A guitar made of stories

Got me talking in circles again! On the links actual and fictional that bind particular clusters of music, literature and geography.⁠ ⁠ Read now on Substack at the Linkin.bio⁠

Fitting that @justin_rutledge lead with “Jack of Diamonds” - his co-write with Michael Ondaatje - at the launch of @griffymcgrifferson ‘s book “The Ward” here at the @horseshoetavern - two authors weaving Toronto history into fiction. Kind of like my history with these two is woven over decades!

Congratulations to pal @griffymcgrifferson on the launch of his novel, set in Toronto’s Ward district - just a couple of blocks from here at the @horseshoetavern

In this edition, in celebration of St. Urho's Day, the circuitous tale of how a soup paddle from the Hoito Restaurant in Thunder Bay came to be in Voyageur (with a detour through the films of Aki Kaurismaki)!

I was fortunate this past Monday to catch the final night of Feist's recent "Multitudes" tour at Massey Hall. I mean, like, REALLY fortunate. It hit home, pushed buttons and tickled the brain.⁠ ⁠ #feist ⁠ #theatre⁠ #MasseyHall

This, my first paywalled post, explores some possible clues as to the origin of CBC dysfunction that are baked right into the architecture of the Broadcast Centre. All conjecture but, I hope, interesting to consider.⁠ Also, the text of my speech for the Chris Brookes Audio Luminary Induction in Chicago!⁠ ⁠ Check it out at the Linkin.bio

I thought it would be one longish post at first. Then it was clear a 2-parter. Then 3. Then 4! I'm wrapping up the story of my departure from @CBCRadio this week (though there's another story about my dealings with CBC Television I'll save for another time!)⁠ Feels good to get all his off my chest!⁠ Read the Substack post at the linkin.bio

I confess it is exhausting and stressful to write this stuff – just imagine how it was to actually live it!⁠ ⁠ The third (and penultimate) instalment of the story of my departure from @CBCRadio⁠ ⁠ Read the piece on Substack via the linkin.bio

I've been so afraid to write about this chapter of my life but now that I've started... Let's just say it's going to go to 3 or possibly 4 parts: what the hell happened at @CBCRadio ?⁠ ⁠ Read this week's Substack using the linkin.bio

On the occasion of what would have been dad's 93rd birthday, I reflect on a late realization that a life-changing moment for dad at the age of 45 or 46 was eerily similar to what happened to me at the CBC when I was the same age.⁠ ⁠ Read Substack at Linkin.bio⁠

It's a tragic anniversary that we've commemorated in Voyageur's @caltoncases case lid. As our media environment becomes more toxic, spewing more ignorance and hatred, the lessons of music and the example of a welcoming community in St. Foy are powerful antidotes.⁠ ⁠Read the Substack via the LinkinBio ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #cciq⁠ #mosqueshooting⁠ #remembertheirnames⁠ Media Description: Jowi and CCIQ President hold Voyageur on the anniversary of the shooting against a backdrop of the names of the victims. Link to Substack post.

The Maritime Hotel in Chelsea, Manhattan, occupies one of three buildings designed by Albert C. Ledner in the early 1960s for the National Maritime Union of America. It took the form of @themaritimehotelnyc in the early 2000s and they've really played up the nautical theme, making use of the porthole-style windows in the rooms and at the ends of the corridors. Our adorable room at one end of the 9th floor looked like a vintage ship cabin – very cozy! Just outside our door was this window looking sort of northwest-ish and the weather changed so much over our 2-day stay I just couldn't resist taking regular photos out of it. Thought I'd make this little souvenir image as an homage.⁠ ⁠ #nyc #chelsea #meatpackingdistrict #maritimehotel⁠ Media Description: 9 photos at various times of day in various weather from the 9th floor corridor north window at the Maritime Hotel in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan

Uh-oh, the presence of this sculpture of my 4-month-old head has me ruminating on the passage of time. Go figure!⁠ Good thing too, because the 20th anniversary of the Nation is just over 2 years away.⁠ Read more at the LinkInBio

I'm closing out my year on Substack by recommending another Substack: @richard_flohil 's "Stories from the Edge of Music" and adding in my own tale of a surreal encounter with legendary impresario #GinoEmpry!⁠ https://sixstringnation.substack.com/p/beyond-the-six-string-nation-15-the

A painting that shared space with various rock posters in my teen-cave growing up in Don Mills is now on the wall at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg. Its route to this place passes through Canadian art history, family history, medical milestones and the creation of Voyageur.⁠ ⁠ Read the story at the linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ #groupofseven #frederickbanting #mcmichaelcanadianartcollection #cobalt

John Vaillant’s “The Golden Spruce: A True Tale of Myth, Madness and Greed” provides important context for our inclusion of the only piece ever taken from that legendary tree on Haida Gwaii. John and I spoke a few times in advance of our trip there and we convened at Hart House years later to finally get Voyageur in his hands. Congratulations to John on the Baillie Gifford Prize for “Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World”. #bailliegiffordprize #johnvaillant

Marking the end of an era, with many thanks, to the longest serving Lieutenant-Governor in Ontario history, Elizabeth Dowdeswell. "Call me Liz", she said as we began this portrait session at the Carlu for National Aboriginal Day celebrations in 2016. Thanks for everything, Liz.⁠ ⁠ To learn more about her extraordinary tenure, read @spaikin 's tribute in his final column for The Trillium at the linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages ⁠ ⁠ #elizabethdowdeswell

