Sault Ste. Marie Blues Society
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2022
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Blues for Food 2022 was an amazing success . In total we collected and delivered over $5,000.00 of non perishable food items AND $2,050.00 CASH which were split between the Soup Kitchen and St. Vincent Place!!
Many thanks to the Water Tower Inn Pub, all the musicians and those that came out to support and enjoy.

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The Sault Blues Society was pleased to help support the Colin James Trio with staffing of the Merch table and setting up the hospitality in the Green Room
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This small impromptu event sponsored by the Tap Room, Angry Joe's BBQ and Northern Superior Brewing Co. was well attended. The Sault Blues Society was the recipient of $331.00 in donations from the happy group of patrons. Many thanks.
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With the help of the owners and staff of the Rock Star Bar, Mike Yurich and all the musicians listed on the poster the Sault Blues Society was able to collect and deliver  $4,950.00 to the
​Canadian Red Cross "Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal" !!
2021
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During the early months of COVID the Sault Blues Society took on a virtual mini series with the help of SHAW Spotlight, The Borderline and Joe's Garage. We produced and presented 5 local bands with all original songs on our 
Sault Blues Society YouTube channel.
NEW LOCATION and new TIME 8:00PM!!​
Every Wednesday - Live Blues Night at the Canadian Motor Hotel Upper Deck Lounge (inside) 410 Pim Street,  Due to COVID Blues night is once again canceled. Thanks to Albert at the Canadian for 17 weeks of Wednesday blues at the Canadian, we are hoping that they can be reinstated early in 2021!!!!
8:00 pm.  to 
11:00 pm see notice below. 
THIS SERIES WAS CANCELLED AFTER 5 WEEKS DUE TO COVID RELATED ISSUES 
The Canuck unfortunately closed permanently later in 2021.


2020
This year's Blues for Food at the Canadian will be a mini version of previous years due to COVID restrictions.
You can watch online from 8 to 11pm on the Blues for Food Facebook page by purchasing access for $5.49.
​You can also donate to the Soo's Soup Kitchen online if you would care to, or in person at the Canadian.
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BLUES for FOOD 2020
https://www.facebook.com/events/1598470017006326
​

Wednesday December 16th 8:00pm - 11:00pm Rusty McCarthy with Jay Case, Josh Norling , Chris Johns, Maja Bannerman, Stuart Bolduc, Val Powley, Liam Seymour.
We're doing a livestream broadcast (from the Canadian) on The 'Blues for Food' facebook site as well.
A Big Thanks to Mike Blair of 705LIVE SOUND CO. for lending a helping a hand with extra equipment, lights, engineering and videography. This year we request monetary donations as no one wants to handle canned goods with COVID 19 upon us.
Blues is underway again, There are sanitizing stations outside washrooms for customers to sanitize as well as a station for the band at the stage. This years Blues for Food resulted in a lower than usual donation of $202.57 to our local Soup Kitchen.
THIS EVENT SOLD OUT!!
​Thursday February 6th - Machine Shop, 83 Huron St. - 7pm -  JACK deKEYZER BAND  
with local opening band ZAKS ALLSTARS. This is a Bon Soo event with the doors opening at 6:30pm. Jack is a 2 time JUNO award winner and 7 times Maple Blues Awards winner. Jack is also nominated for 2 - 2020 Maple Blues awards and his sax player Richard Thornton is also nominated for a 2020 Maple Blues award. Other band members for this show are bass player Alan Duffy, Joey DiMarco on the drums and Nick Succi on keys. "My Love has Gone VIDEO"
​Tickets will be available on Monday Jan. 6th 2020 at the outlets listed on the poster below.
​deKeyser "Ride with Me"  VIDEO and  Website


SAULTONLINE ARTICLE  January 09 2020
SOOTODAY ARTICLE - January 10 2020
SAULT STAR ARTICLE - ​January 10 2020
LAKE SUPERIOR NEWS ARTICLE - January 11 2020
SAULT THIS WEEK ARTICLE - January 20 2020
SAULT STAR INTERVIEW - January 24 2020
​
2019
LINK to Al Lerman Interview from ONNTV . Al's interview is at the 13:30 minute mark. 

​Thursday Sept. 26th - 2pm - Algonquin Hotel - Al Lerman FREE Masters Workshop
Registration is required for this FREE workshop sponsored by Long & McQuade from 2pm to 3:30pm
Space is limited for this workshop please register at Walls Music or Northland Music locations of Long & McQuade.



Thursday Sept. 26th - 8PM Rock Star Bar in Algonquin Hotel - Al Lerman Solo Acoustic Show.
Al Lerman is a seasoned Canadian Blues musician and a founding member and leader of the JUNO and Maple Blues Award winning band Fathead. Come out and be amazed by his guitar, harmonica and singing abilities. Tickets available at locations listed on poster below. LINK to Al Lerman Solo Acoustic video.
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Thursday Sept. 5th - Grand Gardens VERDI Ballroom - doors 7:30 Show 8pm - JOHNNY MAX BAND 
proudly presented by the Sault Blues Society. 
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"driving and rocking R&B mixed effortlessly together with soul and southern influenced blues” - Blues Matters! - Bridgend, UK
LINK to Johnny Max Band video.
LINK to Sault Star article about Johnny Max Band playing Thursday Sept. 5th in the Soo at the Verdi ​
SAULTONLINE ONNTV LINK   Johnny Max interview with Tim Murphy (interview at the 46 minute mark)
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Saturday June 1st- Soo Mill Charity BBQ Great Northern Road from 11am to 2pm in support of the Sault Blues Society. Your SBS Executive  flipped burgers and grilling hotdogs for your pleasure. Support your Sault Blues Society!! 2019 memberships were available. The local blues duo of the "Swamp Cats"  played during the BBQ for your listening and dancing pleasure!!
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Thurs. MAY 30th GRAND GARDENS VERDI BALLROOM - DOORS 7:30pm - SHOW TIME 8PM
R
ay Fuller and the Bluesrockers. 

 Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers LISTEN HERE 
 Great write up about Ray's tour and CD release!!


Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers  played for the South Canada Blues Society in Windsor on Wednesday May 29th, the Sault Blues Society on Thursday May 30th and the Thunder Bay Blues Society on Friday May 31st. This is joint effort between the 3 Ontario Blues Societies, thanks for supporting our Blues Societies!!

REVIEW of Ray's soon to be released CD below and on SBS Facebook page .
Thank you Bill Wilson, Reflections In Blue for this great review of Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers' upcoming album "Pay The Price" on Azuretone Records, release date May 28th.
"The opening tune on this album had me almost convinced that Ray had just crawled out of the swamp. It got my attention…big time!
...ORIGINALS SO WELL WRITTEN and performed that it is sometimes hard to distinguish them from the covers. In my book; that’s a win-win!" - Reflections In Blue
Pay The Price recorded at Oranjudio Studios, Columbus OH 
Recorded/mixed by Joey Gurwin
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Wednesday APRIL 3rd THOMAS WALLS SCHOOL of MUSIC- 7:00pm - This workshop SOLD OUT EARLY!!
HARPDOG BROWN --​Masters Harmonica Workshop - 


Harpdog instructed a Masters Harmonica workshop at 7pm at Thomas Walls School of Music for $20.00.   We encouraged all players from beginner to advanced to attend this workshop. There was a $20.00 fee for this workshop with attendance limited to the first 20 people who signed up at  Thomas Walls School of Music.
To register please call Thomas Walls School of Music at (705) 946-1981 OR Roger Scharbach at (705) 759-8628
​Harpdog was at the Water Tower Pub immediately after the workshop showing just  "how it's done on stage"!!


Wednesday APRIL 3rd THE WATER TOWER INN - 8:30pm - Rusty McCarthy, Lindsay Pugh and Taco Johns were joined by the International Award winning harmonica Harpdog Brown. CD's of Harpdog's latest and all releases were  available at the Pub. LINK to SBS Facebook videos of Harpdog at the Water Tower Inn Pub
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 AMANDA FISH BAND @ MACHINE SHOP -​ Saturday Feb. 9th 2019

The doors opened at 6:30 show started at 7pm
with local opening band Lindsay Pugh, Josh Norling, Frank Deresti and Chris Johns at 7pm.
​
Amanda's latest CD “Free” has been nominated in the Best Emerging Artist Album category for the Blues Foundation 2019 Blues Music Awards.

Award winning, Kansas City based VizzTone recording artist Amanda Fish and her Band. They performed at The Machine Shop on Saturday February 9, 2019. The Lindsay Pugh Band opeed the show.  Amanda's latest CD “Free” has been nominated in the Best Emerging Artist Album category for the Blues Foundation 2019 Blues Music Awards.
Mornings with Lou-Anne and Tim Skype INTERVIEW at the 31:00 minute mark from ONN TV.
​Full 2 hour CONCERT from ONN TV saultonline.com

​Listen to Amanda 
HERE.

​The Sault Blues Society was pleased to be supported by  BON SOO, the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Machine Shop and the Holiday Inn Express. ​
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2018

 Wednesday Oct. 10th  ROCK STAR BAR - 8pm  Reverend Raven and The Chain Smokin' Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy on harmonica This fantastic band will be performing on their way to the Canal Bank Shuffle blues festival in Thorold ON. The Sault Blues Society was very lucky to get them to stop on their way through the Soo.
Please check them out HERE and on our Facebook page HERE.  Sault Star article.
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Thursday May 10th 6:00 pm Verdi Hall - MONKEYJUNK takes to the stage at 8:00pm. 
The Sault Blues Society (SBS) is very pleased to host the 2018 JUNO award winning blues band MonkeyJunk at the Bridgeview Verdi Hall on Thursday May 10th 2018 at 8pm. Optional pasta buffet for an extra $15 at the door starting at 6 pm. 
The Verdi Hall is located at 455 Queen Street W. under the International Bridge.

MONKEYJUNK TICKET OUTLETS ARE NOW CLOSED. SOLD OUT! We scrounged up 10 extra tickets which will be available only at the door so if you still need a ticket get there early to buy at the door. Only 10 available!! Doors open at 6pm for the optional pasta buffet that'll run til 7:30 for an extra $15.
Advanced and SBS member tickets are $20.00, student tickets are $15.00 and tickets at the door will be $25.00.
This SBS show is a licensed ALL ages event.  The dance floor will be open.
There is also a pasta buffet dinner available (from 6:00 - 7:30 pm) by purchasing $15.00 dinner tickets at the door.
​Doors open at 6pm with the show to start at 8pm. 

