Backstage Pass Douglas McLean | Canoe FM

54•40 is a legendary Canadian rock band that emerged from the vibrant music scene of Vancouver, British Columbia. Formed in 1981, the band's name is derived from the westward expansionist James K. Polk (11th President of the USA) political slogan “54-40 or Fight”!
The band’s core members are Neil Osborne (vocal’s, guitar and Brad Merritt (bass). Both high school friends with a shared passion for music, they were later joined by Phil Comparelli (guitar) and Matt Johnson (drums), who became important contributors to the band’s signature sound. After Phil Comparelli's departure from the band, Dave Genn joined 54•40 as the new guitarist. His addition to the lineup brought a fresh perspective and musical talent that complemented the band's existing sound. Dave Genn had already gained recognition in the Canadian music scene through his work with the band Matthew Good Band. With Dave Genn on board, 54•40 continued to create memorable music and deliver electrifying performances. Their chemistry as a group remained strong, and they embarked on successful tours, both nationally and internationally, further solidifying their status as one of Canada's most cherished rock
Acts.
In 1984, 54•40 released their self-titled album debut, which included tracks like "Baby Ran" and "I Go Blind." These songs garnered significant video exposure on Much Music and quickly established the band as a promising force in the modern rock scene.
Throughout their career, 54•40 has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards, solidifying their status as Canadian music icons.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the band achieved even greater success with albums like "Show Me" (1987) and "Dear Dear" (1992), “Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret” (1994). The latter featured the hit single "Ocean Pearl," which became one of their most recognizable and beloved songs.

Otis released a new single on March 8,2024. It’ll be a bluesy, rockin’ cover of a 1969 song by soul sister Betty Harris called There’s a Break in the Road. The band absolutely kills it with their version and makes it their own.
Lead singer/guitarist Boone Froggett (is that a cool name or what?) spoke to me March 05,2024 and we don’t want you to miss the opportunity to check this young band out.
Recorded in a live full band take at The Rock House in Franklin Tennessee, the single features electric piano from and mixed by renowned Grammy Award winning musician Kevin McKendree (Brian Setzer, George Thorogood) and mastered by Ty Tabor of the acclaimed US rock band Kings X.
Kentucky born and bred, OTIS is a young, hard rocking quartet who performs and plays their exciting original music like they’ve been around for 40 years.
Alongside Boone, John Seeley (bass), Alex Wells (guitar), and Dale Myers (drums), these tight-knit guys stay connected to their homegrown roots having been around traditional instruments from a young age in piano, fiddle, and guitar instilling in them an appreciation of country-rock, bluegrass, blues, soul, and folk music.
The band blends roots, blues, classic rock, soul, and, of course, Southern rock and has created an original sound reminiscent of some of the great blues-rock/Southern rock bands like the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Wet Willie.
The band’s debut album, 2014’s Tough Times: A Tribute to John Brim, is a raw, groove-oriented, blues drenched masterpiece that got rave reviews and was a blueprint for things to come for the band.
The blistering Eyes of the Sun was released in 2018 on Cleopatra Records and more than lived up to the promise of the band’s debut album.
And now comes There’s a Break in the Road, which is a precursor to a full album that will be released sometime in 2024.

OTIS website: https://theotisband.com

On March 01,2024, The Hello Darlins released the Alders and the Ashes, a double album follow-up to their breakthrough smash 2020 album, Go by Feel.

A lot has happened for the band and its principal songwriters, Candace Lacina and Mike Little, since they garnered world-wide attention with their debut. The lock down, Mike’s recovery from a worrisome health issue, the loss of family and friends, an extensive 2023 tour in support of Go by Feel and the rigorous demand placed on them as preeminent, highly sought after, studio musicians.

The Alders and the Ashes is a masterfully written and produced, sophomore album. For fans, eagerly awaiting more material from the songwriting duo and their esteemed bandmates, it is generously playful, soulful and dare I say, spiritual - a bountiful sonic feast of Americana Roots, Rock and Country.

‘A Way Through Time’ JJ Shiplett.

Americana Roots singer-songwriter JJ Shipplet’s breathtakingly personal new album, A Way Through Time, released on March 15,2002 via Red Buffalo Records under the exclusive license of Jayward Artist Group (distributed by The Orchard). 

This new album showcases the Calgary, AB-based artist's evolution both sonically and lyrically, as he explores a sound he has been searching for a long time. And please, please, please listen to the last track, "You and I Will Never End"... it is devastating and heartbreaking. 

