Jim Bryson

2010-04-29T21:32:00.001-04:00

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2010-04-29T21:14:00.001-04:00

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Thanks Hi Fi

2010-04-26T11:34:00.001-04:00

Thanks all:

Terrifico time up Kaffe 1870 way.

All oldies Bryson set featuring only songs from the debut Occasionals album.

Fine fine times,

:)

Sent to my dear friend the Internet from my iPhone

2010-04-14T10:45:00.004-04:00

Jim Bryson and Weakerthans Shows and Recording Release News:

Hey folkies and friends. A quick hello here to get you up to speed on some goings on in the world of the .org

Jim Bryson and Weakerthans "The Falcon Lake Incident".

So in short, the record is recorded and mixed and ready for ears. Stay tuned for release details and lots of other goodies regarding it. There will lots of shows and other things to announce in the coming weeks so please check in.

Jim Bryson to play Kelp Weekend

Jim will return to the scene of The Mayfair, an amazing old movie theatre in Old South Ottawa to kick of Kelp 16 festivities. There is a Facebook page all set up HERE with details and ticket info, but here are the text pertinents.

Kelp 16 Kick Off!!!

Jim Bryson w/ Chris Page

Thursday May 13th.

Mayfair Theatre

7pm

$20

Jim Bryson with The Weakerthans Band Set for Live Action

With a handy collection of songs ready to roll, Jim Bryson and The Weakerthans Band will play their FIRST live show together at this summer's edition of the 2010 Winnipeg Folk Festival.

It all happens on the weekend of July 9th, 2010

Lots of Details and ticket info over at the festival site HERE

More show to come!!!!!

Hi Fi Reunion Weekend:

A long long time ago before the Internet had grabbed us all to say hello to people we don't even know, there lived a great little basement club in Ottawa called the Hi Fi. It nurtured and helped send bands like The Recoilers, Werbo, The Fiftymen and this page's namesake Jim Bryson out into the world.

Well after all this time and for a reason none of us know, these bands and many more will get together in the cozy confines of Wakefield's Cafe 1870 for three special shows.

Jim will play ONLY songs from his debut Occasionals recording and will be backed up by the long lost Recoilers.

There is a Facebook page for this event as well right HERE

Jim Plays Saturday April 24th

For day to day musings and goings on, you can always see Jim in the Twitterverse and Facebook.

Take care,

the .org

2010-03-05T11:49:00.003-05:00

Hey March:

Why write it when someone else does it better.

Straight from the www.weakerthans.org

"Finally, we are very excited about the NEW Jim Bryson record we worked on. You might remember Jim from his time with The Weakerthans, as a multi-instrumentalist, and wearer of handsome shirts! Jim had a great idea to record his new songs with us at a cozy cabin in Falcon Lake, Manitoba, during the middle of Winter. We had a great time making music with Jim and we went for hikes in the snow and walked on the frozen lake. Even the deer came to investigate! Keep an eye open for this record, it's gonna be a good'un!"

I too and quite excited and I cannot wait for folks to hear these songs, they are scrappy and full of life I think.

That is the word from the 613, have a great weekend friends,

jim,

2010-02-14T09:42:00.003-05:00

Jim Bryson and The Weakerthans

Hi gang, there is much to sort out and get in place and wheels to be attached, but we are all very excited to say that the Jim Bryson and The Weakerthans record is recorded and mixed.

Tentatively titled "The Falcon Lake Incident", it features goodies recorded just this January in the -30 below glory on Falcon Lake, Manitoba.

There is much more to tell, but what can be said is that there will be some shows and some songs and seemingly smiles all around.

There are a bunch of photo's over on the Weakerthans Facebook Page if you consort with that part of the inter-world.

Check in again soon for music, show info, photo's and more details,

j,

2010-01-28T23:20:00.002-05:00

In The Dead Of Winter Festival:

I almost forgot to post to tell you all about the great In The Dead of Winter Festival I am playing this Saturday. I love the folks that put on this cold weather gem!!!

Jim Bryson / Justin Rutledge / Catherine McLennan
Saturday January 30th
St. Patrick's Church
Halifax, NS.
www.inthedeadofwinter.com

See you there friends,

jim,

2009-12-31T00:13:00.002-05:00

Hi All:

Happy New Year! Ho ho ho too.

I leave J 1 for Winnipeg to start a record and I will let you know how it goes.

Heading half way btwn. Winnipeg and Kenora for 9 days and upon my return, I will bring some news of some sort.

Here is a song I have demo'd that just happens to align with a day like tomorrow.

LISTEN IF YOU LIKE

Good night new year,

jim,

2009-12-16T14:07:00.003-05:00

Hey All:

Well, what a year, what time, what a trip. Almost done this new world's first decade.

Had a great time in Toronto playing the Holiday Jam in Toronto.

Here is a little video of Sarah Harmer and I singing the Replacement Skyway.

What a true pleasure it was to sing with Sarah, what a voice!!!

Hope to see some of you fine people at the Blacksheep this weekend for the 10th version of these shows we got going on.

Some tickets remain for the Sunday Matinee at last check.

Happy holidays if we do not blog-speak again,

jim,

PS: Lots to tell you about in the new year, but for now how about another video, this time it is Sarah and Kathleen Edwards and I playing Fisherman's Blues.

Testing, testing

2009-11-18T08:05:00.001-05:00

Hi:

Like I need another distraction.

Trying out this Posterous though,

jim,

Posted via web from jimbryson's posterous

2009-11-11T20:00:00.003-05:00

Black Sheep Shows. YEAR 10!!!

Hi All: It is the time of year where I tell you all about the upcoming Black Sheep December shows. They started with no plan to make them into a yearly event, but it seems we are on Year 10 now!!! I am very excited by this years line-up, so I will say no more and give you the details:
Jim Bryson: 10th Annual Blacksheep Holiday Weekend
Saturday December 19th (8 pm w/ Dave Godowsky)
Sunday December 20th (4 pm Matinee w/ Jill Zmud)
$15 Advance
Black Sheep Inn
Wakefield , PQ
www.theblacksheepinn.com/

2009-11-05T12:41:00.003-05:00

Ok:

Blatant self promotion, but you can vote for my Live at the First Baptist Church record in the Ottawa Xpress awards. A banner year for old Kelp Records at this.

It is nominated for Dance/Pop/Rock recording: Vote HERE

Lots of news thing to tell you next time I check in, including some recording in a cabin in Manitoba.

Over rovers, going to get my recovered flooded guitar back today,

jim,

Break down

2009-09-18T15:57:00.001-04:00

Hey:

About 5 minutes into a drive to Banff and the pre-historic bus we are travelling on has broken down.

Poor Carlos the driver, he can only clean his nails and try to will the problem away.

Over rovers,

Sent to my dear friend the Internet from my iPhone

Winnipeg'n

2009-09-09T18:41:00.001-04:00

Hey all:

Spending a fine week here
in Winnipeg in the sun.

Here is a brief wrap of what is going on:

1: Recording has begun for the next record. 11 songs that are peppy and ready for war.

2. Touring again all fall with the Kingston 5.

3. Look out OCFF, Kelp Honcho Jon Bartlett is coming to see you this year

4. Flood aftermath continues but is getting there. We will back to a new benchmark by the first snow I hope.

5. Holiday shows are booked : 10th anual Black Sheep shows ate going to be the evening of Sat. Dec. 19th and Sunday the 20th as a matinee. So strange to say it has been 10 years.

That is word my late summer birds,

jim

Sent to my dear friend the Internet from my iPhone

Out in the West World

2009-08-07T16:11:00.000-04:00

Hi All:

Short hello here in mid-summer.

Where have I been? Here is the condensed story:

Well, our house flooded and lots of me gear went down with the ship. Slowly getting life back together.

Starting my 4th record next week at the Hip's studio. Dave Draves and I are back in the shared production role and I am hoping for lots of friends to make a appearance on this one. 12 songs to do now and then see where we are at.

In other news, I took a walk on a bridge in Saskatoon and this is what happened:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Giggling+with+Gord/1860745/story.html

What else? My Twitter posts can fill you all in,

jim

Sent to my dear friend the Internet from my iPhone

2009-06-26T15:30:00.003-04:00

Canada Day and Me:

I will be in Newfoundland this Canada Day; but across the land, lots of folks will be "Singing for their Songs".

A little bird told me Stuart McLean will be singing a few bars of Firewatch during this show.

Here are some Details:

The second annual Sing For Your Song Canada Day special

– CBC Radio One. Join Amanda Putz and Grant Lawrence from 4 to 6 p.m. local times (4:30-6:30 p.m. NL).

Listeners and CBC personalities across the country phoned into our voicemail to request their favourite Canadian songs to sing along to. The trick is: they had to sing their requests. We'll hear CBC Radio 2 Tempo host Julie Nesrallah's stunning Joni Mitchell rendition, Vinyl Cafe's Stuart McLean singing Jim Bryson, Kathleen Petty and Don Newman doing Four Strong Winds... together, as well as various listeners singing for Joel Plaskett, Sarah McLachlan, and more! Grant Lawrence also released the Radio 3 podcast version on June 26th!

To download a file of the show for your own purposes, please click here:

http://radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2009/06/Podcast-211---Sing-For-Your-Song-All-Reque

Halifax'n:

It is my ONLY show of the summer and I got's myself a trio to do it.

Tuesday July 7th at the Company House in Halifax I will be playing a show with Benn Ross on Drums and Lucas Pearce on the basso. Tanys Davis will open and it looks to be grand low key affair.

Facebook Event Page

Company House Myspace Page

That is the words, birds, recording news coming soon early summer birds,

jim,

2009-06-09T20:19:00.002-04:00

Hey All:

A little talky talk / singy sing piece from the National Post

Enjoy and greeting from the left coast,

jim,

2009-06-05T09:27:00.002-04:00

Oh Canada Volume 1:

What better way to say "come on summer" than with a fine Canadian compilation from a fine UK blog.

Lots of Kelp fun on this one: Oh Canada Volume 1

Happy Friday friends,

jim,

2009-06-03T16:13:00.002-04:00

Hi All:

Here I be in Lewiston, NY with family in tow having a lovely week. Playing the Art Park amphitheatre all week with the Kingston 5.

What is that you ask, "hey Jim, do a show in Halifax"?

OK I will. How about July 7th at the Company House in North Halifax?

Details? Slow down now, those will be coming.

Other news? Planning some mid summer recordings so that I can see how the new songs are sticking when I throw them against a wall.

That is all for now, enjoy your day wherever you may roam,

jim,

Happy Monday

2009-05-18T19:43:00.000-04:00

Bea says happy Victoria Day and we will all be coming home this week for a little rest!!

A little tired and almost over a cold and ready for a drink on the porch with the bugs

Thanks again Kelp family for a awesome birthday show way back then.

Over, rovers,

jim,

New York

2009-05-08T18:49:00.001-04:00

Hi Friends:

In New York and the weather is great and we are right by Central Park and oh my what else?

Going to see the family again next week, which will be great great great.

Happy Mother's Day all,

jim,

Sent to my dear friend the Internet from my iPhone

2009-05-01T02:42:00.013-04:00

Thank you to everyone for such a warm and amazing Kelp 15 kick-off!!!