​See poster at the top of this page. 
The band's website: monkeyjunkband.com
sault star online: MonkeyJunk interview

saultonline.com: "Exclusive one on one with Steve Marriner from MonkeyJunk" 
YouTube.com: "Time to Roll"
GREAT SAULTONLINE.COM ARTICLE ABOUT MONKEYJUNK'S SOO SHOW
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The Sault Blues Society (SBS) is proud to present Harpdog Brown & The Travelin' Blues Show as part of this year's Bon Soo Winter Carnival.  This licensed all ages event will be at the Machine Shop on Sat. Feb 10th with doors opening at 6:30pm. Opening act - The Jay Scali Band - at 7pm.  Harpdog Brown is a 3 time winner of the Maple Blues Awards' "harmonica player of the year" and was nominated again this year.  Included in the Travelin' Blues Show are keyboard player Graham Guest and slide trombone player Sky Lambourne. Local musicians Joel Poluck on guitar and Mark Gough on drums round out Harpdog's Travelin' Blues show for this great concert. Tickets are $15.00 advanced and SBS members, $10.00 for 16yrs and under. Tickets are available at outlets listed on the poster below or $20.00 at the door, also available at saultctc.ca.
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saultonline.com: "Sault Blues Society Presents Harpdog Brown part of Bon Soo 2018"
saultonline.com: "Harpdog Harmonica workshop, sign up today!!"
SooSpin.com: "Harpdog Brown is back in town"

​​Sootoday.com: "Harpdog returns to celebrate Bon Soo"
​
YouTube.com: "The Blues Tribe interview March 2017"
The Sault Star: 
"Older is better for Harpdog Brown
"
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​Sunday February 11th - 2pm HARMONICA WORKSHOP by HARPDOG BROWN at Thomas Walls School of Music - 505 Albert Street SSM. 705-946-1981 $20.00 for 20 participants only. For beginners to advanced. Bring an "A" Harp.  
saultonline.com: "Harpdog Harmonica workshop, sign up today!!"
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2017
Saturday December 16th 9:00pm Water Tower Inn -    BLUES FOR FOOD 2017
Once again Rusty has put together a stellar group of volunteer musicians to perform for our listening and dancing pleasure AND to help raise money and non perishable food items for our local Soup Kitchen. Please come out and participate and share your good fortune with others by donating cash $$ or some non perishable items. The Sault Blues Society Executive will be on hand to accept donation and deliver them to the Soup Kitchen. List of musicians on poster below.
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Thursday July 27th 8pm - The Rock Star Bar - The Snyders Band The Sault Blues Society is very proud to present the Snyders. Advanced tickets now available at the 8 outlets listed on the poster below. Advanced tickets are $12.00.
​Check out the links below for the Snyders on stage performances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxltqugdJoU&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=achJHai8ghA
https://www.facebook.com/snydersmusic/


SAULT STAR article on the Snyders July 22 2017


SAULT STAR interview with STEVE STRONGMAN 
​SAULTONLINE interview with STEVE STRONGMAN

****  Thursday June 22nd 8pm - The Machine Shop - The Steve Strongman Band - The Sault Blues Society is very pleased to be partnered with The Machine Shop for this excellent upcoming event. Steve is a JUNO and 4 time Maple Blues Award winner. Tickets available at the 8 outlets listed on the poster below. DO NOT be disappointed, get your advanced tickets for $20.00!!
Please take a listen to Steve and his band here and here and 
here.   ​
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2016
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Saturday Dec. 10th 2016 --9pm - Midnight -- 7th ANNUAL BLUES FOR FOOD -- Rusty McCarthy has once again organized at least 12 local musicians to play their hearts out for donations to our local Soup Kitchen. Non perishable food items and CA$H donations will be collected by Sault Blues Society (SBS) Executive members.
​2017 SBS memberships will also be available. Don't forget your dancin' shooz!!
The Sault Blues Society executive helped to promote and gave of their time as well to collect at the door. We garnered about 14 full boxes of food stuff and a WHOPPING $618.20 in monetary donations. Rusty Mccarthy, all our great local talented singers and musicians as well as the Executive of the Sault Blues Society thank all who attended for their overwhelming generosity in support of our local Soup Kitchen.
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Saturday Sept. 24, 2016 -- The SAULT BLUES SOCIETY proudly presents the Award winning duo Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley with local rhythm section Mark Gough and Lindsay Pugh at the Rock Star Bar. Doors open at 8:30, all details below on the poster and check out links below:
saultonline.com: "Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite Dive into Blues"
saultstar.com: "Blues veterans know genre's history"
http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com/
http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com/videos.html
     
Tickets are available at locations listed on the poster below and at www.kctc.ca                                                
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​Saturday June 18th 2pm at Thomas Walls School of Music . MASTERS PIANO WORKSHOP with Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne!! 
This from Sootoday.com earlier in June 2016.
As a lead up to the Sounds of Summer Bluesfest, Thomas Walls School of Music (505 Albert St. East) will host a workshop and master class with Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne at 2 p.m. Interested participants are invited to join the discussion and demonstrations of blues piano history, roots, techniques and styles. Space is limited and requires a $10 registration fee.
Please email [email protected] or call (705) 946-1981 to reserve your spot.
​

Saturday June 18th SOUNDS OF SUMMER BLUESFEST @ the Canadian Motor Hotel. 
This ALL AGES event will take place at the Canadian Motor Hotel on Pim Street. 
The opening band is the Pine Tones from White Pines Collegiate at 7pm. 
The second act is Mustang Sally from Korah Collegiate at 8pm.
The house band is The Blueshop - Mike Yurich (guitar), Bob Yeomans (drums), Lindsay Pugh (bass)and Josh Norling (sax) at 9pm. 
The headliner Maple Blues award and Juno award winner Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne tickling the keyboard at 10pm and 11pm.
Tickets on sale Tuesday May 31 at the Canadian, Thomas Walls, Cases Music, Northland Music , The Radzone , Stones Office suppy and at the Kiwanis Community Theatre box office Station Mall and KCTC.ca  (convenience charges apply at Box office and online).
The ticket prices for the 2016 Bluesfest are $20.00 advance and SBS members,  $25.00 at the door and $15.00 for students (18 years & under). 
Listen 

 HERE "Something's going on in my room"!! !!! Check out kennybluesboss.com and on facebook: Mustang Sally and the Pine Tones.   Plan to come out and enjoy the BLUES!!!! 
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SaultOnline.com article about the
​ Sault Blues Society Sounds of Summer Bluesfest 2016

The "Ty one ON" benefit article from sootoday.com is HERE
​

With the help of Rusty and his selection of musicians we collectively raised $1,335.00 for our Buddy Tyrone Souliere, thanks to all that supported this!!