What a lovely man was David Baxter. Got to know him through his time with JR's band and then have all the deep Toronto music history revealed over conversations. I especially remember a Christmas-time dinner with Bax, Justin and his folks back at the loft and that time at the Horseshoe HE took Voyageur into the crowd for a rare Jellybean duo with Justin. What a treasure. Condolences to all who knew and loved him. We will miss your sound and spirit.⁠

Never presented in a venue with so much taxidermy before. Didn't even notice the man in the canoe overhead!⁠ Thanks to Barrie Martin at Haliburton Community Coop for bringing me to town and musicians Tom Oliver, @salt_cellar_music , Dave Bathe, Ernie Demuth and @nicholas.on.guitar for bringing Voyageur to life. Thanks also to Tammy and Tom for tech and Patty for putting me up!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #haliburtonfolksociety #haliburtoncommunitycooperative #haliburtonfishhatchery⁠ ------------

My presentation at the HHOA Fish Hatchery for the Haliburton Community Cooperative – with multiple local musicians participating – came at a much-needed time. Read more on my latest Substack – see linkin.bio⁠ ⁠

Nobody saw it coming but we ended up being grateful that the time from a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to the end was so relatively brief and pain-free. In that way and others mum gave us a final gift.⁠ Click the LinkinBio to read.

The reminder of Darren Wilson's thinking behind the Six String Nation logo design was also a reminder of an abandoned branch of the original 6SN project.⁠ ⁠ https://sixstringnation.substack.com/p/beyond-the-six-string-nation-11-looking

On the occasion of the release of Christopher Nolan's biopic, a reflection on my fascination with J. Robert #Oppenheimer that began in high school. This includes the never-before digitized audio track, "Most Were Silent" by my band with Gord Nicholson, Catastrophe Theory, from 1986!⁠ ⁠ See linkin.bio

Very sad harvest this year. The three on the right seem OK. The dozen+ on the left are crawling with mites, with many of them eaten through the middle. Advice is not to plant garlic in the same spot each year (which we did) and now not to plant garlic there for FOUR YEARS! 😥

A great show by Justin Rutledge at the TD Music Hall got me thinking about the special relationship we have with the artists who inspire us. And that reminded me of Sparks ! Read how they're both like family (or FANILY) in my latest Substack.⁠ ⁠ see linkin.bio

Seems appropriate that on the day the earth gives us the most light, we celebrate Sarah, who gives the most light to everyone - especially me.⁠ After we missed it last year, she suggested we attend this year's Sunrise Ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square. Grandmother @halfwayintheskywoman was amazing and Elder Gary Sault was his usual deadpan self!

Feeling the birthday love for sure! Loving my city? In the qualified way I always love it. But will it love me back? Read the latest Beyond the Six String Nation Substack – Toronto mayoral election edition!⁠

I share a birthday with some music standouts: Grieg, Waylon Jennings, Harry Nilsson, Noddy Holder, Terri Gibbs and Ice Cube to name a few. But none chuffs me more than being born on this guy's birthday. This exact image of him was one I saw in person week after week from the age of 10. Years later, he encouraged my early inklings of Six String Nation and I regret I never got to show him the guitar in person. #SamSniderman #June15

A recent experiment with a Beta Photoshop tool is me putting my toe in the AI waters. The results are... well....⁠ Have a read of my latest Beyond the Six String Nation substack!⁠ ⁠ See the linkin.bio

Crying in our lattes at Royal Albert Hall with @sparks_official

My latest Substack issue is out and it ties together the launch of Voyageur beer at @hendersonbrewing , the reunion of @leaskexpected and the guitar at @thefeatherspub and a recent trip to @levonhelmstudios in Woodstock NY.⁠ See linkin.bio

After he played 3 sets Saturday night (including the opening set playing Voyageur) at @thefeatherspub I got @leaskexpected to play bartender as well, offering up a can of Voyageur Citrus Wheat Beer from @hendersonbrewing (it was actually a souvenir for him) Thank you David, Reid, Mary-Ellen, Dana, Donna, Glen, @lowerinnards & Michel, Gabriel, David Lam, Henry and everyone else who came out to enjoy the show!

Who knew @hendersonbrewing co-founder Steve Himel had such singing and songwriting talent?!?!

Thanks for a perfect night (and a delicious beer!)

Well, it's official. Steve Himel from @hendersonbrewing has made the toast to launch Ides Series number 85 – Voyageur Citrus Wheat Beer – in honour of Six String Nation. Thanks to everyone at Henderson's – especially Tony Halmos for the can design that (un-cannily) makes the can look empty. I promise it's NOT!

Beyond the Six String Nation #5 is now out on my Substack. ⁠ It might seem churlish to put out such a post on a day when @hendersonbrewing is honouring the project with their latest release, but I think if you read it you'll find it's about something else entirely and perhaps gives some sweet perspective to the celebration on Sterling Rd at 6:00pm today.⁠ See the linkin.bio

Caught a tantalizing glimpse of something familiar in an Instagram story from @hendersonbrewing Join us tomorrow at 6:00pm at the Brewery Taproom at 128 Sterling Rd., Toronto for the full reveal (and a free portrait session with Voyageur). I'm getting thirsty!

Visiting Woodstock NY.

