Pat Blythe – Today’s column is brought to you by……and music

That one just popped into my head as I’ve just finished posting this week’s podcast.  I’m now 36 podcasts in, 36 conversations, 36 artist voices, 1,100 downloads, 29 followers and over 3,000 “listens”. People from all over the world including Australia, Europe, UAE, South America, the U.S. and Canada have been tuning in.  The purpose was to check in with local artists. As a neophyte podcaster, I had no expectations. Ten downloads made me happy to know someone was listening. Even though I’m still small potatoes, it’s like the little engine that could….it keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Still a guppy in the ocean of podcasts; but folks ARE listening and the music is being shared.

Pat Blythe – Keep live alive…..and music

I could continue with the “cymbal saga”, but I think I’ll take a different tact this week….it’s all about the music. Summer is in full swing and coming alive with concerts, both public and private, on both sides of the border. In person or in car, people are attending in droves, almost desperate to see and hear their favourite bands and artists….live and alive. The camaraderie, the faces (both on and off stage), the laughter, the joy, the amps, the earplugs, the dancing, the oxytocin from the many hugs, all those endorphins coming alive, even mic or guitar feedback sounds good these days…..it’s literally impossible to replace any of this over the internet. We all need each other and the “in person” interaction and touch it provides.

Pat Blythe – Blue Moon…..creative dining….snow…..and music

It’s Monday. I’m writing for Tuesday. When I realized my diatribe would appear post-election, I contacted our esteemed editor and suggested that it may make a modicum of sense for our local politico, Roxanne Tellier, to proffer her analysis and observations regarding the election, and “the morning after” effect. So I swapped days. I have my views but not nearly the insight our Mrs. Parker brings to bear on politics and the entire “goings on” south of the 49^th parallel. I can just imagine the spirited discussions Chris (nicknamed The Professor) and Rox would have had regarding the spectacle of this latest presidency over the past four years. Both had/have the ability to read between the lines and proffer observations many of us don’t “see”. Research junkies the two of them…..although I’m not far behind down that rabbit hole….. Mrs. Parker and The Professor would fill a room. Chris would have fit right in at the Algonquin Round Table.

Pat Blythe – 2020 and beyond….HERE WE COME!!!!….and lots of music…..

A new decade! A new year! Purging, changing, modifying, exploring, new beginnings and some endings, recounting and remembering, wondering, searching, discovering, assessing…..all these and more as a new decade begins.

Pat Blythe – Until next year be safe, be happy, have fun……

This week of December 8 has got to be one of the craziest weeks yet this year and the month just keeps getting busier. Special functions to attend, birthdays, a show, baking, shopping, writing, editing, decorating, cleaning…..the list goes on. In the middle of this maelstrom I have to spend an entire afternoon at the ophthalmologist and another afternoon hanging around my doctor’s office (annual checkup). Time spent away from the computer and other “duties” is keeping me up until the wee wee hours of the morning.

Last week was all about the music of Christmas. Heading down that rabbit hole I learned about, and listened to, some amazing music while researching and selecting the tunes for the column. I’m not sure there’s much more I can add.

Pat Blythe – Words….Monowhales, Drop Top Alibi, The Crooked….and music….

I read a meme today that inspired this column.

Peter Speaks for Old Straight White Men – Not That There’s Anything Wrong With That

Recent events have meant that the column which I was going to write today will appear next week.  In it, I will praise the arrival of summer, talk about some upcoming music and events and introduce you to a budding Young filmmaker.

Today’s column is being written from the perspective of an old, white, straight man, which is the only perspective that I can speak from with any authority.

Pat Blythe – CMW: Not Quite a Wrap …and Music!

I am incredibly late in starting this column. Like…..super super late. It’s been so busy during the past three weeks there’s barely been time to think. There is so much I want to share but not all of today. Suffice to say this will be my CMW “not quite a wrap”. Arriving back in Toronto from London I dove right into the nightlife of Toronto…..and of course some cruising and schmoozing (and jujube nibbling) at CMW central, The Sheraton Centre. Daytime activities are easy to manoeuvre but co-ordinating your CMW nightlife…..that’s a whole different game.

Pat Blythe – Forest City London Music Awards Wrap-Up, CMW …and Music!

Music festival season is upon us. CMW (Canadian Music Week) is usually first out of the starting gate. This year FCLMA was ahead of the game so for me, one segues right into the other. I’ll also be heading to Mariposa in July and Summerfolk in August. With a myriad of music shows and festival in between it’s going to be a busy summer for many and one that will pass by far too rapidly.

Peter, B-Ball, and the Rankled Ankle….

An old friend of mine presaged the colder temperatures that Toronto experienced a couple of weekends ago. I was at Lois’, and when getting up, winced when I put my weight on my right foot. Lois asked what was wrong, and I explained that I had “rolled my ankle” playing basketball 1). Her curiosity aroused, she asked when that had occurred, as in 16 years, she’s seen me hold beer cans and ballpoint pens, but never basketballs.