Roxanne Tellier – Everything is Everywhere

Since I have a fear of flying, and a flight to B.C. tomorrow morning, I’ve been in a constant state of panic for the last week or so. When I finally fall into a restless sleep, I have non-stop nightmares of arriving at the wrong terminal, without a ticket or some vital bit of identification, and wearing all the wrong clothes, if I’m wearing clothes at all. Even when there’s no reason to panic – and I can always find a reason to panic – I’m in a simmering pre-panic mode.  My house looks like an exploded suitcase. Everything is everywhere.

Pat Blythe – Blues, Rock and a Fond Farewell….

My first AirBnB guest has arrived. A Brooklyn girl from NYC. A very young (emphasis on the word “young”), freelance film producer who has one of her works showing at the Female Eye Film Festival. Jessica has never been to Toronto before although this is the second time one of her films has been selected to show. With only two full days, unfortunately she won’t have an opportunity to really experience The Big Smoke. However, she was asking me if I knew any clubs with live music…..REALLY!!!

Pat Blythe – All Stars, Remembering and ONE(s) More Time…..

Well….unfortunately I wasn’t able to file last Wednesday. Assisting some friends through a personal crisis filled my time and my focus was elsewhere all week. I did, however, manage to get out for a couple of shows during the latter part of each week so today’s column will be playing catch-up.  I was on the receiving end of some much-needed tutoring with the new photo editing program (I have a hell of learning curve ahead of me) and a few of the results part of this column. Some experimentation going on as I suss out what I can and cannot do. Having some fun and messing about with a bit of colour but B&W is where my heart is.

Pat Blythe – Wednesday, June 29….

Well, this weekly “journal” style of writing has been thoroughly enjoyable and I love bringing everyone along to the clubs and festivals with me and my trusty camera. It’s 6am on a Wednesday morning and I’m back to the beginning of this column. The original beginning sucked. Seal has just finished playing Kiss From A Rose and Journey has just begun. I pick up my new vehicle this morning and then enjoy a repast with my son Aarron this afternoon. A new day has begun all bright and shiny with the sun beginning its daily trip across the amazing shade of blue we call the sky. I sit here and wonder what the next 24 hours will bring. It’s always full of lovely surprises. ….and here’s another….Barry White is next and then Steppenwolf blasting through my speaker soooo….on with the week. I wonder what will be playing when I finish this column?

Roxanne Tellier – Grant Fullerton … King of the Road

In 1967, the Song of the Year was “Canada” by The Young Canada Singers. I was a geeky, gawky Montreal teen with cats eye glasses and a bad perm. My season’s pass to Expo 67 made me feel like a citizen of the world.

But in Toronto, another kind of world was coming together; one of young, talented musicians who’d flocked to Yorkville to find fame, if not fortune.

Grant Fullerton was one of them.

Pat Blythe – CMW 2016 Part 2 and Other Stuff

Well, another week has just blown by and we are already half way through May. Where the hell is spring? I do believe Mother Nature has taken a detour. However, the beginning of “festival” season, music in particular, has started with a bang. CMW is the lead-in with the SING! Toronto Vocal Arts Festival running parallel and beyond. A bucket load of music is on tap this summer and folks are going to be hard-pressed to know which way to turn. So much to choose from and it will be happening all over the city, clear out to Hamilton and back. I’m not even including all the long weekend jams that happen in parks hither, thither and yon. Pick a few favourites, either local or long distance and settle in for the ride.

Pat Blythe – Music Mania….

Deadlines. I don’t think I’d get anything done if it weren’t for deadlines….artificial or otherwise. I’m one of those that have a tendency to back one’s self into a corner which forces said person to address shit and just DO IT! Tuesday afternoon and already my head is swimming with so much information, events and “stuff”….past, present and future.

Pat Blythe – Time Flies…Music Soars

It’s my anniversary!!!! My one-year anniversary writing for DBAWIS!! I cannot believe how fast the time has flown and what a year it has been. A wild and woolly ride full of music, festivals, clubs, bars, a little G&T, dancing, more music and incredible people. Have you ever suddenly blinked and wondered, “Holy shit, what just happened? WHAT the HELL has just happened?” My life, as I knew it, has inexorably changed….almost transformed….I blinked.