Ottawa Grassroots Festival… For all our friends and family in the Ottawa corridor, we’re pleased to announce that Ken Whiteley and the Beulah Band will be headlining the Ottawa Grassroots Festival on Saturday, April 22nd. We’re happy to have Ottawa’s own, Twin Flames, to perform an opening set.
Calling all “Fredheads”… Fred Penner and Ken Whiteley reunited to record Fred’s latest CD, “Hear The Music”. Produced by Ken, this brand new collection of fabulous songs showcases Fred at his best joined by a few of his musical friends… Terra Lightfoot, The Good Lovelies, Alex Cuba, Bahamas, Ron Sexsmith, Rosalyn Dennett, and more. Join Fred, Ken and the band at the Toronto CD release on April 23rd at Lula Lounge.
“Into The Blue”… Ken just finished producing Kim Doolittle’s 9th studio album, “Into The Blue”. For those of you who may not be familiar with Kim, her sound marries roots blues, folk and a hint of alternative country. She’s shared the stage with many famous and infamous people from Jeff Healey to Serena Ryder and Rita MacNeil. Ken will join Kim and her band on April 8th at Port Hope United Church. The Toronto CD release concert will follow in May at the Burdock Lounge.
CHANGES TO THE SUNDAY GOSPEL SERIES SHOWS @ HUGH’s ROOM! Sadly the Sunday, March 26th Gospel Matinee at Hugh’s Room has been cancelled. We will start them up again in the Fall (mark Oct. 29th on your calendar) with the hope that the new Hugh’s Room for the Performing Arts is up and running well before then.
For updates regarding the re-opening of Hugh’s Room go to hughsroom.ca. To make a donation to Hugh’s Room go to gofundme.com/hughsroom or donate by: cheque – payable to Iler Campbell in Trust, mailed to: Iler Campbell LLP, 150 John St., Toronto M5V 3E3, or e-transfer to: tpereira@ilercampbell.com – provide Brian Iler with the security answer via email: biler@ilercampbell.com
Ken & Freedom Blues had a great showcase at the Toronto Maple Blues Summit on Sunday, January 22. Thanks to everyone there and congrats to Stephen Barry for winning the Blues With a Feeling Award.
“In Freedom Blues Canadian roots music icon Ken Whiteley has crafted a timeless set of songs that address both contemporary and historical struggles for the freedom endemic to a healthy, progressive society. Deftly drawing on a wide range of musical sources including blues, gospel and, for lack of a better word, folk, Freedom Blues is a landmark album in Whiteley’s career and Canadian roots music in general.” ~ Grammy Award winnning musicologist, Rob Bowman
We’re excited to put this video “Ken Whiteley on Freedom Blues” out here right now. What better time to start a discussion on “freedom”. Ken describes the philosophy and some of the process behind the creation of his recording, “Freedom Blues” and lots of live clips give you a musical taste. This is uplifting blues for anyone who wants to dig a little deeper. We hope you also enjoy the first two music videos “Bring It All Right Down” and “Give Your Hands To Struggle” from the Freedom Blues CD release concert in Toronto. Thanks to Riddle Films and specifically Liam Romalis and Mako Funasakafor the video production and all the incredible musicians including Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Bucky Berger, Ewan Divitt, Richard Underhill, Perry White, Alastair Whitehead and Denis Keldie. Tell your friends to check this out.