A Way Through Time was written throughout the course of a few years, in and around my house here in Calgary. These were the songs and melodies I would hold tightly to; something inside said they mattered and constantly drew me in further every time I’d sing them. When I’d pick up my guitar, or play the piano, these were the songs that would come out.

As a thread began to weave itself through each song, it became clearer and clearer that each song had a purpose, a story to tell, and something to work towards. It was the recognition that life barrels on, lap after lap, and as we learn to ride the wave, we begin to take advantage of the very moment, allowing us to give it away and to love recklessly.

Armed with the songs and time running out, I went to Fort Records in Fort Langley, BC, with Jay Stewart at the helm. His positive mental attitude, attention to detail, and willingness to dive deep into the songs was so crucial to making this album. Together, with close friend Jeremy Friesen, we set out to capture the truth of each song by connecting the lyrics and melody to the rhythm and emotion. It was extremely important that these songs be recorded with Jeremy, as he was battling stage 4 cancer. With each session, I could see him fading away. We knew we had to make the most of each moment. The very last session we did, finishing vocals for You and I Will Never End, was the last time I saw him.

Love Always was produced by and features pianist Ernest Turner, along with bassist John Brown and drummer Donovan Cheatham.
“Love Always’, a new 2024 album by Lois Deloatch, is testament to the sublime heights a masterful songwriter/ lyricist, accompanied by a trio of astonishing musicians, can aspire to. Lyrically and musically, these songs transfix the listener’s attention, lifting both spirit and earth-bound weariness toward a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly human. Transcendent and hauntingly beautiful, Deloatch’s themes resonate and celebrate with values we surely must all share - love of family, faith and nation, perceptively clarifying a lesser travelled path for our feet and hearts to follow. Extraordinary achievement.”
Lois Deloatch marks thirty years in music with her new recording, Love Always. Recognized internationally for her rich contralto voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and distinctive blend of jazz, folk, blues, and spirituals, Deloatch has shared the stage with Ellis Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, and Dr. Billy Taylor, among other luminaries. Her limited-edition release, Hymn to Freedom: Homage to Oscar Peterson, was selected as one of the Top 10 CDs of 2008 by JazzTimes Magazine’s music critic Owen Cordle. With this, her sixth recording as leader, Deloatch says, “I’m offering music I hope will resonate, inspire and unify. I want listeners to feel our connectedness and shared humanity.”
Music reviewer, Joe Vanderford, says, “Deloatch’s voice is thick and wide. She and the rhythm section signed a pact to be equal partners. She is a vocalist cast as an instrumentalist, another improviser contributing to the whole.” Love Always was produced by and features pianist Ernest Turner, along with bassist John Brown and drummer Donovan Cheatham. Deloatch’s original compositions, “Occasional Brilliance,” “Souls Remember,” “Forty First Cousins,” “In My Bones,” and “Friendly Fire” reflect her rural, Southern upbringing and expansive world view,

Chris James is their front man. He plays keyboards and guitar and harmonica. Writes songs too. He wound up with the Burrito Brothers in 2009.

• Chris James – keyboards, vocals (2010–present). LEADER SINCE 2009
• Tony Paoletta – pedal steel guitar (2013–present)
• Peter Young – drums (2015–2016, 2019–Present)
• Steve Allen - guitars, vocals (2022 - Present)
The band was formed in 1968 in Los Angeles as The Flying Burrito Brothers. Its classic lineup featured country rock pioneer, the late Gram Parsons, and former founding Byrds members bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke, along with eventual original Eagles member Bernie Leadon on lead guitar and pedal steel guitar genius Sneaky Pete Kleinow.
The band’s first two albums, The Gilded Palace of Sin (which Rolling Stone listed at number 192 on its list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time) and Burrito Deluxe, remain highly influential, acclaimed works which helped put country-rock on the map. Because Parsons and Keith Richards were good friends, Burrito Deluxe contains the first issued version of the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards-written song "Wild Horses," released almost a year before the The Rolling Stones own take on it appeared on Sticky Fingers.
These days, the band, now based in Nashville, features Chris P. James (who’s been involved with the band since 2009), guitarist Steve Allen, Tony Paoletta on pedal steel and drummer Peter Young…all extremely talented musicians who love being involved with the band’s legacy and creating new music to keep that legacy alive.
The current lineup has continued for over a decade to carry the Burrito Brothers torch via the Christmas release, which features the band’s trademark tight ensemble playing, beautiful harmonies, excellent songwriting, and the ability to turn other artist’s songs into their own.