Last fall I started a Facebook group called Local Music On Local Stages. Its purpose, at that time, was focused on having the Memorial Park Bandshell in Oshawa more accessible to local musicians. There are 400 members at last check. It was successful insofar as it was part of a campaign that led to the series of open mics held at the park late September through October.

There are no plans this year to continue the open mics, which many in the D-Rock hoped for. But maybe if you, dear readers, add your voices, the key holders will listen. I do want to see a time when City councils offer spots at all taxpayer-funded events to local musicians first. Believe me, they are all worthy of consideration.

Perhaps we could start by having local bands open for KISS if (but I hear it's a when) they play. After all, we didn't demand Buck Cherry, who will be KISS's tour openers.

Anyway the LMOLS group has paid off as it was noticed by Brooklin event co-ordinator Angela Cain-Thompson back in February. We e-mailed back and forth for a bit.

Tomorrow (June 13), as part of the annual Brooklin Downtown Business Association's Art In The Park, locals Trish Robb, Made By Hand, Heather Luckhart, Soulstice plus The Mapes will be performing. Matt Diamond will host. That runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grass Park. Thank you to Angela's Event Planning for the initiative.

The afternoon closing means everyone can book it to Orono for what is becoming "Thee Event" of the concert calendar -- The Sadies at Orono Town Hall. Don't miss this. The Sadies are one of this country's greatest acts and inheritors of The Band's Americana mantle. What Ronnie Hawkins planted all those years ago bears fruit with The Sadies.

What seeds the D-Rock set last year are beginning to sprout and I look forward to the Durham fresh harvest.

Review

Country Club

John Doe and The Sadies

Yep Roc

All Hail The Sadies, the bee's knees, a roots rare combination of super-talented musicians with a lineup of musicians wanting to play with them. Members of Blue Rodeo, Wilco, Neko Case, The Band, Jon Spencer, Ron Sexsmith have joined them on stage. Gord Downie, too. The Sadies are just that good. The latest collaboration is with John Doe ex-X.

An album of country covers, ol' hurtin' tunes, dusty standards from the parent's collection given new life and playful respect. Plus some originals -- four from Toronto's real twangstas plus one from Doe and Exena.

It's Outlaw country spit tunes with tracks from Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson covered. It's not New Country but it's not out of date ... check out the lyrics to Are The Good Times Really Over For Good? by Merle Haggard...

"Are we rollin' downhill like a snowball headed for hell?/With no kind of chance for the flag or the liberty bell?/I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 20 years like they should/Is the best of the free life behind us now and are the good times really over for good?"

The good times can be enjoyed for now when The Sadies drop by the Orono Town Hall Saturday.

William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.