Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 16 Mar 13 - 08:12 PM

THANKS! Watched 10 minutes... I will watch the works over time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: bobad
Date: 16 Mar 13 - 07:10 PM

Here it be boys: Stompin Tom Connors - A Celebration of Life

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 16 Mar 13 - 06:30 PM

It's available today on youtube.
perhaps somebody with more tech chops than I have, can post the link
it's well worth the watch. R.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 08:55 PM

I sure hope it is available some day. I will trace this thread and hope a link gets posted. Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 07:18 PM

Ha, ha. No we didn't go over there to promote ourselves, tho we did get a gig in a small pub in Campbellford for the end of May, on the way back, without even trying out. I guess the manager liked us, but as Tom liked traveling the backroads, that's mostly what we did stopping in and meeting folks. I took a nice pic of Gaet and Norm,,, and Stormy got one with Tommy Hunter who had to stoop down a bit to frame the shot.
This tribute was all filmed and recorded, so maybe it'll be available some day.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 07:05 PM

Thanks for checking in Ron. I tried sending you an e-mail but it bounced back. Maybe you can drop me a note and then I'll have your's once again.
Did Norman behave himself or was he trying to sell his cd's? ha ha!!
Thanks again and i look forward in seeing the program.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: bobad
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:58 PM

Sounds lovely and loving - thanks Ron.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:54 PM

ps. Beer, I have a program for you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 15 Mar 13 - 06:33 PM

it was a great send-off. Glad I was there. Quite a few grown men with teary eyes. IMO, Adrienne Clarkson was the highpoint out of many special moments. There was a message from Romeo Delaire and a video that was done a few years back of that time in Rwanda.

Good to hear Sylvia Tyson and Cindy Church singing 'Farewell Nova Scotia' with JP Cormier pickin' away.

A special night, fans of all ages, beer was served, if you wanted one. Mountie Pallbearers who volunteered for this. The Canadian Flag from the Peace Tower the day he passed away, draping the casket, with a stompin' board leaning against it. An old Gibson guit. and his Order of Canada medal. Lena placed a black hat on top of the flag, at the beginning...phew !!!!

A beautiful event. It'll take awhile for it to all sink in (for me)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 11:11 PM

That was great PHJim. Thank you so much.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 10:17 PM

PHJim.... thank you. That is a great tribute song. I want to single out some specific lyrics but I don't think I need to. I think they had the same effect on everyone who had a listen. I hope so, anyway. I can only imagine Tom woulda tapped his toes to that one.

I'll take a pound a scallops and a bag a spuds next time yer over and we'll toss a jar, eh? >;-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: PHJim
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 09:56 PM

I loved Mike Plume's tribute song. Actually, Mike says that Tom wrote much of the lyrics and the tune and he just tied it together, and what a wonderful job he did.

Mike Plume's So Long Stompin' Tom

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 09:34 PM

I wish Mum was still alive so i could question her more on when she use to babysit him. All I recall her saying was that "He was a little Bugger". Now that was a very bad thing to say, "Bugger", as Mum never used foul language in any language she spoke(French and English). So I guess the word she used may have been very kind considering the life he led.
Salt of the earth for sure.
ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 09:15 PM

""At the age of 15 he left his adoptive family to hitchhike across Canada""
I believe he indicated in the song on his life, that I posted earlier, that he left his adoptive parents at Skinner's Pond PEI at 13?

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 05:08 PM

Thanks, Sandy. I listened to the first part of the CBC radio interview with his buddy in Ontario yesterday but I had to record it and head out for an appt. He read the letter first. Beautiful words... beautiful spirit. Sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 14 Mar 13 - 03:32 PM

Rex Murphy's Tribute

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 10:21 PM

Well said, again.

Just deleted a long post about the Blue Berets. This thread is about Tom and how the world is better for his being here. Time to leave this thread be for me.

Thanks, Tom. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 08:45 PM

Indeed, Ed.

"He's a good old boy but he's dead and gone."

