Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)

Subject: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 10:27 PM

Just to inform all you great lovers of music that the festival which I have been involved with in the past 5 years has now folded it's doors. It probably will be the first one ever to do so having made a profit each year and this year being the greatest yet thanks to Bruce Murdoch and Ron Hynes and all the other great performers. Also to all of you who came and to those who couldn't but wanted to. I would ask that if you wish to ask any personal information that you p/m me as I will not get into certain areas as to "why" on open form.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: bobad
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 06:44 AM

Oh no, say it ain't so!

Let's try and do something to get this thing restructured and back on it's feet.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: bobad
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 06:23 PM

Adrien's Farewell

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 06:25 PM

I'm even more glad that I made the trip now Adrien - it's a weekend I'll treasure for life.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:27 PM

It ain't over 'til it's over.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Peace
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:44 PM

Adrien,

I just checked out the site and I'm greatly disappointed--but not dismayed. Remember the tale of the young bull and the old bull.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: C. Ham
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 09:04 AM

As a former Montrealer, who gets back to the city often, and as one who attended Branches & Roots for the first time this year, I find this news very dismaying. Why end an annual event that seems to be growing (and not losing any money) year after year? It makes no sense.

The folk scene in the Montreal area seemed to be doing so well. A lot of concerts, a growing festival near the city, and one of the best folk radio shows anywhere. Then, suddenly and in quick succession, Mike Regenstreif stepped away from Folk Roots/Folk Branches on CKUT and the plug is pulled on the Branches & Roots Festival.

These developments, for whatever reasons, are very bad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 09:58 AM

Oh Adrien, I'm sorry that this is happenning. Working on something you love to do and that you do so well and then having that project end for whatever reasons is very difficult.

I know that they say when one door closes, another one opens. If you are not to continue working on the Branches and Roots Festival, I hope that new door to wonderful experiences opens for you very soon.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 07:22 PM

That is a tale I remember well Bruce. And with a little luck in a year or so it could very well happen. Thanks for that. Don't count us out yet Ham. There are some behind the scenes workings going on.
Thanks Bobad, Emma and Azizi. All of your support at this time is so very welcomed.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: john f weldon
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 08:20 AM

That's just one bit of dreary news after another.
As Bob Hope used to say: "Thanks for the memories".

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Peace
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 02:01 PM

Adrien: you put something together--anything--and I'll come do it for nothin' (if that'll help).

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 09:43 PM

Your the third musician who has made contact and said they would play for nothing. Although musicians do contribute to the greatest part of the expenses, they deserve every penny. I am getting tremendous support from musicians who have also said they want to help if possible. I know I told you Peace but for those who don't know the first year all the musicians got $50 bucks. I used the line "Do it for the love of music and help get a good thing started". Penny Lang was our main star and as you know Canada's First Lady of Folk deserves a lot more than $50 bucks. But it is people like yourself and Penny and others who recognize a good thing and the importance of keeping a good thing going.
Thanks Bruce.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Peace
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 09:55 PM

Pardon me for saying this, but it's better than a good thing. I don't give a rat's ass if I have to play with no mike, no stage, no chair to park my ass on. Empty field with some people in it and that'll do for me.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 10:28 PM

Read you loud and clear. Been there and done it. They are the fondest of memories.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: bankley
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 07:20 PM

I made 50 bucks that first year. Spent it at a local restaurant with Norman and Lorraine. That's also the last time that I talked with Penny, Glad that she just had a fine year. Got $100 the next year. Gave it to two great music-buddies who did me a favour and tagged along. Good fun.....
anyhow glad that you made it 5 yrs. and a shitload of new friends, I'm sure.... any event that can get Bruce to pick up the axe and leave the high plains, has got to be some kind of special...
So, 'Thanx for the Memory'... stay well, keep sluggin'... Ron

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 11:24 PM

Thanks Ron. You were definitely part of the success that first year and the next. Maybe you could mention who the two friends were that came the second year. I never did get their names.

Here is a list (In no particular order.)of the musicians who played these past five years.

