The popular ACOUSTIC BLUE SUNDAY Summer Series just ended at THE COVE INN in Westport with a fabulous performance by Juno Award nominee TREASA LEVASSEUR. Now it’s time to look forward to another great season of BLUES ON THE RIDEAU at THE COVE.
Celebrating it’s 8th year BOTR has become one of the premier Blues Series in the country. The combination of a delicious buffet dinner and dancing to some of Canada’s best blues bands in the friendly, intimate setting of The Cove has proven to be a real winner. Proceeds from every show go to support different local charities. $38,000 has been raised since the Series started and another $7,000 is expected this year.
It’s another great Line-Up for 2012/13 – a combination of the most popular acts who’ve played the Series previously and some exciting new talent. The 2012/13 Season starts October 26 and will continue once a month until May (excluding December). There will be a total of 11 shows this year – 2 two-night stands (Friday & Saturday) and 3 singles (Friday only). Most occur on the third weekend of the month. Times are the same for all shows – 7 to 11 pm. Despite increased costs the ticket price will remain the same as last year – $60 which includes a full course buffet dinner, dancing and a donation to the charity.
2012/13 LINE-UP – our 8th season!
October 26 – TERRY GILLESPIE BAND
From Vankleek Hill, ON – a very talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Terry learned the Blues growing up in Detroit watching greats like Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker perform. He moved to Ottawa in 1968 and helped establish the Blues scene there with his great band “Heaven’s Radio”. His hot trio now consists of him on guitar and vocals with Wayne Stoute on drums and Lyndell Montgomery on bass – they were semi-finalists at the 2012 Memphis International Blues Challenge. Keyboardist Peter Measroch will join them for this show.
PROCEEDS TO THE LUCY DRYSDALE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
November 16 & 17 – FATHEAD
From Toronto – one of Canada’s best loved Blues bands for over 20 years led by harmonica/sax player/singer Al Lerman and the great John Mays on lead vocals with Teddy Leonard on guitar, Omar Tunnoch on bass, and Bucky Berger on drums. This band has won 2 Juno Awards & multiple Maple Blues Awards over its career and every player has won a Maple Blues Award in their instrument category at least once. A superb blend of blues R&B, funk and soul.
PROCEEDS TO FRIENDS OF FOLEY MOUNTAIN & WESTPORT FOOD BANK
January 18 – CONOR GAINS BAND
From Cambridge, ON – an incredible young guitarist/singer/songwriter (only 19 years old!) with a very tight band who has already played prestigious events like the Montreal International Festival de Jazz and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis to standing ovations. He has a great new album out full of original songs. A rising young star on the Canadian Blues scene. It’s his first visit to BOTR at The Cove.
PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU WATERWAY LAND TRUST
February 15 & 16 – THE HOGTOWN ALLSTARS
From Toronto – 6 players from two of Canada’s most famous Blues bands – DOWNCHILD & FATHEAD – wow! Chuck Jackson (vocals &harp), Teddy Leonard (guitar), Michael Fonfara (keyboards), Pat Carey (sax), Gary Kendall (bass) and Mike Fitzpatrick (drums). Both bands have won Junos and everyone in the band has won a Maple Blues Award in their instrument category at last once. Are you ready for some Big Time Blues?
PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU VISTA & ST. EDWARDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
March 15 & 16 – JACK DE KEYZER BAND
From Toronto – Canada’s “King Of The Blues” – singer/songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire. A 2X Juno Award & 7X Maple BluesAward winner. “The finest Blues guitarist in Canada” according to the late, great Jeff Healey. This is Jack’s 4th visit to The Cove and he always rips it up. One of the most popular acts to ever play the Series.
PROCEEDS TO EASTER SEALS EASTERN ONTARIO & HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
April 19 & 20 – DAVID ROTUNDO BAND w. JULIAN FAUTH
From Toronto – A Blues Superduo with multiple Maple Blues Award winning singer/songwriter and harp player David Rotundo along with Juno award winning singer/songwriter piano player Julian Fauth. Their show at BOTR last April was so good we just had to have them back! High energy “tear the house down” Blues from two of the best.
PROCEEDS TO WESTPORT IN BLOOM & WESTPORT LIBRARY
May 17 – ROBIN BANK$ BAND
From Toronto – a dynamite vocalist and 3X Maple Blues Award nominee Robin sings Blues, Soul and R&B equally well with passion, power and clarity. Over the years she’s lived in Chicago, Memphis and Texas playing alongside Blues greats like Sam Myers, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Junior Watson. Now she’s back in Toronto and about to do a new album produced by Duke Robillard who has stated that “Robin Banks has got soul, class and most of all, good taste”.
PROCEEDS TO RIDEAU DISTRICT MUSEUM
DINNER & SHOW $60
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
1-888-COVE-INN or (613) 273-3636
WELL-PRICED ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE COVE AND NEARBY B&B’s
More information including LINKS to artists’ websites, YOU TUBES & song samples from each of them can all be found at www.choosetheblues.ca
BLUES ON THE RIDEAU @ THE COVE is produced by CHOOSE THE BLUES PRODUCTIONS, Kenmore Ontario
Looking to hear more local entertainers and be amazed by what’s in your own back yard? Check out TUESDAY LOCALS NIGHT, our new summer series at The Cove in Westport featuring solo, duo and small group acts performing a mix of original and cover music in the lounge. The Cove Country Inn is located at 2 Bedford Street, Westport, Ontario.
Blues on the Rideau Series – Donald Ray Johnson & Maurice John Vaughn Band – Friday November 18-19, 2011 | 7-11pm
Be sure to visit our 
If you are a business owner or have an interest in the tourism of Westport & The Rideau Lakes, you will want to join the first ever “Let’s Talk Tourism” session hosted by the Chamber of Commerce on November 3rd. Join in on the discussion to determine what needs to be done for the future of tourism in Westport and the Rideau Lakes.
Join Us :