Saturday April 16th WTI- "Ty one ON" --- Plans are finished for a  musical benefit for Ty Souliere (bass player with 5ive Below Zero and MOJO) at the Watertower Inn Pub (WTI). There are numerous musicians that are proud to call Ty a friend and have played on stage with him over the past number of years. SBS Executives will be on hand to accept donations at the Pub doors. Those in attendance will have the chance to win draws of 2 SBS memberships and a VERY NICE gift certificate of "a one night stay in a signature room with a 50.00 dinner coupon for Casey's " graciously donated by the Water Tower Inn. Draws will take place at the end of the second set (about 11pm)!!! Please come out, have fun, dance and help out a great supportive friend and musician. Don't forget your dancin' shoozes.

MUSICIAN SIGNED POSTER FOR "TY ONE ON "
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FEBRUARY

Monday 22   LIL EAGLE 8  - 10 pm Gore Street Cafe -Lil Eagle is a recently formed blues band, Adrienne Surace using her cahone for percussion, Joe Surace playing bass, Jeff Hinich on harmonica, and Leon Kyle playing guitar and singing. Playing Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Robert Johnson, Son House, Buddy Guy, BB King and more.​

Wed 24 - VIKING BLUES - Mark Gough, Josh Norling, Rusty McCarthy -WATER TOWER PUB 8:30 pm.

Thurs 25  - MOJO JAM - Rock Blues Country R&B - REGGIE'S WEST 8 pm.

2015


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  • Sat. Dec. 12 - BLUES FOR FOOD fundraiser for the local Soup Kitchen - see poster below - sponsored by SAULT BLUES SOCIETY & Water Tower Pub - featuring Val Powley, 5ive Below Zero, Rusty McCarthy, Al Davis, Keith Conway, Paul DellaVadova, Josh Norling, Gerry Paquin, Jeanine Jefferson, Brien Proulx, Ty Souliere, Mark Gough, Pete Cooper, Doc Cousineau, Greg Simpson, Colin Nelson. Admission is free with donation of nonperishable food (Water Tower Pub 9 pm) Blues for Food Facebook page
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THIS SAULT BLUES SOCIETY ARTICLE
IS FROM SOOTODAY.COM FRIDAY JUNE 26 2015


Johnnie Tibbles wants to give you the blues
By Donna Hopper
SooToday.com
Friday, June 26, 2015

He may not have a musical bone in his body, but what Johnnie Tibbles does have is a deep appreciation for live music, especially the blues.
"I played the upright bass for five years in high school, but that was just to get an easy credit," Tibbles joked. "Since then, I've not taken part in music aside from tapping my fingers on the table and tapping my feet. But I really enjoy music, especially the blues, and I've seen lots of the big names such as Steve Strongman, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, George Thorogood, Johnny Winter, and the list goes on. I really enjoy blues. I just feel it."
The new president of the Sault Blues Society sees changes on the horizon for the not-for-profit organization, some of which have already been set in motion.
He was pleased to tell SooToday that the board of directors has increased from seven to 11 volunteer executives, including five previous members and six new.
"We've now got a really good mix of experience and new energy on the board," Tibbles said.
Other plans include creating an in-school blues education program and the creation of a new Sault Ste. Marie Blues Festival.
Funding for Sault Blues Society marketing and events comes from yearly memberships and event ticket sales.
Current memberships, valid until the end of 2016, are available for $25 each.
Members enjoy a variety of perks such as discounted event tickets, prize draws, and advanced notice of upcoming shows.
"We're a not-for-profit organization, so we're not interested in collecting money. The funds are used on future events, gradually working towards bigger acts," Tibbles explained. "Even the biggest blues festivals had to start somewhere small."
As the society works towards these goals, it will continue to present and participate in regular events, including the weekly blues nights hosted by Rusty McCarthy Wednesday evenings at the Water Tower Pub.
And this Saturday, June 27, the Sault Blues Society is please to present a tribute to BB King at the Water Tower Pub at 9 p.m.
This free all-local showcase features Al Davis (event emcee), Bruce Beyer, Keith Conway, Mark Gough, Paul DellaVedova, Pete Cooper, Rusty McCarthy, Stuart Bolduc, and Val Powley.
"After his death in May, we thought it would be nice to pay tribute and at the same time create some local exposure of and interest in the Blues Society and blues music," Tibbles said about the event.
On Thursday, July 2 at 9 p.m., the Sault Blues Society will host Montreal blues artist Cecile Doo-Kingue at the Water Tower Pub.
Admission for this show is $10 for the general public, and $5 for Blues Society members.
For more information about these events and other Sault Blues Society initiatives, please click here. saultblues.com
  

    Click to read the Sault Online article: "Got the Blues?"
    and the Sault Star interview "Tribute salutes blues great King"
    and the SooToday interview "Johnnie Tibbles wants to give you the Blues" 
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RUSTY McCARTHY 
NEW CD Release - "BLACK DOG"

SATURDAY MAY 2, 2015 

9 - 12 pm
NO COVER CHARGE

THE PUB 
ALGOMA's WATER TOWER INN
360 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Listen: CDBaby-Rusty McCarthy

Website: RustyMcCarthy.ca


Watch:  YouTube Irish Tour 2012


Sault Blues Society Memberships 
will be available for sale 
at Rusty's CD Release
SPECIAL PRICE OF $25 for 2015-2016
(usual price of $20 per year)



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Wicked Grin
Water Tower Pub
360 Great Northern Rd
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Wed. Apr.22, 2015
NO COVER CHARGE


Ottawa’s Wicked Grin was named best new group in the 18th annual Maple Blues Awards, the band’s first award from the Canadian blues community. The awards were handed out during a ceremony in Toronto on Jan 16, 2015.