Ron Bankley and Stormin Norman Doucette.
Juila Kater, Penny Lang, The Echo Hunters, John Speed and Mouton Noir, Beverley McGuire and Susan Palmer. Dusty Rose, Neil MacKay and Together Again. Road Scholars, Le Groupe Folklorique Du Sud-Ouest Quebec. Smokey Rose, Celtic Grass and Four Strings and a Squeeze Box that was my group.
Chris Pennington, The late great Kirk MacGeachy and his buddy David Gossage. Chris Crilly and Christian Laurence. Jim Robinson, Dave Clark, Jou Tou which is Andre Thibault and his wife Qiu. The Fat Tuesday Brass Band. Swift Years, Hughie McDonell, The Back Porch Band, Fran Aiken, Yonder Hill. Bill Garrett and Sue Lothrop. The Boll Weevil Acoustic Band, Dave Nichols and spare Change. Mike O'Brien, Terry Joe Banjo, Joe Grass, Bush Business, Osmosaic, The Chateauguay Valley Boys and Way Back Kountry.
Notre dame de Grass, David Francey, Shane Simpson. Norm Rennie, Angela Desveaux, Swerve, Sweetfield, Des Aires de Famille, Gospel Singers.
Isabelle Delage, Ron Hynes, Terry Tufts, Kitchen Party, Biz Oliver Trio, Dan Livingstone Trio, Dale Boyle, Kevin Mark. The Barn Burners. Chris Rawlings, Little Brown Jug. Bridge End Dairy Company, Victor Courte And Bruce Murdoch.

Then there were the names of those who played in groups that I don't have in memory or on paper but thank you all.

The other thing that I want to mention ( Ron Bankley touched on it.)
is that most groups were asked to come back the following year. But after two years in a row they were dropped out as I felt that new entertainers should be booked so that folks wouldn't start complaining that it was the same musicians over and over again. The exception would of course be the David Francey and Ron Hynes. Not that I wouldn't want them to be back but due to the almighty dollar and bookings else where.
I hope I didn't forget anyone and if I did well to bad(ha!). The reason I did this is to maybe strike an observation note with some one who might say "Hay, I know that person".
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 11:58 PM

Another point is that there were a few person's behind the scenes who did some great work for me. Here I hope I don't miss someone and if I do please,please except my apologies.
Garry Waterfield.
Mike Regenstrif.
Danny Bloom.
Catherine Stewart.
Bobad.
John Cameron.
Penny Lang .
Isabelle Delage.
Ken Thorpe
George Applebee.

Thank You.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: bankley
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 06:14 PM

Good to see those names again. I could always read the back of the 'year 2' T-Shirt for a few.... my buddies were (and still are) Michel Dion on bass (not the fish), and Michel 'Toubabou' Seguin on percussion. World class players all around. Ville Emard Blues Band alumni... still tickin'.. anyhow, thanks again for the invites, and much luck with wherever you focus your talent and attention...I'll be watchin'.... Ron

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: bankley
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 07:11 PM

p.s, I've been known to be not one to promote myself, much to the consternation of serious promoters. Since Beer asked the names of my music-mates at fest #2. We were just coming down from a great reunion of VEBB/ the New Generation in '03... a big blow out with the musical kids and the ol' farts on the Plains of Abraham at Festivale d'Ete du Quebec, also live TV (well, that's debatable), on French CBC. It's called RDI or something, also simulcast on CHOM- FM in MTL, (which was another 1st).... anyhow , had a nice time with old friends, some family, and pay tribute to a few who could't make it. Like Le Gros Pierrre Nadeau.... Raoul Dugauy put words to 'Ordinare", Charlebois' hit, way back.... one of the many 'moments' of magic in spite of the b.s. surrounding such an event... okay I'm starting to ramble like Bob Risky-wits.... so I was already getting ready for some serios studio time... so, we were hanging and playing as an spinoff to the 'main show'..... went on to record "Insurgent Sun", got to field-test a couple of tunes in Ormstown.... you can hear me and the Michels on 'The Spell' along with Dacajewiah-Splitting the Sky and Kahntineta Horn.... some of the stuff from that year...... you can hear this on myspace/ Ron Bankley ...'or like,something'... so much for promo... but it'll put a smile on your ears.... I'm with friends on both ends...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Peace
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 08:42 PM