What an amazing family to have!!!

jim,

2009-04-23T11:32:00.008-04:00

Kelp 15 Weekend / "Live From The First Baptist Church"

From the desk of Kelp Records

Hi all. Here are some details on the Acorn / Jim Bryson / Anders Parker show next Thursday and also the rest of the KELP 15 celebrations.

Hope to see you all out as we launch the Live at the First Baptist Church live disc,

Stream it now in its entirety on the Kelp Records site.

THURSDAY APRIL 30

9pm
Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank)
The Acorn
Jim Bryson
Anders Parker

advance tickets available at Compact Music, Sounds Unlikely, End Hits and Vertigo, or through ticketweb.ca and kelprecords.com/kelp15.

Jim is returning for the night from his new day role as the keyboarding fellow for The Tragically Hip to play a Duotastic show with Jake Bryce.

- Download the full KELP 15 comp for free and get ticket info here; and, feel free to send the

Facebook invite to your friends...

KELP 15's other shows!

FRIDAY MAY 1

6pm
Kelp 15 Art Show
WIP Gallery (73 Preston @ Elm)
Piet Masone
Andrew Vincent (solo)

9pm
Elmdale Tavern (1084 Wellington)
Camp Radio
Andrew Vincent
Andy Swan
Micarza Camaro

1am
Raw Sugar (692 Somerset)
DJ Geoff Brown + special guests

SATURDAY MAY 2

12pm
Steve Vardy Pulled Pork Party!
Carleton Tavern (223 Armstrong)
w/ Chris Page
Yellow Jacket Avenger
Centretown Cripplers

9pm
Gluepot Pub (340 Queen)
Nutsak (members of The American Devices)
The Flaps
Flecton Big Sky
Rhume

Weekend passes are $15, good for entry to Friday and Saturday night events (please note that Thursday Acorn/Bryson/AP tickets are sold separately and not included in the weekend pass; day shows and art show are free).

Jim Bryson Live at the First Baptist Church gets Official Street Release!!!

In Feburary 2008 Jim returned home from heavy touring to play a memorable show with Baby Eagle at the historical First Baptist Church. The show's live audio was run by Ken Stone, and was recorded to digitalness by Jarrett Bartlett, and turned out fantastic. So much so, that we decided it should become a proper release.

"Live at the First Baptist Church" is an enjoyable ride through the Bryson songbook, and a must for the "serious fan" (ie. those that relish his bouts of between-song banter-itis...heh).
Featuring artwork from Rob Hinchley, the CD package looks pretty dang sharp too. Download Jim's live version of "All the Fallen Leaves" at http://www.kelprecords.com/downloads/jimbryson_fallenleaves.mp3 to hear what I am talking about.

The album will be in stores on Tuesday April 28th, but you can preorder your copy direct from kelprecords.com for only a discounted $13 this week and we will send along the MP3s immediately so you can start enjoying it before the CD makes it to your mailbox.

It will also be availble in the digital world format on iTunes.

2009-03-20T12:26:00.001-04:00

Hi Spring:

Thanks to the surf.skate.art.love blog for this photo,

jim,

2009-03-10T18:14:00.004-04:00

Hey All:

Thanks so much for coming out to the GCTC.

Sorry it was so warm there!

Sorry also the show started a bit late. As a man on early morning baby-duty, I understand.

I very much appreciate it and so does the lovelies at the Folk Festival.

Here is something from I Can't Fly (thanks flecton): Enjoy!!!

2009-03-03T18:36:00.004-05:00

GCTC Final Call Out / Live CD Forecast:

Hi friends, this is a last shout out about the GCTC show coming up this Friday. less than 30 tickets remain for the show.

Sunday March 8th, 7pm
Ottawa Folk Festival Acoustic Waves Series Presents
Jim Bryson w/ Meredith Luce
Tickets for this Acoustic Waves concert are available in person at the GCTC box office - 1233 Wellington St. West at Holland - or by phone at 613-236-5196.

Live at the First Baptist Church CD:

We are in a fair-weathered mood and feeling 60-40 that we will have pre-"official" release copies of the live CD "Live at The First Baptist Church" to sell at this show.

A proper Kelp Records / iTunes launch of the CD will occur in a few weeks.

Rob Hinchley's limited edition etching, titled "A Tall Tree, A Small Tree" will be for sale at the show.

The run of 25 hand-made etchings also serve as the CD's cover art. They are selling for $175.00 un-framed.

That is the word friends, really looking forward to this show!!!

jim,

2009-02-28T16:53:00.003-05:00

CBC Canada Live Tomorrow at Black Sheep:

Hi all, a quick note that I will be part of a CBC Canada Live Taping at the Black Sheep Inn tomorrow as part of their Lucky Songs Series.

It is also a way of saying hi five to the Black Sheep in for their 15th anniversary.

Jeremy Gara, Lucie Idlout and Sarah Hallman are also are part of the show.

Come out for some afternoon Stout and heckle your way on to the CBC.

Show is at 4pm and is Kid friendly,

jim,

2009-02-25T10:06:00.002-05:00

GCTC and ME!

Hi all, time to get cracking on getting you all in the know about my next big home show.

This is what it is all about:

1. It is part of the Ottawa Folk Festivals Acoustic Waves Series.

2. Meredith Luce is opening.

3. Fingers Crossed, I WILL have the Live CD "Live From The First Baptist Church" for sale.

Check here and Kelp Records for the details on this limited CD / iTunes release.
Also, Rob Hinchley has printed limited edition etchings of the cover art.
These will be on sale both at the show and through the Kelp /Bryson web-worlds.

4. I will be performing in some form sans band, hence the Acoustic Waves title of the series. Still working on the exact version of me you will see.

5. Here is the listing:

The Ottawa Folk Festival and the GCTC present An Acoustic Waves Concert !

Jim Bryson
S/G Meredith Luce
Sunday, March 8, starting at 8 p.m.
Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, (1233 Wellington Street, at Holland).

*Tickets are $20, and are on sale now only through the GCTC Box Office in person at 1233 Wellington Street at Holland, or by phone at 613-236-5196; seating is reserved, so purchase early for best selection.
**Some tickets remain, but going fast.

Sherbrooke on me Own:

This Friday I am headed on down the road to Sherbrooke to play in the wonderful Granada Theatre in support of my friends Jake and the Leprechauns.
They are releasing their second record "A long Dash (Followed by Ten Seconds of Silence) " and it is a real Dandy.

Jake and the Leprechauns w/ Jim Bryson
Friday February 27th.
Theatre Granada
Sherbrooke, QC.

That is the world friends, enjoy your day,

jim,

2009-02-11T23:09:00.002-05:00

As the Family Sleeps:

All is quiet (touch wood) here in Toronto tonight. Lisa and Bea made the foggy drive down the 401 and we are together now until Saturday.

Just reading the Camp Radio Blog And getting a tad envious of all the recording Chris is getting done.

On the travel front, here is a condensed version of our tour thus far: left Canada / got hassled at the border for a while / played in a haunted theatre in Kent / found a "love toilet" in Cincinnati / drove through a lake effect blizzard / watched the Superbowl in Pittsburgh / had an amazing time in Chicago / welcomed Gord Tough aboard and came home to Canada.

To be continued....

Night, night friends, Twitter on!!!

jim,

2009-02-03T19:40:00.002-05:00

Love Toilet # 2

Here we are hand in hand,

Today we find ourselves in a whiteout 45cm snowstorm in Indiana.

Good night to stay home and watch movies,

jim,

2009-02-03T08:17:00.001-05:00

Photo of the Day:

The "Love Toilet" was found in Ohio yesterday in our dressing room.

I think it is amazing.

Off to Indiana today.

Over rovers,

jim,

2009-01-27T11:43:00.002-05:00

Leaving in a Passenger Van:

Heading out for a bunch of shows with Kathleen Thursday.

Superbowl day off with Tom Brown in Pittsburgh is the plan for this week.

It is going to be very hard though, as I have never been away from Beatrice for more than a day thus far.

I also bought a sofa, looks good eh?

That is my news, oh, these two shows too!!!

February 27th
Granada Theatre
Sherbrooke, Qc.
guest of Jake and the Leprechauns

March 8th
Ottawa Folk Festival Acoutic Waves Series
GCTC / Irving Greenberg Theatre
Ottawa, Ontario.
S/G Meredith Luce
Tickets you ask? Get them HERE

Twitter Bug:

I live in the Twitter world, I am JimBryson. Imagine that. I is now the way I get my news too,

Happy winter, it is so beautiful out there, quit your complaining and get out in it,

jim,

2009-01-01T11:20:00.002-05:00

Into the 2009 We Go:

I wrote an eight-hundred word explanation of my year in passing but stopped shy of hitting send for some reason.

Too many ding dang things to say and not really any good ways of saying it.

So in preference, I now look away from the reverse and into “the future” and mention a few things that I would like to do and maybe even should do next year.

Here are some:

1. Stay close to home whenever I can.
2. Record some songs both in places familiar and new and with people familiar and new.
3. Fold my sweaters regularly.
5. Learn something new. I might actually try to build a shed. I even own a saw that can help carve my way.
6. Get things done.
7. Read more books and less web pages .
8. Get a hobby that does not involve a Macintosh Laptop.
9. Return calls quicker.
10. Go someplace new.

It was a very tough year for some of our friends and some of our family and many of you are thrilled to bits to see that boat anchor of a year finally be gone.
To you and yours and friends and everyone, here is hoping that 09 is a little lighter to carry around.
Over, rovers,

jim,

2008-12-31T17:52:00.001-05:00

Bye Bye 2008:

Ok, enough already, bye bye 2008.

Open up all the doors and get ready to sing out the old and call in the new,

j,

2008-12-29T09:35:00.003-05:00

Greetings from the Living Room:

Hi all. Hope the ho ho holidays are treating you all amazing. Whether you are at home, at the Post Office or wondering if the bus will ever show up.

I got one of those iPhone thingies and while everyone has told me Shazam is the ultimate application, I found a 4 track recording application.

I made up a silly ditty just to try it out, you can hear Bea's swing seat cranking away in the background.

Have a listen and a laugh: Phone it In

In other worlds, I have lots coming up in the new year with Kathleen and otherwise. Check back in for lots of information.

Manotickin':

I am playing a small show in Manotick on January 10th. Very limited seating and a fundraiser for the Green Party put together by Lori Gadzala. E-mail me if you are looking for more info on it folks.

Well, that is the word from here today.

Have a great NYE whatever life finds you doing,

jim,

2008-12-20T23:31:00.002-05:00

Oh what a Season:

Hi hello hey.

Sitting watching the fire in the fringes tonight.

It is too late to be up for the new dad, so I will write the proper seasonal writings next time.

But for now, the very best to you and yours from all of us at the .org (pager, team kelp, jim, lisa and bea).

Later I will have the finest of stories for you, but for one line updates: Twitter

Night night,

jim,

2008-12-04T22:34:00.004-05:00

CBC Radio Morning:

Hi all, late note to leet you know I will be playing a couple of new songs and chatting on the CBC Radio 1 program Ottawa Morning. I am on after 8am.

Black Sheep Update:

Just a quick note that Saturday's show is SOLD OUT.

Tickets remain for The Sunday matinee,

Thanks all, see you this weekend,

jim,

PS: Watch THIS at work tomorrow.

2008-12-01T13:05:00.002-05:00

Show Show:

I got to say, I am very excited for the Blacksheep shows this coming weekend.