Gordon Lightfoot was the first artist I encountered with a presence in the record collections of my parents, my friends and me. There was something so unique and powerful about that combination of unmistakably Canadian delivery and the intricate, nuanced craftsmanship of words and music that inspired the whole world.⁠ While he frequently showed up unannounced at venues and festivals where we were appearing, I never got to meet him in person – much to my regret. This photo (with background replaced by me) was taken by my friend David Neale, who was caring for Voyageur while I was out of the country, on the occasion of Lightfoot's 70th birthday at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Clearly I got a little over-excited yesterday talking about Paul Henderson and @hendersonbrewing and our forthcoming announcement!⁠ The big day is not THIS coming Friday but the NEXT one, May 12th. Stay tuned for more!

Team Canada 1972 Summit Series, Game 8, final minute: Paul Henderson joins Phil Esposito and Yvan Cournoyer on the forward line and scores the winning goal.⁠ One week today, Voyageur joins THIS line-up at @hendersonbrewing as Ides series release #85. Everybody wins!

One of the earliest pieces we had to start building Voyageur (and to convince everyone else we were serious!) was the top of Paul Henderson's hockey stick from Game 8 of the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series. It was great to get together with Paul a few years ago and put Voyageur in his hands. ⁠ One week today, Voyageur teams up with a DIFFERENT Henderson! ⁠ Follow for more details!⁠ ⁠ @hendersonbrewing

Still reflecting on the loss of friend and mentor Chris Brookes who was himself a kind of lighthouse in a place with some pretty famous ones. And that ties into a #sixstringnation story about perhaps the most famous one.⁠ ⁠ See linkin.bio

Congratulations to @astrojeremy – who will be representing Canada and the @canadianspaceagency as part of the four person crew who will set course for lunar orbit on #Artemis II at the end of 2024!⁠ ⁠ First human moon bound mission in 50 years, his first mission in space and the third Canadian astronaut to strum Voyageur!⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ #canadiansinspace

My second Substack is now up for your reading pleasure! Link in bio.

While I officially launched my Substack a little over a week ago, today's entry about @mkristmanson is really the first proper edition.⁠ I hope you'll read and subscribe!⁠ Linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #canadianculture

If you know the Six String Nation project, you know it's not easy to describe in a few words. The motto that also serves as my "elevator pitch": The Story of Canada as You've Never Held it Before" is merely meant to prompt the questions that allow me to answer in more detail.⁠ There's still room for bitesized content here on Instagram but if you want the deep cuts and backstage stories of Six String Nation, my time at CBC and more, the place to find me is on my new Substack: Beyond the Six String Nation. Link in the comments and at the Linkin.bio

Thrilled in 2014 to put Voyageur in the very good hands of 5-time #olympian @crookscharmaine . Thrilled also to celebrate that @canadasoccer in now in those same good hands with her appointment as Acting President! Great news for her and for Canadian sport in what has been a troubling time.⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ #canadianguitar ⁠ #soccercanada ⁠ #teamcanada ⁠ #charmainecrooks

Such a great show by @thebeths last night at @thephoenixtoronto that I just had to (temporarily) rename them.⁠ If you don't know them, start anywhere and love them. If you do know them, hope you know they've travelled far from home in Auckland NZ and still have another 18 dates in North America.

The #wercq event put us in #quebeccity on the 5th anniversary of the tragic shooting at the CCIQ. Part of the commemorations included an open house and we were privileged to visit on the day. Thanks to the amazing @jeunescciq volunteers for their hospitality and to #cciq President Mohamed Labidi for his warmth, gratitude and many kind blessings.⁠ And thanks to @dawanetcanada for making the initial link!

The #wercq student leadership conference was a great experience (not least for bringing us to #quebeccity in winter – amazing!) Special thanks to Katherine Lefebvre at @stpats.hs for persistence in getting me there and to all the staff and students who made it possible!

Final speaker at #wercq in #quebeccity was @jeffadmartin – I heard parts of my own journey in his inspiring talk but the impact on so many students was just amazing. Plus he brought Paul Hinton back to play Voyageur for his #truecolors finale. Hope to work with Jeff again some time!

The #wercq conference at St. Patrick's High School in #quebeccity brought together students from not only across the local district but well into Quebec's northern regions as well. What an honour to be invited to speak to this group of student leaders!⁠ For the occasion, student Michelle Rodriguez-St-Germain and teacher Paul Hinton teamed up for two songs as "Mitch & Paul" as part of the presentation. Great voice and great playing!⁠ ⁠ #sixstringnation #canadianguitar #canadianeducation

And who should be there to greet us at the elevator every morning but Quebec songwriting icon Felix Leclerc!⁠ ⁠ #quebeccity #wercq #felixleclerc

Sorry for the delay – it's been a week since we landed in #quebeccity and, natch, encountered Bonhomme within minutes!⁠ ⁠ #6SN #Carnaval #wercq⁠

Proud to visit #cciq on this particular day #remembertheirnames Thank you to Imam Basset and everyone at the Mosque for their warm welcome on a cold snowy day in #quebeccity

A very Canadian New Year’s Day at Kathleen’s beautiful @ferguson_house_pec home in Picton - with a special appearance by @kurtswinghammer

Voyageur hits the links among some golfing history @glenabbeygolfclub before tonight’s #oecnetworkingevent

