nickelodeon Music Club

Crescent Heights Community Hall - 1101 - 2nd Street N.W. Mailing address: P. O. Box 63016, Stadium RPO Calgary, AB T2N 4S5

www.thenick.ca 36th Season: Fall 2015

elcome to our 36th anniversary season, and our last Tickets hard copy newsletter. See Page Four for details. Over • Our 2015-2016 season’s pass GOLD CARDS are sold out. half of this season’s headliners have never played at the The Nickelodeon thanks all the returning GOLD CARD WNick before and we are bringing back some terrific old friends. holders who are supporting the club once again. We also Great fun will be had! warmly welcome those who have purchased a GOLD CARD The home of the Nickelodeon is the Crescent Heights Community for the first time. GOLD CARD holders are reminded that Hall (1101 - 2nd Street NW). Seating is first-come first serve with your season’s passes are transferable if you cannot attend a the following exception: season’s ticket holders who arrive early will performance. be given preferential admission from 6:50 - 7:00 P.M. Our ticket Online Ticket Sales capacity is 193 patrons, and 110 are season’s ticket holders. Concerts • $25 advance tickets for ALL 2015 concerts will go on sale begin at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 7:00 p.m. September 11. ALL January to April 2016 concerts will go on An evening at the Nick begins with an opening act, followed by sale December 11 at www.brownpapertickets.com two sets by our featured performer. Breaks between sets allow Advance Ticket Sales At The Nick time for socializing and indulging in an entree, great cakes, pop- • Starting at our first club on October 3rd, and at each club corn and other refreshments. thereafter, Nick patrons may purchase advance tickets for any Guitar Raffle! The Nick will once again conduct a raffle for a Flinthill of our upcoming fall shows. Traditional Dreadnought guitar and trailpack bag, generously donated by Mike • $25 door tickets are only available if we do not sell out in MacLeod and The Acoustic Guitar. Tickets will be sold throughout the season and advance. Any remaining tickets will be sold first come, first our Nick performers will autograph the guitar. The draw for this one-of-a-kind guitar will be held on April 02 , 2016. Once again this year, proceeds from the serve at the Crescent Heights Hall on the night of the show. Nickelodeon Guitar Raffle will support ArtsCan Circle. See page four for more The Nickelodeon Music Club is a volunteer operated, non-profit information. organization. The Nick wishes to thank its volunteers for the count- Ringtone Free Music! We appreciate the cooperation of patrons and less number of hours they dedicate. Without the work of our volun- volunteers in silencing their cell phone ringtones and minimizing teers, these special nights would not be possible. phone use while at the club to ensure everyone’s enjoyment of our performances. https://www.facebook.com/NickelodeonMusicClub The Nickelodeon wishes to thank Calgary Arts Development and the thenickfolk on Instagram Twitter: @NickMusicClub Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their generous support. We also wish to acknowledge airplay support of our performers on CKUA and CJSW. The Performers Trent Severn (Ontario) October 3

A Nickelodeon Debut! Indie songster Emm Gryner is a three time Juno nominee. Multi-talented Juno nominee Dayna Manning toured with Joe Cocker and Burton Cummings. Violin whiz/songbird Laura C. Bates performed at Massey Hall and The Glenn Gould Studio. Together they are a Canadiana band based in folk, roots and old country whose songs are fueled by the folklore of Ontario; whose lyrics pay tribute to Canadian legends. Their lyrics seamlessly offer inside jokes Canadians will laugh at, yet nothing a welcome visitor couldn’t relate to and enjoy. Their debut album earned two 2013 Canadian Award nominations for Vocal Group of the Year and New Emerging Artist of the Year. This fall they will release their second CD, Trillium. Trent Severn are three treasured and talented musicians who have years of experience touring this country and getting to know audiences, a seed that blooms to life on a Canadian stage. Ann Vriend (Alberta) First Nick opener Jan. ‘12 Ann Vriend’s vocal sound has been described as an enchanting cross between the girly timbre of Dolly Parton and the blues-filled prowess of Aretha Franklin. Ann belts out her songs in between entertaining comedic intervals. In 2013 she won the Canadian nation-wide “She’s the One” contest at the Ottawa Bluesfest in the solo “Trent Severn sing and play with the weight carried by old souls, but category. Her new album, For The People In The Mean Time tells tales of her rough, they can still throw in a wink with playful verses and jaunty songs.” inner city neighbourhood against the backdrop of explosive indie soul beats and Post City Toronto harmonies. The album was nominated for Pop Album of the Year at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. Three-In-One Night October 17

