​Moses Znaimer (from City-TV fame) has invited Whiskey Jack to perform highlights from their Stompin' Tom show at his annual conference, Idea City. The stage is the glamorous Koerner Hall, the conservatory's performance centre piece. We've been asked to close the conference, tearing it up right after performances by Rick Mercer and Mary Walsh from "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" fame.

Dr. Stompin' Tom was very proud when he received his Doctor of Laws degree from St. Thomas University New Brunswick university in…

We are presently drafting a special 15 minute presentation for the 20th anniversary of the Idea City Conference at Koerner Hall in downtown Toronto.   This program will salute the great Canadian musicians and singers who came before us, the "old timers" who travelled the dusty roads (before there was a Trans Canada Highway) in beat up Chevy station wagons in pursuit of fame and fortune.  I'm referring to Stompin' Tom, Don Messer, Wilf Carter, Al Cherny, Ward Allen and more.  These great Canadians made it…

On January 31 of this year, we hosted our 6th Annual Stompin' Tom Birthday Celebration at Zoomer Hall in Toronto. In the audience that night was broadcaster (City-TV) and media pioneer, Moses Znaimer. He's also the founder of Idea City, an annual gathering of "the smartest people. The biggest ideas".

Shortly after our show, Moses sent me an invitation to perform at the closing ceremonies to the 20th anniversary of this conference.   We are honoured to be a part of this event. Whiskey Jack will be…

When I'm interviewed by the media about my show, I often wonder out loud what Tom's legacy will look like in the decades to come, long after I've joined him in the afterlife.  Now that our Northern Ontario tour is over and I have time to bask in the glory from these amazing shows, I think I have a hint of how it will be.

Often each night, in all of the great theatres we played, I'd look across the stage and see some scenes I could only dream about.  First there was a spirited Russell deCarle swinging his…

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…

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…