We have been working on new songs and I am pretty excited to finally play them for folks.

Paul Symes tells me it is year 9 so that is what I am telling the world it is.

As for me, I got some big plans for this weekend:

Plan 1: Self-imposed banter restriction
Plan 2: last call at the Cafe (Saturday)
Plan3: Bringing Bea for the Sunday show.
Plan 4: Remember the words to a couple of old songs.

See you there, there are still some tickets available for the Sunday Matinee show,

jim,

2008-11-19T23:30:00.002-05:00

Too Late is What Used to be Early:

That is what I am thinking as I sit here with the house cleaned and shut down for the night. Just me and Dolly still up.

I found that painting up yonder in the basement when I moved out here. I guess an aunt of my mother painted it and I had it hanging in the basement where I record, but have given it time now over the mantle the last two days. I love it, the others here? Well, they tolerate it. So it shall stay for a pinch anyway.

I would not have thought that so early would seem so late so soon, but ther it be. I am thrilled to be here like this. Not much happens out here anyway. When I stayed up reading and e-mailering in the the city, I could watch people stumble and yell at each other and look out the second story window at 3am. Out here, well, not so much. Big step out is to organize recyling. I I love it strangely in ways and in ways it is driving me batty. See which hand calls the others bluff.

I am really looking forward to these two Blacksheep shows we are doing. I have been working on songs on my own and have not played anything outside of here except for two songs in a hotel room at 1am three weeks back. I sent out the songs yesterday to the gents so they could become somewhat familiar to the tales of talking trees and laughing leaves and drinking clumsy cottagers. Our Jeremy is in Iceland, so he will come to one rehearsal, but we will try out some of these this Sunday as some of you eat greasy food and watch 3 down football in a dangerous dome stadium that once lost a piece the size of a rail car. Recently maybe that even happened.

Well, that is my Wednesday, sleep well wherever you may be,

jim,

2008-11-13T12:52:00.003-05:00

Black Sheep Inn and Live Recordings:

Baby Papa life is really amazing and life at home is a real treat right now for me.

The 9th Annual Black Sheep Holiday shows are fast approaching and tickets are selling, so Sir Paul Symes says get 'em now.

Here is the info on it:
Jim Bryson's 9th Annual Blacksheep Inn shows.
Saturday Dec. 6th w/ Tusks (Samir Khan of Kepler)
Sunday Dec. 7th Matinee w/ Tanya Davis
$15 advance.
Get 'em at www.ticketweb.ca and possibly Compact Music.

One final note. Me and Da Kelp Records are working on having the live recordings from the 1st Baptist Church be available for the show.
This CD and Download "show only" limited run release is a 15 song set and offers lots of show favourites and a dash of rarely heard songs thrown in for good measure.
And worry not people, we have removed most of the banter ;)

That is the word, winter birds,

2008-10-25T13:22:00.006-04:00

Baby Come Home:

Well, well, well.

We have been home five days with little Beatrice and we are just thrilled.

Lisa is looking great and Bee is charming the socks off everyone she meets.

Tonight, I make a rare trip into the city to play a little OCFF un-official show in Room 1717 at 12:30pm. Shhhh, not supose to tell you.

Have a great weekend, we are about to host the lovely Draves / Swain family,

jim,

PS: Baby Bee seems very relaxed by Jim O'rourke's Eureka album today and it even got Lisa's mom dancing.

2008-10-22T08:56:00.002-04:00

Oh What Days:

Hello friends. What great and awesome weekend it was.

I am so happy to announce that Lisa gave birth to our first on Sunday October 19th at 4:32pm.

Beatrice Eileen Magnolia came racing out and at the handsome weight of 8.74 lbs.

Everyone got home late last night and mom is thrilled to be out of the fluorescent lighting.

Ah what an amazing time.

We even gave her a little blog so friends could have a look at her.

OCFF:

If all is well at home, I am playing a little hotel room showcase at the OCFF conference this weekend Saturday just after midnight at 12:30am.

Come say hello and watch me only talk about family life,

jim,

2008-10-17T11:53:00.002-04:00

Village Life:

Hi all. Just out here in 'burbs getting the house ready for the family addition.

Something I have noticed:

No one walks: I went walking yesterday on a beautiful afternoon and encountered ONE person over the course of 30 minutes.

In the Basement:
Music is slow in these times, but I have been working a fair amount at home with my little Apogee Duet making demo's. Loose plan to record this winter.

Lively:
I am scheduled to play at the OCFF next Saturday in the Ottawa Room at 12:30 in the late night alongside folks like Lynn Miles, Craig Cardiff, Kellylee Evans, Trevor Alguire, Meredith Luce, Andrea Simms-Karp, Peter Voith, Eric Vieweg, Sarah Hallman and others. See you there, if the baby life allows it.

Black Sheep Inn:
The Holiday shows are booked! Saturday Dec. 6th and Sunday Dec. 7th. Tucks will play the Saturday and Tany Davis will play the Sunday. Paul says tickets are already selling well, so go get 'em!

Also, if everything works out, I will have a "show only" CD for sale up there at that Black SHeep Inn. It is a recording of the 1st Baptist show from last February and it is possibly titled "BOO". Rob Hinchly is working on some hand made covers and Jarret Bartlett and I are mxing it in the coming weeks.

Well, that is the word, nerd,

jim,

2008-09-24T15:12:00.002-04:00

Big Pink:

I feel silly in saying, but I had to look on the internet to check if it even was the right house.

After some fine directions though from folks at the Woodstock radio station, WDST, it turns out we did indeed find our way to Big Pink.

For more info on this infamous house, read about it HERE. Dad, this means you!

Tour Manager Tom Brown is very upset as he was not with us.

It was a last minute choice to take the drive. Very sorry Tom!!!

Anywho, we are in that part of the world to start a tour tonight with the Indigo Girls.

Last splash of travel for a while for me. I shall fade from like the season soon,

jim,

2008-09-18T22:49:00.002-04:00

Short lived Confusion:

Life back here where I have not lived for half my life is going good, but strange things do occur.

Today, for instance, we went for a little lunch to divide up my TAX binge I am on to get my multi-year fall back up to date.

The server called me by name (and Jimmy at that) to stop me from condementing an already condimented sandwich situation.

I was totally confused and Lisa just laughed as I looked confused for the rest of lunch.

Problem: What I could not do is ask the person who they were because, having said my name, they would force me to be the dork that remembers no-one.

Solution: Do what any smart new re-villager would do: call the fireman! Immediately after I got home, I called my friend who knows most things when I ask him.

Problem solved!

Now back to my taxes, the letter's scare me!

jim,

2008-09-12T15:51:00.002-04:00

Nova Scotia Monday:

Hi all.

Quick note.

I will be opening for Kathleen Edwards on Monday evening at the Seahorse Tavern in Halifax. I do believe it is sold out, but still worth mentioning.

Everything looks better as a listing, so......

Kathleen Edwards / Jim Bryson
Monday September 15th
Seahorse Tavern.
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
8pm show time.

We are also going to Toronto to play at the Dakota Tavern for a War Child benefit. Not sure how you get into that one either.

I am in Kansas where the storm will be soon after our departure I hear.

All is well with me. Working on songs and working on the house (well not now).

Ok, see that photo up there. That is Lauren smiling in the photo and why do I know that? Cause she e-mail saying she saw me take the photo and would I send it to her.

Now have a great weekend,

jim,

2008-09-05T19:09:00.003-04:00

Dinner Sold Out. Show $20:

Ok friends, word from Mr. Vardy is that the $120 dinner is sold out.

But the good news is the concert portion can hold more folks.

So bring yourself and a $20 bill if you want to do this.

Have a great weekend!

jim,

2008-09-04T00:08:00.002-04:00

Up with the Ducks:

Hi all.

I am heading up to the Mariposa Farms to play a great food and music event.

It is called RENDEZ-VOUS MARIPOSA and it features:

Food Stuff w/ Steve Vardy

Baking Stuff with Charlotte Langley

Beer Stuff through Beau's

Music Stuff is where I come in along with my super duo partner Jake Bryce.

Here are the details:

RENDEZ-VOUS MARIPOSA: September 6, 2008 starting at 6:00 p.m.
$ 125/person
Including taxes and service
Tickets sold in advance only.
Reserve now with a credit card.
(613) 673-5881
Rain or shine.

RENDEZ-VOUS MARIPOSA is organized
in partnership with OPERATION GO HOME.
This Ottawa based organization is dedicated to help kids to reintegrate their family. Each ticket sold for RENDEZ-VOUS MARIPOSA will benefit OPERATION GO HOME.

Very excited to see our good friend Steve!

jim,

2008-08-30T12:01:00.002-04:00

Labouring Through the Days:

Happy weekending friends.

In Washington State with Kathleen to play at Bumpershoot and I have a situation.

To eat great food or to see Band of Horses tonight? Both you say, hmmm, timing.

What to do?

Tell me, tell me!

Ok. See that photo up there? That was taken at the Regina Folk Festival. I was talking about the Bay on stage and how I needed socks (I love the Bay for socks) and Sheridan Polinsky done went and bought me socks. What a great gift indeed. Thanks Sheridan. Did I mention that that there festival was the best time I had this summer at a festival. It is an real great one indeed.

Ok, get out of the house and go to your cottage or find someone with one and done get up to it.

Over rovers,

jim,

2008-08-23T13:25:00.002-04:00

Have a Great Weekend:

Here's hoping you are at the cottage this weekend,

jim,

Mmmmm, the sound of summer: Listen Here

2008-08-21T21:15:00.002-04:00

The Porchlight Chronicles:

Hi all.

Well, life is moving on out here in the fringes.

Once upon a time in Canadiana, my mother worked for a car dealership that had the motto "Just Beyond The Fringe"! Pretty ok handle I think.

So tonight after Lisa went off to work and Jim Walker came over to size up the mini bathroom reno we are attempting tomorrow and after having a small dinner, I decided to have a beer on the proch and write a psting here. But then at the last minute (well half way through the can) I remembered I was gong to go out jogging. So there I was was, beer in hand, relaxation of the evening a time off my day life, which entails much time off, a bemused look on my face.

After a slight pondering of the merrit of jogging, off I went beer in hand (ok, beer out of hand and put away for future enjoyment). A short jog of 8k by marathon standards, but a good quick out in the town and back in the dark. Lots of bored teenagers out ther in late summer. In our tme, we would sit and wait for some kind person at the Hazeldean Mall LCBO to buy us some warm blue or a box of wine so we could wander a bit with a summer buzz.

Well, that is the new of the day from here on the porch.

I was thinking of trying an adventure of taking the 96 out at 10pm from Stittsville and seeing how long it takes to get downtown.

Hmmm, maybe some other time,

jim,

PS: These are my feet in the kitchen in the place we used to live wearing pants I gave away to my friend Rob in Arnprior. Now that is all for sure.

2008-08-18T23:39:00.002-04:00

The Sad Soon End of Summer:

Here is Ottawa, even far out where I am on the fringes, the beginning of the Super Ex is a sure sign that the leaves will soon fall. I missing some of summer at home with some great shows and travels. I am thrilled to be home for August though.

August is perhaps even my favorite month. Good fresh food from down the road and everything in bloom.

What is new in my world?

