Purpose of Olivia's Event

This concert with Olivia Newton John is part of a two day Integrative Health Conference held this Friday March 26 and Saturday 27th at the campus of West Chester University in Philadelphia. This event is to benefit the ACEER Foundation (Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research), the College of Health Sciences, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal. For more information please visit http://www.wcupa.edu/aceer/onj/

Monday Rehearsal For Olivia Newton John

Arrived at the Sound Academy in Toronto at 10 am for the first rehearsal for the Olivia Newton John concert in Philadelphia this Saturday. The music director for the show is Amy Sky and the other musicians include Maury Lafoy (bass), Mark Lalama (keyboards), Lyle Molzan (drums), Mark Masri (voice) and Kevin Fox (cello and guitar). Because there is so much gear to set up it is around 1pm before we actually go on stage and start rehearsing. At this rehearsal they set up full sound, lights and staging exactly the way it will be done on Saturday night. After our rehearsal tomorrow the crew will dismantle everything. Then they will load all the sound equipment, instruments, lights in a truck and drive to the venue in Philadelphia.

Yardbirds in Winnipeg

I went to Winnipeg to see the Yardbirds show and help the band with their merchandaise. It was great to see Chris Deja (rhythm gtr), Ben King (Lead gtr)and Jim McCarty (drums) again. It was also nice to meet the new members Andy Mitchell (lead singer) and Dave Smale (bass).
Jim McCarty is coming to Toronto to play a solo gig at Hugh's Room Tuesday March 30th here in Toronto.

Music Student Scholarship Fund

Danny Lockwood & the Favorite Grooves played at the Downtown Arts Center in Hamilton in support of the Richard Newell Scholarship Fund. Richard Newell is better known as King Biscuit Boy the legendary blues harmonica player who died in 2003. The 7 piece band was funky, boppy, rocky and soulful. It was an absolute joy to watch with stellar performances by all members.

Meeting

Met Amy Sky at her house to discuss the March 27 show with Olivia Newton John in Philadelphia. At the concert we will be playing music from Olivia's Grace and Gratitude CD. The album was produced by Amy in 2006 and I had the good fortune of recording on the original tracks.