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 08:17 PM

Tom planned his own sendoff in Peterborough tomorrow; An Irish style wake that should do him proud, and I wish that I could be there!
A state funeral would only give a platform to a bunch of political hypocrites who neither give a damn for him or his legacy!
Tom was a greater Canadian than many who have lived rent free at 24 Sussex Drive including the present tennant!

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 06:07 PM

I'd wager, he would prefer to attend a good life-career celebratory event at the Horseshoe Tavern than a stuffy state-sponsored event. However, from the interviews, he seemed very honoured by the Canada stamp and being named to the Order of Canada.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 02:58 PM

Hear, hear! Well said lads.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 11:06 AM

Can't see that a state funeral would do much compared to this.

The quote in the previous post is from Wikipedia.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 10:56 AM

'In the book Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda, Romeo Dallaire, the Canadian general who led the UNAMIR peacekeeping force in Rwanda during that country's 1994 genocide reported that he played a recording of Tom's song "The Blue Berets" (about United Nations peacekeeping forces) to keep up his troops' morale while their headquarters was under bombardment.'

I think that says more about Stompin' Tom and his music than could be said by a state funeral. It'll be a petition I don't sign.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 10:03 AM

'out-of-character' well Gary, that's 3 words for the same price.

a couple of old road worn flat-tops, a box of beer, and a hockey rink full of family, friends and fans is good enough for me
(or some variation of the above)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: gnu
Date: 12 Mar 13 - 06:59 AM

Anybody care to comment on the petition about a state funeral? Personally, I can't imagine Stompin Tom himself would have wanted such. I find it kinda... can't find the right word.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Mar 13 - 02:01 PM

For many years I have been a fan and was fortunate to have seen him perform live a couple of times. I have been to the Skinner's Pond Schoolhouse as well. I loved the songs that Tom wrote because they always told a story about everyday people, often with a mix of history and humour and they always did Canada proud! I have the Stompin' Tom book with his story as told by 'Stevedore" Steve Foote with all of Tom's songs up to publication date 1975.
I play and sing at two or three places most weekends, benefits, fundraisers etc. At three places this weekend I did "The Coalboat" in tribute to him and it went over well. I used to sing quite a few of his songs but rust overtakes me and I hate having to use a songsheet, but I will use his book to re-learn more.
      Rest in peace Tom!

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 11 Mar 13 - 06:06 AM

I've added Stompin' Tom to the "In Memoriam" Thread.

RIP,

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 10:32 AM

Interesting radio interview from 2010- the second part sums up much of his feeling about the success of his career:

Pre-tour 2010 interview part 1


Radio Interview 2010-part 2

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 10 Mar 13 - 09:17 AM

I'm with Mooh on this: I was never a fan of his music, but I have to admit he is inspirational even though dead by having been unapologetic and passionate about putting Canada in song. I think he was at his best when he was being critical, as in songs like "The Consumer," an example of his work that transcends borders.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 09 Mar 13 - 10:57 AM

That was good of them Mooh.
ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Mar 13 - 10:34 AM

A principled man of the people. Not so easy to come by.

I wasn't a fan in the sense of listening to him all the time, but I greatly admired his views on the Canadian music industry, and enjoyed his music from time to time. It was always distinctive, identifiable, and proud. His love of place, home, and country should be an inspiration to generations. The news of his death really struck me. How do we continue as he would?

It's time to work up a couple of his songs for my part to "carry on".

What the NDPers did was fantastic.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 09 Mar 13 - 09:47 AM

Yes, I heard. Was speaking to him last night.
ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 09 Mar 13 - 09:12 AM

that's a great endorsement and something to cherish
Stormy and I are fixing to go to Peterborough for the big send-off next Weds.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 09:48 PM

That was great Beckey.
My brotherNormann sent him his first cd last year and here is a clip of what tom wrote back: "He has a way with lyrics that make people think and we sure need more of that today."
This will be mentioned on Norm's next cd. Nice words and so much appreciated.
ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 08:39 PM

The World (BBC/PRI/WGBH radio) had a nice spot on him today.