My goodness, I had a real wing dinger of a time at the Regina Folk Festival. One of our country's fine fine events for sure.

Played this past weekend here at our own fine Ottawa Folk Festival with Catherine MacLellan. Stuck around for a great Odetta show as well.

Then I got lost out in the past-the-burbs streets I guess I do not really know anymore.

Right now I confess, most of life revolves around home and getting things working and altered and presentable for life out here.

That is word, bird!

Hoping also that the cat stops outwitting these birds,

I think there are some new photo's in the section up there on the top. Click there

All the best,

jim,

2008-08-07T01:05:00.005-04:00

Belly of the Sea. Lisa in Nova Scotia. July 2008.

Hello Regina!

Hi All, I cannot find my camera cable. I cannot find much right now.

We just moved and everything is missing somewhere in a box.

I spent my day with Ol' Geddes sanding a room's worth of hardwood and tonight I stained it. I could have used some Holmes on Homes advice, but I sorted it I guess.

I am going looking for the camera cable now!

Showingly:

I have a really exciting weekend coming up at the Regina Folk Festival: A workshop with John Sampson and Old Man Leudicke, a solo show, a show with the Weakerthans and ashow with Kathleen.

Man alive, I am looking for to it.

Sappy Good Fun:

Oh yes also, thanks so much to Paul and John and Julie out at the wonderful Sappyfest.

I was a splendid good time. Jesse Baird stepped in with no knowledge of my music and Jenny Omnichord joined in.

What good fun it all was.

Alas, now I am domestically sorting out this out of city living we are now doing.

Good day from out here,

jim,

2008-07-30T02:50:00.005-04:00

A Sappy Post Moving Regina Type Thing:

Quick note as I juggle moving with stripping floors and walls and staring at the ceiling wondering what in the world I am doing.

I am playing the lovely Sappy-fest this weekend in Sackville, NB.

I play at the Last Chance for a Summer Romance Main Stage Tent on Friday Evening

Please visit this here site for the details: HERE

In other festival type news, I have a great and busy schedule coming up for the Regina Folk Festival.

I am playing with the Weakerthans and Kathleen Edwards as well as playing twice on my own and even singing perhaps with the Choir Practice.

Check out the schedule HERE

One last note, thanks to our friends working on beer scale for helping with the fixing of things out in the fringes.

Summer me on,

jim,

2008-07-19T23:17:00.003-04:00

Halifax'n:

A quick hello from Halifax. John K Sammy took this photo of Lisa in the trailer that hid her from the humidity.

Nice times and good travels going on. I am not sure what I last said here, but I simply wanted to check in and say hey ho from here.

Here comes the change,

jim,

2008-07-07T13:51:00.002-04:00

Running and the Blues:

Hi all. Summer is here, I am home and the hot weather jogging is taking it's toll already.

I just had a great weekend playing with the Weakerthans in Quebec City and at the Bluesfest. In Quebec City, I also got a chance to see a few songs from Van Halan. Hilarious. Amazing crowd in Ottawa too last night for the post "Snoop" set.

Running with Queries:

Why is it I feel great running one day and then feel like passing out the next time. What should I be eating prior? Running atleast 10k a run now and am about to start a half-marathon program through my running log site.

Any running suggests would be welcome

A World of Duo:

Over the last year, I have played in four separate duo combinations.

So for the Bluesfest, I am trying out playing with all the drummers I have duo'd with on stage at the same time. (with the exception of Jason Tait). Which means a solo show with four percussionists / drummers.

Come on by and see watch them shake rattle and roll.

Over rovers,

jim,

2008-06-25T10:24:00.002-04:00

Chewing the Haggis:

Mid chew up there of a fine haggis pie. We just spent a load of time in lovely Scotland. Our Paris show was cancelled so we heading north of Glasgow for a few days. True holiday like. Add to that all the time in Berlin and this has been a relaxed pace to say the least.

About to soundcheck here now in Manchester and seemingly in the home stretch now.

I will be back home in less than a week and then I prepare for lots of big change coming down the line. Lisa and I are moving out of the city late next month and we also are adding a young one to the world.

It is all very very exciting and thrilling for us.

So away we go into new adventures.

In Short:

New photo's up in the photo section from tour.

New shows will be up anyday. I am playing three festivals this summer. One close to home and two further from there.

Nice Blog mention HERE

In Shorter:

Bye for now,

jim,

2008-06-20T10:01:00.002-04:00

No Paris Pour Moi:

Some bad news, the Paris show has been cancelled and thus we will miss our lovely day off in this great city that has mostly eluded me over my life.

On the good side though, check out this boxing kangeroo: CLICK HERE

Gotsa love that, hope you are all well,

jim,

2008-06-18T14:00:00.002-04:00

The Double Dutch:

Ok, here we are in Holland and I am not even sure when I wrote last, but these things have happened:

1. I got either food poisoning or the stomach flu on the first day of tour. It was lovely, let me tell you. Four people, no now five, have had this on this tour. The bus of infection will soon be right and rid of it though, that is the promise.

2. Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Berlin: What a city, what a great time, what a great couple of days. Too much spending though.

3. Euro 2008: With this lovely European Cup right now, we have been in Euro cities during games and during times where their home countries are playing. It is amazing to be around it.

4. So many bicycles: OK Canada, get out of your cars and get on the two wheeler's. I could barely walk across the street with all the bicycles here in Holland.

5. Bless you Jeremy Gara: Young Jeremy Gara (just 30 this month) came all the over yonder here and whammo, we got a duo. We had a one night trio when Howe Gelb joined us in Aarhus, but the Youro Duo has been such a treat for me.

So to sumarize, I got sick, I felt better, I saw Berlin, We played some songs.

Here are the shows remaining on this trip:

june 18 groningen, ntld vera
june 19 amsterdam, ntld melkweg
june 20 den bosch, ntld W2
june 22 paris, fr alhambra
june 24 glasgow, uk king tuts
june 25 manchester, uk academy 3
june 26 belfast, uk auntie annies
june 27 dublin, ire whelans
june 29 birmingham, uk. TBA

take care all,

j,

2008-06-04T11:41:00.003-04:00

Hiya All:

I will be opening all of Kathleen Edward's European tour as well as playing in the band as per usual.

What does not kill me will make me hazy over details.

Her are the shows y'all:

june 11 oslo, norway john dee
june 14 aarhus, dk voxhall
june 16 berlin, germany frannz club
june 18 groningen, ntld vera
june 19 amsterdam, ntld melkweg
june 20 den bosch, ntld W2
june 22 paris, fr alhambra
june 24 glasgow, uk king tuts
june 25 manchester, uk academy 3
june 26 belfast, uk auntie annies
june 27 dublin, ire whelans
june 29 birmingham, uk. TBA

Photos:

Oh yeah, new photos yonder onder in the photo section.

Hope to see some smiling faces,

the .org

2008-05-13T19:45:00.003-04:00

Hi All:

Wow, two posts in a day. John Dinsmore took this photo up there.

As we walked into the Hotel Congress, John Coverntino (Giant Sand / Calexico) was loading his drums out from a video shoot.

Good looking truck,

jim,

2008-05-13T17:13:00.003-04:00

Hi:

In an effort to negotiate a better relationship with my own web-site, here I am updating my web-site with a greater frequency.

We are in Tucson, Howe is in Denmark, the Hotel Congress is our home for the day.

Hey, look up. There I be eating breakfast. Megan from the Last Town Chorus took that there photo you see.

Enjoy the day people of earth,

jim,

2008-05-12T18:58:00.002-04:00

Greetings from Santa Fe:

Here we be in Sante Fe and I feel pretty spoiled on a day like this. Went running in the thin mountain air and felt pretty tired 5 minutes in.

Tour is going good and we are pretty darn lucky to be in the places we have been. Aspen, Boulder and now Sante Fe.

Off to Tucson tomorrow but sadly Howe left for Denmark last week, so no hiya to Howe this time around.

In tour news, I will be opening the European dates of this tour, so I have to dust off my brain for songs soon.

That is the quick hello.

New photo, so click on the photo section and see us in day off action. I think out tour manager Tom look particularly seasoned.

Ok, off to the noise,

jim,

2008-04-28T15:02:00.006-04:00

Folkin' the Carleton. Photo by Ming Wu

Hi All:

Thanks to all the folks for coming out to all the Kelp shows. It was a wonderful way to spend half of my 4 days at home.

Off to Indiana now, see you all in June.

New photo's in the photo section, and I am sure the Kelp Records Flickr site will have many many photo's up soon as well.

Take care. It was so nice to be home even for a few days, I miss seeing friends I do,

jim,

2008-04-25T16:41:00.004-04:00

self photo attempt.

Kelp'n Around:

Hi all, Kelp weekend time. I am playing tomorrow afternoon at the Carleton Tavern at 5pm in a solo manner. I have not played any of my songs since the church show, so I must brush up in the AM for it.

Jon and Miche and I were on CBC Radio One today blabbing on about Kelp, have listen HERE

Letterman was awesome fun, you can watch it HERE

My parents even stayed up and watched.

Bye now,

jim,

Ok, having a late lunch at home, it has been weeks since I could do this, see you tonight at the Elmdale Tavern. I will be the one in the green jacket.

For more Kelp fun, take a post work web-visit over yonder way HERE

2008-04-22T01:07:00.003-04:00

the "denim emergency team" rescues me in NYC.

Letterman April 22nd:

Hi all, a quick hello to let you know I will be playing on Late Night with David Letterman this evening with Kathleen Edwards. Other guests include Helen Hunt and one Chris Russo. They call him the Mad Dog I think.

Tell me if my socks make me look old,

jim,

2008-04-18T17:06:00.001-04:00

Hi:

Well we are in Birmingham, Alabama. People are telling us to not walk anywhere after dark, but it seems pretty nice here to me.

Lots new in life and lots of good shows out here as well.
JOHN THE DRIVER:

Who is that in that photo up there you ask? Good question. That is our kind, kind driver John. He has many attributes that set him apart from other drivers.

1. He says yip-yip just like our friend Howe Gelb.

2. He collects old cars. He is currently driving a 1979 diesel Mercedes sedan. Kind of my dream car too if that trunk was a wagon hatch.

3. He once had an old MG that he would drive when he was underage. He would sneak out the car and drive it to school and then sneak it back in the garage and bak up on blocks. He also told me he would drive his girlfriend around Portland Oregon in it and they would have to hold the convertible roof latch or it would blow off.

4. These are the small details I learned by listening in on a early morning drive conversation between him and Colin. Oh yeah, he does not watch NASCAR, which is a real plus from our end too.

Ok, there you have it, a tour story from down here in the Talladaga region. Apparently 100,000's f folks will be in the region for the NASCAR this weekend. Seems like a good place to get a lunch in the face.

KELP WEEKEND:

See you all at KELP weekend. I will be playing lonely and solo and hopefully playing Chris Page's old Gretsch as all my equipment will be in Toronto.

Here is the Facebook Group for it: HERE I AM.

If you have any requests, let me know, it will be a loosey goosey affair and I would like to play some cover's too.

Bye for now,

jim,

2008-04-02T10:30:00.003-04:00

Oh Hi:

Here is my last many days in point form:

*I worry about the home team.

*We have been roling around the US playing and so far, so good.

*I liked not having a cel. phone with me for a week.

*Miche got me with his "broken ribs" yesterday .

