Ken Whiteley

On Saturday, July 25 at 8 p.m. (EDT) I did a live stream concert for the Sivananda Yoga Ashram Camp in Val Morin, Quebec.  It was supposed to be on their Facebook page  but for some reason it landed on mine.  Once it was over I shared it around so its probably easiest to find on Ken Whiteley’s Music page. It was a night of spiritual music, both traditional and original including a number of songs from my new cd, Calm In The Eye Of The Storm.  I was originally scheduled to be performing in person there that night, but of course all my summer live appearances have been cancelled.  If you wish to make a donation to support my work, you may do so from  Ken’s website Store   or   www.paypal.me/kenwhiteley.

 

Thanks to everyone who tuned into the 55th anniversary Original Sloth Band live stream on June 25th. If you missed it you can check it out at https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalSlothBand

For downloads, song lists and more info on all three Original Sloth Band recordings – 1978, Hustlin’ & Bustlin’ and Whoopee After Midnight – please go to my Store.

On Thursday, June 25, 8 p.m. EDT I am going to do a live stream concert on the Original Sloth Band Facebook page in honour of the 55th anniversary of the very first “gig” my brother, Chris Whiteley and I did.  

It was at the Bracebridge Fair Grounds and the poster read, “Dance to the sounds of the Distortions, plus a popular group from Toronto”.  The “popular group from Toronto” was Tubby Fats Original Allstar Downtown Syncopated Big Rock Jug Band who eventually morphed into The Original Sloth Band.  I played mostly jug and kazoo at that point, Chris played his Framus 12 string, Tom Evans played mandolin while brothers Michael and Patrick Lee played washtub bass and washboard respectively.  The show was booked by Mary Tough, who Chris would eventually marry and they had 2 kids, Jenny Whiteley and Dan Whiteley.

Chris Whiteley will make a video guest appearance supported by his wife, blues singer Diana Braithwaite. Playing with me will be my son, the fabulous musician Ben Whiteley. He’ll be playing my old 20’s Gibson L-4 guitar (pictured below) that I used with the Original Sloth Band and also played on the original recording of Baby Beluga!  We’ll feature many songs from the Sloth Band repertoire including songs I sang 55 years ago in Bracebridge and tunes from the three Sloth albums and our 45 rpm single.  For those not familiar with the Sloths, we played an eclectic mix of jug band, swing, blues and novelty songs mostly from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s.

p.s.  This is a free concert but if you want to make a donation to the Artists you may do so from Ken’s website Store or www.paypal.me/kenwhiteley.

Check it out if you can. 
Live Stream Concert on Thursday, June 25, 8 p.m. EDT
on The Original Sloth Band’s Facebook page     

Calm In The Eye Of The Storm is my first album recording in four years. It looks at the personal, political and spiritual dimensions of finding peace in these turbulent times. The arrangements run the gamut from bluesy slide, whirring mandolins, outstanding string bass and percussion to whimsical touches like ukulele, lap steel and vibraphone. I hope you enjoy it.

Get Rejuvenated! The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch has invited me to do a live streaming concert on Sunday, May 31st at 7:30pm EDT. Begins with meditation and daily chants, then I’ll start at 8 pm.  It will be streamed Live on Zoom. This concert will be open to all and donation based. Click here to Pre-Register.

TONIGHT! I’m excited to be rekindling the “Spirit Songs” vibe from previous concerts at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Toronto. The online concert will stream on Saturday, May 16th, from 7pm-8:45pm EDT. This show is organized around the theme of  HOPE & HEALING and will feature musical contributions from a stellar lineup of performers including Coco Love Alcorn, Jon Brooks, Mark Kleiner and yours truly.  Tickets for the show are $10 each and are available by clicking here. Video link provided with ticket purchase.  Proceeds from this event will go to the artists and The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto.

My son Ben and I will be the featured guests on Moondog’s Ballroom on CIUT 89.5fm with host Daibhib James this coming Tuesday, May 12th, from 5pm-6pm EDT. Listen on the radio or you can also download the show at https://ciut.fm/shows/moondogs-ballroom

I’m excited to be rekindling the “Spirit Songs” vibe from previous concerts at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Toronto. The online concert will stream on Saturday, May 16th, from 7pm-8:45pm EDT. This show is organized around the theme of  HOPE & HEALING and will feature musical contributions from a stellar lineup of performers including Coco Love Alcorn, Jon Brooks, Mark Kleiner and yours truly.  Tickets for the show are $10 each and are available by clicking here. Video link provided with ticket purchase.  Proceeds from this event will go to the artists and The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto.

I’m excited to be rekindling the “Spirit Songs” vibe from previous concerts at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Toronto. The online concert will stream on Saturday, May 16th, from 7pm-8:45pm EDT. This show is organized around the theme of  HOPE & HEALING and will feature musical contributions from a stellar lineup of performers including Coco Love Alcorn, Jon Brooks, Mark Kleiner and yours truly.  Tickets for the show are $10 each and are available by clicking here. Video link provided with ticket purchase.  Proceeds from this event will go to the artists and The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto.

Mayday alert!  The first day of May is the day after I turn 69.  I would have been doing a show in Hudson’s Hope, B.C. in the middle of a tour in Alberta and B.C. had the universe not intervened.  Instead I plan to do a live stream concert from the basement studio at Casa Wroxton, this time accompanied by my son, Ben Whiteley!  He would have been on tour right now playing bass with fantastic singer Basia Bulat but instead here we are with lots of instruments to choose from.

I’ve now done a couple of live stream concerts – one for the Home Routes Online Folk Festival and an Easter concert for the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Val Morin, Quebec.  I’ve done a different repertoire both times and this will be no exception.  I plan to do songs from my brand new album, Calm In The Eye Of The Storm that I haven’t done on a live stream yet, though I might repeat a favourite or two.  Let me know if you have any requests to round out the set list.

I am extremely grateful for all the support I’ve received doing these concerts.  If you get a chance to share this event with others, that would be so appreciated.  Hopefully we can engage with a little positive, musical energy.