Stompin' Tom Connors: Canadian Folk Hero

They provide these other links (as well as the Hockey Song video):

The legend of Stompin' Tom: Dave Bidini bids farewell to a Canadian icon (National Post)
Stompin' Tom Connors, Canadian Singer, Dies at 77 (NY Times)
Stompin' Tom: an unsung singer of our songs (The Globe & Mail)
12 songs that make Stompin' Tom a Canadian folk hero (The Globe & Mail)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 03:07 PM

An interesting cover of a Stompin' Tom song:

Bridge came tumbling down-cover

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: topical tom
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 03:06 PM

A great singer-songwriter and a fiercely patriotic Canadian. He held true to his principles and sold out to no one. I never had the honour of seeing him perform live but it seems he could rouse an audience into the bargain. Thanks so much, Tom. We could so use more of the likes of you
in this great nation. RIP, Tom. May memories of you and your music live forever!

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 02:36 PM

Interesting video on Tom


Song of Saint John, Tom's birthplace:
Saint John Blues


The Ballad of Stompin' Tom:
His life in a song

Humour was never far from many of his songs, even on serious topics with a message:
Ben in the Pen

The consumer


The bug song

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 01:01 PM

There was that, meself. The following from Wikipedia:

'As the 1970s progressed, he retired to his farm at Ballinafad, near Erin, Ontario, to protest the lack of support given to Canadian stories by the policies of the Federal government, particularly the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).[14] He also boycotted the Juno Awards in protest of the qualification guidelines set by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) for possible nominees who were being consistently nominated and awarded outside of their musical genre. He strongly opposed artists who conducted most of their business in the United States being nominated for Junos in Canada. Connors, who referred to these particular artists as "turncoat Canadians", felt that in view of the fact that they had chosen to live and work in the U.S., it was only fair that they competed with Americans for Grammy Awards, and left the Juno competition to those who lived and conducted business in Canada.
His protest caught national attention when he sent back his six Junos accompanied by a letter to the board of directors.

"Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith the six Juno awards that I once felt honoured to have received and which, I am no longer proud to have in my possession. As far as I am concerned you can give them to the border jumpers who didn't receive an award this year and maybe you can have them presented by Charley Pride. I feel that the Junos should be for people who are living in Canada, whose main base of business operations is in Canada, who are working toward the recognition of Canadian talent in this country and who are trying to further the export of such talent from this country to the world with a view to proudly showing off what this country can contribute to the world market.

Until the academy appears to comply more closely with aspirations of this kind, I will no longer stand for any nominations, nor will I accept any award given.

Yours very truly,

Stompin' Tom Connors[citation needed]

He remained in retirement for 12 years, only returning to the studio in 1986 to produce a new album to promote Canadian artists.[15] That year, Tim Vesely and Dave Bidini of Rheostatics crashed his 50th birthday party and published an article about it in a Toronto newspaper,[16] initiating a resurgence of public and record label interest in his work which resulted in the release in 1988 of Fiddle and Song, his first new album since 1977.'

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: meself
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 11:02 AM

Actually, Tom had a big axe to grind - he was really bugged that the Canadian music industry was so unsupportive of Canadian musicians, especially if they didn't/don't play American or Americanized music. He was a bit put off by all the fawning over Canadian musicians who'd left Canada to become stars in the States. All this always seems to have been generally regarded as harmless eccentricity on Tom's part ....

------------

Thanks for reminding me of Irish Moss - great song.

We sang some Stompin' Tom songs last night at the Trap & Gill ....

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 09:52 AM

How many other song writers/singers had "another dang twang" in their song lyrics?

Luke's Guitar

And then there is Bouctouche and Tatamagouche:

Bush Of Buctouche

I guess we all felt like a rubberhead at some time in life:

Rubberhead



Fire in the mine

With k.d. Lang

k.d. Lang


(Borderline sound quality):
Handy man Blues-tribute

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 09:06 AM

Folks out west invariably referred to him as Stompin' Tom. There was no need for a last name because everyone knew who you were talking about. There was only one of them and he was it.

