Arts and Entertainment
Musicians tune up for Waterford festival

Mike Bauslaugh
Times-Reformer
WATERFORD -- The Grand Song Caravan is making a stop in Waterford.

Musical guests Tom Wilson, Dave Rave, Joe Mannix and Kate Schrock will play at Izzy's Inland Outfitters Park this Saturday in a noon to dusk event.

Everyone is invited to take part in the first ever Songwriters Music Festival and Picnic. Attendees are asked to bring their own picnic -- including beverages -- sit back and enjoy the music.

"This is a great opportunity for an outdoor festival," said Lisa Millar, a media spokesperson from Bullseye Records of Canada. "We want people to bring their families and have a picnic while they listen to some great music."

"There's going to be a little bit of everything, including blues, folk and pop music."

All four entertainers appear on The Grand Song Caravan CD sampler, put out by Bullseye Record of Canada. The Dave Rave Group and Mannix have two songs each while Schrock teams up with Wilson on one song and Rave on another.

The Grand Song Caravan has been playing to sold-out audiences across Canada and the United States as the singer-songwriters criss-cross the continent.

"We had several shows in the Hamilton area that were very well-received," said Millar. "We were approached by some area artists who wanted to be a part of it."

"We want to expand it for next year."

Wilson, who won the 2002 Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Solo Artist, is no stranger to the musical stage. He's tangled with Junkhouse (three CDs), Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (three CDs) and the Florida Razors. The Juno winner has electrified audiences with recent shows that included Jann Arden, Joe Strummer, Ron Sexsmith, David Gray, Ronnie Hawkins, Colin James, Jeff Beck, David Usher, and others.

Rave was a rhythm guitarist with Teenage Head. He goes from punk to jazz and has proven his worth as a great session player with Daniel Lanois, Andrew Loog Oldham, Alex Chilton, and others.

Mannix has recently opened for Joe Cocker, Moe, and Creedance Clearwater Revival. He's been an integral part of the New York city songwriting underground and is a major player in the folk movement. He shares regular bills with Norah Jones and Jesse Harris and has also opened for Hall and Oates and Jason Mraz. He's been described as a sweet blend of The Band, Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, and Jim Croce.

Maine native Schrock has built a devoted following with five critically-acclaimed albums. Her songs have been incorporated into movie soundtracks and popular TV shows (Felicity among them). Her work is a part of National Public Radio.

"We've been discussing something like this for the past five years ," said Gary Kibalenko, who operates Izzy's Inland Outfitters. "We've always wanted to establish a music festival."

Organizers are looking for a suggested $10 donation and kids under 12 years of age are invited for free.

"Tell everybody to pack up their picnic baskets and come on out," Kibalenko said. "The only thing we don't want to see is glass of any kind. We will strictly enforce that."

Glass creates both safety concerns and cleanup headaches.