Since the official release tour for our ‘Nine Steps’ album in the fall of 2009, we have had a good chance to think about the actual gigs we did in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick during that time, and we have all had a chance to do other things on our own and with other musicians.

Special thanks to the people in Taymouth NB for a great turnout and fun show and a pleasant after party. In St. Andrew’s lots of the same and a big thank you to Periwinkle productions. First time in Hampton NB and the Vintage Bistro and we were pleased to see some old friends and make some new ones. We look forward to returning. Recording for CBC at the Playhouse and a set at the Hoodoo tent during the Harvest Jazz and Blues festival brought the cd sales #s way up and the whole festival was great fun.

In Nova Scotia, the dates we did were well attended and varied. Confidence Lodge in Riverport offered an opportunity to play in a developing venue to an all ages audience. Better than expected turnout and a real positive vibe made this date really memorable. Since it was our first show it set the pace for the rest of our dates with a  real encouraging start. Diego Medina and his friends worked hard to make the hall ready and right up to the last minute were tweeking to create a wonderfully warm and funky setting. The results … a good time. Success!

The good people of Prospect made us welcome and danced the night away. Encouraging to think that a small village can muster up a Saturday night dance crowd. Just like the old days. Thanks to all who helped out.

The gig at the Carleton coincided with one of the worst fall storms in recent times. Still Mike and staff made us welcome and a small but mighty crowd upped our happy quotient with more than respectable encouragement. Again thanks.

Since the release, the album has been nominated in the Blues category for an ECMA. As well, all three of us, Tom, Bill and Geoff, were honored with Maple Blues nominations in our individual instrument categories.

Also since the release we have all been involved in our own worlds musical and otherwise. Tom works hard at his teaching for the second year at NSCC. Tom has been putting a team of guys to play Mingus style band stuff. Keep an I out at Staynors Warfe, Halifax.Geoff toured with Rita MacNeil over the pre Christmas time. The three of us have had the chance to get together and play from time to time at the Onyx restaurant, Halifax. We have gigged with Rob Crowell a couple of times at the Shoe Shop, Halifax. I took an excursion to Ottawa and played the Café Paradiso. Great fun!(friend Kathy Gillespie posted a few videos)

There is talk about recording an album of Jazz this year. More on that later.

I (Bill) worked on Thom Swift’s latest album offering “Blue Sky Day”. Geoff worked on that too and we both will play some release dates heading into March. Check out Thom’s web-site www.thomswift.com.

Regular  Nights at Halifax’s ‘Press Gang’ continue as do gigs with Rob Crowell from time to time.

Rigorous piano tuning schedule keeps Bill busy on a week to week and seasonal basis.

Thanks everyone for the support. Hope we get out together again soon.

February 13^th we are playing at the Armdale yacht club with special guest Jamie Alcorn. The occasion is Valentines day dance and dine. Hope you can make it.

We’ve been nominated for and ECMA for Blues Recording of the  Year.  Thanks to everyone for their support.

Check out these videos of Bill That were shot by Terry Gillespie in Ottawa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8csPoocBfvE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36K-V0zGNkQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF10bllBn7I

Hello everyone,
It has taken almost a year and a half to get our ducks in a row to produce, record, mix and master our New Album “Nine Steps” After bringing a little original music and lyric to the party with some tunes on our 2008 ECMA winning album “For The Record” Tom Easley and I joined forces with Geoff Arsenault and recorded a collection of mostly original songs co-written by Tom and I and one from Geoff’s head for this new CD.
We have enjoyed a lot of help from some great people in the music biz around here and much encouragement from our families and friends.
In the encouragement department we thank Mickey Quase and Heather Frantsi for their real help with the first steps. Dave Hillyer made some time for us and recorded the basic tracks in my living room like only he could do. When it seemed like organ overdubs might work, Ross Billard made me feel like I knew what I was doing. Charles Austin leant us his even temper, palpable enthusiasm,  and considerable hearing to mix the project. J Lapointe worked some mastering magic to capture that old school feel we had all strived to grab. Eleventh hour intervention by Monty Estey assured the completion of the project, and Mat Dunlap put together the Photos and Graphics in a concise and fun way in a timely fashion making sure that the manufacturer did his part to our specs.
The results, we hope, will do these people justice and tickle everyone’s fancy with the joy that we experienced writing, arranging and performing the music that is “Nine Steps”. Most of all, and I know I speak for everyone involved, we hope the listener will enjoy the CD and find cause to come and hear us in person whenever we are scheduled to play in their neighborhood.
Thanks, Bill S

Note: We will be touring the album starting in late August and into September. We will post dates as they become confirmed.