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Robert Barclay: Host of "The Juke Joint" - great blues every Sunday at 8:00pm on WCMU radio  http://www.wcmu.org/radio/radio_bios.html#2

Blues Society Signs courtesy of Jim Aquino at YES, SIGNS NOW: [email protected]

NEARBY BLUES FESTIVALS:

Marquette Area Blues Fest:   www.marquetteareabluessociety.com

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This is not a link


Old Town Hall Summer Concert Series (Hilton Beach, ON): http://oldtownhall.ca/

Rusty McCarthy's Ireland Tour (YouTube Clip):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb6EFrBvZpg&feature=youtu.be


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2013



Sat. June 8th, 2013
ALLSTAR BLUES REVUE
a veritable “who’s who” of Canadian blues featuring
 
Chuck Jackson and Gary Kendall
(Downchild Blues Band)
 Teddy Leonard and Bucky Berger 
(Fathead)
and the fabulous Blues Diva
 
Miss Robin Bank$

OPENING BAND:  THE DIRTY RIVER BLUES BAND with Rusty McCarthy

Five Below Zero on YouTube:

Fri. June 7th, 2013
FATHEAD
 
Opening Band:  FIVE BELOW ZERO

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With two Juno Awards along with
numerous music industry trophies to their credit, FATHEAD has
played the top blues rooms, concert halls and music festivals from coast to
coast. Their music is steeped heavily in the blues, married with elements of
r&b, funk and soul, and possesses a unique ensemble sound that is
immediately recognizable as their own.

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MUCH ANTICIPATED NEW CD FROM

RUSTY MCCARTHY

"The Wexford Blues Sessions"

COME ONE - COME ALL TO RUSTY'S CD RELEASE PARTY!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29TH

WATER TOWER PUB

9 PM






Zak's 30th Reunion was held Fri. Dec. 27th, 2013 at Algoma's Water Tower Pub.

Jimmy (Jay) Scali and Zak's Allstars performed to a capacity crowd.

This night was the last  Jay Scali performance since he is retiring from performing music!

It has been a great run for over 45 years and we have been very lucky to be able to experience his great talent over that time!

In honour of Jay's achievements and longevity, The Sault Blues Society presented him with the First Annual Sault Blues Society Music Appreciation Award and a Sault Blues Society Lifetime Membership.
Zak's Allstars performed at the 30th Anniversary of Zak's Restaurant on Dec. 27th, 2013.

This was also the occasion of Jay Scali's last performance as he is retiring as a musician after over 40 years of great performances.

This night of great music and comraderie was captured by Don Kelly who has produced a 2 disc DVD set of the event featuring the band, Jay, Mike (Zak) Zaharuk, presentations and interviews.

Don is making the DVD available for the low price of $15.00. If you want a piece of Sault Ste. Marie musical history, 

contact Don at:  705-945-0713   .....Or email him at:   [email protected] 

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The Sault Blues Society once again participated in the BLUES FOR FOOD event at Algoma's Water Tower Inn Pub on Sat. Dec. 14th. Proceeds (cash and food items) were donated to the Soup Kitchen.

Local musicians featured included:


Frank Bock, Rick Charbonneau,  Al Davis, Pete Cooper, Britta Wolfert
Shirley Kominos, 
Val , Paul DelaVedova, Warren Reville, Al Wood, 
                                      The Oasis Jewels Dancers and Rusty McCarthy





Bill Durst has been nominated for a
Maple Blues Award as the "Electric Act of the Year" 
Bill rocked the The
Algoma Water Tower Pub Wed. Nov. 6th, 2013

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We recently lost a great friend and a great blues fan.
RIP John Watkins.
 

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SECOND ANNUAL SAULT BLUES FESTIVAL, JUNE 7 & 8, 2013

Second Annual Blues Festival - DAY ONE - Friday June 7, 2013
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Some great shots of the ALLSTAR BLUES REVUE (courtesy of Warren Reville) featuring Chuck Jackson and Gary Kendall (Downchild Blues Band), Bucky Berger and Teddy Leonard (Fathead, Miss Robin Bank$ and local sax player Josh Norling:

Flip, Flop and Fly - A Downchild Blues Band classic - Water Tower Pub, Sault Blues Festival, June 8, 2013 (with local sax player, Josh Norling)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151703215038674&set=vb.512708673&&theater

Day Two - Great performance by the ALLSTAR BLUES REVUE featuring Chuck Jackson and Miss Robin Bank$ - Water Tower Pub, June 8th, 2013 (with local sax player, Josh Norling)

https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10152875827050181

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DTW HAS LANDED IN SSM

Dawn rocks SOLD OUT crowd at Water Tower Pub - March 15, 2013!

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(Great B/W pictures courtesy of Donna Hopper)


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SAULT BLUES SOCIETY CELEBRATED 3rd ANNIVERSARY WITH TWO DAYS OF JAZZ AND BLUES WITH.....INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER - DAWN TYLER WATSON 

March 15th & 16, 2013





Thank you to our sponsors who help to make it all happen:

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CANADIAN
 HOTEL

NORTHSIDE TOYOTA
803 Great Northern Road 




Chicago's South Side Denny - March 13, 2013 at Water Tower Pub

2012

First Annual Sault Blues Society Blues Festival - June 2012

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The poster says it all!
Annual Zak's Reunion was a great party.