An honour and a pleasure to reunite with JP Lepage after many years and hear three tunes from the Manitoba bluesman as part of Friday night’s presentation at @plumcouleeplumfest - including Taj Mahal’s “Fishin’ Blues” and a song about Plum Coulee with lyrics you just had to be there to get! #6SN @manitobamusic #plumcoulee

The performance by local singer songwriter John Wiebe of @anunexpectedend at today’s @plumcouleeplumfest presentation was extraordinary. A terrific writer with an angelic voice. You WILL hear more from him. #6SN @manitobamusic #plumcoulee #localtalent

Thanks to Peggy and Neil Fehr for inviting us into their amazing studio gallery in Plum Coulee! #6SN #plumcoulee #plumfest @plumcouleeplumfest

Very excited to be returning to Manitoba – home of some storied pieces and storied moments in the life of Voyageur! If you're wondering about the colour of this bison, it's because we're headed to @plumcouleeplumfest with shows Friday at 7pm, Saturday 11am PLUS free portraits with the guitar and performances by JP Lepage and John Wiebe from @anunexpectedend⁠ Hope to see you there!⁠ ⁠ #6SN @manitobamusic #manitobamusic #plumcoulee

The Six String Nation project was meant to inspire a new way of thinking about the idea of Canada by drawing a diverse cast of characters and stories into one single object. Everywhere I go, I find that it's doing what it was intended to do as a storytelling device and a way to celebrate the breadth and depth of Canadian identity. But of course, it's also a guitar. And since I don't play, it was going to be up to others to get it to do THAT part of what it was designed to do. ⁠ ⁠ As you know by now, songwriter David Leask took on that challenge and released a remarkable EP inspired by, written on and recorded with Voyageur. For him, the guitar was a way to examine his relationship with his adopted country and to take on the responsibility we all have to know it better and more truly – in all its (to quote one of the lyrics) "pain and beauty".⁠ ⁠ To celebrate Canada Day this year, David Leask is making the "Voyageur in Song" EP available as a free download and I hope it inspires you to reflect on what it means to be Canadian just as Voyageur inspired him.⁠ ⁠ Visit the linkin.bio or check the link in the comments.⁠ ⁠ #canadaday2022 #sixstringnation #davidleask #canadianmusic #songwriter

I recently took a road trip through a handful of U.S. northeast states through lots of lovely small towns.There were more American flags than usual (even on the pancakes!) because it was around Memorial Day but flags on porches are more common there than they are in Canada. Paired with other signs or flags or bumper stickers, you sense the divisions in that country and you know that the flag means different things to different people.⁠ ⁠ The Star Spangled Banner is a busy flag, with hints of spectacle and dynamism and even violence. The Canadian flag is more straightforward. So much so that – for such a vast and diverse country – it seems absurd that you could hope to contain it all in such a spare symbol. For most of my life, that flag DID somehow contain all that while standing for fairness and reasonability. Seeing it draped over the grills of blockade trucks or flown at rallies of dumbness was a shock. But our flag means different things to different people too. And like those homes in small town America who flew their flag alongside pride flags and anti-hate and Black Lives Matter lawn signs, I want to make sure that the forces of idiocy don’t commandeer the Maple Leaf.⁠ ⁠ I also don’t want to blindly wave it on the parade route either. For generations of our fellow Canadians, the simplicity of our flag belied a complex history of genocide, brutality and casual racism and the whitewashing of history. If our flag is to genuinely stand for openness, honesty and inclusion and be a beacon for how live on this planet, then that means work for all of us to live up to what our flag supposedly represents.⁠ ⁠ #canadaday #canadianflag #sixstringnation

Back in 2005 I reached out to Toronto's historic @masseyhall to make sure we got some of that mojo into Voyageur's bones. They gave me a full seat from up in the gallery section, part of which became the guitar's headstock.⁠ 15 years later, @leaskexpected released "Take a Seat" as part of his "Voyageur in Song" EP. It is a tender tribute to the Grand Old Lady of Shuter St. and the recently released video by @bigredoakinc showcases the newly polished grandeur of the hall's new renovations in some stunning cinematography.⁠ https://youtu.be/MiPuqjL45SA⁠ Follow that link to watch the video or visit the linkin.bio for more about David Leask's "Voyageur in Song".⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #6SN #masseyhall #canadiansongwriter #canadianmusic #canadianhistory

The passing of @amancalledwrycraft_designer is devastating news for many of us. It must be especially tough for his siblings for many reasons. I offer this portrait of Michael with his brother Kevin taken at the @hillsidefestival in Guelph in 2006 as a reminder of happier times and in his memory.⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ #6SN

It was easy for a while to imagine this day would never come for a man who was such a force of nature. It seemed each mounting health challenge was merely a flesh wound against all that energy that was so elementally Michael. I treasure every conversation and car-ride.⁠ ⁠ Apart from memory, there is this vast catalog of inimitable work that veritably crackles with his spirit that we can turn when we miss him most.⁠ ⁠ Love you.⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ @amancalledwrycraft_designer⁠ ⁠ #6SN

I've had the good fortune to work many times over the years with the great @Lennie_Gallant - including spending some time wandering the streets of Charlottetown with him, exploring the hidden corners of PEI and getting to hang out with many from his large and lovely family.⁠ ⁠ But perhaps no honour was greater than when we were going to be in his hometown of Rustico WITHOUT Lennie and we were invited to the home of his parents, who cooked us up an awesome lobster dinner. You can't get more PEI, more hospitable or more Gallant than that.⁠ ⁠ Sincere condolences to Lennie and Fanny and the rest of the family on the news of George's passing on Friday at the age of 85. Love to you all.⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #sixstringnation #lenniegallant #pei #peimusic #princeedwardisland #rustico #6SN