Check it out!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 11:10 PM

Thanks for that Peace. I went to You Tube and didn't see anything. To much wine I guess. Great stuff Ron. I was hoping to hear your song "Border....??" You know the one I mean. "Border Town?". Maybe not . Just can't remember. But it is a great song.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: topical tom
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 11:22 PM

I greatly enjoyed Ron at the Branches & Roots festival.Attended the festival all five years & it's a great loss to the folk community that it is no more. Hopefully like Stan Rogers' "Mary Ellen Carter" it will rise again!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 12:22 AM

I don't know Who the hell ye are Tom but you just put a light in my heart.
Thank you.
Please , please p/m. me.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: bankley
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 11:43 AM

Beer ,I think you mean 'Borderland'... a sprawling historical saga about the Ottawa Valley.... haven't played it since I was in Germany last time...at a kitchen table for a few folks interested in our roots. That's part of another project on the back burner.... things like "Albert Failley's Ghost", "Ravenesque" etc... Stompin' Tom would be pleased eh ?.....last time I talked to him, he said "Keep it Canadian!"... what a character.... anyway thanks again.., one of my dreams is to cook something up with Peace and Beer ! onward and upward... much luv... Ron

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: GUEST,Jack McCann
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 05:09 PM

Hi, Beer:
Put my name down for an appearance on the house at the first annual Châteauguay Valley Folk Festival.
And Peace, if you need a fiddler/piano player/accordionist when you come, I'm there.

Jack M

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:57 PM

Where you from Jack? Mind sharing your location? Were you at the festival? Can't very well put you down for an appearance if I can't contact you. Can I.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Peace
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:09 PM

That would be my pleasure, Jack.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 09:36 PM

You know him Peace?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: GUEST,Jack McCann
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 09:42 AM

Originally from Bangor Co. Down

Jack

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 09:43 AM

So you love in the Chateauguay Valley. Eh!
Beer

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 09:45 AM

Strictly speaking, no.
But broadly speaking, yes
Jack

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: GUEST,Jack McCann
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 09:46 AM

Ooops, forgot my handle
Jack McCann

Subject: RE: Folklore: Branches and Roots Festival
From: Beer
Date: 29 Sep 07 - 10:59 PM

You know the saying "I don't know Jack Shit?". Well Jack, how close is this.. "C.MacR.......aigh". Not bad eh?

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: john f weldon
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 11:06 PM

This buncha photos starts with a couple from Ormstown.....

some photos

...one hopes it will continue in some form!

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: Beer
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 02:26 PM

Hay Jack, if you read this I'm looking for a fiddle player that can do some Celtic stuff like Down-east music. Let me know. It wouldn't be on a regular basic. Just to do a possible show at the Side Door Coffee House.

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: GUEST,Branches and Roots Committee
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 11:54 AM

The Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival lives on. We'll be back as usual. Plans are now well underway for 2008. Please watch our website for announcements of the talent lineup, etc.

Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: Azizi
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 12:36 PM

That's great news!

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: C. Ham
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 12:40 PM

Yes, it is.

I attended Ormstown Branches & Roots for the first time this last summer and had a fine time there.

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: topical tom
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 12:44 PM

That's the 2007 site. Any more info yet about 2008?

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: C. Ham
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 12:51 PM

They said to watch the site for announcements.

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: topical tom
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 01:06 PM

Thanks C. Ham , I'll be watching.

Subject: RE: Ormstown Branches and Roots Festival (Quebec)
From: john f weldon
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 10:05 AM

Great if this Fest really stays alive.

Last night I saw the new old-timey group Whistlepig at le Cagibi (St Lawrence Blvd), and they were GREAT. Everything's very up-tempo with them; lively, fun music. So, Beer, or whoever's running the show next year, they would be an excellent choice to lure into a performance!

good luck
JFW