APRIL 27, 2008
“FILL YOUR HEAD WITH ROCK” ADDED TO STATIONS RIGHT ACROSS CANADA
Last week E.M.I. released the DMDS code for “Fill Your Head With Rock” to radio stations across Canada. A “DMDS” code is a code which allows the radio station to download the track from a designated website. Already KROCK 105.5 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. has added the song, as have several other KROCK affiliates, most notably Grand Falls & St. John’s Nfld. On the last record (Get Up!) Fred FM in Frederiction was very supportive of the record, as was C98 in St. John, so we’re hoping they’ll jump on the new song as well. Cross your fingers. In Ontario 94.5 “The Bull” was the first station to play the record period. They’ve already been playing the track for quite some time. 105.3 “The Giant” in Thunder Bay is a Newcap radio station that has supported the band for several years. Two weeks ago, on the way to Saskatchewan for our dates out there, I stopped
This Monday I will be interviewed by Sook-Yin and Joff Schmidt for “Definitely Not The Opera” a syndicated radio show which goes out coast to coast across Canada. When I get a date for the airing, I will post it on the site. This is a huge radio show here in Canada, and we hope you all tune in. Unlike other interviews, I think I will be talking a lot about “the voice” and the Bel Canto singing technique. Google: CBC Radio Definitely Not the Opera
CALLING ALL B.C. FANS!
As you all know, we’ll be in British Columbia in two weeks. On May 8th we’ll be in Kelowna at Flashbacks, which is ironic, considering the last time Helix played Kelowna (many years ago) I think I did acid. LOL. The last two dates (The Hope Arena on Thursday, May 9th, and The Red Robinson Theatre in Port Conquitlam) are with Trooper and are selling well. Lynda is coming along for these dates, and we’re flying soundman John Patterson out from Winnipeg to run sound. John ran sound on the last tour and hit it off famously with everyone in the band (esp. the ladies). He looks like he may become a permanent fixture on the Helix scene. Long-time Helix friend/fan Otter (Scott Montgomery) is hooking up with us in Hope, and after the dates are finished we’re driving to Otter’s place on Vancouver Island and taking in a couple of days sight-seeing in Victoria. Otter ran merchandise for us on a couple of western swings and has visited us here at Planet Helix several times.
RAISING THE ROOF ON MARY IMMACULATE 3
Since last November I’ve been working on a CD to help raise money for my church’s building fund. The church is Mary Immaculate Catholic church here in London, Ontario. This is the second CD I’ve had a hand in recording for the church, the first being a Christmas CD which raised over $10,000.00. On this disc we used talent from the congregation as well as individuals I knew from the music business. I enlisted the help of Brian Usher, quite a talented individual whom I know through taking piano lessons, as he’s my instructor. Brian is also a proficient piano/trumpet player and can score whole orchestras. He was on the road for many years as the arranger for a blues singer who’s name escapes me. Safe to say however that he knows his stuff.
The CD covers a wide range of secular music from county (Johnny Cash’s “It Was Jesus”), gospel (Elvis’s recording of Doris Aker’s “Lead Me Guide Me”), a couple of African spirituals (Syahumba & Steal Away to Jesus), a song by Father Keep (Mass of Creation), a beautiful rendition of “Be Not Afraid” by Chris Braie & arranged by Brian Usher, a couple of “written in the shower” originals by Yours Truly (Take the Hand of Jesus and God’s Love is Gonna Set Me Free), a classical version of Like a Shepherd, arranged once again by Brian Usher, and last but not least, “How Great Thou Art” sang by Tori May Brideau (age 6) and Jeff Liebusch (age 8). Watch for them at the 2020 Juno Awards.
These CDs may be obtained through the Helix website merchandise section.
WHO SAID I CAN’T READ A SITUATION?
Next Thursday I will be a “Celebrity Reader” at Tweedsmuir Public Shchool in honour of Education Week. I will be reading from a book of my choice to a Grade 6 Classroom. Wish me luck!
SEND A GET WELL CARD TO CARL DIXON
As most of you know, Coney Hatch guitarist Carl Dixon (who has also played with April Wine & The Guess Who) was seriously injured in a head on car accident in Australia a couple of weeks ago. He faces a long road to recovery and I’m sure he would get a boost if all of you that are familiar with him would take a second from your busy day and send him a Get Well card.
Here’s the address:
Carl Dixon
c/o The Alfred Hospital
Melbourne, Vic 3004
Australia
CANADIAN EAST COAST DATES
It’s been awhile since we last tore up the Maritimes and we’re looking forward to our upcoming dates in August. The last time we were out east was with Alice Cooper. That tour only wetted our appetite, as there were only 2 Maritime dates-Halifax and St. John. This time we’re spreading it around.
