Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – Summer

Another collection of ten things of late that have transpired, inspired, expired, or, just made me tired.

Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – Vinyl Season One

Well I had to wait for the DVD to be released but I have finally seen Season One of Vinyl. I first heard about the HBO series a couple of years ago as Nigel Grainge and I grabbed lunch at the Imperial Pub after his keynote address at Indie Week. We were catching up on each other’s careers as we had not seen each other or worked together for years. At MCA I was the Marketing Manager for Nigel’s label Ensign and looked after everyone from The Waterboys and World Party to Sinead O’Connor, The Blue Aeroplanes and Stump. I immediately liked Nigel on first meeting and he taught me a lot about marketing and the music industry (as well as Arsenal). Before he started Ensign Records he worked at Phonogram in London and signed Thin Lizzy, 10 CC and The Boomtown Rats. He is a true music man.

Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – Take Me Out To The Ball Game

It has been yet another busy week. A birthday, a festival, a ball game, a house party, a couple of bar shows, and, another busy week coming up. This was a lot easier at 37 than it is at 57.

Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – That’s The Ticket

It was 42 years ago next Wednesday when I saw The New York Dolls and Kiss perform at Massey Hall. It was one of my earliest concert going experiences and I still remember the combination of fear and excitement racing through my body.

Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – Current Events

 

Well hello June. Time to get outside and see some shows, throw a few lawn bowls,  and,  get inside to watch some Euros (C’mon England!).  I have lived in Toronto my entire life and try to enjoy everything this city has to offer.

Cameron Carpenter – 10CC – Hip Hip Hooray

Let’s celebrate. There is still hope. We get a chance to see them again and thank them for what they mean to the fabric of Canada. Recently we have had no warning and no chance to say thanks or goodbye, this time we do. My history with the band goes back a long way and I hope Johnny Fay, Gord Sinclair, Rob Baker, Paul Langlois and Gord Downie have a farewell tour that will go down in rock’n’roll history. Take your victory lap boys, you have earned it.  Tickets go on sale Friday June 3 and the dates are as follows:

Cameron Carpenter – Rerun: The ABC’s Of Rock – A

(Editor’s Note): As you may have guessed by now, Cam is MIA today, swamped by his work in the music business he loves, that informs his knowledgeable and entertaining columns here at DBAWIS. Hopefully, the work load will decrease and he will be back with us next week, but until then, I thought you would like to see the first column he ever wrote for us back in September 2011. This will bring back memories for long-time readers, and introduce Mr. Carpenter to those of you new to the blog. Enjoy.

Cameron Carpenter – New & Improved!

The beauty of any music conference is discovering bands that you have never heard or seen before. Last week was no exception. All told I probably saw north of fifty acts, and, many of these, I saw perform for the first time. I had a pretty set agenda at the beginning of the week but occasionally there was a break of an hour to two between mandatory bands, and, at the bequest of others in the know, I would stray off the path.

Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – Cam’s Music Week

I imagine I am currently sitting in the lobby bar at The Sheraton Hotel holding court with a group of friends from points unknown, making introductions, making connections, having a pint, talking music, books and the unlikely scenario where The Foxes have won the English Premiere League. Conventions are like my Christmas, friends, family and lots and lots of surprises. Some people who I have not yet met are likely to become friends for life, possible business partners, wingmen, music pals, or, forgotten by the time the next round appears. Sadly, and without me knowing it, it may be the last time I see someone in the flesh. I plan to make the best of it. Here are ten things I am looking forward to.

Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – Once Bourbon, Once Scotch, Now Beer

Habits change as we get older. For years, and with thanks to Segarini, my drink of choice was Jack’n’Coke. No matter where I went with a bar it was what I ordered. After high school I rarely drink beer, and, unless it was a quart at The Gasworks, or a tray of the old 10 ouncers at The Alpine, a JD was the weapon of choice.