Kemptville Live Music Festival, Day 1

Last Thursday evening marked the start of the 2018 edition of the Kemptville Live Music Festival. The festival was the brainchild of Bob Beshara of Class Axe Guitars in Kemptville. From his idea came a long list of volunteers who have pitched in to make the festival a great success. In a short four year run, Bob and his volunteers have built this festival into something to be very proud of. I have had the honour of photographing the last two years and things run so smooth it’s unbelievable. Even this year when Kim Mitchell had to cancel due to health concerns, it was taken in stride and handled with less than 24 hours to spare.

The Thursday lineup was all blues based. Rod Baird & The Agency opened things up. I was scrambling around trying to make contact with the right person to get my credentials, so I didn’t get a chance to see the set, but what I heard sounded great. Sorry Rob!

Emily Burgess was next up. If you follow the Ontario blues scene, you might know Emily as a past member of The 24^th Street Wailers from Toronto and more recently with The Weber Brothers. Emily has released her first solo album and has spent the last few months touring with fellow Weber Brothers musician, Rico Browne and his brother Marcus in support of the album. They play a mix of Emily’s originals and a few covers of some blues standards, leaving no doubt that Emily is more than capable of carving out a place for herself as a solo artist. If you have the chance to go see Emily, and you will, go see her and enjoy.

Next on the bill was Dawn Taylor Watson. In 2017 Dawn won 1^st place in the Memphis Blues Challenge along with her backing band, The Ben Racine Band, while Ben won for best guitar player the same year. Dawn has also won 3 Maple Blues Awards and 9 Quebec Lys Blues Awards and earned the name of Montreal’s Queen of the Blues. Her unique style of blues with plenty of gospel and a heaping helping of soul leaves one speechless. Her energy level and experience onstage makes her an instant hit wherever she goes. When you go to a Dawn Tyler Watson show, prepare to be entertained!

The headliner for the evening was The Downchild Blues Band. Donnie Walsh, or Mr. Downchild as he is known, started The Downchild Blues Band in 1969. Including the current lineup, 40 musicians have at one time or another spent time in Downchild, many also having successful stints with other bands as well. To see these guys play was quite special with all that history. As always, Downchild has surrounded himself with great musicians, all top notch players. They are approaching the 50 year mark as a band and I couldn’t think of a better band to top off a night of Canadian blues than The Downchild Blues Band.

Emily Burgess

Dawn Tyler Watson

Downchild Blues Band