*I went to Jeans Jeans Jeans (it was strange and slightly creepy).

*I could use a ride to Ottawa after the show with Kathleen if there are folks coming down to Ottawa after the show.

*I am heading home for slightly less than 24 hours and then off to Chicago.

*Sorry for the short post.

* Ok, that is the report.

*Bye.

jim,

2008-03-20T11:11:00.002-04:00

Quick Hello:

Oh, lots happening:

1. Back on tour with Kathleen: Fine times, read her blog for a more details description.

2. iBook Moment of silence: Most see buying a new computing as an exciting thing and it is, but I was not planning to have mine fizzle as it has. So please a moment of silence for the iBook G4.

3. No Exclaim: Sorry, but no shinny again for me this year. I will be in Toronto tomorrow night though cheering on our Bytowne Billionaires in their inaugural performance.

4. New Photo's: I have some new photo's up. Nothing actually exciting, but different from what was there.

5. Um, can't think, must eat Jeff's chickpea flour cakes...

Happy Eastering,

jim,

2008-03-10T19:52:00.002-04:00

We do the Switch of Life:

Well thanks to everyone who came to the shows around these here Ontario parts recently, it was a real great time. Thanks so much to Jeremy and Jake and Andy for providing me the ability to not have to stand and play solo and thanks again so much to the Ottawa town for an amazing experience there as well.

I now go into what they called temporary solo hibernation as I moved over to side and with great pleasure play again with my good friend Kathleen Edwards. Lots of touring and high jinx ahead.

A few new photo's are up here as well and if any one has photo's from any of these shows please send me some, it is tricky to take them from the stage.

Well, over and out and see you soon,

jim,

2008-02-26T14:54:00.003-05:00

Eagle Down, A.V. In:

I am very sad to report that Baby Eagle has had to pull out of the two shows this week after falling in Montreal and breaking his hand. He did an amazing job in Ottawa with Jessie Stein playing his guitar, but he has had to back out of these shows.

The young Andrew Vincent has offered to step in and he will be playing loads of new songs from his soon to be released record.

Sorry for those of who come to the show not reading this.

Thanks by the way to everyone for coming out to all the shows last week. Oh what a wonderful time it was. The Ottawa show was a real musical highlight of my life, I loved it soooo much.

OK, hope to see some of you this week too,

jim,

2008-02-18T16:47:00.002-05:00

Churches/ Halls / Clubs / Café’s / Killaloe

Hi all. I am writing with a quick note and reminder about the shows going on both solo and band and in between.

Ottawa:
There are still some tickets left for the First Baptist show here in Ottawa. I have been working on my Elton “singing piano man” routine for this show and it should be a fun evening all around. The full band of “Occasionals” will onboard and it may well be the only full band show we play in Ottawa this year as I head out on the road with Kathleen in support of her excellent new “Asking For Flowers” release.

Into The Valley:
Jake and I are also heading into the Valley this weekend for a couple of shows. First stop is Perth for a Stewart Park Festival fundraiser.
Sunday we rise and head over to Killaloe for a Sunday 4pm matinee. The radio station there is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary and they are doing some events around that.

Here are the listings:
Thurs. Feb. 21st: Le Cagibi. Montreal: 5490 St. Laurent 514.509.1199 w/ Baby Eagle
Fri. Feb. 22nd: 1st Baptist Church. Ottawa: Corner of Laurier and Elgin St. All Ages - 7pm doors - $20 advance w/ Baby Eagle
Tickets available at End Hits, Compact Music, Vertigo Records, www.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 613-755-1111
Co-presented by Ottawa Folk Festival and Kelp Records
Sat. Feb. 23rd: Civitans Hall. Perth. Stewart Park Festival Fundraiser. 8pm Duo show with Jacob Bryce
Sun. Feb. 24th: The Friendship Club. 12 Lake St. Killaloe. 4pm matinee Duo show with Jake Bryce.

Toronto and Next Week:
And while we are on the topic of shows, I am also going to Toronto, Guelph, Grafton and Waterloo next week.

Here are the details for those shows too:

Tuesday Feb. 26th: The Dakota Tavern. 249 Ossington Avenue. Toronto. (416) 850-4579. www.thedakotatavern.com. Solo show w/ Baby Eagle

Thurs. Feb. 28th: The Ebar. 41 Quebec Street, Guelph Ontario (519)821-3311. www.cfru.ca . CFRU presents w/ Baby Eagle and Richard Laviolette.

Fri. Feb. 29th: Lawless Gallery. 10831 Hwy 2. Grafton Ontario. 8pm Solo show w/ Rose Cousins. Info: finnan@eagle.ca. 905-349-3715

Sun. March 2nd: The Jane Bond. 5 Princess St. Waterloo, Ontario. 519.886.1689. Solo show w/ Andrew Vincent. www.janebond.ca

Well, thanks all, hope to see you at some of these shows,

Jim,

2008-02-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

Greeting from the Cold Wild West:

I left for Halifax with my Vancouver purchased coat on and I am now paying the price out here in the west. Only I seem to noticed the day's high yesterday of -36 with wind chill in Edmonton. In fact Mark Davis notes "it was so cold last week, this seem fine to me".

I, in fact, went to go parka shopping in Ottawa in Mid-January, but all the winter clothes were relegated. I met Don Boudria while looking and he agreed. I even suggested I would buy his old parka, to which he replied "only after I find a new one".

Shows with Shuyler are so far, so good and we head to Calgary today. My attempt to watch Sen's / Hab's game might be de-railed with the Oiler's / Flame's game on at the same time. The Mayor of Calgary, Lorrie Matheson finds this more than mildly amusing.

Enjoy your day and weekend everyone,

jim,

2008-01-27T23:26:00.000-05:00

Thanks Vinyl Cafe / To Halifax Goes I:

Thanks so much to Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe for both playing Firewatch this past week and for also reading part of Ken's Poem that the song both borrows title and words from. So kind, i think you.

I believe you can hear the show one more time this coming Tuesday evening at 11pm on CBC Radio One

Shows, Shows, Here are the Shows:

So there are a couple more shows updated and added, so what the hang, here is the whole list of Upcoming shows.

In The Dead of Winter Festival:
February 1st: In the Dead of Winter Festival. FRED 7pm song circle
February 2nd: In the Dead of Winter Festival: 8pm St. John's United Church w/ Jenn Grant Info HERE

Western Canada:
February 6th: Little Pictures Arts Preserve: Saskatoon w/ Shuyler Jansen
February 7th: Blue Chair Cafe: Edmonton w/ Shuyler Jansen - Info HERE
February 8th: Red Deer: Blue Dragon # 2 w/ Shuyler Jansen
February 9th: Calgary: Marquee Room w/ Shuyler Jansen - info HERE
February 10th: Calgary: 2 pm House concert. e-mail - jsymons@telus.net - for reservations
February 11th: Vancouver: The Media Club w/ Shuyler Jansen

Ontario / Quebec:
February 21st: Le Cagibi: Montreal w/ Baby Eagle
February 22nd: 1st Baptist Church, Ottawa w. Baby Eagle - Tickets HERE
February 23th: Perth Ontario: Solo Show - Stewart Park Fest. Fundraiser - Civitan Hall
Febrary 24th: SHOW TO BE ANNOUNCED ASAP.
February 26th: Dakota Tavern, Toronto w/ Baby Eagle - Info HERE
February 28th: E-bar, Guelph w/ Baby Eagle
February 29th: Lawless Gallery. Grafton, Ontario. w/ Rose Cousins
March 2nd: Jane Bond. Waterloo , Ontario w. Andrew Vincent- Info HERE

You Tubin':

Here is nice mellow version of Clear the Crowds from the Kingston show with Jake.

Thank you to Matt Hartwick for taking lots of photo's and putting up these videos.

Ok, all, have a great week, I am off east this week,

2008-01-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

Summer socks beat the winter blues!

Vinyl Cafe This Weekend:

Hello inter-web friends. Exciting radio news.

Firewatch will be played on CBC Radio's Vinyl Cafe this weekend.
Stuart will first read Ken Babstock's poem of the same name and of which the song take many of it's words.

Listen online or in a terrestrial manner. For all things VINYL CAFE, go HERE !

I believe to be the first time being played on the show. I real honor indeed!!!

One last note. Thank you fine people of Kingston, that show was a fun as music gets. So enjoyable. Thanks to you all.

One real last note: Kathleen is singing the Canadian National anthem at this Sunday's NHL All Star game. Pretty amazing eh?

Ok, no more last notes, have a great weekend,

jim,

2008-01-09T14:36:00.000-05:00

To Kingston I go. On with the Shows!!!!

Hi hi hi. Here is a new version of the last update. The weather has finally winterized after pretending to be September.

A couple of quick notes of interest:

Shows:

Here are a bunch of shows that I have coming up in the next month or so. More also to be listed, but this is what is going on so far:

Some are with Baby Eagle, starting next Friday evening at the wonderful grad Club in Kingston, some are with Shuyler Jansen out west, two are with Rose Cousins and one with Jenn Grant.

Ok, here the are:

January 18th: The Grad Club Kingston w/ Baby Eagle - Info HERE
February 1st: In the Dead of Winter 7pm song circle
February 2nd: In the Dead of Winter: 8pm St. John's United Church w/ Jenn Grant Info HERE

Western Canada:
February 6th: Little Pictures Arts Preserve: Saskatoon w/ Shuyler Jansen -
February 7th: Blue Chair Cafe: Edmonton w/ Shuyler Jansen - Info HERE
February 8th: Red Deer: Blue Dragon # 2 w/ Shuyler Jansen
February 9th: Calgary: Marquee Room w/ Shuyler Jansen - info HERE
February 10th: Calgary: House concert (details coming).NEW LISTING.
February 11th: Vancouver: The Media Club w/ Shuyler Jansen

Ontario / Quebec:
February 21st: Cafe Cagibi: Montreal w/ Baby Eagle
February 22nd: 1st Baptist Church, Ottawa w. Baby Eagle
February 23th: Perth Ontario: Solo Show - Stewart Park Fest. Fundraiser - Civitan Hall
Febrary 24th: SHOW TO BE ANNOUNCED ASAP.
February 26th: Dakota Tavern, Toronto w/ Baby Eagle - Info HERE
February 28th: E-bar, Guelph w/ Baby Eagle
February 29th: Lawless Gallery. Grafton, Ontario. w/ Rose Cousins
March 2nd: Jane Bond. Waterloo , Ontario w. Andrew Vincent- Info HERE

Something to Look at: Photos:

So, thanks to the marvel of modern technology, the photo section will now be linked to Flickr.
For a preview of how it shall look, click HERE

The link buttons on the site itself are not switch over, but go a head and have a looksie.

What Else?

Curling, jogging, wine, whining, worrying, wondering, then... more wine, less whining,

jim,

2007-12-26T20:59:00.000-05:00

Quick Holiday Blog:

Hello, A quick holiday hello wishing you and yours all the best. I know, it is boxing day, but I have a minute and Lisa and Dad are deeply entranced in the latest CBC Ms. Marples here in the 'Ville.

Have great time doing whatever you all get around to doing and thanks everyone so much for a really terrific year of playing music.

The final Winnipeg shows were amazing and it has been such a rewarding year of playing music.

