​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…

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…

The demand for Duncan's new book, My Good Times With Stompin' Tom is through the roof!  A second edition will be ordered before the end of the year. 

The fans at our live show have been buying many copies of the book, which Duncan happily signs, but the online sales have also been fantastic.  We've sent copies to every province and territory.  

It's also available at the following locations:

Toronto Public Library

12th Fret Music Store - 2132 Danforth Ave - Toronto, On.

Bearly Used Books - 15 James St…

​Special Notice to all fans of Canadian Country Music: 

As in years past, the special guest list for this birthday party is never finalized until shortly before the show. If you've attended before, you know what we're talking about. The show this year will offer a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to personally interact and be entertained by a cast of prominent Canadian all stars. There will only be 150 tickets sold to this show. We recommend you buy yours now.  

Duncan Fremlin and Zoomer Radio Present The…

Dissing a fellow citizen who has achieved a degree of success and notoriety is a popular Canadian pastime. I have been guilty of doing this myself, Neil Young being my favourite target. What great fun!  

But there is one target who over the years has taken more than her fair share of abuse and, from what I know, having worked closely with our former Governor General, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson on a project, this is not warranted one little bit. I’m referring of course to the recent headlines…

In 1969, a year many Canadians discovered marijuana for the first time, Stompin' Tom Connors wrote and published a song that has become an anthem for the country. One of many anthems penned by Tom actually. The success of this song was immediate and he was well on his way to becoming one of the most revered Canadians ever. We respectfully honour Stompin' Tom Connors' original version by releasing today, October 17, 2018, our salute to the legalization of this well loved and heavily used substance. We call…

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2018 • Please include in your listings/announcements

Whiskey Jack and guest Canadian Country Music Star Cindy Church present

THE WORLD’S GREATEST STOMPIN’ TOM SHOW - ON TOUR NOW

STORIES AND SONGS OF STOMPIN’ TOM Ontario Fall Tour, 2018

Whiskey Jack, a veteran Stompin’ Tom All Star back-up band and their guest, Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Cindy Church will begin their fall tour of Ontario cities on October 11. This four city tour will feature shows…

For Immediate Release: September 4, 2018 • Please include in your listings/announcements

Shaun Pilot and 8Horse Music Present

Whiskey Jack - Highlights From 41 Years In Canadian Folk/Roots Music

Free Times Cafe, Toronto, On

On Friday, October 12, 2018, veteran Canadian All Star band Whiskey Jack, will perform highlights from their storied career and segments from their touring show, Stories & Songs of Stompin’ Tom, at The Free Times Cafe, Toronto, On. This Toronto based band, a mainstay on the…

In an era of fake everything (at least that what it seems sometimes), I'm happy to report that there's nothing phony about our show, Whiskey Jack Presents Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom. We sing and play the songs that we learned from the man himself, either while on tour with him in front of thousands of fans, or in his furnace room with just him and his guitar.  

The applause we hear each night is Tom's applause. The first time he heard our version of Algoma 69, he smiled and nodded his approval. That's…

Given the domination of the radio airwaves by Rogers, Corus and Bell, it's refreshing to learn that community radio is making a come back.  We've been interviewed and supported by many local stations over the years.  Their commitment to Canadian culture is unquestioned. 

They were particularly supportive of our 2018 Picton show.  

Here are two radio programs that we hosted.  

The first was CIUT-FM on June 12.  My guests were Brian and Larry Good from The Good Brothers.  The stories were crazy and…

The accolades started arriving almost immediately.  The fans of Whiskey Jack and The Good Brothers let us know that they liked this collaboration very much.  It was an idea that our promoter Shaun Pilot made happen and it turned out as he planned.  The Regent Theatre in Picton was the venue and the date was Friday, June 15, 2018.  

We began the evening with an hour of Stories & Songs of Stompin' Tom....SPONTANEOUS STANDING OVATION!  We were thrilled to be sharing the stage with these Canadian legends so…

We're very pleased to announce that Whiskey Jack has just signed our 5th licensing agreement with the two organizations that run Tom's affairs, Stompin' Tom Ltd. and their record label, Ole Majorly Indie.   The photo below includes, from left to right, Robert Ott, CEO of Ole, Duncan Fremlin, Manager of Whiskey Jack and Andy Curran, Senior Consultant, Ole. We're all very excited to continue spreading the spirit of the Canadian mosaic associated with Canada's favourite troubadour, Stompin' Tom Connors.

The…

“Whiskey Jack Presents Stories and Songs of Stompin' Tom” was born shortly after Stompin' Tom died in 2014. However, Whiskey Jack started collecting the songs and stories that eventually became part of this show in 1990 when Duncan Fremlin, Whiskey Jack's leader, toured with Tom for the first time. There were many adventures along the way. 

The show is 100% Canadian - not only a portrait of their years on stage with Stompin' Tom, but also anecdotes and songs from their years as cast members on the CBC's…