The weather was pretty good, cannot complain about it this year – but I’m still happy to say buh-bye to February…with March, comes Springtime, and I can’t wait. I’m not a big sports fan, but the Olympics are pretty exciting and it’s great to see the country upbeat and proud.
I really like that Nikki Yanofsky song for the Games called “I Believe” … and I’m so proud of our support for this young Montrealer – going back several years, thanks to our owner Moses Znaimer, discovering her talent early on and presenting her at one of his ideaCity conferences when she was just 12. Since then she has sung for us in our Concert Lobby and entranced us in-person. Watch Nikki become a really big star !
Speaking of our Concert Lobby – I’m looking forward to a few big shows coming in March. First up is Dan Hill on Friday March 19th in a one-hour show from 1-2pm. I just caught Dan’s show at the ROM last week, with keyboardist and recent Order of Canada inductee Joe Sealey and singer-songwriter and duet partner Liz Rodriguez. Great show, so casual and comfy – and honest ! Dan talked a lot about his father and mother, explained the stories behind every song he played, including his ‘I Am My Father’s Son’ – which is also the title of his recent autobiography. There’s also a strong song called ‘Africville’, cowritten with Sealey, about the Halifax community of African-Canadians established after The war of 1812, and bulldozed in the 1960s – and still simmering in the courts as the government tries to figure out where apologies end and compensation begins. You know what they say about “Justice delayed …” ? But the Dan Hill song that caught me was the duet with Liz called “Don’t Tell me How it Feels” – it’s their “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”, and just as good.
After Dan, we’ll welcome pop/jazz songstress Carol Welsman Wednesday, the 24th from 2:10 to 2:30, for what’ll be a great show by one of Canada’s top jazz vocalists. Then on Tuesday March 30th, set your radio for 2pm. and catch a full hour long concert by Andy Kim ! Andy was one of our hottest pop singers in the late 60s and early-mid 70s … he also wrote a ton of hits, most notably ‘Sugar Sugar’ which became a smash for the comic-book group The Archies in 1969. Andy’s kept busy over the years with lots of live shows and songwriting, and it’s time to catch up with this legendary pop star who has a brand new CD coming out.
Lots to look forward to in March – not the least of which is Spring’s first day ! And, how about the Oscars, eh ? One of my favourite events in the year – have you seen most of the nominated films and acting roles ? I’ve managed to catch most of them.
I’ll have an entire show devoted to Oscar-winning songs of the vintage era on Vintage Favourites Sunday March 6th, from 2-4pm. The awards go later that same night. But THIS Sunday (Feb.28) catch my birthday salute to SEVEN superstars of the vintage era – 2-4pm.
Have a great weekend, and let’s bring March in like a … whatever, just let it come in eh ? Here’s to Spring – soon. Gene.
