mark tonin

I love this idea, and the enthusiasm that it has generated. Having said that, I think that the easy part would be to get the land. The trickier part would be to get it set up so that it could host large festivals without being shut down. A Camp Skank that is set up to host a party with 200 or 500 or even 1000 people is one thing, but a Camp Skank that could succesfully host a large festival would require much more effort.

Lots of great discussion and ideas floating around on this board over the last few weeks ... it gives me much hope and optimism for the state and fate of the canjam scene!

OK, time for a blast of nature ... I look forward to seeing some of you at Frontier Town, and to catching up on some reading in a week ...

Peace, Mark

I find it so hard to believe that people are actually complaining about an event that brings so much joy to everyones spring, summer and fall.

Crazy.

I know one thing that is really going to piss people off...it's when this festival doesn't happen anymore. That will be a real bummer.

If not for the music, come for the people. Best damn group I've ever partied with. Can't wait to bend it.

See you at the show.

Well said Josh ... I love your positive energy, and I'm still blown away when I think of the community of people that comes together at this grassroots festival, at other shows, and on this message board. I vow to myself that I will never take all of this for granted.

Don't get me wrong ... I'd love it if there was a big festival in my backyard featuring bands that I'm willing to travel hours and hours for. But that's not what the Come Together festival is about.

I just got back from a big U.S. festival (Gathering of the Vibes), and it was great. I had an awesome time. But I didn't have a better time than I do at at Come Together Fest. They are different events, and both are magical in their own way.

No worries on this end about people expressing their views and criticisms about the Come Together Festival, or about most anything. It's a discussion board, and sometimes criticism and complaining leads to healthy discussion. But it's understandable that some of criticism hurts. It hurts me to read it sometimes. Music is so important to us all ... just think about how important it is to the artist who is making it. Now imagine if somebody criticizes the thing that is most important to you. Ouch. Having said that, it's ok to criticize and offer suggestions. Just a friendly reminder to do so gently and constructively.

As for people complaining that the Come Together Festival is featuring local Canadian jambands ... that's what it's all about ... at least I think so. I think it's ok to have a festival that features our local favourites. Moe.down features moe., Hookahville feature Ekoostik Hookah, etc. If we don't celebrate with the bands that are part of this community, then when will they get the recognition and support that they deserve?

Ok, end of my babble. And I'm out of here for a week, getting back to nature with my family. I'll see some of you next weekend at Frontier Town ... lookin' forward to one last summer blast!

Peace, Mark

Huge hugs to you Natalie ... Peace, Mark

You successfully talking yourself into it is twisting my arm in that direction too...

I may be looking to carpool perhaps?

Ah, gotta love those rubber arms! Not sure about carpooling on this end; I'll likely have to fly solo for a couple of reasons. But I'd love to see your smiling face in the saloon while dancing to Diesel Dog. :)

what's going on friday after 11? if i drive all the way up there and then there is nothing i'll be kinda bummed.

Diesel Dog in the saloon on Friday after 11.

I like to think of it as a End of The Summer Family Gathering.

Well said!

Peace, Mark

Eccodek on Friday night also looks very interesting ... the song that loads up when visiting the web site is very cool, and Andrew McPherson (the guy behind Eccodek) has an impressive bunch of credentials. I've heard about these guys a few times on CBC radio. OK, I think I've successfully talked myself into Friday night at Frontier Town!

Peace, Mark

just got off the phone with Wilson -

d dog is electric in the saloon on friday night.

and accoustic on the main stage on saturday...

Sweet news! Initially I was thinking about holding off on Saturday before making the journey to Frontier Town (lots of school prep and family stuff to do), but now I'm stoked not to miss a double dose of Diesel Dog.

Peace, Mark

i got word that we are playing the late night saloon but now i don't know.

neugroove

I thought that's what you told me when I saw you a few nights ago Ricky, and maybe it's still true ... it looks like nothing has been confirmed yet for Friday or Sunday night in the saloon ...

Peace, Mark

From the CTMF web site:

BAND SCHEDULE:

Here are the bands that have been booked to play on the Main Tent Stage. Note that the schedule is still tentative and subject to change.