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Zak's Allstar Band
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Mr. Mike (Zak) Zaharuk
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Bluesman Al Wood
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Val Powley and Shirley Kominos
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The Ladies Sing The Blues!
Burlesque performance by Tallulah Gin at the Irene Torres and The Sugar Devils show at the Canadian Night Club in Sault Ste. Marie - Oct. 6th....presented by the Sault Blues Society (should have been there!)
 

Irene Torres and The Sugar Devils - Oct 6th at The Canadian Night Club

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Two live videos of their performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbMi1c_rG80&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkh3aJB2_Gc


Special performance by Tallulah Gin:

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The Sault Blues Society presents:
IRENE TORRES AND THE SUGAR DEVILS
Sat. Oct 6, 2012
The Canadian Night Club
$10 - Tickets available at The Canadian Hotel front desk or at the door

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Winners of the Toronto Blues  Society 2012 new talent search, Toronto’s  jazz / blues collective
Irene Torres& The Sugar Devils are comprised of acclaimed and award winning artists from all over the world, bringing a wide variety of experience  and multi-cultural musical influences to create an intriguing and eclectic sound. 

With their unmistakable jazz, blues and soul sound, Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils features the vocal styling of sultry Peruvian born singer Irene  Torres, who sings in three languages.  Her voice can also be recognized on commercial jingles for many large corporations. Her talents stretch beyond
lyrics and singing, when it's time to perform she is one seductive lady to see and hear. 

The Sugar Devils are experienced musicians from all genres, including Drew Austin, an internationally touring drummer and percussionist who has worked with award winning artists in every genre. Drew transforms the band with his ability to play delicate or ferocious in any format. Bassist and guitarist Josh "Yoshi" Piche is a well-recognized musical director and producer in Toronto. 
 
Their recent seven song EP release has been getting extensive airplay and reviews across Canadaand the
USA!
"A swinging outfit that has the best of retro with a contemporary hold.... Irene has the pipes to impress and deals the cards like her life is at stake... but its the band that  holds the  winning hand....last show I was at rocked all night. I can make sure they get what they deserve when they are in New Orleans again, a night almost as hot as they are." .... - Johnny Sansone (
Jumpin' Johnny Sansone ranks as one of the world's finest blues harmonica players.
 

To listen to their jazzy blues go to:  
www.thesugardevils.com and click "play" at top left.

On YouTube:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6KeVOUJN08

                                               PLEASE SUPPORT THE BLUES!

                                                         A SAULT BLUES SOCIETY PRES                                                                             From Toronto:
                    THE 24TH STREET WAILERS
                                          The Water Tower Pub
                                     
Thursday August 2nd, 2012
The 24th Street Wailers have a dirty little secret. On the  surface, they may appear to be fresh-faced college kids – but don’t  let that,
or the title of their recent release, Dirty Little Young’uns  fool you.  The 24th Street Wailers are a group of experienced, driven and  academically trained musicians full of piss and vinegar with energy to spare.
 Known for their funky, danceable and often hilarious live performances the band has played most of the joints in their home town of
Toronto: Grossman’s, the Silver Dollar Room, the Rex, Hugh’s Room and assorted pubs and bars. In 2010, after only one year together as a band, The 24th Street Wailers made waves in the tight-knit blues community by
winning the Toronto Blues Society  talent search, and performing at festivals such as The South Side Shuffle, The Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival, The Orangeville Blues and Jazz estival, and the Toronto Blues Society’s 25th anniversary party.                                                                       

                                                               

                                      The 1st Annual Sault Blues Festival 
        held June 6 through 9, 2012 was a great success!

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Winner of Axiom Outdoor Speakers:  Shelley Nelson Bond

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Presented by Brent Tombari, Axiom

Winner of the Pino's Gift Certificate:  Nancy Norman

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Presented by Jim Traveson, Sault Blues Society President.

1st Annual Sault Blues Festival featured local musicians and headliners Steve Strongman and The David Rotundo Band:

 
The Sault Blues Society hosted the 1st Annual Sault Blues Festival June 6 through 9, 2012 at the Water Tower Pub located at Algoma's Water Tower Inn & Suites, 360 Great Northern Road.

 Schedule:

Local Blues...
Wed. June 6th - Rusty McCarthy and The Dirty River Blues Band featuring 'The Ladies Sing The Blues' ...This presentation is FREE courtesy of  the Water Tower Pub, The Sault Blues Society and our Sponsors.

Thurs. June 7th - The Bebop Blues and Jazz Band featuring Jeff  "King" Holmes, Martin "Wildman" Virta, Josh "Fleet Fingers" Norling, Ed "Traps" Young, Rusty "Bluesman" McCarthy AND special surprise Blues Legends....This presentation is FREE courtesy of  the Water Tower Pub, The Sault Blues Society and our Sponsors.

Headliners...
Fri. June 8th -
Steve Strongman (voted 2012 Blues Guitarist of  the Year) - Hot Chicago and Delta Blues ....also featuring his brand new CD Release "A Natural Fact".

Sat. June 9th -
The David Rotundo Band featuring award winning Harmonica Player David Rotundo (with special guests Juno Award Winning Blues Keyboardist, Julian Fauth).

Ticket Cost:  
Wednesday and Thursday - FREE
Friday - $20.00 / $15.00 Blues Society Members.
Saturday - $20.00 / $15.00 Blues Society Members.

