BIO FUN STUFF HOME LINKS CD CLIPS PHOTOS
'SMILE' just keeps on truckin' along!
Now that it's been alive and well for over three years, it's amazing how far-reaching it has become.
I've gained a lot of valued new friends and fans because of 'SMILE' as well as having reconnected with friends whom
I had lost track of when I moved to Canada's west coast.
Soon after the cd's release, Adele Wilding, a fine jazz vocalist in the UK heard a cut from 'SMILE'
and ordered it right then an' there from one of our Canadian distributors.
I'm happy that Adele has agreed to be the official rep for 'SMILE' in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,
and she has been promoting the heck out of it 'over there'.
During these few years of the cd's life, she has become a fan and a good friend, and has made many more folks
around her aware of not only 'SMILE', but of other fine Canadian talent as well.
One of those friends who has re-appeared from my musical past is
Carole Warren
We met in the seventies when Carole was successfuly carving out her singing career in Ontario.
Her voice is amazing, and she drew accolades everywhere she performed.
She's married to Steve Kennedy, saxophonist of the famed Canadian group
and occasionally hosts C.B.C. Radio's morning show
Carole found a copy of 'SMILE' in the Toronto C.B.C library which Neil Richie had supplied when 'SMILE' was first released, and has given 'SMILE' some great airplay.
Appreciate the plugs, Carole!
Neil Ritchie
Neil is a co-producer with Jurgen Gothe's 'Disc Drive' radio program and producer of Paul Grant's popular 'Hot Air' show.
Jurgen Gothe
Paul Grant
Neil, Jurgen and Paul have been a big help in getting my music out there by giving 'SMILE' lots of airplay.
Thank you, guys!
Hey folks! You could catch a cut from 'SMILE' by tuning in to either show.
My fellow musician Denis Simpkin was then, and continues to be a major fan and good friend, and he insisted on taking a tape
of some MIDI tracks I had put together in my home studio to Neil at the C.B.C.
Neil called soon after to ask if I'd like to have the 'trio' featured on an upcoming 'Hot Air' show.
I told him we'd love to do it.
Now I had to put a group together...fast!
So I went on a hunt for musicians and one night happened into Rossini's where resident pianist
Linton Garner
asked me to play a few tunes with the fine drummer who was sitting in.
Turns out the drummer was
Bob Liley
who had been the leader of two excellent 1950's London, Ontario groups, 'The Mel-O-Denes' and 'Capers'
The Mel-o-denes
¥ Harold Evanson ¥ Jack Brewer ¥ Bob Liley ¥ Larry Foxworthy ¥ Walter Scott
(click on pictures for larger view)
Capers
¥ Garth Hudson¥ Gerry Risser ¥ Bob Liley ¥ Paul Hutchins (front) ¥ Phil Murphy
Bob was with 'Capers' in London at the same time my group was playing there.
He and I had never met nor worked together before meeting in Vancouver,
but it was a no-brainer to ask Bob to be the trio drummer, thanks to Linton musically introducing us.
A while later, we asked Brian Harrison to be our bassist
and we three just keep on cookin'...
Things are always a-changin' in here, so come back and see us often!
Click here to order 'SMILE'
...or buy individual 'SMILE' tracks from
BIO FUN STUFF HOME LINKS CD CLIPS PHOTOS