Friday September 1:

8:00 - 8:45 to be announced

9:00 - 11:00 Eccodek

late night saloon - Diesel Dog

Saturday September 2:

12:30 - 1:30 Diesel Dog (acoustic)

2:00 - 3:00 Sights Unseen

3:30 - 4:30 Passenger

5:00 - 6:00 Doug Feaver

6:30 - 7:30 What The Thunder Said

8:00 - 9:00 The Irie Band

9:30 - 11:00 Fat Cats

late night saloon - Shelby, Elmo and the Boys

Sunday September 3:

1:00 - 2:00 Yellow Butterfly

2:30 - 3:30 Mark Wilson & The Way It Is

4:00 - 5:00 Vanderpark

5:30 - 7:00 Chameleon Project

7:30 - 9:00 Caution Jam

9:30 - 11:00 Superstack

late night saloon to be announced

The Saloon Stage will feature acoustic acts on Saturday and Sunday, and bands performing late night sets. Check out the schedule for the Acoustic Saloon:

Saturday September 2:

1:00 Lucas Stagg

2:00 Craig McNair

3:00 Mark Wilson

4:00 Lynn Jackson

5:00 Mike Alviano

6:00 Shannon Lyon

7:00 Tanya Philipovich

8:00 Paul MacLeod

Sunday September 3:

noon John Mars

1:00 Mark Tonin

2:00 Doug Feaver

3:00 Erica Knight

4:00 Jay Cleary

5:00 Mandi Hancock

6:00 JP Riemens

7:00 Alfie Smith

Here are the ticket prices from Mark W. The band schedule will follow later on today. They are really trying to sell advance tickets, which is why the premium price for paying at the gate.

Peace, Mark

"65 in advance

80 at gate friday with no ticket

65 for two nights with no ticket

40 dollars for a single day

all of these include camping"

I've still waiting to hear from Mark Wilson re: the schedule and gate prices. I'm sure that you'll be able to show up and pay to get in, I'm just not sure how much it will be at the gate for 3 day, 2 day, or 1 day passes.

My apologies to those of you who are trying to make plans for the weekend, but I'm in the same boat. I've been "bugging" Mark Wilson for the info and am hoping he will let us know asap what is happening ... hopefully today!

Peace, Mark

If I had not had a family commitment, I would have loved to have hit this festival with all of you fine folks!!

Hopefully we can organize a festival road trip again next summer Sara which includes you and Todd.

Hope to make it a VW caravan next year Willy

It would be great to have you along Heather.

Dave, it sounds like you had a magical moment with your daughter Cassia, that's for sure. Sweet.

I agree with #2 that this festival captures the spirit of the Dead experience in many ways. The audience is part of the show in a big way. We actually had a bluegrass band camping right beside us that played all kinds of tasty acoustic music ... I'm talking a full band with stand up bass, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and sweet voices. They are called The Mo' Folkies.

I've been wanting to hit up this festival for a number of years, and am glad that I finally made it happen.

Peace, Mark

It was great to see you at the festival afro poppa!

Peace, Mark

F-U-N!

Ditto!

Left at 4 p.m. on Thursday from St. Catherines ... or at least that was the plan ... ended up leaving the Buffalo area at around 9:30 p.m. after all of the stops for food, beer, etc. We travelled to the festival with a great group of people, but trying to coordinate 4 vehicles definitely slows things down. But what a great group of people to travel with ... Chris was with me, and the other vehicles had Marc & Andy, Willy & Leanne, and Julie & Lorrraine & Tanya.

We arrived at the venue at about 2:30 a.m., expecting/hoping to get in relatively quickly. Ha ha ha. I don't remember what time we actually got in, but the sun was definitely up by the time we made it through the gate. Very intense searches at the gate, with not nearly enough people doing them. I've never been so close to losing it ... I felt like I was a road rage case waiting to happen.

We managed to get very little sleep on Friday morning before getting up and heading to the stage area. Things got better in a hurry. I really liked the size of this festival (I'm guessing 15,000 people) and our campsite was only 5 minutes from the stage area. Both stages were in the same area, which made for minimal travel between them.

My personal highlight on Friday night was Deep Banana Blackout ... man oh man can Jen Durkin sing, and can Fuzz play the guitar! A super-fun dance party!

Saturday was full of great music. Saw G-Love for the first time and totally dug it, and really enjoyed Hot Tuna acoustic, the Rhythm Devils, and Ratdog. I enjoyed all of the music I heard but those three stood out for me on Saturday. More Kimock guitar in the mix during the Devils would have been nice, but Mike Gordon was on fire. It's been a while since I've seen Ratdog and I was impressed ... not quite as tasty musically as Phil & Friends, but the Bobby energy made up for it. The Standing on the Moon and Mississippi Half Step both made me shiver, and the One More Sat Night and US Blues had me grooving in a big way.

Fortunately the major thunderstorm held off until just after Ratdog finished, but it got so intense that they had to stop the Everyone Orchestra shortly after it started. But the rain made for some fun late night singing back at the campsite, led by numerodos and his medley of the best version of 99 bottles of beer on the wall that I've ever heard.

Couldn't stick around on Sunday for any music, but felt satisfied after two full days, even after the horrible lineup to start the festival. A huge plus at this fest was the showers and flush toilets with attendants ... it sure beats overflowing portapotties!

Will seriously consider this festival again next year ... it was loads of fun.

Peace, Mark

MK, thanks for adding to this thread with a fresh perspective ... well said!

