It’s Labour Day! Where did summer go? The month of August was very busy for Sandbar artists.

Friday, September 11th is the date. “Better Late Than Never” will be available to the masses as the Sidewalks  launch their very first recording project with a party at Babas. Special guest and opening act for the night will be Battery Point. For those who have not heard the album yet, go visit the band’s my space page and give a listen. You are in for a treat!

Close To The Coast was another success story with full houses six nights running. Highlights this year were Dave Marsh and True Love Rules. This band kicked ass on opening night and if you missed it, well boo on you. From all reports it was one of the best performances of the week. Local bands know how to get the crowd worked up as well. This was in evidence on Wednesday night with Smothered In Hugs. Thursday night belonged to the Grass Mountain Hobos while Friday night John Connolly and The Orb Weavers rocked an enthusiastic crowd. Saturday night In Flight Safety , Boxer The Horse and Bloodsport  demonstrated why they were part of the Close To The Coast  for 2009. The live music scene is alive and well and was on display for all to see at this year’s close To The Coast. Next year is the 10th anniversary of this event. Planning is already  under way.

Catherine MacLellan heads out west for a series of dates from Manitoba to BC with fellow singer/songwriters Lynn Miles, Melanie Doan and Annabelle Chovostek. The tour kicks off in Brandon MB on Friday September 11th and winds it way across the Prairies winding up on Monday September 21st in Kelowna BC. For details on all the shows visit www.catherinemaclellan.com and check tour dates.

She does a similar East Coast tour in October beginning at the Playhouse in Fredericton NB on October 15th and winding up on October 24th at the Capitol Theatre in Moncton NB. Featured singer/songwriters for these dates include Nathan Rogers, Barney Bentall and Murray McLauchlan along with Catherine. Dates are posted on her web site.
Catherine will be heading over to the UK in November for a series of dates. Details will be announced soon.

Sandbar artists John Connolly, Meaghan Blanchard, Catherine MacLellan, The Haunted Hearts and the Dan Currie Band will showcase at the Music PEI International Showcase at the Mackenzie Theatre September 28th and 29th in front of  a number of international, national and regional delegates representing festivals in Canada, the UK and the US, as well as, agents, distributors and labels. This event is now in its second year. The initial event in 2008 resulted in some eighty thousand dollars worth of business being generated for Island artists.

Both John Connolly and Meaghan Blanchard will be showcasing at Contact East in Moncton NB October 1st to 4th at the Capitol Theater. John and his band have a Thursday evening showcase starting at 6:35 pm while Meaghan Blanchard will showcase on Saturday afternoon at 2:35 pm. Meaghan also will put in an appearance at the Atlantic Film Festival on September 24th at 8 pm at the Carlton as part of a songwriters circle hosted by Ron Hynes and featuring Lennie Gallant, Jessica Rhaye and Christina Martin.

Coming soon to the Sandbar store will be the new Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold CD called “Broken Hearted Beat”. It will be available in CD and Digital download formats.
Other new releases coming soon include The Sidewalks, The Haunted Hearts, Andy Stevens formerly known as White Rabbit, Gadelle and Vishten.

Also coming sometime this fall will be a new podcast series from Island songwriters. For those who have not had a chance to check out the first series we released last fall/winter visit www.closetothecoastradio.com for a listen. We are also hoping to announce some tour dates for Sandbar artists commencing in November. Stay tuned.