Here's a copy of my latest note (tome) to my contact list. For what it's worth:

Hello out there,

I hadn't intended to put out another megapost so soon, but things have been building up, and I think there's a fair bit of stuff you kind folks should know about.

The White Oak Club, as well as Brantford and Hamilton have had excellent season openers. Each club has been well-attended with new faces showing up to perform along with many old friends and familiar faces. As well, Hamilton's new digs at the Pheasant Plucker are just fine (and careful how you say that; it must give radio announcers the heebie-jeebies. Reminds me of the Toronto clothing store in the 60's that had deejays and hucksters very nervous about their enunciation. It was called "The Brick Shirt House"!)

Stuff coming up this weekend worthy of your attention:

Scott Smith has another noon-hour gig this Friday at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Good way to spend a lunch hour.

Shawn Brush has a major gig on Saturday. He's in concert at the Hamilton Place Studio Theatre. Some of you may not be familiar with the lad; although he does get out to the folk clubs, it is regrettably infrequent. Shawn's style tends toward the country/bluegrass end of folk, and he's damn good at it. Point of fact, in 1992 he was the Canadian Bluegrass Association's Composer of the Year for his song "Seasons".

And Sunday's White Oak Folk Club is a concert featuring Robin Laing (yes, he did get a flight over, he's here, he'll be there). He's done concerts in this area before, and has been well received.

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On a more serious note, I've had a communication from Ed Vandendool. For those not familiar with Ed, he used to co-operate the Caledonia Folk Club, and was a partner with Bill Crawford in the duo "Cravan Spirit". Ed's a fine singer and guitarist, an excellent songwriter, is active in theatre and is also a superb sound technician. I'll let Ed speak for himself. Here, with very minor editing, is the text of his post to me:


Received Sept 13:

"I have just released a recording of a song that was written in memory of my brother in law, Jake Patterson, who passed away on August 16th of this year of a brain tumour. It was the date of his 16th wedding anniversary. He left behind his wife, and two sons aged 1 and 6.

Jake was very active in the Caledonia community and volunteered much of his time to decorate the town with lights every Christmas. He was the guy that had the job of hanging the lights on the 9 arches of the Caledonia bridge.

Anyway the song is called "Every Light is Shining" and I have recorded it as a single. I am selling copies of it and donating the profits to a trust fund that has been set up for his family.

I'm selling them for $10 each, which seems like a lot for one song, but one must bear in mind that this is to raise money and the profits are going directly to the widow. People can e me at edvandendool@sprint.ca or call my office 1 800 263 641 ext 228 - 24 hour voice mail, or my home 1 519 272 1772. I prefer communication via e mail because it gives me a record."


Me again: if any of you who are in contact with me on a regular basis at clubs and such, want to help out, I'll happily coordinate getting the CDs from Ed and distributing them.


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I have no idea what to say about the horrendous news that's been dominating our airwaves and our consciences this past week. Unbelievable, heart-wrenching. How our perception of our world has changed in so short a time! The loss, the heartache. And, my God, the courage and dedication we've seen come out of it. My mind is still reeling.

Paul Young has gotten a ball rolling here with a fundraising project. The following is the original communique, and one of the replies that it's generated. If you want subsequent information, are not on the White Oak mailing list, send a note to him at pcyoung@idirect.com

Original sent from Paul Young on Saturday, September 15, 2001
Subject: Special CD Project

Some of you may already have received this, if so I apologise for the duplication. Over the last 72 hours this entire project has come together very quickly so some redundancy is inevitable. Please read this closely. The project is going ahead but we will need all kinds of help. Some of you may not be musically inclined but there is going to be something everyone can do to help.