Peace, Mark

Some great dancing on this show, and we'll find out who wins soon! Back to the tv ...

Peace, Mark

I don't do it for the money' date=' I do it for my soul

but if the money's not here, I'll be moving on

because my soul can't buy me what I need to eat

put food on the table or shoes on my feet

but I don't do it for the money, I do it for my soul

[/quote']

I'd have that second last line end in "...shoes on my kids' feet". I don't know if the situation would (literarily) be described as paradoxical; ironic, maybe, because the two loves of the singer's life (music vs. family) are at odds with each other.

Aloha,

Brad

Hey Brad, I was thinking more along the lines that it is paradoxical that the primary motivation for many musicians to play music is not making money, but if they don't make enough money playing music, they have to play less music to make the money that they need to enjoy playing music.

Peace, Mark

All worked out my friend, an email is heading your way, good luck dealing with all of that work-related stuff, tomorrow at this time we'll be on the road!

Peace, Mark

Anyone getting excited? It's going to be a very trying work week but I can't wait to get to the end of it and party again!

I'm super-excited about this upcoming weekend!

Call me as soon as you can Willy so that we can sort out the logistics.

Peace, Mark

This thread has been a very enjoyable read. Thanks to everybody, especially the working musicians, who have taken the time and energy to contribute to this thread.

I have a huge amount of appreciation for anybody who tries to make a living as a musician, particularly a musician who wants to make a living writing and performing original material. From what I've seen and heard, it's an extremely tough path to follow, one that requires dedication, focus, sacrifice, a solid business sense in addition to music ability, and some luck. I can only imagine how tough the road must be, especially as one gets older and comparisons start to get made to friends who chose a different path and have some of the creature comforts and stability that come from a job that has a regular pay cheque.

So what ends up happening? Musicians look to other means to support themselves, while trying to eek out as much time and energy as possible to continue playing. Because playing music feeds the soul. Unfortunately, it often doesn't put enough food on the table. I've been working on a song along this theme, something like:

I don't do it for the money, I do it for my soul

but if the money's not here, I'll be moving on

because my soul can't buy me what I need to eat

put food on the table or shoes on my feet

but I don't do it for the money, I do it for my soul

English majors, is the above situation an example of a paradox? I think so, but I'm not sure.

Hmmm, where was I headed with this? ... I'm not sure. All I know is that I wish I was as old as 30 , I love live music, love the many variations of jam that exist, think that great songs will never go out of fashion, and wish that now that I'm older that some band would try a weekly gig, but one that started at 7 or 8 and went until 10 or 11 p.m. Some people play pickup hockey, some people go to yoga or aerobics classes, some people watch tv, but I'd love to head out to my weekly live music dance class in my home town where I could visit with friends, get some artistic expression out of my system, get some excercise, and still function for work the next day. I must be getting older, but I still love to dance and I still love to play. I dread the day that music doesn't do it for me, because I fear that will be the end.

The state of canjam ... hmmm, I'm not sure, but I feel fortunate that I can go and hear a great band like Burt or Fat Cats, even though they aren't touring relentlessly or playing to huge crowds. I hope that they never stop playing. I love how Pablo is still pushing forward with his musical vision post-nero, and that GM is also still out there playing. It is encouraging to see bands like WTTS and Chameleon Project working hard to bring new music to people. I know that there is no way that I can take it all of the great music that is out there. And I can still head across the border to a kind "in the spirit of the Grateful Dead jam festival" with thousands of others ... time to get ready for GOTV!!!

End of rambling babbling banter.

Peace, Mark

There is most definitely a Labour Day weekend Come Together Festival happening. Some additional information is now up on the festival web site at www.cometogethermusicfest.ca but we are still waiting for information on buying single day or two day passes at the gate. An acoustic saloon schedule has been posted, but we are also still waiting for the main stage schedule. Hopefully it will be coming soon.

The frontier draws near ...

Peace, Mark

We're going to generate a cyclone of positive energy by dancing and laughing and listening to music and direct it all at Dave and his family!

That sounds perfect my friend ... thanks for putting such a positive spin on things!

Peace, Mark

I'm not sure if this is the proper place to post this message, and I certainly don't want to put a damper on the festival, but Harvard Mouse will not be playing at Lose Yer Shoes after all. Dr. Evil's mom is very sick, and Dr. Evil needs to be close to her and the rest of his family. We as a band have decided to stay put to support him.

The biggest of hugs and lots of love to you and your family Dave.

Peace, Mark

Super-stoked for this festival. Got my ticket in the mail a few days ago, and it looks sweet! And what a wicked lineup! And many friends to share the experience with! The excitement keeps building ...

Peace, Mark

Wish I could be there to hear you guys play Chuck ... it's been too long!

Peace, Mark

Huge happy birthday hugs to you Mike, and thanks for all that you do!

Peace, Mark