Kat Danser (Alberta) First Nick opener Mar. ‘09 Kat Danser’s music navigates a paddle steamer from the muddy banks of the Mississippi Delta downriver toward a big ol’ full moon over New Orleans. Dubbed ‘Queen of the Swamp Blues’, this guitar slinger, songsmith, and blazing vocalist channels the spirit of roots, blues and gospel music pioneers. Her fourth album, Baptized by the Mud, addresses the dichotomy of ‘church-blues’: blues music as devilish and church music as angelic. This sub-genre demonstrates that human truth and the divine are one in the same – “one is preached from behind the pulpit and the other from behind the plow”.

Jon Brooks (Ontario) First Nick opener Nov. ‘09 With a death count of 75, The Smiling and Beautiful Countryside is an album of rural Canadian murder ballads that defies categorization and resists any ‘folk,’ ‘singer-songwriter,’ or ‘solo acoustic’ description. Equal parts local Canadiana and universal horror, it buries all the trademark Jon Brooks social commentary in a shallow, roadside grave. Philosophical paradox, gallows humour, impossible love, titillating gore, adulterous sex, serial killers, gun dealers, rampage killing, missing women, First Nations catastrophe, necrophilia, Shakespeare, and John Milton: This is neither an album for casual fans nor is it music that will ever be heard in your dentist’s waiting room. T. Buckley Trio (Alberta ) A Nickelodeon Debut! The T. Buckley Trio delivers soulful laments and gritty truths, wrapped in a cowboy blanket to create a distinct western Canadian flavour. The trio features T. Buckley as ’s lead vocalist and principle songwriter, winner of the 2010 Calgary Folk Festival songwriting contest; Derek Pulliam, on stand-up bass and vocals and Tim Leacock on electric guitar, mandolin and vocals. The band brings a more-than memorable stage presence and harmonies that create a sound much larger than their modest stage set up. The band’s latest recording,Northern Country Soul, charted No. 1 on both CKUA and CJSW. Stephen Fearing (British Columbia) October 31

First Nick Opener Nov ’86 Born in Vancouver, BC. Stephen Fearing spent most of his boyhood and teenage years in Dublin First Nick Headline Oct. ’87 Ireland. There, he picked up the guitar and traces of the Irish and English musical traditions that have informed his music ever since. A founding member of the winning Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Fearing also records and tours with Andy White. The consistent quality of work produced over Stephen Fearing’s two decades plus career has earned him a West Coast Music Award for Best Folk Music Recording, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Songwriter, and a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of The Year forYellowjacket . Mixing powerful lyrics, creative arrangements and brilliant guitar playing, Stephen Fearing has built up a loyal and dedicated international audience through thousands of live shows and nine critically-acclaimed albums, from his 1988 release Out to Sea, to the 2013 release of Between Hurricanes. Mariel Buckley (Alberta) A Nickelodeon Debut! Mariel affects each listener with her new-school take on old-school . Fresh from her 2015 Calgary Folk Music Festival debut, Buckley is in the early stages of planning her second full length album. Her debut CD Motorhome garnered praises nation wide from CBC, CKUA and CJSW as well as the ever- reputable No Depression Magazine. Her haunting alt-country melodies have a “Fearing is a king among minstrels” The Chronical Herald distinct and introspective quality, with a wisdom and maturity that allows fully- formed, succinct and compelling tales to emerge. Buckley offers a crunchy, roots alternative, her songs are full of visceral lyricism and gutsy musicianship. www.thenick.ca The Sweet Lowdown (British Columbia) November 14