Indeed the more 'traditionally-oriented' people kinda looked down on his music. However, watch the audience in this rendition of Bud the Spud. Even the kids know the lyrics. He knew this country and he knew the people. No ax to to grind--just his love of the place we call Canada. Audiences knew it was OK to bring their children to his performances because everyone would be treated respectfully. He couldn't sing worth a darn, his guitar playing was fundamental and so were his lyrics. But he left a giant footprint on this land and touched hearts all over the country. All ya ever had to do was mention his name and people would break into smiles, grins or laughter. "Hey, did you ever hear him sing . . . ?" Yeah, we all heard him sing something or other and we all left the room better for the experience. This time it's Stompin' Tom who's left the room, but the music he gave us to remember him by will live for a long long time. That is a legacy and a half.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 08:40 AM

Love that song Ed. We never had a scoop but the horse and buckboard served the purpose and there were enough in the family to gather the moss on shore in Robin Hood bags.


Even where all the bullshit takes place he held a respect.

http://youtu.be/pX8bWExxR8o

ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 08:33 AM

It was the same truck, Ad. It used to be "up on blocks" in front of the school that Tom obtained, beside Russell Alyward's house (aka Ellsworth)- btw, Russell, who raise him, was mentioned in "the song of the Irish moss").

I understood that the original intent of the museum was to establish a fund for local kids attending higher education school. But, because of some type of local dispute (I don't know the details), the idea never took flight and the concept died. The museum and truck weren't locally maintained and the vehicle began to rust away at the site. I don't know what happened to it. Tom also planned a motel in back of the school, and some work was done - but that never materialized.

Song of the Irish Moss

(Froom the Tilsonburg Lyrics, hey there Mr.you don't get any pay/
For sit'in there picking at your nose all day :)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Beer
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 07:59 AM

Ed, i don't know if it was the same pick up truck that was parked on the lawn in front of the museum but when I paid a visit 2 years following I asked when his truck was and the guide said it was stolen. Well, I suppose it is worth more now than when it was parked on the lawn.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: bobad
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 07:53 AM

Anyone who could rhyme "appendicitis" with "guide us" (The Martin Hartwell Story) is ok by me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Ed T
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 07:43 AM

Tom and his sister grew up about five miles down the road from where I did, in Skinners Pond Prince Edward Island. His career started to "ramp up" when I was a teen-ager,and I recall the only direct interaction I had with the colourful singer. I was sitting at the local general store talking with a few friends and he walked in to buy some smokes. When he tried to pay for 'em, the store owner said, no charge, just sing us a song. Tom agreed to do so and went out to his pickup truck for his guitar(the truck had a painted plywood box with his name and some hand drawn graphics on it). He played a couple of songs before he left, while kicking a piece of plywood beneath his feet, thanked us for the applause and left. It was a memorable experience.

I especially enjoyed his songs, I am the wind, The Irish Moss song, Sudbury Saturday night, Tilsonburg, his version of the Cremation of Sam McGee and Muckin Slushers. IMO, his songs captured the essence of a story from a common mans perspective. As he did not fit the traditional music mold,so he made his own. While he may not have been fully accepted in the traditional music industry (especially in the early years), he was respected and loved by many accross Canada.

Muckin Smushers

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: kendall
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 06:48 AM

There were those who saw him as a comic figure, a caricature of a country singer, but he was real, as genuine as they come.
RIP, Tom.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: JohnnyP
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 04:56 AM

I had the pleasure of playing The Hockey Song for Village Green Morris Men of Winnipeg a few years ago when the were over here in the UK.

This is them on their own patch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK--MQh2Lxk

Subject: RE: Obit: Stompin' Tom Connors Dead (1936-2013)
From: Effsee
Date: 07 Mar 13 - 10:15 PM

He even made the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21706649