Michael Wainwright is living the dream!!!

Just giving you a little update on Michael Wainwright. He is living the dream!! He is touring with TEARS FOR FEARS!

Michael has given me permission to post some photo's he posted on Facebook.

Want to follow Michael too????? He's on TWITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLICK HERE ---> wainwrightmusic

If you have never heard of Michael Wainwright - check out my other posts on him. :o) Quite the talented guy I must say!

CLICK HERE: ----> MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT POSTS

Newspaper Article - MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT - St. Catharines Standard - 06-25-09

as per the St. Catharines Standard Web Site

On stage with his idols
Posted By KRISTINE MASON, SPECIAL TO THE STANDARD
06-25-09

Many aspiring artists pouring their hearts out in sparsely attended venues dream of the day when thousands of fans will be hanging on their every move.

For St. Catharines singer/songwriter Michael Wainwright, that day is fast approaching.

This summer, he will join his former childhood idols on the road as he provides the opening act and backup vocals during the Tears For Fears summer tour.

"It's crazy to think that I got to meet the guys and even now I get to open up for them and sing my own music," said Wainwright. "And now I'm going to be singing with them, I'm going to be on this huge stage singing their songs that I knew as a kid, it's crazy."

Tears for Fears' original members, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, will perform seven shows between July 10 and 20 in the western United States.

Music has always been an integral part of Wainwright's life, from the time he spent performing at the kitchen table with his brother and father, to all the high school classes he missed in order to record demo tapes.

During that time, he had a profuse love for the Beatles, which eventually influenced his interest in Tears For Fears.

"All I listened to was Beatles, and then I was in a music store in St. Catharines and I was probably 12 or 13 and I'm drooling over recording equipment. I heard Sewing The Seeds Of Love and I was like, Sewing The Seeds Of Love? This is like the Beatles, this is like I Am The Walrus."

The luck of sharing a producer with Tears For Fears is how Wainwright came into contact with the band.

"Roland sang background vocals in two of my songs. I think we sound a lot a like, he's got a high voice, he's got the same sort of tone," said Wainwright. "But it's still kind of cool to know that he was there and that he actually learned the words and sang my songs, it's crazy and watching that happen it's just sort of like how the ----does this happen?

"It's a thrill to be able to sing harmonies with those guys and I think they have amazing voices," Wainwright but the reason I'm going out there is to be in front of a bigger audience, because they're big venues and being on a big stage with the lights and everything, it's the dream to be able to sing your own songs and do that."

Wainwright hopes that being a part of this larger gig will help him to expand his fan base, since he hasn't found an abundance of support in Niagara. Although he does acknowledge that there is a large music scene in St. Catharines, the artistic appreciation only seems to stretch so far.

"If you're a cover band and your buddies come out and you're playing music that girls can dance to, that's great, but that's not what I do," explains Wainwright. "I'm singing the sensitive, singer/songwriter, sensitive-sweater kind of songs, and there's no kind of cool atmosphere around here where you can do that."

Despite a lack of overwhelming support from Niagara, Wainwright has seen success as a winner of the 2008 Niagara Music Award for Best Male Vocalist. He also played a packed performance at Stella's during In The Soil and has toured the southwestern United States and played repeatedly in both California and New York.

For his opening act on the tour, Wainwright will be playing music from his self-titled album, which was produced at Shabby Road Studios, a record company based in California.

Like most songwriters, his favourite song is the one he most recently wrote. However, he still has a favourite from the disc. "On here, there's a great song, No. 4, its a duet, Gaby (Moreno)'s a songwriter herself and she's an amazing singer. So I sing the first verse and she sings the second and then we sing together, its really great," he said.

Moreno will perform with Wainwright at the San Diego stop of the tour.

Another Fun Weekend!!! Concerts, Play & FUN!!!

FRIDAY:

Our Weekend started off on Friday, May 29th as the local fire departments had put together a Yummy Fish Fry at the local Jordan Arena and had hired a group named THE CAVERNERS. (They are a Beatle's Cover Band).

Bob and I took mom along with us as we were going to meet some other family members and friends and wanted to get some good seats.

Upon waiting for the doors to open, we could hear some of the Caverners inside the arena finishing up their sound-check and they came out the front door! Bob asked one of the guys, who happens to be MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT, to stop and have his photo taken with me!! He is quite the talented musician, if you have time, check out the links below the photo. :o)

MORE ON MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT:

GUITAR & CAR TOUR WEBSITE (click here)

MYSPACE (click here)

YOUTUBE (click here)

TWITTER (click here)

PHOTOS: (click here)

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE (click here)

HOW EXCITING IS THIS, HE IS GOING TO BE OPENING FOR TEARS FOR FEARS FOR THEIR UPCOMING TOUR!