See you soon I hope,

jim,

2007-12-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

Big Show Announcement:

I am am excited to announce an Ottawa "in town" show. It marks the first time outside of festivals that we/I will be playing in Ottawa proper since 2004. I am super thrilled about this one.

Presented by Revolution Rock, tickets are on sale this Friday and are on on a special "pre-sale" tommorow and Thursday through this link HERE

This will be a real special show for all of us I feel, taking place in the wonderful First Baptist Church where I first met Howe Gelb and where Howe discovered the Voices of Praise (just a little inside story for you). The show is also All Ages so bring the family if you like.

Steve Lampky of the Constantines will be on board for the show as well. We are acutally putting together a small run of shows together arouind this time that will also include a small Toronto theatre show as well as stops in Montreal, Guelph, Waterloo, Kingston and couple of other.

Stay tuned for all the other show announcements in the next couple of weeks.

Here are the show details:

Jim Bryson
w/ Baby Eagle (Steve Lampky of the Constantines)
Friday February 22nd
7pm
1st Baptist Church
Ottawa, Ontario
All Ages
Pre-sale tickets HERE

Thank You:

Hi all. Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the Black Sheep on Friday. I have moments where the jetlag overwhelmed me, but it was really a wonderful evening and it always blows me away that everyone makes the trek. So thank you so much.

Two More Shows for 2007:

Only two more show for year 2007 for me sadly. One with Stepehen Carroll at the Time's Change this Friday and then the big show openning and playing with the Weakerthan's this Saturday at the Burton Cummings Theatre

More Thanking of Folks:

Thanks so, so very much to everyone who has made this year such a special one for me. The list is long and I fear missing someone on it, so please know how much all of you out there have helped and how much it has meant to me. The little train that might Kelp Records is a amazing little family to be a part of. Same goes for the Saved By Vinyl cousins out in the 403 area code.

Ok, happy holiday's off to Winnipeg in a few days,

jim,

2007-12-11T09:23:00.000-05:00

Birdbrain? Jason Tait in Venice

Added Weakerthans Shows / Other Stuff:

Hiya all. Word on the street is that the Black Sheep is almost SOLD OUT, so if you are wanting to go, you should read further down for all the ticket / bus info.
Shows Other Places:

I am in Zurich tonight playing and opening for the Weakerthans and then again tomorrow in Brussels.

Here are the shows:

11 Tue: Zurich, ZU - Abart [ ticket info ]

12 Wed: Brussels , - VK Vaartkapoen [ ticket info ]

21 Fri: Winnipeg, MB - Time's Change Cafe
22 Sat: Winnipeg, MB - The Burton Cummings Theater [ ticket info ]

Times Change:

In addition to playing and supporting at the Burton Cummings Theatre with the Weakerthans on the 22nd of December, I am also playing a solo set before Stephen Carroll the evening before at the Time's Change Cafe in Winnipeg.

Here are those shows now:

21 Fri: Winnipeg, MB - Time's Change Cafe
22 Sat: Winnipeg, MB - The Burton Cummings Theater [ ticket info ]

The New Year:

What about the future? I am currently hard at work putting together in Ontario and Quebec with Baby Eagle and hopefully Winnipeg west with Shuyler Jansen.

Some things are coming together and there will be announcements here hopefully within a week.

Thanks All:

Thanks so much to the Weakerthan's and Cam and Danny and Akki and Autumn and everyone else on these great tours I have been a part of over the last three months. We may be all quite tired, but it has been such an amazing time. Thank you so much!!!

See ya Friday my Bytown friends,

jim,

2007-12-05T08:36:00.000-05:00

Black Sheep Inn Show Bus:

Hi All.

I am in Germany still, but after stops still in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium, I will return home next Thursday night for a rehearsal with the gents before our show next Friday at the Black Sheep Inn.

The Bus News:

The bus IS running and here is how it works.

Departs: Dominion Tavern at 8pm sharp
Returns: Leaves the Black Sheep Inn after the show at 12:30am.
Cost: $10 and does not include show admission.
Reservations: please e-mail info@kelprecords.com ASAP to get on board.
Show Tickets: At both Compact Music Location or at THIS link for Ticketweb.

In Other News:

Good luck to Andy Swan this week at his release shows for his amazing "Ottawa" album. You will love it, it is awesome.

See you all next week,

jim,

2007-12-02T13:17:00.000-05:00

I Almost Forgot to Link to This:

So in June, David Myles and I went on the "Let's Get Baked" radio show in Halifax. We had an awesome time and we made Tofu Scramble. It is now up for you ears to hear.

Check it out: HERE.

Thanks so much to Matt and Dave for hosting us.

A funny aside, David Myles, always on the hunt for a bargain, bought a huge 99cent discounted sandwich at the store just prior and was borderline ill the whole time we recorded this episode.

All to save a buck.

Anyway, that is enough posting for this day,

jim,

2007-12-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

Canadian Folk Awards:
Well, the Canadian Folk Awards are tonight and I am in Heidelberg Germany. Here is a nice piece that Brad Ferrence wrote for the National Post.

Good luck to everyone tonight, you can read the piece HERE.

2007-11-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

Bremen:

Cam is just so gosh darn excited about his German meal he is about to enjoy in Bremen. You can see it in his eyes.

Wakefield Bus:

The bus for the show is all getting sorted, thank you for your e-mail concerning it, just hold on a few days and it should be sorted by Monday.

Photo's:

More new photo's up at Flickr, link to those HERE... In the coming weeks, the photo section will be updated and be running in-line with the photo on Flickr, but for now....

That is all:

Really just wanted to post this photo of Cam and say hello... over rovers,

jim,

2007-11-28T18:49:00.000-05:00

Weakerthans to Buy Tampa Bay Lightning:

In a "sure to hit the news wire" story, The Weakerthans have begun preliminary discussions to purchase the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Band spokesman Stephen Carroll has neither confirmed nor denied the story, leaked by www.baysports.com this morning.

When pushed, Carroll only would say "We cannot confirm, but I will say, if the band was to buy a hockey team like this, we would not be motivated by the desire to move them to Winnipeg. This is not a plot".

Oh Yeah, CBC All In a Day

In other .org news, I was interviewed from far, far away in Munster, Germany regarding the upcoming Canadian Folk Awards. You can have a listen as of tomorrow over HERE

Just listening to the Senators pre-game show on-line, make me feel almost home,

jim,

2007-11-24T10:05:00.000-05:00

photo: Steve Left

Live at Leeds:

Well the Who I am not, but "Live at Leeds" I am today none the less.

Just enjoyed a Veggie food fair at the Marriott and had a walk around the downtown here. It seems like a very populated place.

Last night show in Manchester was great fun and there were even Canadian hockey jersey's there and someone who yelled "As it Happens" to me during my mini opening set.

It is cold here, but no snow like back home.

Hey, look up there, my friend Steve Left took a great photo while visiting in Kingston. He even brought me a gift. What a darling man.

Kingston BTW had airport like security to get into the show. Must be the volatile Weakerthans fans that come out to start trouble.

One other point. Last night we went to a bar that was in a converted street toilet. Strange days indeed!!!

OK, time for sound check. See you all at the Black Sheep on the 14th.

E-mail me if you would like to be the bus Captain, gets you in the shows free...

jim,

2007-11-21T14:08:00.000-05:00

Holiday Show Announcement:

Greeting from rainy London. King's Cross Road. I have not ventured far quite yet, but soon will. Back on Tour with the Weakerthans openning now after some fine, fine times in the US with the In The Dead of Winter crew.

Here are the shows I am opening in the UK for the Weakerthans:

Nov. 22 Thu: Kingston, UK - New Slang [ ticket info ]

Nov. 23 Fri: Manchester, UK - Academy 3 [ ticket info ]

Nov. 24 Sat: Leeds, UK - Cockpit [ ticket info ]

Nov. 25 Sun: London, UK - Mean Fiddler [ ticket info ]

Nov. 26 Mon: Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg [ ticket info ]

Black Sheep Holiday Show:

Here is the official word on the Black Sheep Holiday Special (version 7.0). It is happening on Friday December 14th and the lovely Andy Swan will be opening. We are trying something new this year from our end. The band is rehearsing without me (I am in Europe until the 13th) and hopefully will throw a few curve balls my way. It is kind of like being in the band and in the audience all at the same time.

We will try to run a bus as well, but currently need a bus captain. let me know if you would like this troubling task. You get in the show free if you Captain.

Cpt. Milburn is out of town.

Here are the details:

Jim Bryson's Holiday Jetlag Special
w/ Andy Swan
Friday December 14th
Black Sheep Inn
Wakefield, PQ
8pm Doors

For Advance Ticket info, please go HERE

For bus, details, please stay tuned. Bus DOES NOT include show admission. I was told to make this clear.

Hope you are all having an awesome time,

jim,

2007-11-11T23:10:00.000-05:00

Ok, Back Home, Then Back to the US of EH:

Do not ask me why I was watching, but tonight on America's Funniest Home Video's, Pavement's "Cut You Hair" was the soundtrack to a series of "hair gags".

Strange indeed, more so even than hearing good bands advertising questionable products.

Back to the USA:

So here are the listing for the In The Dead of Winter US songwriter tour.

Thanks so much to Heather and Don for working so hard on all of this for us.

All aboard and off we go, should be a great time with Jill Barber, Jenn Grant, David Myles, Old Man Leudecke, Tanya Davis and Catherine MacLennan.

Here they is:

Nov. 13th: Club Passim: Boston (I play on the 9:30pm set).
November 14th: The Living Room: New York, NY. (I play the 10:45 slot with Jill Barber)
November 17th, 2007 Doylestown, PA - Puck Live (I play on the 8:30pm set).
November 18th: WXPN World Cafe Live: Philadelphia, PA (I play on the 7pm set).

Sets are broken up in a variety of ways on the different nights, so check out the web-link HERE to see the what up on the what up.

And lastly before I go to bed, thanks to all the kind people in the US of Eh who came early to the Weakerthans shows and listened to my version of a show. It was an exceptionally enjoyable tour and the NYC masks and the DC heckler were awesome.

Take care all,

jim,

2007-11-01T03:16:00.000-04:00

Very Quick Hello:

Life is good, the tour is going great and I am tired and going to bed.

I thought I would post a photo of some stage guests from NYC last night. I got free animal masks with my hat purchase and you can see them on two of the "L'Orchestre Des Oeuf"(SP?).

One more show to go tomorrow (Boston) before returning to Canada, returning to the side and having Lisa join us on the bus for a night.

Jason and I went to Mario Batali's Otto tonight for dinner. I booked it from Brooklyn in a frighteningly fast cab to just get there in time.

Afterwards, we watched the New York Halloween parade down 6th Avenue from a four story fire escape. Awesome day despite my late start to it.

Sleep well my friends,

jim,

2007-10-22T00:59:00.000-04:00

Oh My, So Much To Tell You:

OK, let me keep this concise. No Rambling, no wandering...

Canadian Folk Awards Nomination:

Thanks to fine people collectively responsible for the Canadian Folk Award nomination I receiveed this past week!!!
Where The Bungalows Roam has been nominated the Best Contemporary Folk Album category for 2007.
The awards are handed out on December 1st, but I will be far away in Europe with the Weakerthans.
I can send someone in my absence though. Hmmm???