David Rotundo Band

David Rotundo Band on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqXcjQeAEDM
                                                                     
http://www.youtube.m/cowatch?v=LcbMl4q0H8g
                                                   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N61Em_wTbkY&feature=related

Toronto blues harpist David Rotundo heard James Cotton perform at the El Mocambo in 1991. “He blew one note on the harmonica that hypnotized me...” The next day,  Rotundo went out and bought a harmonica. “…and I’ve been playing the blues ever since.”Obsession with the blues led Rotundo on a diesel-fuelled roots tour of blues epicentres of the United States including – New Orleans, Clarksdale, Austin, Memphis and Chicago with little more than his wits and a bag full of harmonicas. “I wanted to hear and experience the real thing.” He returned to Canada with a visceral perception of the blues and a deep knowledge of blues history. After making the stories his own, he earned the right to tell them.
Rotundo has developed his own language of the blues, honing the technique that gives his voice power and authenticity. When you see David Rotundo live, you’ll know instantly that he lives for what he does.

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David Rotundo - www.davidrotundo.com
















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Steve Strongman


Steve Strongman on Youtube: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2rzyogi5LiA#!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rzyogi5LiA 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fH435t1tzQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3S9TCu4-M0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZcD75ThcA

Steve Strongman has recently received the Blues Guitarist of the Year Award.  Beyond Strongman’s talent as a songwriter, guitarist and front man is his ability to engage his audience and deliver an outstanding performance at every live show. With his inimitable guitar playing and soulful vocals, Strongman delivers incredible performances with power and passion.   
Beginning   his professional music career at the age of 16, Strongman has spent over 20 years touring Canada, Europe and, more recently, South America. Along the way he’s been chosen to open shows and perform with Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, Randy Bachman, Roy Clark, Otis Clay, Jeff Healey, Sonny Landreth, and British legend Joe Cocker, to name a few. As well as receiving the Blues Guitarist of the Year Award, he was the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Mel Brown Blues Award as well as the 2010 Hamilton Music Award winner for Blues Recording of the Year for his second studio release ‘Blues in Colour’. Strongman has just released his highly anticipated acoustic CD ‘A Natural Fact’ featuring solo acoustic material.
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Steve Strongman - Voted Blues Guitartist of the Year - www.stevestrongman.com

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Julian Fauth
Julian Fauth’staste for the  blues was influenced early in life by radio programs that he heard around the  house as a young child. His father was a radio journalist and when Julian was  six he brought home some discarded LPs from the radio station. One of them was a  blues LP called 'The Golden Blues Hour', with 20 tracks, from John Hurt to Buddy  Guy. Amongst the radio programmes he heard at the time was an adaptation of Paul  Oliver's 'The Story Of The Blues', with songs by Leroy Carr & Scrapper  Blackwell, Bumble Bee Slim and Big Maceo. Another was one on the songs of black  American prisoners. That was some powerful singing and he still remembers some  of the songs he heard.  
When Julian was around seven  or eight years old one of his dad's aunts died and left him a piano.  He started  fooling around on the piano pretending to be Memphis Slim, pounding the keys and  hollering songs he could barely understand. Today Memphis Slim is still one of  Julian’s favourite blues pianists, although he also loves artists like Roosevelt  Sykes, Leroy Carr, and Sunnyland Slim. When the 1980s came along Julian would  creep into Pop The Gator, where Mel Brown was hosting a regular Wednesday Night  jam setting the stage for the nineties where he found himself enjoying the  unpretentious, undemanding camaraderie of the bars in Kensington Market. After  moving to Toronto in 1996, Julian began jamming in the Kensington Market bars,  which then led to a busy career on the Toronto blues scene (not to mention a  meeting with David Rotundo with whom he recorded and continues to play as a  duet).  
Over the years since, Julian  has played in places as diverse as Chicago and Detroit, Moscow and Volgograd and  Veradero, Cuba. Julian has played with some of Toronto's finest blues musicians  including David Rotundo, Paul Reddick, Michael Pickett, Brian Blain and Rick  Zollkower. Julian Fauth has become a soulful singer-songwriter and barrelhouse  piano player working in the tradition of pre-war acoustic blues. He’s a rustic,  energetic honky-tonk piano player; a two-fisted barrelhouse piano player who  swings as well as he boogies.  
He won a JUNO in 2009 for Blues Album of the Year.


Julian Fauth on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl2xWKeY5NE
                                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhB_BayTSUo&feature=related
                                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ynhkkYeryg&feature=related

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Julian Fauth - Juno Award winning Blues Keyboardist - www.julianfauth.com


Rusty McCarthy                                                            

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Rusty "Bluesman" McCarthy - www.rustymccarthy.com

Rusty McCarthy - Singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and one of the finest Blues and Jazz guitarist on the scene today. With a career spanning three decades and sharing the stage with some of the finest performers in the world. As a free-lance guitarist, Rusty has jammed and played with pop's Alanah Myles, Tom Cochrane, Bare Naked Ladies and played Blues with Jeff Healey, Jerome Godboo, The Blues Brothers, jazz with Bill Frisell, Holly Cole, Molly Johnson and Folk with Colleen Peterson and Katherine Wheatley. His musical projects have him travelling the world, often as band leader and guitarist with Mary Margaret O'Hara. Notable shows were in London, New York and L.A. sharing the stage with music icons Sting, Lou Reed, Marianne Faithful, Steve Earle, and Elvis Costello. TV Appearances include N.B.C.'s Night Music', BBC 'Top of the Pops," and Much Music.





Rusty's latest performances have been ATP festival Somerset, Edmonton Folk festival, Wexford Opera Festival, Pop Montreal, and a recent March 2012 blues tour of Ireland.
Along the way Rusty has found time to hone his craft as a songwriter - and is devoting more time to finding his niche in the performance world, and it's being appreciated. In fact, Rusty's composed scores for BRAVO TV's "A Taste Of Shakespeare." and his song "Baking A Cake" has been included in the late David Carradine film 'Autumn' .


