Cheers!
Matt Storch
matt@thegroovekitchen.com

I was in a Galaxy cinema last month waiting for the movie to start and when they fired up the big screen there was Chad Michael Stewart promoting his new video for Hollow. This will be one of those shows that you will not want to miss. It won’t be long before Chad evolves away from small venues like The Groove Kitchen and moves into the spotlight. Don’t miss your chance to meet, greet and pick up a CD. See you at the show !

You don’t have to be Irish to party on St. Paddy’s day and we certainly don’t have to be a classic Irish Pub to host a good time. In true Groove Kitchen fashion we will be hosting a great night of live music by the Ketch Harbour Wolves as well as sharing some of Chef John Wellwood's killer Irish Stew. Party 'til you're green !

What can I say. This guy has got to be the hardest working musician in Southern Ontartio. Back by popular demand, The Groove Kitchen & Music welcomes the Lucas Stagg Band on Saturday, March 21st. In August of 2007, Lucas Stagg had the privilege of performing in front of a packed house at ‘The Carter Family Fold’ in Hiltons, West Virginia. During this, his first US excursion of the year, he wrote, listened and wandered, playing around the Nashville songwriter hubs, including ‘The Bluebird’, and a three night stint at ‘Bobby’s Idle Hour’ on Music Row. In the Fall of '07, his second US jaunt took place, successfully touring through ten states (from New York, NY to New Orleans, LA, Austin, TX, Memphis, TN etc.) with Brooklyn rockabilly rouser, Guitar Bomb. 2008 sees the release of Stagg's latest acoustic/roots album, 'Great Big Gone'! The CD has been Produced by Dan Walsh, and is the first release for Lucas on Busted Flat Records. Label mates Walsh, Duane Rutter, and Toronto songstress Tanya Philipovich lend their talents to this batch of tunes. 'GBG' was recorded and mixed at Dan's Studio on Lake Erie, and mastered by Paul Riemens at Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton. Residing in his new home of Toronto ON, Stagg continues to write and will be recording his next two CD's throughout the duration of 2008. The first, a big country/rock affair Produced by Rick Hutt, and featuring a hugely talented cast, including: Dan Walsh, Tom Bona, Steve Hogg, Jason Barry, Tanya Phlipovich, Simon Wilcox and more. The second, a rock/roots album with The Lucas Stagg Band, a power trio featuring former 'Droops' smokin' hot rhythm section, Danny Alac on bass, and Chris Flannigan on drums. Both recordings will take place at River Edge Recording Studio.

Singer/songwriter Cody Allen has been gaining recognition as a distinct solo artist. Originating from Northern Ontario, Cody Allen has opened for Faber Drive, Hello Operator, Pat Robitaille, Suzie McNeil, Trooper, Rides Again, Flatlined, Jaydee Bixby, David Wilcox, Colin James & more. Cody is best known for his memorable voice & lyrics. With influences from a wide variety of musical cultures and classes, his music has been best described as being natural & vintage sounding. Past songs such as “Audacity”, “8 O’Clock” & “The Way You Are” (Little Things Mean So Much, 2006) have seen National airplay.

Cody Allen’s music is powerful and meaningful and leaves listeners wanting to hear more. Cody has had the opportunity to make a name for himself in Northern Ontario where he has been promoting Northern music by booking various concert events in the region. His insightful, funky style has brought him success and a dedicated local fan base as well as lovers of his music across the country. This summer, Cody entered the studio with producer Justin Koop (Tomi Swick, Silverstein, Billy Talent, St. Alvia Cartel, Finger Eleven) to start work on his second album release titled “We Know How To Love”. The new record has been described as Cody Allen’s best work to date. We Know How To Love is a collection of personal stories and memoires that Cody has garnished over the last few years during his time on the road and at home. With a very mature sound, the new record is expected to catch the attention of many fans. From catchy guitar riffs, to heart-warming lyrics, Cody has prepared himself to become a force to be reconned with in the Canadian music industry. The new album will be released March 24th through HMV, iTunes, Amazon.ca, Puretracks, Chapters and the official website. The cross-Canada tour starts March 16th. The new single “Come Alive" is available now on myspace & the official website: www.codyallen.net www.myspace.com/codyoallen

Sean Ashby, originally of Thunder Bay Ontario and known for his outstanding guitar performances with Sarah McLachlan’s Band since 1996, tours Canada. Sean Ashby is promoting his own self – released CD titled Brass And Gold. A white mini bus sat outside The Groove Kitchen’s steamed up window. Music was ricocheting off adjacent brick buildings again. Customers on the patio were showing off insignia Sean Ashby T-shirts and personally autographed CDs purchased in lieu of paying a cover charge. It was T shirt weather at 10 PM on the first Thursday in March. Inside, multi – talented Sean Ashby was sweating overtop of a vintage 1952 Hawaiian non pedal lap steel guitar. Affixed to some sort of a stand, the lap steel was heard in an opening song titled ‘Dreamin’ with catchy lyrics, ‘I saw you standing in a mausoleum, now I see you dreamin…’ ‘This Machine’, a song from another one of Sean Ashby’s tributes with The Jack Tripper Band, was the only one performed from that time of his past. Though a keeper song in an album, Sean’s real machine was the brass and gold White Falcon Gretsch guitar. This favorite ‘is one of about twenty in Sean’s collection, supplied by the manufacturer’, states promoter Ted Hawkins. After performing this song to an ecstatic audience, Sean announces ‘this is cool, now I get to play my own songs’ and that he had ‘never played in a straight line before, so you get to see me first’. The Groove Kitchen’s stage is an extension of the music room’s window display, optimizing floor space, suitable for about 8 musicians on a good night. Sean Ashby road tested ’Side by Side,’ soon to be recorded on his next CD. He delighted the crowd with a Supreme’s hit and a guitar change [White Falcon Gretsch] to a Tom Petty cover of which received an encore. In closing the show, Sean Ashby told the guests he would ‘plaster a rocker’ [and did] with ‘Walk All Over You’ by AC/DC. Sean Ashby’s Trio consisted of Jeff Carter on bass and back up vocals and drummer Josh Hicks. The Brass and Gold album released in 2008, highlights Sean’s ability to expand and merge his talents as an artist. At the same time, it pushes his limits as a singer/songwriter, a guitarist, a producer and engineer, all the while touring an expected 200 shows in 2009. Sean Ashby builds his capacity as a musician, on a route to self-discovery. Look for one of Sean Ashby’s T shirts framed on The Artists’ Wall at The Groove Kitchen and another one oversized and funked up, chic style. T-shirts and CDs were sold out during the brief intermission. www.seanashby.com Article submitted by roamer@roamingreviews.ca in support of local music.