Here are all the nominee's and categories: Canadian Folk Awards Site

Weakerthans US / UK/ European Tour:

Starting this Wednesday in Detroit I will be opening as well as playing with the Weakerthans for the next run of Dates. Jason and I are planning some sort of duo, but that will unfold as the shows get rolling. Also joining on much of this is the wonderful The Last Town Chorus.
As well, in November I will be opening some UK and European shows as well. Fun, fun, fun in the late October sun.

Here are the Shows:

October:

24 Wed: Detroit, MI - Magic Stick [ ticket info ]

25 Thu: Chicago, IL - The Metro AA [ ticket info ]

26 Fri: Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop AA [ ticket info ]

27 Sat: Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls Theatre AA [ ticket info ]

28 Sun: Washington, DC - 9:30 Club AA [ ticket info ]

29 Mon: Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theatre AA [ ticket info ]

30 Tue: New York, NY - Webster Hall 16+ [ ticket info ]

November:

01 Thu: Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club 18+ [ ticket info ]

22 Thu: Kingston, UK - New Slang [ ticket info ]

23 Fri: Manchester, UK - Academy 3 [ ticket info ]

24 Sat: Leeds, UK - Cockpit [ ticket info ]

25 Sun: London, UK - Mean Fiddler [ ticket info ]

26 Mon: Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg [ ticket info ]

In The Dead Of Winter Tour:

In mid-November a group of song singer writers will head out to the North Eastern US for a few shared stage shows. I will join the likes of Jill Barber, Jenn Grant, Royal Wood, David Myles and others for a few select shows.

Here they is, please come out to one if you live in the area:

Nov. 13th: Club Passim: Boston November 14th: The Living Room: New York, NY. November 17th, 2007 Doylestown, PA - Puck Live November 18th: WXPN World Cafe Live: Philladelphia, PA

Flickr Photo's: New:

There are new photo's up on the flickr site, so head on over: Jim' Flickr Site

And Lastly: Thanks Kate:

Thank you mucly to Kate Cavan for all the help with my My Space page last week. Greatly appreciated indeed.

Ok, off to bed, I am staying up far too late these days,

jim,

2007-09-27T04:47:00.000-04:00

Real Post Soon...I Promise:

The short version. Boy goes to Ireland, has an amazing time with Josh Ritter, then takes the train to Cork and meets up with Howe Gelb. He then takes the train back to Dublin to play, thanks Kelly Jansen very much for the amazing accomodations. and joins up with Howe and crew and flies to Bristol. In Brisol they all have a lovely meal with John Parrish and in the morning take the train once more to Dorset for the End of The Road Festival. Festival is amazing and boy gets lost driving with Sally, who apologizes far too much for it. The whole getting lost allows everyone in the car to see the area in a way they never would have. It rains on and off all day in Dorset, but the estival is amazing, the show is amazingly fun, Yo La Tengo is amazing, Howe plays with John Paul Jones and everyone shivers while waiting for rides to be sorted. Molly and Sofia are so sweet and put on such a good festival and whiskey warms everyone up. Steve Left drives a car load to their place of where they stay and I say good bye to everyone. Morning offers a brief chance to see the beautiful Shaftsbury and after a "walk about" boy heads back home but not before missing a flight and staying over night in Toronto.
Home you say? Not there long (one day) before travelling down the road to Toronto to meet up and rehearse with the Weakerthans and leave for tour.
This is what bring us to now, here just outside of Denver, two shows in and all is well and fine with all aboard thus far.
This completes the abbreviated version of a much more lengthy short period of time that has been immensely satisfying.
Hope all is with you everyone wherever you may be,

jim,

2007-09-06T08:10:00.000-04:00

Galway, then Away:

Thanks so much to David O'Grady not only for the shows, but for the room at the lovely Radisson SAS here in Galway. Complimentary breakfast included, although I slept yesterday until noon, thus missing it.

I came downstairs yesterday after my sleep to find a freind Mark Ryan checking in. Mark travelled on our last Kathleen trip here in Europe and he is an awesome fellow and always so very helpful. He got me rocking the D.I. / amp duo for my acoustic, which adds some punch when you are folking it up.

Last nights show was amazing really. I had no idea what the room would be like and everyone listened and went along with my discombobulation and side roads I took during the set. It was awesome and thanks to kind folks of Galway for being amazing to play for.

Today, I take the train to Dublin to stay with friends of Kelp honcho JB Bartlett. No show until Saturday, so I am leaving the hotel very late and taking a late afternoon train.

Tonight I will go see Minnesota singer Charlie Parr and tomorrow I have no plan, so if anyone has suggestions.....

OK, off to get this day going,

jim,

September 3rd…er 4th Now:

The third flight did it. Not sleeping on the overnight and then falling asleep at a table surrounded by bar patrons was all fine and well. It is now, being woken on a flight by my pant leg and half my foot being soaked in a mans spilt drink. That is my defining enroute moment thus far and really only a drag cause I was sleeping so well on this flight.

Enough of my complaints, the Josh Ritter / Howe / race home to be Weakerthan trip has begun and despite a wet leg and sock and tried eyes, I am pretty peachy keen out here playing again.

Time permitting, a quick Dublin airport Guinness. Howe has mentioned how good it will be have it and I kind of ruined it with my pre-bar sleep average Gatwick airport pint. Made the table nap good though.

What else, what else? The very tall and thin woman has a very tall and thin European accent.

That is my report from. On the flights here, they have advertising over the speakers during the flight.

Well, back to sleep, with a bag on my foot,

jim,

2007-09-03T21:36:00.000-04:00

Waiting Makes you Stronger (or at least restless):

Quick note. Hello, I am waiting for my second of four flights in the next day, but at the end of it I will be in Galway and I will have a Guinness and I will play music. It is a good life some days.

I am in an airport with the wireless reading archives of American Elf. It is a daily strip by James Kolchalka and it is well worth the visit. His books are available from Top Shelf.

Ok, watching the Us Open as well.

My dad will ask me all about this American Elf I suspect...

READ ME!!!

I wanted before I forget to thank so, so, very much Jake and Peter and Lomow and Draves and Andy McCormick for being a part of the finest summer of playing music I have ever experienced.

I just loved it so much, all the shows and rehearsals and everything. You guys are terrific and I really appreciate you coming around and playing these songs with me!!!

See you all somewhere and soon, enjoy the last days of summer.

jim,

2007-08-27T15:59:00.000-04:00

NYC: July, 2007

Hello Late August:

Well, summer is winding down here in Ontario technically, but we have been having really great breezy warm days as of late. Lots to report, so here it goes.

CBC Radio 3:

Thanks so everyone for the kind words about my CBC Radio 3 debut last Friday on Sirius channel 94. Our Sirius car radio went down for two days and thus I did not hear it , but I appreciate the kind words from folks over the last couple of days. You are all such convincing liars.

Ireland and the UK:

I am off next Monday to support Josh Ritter for a couple of shows in Galway and Dublin and to play at least one there with Howe Gelb as well. I am thrilled to be doing both really, such wonderful opportunities to play music with great people. I am going to take a train up and hang out with Howe in Cork and then come back down and play the Howe "mini-fest" with Lonna Kelly and Kate Maki.

After the Irish eyes smile on down, we are all together going over to the UK for a great festival called the End of the Road Festival. It was Mojo's 2006 new festival of the year and the line-up is amazing.

Here are the shows as I know 'em:

Sept. 5th: Roisin Dubh: Galway, Ireland
(Opening for Josh Ritter)

Sept. 8th: Tripod: Dublin, Ireland
Opening for Josh Ritter)

Sept. 11th: Cork, Ireland
Hanging out with Howe, might play a song or two

Sept. 12th: The Village : Dublin, Ireland
(W/ Howe Gelb, Lonna Kelly, Kate Maki)

Sept. 14th : - End of the Road Festival : Dorset, UK
(8:45pm: Bimble Inn Stage)

Weakerthans:

In what could be called a fine ending to a surreal week, I got a call last week asking me to play in the Weakerthans for their upcoming tour of Canada, the USA and Europe. Tough to say no to such fine fellas' and such, I have said yes.

This does mildly alter some solo plans, but I will be opening some shows and working hard in January and February on loads of solo stuff.

Well, that is all from around here, hope you all have a terrific end to your summer and be safe,

jim,

2007-08-22T00:28:00.000-04:00

I Have Lots to Report: Just Hold on a Few Days!!!

Hi everyone in late summer land. I have lots news to report, I promise. Just hold a few days and I will tell you.
It will change most likely change the landscape of my year and how things shake down, so check back soon.

For now, I am going on a mini tour with Josh Ritter in Ireland and I am playing the End of the Road Festival and Dublin with Howe Gelb.

This much I know to be true, Talk to you soon,

jim,

jim,

2007-08-07T22:40:00.000-04:00

Where has Summer Gone?

It has been a while since I wrote and summer is slipping away as we barrell through August. Lots to report here, so I now present a review of time past and then a preview of things to come.

New York and Boston:

Lisa and I had a great "food tour" of New York City and Boston a week and bit back. I also played two very fun fun shows. Thanks so much to Dave Godowsky and Pete Harris from Harris Radio for having me and I'm excited to be going back to the US in the fall. Stay tuned for that.

Blue Skies:

Thanks so much to Christine Graves and everyone else who treated us so amazing this past weekend. We all had such an awesome time and this last night photo, taken very late, shows Joey Wright, Lisa and I enjoying some site cruising.

Thanks also to the Stewart park festival which also was a wonderful event and one we loved playing.

Flickr:

Loads of recent photo's up on the Flickr Page for everyone to check out. Not sure when you were last over, but I have put up NYC and Boston and will have Blueskies and other instances of messing about there today.

And now the Future:

Things on the horizon are pretty exciting.

BBC " The World":

While in Boston I recorded and interview with Andrea Crossan of the BBC "The World" program. The interview will be airing on NPR partner stations and can be heard after 6pm this evening online at www.theworld.org

Hootenany in Wolfe Island:

This weekend, I head back to the Hootenany fold at the Wolfe Island Music festival. I will be appearing with Luther and Jenny and Joey and Dan and also Julie Fader and Chris Brown.

Nathan and CBC Radio 3:

Next week, I am Toronto bound to open a soloesque show for Nathan at the Hugh's Room.

The morning after, I head straight to the CBC to record my first CBC Radio 3 guest hosting session.
I have never done this so I will be hitting up my CBC cronies for advice. Alan and Amanda, this means you!

Ireland and the UK:

September 5th is my take off date and one I am thrilled about. I have been asked to open American singer Josh Ritter's Irish shows. Only two shows, but great venues in great cities.
I am sticking around as well to play a very unique show with Howe Gelb, Kate Maki and Lonna Kelley. From there, Howe and the gang head to the End of The Road Festival in Dorset. A great free festival that wraps up the UK festival season, we have been all asked as special guests of Howe to perform on Friday September 14th.

More exciting fall news coming up very soon, so check back soon.

Ok, here are the listings:

Friday, August 10th
Wolfe Island Music Festival
Hootenanny Review
w/ Luther Wright, Jenny Whitely, Joey Wright, Dan Whitely,
Julie Fader and Chris Brown.

