IMPACT AFRICA BENEFIT CONCERT

On Friday April 13th, we had the most distinct honor of performing at the IMPACT AFRICA BENEFIT CONCERT at the Westside Theater in downtown Hamilton. Impact Africa is an evening concert and silent art auction created to benefit persons living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. It is the second IMPACT AFRICA fundraiser - the first one held last year raised more than six thousand dollars (enough to provide support to over 600 AIDS orphans for a year). All money raised from the concert and silent art auction goes to the Mennonite Central Committee’s 'GENERATIONS AT RISK' program, which sends desperately needed medical supplies and money to HIV/AIDS projects in Africa.
It was quite an evening and we were fortunate to share the bill with the amazing Jacob Moon, a fantastic rock band HEWIT, and a very cool guitar duo Us2. Various presenters from the MCC, as well as others gave short informational and motivational presentations. In the lobby of the theater, there was a tasteful selection of art, all available in silent auction for purchase. We had an amazing time, met some fantastic people who are involved in a most desperate and neccesary cause.
Visit the IMPACT AFRICA myspace site for more info at:
http://www.myspace.com/impact_africa

GWT RECORDING AT TRUE MUSIC

The Great Wooden Trio are very pleased to announce that we have begun work on a new CD, scheduled for release late summer 2007. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be working with TIM ALBERTS of TRUE MUSIC PRODUCTIONS in LIMEHOUSE ONTARIO. Tim is a very gifted Producer/Engineer/Musician and has been a real asset to our recording -a fifth member to our trio. So far we have recorded thirteen bed tracks on mostly brand new songs, and a few that we've been performing for a while but hadn't committed to tape (vinyl? cd?) until now.
We're about to begin the laborious (yet really fun) stage of recording vocals, guitar and percussion overdubs - as well as bring in a host of guest musicians to play on various tracks - more on that later. Back in Febuary, Tim and Brad facilitated a live audience in house at True Music Studios for an intimate evening of friends, vino and story telling. It was quite an evening and should add a real charm to the CD. We are all very excited about what has been captured thus far - safe to say that this is going to be the best recording project any of us have been involved in. It's been way too much fun!!
More info to follow as we progress.

GREAT WOODEN TRIO IN THUNDER BAY

On March 24th, Brad, Kevin and Greg flew up to Thunder Bay to begin the “ONE CITY, TWO DAYS, THREE GUYS, FOUR SHOWS TOUR”. (T-shirts available soon) James Collie, a local promoter, entrepreneur and all around cool dude had seen The Great Wooden Trio perform last December in Milton and wasted no time in convincing us to fly up to the Lake Head for a Saturday night performance at THE HOPE CHURCH.

The tour started with a visit to HULL BOOKSTORE, downtown Thunder Bay. We performed a short acoustic set to try and draw a crowd for the evenings performance. The turnout was a little disappointing, but we did have one couple pop into the store, inquire who we were and turned up at the HOPE concert that evening, so all was not lost.

Show number two was at HOPE CHURCH, a newly renovated wing in an 80 + year old school house. The acoustics in the sanctuary were outstanding and roughly 120 people turned up to see what the fuss was all about. James had done an amazing job promoting the concert around the city. The show went off without a hitch, and climaxed in a STANDING ‘O’!!!
(click on any of these photos to view the large version)



We were asked to perform a mini set at the HOPE CHURCH Sunday morning service - show number three - which went extremely well and turned out to be a really nice way to talk to some of the folks that we missed meeting the night before. Lots of great compliments from all ages - and sold a few more cd's to boot!

Then we were off to our final gig at Chapters. It started out slow, but interest grew throughout our set and by the end we had a crowd of 15 to 20 people checking us out. It’s so funny to witness first reactions to our performances. At first people are usually outright puzzled and unsure about us. Then, after committing some listening time, they almost always end up digging in and enjoying themselves. It’s all about devoting some time to listening - then BAM!! we’ve hooked ya!


James and his wife Inez were absolutely amazing hosts and so much fun to hang with. We spent the weekend at their getaway in the woods and were treated to Thunder Bays finest restaurant - “THE HOITO” Best Finnish breakfast to be found this side of.....well.....Finland. We were also introduced to the local delicacy - The Persian. It’s a one of a kind, only found in Thunder Bay (check the link).

Big thanks go out to James and Inez Collie for all the running around, accommodations and unabashed friendliness they openly offered us for two solid days. You guys are AWESOME!!!!!!!
Thanks also to Dave and Heather Lammers for the taxi service and the venicen dogs. Thanks to Kaleb Lammers for teaching Greg the finer points of Mine Sweeper. Thanks to Jenn and Darren Foulds for the leftover shower cake. Thanks to Ken Paulusma for doing a wonderful mixing job at HOPE and finally thanks to Dave White and Glen Soderholm for recommending us to James.
We had a fantastic weekend. Let's do it again soon!!