Rusty McCarthy on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djqyj__j71g       
Rusty on myspace....http://www.myspace.com/mcbluesband
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Ladies Sing The Blues

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Ladies Sing The Blues
Featuring three of the best female singers in Sault Ste. Marie, Shirley Kominos(guitar/vocals), Val Powley (vocals) and Lynne Reville (keyboard /vocals). Lynne sings the R and B classics; Val sings and wails Janis Joplin to a T; and the ever personable Shirley nails Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. These ladies harmonize like choir girls but the energy is anything but. They bring out the crowds, especially women (and thus the men), to dance and party. They perform regularly at the Watertower Pub Wednesday Night Blues Night and have made appearances at the Roberta Bondar Tent Summer Concert series 2010-11, Rotaryfest 2011, and more recently CARHA.




https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ladies-Sing-The-Blues/160055440711033?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?v=347440635305845&set=vb.160055440711033&&theater



The Water Tower Pub at Algoma's Water Tower Inn & Suites is the Host for the Sault Blues Festival

                                                          Thank You to our 2012 Sponsors:

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A huge thank you to this year's sponsors!!
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
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Signage courtesy of Yes Signs Now

Other Past Events:

Al Wood and The Woodsmen - New CD Release Party
Sat. May 5, 2012      http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=42174

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A great Blues Event! Al Wood & The Woodsmen are the real deal. AND a surprise burlesque performance thrown it!!

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Sault Blues Society Fundraiser
VOODOO GUITAR EXPLOSION
Friday April 13, 2012
A Blues Guitarist Extravaganza!!!

Watertower Pub


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Jack de Keyser at the Watertower Pub March 21, 2012

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March 14, 2012
Fundraiser for 'Rusty McCarthy Ireland Tour' at the Watertower Pub
Sponsored by The Watertower Inn and Suites , the Sault Blues Society and Rusty's many friends (esp. Britta Wolfert and Madge Sanderson)..

2011
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SAULT BLUES SOCIETY MEMBERS: If you are a paid-up member, Cover charge for Dec 3rd Al Wood event is only $2.00 ($5.00 for non-members) AND you are eligible to win: • A $30.00 Casey’s Gift Certificate • A complimentary Water Tower Inn Spa visit (both drawn Dec 3rd) AND • A pair of Axiom Outdoor Stereo Speakers - $368.00 value (draw - ...Spring 2012) - Courtesy of AXIOM www.axiomaudio.com Purchase a new membership or renew yours Dec 3rd to be eligible.
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Algoma Fall Festival presented MonkeyJunk at the Watertower Inn Pub Oct. 12, 2011

http://www.local2.ca/ssm/viewarticle.php?id=2947

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Tony D
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Steve Marriner
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MonkeyJunk at the Watertower Inn Pub - Oct. 12, 2011



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 All Day Concert - Sat. Sept. 10, 2011; Noon til 11:00 pm
This is a Fundraiser for Seachmont Resort

Overnite accommodations available at very reasonable rates: camping, RV's,
chalet rentals.

BBQ and Bar

$10.00 - Tickets available at The Rad Zone and The Duke of Windsor Sport Shop


https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Searchmont-Music-Festival/252425664778892
 
Searchmont Resort is a not-for-profit organization




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The legendary Curly Bridges gave a great performance at the Old Town Hall in Hilton Beach on Wed. Aug. 10th.

A sample of Curly: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQEpnb-FRuQ

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A Red Cross fundraiser in partnership with the Sault Blues Society and the Water Tower Pub was a success on June 25th, 2011.
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The Sault Blues Society presented a rare appearance by the 9 piece Brass Taxx band on Sat. May 7, 2011 at the Watertower Pub. See pictures and videos on our Pictures page.
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The Feb. 26th fundraiser was another great success thanks to the talent of The Dirty River Blues Band and Five Below Zero. Much-needed funds were raised since one goal of the Sault Blues Society is to host an Annual Blues Festival in Sault Ste. Marie. Thanks to the following local businesses for donating prizes: WaterTower Inn - One night's stay in a Signature Suite Casey's Grill - $30 gift certificate Minelli's Takeout - $25 gift certificate Message Kneads - one free message Service Grill - one free large pizza with 2 toppings Blues Society member winners were: Wayne Fischer John Crowder Gwen Oulton Liz Metheany Dave Gouge Thanks to all members for their continued support! Not a member yet? Please consider it....we need your support.
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This event was SOLD OUT !

Harpdog Brown with Graham Guest at Loplops Lounge
Oct. 29, 2011
Photos courtesy of Bob Stares Photography  www.fluidr.com/photos/bobstares

The Sault Blues Society in partnership with Stage Right Entertainment proudly presented Juno Award winner Paul James on Friday June 17, 2011 at the Canadian Night Club (downstairs). A great turnout! (photos courtesy of Johnnie Tibbles & Ruth Galinis).

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The Sault Blues Society presented a rare appearance by the 9 piece Brass Taxx band on Sat. May 7, 2011 at the Watertower Pub.

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Sault Blues Society "DOUBLE SHOT OF BLUES - STRAIGHT UP, NO ICE" fundraiser - Feb. 26, 2011 (photos courtesy of Johnnie Tibbles)

2010
SAULT BLUES SOCIETY'S FIRST YEAR




Sault Blues Society Fundraiser with FIVE BELOW ZERO and special guests, Nov. 27, 2010
(Photos courtesy of John W. Tibbles and Paul Gouge)



Five Below Zero Blues Band:



Water Tower Pub Wednesday Nite Blues:



Water Tower Pub Blues Concerts:


Alan Gerber (Rhinocerous) In Concert:

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B.B. King and Eric Clapton
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Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton
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Santana and God (Clapton)
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Mr. Rusty McCarthy
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Brock 'Never Play the Same Thing Once' Gillis
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18 Forever Concert Musicians
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