RHYMES AND GOOD TIMES

OVERVIEW:  

This new CD, Rhymes and Good Times, has been in the works since this show began almost 6 years ago.  Says co-producer Duncan Fremlin, “each time I performed these songs with Tom over the years, I was hearing other versions in my head.  I was imagining what they would sound like if they were arranged and produced using elite Canadian musicians who really understood and appreciated Canadian country music. I now know! Some are right here on this CD. To my ear, Tom’s songs…

Duncan Fremlin's Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom Show is very pleased and honoured to welcome as their guest,  Canadian country music star, Marie Bottrell to select cities this spring!  Marie will bring her exceptional vocal magic to Bobcaygeon, Wingham, Shelburne, Guelph and Woodstock.  For dates and information on how to get tickets, go to the Shows link on this web site.

It's rare that a Canadian country music singer of Marie's stature reaches stardom and Juno Award nominations in their teens.  Marie is…

The great Mac Wiseman died yesterday.  His voice was a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  In the 1950's, Don Ramsey's radio show in the Soo was on all the time in our little house on Pumpkin Point Road in Laird Township near Bar River, Ontario and Jimmy Brown the Newsboy was my favourite song at that time.

Years later, I played banjo for Mac on one of his Canadian tours.  Whiskey Jack even recorded a radio special with Mac on David Essig's show on the CBC.  I have that recording somewhere.  On…

Our birthday celebration at Zoomer Hall on January 31, 2019 was special for a lot of reasons.  The show and the special guests were outstanding.  Everyone performed brilliantly.   

The fans however were also outstanding in every respect.  They drove from many miles away to attend and their enthusiasm and exuberance were contagious. They inspired the on stage performances for the entire show.   We could even feel the love and affection from those who watched the show on their computer. They emailed and…

My friend and editor of my book Jim Baine is spending the winter in Trinidad.  He watched the Zoomer show on his computer and immediately emailed to offer his congratulations on a great show.  He also noted that Tom would have liked this party.  How right he is.

Over the years, Tom invited me often to perform at his private functions, many of them birthday parties.  Each party was special.  He was a gracious host.  Tom always joined us on his stage to sing a few songs.   There was lots of laughter and good…

You're reading it here for the first time folks.  Yes, it's true.  The riches on our stage next Thursday night (January 31, 2019) continue to pile up.  

I just got off the phone from the man with "the voice", arguably the smoothest, silkiest country music voice in the country.  I'm referring to Russell deCarle of course.  Russell called to say he's looking forward to driving down from his farm north of Toronto to join us in celebrating what would have been Stompin' Tom Connors 83rd birthday.  And in…

Over the years, we've met and become good friends with many of Stompin' Tom's most loyal fans - and believe me, there are a lot of them.  Most are every day folks, people we meet in the street or the grocery store lineup.  However, there are others who are not so "every day".    If you'd like to meet some of them, please join our studio audience at my 6th Annual Stompin' Tom Birthday Celebration at Zoomer Hall, Jan. 31, 2019.  

This "odd duck" is one of my favourite Tomites.  He and I sat down for a chat…

Since we began this odyssey 5+ years ago, I've met hundreds of fans and friends who have reached out to us in support our efforts, all with a genuine appreciation for our music.  Publishing the book has opened the door to an entirely new community of fans.  

A few weeks ago, I met and interviewed the legendary broadcaster, Brian McFarlane from Hockey Night In Canada Fame.  We've become great pals, always lots to talk about.  I'll publish my last interview with him at a later date.  It's all about  old…

On behalf of the entire Whiskey Jack team here at our head office in Toronto, we'd like to thank you for another exciting year full of amazing memories, music and exceptional audiences! We'd also like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy 2019. We're grateful for many things....headlining the Canada Day festivities at the Stompin' Tom Centre in Skinners Pond PEI being at the top of the list. This included a long drive through the beautiful Canadian landscape, much like we did with…

Perils of booking shows in 2018.

Recently there have been a couple of Facebook posts about the diminishing royalties distributed by SOCAN (and similar organizations) to songwriters. These critiques were written by singer/songwriters Danny Michel and Murray Foster and have since gone viral. Murray’s post triggered an invitation from the CBC's Metro Morning (Matt Galloway) for an on-air interview. In short, most of the revenue we dole out each month to Spotify and Apple goes into the bank accounts of the…