The Fish Fry was awesome! Lots of yummy food and for the entertainment, THE CAVERNERS played lots and lots of Beatle's music!!!!!

What a rush! I mean, I had seen them before at the Grape & Wine Festival, but people would have to sit so far back from the band, this was amazing as we could stand right near the face the stage and make eye contact! lol I was smiling ear to ear and dancing around, it was great. Bob was nice enough to take lots and lots of photographs for me. When the band finished playing for the night, JOHN LENNON (aka Michael Wainwright) made eye contact, smiled, winked and pointed at me and left the stage. (GIGGLE) Awesome!!!!!!!!

SATURDAY:

Saturday morning we headed off to a train show in Hidden Valley, they had a huge G-Scale layout in an old public pool that had been filled in . Amazing!!!! We then headed off to Guelph to a G-Scale train store. We pulled into the driveway of the guy who owns it and OMG, the layout he had in his backyard (complete with pond and island which he had to use a paddleboat to access) was truly awesome. The owner gave us a small tour and then took us into his store and we had a good conversation about a CN Engine which we are going to save up for. We want to copy what we see go by in the back yard, so we want a CN Engine complete with a sound chip and decided to make it battery run instead of via wires/power fed by the track. Oh and also the remote control system. So we got a price --- around the $1,100.00 range. YIKES, we'll have to have a mega yard sale or something to get that. It will take some time, but we're sure we'll be able to save up. VERY exciting!!

On our way home we stopped into a huge antique store we had been to a year or two before with friends. The last time we were there I found a dealer that had TONNES of Yellow Submarine items, wouldn't it figure, he had pulled up shop and was no where to be found. lol

We decided to head for home and stopped into mom's house to help her put the steps in the pool -- Bob stripped down to his underwear (sorry folks, didn't have the camera with me) and got into the surprisingly warm water (72 degrees) and got the stairs in the pool. We're ready for a party now!!!!

When the evening came we were just hanging out at home when we heard Thunder, WOOO, a storm! Well, there was only something like 3 cracks of thunder and it was gone, just the rain came. I headed downstairs to make some tea but the power starting flickering on and off a few times. I called mom inbetween flickers to find out via the Fire Scanner that there was a called-in Structure Fire a few streets over. We grabbed the camera and drove over. We actually beat the fire trucks, but no fire was to be seen. We were confused. We parked the car at the dead end of the street and watched the first fire truck approach. Five firemen got out all geared up and ran to the house. I could see in the distance another firetruck heading our way. I told Bob we should go, first off we might get trapped on the tight street and I didn't want to get into the way of the fire fighters. We started to pull around the first firetruck which was parked and an oncoming car showed up from no-where and was blocking our exit. I guess they might of had a scanner too? lol They finally moved and then the first firetruck wanted to move. We stayed where we were and that's when the fun started.

Everything outside the car turned into this huge bright light and we couldn't see anything and then this massive explosion bang happened overhead. I thought to myself in that mere second "OMG, we just got hit by lightning" and I turned around to look out the passenger side window to see sparks and smoke coming from a huge transformer on a pole RIGHT BESIDE THE CAR. It scared the crap out of Bob who then started to drive because the way was clearn. WHOLEY CRAP!!! As we were driving away Bob looked in his rearview mirror to see the transformer explode again. It was decided we would turn back and try and capture it on video.

We witnessed two or three more explosions and then all was calm. The power was dead. We decided to head for Mom's house as we KNEW it would be a while before the power would come back online. Will and Marnie arrived shortly after and we headed to their house and hung out with candles burning. The power finally came back on around 11:30pmish....... that was approx. 3-3.5 hours after we saw the last explosion.

SUNDAY:

We slept in on Sunday morning, sooooooooooo nice, I needed it. We piddled around the house for a while, ran out and got groceries and came home. We were excited as we were heading to Port Dalhousie to see a play at the Port Mansion. Our friends Heather Warrender & Todd Melville were in it!!

Me with Heather

Me with Todd

BOEING BOEING was the name of the play!! Bob and I tried to arrive early but the traffic was crazy! There was a rowing competition on and all the parking was taken. We had to park waaaaaays away and had to hurry to get to the theatre in order to get the last two seats.

The play was awesome!!!!!!!!!! Lots and lots of laughter!

Afterwards, Heather ran home to pick up her hubby Xander and they came over and we ordered yummy pizza from JORDAN PIZZA and watched the newest edition of CHARLIE THE UNICORN. lol

We LOVE Suitcase In Point - 98th Big Time World Theatre Awards

Bob & I REALLY enjoy going to the SUITCASE IN POINT theatre shows!

Bob introduced me to this theatre group when we started dating in 2005 - it was NONSTOP laughing which is a good thing!

We decided we would go to this event and invited our friends Heather & Xander along. Unfortunately, Xander could not make it due to work commitments.

After having a yummy pizza dinner at Heather & Xander's house, we headed off to the show as the Red Carpet was suppose to start at 7pm but ran a little later.

Bob, Myself & Heather

The Paparazzi showed up.





and then Sage & Rosemary arrived to talk to everyone who showed up. Deanna Jones & Natasha Pedros (Suitcase In Point) -- reminded me of like a Joan Rivers interview.

We got ourselves some drinks and some good seats and waited for the show to begin.

Our show started with Trevor Enns (Suitcase In Point) as Master of Ceremonies.




The show was awesome as they did it as an Awards Show, instead of having the "snippits" of shows / acts that you would normally see on a big screen, the actors each acted out the snips themselves live. :o)

Miles Coverdale & Natasha Pedros

Edwin Conroy Jr. & Deanna Jones

After the show, Bob found Joe Lapinski and I got to have my photo taken with him!! Really love his album SUNDRIES





And then I scored a photo op with Deanna Jones as she was serving food after the show. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Mmmm good!!! (The food was provided by: The Spotted Calf, The Office Tap and Grill, Strega Cafe and The Merchant Ale House.)

We weren't able to stay too late, but we heard there was a wonderful after party complete with a band that Joe Lapinski plays with.

Here is a sample of what we saw at the show:

Hopefully next time I'll be able to get more photo's with people from Suitcase In Point. Sometimes it sucks to be so shy! (BLUSH)

MORE PHOTOS: CLICK HERE

Happy St. Patrick's Day & Another Local Talented Artist for the Niagara Region

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Last year, we were able to go out to some local bars & pubs for some drinks with family and friends because it landed on a weekend. Unfortunately, this year, it lands on a week day. So to bring back good memories I've posted some photos of Bob and I. One even contains Marnie. :o)

Karyn Bower - ever heard of her? If you haven't, you should!

She has been a professional vocalist through out the Niagara Region for almost 2 decades.

Karyn’s love of music has been with her for as long as she can remember. Her earliest influences were singers Karen Carpenter and Anne Murray, and Fleetwood Mac. Although Karyn has performed in different musical genres her love remains in pop, soft rock and country, and says doing the classic country, rock and pop hits of the 50’s 60’s 70’s has been a lot of fun and brings back a lot of memories of the music she grew up listening to on the radio and listening to on her mom’s records.

Karyn has sung with several bands over the years, starting with Charlie’s roadhouse band, Barstool Mountain, Wild Horses, Wine Country, and Karisma. She has also been involved in other projects, one being a two girl duet called “Lipstick” with singer and friend Donna Gandza. And a male /female duet Burden and Bower with friend Dave Burden, who recently wrapped up a 2 year run. Although they recently ended the duet due to differences Karyn says “ Dave is a very talented individual and although things didn’t turn out the way we thought they might, I wish him the best and know he will be successful in whatever genre he chooses”.

Karyn is currently performing at several legions throughout the Niagara Region. There is no better venue than this , she states, as these fine people are respectable and appreciative, and they come out to dance and have a nice time. The hours are decent and she never wants to go back to the days of putting up with the heavy drinkers and bar fights in the local bars. The acceptance she has been receiving in the Legions make those years of struggle all seem worth it.

Click the photo below of Karyn & Me to go to her Web Site.

And I am also happy to report she is my 2nd cousin! :o)

Hopefully, she will have CD's available -- so check back often!

And as for Ceol Cara, they will be playing @

The Irish Harp Pub http://www.theirishharppub.com/

245 King Street, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario

Join them in the Harp all afternoon & evening as they celebrate!

ALSO, hoping my Yellow Submarine bag arrives today!!!

ABOVE NIAGARA

When I first started dating Bob, in 2005, he told me he was acting in a show that could possibly hit the tv stations in the future titled ABOVE NIAGARA. It was all shot within the Niagara Region.

One day he had to go and do a film shoot and asked me to come along. I was just going to be on the side-lines watching. It was a cool afternoon and it was starting to cloud over. We got there early. The scene was with the Mayor (Janine Heaven)* of "Port Niagara" along with the Mayor's Assistant "Bob". There were suppose to be a bunch of extra's pretending to be the media interviewing the Mayor. Robert "Tanos", the director, showed up with his crew and cameras and started setting up. A few more extras showed up but there weren't enough. Bob introduced me to him and "Tanos" asked me if I would mind playing an extra. I had no experience acting since I'm quite a shy person in real life. What the heck, might as well try. I agreed. My job, take a camera and just pretend to take photo's of the interview. It was fun!!! Mind you a while later when I actually got to see part of the show, I wasn't on screen for very long and it was my back (and I was 30 lbs lighter) ROTFL!!!!!!!

I was asked again to play a part as Bob's assistant in a town hall meeting, and I didn't have lines, but as the rest of the cast and extra's left, they did a close up of Bob asking me out for a drink and I had to respond. (BLUSH). Another time was a scene for a Halloween Party. I was told once again just to be an extra in the background playing a game with Bob, etc......... but again at the end of the night, Bob's big part came up and he was having a conversation with another character. Next thing I know, "Tanos" is saying "Say this and say that", etc...... LOL -- my big break! Shy little Mary is acting reciting lines.

The show is still being compiled and Tanos has added a new twist. He is actively searching for more positions to be filled. This you are interested? CLICK HERE and then click on the menu selection CASTING.

There currently is a FACEBOOK GROUP as well.

* Janine Heaven is the offciant who married us - looking for an officiant? CLICK HERE


PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KARYN : TRAILMIXDESIGNS!!!!!!!


PSS: Just added some cute little penguins on the side of the page, you can't miss them. Try moving your mouse around them and they follow!

Local Music Talent for the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

Now it is time to introduce you to some local muscians who live in my neck of the woods. :o)

Ceol Cara, pronounced (“key-OLE KAR-uh”) is an Irish (Gaelic) phrase meaning “music friend ”.
The band formed in early 2005 through newly bonded friendships with the sharing of music at song circles. The four band members each currently live in the Niagara area and have been active in the music scene for many years. Everyone contributes vocally in rich textures and harmonies covering a variety of Celtic, Traditional, Shanties and Canadian music. Known for their personalities on stage and the fun and energy that they have performing together, Ceol Cara continues to grow in popularity around Southwestern Ontario.

I was actually introduced to them because I work with one of the group members. I first saw them when they played at a Piratefest in Toronto a few years ago and they were totally amazing. I then saw them again at the Grape & Wine Festival in St. Catharines and then again at a friend's wedding. You can normally find them out and about at different bars, etc... playing for small to big crowds as everyone seems to enjoy their music. One of their fun songs is titled TIGHTY WHITIE MAN. They are currently recording for a CD - so stay tuned for that! Also, here is their schedule to see them live.

Next we have the great Joe Lapinski (giggle).

I was introduced to him back when I first started dating Bob (2005) and saw him perform in a theatre group named Suitcase In Point . I'll never forget, I really really enjoyed the show that I contacted the group to tell them so and Joe wrote back thanking me. I went to another show later on where Joe (which I didn't know at that point) was going to perform musically and he actually recognized me from MYSPACE (when I was using that site) and he remembered I liked the Pet Shop Boys. So as time went on, I found out he had his own album along with one he had with a group named The Regards. After listening to some previews of songs on Joe's SUNDRIES album I knew I had to have a copy. I purchased one and even had it autographed by Joe! (GRIN) I love all the songs off the album but my favorite by far is SONG FOR DIGGING. Maybe it is because Bob and I love to Metal Detect. lol Here is Joe's Schedule.

And last but not least we have Michael Wainwright.

I first saw him when he was playing with The Caverners. He was John Lennon. Who doesn't love the Beatles?? You can also see some video's shot from the Grape & Wine Festival in St. Catharines. But that was just the beginning. I didn't realize until we bumped into him at the Ringo Starr concert at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls last year that he did solo work. Bob recognized him when we let out from the concert and we went over to him and I was quite shy. Bob said he knew his brother and they went on talking and that's when Michael told us about the Guitar and a Car Tour. I even got a hug from Michael. (BLUSH) If you have time, you really have to listen to his music and take the time to watch all the video's he has for the Guitar and a Car Tour!! Very very interesting stuff!!! Here is his schedule.

And there you have it, I'm sure there are hundred's of other local bands, but these three are my favorite so far! Here's hoping they get nominated for the Niagara Music Awards 2009! It would be so cool if their music could be played on 91.7 Giant FM radio station!

Keep up the great work lads!!!! Keep those hits coming!!!!!!!

MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT IS NOW ON TWITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!