I did some traveling over the last week or so.  Had a fantastic time in Fort St John, BC as part of the Northern Groove Artist Exchange Program playing a few concerts, doing 4 workshops and doing a handful of private sessions with folks in FSJ.  I got back to T.O. and deadheaded it to Grantham, PA to play a show at Messiah College.  Thanks so much to everyone who came out!  My first time down there and there was a full room of friendly folks.  I posted a few pics:  FSJ show, a few workshops and the drive to Grantham … the drive down there was GORGEOUS … the bridges across the Susquehanna River at magic hour were breathtaking

The events for the Northern Groove Artist Exchange Program are really coming together!  They’ve got me doing something pretty well every day I’m there and multiple events on some days!

For those of you who haven’t heard yet,  I’ll be living in FSJ from Apr 10^th – Apr 16^th and during that time, I’ll be playing concerts, doing workshops and one-on-one sessions and generally making myself available to folks in FSJ to pass along some of the skills I’ve acquired over the last 20 or so years I’ve spent as a  touring singer/songwriter/guitar player/producer.

Why would I do this?  ‘Cause I love FSJ … why the else?  When my pals Ryan Hennessey & Russell Eggleston asked me if I would do it I said “Of course!”  I mean it only seems natural since I’ve stopped in FSJ on my cross Canada tours at least a few times a year for the past many years … I’ve played over 15 concerts in FSJ since 2004 and I have met a load of folks that I now call friends in this town.  It’s been kind of a home away from home for me while I’m on tour over the years.

HERE’S WHAT WE’VE GOT SET UP WHILE I’M IN TOWN:

Concerts:
Apr 13 at The Breakfast Room with special guest: my pal Ryan Hennessey! 7:30pm. Admission: $15 adv, $20 door
Apr 10 Private House Concert (to book me for a house concert email russell@northerngroove.com)
Apr 12 Private Event (to book me for a private event email russell@northerngroove.com)
Apr 11 Hosting Egan’s open Mic 9:30pm … I’ll be playing a few tunes & hosting, come on down & play!

Workshops:
Apr 11 Songwriting Workshop 7-9 at Unforgettable Memories(9315 100 Ave) DETAILS & BUY TIX
Apr 15 Recording Workshop at Unforgettable Memories(9315 100 Ave) DETAILS & BUY TIX

Private One-On-One Sessions:
Wanna spend and hour or two with me and pick my brain about Guitar Playing? Songwriting? Performing Live? Music Biz? Touring?  Producing?  Recording/Engineering (Pro Tools?) Or maybe there’s something musical that you think I can help with that I haven’t mentioned?  Whatever you’re interested in, book a one-on-one session and we can make it happen.  Our Northern Groove guru Russell Eggleston has set up the scheduling, booking and payment.
BOOK A SESSION ONLINE HERE

What a great night of music at Bluebird North.  Here’s a photo from after the show. (thanks to Pierre Millette)
Thanks to everyone who came to the show!

I’d be lying if I pretended not be looking forward to this Songwriter’s Association Of Canada Bluebird North Songwriter’s Circle:  I’ll be playing with Rik Emmett & Dave Bidini and the night will be hosted by Blair Packham.  When I was a teen putting in some serious hours on the guitar, Rik’s Midsummer’s Daydream was one of the tunes I did a lot of wood-shedding on.  A few years later Dave’s band The Rheostatics blew my mind and opened me to the possibility that you could do anything with pop music … that there were no boundaries.  His song Queer (from Whale Music) is one of my absolute favourites.
Suffice it say that I’ll be honoured to be sharing the stage with these two men.

SHOW DETAILS:

Saturday Feb 18 – Toronto,ON
Royal Conservatory of Music-Conservatory Theatre-TELUS Centre
doors 7:30 show 8pm
Tickets $26 BUY TICKETS

FACEBOOK EVENT

Here’s what I’ve been working on lately as a producer: Just finished Peter Katz‘s album “Still Mind Still” — in the final stretch with Steve Strongman‘s as yet untitled acoustic album — still a ways to go with Scott Cooper‘s Album — did a few tracks with Sean Pinchin, planning on a few more — finishing off  Brydan Smith‘s EP.

I made a medley out of a clip of a track from each for your internet-listening pleasure.  I’ve tagged the Soundcloud waveform below so you know who is who and which is which and …

Szabo Productions Late 2011-Early 2012 by Rob Szabo

Thanks to everyone who came to the 7th annual Holiday Show this year!
Thanks for making us part of your holiday ritual.

Here’s some photos from the show.  (Thanks to Stefan Myles!)

I hope your holidays are restful and you get to do some things that you’ve wanted to do all year but you never seem to find the time to get to .

Tix are officially available at the door for my 7th Annual KW Holiday Show w/ Steve Strongman  FRIDAY DEC 16TH
The show is at The Starlight in Waterloo.  We’ll be playing songs from our solo repertoires as well as a few Plasticine songs + some surprises.  These shows have been a real homecoming for us over the the last few years.  This is a BAND SHOW!  We’ve got Colin Lapsley on bass and Dave King on drums.

DETAILS:
FRIDAY DECEMBER 16th
The Starlight in Waterloo
EARLY SHOW doors 8pm, show starts 9pm sharp, finished by 11pm
no opening act
$19 adv, $25 at the door

BUY ADV TICKETS IN PERSON:
Encore Records 24 Queen St S. Kit (519)744-1370
Orange Monkey Music 5 Princess Street West Wat (519) 886-0939

FACEBOOK EVENT

I’ve been part of the Kidney Foundation Brush Of Hope program for the past many years. Mike Myers, Alex Lifeson & Kurt Browning are just a few of the folks who have taken up brushes and paints to create small masterpieces to help the estimated 2.6 million Canadians who either have kidney disease or are at risk.

The paintings are all up for auction at e-bay.   Here’s my painting ———->

You can bid on it HERE until Oct 30th.

Check out the rest of the paintings on the Brush Of Hope Facebook Page

I just finished a week of recording in a log cabin near Markdale,ON for Peter Katz‘s upcoming record.  Idyllic times … there was a swimming hole 100 yards away and horses in the field. (Thanks to our hosts Sharon & Doug!)

We also started work in earnest on Steve Strongman‘s new acoustic record this afternoon which will continue throughout the fall.

I’ll be heading up to Penetanguishene later this month to do some work with Scott Cooper on his upcoming record … another cabin! I love recording in these kinds of spaces.

Coming up on October 14/15 I’ll be part of the annual OCFF extravaganza.  I’ll be doing an Official Showcase in Salon A on Oct 15 at 10:15pm and will also be playing as part of the Songwriter’s Association of Canada Showcase on Oct 14 at 11:30pm AND I’ll be part of the after hours U Spin Records “Folk By The Jug” showcase too … looks like I’m on around 12:30 am on the Sat night(technically Sun morn).

I’m playing at The Mountain View Music Fest Saturday Aug 6 in Carstairs, AB (1/2 hr north of Calgary).

It’s my first time there and I’ve heard great things.  It’s an artist-run festival(it’s run by the Polyjesters!)and there’s a ton of great music scheduled.  I’m onstage Sat Aug 6th at 5:45pm.  There’s music all weekend and I’m guessing I’ll be doing a workshop or two on the Sunday.

CHECK THE MVM WEBSITE for all the info on the schedule, tix & camping.