Ken Whiteley

THIS SATURDAY streaming live from 1pm-2pm… it’s The Drew Marshall Show with yours truly. Drew has always been a great supporter of my music and in turn my Sunday Gospel Brunch series. I believe this will be my 12th time on his show. You can check out more about Drew and his bruatally authentic spiritual podcast by clicking here.

TORONTO GOSPEL BRUNCH SERIES: It seems like music making has always been part of our family. As kids, my brother Chris Whiteley andI would make up songs and together we became avid music fans and budding musicians in the 1960’s. We began performing together in 1965 and through the years have created a large legacy of performances, recordings shared repertoire and mutual musical understanding. Scheduled appearances together are infrequent but eagerly anticipated. Diana Braithwaite,who is an award winning blues and jazz vocalist, is married to Chris and has a special way with gospel material. She brings her deep knowledge of the traditions combined with her perennial, positive attitude. Jenny Whiteley (Chris’sdaughter) is notable for her multiple JUNO wins in the Roots and Traditional category, her clear, rich vocals and her wonderful songwriting. Her husband, Joey Wright isan outstanding guitar and mandolin player who performs across North America and Europe with Jenny, leading his own ensembles or as a sidemanfor a host of others. Ben Whiteley (myson) has become one of the busiest bass players on the scene, touring over 200 dates last year with the Weather Station, Basia Bulat, Tim Baker (of Hey Rosetta), Sarah Harmer and the Good Lovelies. We began performing together 15 years ago and I’m especially happy he’ll be here because it will be the first live gig we’ll have done together all year. Allin all, it should be a great way to celebrate a December afternoon and arare chance to bask in the glow of some Whiteley family musical magic. A Whiteley Family Special on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2pm at Hugh’s Room Live. Brunch Reservations &/or Show Tickets are now available from Hugh’s Room Live

ON THE ROAD: I’m looking forward to joining The Sultans of String’s Christmas Caravan Tour along with guests Rebecca Campbell and Amanda Martinez for shows at the Markham Flato Theatre (Dec. 13) and Welland J.M. Ennis Auditorium (Dec. 15). Go to my Shows tab or click on Sultans of String.

IN THE RECORDING STUDIO: This summer Nik and I worked with a number of talented artists… The Afro-Métis Constitution Project, Vince Halfhide, Chris White, Lenore Elaine, Sam Broverman and Kim Wallach. I encourage you to pick up these exciting CDs from the artist’s website.

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT: For your enjoyment here’s my newest song/video “That’s What Makes America Great”. It takes less than 2 minutes to watch. If you like it, I encourage you to share it. I had the idea and refrain line for months and then after sharing them at a solstice party the enthusiastic response gave me the energy to finish the song. May we all be encouraged to work on projects that have the potential to make our countries and our world a better place. Thanks to Liam Romalis and Mako Funasaka who jumped on my ideas for the video and made it happen.

For your enjoyment here’s my newest song/video “That’s What Makes America Great”. It takes less than 2 minutes to watch. If you like it, I encourage you to share it. I had the idea and refrain line for months and then after sharing them at a solstice party the enthusiastic response gave me the energy to finish the song. May we all be encouraged to work on projects that have the potential to make our countries and our world a better place. Thanks to Liam Romalis and Mako Funasaka who jumped on my ideas for the video and made it happen. Scroll down for the video.

Brian Blain’s All-Star Blues Campfire Concert will be ablaze with Brian, Paul Reddick, Julian Fauth & myself on Sat., Nov. 17 at the Jeanne Gordon Theatre in Wallaceburg. Tickets from Eventbrite.

UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS: This Saturday at the Home Smith Bar! I’llbe joining Brian Blain, Alec Fraser & Casey Van Gorkom (Turbo Street Funk) for Brian Blain’s Campfire at 7:30pm to 10:30pm at the Old Mill, Toronto. No cover charge. Then a week later Brian’s Campfire will be ablaze with Brian, Paul Reddick, Jualian Fauth & myself on Sat., Nov. 17 at the Jeanne Gordon Theatre in Wallaceburg. Tickets from Eventbrite.

I will be accompanying the delightful LENORE ELAINE onher Toronto CD release concert on Wed., Nov. 7 @ The Piston. It was a delight working with her in the studio on her “Every Once In A While” CD, which I produced. After Lenore’s set stick around to enjoy her son Nick Teehan and his band.

WORLD PREMIER: MIDIAN FARM: a transformative piece of family and Canadian history by filmmaker Liz Marshall with music by Ken Whiteley. From 1971 – 1977, Midian Farm was a back-to-the-land social experiment created by a community of urban baby-boomers from Toronto. Part of the youth counterculture movement during a period of social and political re-imagining, its utopian vision eventually collapsed. More than four decades later, Canadian filmmaker Liz Marshall unearths Midian Farm to memorialize a transformative piece of family and Canadian history. Get your tickets at http://bit.ly/MidianFarm

TODAY! Sun., Oct. 14 at 1:30pm @ Emmanuel United Church, Ottawa Ottawa Folkzone presents Folk impresario/radio host/performer Chris White will release his newest CD, “Music All Around”. Produced by Ken, this is a collection of clever, uplifting songs for children of all ages. Joining Chris and Ken on stage will be Mary Gick on banjo, Christine Graves on ukulele, 13-year old guitar phenomenon Sid Ameen, and singers from several of the Ottawa community choirs (which Chris leads). Tickets and at the door.

CD RELEASE CONCERTS: Ottawa Blues & Roots musician Vince Halfhide will release his newest CD TONIGHT (Sat., Oct. 13) @ Emmanuel United Church (691 Smyth Rd, Ottawa). Ken, who produced the recording, will join Vince for an evening that will showcase Vince’s beautiful original songs and impeccable guitar playing in a variety of folk and blues styles. TicketsTOMORROW! Sun., Oct. 14 at 1:30pm @ Emmanuel United Church, Ottawa Folkzone presents Folk impresario/radio host/performer Chris White will release his newest CD, “Music All Around”. Produced by Ken, this is a collection of clever, uplifting songs for children of all ages. Joining Chris and Ken on stage will be Mary Gick on banjo, Christine Graves on ukulele, 13-year old guitar phenomenon Sid Ameen, and singers from several of the Ottawa community choirs (which Chris leads). Tickets

FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT: For your enjoyment here’s Ken’s newest song/video “That’s What Makes America Great”. It takes less than 2 minutes to watch. If you like it, we encourage you to share it. Ken had the idea and refrain line for months and then after he shared them at a solstice party the enthusiastic response gave him the energy to finish the song. May we all be encouraged to work on projects that have the potential to make our countries and our world a better place. Thanks to Liam Romalis and Mako Funasaka who jumped on Ken’s ideas for the video and made it happen.

SHOUT OUT AND HUGE THANKS: Ken Whiteley and the Beulah Band’s Spring concert tour was generously supported by the Arts Across Canada: Circulation and Touring Grant. Thank you Canada Council for the Arts for the much appreciated financial support. We also wish to thank all the amazing folks from those special ones who invited us to their venuesand communities to perform, to the folks who hosted us in their homes and restaurants and finally, to the folks who came out to the shows. It truly was a wonderful 2 weeks. Thank you one and all.