Honestly, looking back to 2009, who could honestly say they were surprised by last night's win by @mustafathepoet for Best Alternative Album of the Year at @thejunoawards ?⁠ ⁠ CONGRATULATIONS Mustafa!⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #toronto #torontohiphop #mustafathepoet #regentparktoronto #CanEd @cbc_music #CanadianMusic #CanadianArt #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #nelsonmandelaparkpublicschool #caltoncases #junos #sixstringnation #6SN #portraits #portraitphotography

View from the chaise in our little yard. Hey Siri - play music by #NickDrake and #StephenDuffy.

It was a tough week behind with the passing of Bill Bourne and Shane Yellowbird - two artists who brought Voyageur brilliantly to life – but my visit to @Epiphany_TCDSB was an important reminder of the promise of the road ahead.⁠ ⁠ It was my first live school visit in over two years and it felt great to be back seeing students and teachers responding to the project in person and in real time.⁠ ⁠ Sam (left) acted as emcee in full #radiodj mode but when the time came to hear Voyageur played, it was 11-year-old Kevork who did the honours. He did two classical pieces and one he wrote himself that was a kind of hybrid of classical finger work and "House of the Rising Sun". I'll say that again: WROTE HIMSELF! 11! And that was the reminder I needed of the way music carries us through the ups and the downs. Thanks Kevork - great Kwork!⁠ ⁠ Thanks also to principal Dave McMullan and the rest of the staff and students at Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Academy!⁠ ⁠ For more info on bringing the Six String Nation experience to your school, see the LinkinBio.⁠ ⁠ #schoolvisits #sixstringnation

I'm sorry I couldn't immediately find a better photo to share having just learned the shocking news today of the passing on Tuesday of Shane Yellowbird, a trailblazing Cree country music star from Maskwacis, AB, at the age of just 42.⁠ ⁠ He played Voyageur during his set on the Parliament Hill stage for Canada Day 2009 and it was a real honour for us. In our encounter with him backstage he also seemed like a real sweetheart of a guy.⁠ ⁠ His funeral will be held tomorrow in Maskwacis and our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans.⁠ ⁠ #RIPShaneYellowbird #Indigenousmusic #CanadaDay #sixstringnation

Bill Bourne plays Voyageur at @HughsRoomLive in 2011. Our thoughts are with Bill's family and with all his friends, musical and otherwise. He's joined here by Pa Joe but I'm thinking today also of his Tri-Continental collaborators @Madagascar_Slim and @lesterquitzau.⁠ ⁠ #RIPBillBourne #sixstringnation

Bill mentored many up and coming artists. In 2007 he joined a young Paul Brogee at the OCFF Conference for his Six String Nation portrait by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ Earlier that year, at an Edmonton media tour stop, Bill joined me dark and early to play "Pie & Ice Cream" on Voyageur for an appearance on Breakfast Television. Unforgettable.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #RIPBillBourne #sixstringnation⁠

There are few sights in the country like the view from the stage as the hill lights up for the finale of the Edmonton Folk Festival. Custom has it that the cast of the festival assembles on stage for a sing-a-long rendition of Ian & Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds". We were so honoured that Bill Bourne lead the assembly playing Voyageur at the 2006 edition of the festival.⁠ ⁠ Photo by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ #RIPBillBourne #sixstringnation #edmontonfolkfestival

So saddened to hear of the passing yesterday of the inimitable Bill Bourne. ⁠ I first met Bill when Bourne & MacLeod performed on various stages at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto when I was working there in the early '90s. Naturally, I thought of him as the Six String Nation project came together and it was such a pleasure to reunite with him on his home turf of the @edmfolkfest and shoot what became one of our most iconic portrait series in 2006.⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #RIPbillbourne #edmontonfolkfestival #sixstringnation

The blog of our #returntolive show at @fergusgrandtheatre is now up!⁠ Follow the link in the first comment or c/p https://www.sixstringnation.com/a-date-in-fergus-722-days-late ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #fergusgrandtheatre #centrewellington #sixstringnation #6SN

Just horrified and saddened to hear about the hit and run death yesterday in Hamilton of the great conductor Boris Brott.⁠ ⁠ I met him at Selwyn House school in Montreal and he was a delight.⁠ ⁠ Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, students and colleagues around the world but especially at the Orchestre classique de Montréal.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #RIP #borisbrott #sixstringnation #6SN #borisbrottfestival #selwynhouse #orchestreclassiquedemontreal

With the exception of some sleepovers with @leaskexpected for the #VoyageurInSong writing, recording and video sessions and a few other guest appearances, poor Voyageur has spent most of the last two years in its cozy @CaltonCases home.⁠ ⁠ As we both re-emerged into the world of live events for our show at the @FergusGrandTheatre it was clear some loving attention was required.⁠ ⁠ Thanks as always to our good friends at daddariocanada for making sure we have what we need to pamper Canada's most beloved guitar.⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #daddariocanada #guitarmaintenance #fergusgrandtheatre #livemusic #centrewellington #caltoncases #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #sixstringnation #6SN⁠