To all and sundry in the folk music community:

Most of you know me through the White Oak Folk Club or various other clubs in the area.Today I am sending this as a human being who has been overwhelmed by the events in The USA, on Tuesday September 11. Like all of you I am appalled, disgusted and sickened, yet, until tonight, I have had a feeling of utter helplessness.
Last Wednesday, Sept. 12, I was at Don Bray's CD release party at Hugh's Room. A part of me felt that we should not be there, having a good time, when so many of our neighbours are suffering and so much is unknown. Yet I felt a compulsion to go. During his first set, Don, a Toronto Firefighter, did a song called "Burning in The Streets", about his job as a firefighter, a song he did not put on the new CD, but which had tremendous meaning and relevance to what has just happened.
Then it hit me why I had to be there. I personally know enough talented singers, songwriters and people who have recording facilities, and between all of you I'm sure you know a great number more. If we pool our resources and work together, why could we not publish a CD of 10 to 15 songs, all original material written for or pertaining directly to the horrific events of Tuesday. Most of you know I am an accountant and I have an ability to organize and administer. I would set up a non-profit corporation, select a small board of directors and all proceeds would go directly to relief and rebuilding efforts. The idea would be that everyone would donate their time, from songwriters, to musicians to recording studios. The rights to the songs would be donated to the non-profit corporation and all funds, now and in the future would go to wherever it would do the most good, as decided by the board, with input from all people involved in the project. All time would be donated. No one would receive any reimbursement, even for expenses and no one person would have control over any of the monies. That would maximize the amount of money that would be available and eliminate any concerns over misuse of the funds. Those of you who have radio shows or connections thereto, would be able to play the songs and hopefully generate sales. We can set up a website for sales, I have people who would host and administer that free of charge. It is a way we could all contribute with the talents we have. If enough good material was available, we could do more than on CD, again to maximize the monies available. Don Bray has offered his song and the title for us. It is good beginning. Now we need to pick up the ball and run with it. I can't do this alone, I need a lot of help, the people of New York, Washington and all of the other places affected on Tuesday need every bit of help we can give them. In addition, so far, I have definite songs from James Gordon, Jory Nash and David Bradstreet, as well several others close to completion. In addition, Jim Marino of CFMU, Bill Crawford, former majordomo of The Caledonia Folk Club and Randy Uberig from The Train Room are on the board of directors. Every time I open my e-mail, more people are volunteering their time and talents. This project will happen. We would like you to be a part of it. Please Help. A few final points:
First, it will also be a tribute CD to all those who have died, suffered or contributed. The idea will be to commemorate the dead, commiserate with the survivors and celebrate the many unsung heroes who gave up their time and risked and in fact still are risking their lives to rescue and comfort people.
Second, this proposal is a tentative format. It obviously needs some refinement. It was done with my eyes drooping from lack of sleep, so I apologise in advance if I have been blathering a little. 'Been hanging around Jeremiah too much.
Third, this project needs to take form within a short period of time. Please respond with your ideas and suggestions ASAP. Lets prove we are the good neighbours we always like to think we are and leave a legacy from the Canadian Folk Music Community to those who need our support and help.
Finally, please forward this to anyone else you can think of, who may be interested and who can contribute in some way. Even if you are not a singer songwriter, we can use your help in any number of capacities. Thank you for listening to me, and I look forward to hearing from you very soon. We will keep you updated, by e-mail, every few days on what is happening

Best Regards
Paul C. Young
The White Oak Folk Club
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Reply from Randy Broten, Sunday, September 16, 2001


Dear Paul & Friends,

Thank you for coming up with this wonderful opportunity and we would love to contribute.

1) The BronteSound Project (with your committee's permission) will set up a web page specifically geared to selling the CD online. We will absorb the bank and credit card payment processing costs and fees. We will approach our sponsors to see if we can find someone to donate the shipping costs.

To save printing costs on the CD, we will post the lyrics and credits online. We would publish a brief bio and photo for each contributor. All would be in a printable format.

2) We are also approaching the recording studios affiliated with our Project. We would like to see if we can get some studio time at a nominal cost or maybe even a few hours donated. This would enable artists who do not have the resources to record CD quality recordings, to participate.

These are top-notch studios and their resources could help to raise the overall quality of final product. My personal studio may also be used.

We will also contact our artists who may be interested in contributing.

Like many of us, I have been working on a song to try and express my feelings and would be honored to submit it for consideration.

Randy Broten

www.brontesound.ca
A WINDOW ON THE PAST, A MIRROR OF THE PRESENT,
& A LOOKING GLASS TO THE FUTURE

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Not much more I can say here. Until next time, I wish you all well . . .

Jeremiah