Blackie & The Rodeo Kings

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, Business, Canada, Gordon Lightfoot, Guitar, Instruments, Luthier, Toronto October 2, 2019

How Toronto’s master guitar maker brings a new instrument to life — and why she worries

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star October 02,  2019 “Whoo-oo! Would you look at that?” Pleased as punch, musician Stephen Fearing is leaning moon-eyed over an open case, cooing over his latest custom-built, flat-top, six-stringed guitar, its European Spruce surface kissed by the slightest toasted-sunburst finish and adorned with a mother-of-pearl replica of Fearing’s signature on its fingerboard. Linda Manzer, the world-renown luthier who spent more than a year crafting…

Read More

Arranger, Beach Boys, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Bob Dylan, Canada, Composer, Engineer, Guitar, Joni Mitchell, Liner Notes, Los Angeles, Montréal, Pop, Producer, Québec, Songwriter, Voice April 15, 2018

Liner Notes: Hard Won, John Cody, ole red dot, 2017

JOHN CODY HARD WON   LINER NOTES: APRIL 4, 2017   Nick Krewen     It was a race against time. The circumstances behind the recording of John Cody‘s fourth album, Hard Won, may sound panicked and urgent, but there’s a reason for it: they were. In May 2016, the Montréal-based singer and songwriter received the news that no one wants to hear, especially if you’re a musician: his larynx,…

Alt. Rock, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Blues, Canada, Emmylou Harris, Folk, Hamilton, JUNO, Rock, Songwriter, The Band, Toronto March 20, 2012

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings have queens up their sleeve

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings have queens up their sleeve | Toronto Star Guest vocalists make for a full house at Massey Hall show on March 21.    Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are, from left, Tom Wilson, Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Tue Mar 20 2012 Blackie & The Rodeo Kings will have a few of their queens on hand with…

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Business, Music Industry (Trade), Travel January 1, 2011

Are house concerts the next big thing?

Are house concerts the next big thing? | Toronto Star One Toronto family plays host to concerts — and they’re not alone.      Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Sat Jan 01 2011 Next weekend, Joanne and Blair Sleightholm are bringing the Bluebird Café concept to their spacious Yonge and Eglinton-area home. Inspired by the tiny Nashville restaurant that launched the songwriting careers of thousands, the Sleightholms…

Alt. Rock, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Minnesota, Rock, Songwriter, United States May 12, 1998

Soul Asylum needs a drummer

Nick Krewen Hamilton Spectator Tuesday, May 12, 1998 TORONTO — Ten days away from starting their next world tour in New York City, and Soul Asylum still haven’t found a drummer to fill the seat left vacant by their last one. Yet Dave Pirner and Dan Murphy spent last Wednesday in a Toronto hotel room seemingly unconcerned about their dilemma. Murphy, the band’s baseball-jersey wearing guitarist, spends his time milling…