A Nickelodeon Debut! The Sweet Lowdown features Shanti Bremer on , Miriam Sonstenes on fiddle and Amanda Blied on guitar. Fresh off a tour with CBC’s Vinyl Cafe, The Sweet Lowdown’s newest release, Chasing The Sun, was No. 1 on the Folk DJ Charts in January 2015 and has just been nominated for Roots Recording of the Year by the Western Canadian Music Awards. Their second album May won Roots Album of the Year, at the Vancouver Island Music Awards and a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year at the 2013 Canadian Folk Music Awards. The Sweet Lowdown have developed original acoustic roots music that draws from earth and sky, mountain music to be sure; mountains tied to the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest. You’ll hear influences in this music as far-ranging as Celtic jigs, Appalachian fiddling, contemporary pop and a particularly Canadian blend of driving tradition and ground-breaking originality. Adrian Nation (Great Britain) A Nickelodeon Debut! Adrian Nation is making his first Canadian tour thanks to the efforts of CKUA’s Andy Donnelly. Guitar builder, rugby player, carpenter, martial artist, climber, are all reflected in his musical catalogue. Although acoustic guitar driven, his music shows touches of folk, rock and even country. Politics, philosophy and poetry are all to be found woven into his songs. Influenced at an early age by the “Harmonies to die for, fabulous playing, great original genius of Dylan, Mark Knopfler and Bruce Cockburn, Adrian took to playing material.” Ian Anderson, FRoots Magazine and composition with a renewed intensity and he has evolved into one of the most insightful and incisive songwriters of his generation. Evans and Doherty (Nova Scotia) November 28

A Nickelodeon Debut! Evans & Doherty have performed from Waterford, Ireland to New Waterford, Cape Breton, from Berlin to Boston and from Nova Scotia to New Zealand. Since coming to Canada from Ireland, Kevin Evans & Brian Doherty have been an integral part of the East Coast music scene for thirty years. In celebration, they’ve released 30 Years of Folkin‘ Around. To capture the essence of an Evans & Doherty performance, take a lively blend of traditional, original and contemporary songs, add a liberal sprinkling of stories and humour, then sit back to enjoy and sing along. Kevin’s song Christmas Memories achieved platinum status in Canada for John McDermott. His song The Orchard was recorded by Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy and Stompin’ Tom Connors recorded Silver Sea. At home in a pub-setting, concert hall or festival, Evans & Doherty are first-rate musicians and singers possessing the ability to entertain any audience, any place, any time. Sarah Jane Scouten (Quebec) A Nickelodeon Debut! In 2014 Sarah Jane released The Cape, throwing a wake for all the things we won’t have back again; shameless nostalgia for place, time, lost loved ones, frayed family ties and bonds too strong to break. Her songs are faithful to a long-standing folk music tradition, but often spill “…every time I have heard Brian Doherty and Kevin Evans over into modern themes that are outspoken and edgy, from homelessness to midwifery to live on stage…I have become more and more convinced they tongue-in-cheek heartache songs and unabashed Canadiana. Sarah shows her signature are the greatest folk duo still performing in this world.” Gerry flair for the roots of roots music, from Western-swing, honky-tonk, Cajun and Appalachian Taylor, Telegraph Journal string band music to a hint of the Maritimes. Bill Bourne (Alberta) January 9

First Nick Headline Mar. ’81 with Sweetgrass Juno winner Bill Bourne has received international acclaim for his recordings and live performances. His songs convey stories that are poetic and life affirming. Raised in a musical family in rural Alberta, he was known to sleep behind the piano at country dances while his parents played. He began his professional career in 1975. He has toured and recorded solo and with Scotland’s Tannahill Weavers, Bourne and MacLeod, Shannon Johnson, Hans Staymer and Andreas Schuld, Tri-Continental with Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim, Eivor Palsdottir, Bop Ensemble and The Free Radio Band. His latest recording collaboration isTrancescapes Gaia Sadhana, free improv music for meditation and relaxation, scheduled for release in fall 2015. A veteran of the international blues and roots music scene, life on the road is reflected in Bill’s music - powerful rhythms and soulful songs, steeped in blues, world beat, Cajun, Celtic, folk, Latin, funk, poetry and more. Gordie Tentrees (Yukon) First Nick opener Mar. ‘08 Tentrees’ blend of folk, roots and blues is deeply personal and lyrically rich. Somebody’s Child was written after watching the bombs go off at the Boston Marathon, all while wondering if his wife had crossed the finish line. Themes of despair turn to courage in Wheel Girl, an ode to “Bourne flows with this almost indescribable soul infused northern hero Jessica Frotten who went from accident victim to wheelchair athlete. Dead Beat witha lonesome strain of blues...This man was put on this earth Dad is a confession of a struggling father urging on his male mates to make a difference. These to play music.” Jon Colcord - Crossroads Magazine are songs of triumph, heartache and redemption that will tear your heart out, one note at a time. www.thenick.ca Upcoming Concerts