Wednesday August 15th
Nathan CD Release
Hugh's Room
2261 Dundas St. W
Toronto, Ont.
More information: HERE

Friday September 7th
Roisin Dubh,
Galway, Ireland
Supporting Josh Ritter

Saturday September 8th
Tripod
Dublin, Ireland
Supporting Josh Ritter

Wednesday, September 12th
The Village Venue
Dublin, Ireland
W/ Howe Gelb, Kate Maki & Lonna Kelley

Friday September 14th
The End Of The Road Festival
Dorset, United Kingdom
Howe Gelb Curated day
Featuring Yo La Tengo, John Doe, Midlake, and many others

Well, that is all for now my friends, I leave you with this amazing photo I just got sent from Blueskies.

What a great time life can be,

Blueskies Festival, August 5th, 2007

2007-07-24T14:59:00.000-04:00

Out of the Country I Go:

Call it a summer vacation, call it a mini tour, call what you may, but Lisa (roadie, hehe) and I are headed to Boston and New York City this week for a mix of music and holiday time.

Showingly:

Thanks so much to Pete Harris for the invite to perform at the 5th Anniversary of his Harris Radio program. It is all happening Sunday at the Rockwood Music Hall. I play at 6pm sharp.

Should be a terrific time and I am honoured and thrilled to be a part of it.

I am also playing a FREE early show at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge Mass on Thursday the 26th at 8pm. Thanks to Dave Godowsky for setting this show up fo me.

Doors are at 6:30 and Dave plays at 7pm and I play at 8pm

Click HERE for more info on the Lizard Lounge

Here are the shows in a listed manner:

Thursday July 26th (FREE)
Lizzard Lounge
1667 Mass Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts
(617)-547-0759
Door 6:30
8pm Set

Sunday July 29th
Harris Radio 5th Anniversary Party
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street
NY, New York
212.477.4155
6pm Set
This is one of the great small rooms of the city.
click HERE for more info

Lost in the Flood:

About three years ago my parents had a big flood in their basement. Family photo's and stuff were lost, altered and /or destroyed. I discovered when over there the last time in addition, most of the photos' that I had taken over the last almost 15 years were also damaged or destroyed. Such a drag, but the negatives are mostly ok, so I may slowly start to get the odd photo reprinted.

Summer Listening and Reading:

Thought I would share with you some listening and reading joys for this summer thus far:

1. Siruis Radio: I won one of these Sirius satelite radio's through CBC Radio 3 and have been loving driving around and listening to E! channel, Grant Lawrence, NPR and Classic Rewind, amounst many others.

2. Parts and Labor: Page got me on this and I am loving the Husker inspired goodness

3. Bob Dylan, Modern Times: I know, I know, but it sounds amazing and the 180G vinyl is awesome.

4. Chris Ware: I am onto collecting his Acme Novelty Library these days after being so taken with Jimmy Corrigan: Smartest Kid on Earth.

5. Meg Baird: A recent Birdman Sound suggestion that is pretty terrific minimal 60's inspired folk.

Enough of this writing, on with the holiday,

jim,

2007-07-14T10:23:00.000-04:00

Summer Reading:

Just a quick drop in on this Saturday morning to provide some quick Saturday reading of listings.

Starting this evening, me and the fellas' (and sometimes just me) will be playing a number of shows both quite near to home and quite far away.

So without further notice, I present to you our somewhat full summer schedule update:

Saturday July 14th (tonight!!!)
Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest
7:45pm (full band)
River Stage
Schedules and stuff HERE

Friday July 20st
Stewart Park Festival
Perth, Ontario
6pm (Full Band)
FREE

After Hours:
Market Grill
9pm (full Band) w/ Lynn Miles
$20 pass for all after hours shows

Saturday July 21nd
Stewart Park Festival
Afternoon workshop w/ Apostle of Hustle and others
Free

Saturday After Hours
Market Grill
9pm Soung Circle
w/ Lynn Miles, Justin Rutledge, Gregory Hoskins

Sunday, July 22rd
Mill Street Cafe Summer Concert Series
Mill Street Cafe
4400 Mill Street, Sydenham, Ont
8pm showtime

Thursday July 26th
Lizzard Lounge
Cambridge, Massachusetts
8pm Set

Sunday July 29th
Harris Radio 5th Anniversary Party
Rockwood Music Hall
NY, New York
6pm Set
This is one of the great small rooms of the city.
click HERE for more info

Sunday August 5th
Blue Skies Festival
Clarendon,Ontario
9pm full band set
plus afternoon workshops

Friday August 10th
Wolfe Island Music Festival
Hootenanny Review w/
Luther Wright, Jenny Whitely, Julie Fader,
Joey Whitely, Dan Whitely
Information on this great festival HERE

Well, that is all for now, y'all, I am heading to the UK in September for the End of the Road Festival and doing a guest host slot on CBC Radio 3 this summer.

Hope this finds you all happy and well,

jim,

2007-06-28T03:44:00.000-04:00

Suzi Lang (Givogue):

It is with great and heartfelt regret that I write to say that we lost a truly amazing and wonderful friend this week here in Ottawa.

Our dear friend Suzi Lang (Givogue) passed away last evening after a heroic year long battle with cancer. A fierce trooper in all aspects of life, Suzi will be dearly missed by so, so many of us.

Words cannot describe the loss that we all feel today...

"Following a year long battle with cancer, Suzi passed away on 26th of June at the Hospice at Maycourt. She died as she lived with courage, grace and dignity. Soul mate and beloved wife of James Lang, son of Trish Morin and Stephen Lang who loved Suzi like a daughter. Dearly beloved daughter of, Gloria Scharfe and Albert Givogue and cherished stepdaughter of Wesley Scharfe. Loving sister of Marc (Evelyne) and aunt of their children David and Elise. Loving godmother to Emily Robinson. Suzi will be missed by Granpa Mel, her special friends, co-workers and relatives who all shared her journey with so much love and hope. Thank you to the caring staff and volunteers at the Maycourt. Friends may call at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Rd. (between Bayshore and Baseline Rd.), Nepean (613-722-6559) on Friday June 29, 2007 from 1–3 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial service will be held in the Outdoor Chapel on Saturday June 30, 2007 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception in the Maple Terrace Room. In lieu of flowers donations to the Hospice at Maycourt in Suzi’s name would be appreciated"

2007-06-21T11:25:00.000-04:00

From the Desk of Kelp Honcho JD Bartlett:



hey folks,

just a quick note to let you know what's up this week....



On Tour:


Jim is out east right now with David Myles, probably enjoying a fine
slumber at Salty Towers as I write with a full stomach of Ozzie's ("The
Best Seafood in the World").


iTunes:

It's a big week for Jim, who is the featured 'Single of the Week' on
itunes, and he is hogging their 'Indie Spotlight' as well. Log into
your Canadian itunes store and you can't miss it! And if you aren't yet a
proud owner of 'Where the Bungalows Roam,' you can download
"The Wishes PileUp" for free until next Tuesday!



Stream of Concert:



Also, you can now hear two recent Bryson concerts online, thanks to the
great national standbys CBC and BBC.

Check out Jim's CD release from the Black Sheep Inn back in the spring
here:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/singleConcert.html?20070530bryso

And hear a few tracks from Jim's recent NXNE performance for BBC
Radio's
Bob Harris here (you have to get through the first 10 minutes or so
first, but the whole show has great live performances throughout):


Irish Times Review:


Finally, Ireland's Independent Records just released Jim's album in the
land of the leper-kaan! Jim will be getting over there eventually, but
for
now, check out http://www.independentrecords.ie/jimbryson.shtml. Irish
eyes are definitely smiling...the Times just gave him a **** review!


Tour, Tour, Tour:


Here are the dates and venues that the Myles/Bryson Mazda 5 will
frequent:


Thu June 21st
St. Andrew's, NB
Arena Theatre

Fri June 22nd
Fredericton, NB
Charlotte St. Arts Centre)

Sat June 23rd
Rothesay, NB
Sessions Cafe

Sun June 24th
Matinee
Rothesay, NB
Session Cafe
(Show added due to Saturday Sell-out).

Sun June 24th
Sackville, NB
Struts Gallery


and back in Ontario (sans Myles)....


Sat June 30th
Elphin, ON
Elphin Roots Music Festival
w/ Jenny Whiteley, Kathleen Edwards and more

Sat July 14th
Ottawa, ON
Ottawa Bluesfest
7:45pm on River Stage

Fri July 20th
Perth, ON
Stewart Park Festival - Full Band Show

Sat July 21st
Perth, ON
Stewart Park Festival - Workshop Show

Sat/Sun August 4&5
Clarendon, ON
Blue Skies Festival

Fri August 10th
Wolfe Island, ON (Wolfe Island Music Fest)
8pm, w/ Jenny Whiteley, Luther Wright, Julie Fader



POUTINEPOP MONTREAL!

We had so much fun @ NXNE (pictures here-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kelprecords/sets/72157600336437820/) that
we're planning another day event for this October's Pop Montreal. All
we
know so far is that it will involve poutine, suds and rock, so stay
tuned
for more details...


Thanks for that report, JB, so much easier than writing that all myself...

The East is amazing and David and I are having a great time,

jim,

2007-06-12T17:51:00.000-04:00

photo by PX

Hey All:

Lots to report, so here I go. My car has been problematic as has the iBook, but onward we roll into the east.

Eastern Canadian Tour:

Just getting things in order and ordering myself to be organized as I leave tomorrow for 11 days to the lovely Maritime provinces.

Heading out for many a show with David Myles and I will also be doing a little recording and an radio cooking show while out there.

Here are the Details:

Jim Bryson and David Myles: An Easternly Tour 2007

June 14th: On the Verge. Wolfville, NS
June 15th: Pop in Sessions Concert Series. Common Ground Studios*, Halifax, NS
June 16th: Pop in Sessions Concert Series. Common Ground Studios*, Halifax, NS
June 21st: Arena Theatre. St. Andrews, NB
June 22nd: Charlotte St. Arts Center, Fredericton, NB
(Songwriter's event w/ David Myles, Jim Bryson,
Catherine MacLellan and Old Man Luedecke!)
June 23rd: Sessions Cafe, Rothesay, NB
June 24th: Strut's Gallery, Sackville, NB

*located above Music Stop

CBC Radio 2 Canada Live on Demand:

For those of you who missed the Canada Live broadcast of our CD Release show at the Blacksheep on April 14th, it is now available for streaming on the CBC Radio 2 web-site.

To listen to the whole show, click HERE, YES HERE

Free iTunes Download of the week:

Visit the iTunes site during the week of June 19th and download The Wishes Pile Up as the Free iTunes download of the week. I could say something suave like you will not be disappointed, but just head over and enjoy!

Thanks so much to iTunes Canada for having us up there and for the staff pick back in April.

When Irish Eyes are Smilin':

On June 15th, a reconstructed and morphed version of Where the Bungalows Roam will be release in Ireland by the Independent Records

Independent Records is the Irish home to Kathleen Edwards , Josh Ritter and the Pernice Brother's. This special Ireland only release of the Bungalows is a "morphing of sorts" and it includes two songs from the North Side Benches album, features a different order and completely different artwork. Having never released a record in Ireland, this version includes Sleeping in Toronto and Somewhere else and leaves a couple of songs aside that appear on the Canadian release.

Thanks to Dave O'Grady for doing this. I will be heading over there in the not too distant future for a show or three.

Ok, what a day, outside now I go and out of the furnace that is our living room.

See you out east!!!

jim,