Here’s the dates so far:
Aug. 06: Summerside Wellness Centre/Summerside, P.E.I. (w/LOVERBOY)
Aug. 07: To be booked
Aug. 08: District 34/Barrignton Passage, Nova Scotia
Aug. 09: Riverfest/Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Aug. 10: Rockin’ Rodeo/Moncton, New Brunswick
With the new single getting considerable airplay in this region we’re hoping to add dates to this run. Stay tuned...
LETTERS
*Note from Brian: I thought this exchange of emails was more than a little funny-Read on------
My Dear Musicians,
With due respect and humble submission, I beg to draw your kind attention that this is one of my countless attempts to reach you and needless to say once again that I am an ardent admirer of yours. In fact, I am growing accustomed to your fame.
But now, it seems to me that you have decided, not to reply my letters of deep admiration, as this is one of my countless attempts to reach you. Please tell me, is it good to break the heart,you are ruling? It's a pity! it's a pity! that I am still writing to you. In fact, you are my source of inspiration. That is why, I use to write to time and again despite your apathy towards me. Upon my words, you are absolutely unique and beyond compare. And you are my ideal of a perfect personality.
Therefore, I'll be grateful to you, if you please take the trouble of sending me your much awaited and cherished autographed photograph, for memento. Because when I'll grow too old to dream, I'll have this memento of yours, to remember. Please take a very good care of yourself.
With high regards
S.K.Joshi
Sanjay Kumar Joshi
West Bengal
INDIA
Dear Sanjay,
Tell me what the name of our first indie album is and I'll send you an autograph. Too many fakes ask me for autographs, only to sell them on Ebay.
Brian
My Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for your kind reply.Your first album was, "When Pigs Fly".Now, you may understand that how much I love you. I am your true admirer. And only death can separate me from your autographed photo. So, I am writing down my postal address once again. Please send me your autographed photograph as soon as possible. I am eagerly waiting for the memento. Please take a very good care of yourself.
With high regards
Sanjay Kumar Joshi
West Bengal
INDIA
Dear Sanjay,
Actually, Helix's first album was "Breaking Loose" in 1977, but close enough. I'll send it out today. Thankyou for your support.
Brian
hey Brian -
Love what you're doing with the site! I've seen the band 6 times, but none since I've become a family man. I hope to change that this year. Is your tour going to stop by the Peterborough area?..I see you're in TO for a date. I'd love to introduce the family to Helix and hope we can see you this Spring/Summer. My 12 year old daughter already has the fist pumping action of Rock You! down - lol
Darryl Andrews
Dear Daryl,
Sorry, nothing in that area is booked for us right now. However, the summer dates are just starting to happen. Jeff Brunett, who runs Cornstalk in Cornwall, Ontario was talking about possible bringing us to the area, but ….we’ll see. Our agent is Jason Furman, who works for Feldman & Ass. They’re aware of all the different festivals/clubs etc. out there and are always looking for potential dates for us.
Brian
Hey Brian . just thought Id send you an Email asking when you are going to
play Kingston Ontario again? Its been a long long time. I used to rock hard
to you guys when you first were starting out at the old lakeview manor
(R.I.P.). I know you still have a lot of fans in this area. We got a brand
new Area downtown that just opened in Febuary. Still have a few good bars
that book bands like The Ale House. Joey Belladonna (of Anthrax) + Anvil +
Society's Sorrow + NonExistent are playing a show in May at a Time to Laugh
club. Also May 11: D.O.A. @ Time to Laugh. So Kingston Still Rocks. Hope to
hear from you and see you play again soon!
Thanks
Clark
Dear Clark,
See above. Thanks for the support.
Brian
Hey Brian;
Just wondering if you guys taped any live shows in the 80's, and if so, are they on videotape, and do you plan to release them, if you have any?
Would love to relive those 80's shows.
You Keep Me Rockin.
Bill
Barrie, Ontario
Dear Bill,
Not too many shows from that era of the band. There was one, however-Live! In Edmonton for Much Music. The rights were sold by Much & E.M.I. to a record company that we were dealing with when we were out shopping for record company deals on “The Power of Rock and Roll”. They’ve never done anything with it, so I suspect that the only place you could get a copy is by finding a pirated version. All the power to ya, I say. If they don’t have it for sale to the general public, then they deserve to have people take it illegally.
Brian
