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Laurie Ann Agency Books Stompin' Tom

I reconnected today with one of the most important personalities in Canadian Country music that you've never heard of.  His name is Ron Sparling and he owns and operates a booking agency in Ottawa, Laurie Ann Entertainment.  Ron's been a cog in the Canadian country music wheel since the early 1970's, booking most major fairs and festivals in his prime.  Most of those headlining events have been reduced to beer gardens so Ron isn't as busy these days as he once was.

Whiskey Jack first met Ron, an enigmatic figure when you first speak with him, in the early 1980's.  At that time, he was the drummer and booking agent for Family Brown, an Ottawa band that hosted their own weekly show on regional TV.  

Ron Sparling, top left


I spoke with Ron yesterday about bringing our Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom show to his area.  We had a great conversation, reminiscing about the "good old days" when our industry was in it's infancy.  He had a lot of respect for Tom, described him as "an honourable and fair man".    Here's why.

Ron booked Tom into a number of shows in the 1970's.  Often in this industry, once the initial introduction is made between club owner and entertainer, the two parties will then in the future begin negotiating dates on their own, excluding the booking agent.  With Tom, when this happened, he'd still forward the appropriate commission to Ron, even though he had nothing to do with the contract.

As I told Ron, "not many acts would do that".    That's what I call "honourable".

11/25/2015

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Oct5

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories and Songs of Stompin' Tom

Thursday, October 5 @ 7:00PMThu, Oct 5 @ 7:00PM

Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, 12 Nelson St. E., Meaford, On.

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Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Friday, October 6 @ 7:30PMFri, Oct 6 @ 7:30PM

Collins Hall, 120 Hillside Dr. N., Elliot Lake, On

Whiskey Jack, one of Stompin' Tom's favourite backup bands, is returning to Elliot Lake for the third time. On stage will be Tom's long time band leader, Duncan Fremlin on banjo and Tom's fiddler, from PEI, Billy MacInnis. You'll be treated to Tom's songs about Canada and hilarious stories about being on the road with Tom, performed by some of the best musicians in the country.

$35

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Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Saturday, October 7 @ 7:30PMSat, Oct 7 @ 7:30PM

The Loft, Algoma Conservatory of Music, 75 Huron St., Sault Ste. Marie, On

Whiskey Jack, one of Stompin' Tom's favourite backup bands, is returning to the Soo for the fourth time. On stage will be Tom's long time band leader, from Bar River, Duncan Fremlin on banjo, and Tom's fiddler, from PEI, Billy MacInnis. You'll be treated to Tom's songs about Canada and hilarious stories about being on the road with Tom, performed by some of the best musicians in the country.

$35

Get tickets
Share
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Oct8

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Sunday, October 8 @ 6:00PMSun, Oct 8 @ 6:00PM

Royal Canadian Legion, 70 Annette St, , Espanola, On

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Oct14

Whiskey Jack CD Release

Saturday, October 14 @ 6:00PMSat, Oct 14 @ 6:00PM

Jethro's, 137 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, On

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View on Google Maps
« First ‹ Prev 1 2 Next › Last »
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Oct5

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories and Songs of Stompin' Tom

Thursday, October 5 @ 7:00PMThu, Oct 5 @ 7:00PM

Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, 12 Nelson St. E., Meaford, On.

Get tickets
Share
View on Google Maps
Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Friday, October 6 @ 7:30PMFri, Oct 6 @ 7:30PM

Collins Hall, 120 Hillside Dr. N., Elliot Lake, On

Whiskey Jack, one of Stompin' Tom's favourite backup bands, is returning to Elliot Lake for the third time. On stage will be Tom's long time band leader, Duncan Fremlin on banjo and Tom's fiddler, from PEI, Billy MacInnis. You'll be treated to Tom's songs about Canada and hilarious stories about being on the road with Tom, performed by some of the best musicians in the country.

$35

Get tickets
Share
View on Google Maps
Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Saturday, October 7 @ 7:30PMSat, Oct 7 @ 7:30PM

The Loft, Algoma Conservatory of Music, 75 Huron St., Sault Ste. Marie, On

Whiskey Jack, one of Stompin' Tom's favourite backup bands, is returning to the Soo for the fourth time. On stage will be Tom's long time band leader, from Bar River, Duncan Fremlin on banjo, and Tom's fiddler, from PEI, Billy MacInnis. You'll be treated to Tom's songs about Canada and hilarious stories about being on the road with Tom, performed by some of the best musicians in the country.

$35

Get tickets
Share
View on Google Maps
Oct8

Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom

Sunday, October 8 @ 6:00PMSun, Oct 8 @ 6:00PM

Royal Canadian Legion, 70 Annette St, , Espanola, On

Share
View on Google Maps
Oct14

Whiskey Jack CD Release

Saturday, October 14 @ 6:00PMSat, Oct 14 @ 6:00PM

Jethro's, 137 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, On

Share
View on Google Maps
« First ‹ Prev 1 2 Next › Last »
View previous events
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