October

From the Borealis Records site

Singer-songwriter Bob Snider has played on the street and in the concert hall. He's been called a "national treasure", a "living legend" and "author of some of the best Canadian songs of the decade". After a hiatus from performing and recording, Bob Snider returns with a new album "Stealin' Home". Produced by David Baxter, the new CD contains 13 new songs that are quintessentially Bob. Songs that are direct, beautiful, sometimes quirky, sometimes funny but above all, songs that go straight to the heart.

November

From the website:

EMORY LESTER is one of this day's foremost exponents of the acoustic mandolin. The power and attack of his mandolin playing are unmatched and his sound is infectious. His new recording 'Cruisin' the 8', as well as prior landmark instrumental recordings have placed him among the elite mandolinists of our time.

Emory's vocal style has opened up a new chapter in his music career, bringing to his stage new and exciting vocal material that perfectly compliments his already amazing instrumental show.

The EMORY LESTER SET is an ensemble of bluegrass and new acoustic artists from Ontario Canada, put together to feature Emory's music. Mainstay members are violinist / composer Marion Linton (featured in the July 2004 issue of Bluegrass Now magazine) bassist / composer Kene Hyatt, and one of the most exciting instrumental talents in the music, acoustic guitar wizard Marc Roy.

Emory's musically pleasing vocals coupled with his exciting instrumental skills are a pleasure to hear as he performs many of his original compositions along with traditional tunes. Don't miss out on an entertaining presentation that makes the Emory Lester Set performance one to be enjoyed and long remembered.

January

From George's website:

George Olliver is a Canadian musical institution. Audiences have been raving about his stage show for years. He has been described as a dynamic performer, great soulful voice and is the best showman in Canada! What is often overlooked is that he is a prolific writer, producer, and successful recording artist. Olliver's career shot to stardom as the lead singer of the now legendary R&B band Mandala, with TOP TEN hits "Opportunity" and "Give and Take". Each new recording since then has been met with critical acclaim and nation-wide sales. Nicknamed "The Blue-Eyed Prince of Soul" he has remained one of the most popular performers on the Canadian music scene. George's extensive touring over the years has brought him international acclaim from fans and industry critics alike. Having performed on tours with such band's as The Who, Rolling Stones and The Cream, George learned the importance of live performance. Moving on into the seventies, Olliver formed Natural Gas with the bands self-titled album charting in the TOP 10 in Canada and TOP 50 in the U.S.

February

When Mark and Tom played Greenbank before the following review was written by Lillian Wauthier.

Mark Haines and Tom Leighton always exude a great joie-de-vivre in their performances and tonight was no exception. Tom is a powerhouse one-man band (if he wanted to be); he sings and plays bodhran, keyboards and synthesizers and some kind of souped up accordian which I think was supplying a good backup bass sound; Mark is excellent on the fiddle and the majority of the lead vocals. Bill Usher joined them to provide some solid and complimentary percussion. Tony Burns played a Cabasa shaker which gave a nice sound on a couple of numbers. Their music almost defies description but with some interesting props and music ranging from many unusual originals to Celtic, gospel, contemporary, bluegrass, vaudville and swing influences—and great exciting polkas!—their music is in a class all its own. Their phenomenal energy, vivacity, charm, breadth of vision and consummate musicality results in one of the most exciting and mesmerizing shows you'll ever hope to see and hear. Their enthusiasm and love of music is so encompassing and pervasive that the audience is swept up in a contagion of joy—many in the packed house had never heard them before and there were constant looks of incredulity on peoples' faces and exclamations of wonder and amazement. With standing ovations and double encores, Tom & Mark invited Aengus (Finnan) back on stage and finished off the evening with the gospel song "I'll Fly Away" and a rousing rendition of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", with everyone standing, singing along and being thoroughly transported. We got back to Toronto at 2am, but who could go to sleep, when you're so pumped and high! On the other hand, one might argue, you're exhausted by their overwhelming energy! However you react, this music courses through your veins and sure makes you feel alive.

March

From the site.

Washboard Hank plays an amazing conglomeration of bells, licence plates, duck calls, etc., and actually gets music out of it. He also plays banjo, kazoo, and dobro, and will probably break a lot of guitar strings too.

If the proper plumbing supplies are available and space allows you can expect a solo or two on the "Fallopian Tuba," made out of 1 1/2" PVC pipe and a stainless steel sink

One reviewer called Washboard Hank "a cross between Jerry Lewis (not Jerry Lee) and Stompin' Tom Connors." His repertoire includes bluegrass, rockabilly, country, television themes and Oktoberfest. He can go from sensitive to manic to ridiculous in an instant. Don't blink, you'll miss something good. Hank has appeared on dozens of TV shows (Elephant Show, W5, Mr. Dressup, etc.) recently performed on C.B.C.'s Madly Off In All Directions, and spent the last four years as a member of Fred Eaglesmith's band, doing 200 + shows a year all over North America. Working so steadily with Fred was letting Hank's own career slide, but he's getting it built up a bit now.

April

Prairie Oyster front man and bassist Russell deCarle has earned 5 Juno awards and numerous CCMA and Big Country Music Awards. His unique vocal style and seasoned songwriting technique have kept Russell at the forefront of Canadian country music. DeCarle has also been awarded the SOCAN’s Song of the Year twice.

Folkalarm has performed at the Toronto, PEI and Rochester Jazz festivals as well as many folk festivals across the country and numerous concerts and clubs in and around Ontario. The band has recorded five CDs on Poverty Playlist and enjoys a very solid following. The music is improvisational, fun, lyrical and always grooves hard. Listeners find themselves engaged and enjoy being taken along for the ride.

Kevin Breit
Kevin has been a professional musician since 1980. He has recorded with Norah Jones ( 12 grammy awards), Cassandra Wilson (2 grammy awards), k.d Lang, Rosanne Cash, Susana Baca, Lou Reed, Ani DeFranco, Holly Cole, Natalie MacMaster, and many others. He has recorded 8 discs with the quartet, Sisters Euclid (they won a Juno award last year for Best Instrumental recording) Kevin is the recipient of the 2004 Toronto Musician of the Year from the Toronto Musician Association. He earned a Gemini Award last year for his contribution with Misha Bruggergossman on a Joni Mitchell televised tribute.

Russ Boswell
Over the years Russ has toured with: Mary Margaret O’Hara, David Wilcox, Colm Wilkinson, Holly Cole, Seals & Crofts, Corey Hart and The Parachute Club. He has appeared on numerous recordings including: Serena Ryder, Charlie Majors, David Wilcox, Russell De’Carle, Jullian Austin, John Landry, four albums with Cory Hart (including Boy In The Box which achieved diamond status in Canada), Julie Crochetiere, Romney Getty and many more. Russ is currently finishing up an album of songs he co-wrote with the legendary Terry Hatty.

Jorn Juul Andersen
Danish percussionist.