January 23, 2016 Tony McManus Recognized as the leading guitarist in Celtic music, in 2002 he was nominated as Musician of the Year by both the BBC Folk Awards and The Scottish Traditonal Music awards. A challenge from mandolin virtuoso Mike Marshall to learn the Bach E Major Prelude on guitar led to an exploration of classical and baroque music result- ing in his newest CD, Mysterious Boundaries.

February 6, 2016 The Stray Birds Their debut album listed as one of NPR’s 10 Best Folk/Americana Albums of the Year. Their newest, Best Medicine, paints a landscape rich with hope and possibil- ity. With influences from The Carter Family and Bill Monroe to The Beatles and The Band, classically-trained songwriters Maya de Vitry, Oliver Craven, and Charlie Muench feature multi-instrumental virtuosity and gorgeous 3-part harmonies. February 20, 2016 Annie Lou Juno nominee Anne Louise Genest offers superb songwriting and hearty tunes with a unigue old time feel, delivered with pluck and tenderness. Her band, featuring sing- ers Andrew Collins, mandolin and fiddle, Max Heineman, upright bass, and Sarah Hamilton, fiddle, offers boot grooving, heart moving music, creating songs steeped in the flavours of old time mountain, Appalachian, traditional country and bluegrass music. March 5, 2016 Del Barber & The Profiteers

Del Barber has won the 2015 Sirius XM Indie award for Folk/Roots Artist or Group of the Year. Del’s fourth album, Prairieography, is born out of a love for his home and its people, telling tales from the road. Offering incredibly personal observations of the world around him, Del blends old-time country and Cajun boogie, heavy grooves and soul-driven rhythms.

March 19, 2016 Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project Jayme Stone, a Juno-winning banjoist with band mates, Moira Smiley, Sumaia Jackson and Joe Phillips, revives and re-imagines traditional songs and music collected by folklorist and field recording pioneer Alan Lomax; Bahamian sea chanties, African-American acappella singing from the Georgia Sea Islands, Appalachian ballads, fiddle tunes and work songs collected from everyday folk: sea captains, cowhands, fishermen, prisoners and homemakers.

April 2, 2016 Christine Lavin & Don White Christine Lavin is a hugely popular and respected songwriter, quick on her feet, witty, insightful, and engaging. Her co-conspirator, Don White, is one of the few performers who brings a comic’s wit, and a poet’s heart to his songs and stories. The Funny Side of the Street: A Night of Brighter Laughter will feature music that is smart, friendly, and breathtakingly funny. April 16, 2016 Patrons’ Night Have you ever thought, “I’d love to play a song on the Nick stage!”? Now’s your chance. We’ll invite volunteers, season ticket holders and other Nick patrons to sign up in advance to perform for our always appreciative audience.

Guitar Raffle Proceeds from this years’ guitar raffle will go to support ArtsCan Circle, a registered charity dedicated to linking creative artists with Indigenous youth at risk in Canada.

ArtsCan Circle hopes to encourage self-esteem amongst Indigenous youth in isolated communities through a coop- erative exploration of the arts. ArtsCan Circle sends teams of volunteer musicians & artists to remote Indigenous communities engaging groups of children and youth in workshops to facilitate creative expression and teach skills in playing musical instruments, song-writing, visual arts and performance arts. This Is Our LAST Mailed Newsletter! The days of getting a Nick Newsletter in the mail have come to a close. Up to date information on Nick performances will continue to be available: • on our Nick website: http://www.thenick.ca • on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickelodeonMusicClub • and via Twitter: @NickMusicClub www.thenick.ca