A good morning heads-up to our friends in Fergus: today is the day you'll receive your portraits from our session at the @fergusgrandtheatre on March 20th.⁠ ⁠ If you'd like a sneak peak at the full set before you receive yours by email, you can have a look at our Flickr gallery, linked in the first comment below.⁠ ⁠ Thanks so much for a wonderful return to live events!⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #fergusontario #fergusgrandtheatre #livemusic #centrewellington #caltoncases #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #sixstringnation #6SN #portraits #portraitphotography⁠

It was only a matter of time. @AlexCuba - nominated for #grammyaward three times before came up with the big nod last night for Best Latin Pop Album for Mendó. Congratulations Alex!⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #grammywinner #sixstringnation #6SN #canadianmusic #congratulations #prideofsmithers #grammys2022 @iamalexcuba

It was a show 722 days delayed by Covid but we finally made it to the stage at the #fergusgrandtheatre yesterday - how wonderful to be with an audience again!⁠ ⁠ Thanks to Eric Goudie and his staff and volunteers at the theatre (especially Barb and Terry for helping with the portrait sessions and Rob for sound & vision).⁠ ⁠ And very special thanks to the musicians who brought Voyageur to life in Fergus: (from left) Isaac Stacey, Adrian Jones, Lucas Doyle and Amanda Braam.⁠ ⁠ And of course, thanks to that lovely audience for reminding me, their town and themselves what it's like to share a live cultural experience after so long away!⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by @dougnicholsonimages⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #coviddelay #localtalent #canadianguitar #6SN #sixstringnation #fergus #canadianmusic #canadianhistory #returntolive

Isaac Stacey is a student at the Adrian Jones Music School in Fergus Ontario. He's one of three young musicians who will bring Canada's most storied guitar to life this coming Sunday May 20th at 2:00pm at the Fergus Grand Theatre. It's all part of the Story of Canada as you've never held it before.⁠ ⁠ We'll be replacing this photo of Isaac with an official portrait with Voyageur, the guitar at the heart of the Six String Nation. Join him and us for the stories, the music and get your own portrait with Voyageur - you'll be among 15,000+ good friends across Canada!⁠ ⁠ 🎟Get your tickets here:⁠ https://bit.ly/3scCu7r⁠ ⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #fergusgrandtheatre #centrewellington #sixstringnation #portraitphotography #canadianhistory #canadianmusic #6SN

Up and coming singer-songwriter Amanda Braam will be playing Voyageur, the Six String Nation guitar, in just four days. She says her favourite part of Voyageur is the walrus tusk. Boy do we have a story for her that connects her to the legendary Towne House Tavern in Sudbury!⁠ How, you ask?⁠ Come hear that story and many more Sunday at 2:00pm at the Fergus Grand Theatre. It's the Story of Canada as you've never held it before.⁠ 🎟Get your tickets here:⁠ https://bit.ly/3scCu7r⁠ ⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #fergusgrandtheatre #centrewellington #sixstringnation #portraitphotography #canadianhistory #canadianmusic #6SN

With a last name like Doyle on the Canadian music scene, Lucas has some Great Big Shoes to fill! But we're confident this student of the Adrian Jones Music School is going to do great as one of three local artists playing Voyageur this coming Sunday March 20 @2p.m. as part of the Six String Nation show at the #FergusGrandTheatre.⁠ ⁠ Lucas's favourite part of Voyageur? The top of Wayne Gretzky's hockey stick. His hand is going to be over it the whole time he's playing!⁠ ⁠ Join us in Fergus for the Story of Canada as you've never held it before.⁠ 🎟Get your tickets here:⁠ https://bit.ly/3scCu7r⁠ ⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #fergusgrandtheatre #centrewellington #sixstringnation #portraitphotography #canadianhistory #canadianmusic #6SN

Two years ago, I wrote that our visit to the Fergus Grand Theatre was a month away. Here I am using the same post two years later – only this time the show is going to happen!⁠ ⁠ Sunday March 20th, 2022, we're proud to bring the full Six String Nation experience – free portraits and all – to Fergus!⁠ ⁠ Hear the story of Canada as you've never held it before at a time like we've never needed it before. ⁠ ⁠ With musical performances by students of the Adrian Jones Music School AND free portrait sessions after the show. Make yourself part of our gallery of over 150,000 portraits of people holding Voyageur in every province and territory of Canada and as far away as Italy.⁠ ⁠ More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/223291368751211/⁠ Tickets at https://bit.ly/387iOnW⁠ ⁠ #fergusgrandtheatre #centrewellington #sixstringnation #portraitphotography #canadianhistory #canadianmusic #6SN

Like everyone else, we're shocked and saddened to hear the news about Dallas Good of the Sadies. We met at a few festivals in different parts of the country and he was so sweet with us.⁠ Very heartfelt condolences to his vast and varied musical friends and families.⁠ ⁠ This photo of Dallas in performance with Voyageur was taken at the Calgary Folk Festival in 2007 by @dougnicholsonimages .

