Promotion and writing is something I have done ever since I hit the ground running with my own small company Perseverance in Gravenhurst in 1988. Look at the picture. That was my first year. It was a fun thing, starting from nothing. While in Gravenhurst I ran a gym and bicycle service, and got involved with local musicals as an amateur pianist. Then I promoted 2 Opera House concerts, one with Garnet Rogers, which I co-promoted with Ab Kehl, a local luthier. He gave me the nickname of Manny during that show, and we still use that. He didn't feel that our real names were show businessy enough.
I also promoted a new song writers concert in Gravenhurst with Andy Sheppard, a guitarist, who now works for CBC Radio's the Signal. That was a great show. We auditioned local musicians and put six new acts on the stage with Andy.
In 2008, me and my friends started promoting numerous concerts, for artists including Fred Eaglesmith, David Francey, JP Cormier and Emily Dingwall, and Valdy. I have also promoted one Sudbury show with Washboard Hank, and one Sudbury show with Tracy K and Jamie Steinhoff.
If you ask, people will tell you that Cal is an annoying person when he is on a campaign. Cal works hard at promoting, putting up signs, renting halls, making and taping up posters, driving thousands of kilometers in N. Ontario. The most recent artist who has worked with Cal is Brock Zeman, who travels almost more than anyone.
My favourite halls are the rural places. Murillo Community Centre has been good to us. We have had successful shows there for Valdy, JP Cormier and Emily Dingwall, Fred Eaglesmith and David Francey. The sound is provided by local experts, and is perfect in that hall. These are family concerts, with no alcohol. We have had catering by Steepers' Tea which has been very well received. The next show there will be February 8, 2014 with JP Cormier.
The unique places that I have organized music shows since 2008 are the following small places, from West to East: Dryden Legion, Atikokan (The Iron MIne, now closed), The Stanley Tavern, The Murillo Community Centre, Finlandia Hall (above the Hoito Restaurant), Nipigon Legion, Geraldton Curling Club, Marathon Moose Hall, Manitouwadge Community Centre, White River Legion, Wawa (School show and at Wawa Motor Inn), Chapleau Legion, Timmins Victory Tavern, Sault Ste. Marie Algoma University, Thessalon Legion, Blind River The Iron Horse Tavern, Elliot Lake Moose Hall, Espanola Legion, Little Current (co-promotion with Kerene Tilson), Sudbury, The Cardinal Motor Inn, Lavigne Community Centre, Lavigne Tavern, North Bay 100 Georges (now closed) and West Ferris Legion, Killarney Community Centre, Bala Legion, and Haliburton at McKeck's Place. If you don't know any of these places, that's ok. I did not know a lot of them before I started either. But each concert has a special memory for me and the performers. I have promoted well over 30 shows now. I've stopped counting.
My plans are to continue promoting very good concerts and bringing top folk musicians to towns in northern Ontario that no one else plays. I would be interested in promoting more female artists. I work on commission. I get crowds out. I speak with the press and generate publicity. I disturb the mud and get the waters moving. Somebody has to do it. This is an important part of Ontario to address for music, because every musician travels through it when crossing Canada.