DALANNAH’S BLUES NEWS
UPDATE JANUARY 5, 2009
Greetings to all and welcome to 2009.
2008 was an amazing year for me and I would like to take the time to express my gratitude and say “thank you” to all those who visited the blog, my website and my Sonicbids site.
I can’t express how much your interest was appreciated.
I also wanted to say “thank you” to my band who have stood beside me through thick and thin..Harris Van Berkel, Michael Creber, Brian Newcombe, Chris Nordquist, Dave Say & Jim Salmon. I know that the music just wouldn’t be what it is without “my boys.”
“Thanks” to my record company and Paul Hovan and Mark Fancher for the support.
Well, musically, 2008 was a breakthrough year as my current and first ever blues recording, ”Mamma’s Got The Blues,” received critical acclaim and international airplay.
We also received acknowledgement with the title song, “Mamma’s Got The Blues”, being named a finalist for the 2008 Independent Music Awards in the blues song category.
I am the only Canadian in this category so…..i need your help. You can vote by going to www.independentmusicawards.com, click the blues category and then vote for “Mamma’s Got The Blues”. “Thank you” in advance.
We have been invited to showcase at the bi-annual Blues Summit IV in Toronto January 17, 2009. This invitation is exciting as we get to show what we do. It looks like there is still a chance this old broad, along with my boys, will get a chance to show them what we do.
After a great review from “Pete the Blewzzman” of the U.S.A., radio airplay is steady on the rise. We have been added to am & fm stations across the United States and Europe including France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway and Poland with five stations in France.
Musically, I had the chance to perform some very cool gigs. Opening for Joe Bonamassa was cool as was the street party with Bedouin Soundclash and Black Mountain.
I broke new musical ground by performing with my native hand drum and have done a lot of work in that area. I performed with Juno-award winner Jason Burnstick at the Vancouver Aboriginal Musicians Showcase and many opening ceremonies. I love making this kind of music as it is very clean and simple in its content but powerful in its delivery.
I also had the honor of singing at the mayoral inaugration for the new mayor of Vancouver. This was very exciting on a number of levels, as many of us who work in the fields of justice, equality, poverty and homelessness have been waiting for someone who will listen to the people.
The times they are a changin!
In December, we celebrated with our annual event; Blues For Xmas. Blues For Xmas is an annual Greater Vancouver Food Bank benefit. I have been producing this event (with a lot of help) for 22 years. Blues musicians from the Lower Mainland of Vancouver all donate their time to create three nights of the best blues music available.
“Thank you” to the Yale Hotel, Vancouver’s “home of the blues,” and all of the sponsors and the musicians for an amazing event.
Don’t forget that you can go to my website and there is a free download of the latest single “My Blues Keep Bringin’ Me Home” at www.dalannahgailbowen.com or you can go to my Sonicbids site and check out all of the cd’s material at www.sonicbids.com/dalannahgailbowen.
2009 promises to be an exciting year and I invite you to continue to come along for the ride…..it could get very interesting.
I want to wish each and every one of you health & happiness for 2009 and request that you be gentle with the ones you love.
in peace, Dalannah Gail Bowen