David Leask's wonderful "Voyageur in Song" EP, written on and about, performed on and recorded with Voyageur, has had quite a year - hitting #8 in the Roots music charts in Canada, earning him a Mississauga Songwriter of the Year award and a CFMA Album of the Year nomination as well. ⁠ ⁠ This past couple of years we all take our celebrations where we can but this really feels like a big one and we wanted to share the love. So we're collaborating again - this time on a special Christmas Gift Bundle! Featuring signed copies of the Six String Nation book and the Voyageur in Song CD plus a download code for the music and pack of Six String Nation guitar picks!⁠ ⁠ Use the QR, the URL or the Linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ Here's hoping we can all get together in person and celebrate this properly in 2022!⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #canadianguitar #songwriter #mississaugamusicawards #canadianmusic #christmasbundle #giftideas #canadianfolkmusicawards #caltoncases #davidleask #socan #sixstringnation #6SN

In the last post, I mentioned Douglas Gardner. As a kid he was a frequent concert-goer at Massey Hall. Later in life, he became a volunteer docent giving tours of Canada's most storied venue.⁠ ⁠ I'm sure Douglas would be grateful for the comfortable new seats in the gallery section of the newly re-opened Massey Hall – even if he would happily have continued to sit in the ones we took to make the headstock for Voyageur.⁠ ⁠ Here's thinking of you on this historic occasion, Douglas.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Be sure to check out David Leask's song inspired by our contribution from Massey Hall, "Take a Seat", written on and recorded with Voyageur. Find the linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #masseyhall #toronto #CanadianHistory #CanadianMusic #CanadianGuitar #sixstringnation #6SN

Just as a follow up to the previous post - this collage includes the original seat 69 from a few rows back in the gallery section at Massey Hall along with the headstock made from the seat as it appeared during the construction phase.⁠ ⁠ When we first received the donation from Massey Hall, volunteer Douglas Gardner told us he spent hour after perfectly comfortable hour sitting in these hard wooden gallery seats just absorbing the music – just as the seats themselves would have. I've sat in those seats and I know Douglas must have been wearing rose-coloured earbuds when he told us his story. I have a feeling the gallery will be a much more comfortable experience with the renovations unveiled tonight!⁠ ⁠ Be sure to check out David Leask's song inspired by our contribution from Massey Hall, "Take a Seat", written on and recorded with Voyageur. Find the linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #masseyhall #toronto #CanadianHistory #CanadianMusic #CanadianGuitar #sixstringnation #6SN

This was the very first instalment in my series chronicling ALL of the elements that go into the construction of Voyageur as well as the additions to the guitar case and strap – posted just as Massey Hall was beginning its shutdown for massive renovations back on March 26th, 2019.⁠ ⁠ So much has happened since then (including a global pandemic, in case you missed it). The renovations are now complete, pandemic restrictions are easing (nice timing, Massey Hall!) and tonight was the official re-opening featuring (who else?) Gordon Lightfoot.⁠ ⁠ Congratulations to everyone for persevering and delivering what by all accounts is a spectacular update on this most beloved of venues. I only wish Voyageur and I had been there.⁠ ⁠ I still hope we'll be invited to appear on that most hallowed stage in the coming months and years. In the meantime, be sure to check out David Leask's song inspired by our contribution from Massey Hall, "Take a Seat", written on and recorded with Voyageur. Find the linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #masseyhall #toronto #CanadianHistory #davidleask #torontoarchitecture #CanadianMusic #CanadianGuitar #sixstringnation #6SN

I've taken some PS liberties with the background but the original photo of Gordon Lightfoot with Voyageur was taken by dear friend David Neale at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto on the occasion of Gordon's 70th birthday.⁠ ⁠ Today, we celebrate the legend's 83rd trip around the sun.⁠ ⁠ Happy Birthday Gordon!⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #CanadianHistory #gordonlightfoot #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #caltoncases #acousticguitar #happybirthday #keynotespeaker #sixstringnation #6SN

Last weekend I had the pleasure of doing a virtual presentation for @teslontario at this year's online conference. This is an organization of English as a Second Language educators and researchers and it's an organization close to my heart. Some of my earliest presentations were for this group and we share a common purpose of trying to help make Canada a place where newcomers feel a sense of belonging.⁠ ⁠ I've done a few virtual presentations during the pandemic and it's a very different experience from the live, when I get a constant stream of recognition from audiences depending on the stories I'm telling. You can tell what resonates for people right away. Online - particularly since my set up means I can't see chat, etc. - there's little in the way of instant feedback.⁠ Thankfully, the moderator captured the Chat for me and sent it along afterwards and I'm just so touched by the response. I guess this project has the power to connect no matter what!⁠ ⁠ Thank you so much to Colleen and Stefanie and Kate and all the attendees at #tesl2021⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #canadianguitar #LanguageTeaching #PD #ProfessionalDevelopment #ESLConference #teslontario #sixstringnation #6SN ⁠

This past weekend I addressed the @CSLC_Leaders "Unmuting Generation Z" conference. Of course it was great to be back presenting to students again but it was also inspiring to hear the passionate energy of the students themselves, like in the speech by Maddison Tory.⁠ ⁠ And as we look back at that gathering we also look ahead to #COP26 - the global climate change conference taking place this coming weekend in Glasgow. There too, the passionate energy of youth holding world leaders to account and demanding #climateaction is providing hope and optimism - and that reminds me of our wonderful encounter with a global leader in that movement, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, on Haida Gwaii back in 2008.⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #cslc2021 #sixstringnation #6SN

Waking up to some fantastic news this morning...⁠ ⁠ Last night, our good friend David Leask was named Songwriter Of The Year, at the Mississauga Music Awards for his EP "Voyageur in Song", inspired by, written on and recorded with Voyageur.⁠ ⁠ Take a bow, David!⁠ ⁠ If you haven't already, check out tracks, videos and more at the linkin.bio ⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ *⁠ #canadianguitar #songwriter #songwriteroftheyear #mississaugamusicawards #canadianmusic #caltoncases #davidleask #socan #sixstringnation #6SN

