FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Sounding Board © open mic celebrates its 1st Anniversary at the legendary Lounge of Charlie & Friends on Wednesday, February 20, 2008!!!

What do Chad Allan and The Expressions, Neil Young and The Squires, Lenny Breau, The Guess Who, Sugar and Spice, The Jury, The Fifth, Vance Masters, Alan Schick, Donnie McDougall, Joey Gregorash and The Mongrels, and Witness Inc. have in common (to name a few)?

Well, they all played music in Winnipeg, Manitoba during the 60s and 70s and many of them went on to do great things that significantly impacted the Canadian music scene. All of these musicians congregated regularly at Tubby's Pizza over the years while recording at Roade Studios down the street on Grosvenor. It was also a popular late night hangout after 'community club' gigs around town. Charlie Clements, the long suffering owner of the restaurant, expanded in 1969 and opened The Lounge of Charlie O & Friends.

"... And yes, we used to frequent Tubby's when we were recording at Roade Studios (and yes, it was on Grosvenor in an old 3-storey house) in the late 70s. Both of The Guess Who albums that I played on were recorded at Roade, with Ralph Watts as the engineer. Tubby's was also a place that Kurt (Winter) and I used to go on Sundays... "

Vance Masters, Winnipeg, 2008

Now, more than 40 years later, The Sounding Board © open mic hosted by Sweet Spot Productions celebrates its 1st Year Anniversary — honouring Winnipeg's rich musical history and supporting local emerging talent!

The evening will be jam-packed — music in the lounge starting at 8 pm — 10 acts in total :

Still Standing (folk roots, bluegrass, gospel)
Wanda Wilson with special guest Scott Druming (indie, folk rock, alternative)
The Jonestown Escapists (acoustic, indie, rock)
Ryelee (acoustic, folk rock, indie)
Matt McLeod (folk rock, experimental, soul)
Paegan Sunflowers (acoustic, experimental, folk rock)
The Fleetwoods (acoustic, bluegrass, country, roots)
Strawberry Quick (acoustic, country, bluegrass, roots)
Michael Ledda (acoustic, hip hop, funk)
Bill Klysh (pop, rock)

There will also be a 'Speakers' Corner' in the restaurant hosted by Paul Cameron Miller starting at 9:30 pm showcasing local poets, spoken word artists and comedians:

John Cunningham (poet, author)
Shelly Genthon (poet)
Kitty (spoken word artist)
Wayne Matthews (comedian for fun)
Christopher Nause (painter, sculptor, poet)
Michael O'Neill (poet)
Rhonda Rogers (poet)
Anthony van Dijk (poet)
Werner VAN Harder (wordist)
Colin Ward (poet)
Zofia Monika (poet)

The event is sponsored by Fort Garry Brewing Company and The Lounge of Charlie O & Friends complete with music trivia questions from the 60s to the 90s, swag giveaways and a door prize.

It's also a fundraiser. The first in a series of live-off-the-floor recordings of the open mic, co-produced by Sweet Spot Productions and The White Light Machine called "The Sounding Board Sessions, Volume I" will be released in 2008. The album will showcase some of the artists that have been dropping in over the past year. There will be a $5 suggested donation and a 50/50 draw with all proceeds going to The Sounding Board © recording fund.

Of course the party just wouldn't be the same without a late night open mic!

The Lounge of Charlie O & Friends / Tubby's Pizza Restaurant is located at 164 Stafford Avenue at Grosvenor.

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Media inquiries and information:

Paulette LaFortune
Sweet Spot Productions
biz@mysweetspotproductions.com
480.8684 (fax)
799.0203 (cell)

Event Info & On-line Ticket Sales: www.mysweetspotproductions.com
The TICKET LINE: 1.204.480.8565

Performer Photos:

Still Standing
Ryelee
Matt McLeod
Paegan Sunflowers
Werner VAN Harder

Performer Links:

www.mysweetspotproductions.com

Other Links:

Chad Allan
Neil Young
Lenny Breau
Burton Cummings
Randy Bachman
The Fifth
Vance Masters
Alan Schick
Joey Gregorash

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