Car Trouble: Panic and Release

Last night, 'Lead Mule' was due to play a show at the Red Knight with 'Alert the Medic'. It was a last minute decision to have me warm up the crowd with an acoustic performance before the bands were due onstage.

Before the show we stopped to get the car washed on the way to the bar. We had just got our vehicle back that morning after have the transmission rebuilt and Mat wanted it to look nice before we drove it to Lockeport the next morning. We were just about the pull into the car wash when our brakes popped. I was in panic mode wondering how we were going to get to Lockeport the following morning to perform at the Harmony Bazaar festival. I knew we would get to the Red Knight easily enough, but securing a last minute ride to another county on a Saturday morning would be a little more challenging. My mind was contemplating all of the things I would need to do to arrange possible transportation in the event that we couldn't drive this vehicle.

Mat carefully drove the car to my mother's house with the brakes losing pressure the entire way. After some meticulous backyard mechanic work, he managed to crimp the brake line in her driveway. We were able to drive the car again! We immediately drove to the bar and within 15 minutes I was on stage.

Here is a song from my set:

Chronicle Herald & The Harmony Bazaar

The Harmony Bazaar Festival in Lockeport, Nova Scotia is coming up this weekend and I was privileged to be interviewed by the Halifax paper 'The Chronicle Herald' yesterday. The interview was published today, on my birthday. I am very excited for the whole festival in general and I can hardly contain myself.

Yarmouth singer-songwriter Crystal Porter is hoping Harmony Bazaar will provide similar opportunities following her festival debut this weekend.

With music combining a sense of dark pop and folk mystery, Porter gained some attention at home when she wrote the song Beacon for Yarmouth’s 250th anniversary.

She has been active with the area’s Minor Music Association while occasionally putting on her own shows in tandem with her spouse Mat Bridgeo, from the local band Lead Mule.

But Porter says opportunities to perform original songs in her end of the province don’t come along as often as she’d hope, and she sees Harmony Bazaar as an important building block for female performers of all stripes.“There’s so many wonderful artists on the bill, and to be a part of the whole cel­ebration is such a privilege," she says.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all these people, making and meeting some new fans, and gaining exposure to a new audi­ence that might not be familiar with the music I play.

“It’s nice to venture down new paths where I’ve never been before. Sometimes that can be a little uncomfortable, but I get the feeling this weekend will be pretty amazing."

Upcoming Shows - Summer 2012

Here is the current list of confirmed upcoming shows. This weekend is going to be exciting and busy. ❤

Sat. July 28th - 4:00 pm Rising Star Songwriter's Circle, Main Stage Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women & Song - Lockeport, NS

Sat. July 28th - 7:50 pm Molson Beer Garden Side Stage @Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women & Song - Lockeport, NS

Sun. July 29th - 1:00 pm Irish's Invitational Jam @Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women & Song - Lockeport, NS

Thurs. August 23 - 9:00 pm Invitation to Songwriters - Coal Shed Festival, Rudders Tent in Yarmouth, NS

'Beacon' at the Red Knight

Here is a song from my 'Lynn Hemeon Birthday Set' the other night. I hope you enjoy it!

Seeking out the Elusive Hemeon

The birthday bash was such a fun time. It was awesome to see the elusive Hemeon roaming about the Red Knight; although with all of the Yarmouth Band shirts floating around the venue, it was difficult to tell if it was him for certain. All jokes aside, Lynn was so happy and beamed the entire night. It was absolutely beautiful to see him finally get the recognition he deserved. About halfway through the show Zach Churchill presented Lynn with a plaque to recognize the countless hours he has dedicated to capturing and preserving Yarmouth Music on his Yarmouth Bands YouTube channel. He also laid down a pretty slick rap in Lynn's honor, it was quite amazing.



Who was the secret special guest? Not Mr. Churchill! The special guest was a live chicken carried on stage by a member of the Olympics. Shortly there after it was exchanged with cooked chicken and fed to the other members while they performed. Don't worry, no chickens were harmed.

This show had one of the largest turnouts I had seen at the Red Knight in quite some time. It was really good to see so many supporters of Lynn and the Yarmouth Music Scene in general.

Lynn: I wish you a very happy birthday and many years of joy and happiness.

Lynn Hemeon's Birthday Bash Extravaganza

I'm very excited for Lynn's upcoming birthday bash extravaganza. Cody Porter and Mike Gorman have put together a collaboration show with a bunch of local acts to honor Lynn Hemeon from Yarmouth Bands. He has been so supportive of the Yarmouth Music scene and it truly is the least we can do to show our appreciation.

Here is the video promo that Mat and I made for the event.