band. Seamus, a late bloomer by musical standards, came to my Mom's house in Westport at the age of 18, looking for bass guitar instruction. After showing him a couple of Led Zeppelin and Hendrix tunes, my most important instruction was to send him on to Zak Colbert (legendary Kingston bassist), where he soared to the depths of the low end. So happy to work with Seamus on a project after all these years. His tone and approach are amazing. Not to mention his impeccable harmony vocal work ( and one helluva scream!!).

I've got an LA-based radio promo team ready to push the songs to stations across North America. I'm hiring a publicist to spread the word to the print media. This costs money. Lots of it! I need your help friends. You can pitch in to help the cause for as little as $5! https://www.gofundme.com/tomsavagealbum8

Please share and help spread the word!

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

A couple of weeks left!

The crowdfunding campaign for my new solo CD wraps up on July 21st. If you dig what I'm doin', if you're pickin' up what I'm puttin' down, then get on board this train by pre-purchasing your copy of the new record. Lots of great new music for you plus the added benefit of supporting my art.

Thanks to all the friends and fans who've already jumped on board! Just need a few more. The project is currently 88% funded.

https://www.sellaband.com/en/projects/tom-savage

KINGSTON TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH

A K-TOWN TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH

A Joe’s MILL concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Joe’s MILL is proud to present A K-Town Tribute To Johnny Cash on Friday, February 24 at The Mansion, 506 Princess Street. Performers include Tom Savage Trio (acoustic), Jon McLurg, Lia Dawson & Anna Robertson of The Lady Racers, and J.T. & Nicky Pickins of Liquorbox. Doors open at 9 PM, tickets are $10 at the door or online at www.joesmill.org.

Johnny Cash, a.k.a. The Man in Black, would have turned 80 on February 26. As one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, we felt there was no better time to pay tribute to his amazing legacy, which includes being inducted into the Country Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Hall of Fame. Four of Kingston’s most talented folk and country acts will each play a short set of songs from his amazing 48 year career.

The Joe Chithalen Musical Instrument Lending Library (Joe’s MILL) is a registered charity operating in Kingston at 559 Bagot Street. Joe’s M.I.L.L. currently has over 450 items available to borrow and enjoy, including guitars, keyboards, drums, horns, violins, percussion, exotic instruments, and much more - and just like a regular library, it's all free! Our lending and teaching programs sustain music appreciation, knowledge, community enrichment and provide opportunities for youth and adults to meet their full potential.


CONTACT:
Chris Morris – cmorris@joesmill.org - 613.539.8438
www.joesmill.org

RIP Zeke Mazurek

Readers of this blog know about Zeke, and his struggle with cancer. Unfortunately, as some of you may already know, Zeke passed away on Saturday, October 30th. Although we knew this was the most likely outcome, the speed with which it happened, was a shock to the system.

I wanted to take some time to thank everyone who was there for Zeke in his time of need. The Zeke Aid concerts were expressions of love that I will not soon forget, and I am very thankful that Zeke was able to see how much people cared for him, and remind him of the mark he made on the Canadian music industry.

On a personal note, I am saddened that he will not be around to see his grandchildren, Zach, Bella, and Gabriel, grow up. He was such a good "Bubba Zeke", and the kids will definitely miss the crazy faces he used to make.

I will also miss the kitchen table chats we used to have about the ups-and-downs of the music business, the next gig, the struggle to continue on in an unforgiving industry. It seems like we always ended up touching on those points(with a healthy dose of humour). Rest assured Zeke, I will carry on, and I will take your words of wisdom with me as I go.

And every time we are in some motel room after the gig, and Geoff & I pull out the dice for a round of "Valdez", I'll be thinking of you.

[At Zeke's request there will be no funeral service, just a private memorial in the spring. He suggested that donations in his memory be made to the Blue Skies Youth Fiddle Orchestra. The address is Blue Skies in the Community, c/o Elinor Rush, 4515 Wildlife Lane, R.R. # 1, Battersea ON K0H 1H0]

Zeke Aid

This summer we received the terrible news that my Father-in-law, friend, and musical mentor, Zeke Mazurek, has been diagnosed with cancer. The effects of the illness have left him without the ability to play his violin, putting an abrupt stop to a 40 year long music career.

When something like this happens it helps to focus on the positive. And that would be the love and support that Zeke's local community and the Canadian music community have shown towards him during this trying time.

Zeke Aid - a benefit concert taking place at the Regent Theatre in Picton on Monday, August 23rd, is an example of that support.

Here is some info from the facebook page :
Zeke Mazurek has been stricken with cancer and is unable to continue his lifelong career as a professional musician. Please help us raise the funds needed to help Zeke and his family fight back against the devastating consequences of cancer.

Benefit concert will feature Sylvia Tyson, Prairie Oyster, Cindy Church, Marie Lynn Hammond Sneezy Waters, Georgette Fry & Shout Sister, Tom Leighton, Tom Savage, Ken Ramsden, Lenni Stewart, Jeanette Arsenault, The Frere Brothers.

Silent auction opens at 4 PM. Concert at 7:30

This concert is sold out, but you can still help by attending the silent auction if you are in the area. If you are living outside of Southeastern Ontario , but still want to show your support, you can write out a cheque made payable to "Zeke Mazurek" and send it to: Zeke c/o Kellough, 1736 Co. Rd. 8, R.R. # 4 Picton On KOK 2TO and it will be added to the fund.

I've also set up online donations through Paypal.