I'm re-posting this instalment from almost exactly a year ago as today would have been Taylor Mitchell's 31st birthday. It's hard to believe that her tragic death was 12 years ago at the start of her music career. Who knows where she would have been at by this time.⁠ ⁠ I'd seen her and known of her from around the music scene in our common Roncesvalles neighbourhood in Toronto but we hadn't properly met. Her mother, Emily, who had so generously given us one of Taylor's cowboy boots from which to take some material, told me that Taylor had been a fan of the Six String Nation project but out of natural shyness had only hovered at the edges of the circle when we'd done stuff with the guitar at events we'd both been attending in the Ontario folk music community. I'm just really sorry she never got a change to play Voyageur so we could have had a little bit of her music ringing through it.⁠ ⁠ At least when looking at the credits on her debut album, "For Your Consideration" I see the names Michael Johnston, Noel Webb, Lynn Miles, Suzie Vinnick, Justin Rutledge and Ariana Gillis - all of whom have relationships with Voyageur - and know that the presence of Taylor's boot on the strap is another way of keeping her connected to those early musical supporters and mentors.⁠ ⁠ Taylor's attack spawned some panic about coyotes - a reaction Taylor herself would have resisted. Her mother contributed to that resistance by taking part in the NFB documentary "Bad Coyote", which you can stream for free using the linkin.bio⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #canadianwildlife #canadiansingersongwriter #CanadianGuitar #levysleathers #taylormitchell #badcoyote #nfb #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #suzukifoundation #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #bced #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN

I was honoured in 2015 to receive Canada's Meritorious Service Medal from then @GGCanada Governor-General David Johnston. He was very kind and very gracious when we spoke at the reception following the ceremony and I presented him with a copy of my book. We did not get around to discussing whether he had any personal connection to any of the pieces that make up Voyageur.⁠ ⁠ He was replaced by in 2017 by Julie Payette. Had she been GG when I got my medal, her personal connection would have been Chris Hadfield's ISS Mission Patch sewn into the case.⁠ ⁠ Congratulations to our brand new Governor-General, Her Excellency Mary Simon, who would have a direct connection to this piece that comes from Kuujjuaq where she has roots herself.⁠ ⁠ And I'm pretty sure she would know the guy in the little thumbnail in the corner too, Senator Charlie Watt.⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the project and book a live presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #nunavik #kuujjuak #inuk #caribou #ungava #quebec #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #GGHonours #SocialStudies #Indigenous #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #TRC #TruthAndReconciliation #6SN

Sixty-eight years ago today, @stratfest first came to life in a tent in Stratford Ontario. That history is captured in this little strip of canvas from that very tent mounted in Voyageur's @CaltonCasesAtx⁠ ⁠ I imagine the excitement the actors, musicians, technicians, crews and festival staff are feeling today as the new season launches after 16 months shuttered must be reminiscent of those first shows. Welcome back to the boards everyone. Break a leg!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #stratfordfestival #canadiantheatre #CanEd #CanadianMusic #CanadianArt #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #siralecguinness #caltoncases #breakaleg #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN

I encourage everyone today to listen to the Generations Spotify playlist put together by @merilainenmusic Linkin.bio It's a great place to start a learning journey, among other things, if that's where you're at.⁠ ⁠ @attaboyadrian @buffystemarie @chermaracle @classicroots @crystalshawanda @diggingroots @drezus @elisapie @iskwe @jahkotamusic @jayliwolf @jbthefirstlady @thatjcguy @thejohnnysrock @iskell @leelagildaymusic @nickshermanmusic @rosaryspence @snottynoserezkids @stoikmusic @tanyatagaq @twinflamesband @wolf.saga ⁠ ⁠ #honourthetruth #truthandreconciliation #cancelcanadaday #6SN

Six String Nation was borne of a desire to create something that would contain countless perspectives on the Canadian experience - a vessel for diverse histories and perspectives, a talking stick for all who wished to share their story and a common touchstone for a complex polity. As I said on the occasion of his death back in January, it was the suggestion of Shingoose to include Residential School history in the project that gave this project its purpose and its soul. ⁠ ⁠ The items highlighted here are contributions from First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities from coast to coast to coast. The guitar that they helped to build made its debut on Canada Day 2006 and has been part of Canada Day festivities in different parts of the country for years. It has also insistently told the story of residential schools and other abuses of indigenous people by the Canadian system as well as celebrations of indigenous culture and achievements and I have always believed that it could hold those two identities at the same time and be a tool of reconciliation. ⁠ ⁠ But there can be no "celebration" of Canada Day this year. It MUST be a day of recognition, a day of frank conversations, atonements and reflections and actions to make things right.⁠ ⁠ People like Erin O'Toole can calm the f**k down. Sure, there are things about Canada to be proud of but this is not one of them and it is so HUGE that nobody can pretend that business as usual is even possible. Do the right thing here and one day perhaps we can find things to honestly celebrate together.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #shingoose #ktunaxa #kamloops #marieval #indigenous #TRC #truthandreconciliation #CanadianHistory #CanEd #cancelcanadaday #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #residentialschools #rezbluez #EdLeaders #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN