~ Canadian Forces Tours-
In May he embarks on another jaunt this time of the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. Performing for the troops is one of the most rewarding gigs he has done. Matt, Grant & Moon want to say thanks to all, especially the soldiers, and feel honored to have the opportunity to perform & help bring a slice of home to them.
Photos of the show are available on line at HMCS Charlottetown
We lost a great musician and an ever greater friend.
Check out a great tribute video of Jeff Healey at: Jeff Healey Tribute
- Check it out at ' Working Man, Matt was honored to not only sing the song but to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rita.........a well deserved award.
Matt Minglewood's Kandahar a classic already
By David Frank For the Daily Gleaner
On a late afternoon at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton last weekend, the veteran Cape Breton blues and rock musician Matt Minglewood brought the crowd to its feet more than once. He did it predictably enough with a soulful rendition of Rita MacNeil's well-known Workingman, which he introduced as the blues for the Cape Breton coal miner.
But before that, he also brought people to their feet with a searing new song that has the makings of an equally powerful anthem for the working Canadian soldier on the ground in Kandahar.The 60-year-old Minglewood, with more than a dozen albums behind him and a load of honours to boot, introduced the new song cautiously, as a tribute he wrote as a result of his experience playing for Canadian troops in a similar big tent in Afghanistan.
As he tore through the song in trademark style, tough and wild but never out of control, there were shouts of recognition from the audience. In the song there was respect and there was humour, and in the refrain there was also an undercurrent of ambivalence that acknowledged the dirt and dust and danger of the soldiers' mission: "Keep your head down, You're in Kandahar."
He did not have to spell out much more in a community where hundreds of families have been directly affected by the deployment and a region that has absorbed more than a fair share of the death and injury.Yet, this was not a song for or against the Afghanistan mission. In the context of his performance, as was the case for Rita MacNeil's classic, it was a song of solidarity for the work force in a hazardous occupation where workers have little or no say over the purposes or conditions of their work.
In his own way, Minglewood has, over the years, been a kind of folk performer for his far-flung generation of Maritimers and their children, who have been as likely to be found in the Canadian Forces as in the oil sands of Alberta. As in the old folk tradition, his appeal has always drawn on his ability to share identity and experience between performer and audience.
For a few minutes in that tent in a parking lot behind city hall, Minglewood's performance was one of the unexpected highlights of the annual music festival in downtown Fredericton. In front of an audience that was moved to tears as well as cheers, Minglewood was keeping the tradition alive.
The song is unreleased, but the first verses of Kandahar (Keep Your Head Down) can be heard at the Minglewood website, Matt Minglewood
Check out the schedule to see if Matt and the boys will be in your town!
05/03/08 Jeff Healey Tribute - Toronto, ON with the Jeff Healey Band
05/10/08 Songwriter's Circle with Bruce Guthro - Antigonish, NS
05/11/08 to 06/02/08 Persian Gulf/Afghanistan Canadian Forces Overseas Tour
06/04/08 Marigold Theatre, Truro, NS - solo - Songs & Stories
06/07/08 Orillia Blues Festival, Orillia, ON - Band
06/12/08 Trailside Cafe, Mount Stewart, PE - Solo - The Story
06/13/08 Trailside Cafe, Mount Stewart, PE - Solo - The Story
06/14/08 Rare Bird Pub, Guysborough, NS Duo
06/20/08 Halifax Waterfront, Band opening for Chilliwack
06/21/08 Shore Club, Hubbards, NS - Band
06/27/08 Bonvie MacDonald Rink to Links Golf Tournament - Antigonish, NS
06/30/08 Lockeport Festival Days, Lockeport NS - Band
07/01/08 Hfx/Dartmth July 1st Celebrations- Alderney Landing, Drtmth, NS
07/02/08 & 07/03/08 Danny Gallivan Cystic Fibroses Golf Tournament, Hfx, NS
07/04/08 Privateer Days, Liverpool, NS - Band
07/06/08 to 07/10/08 East Coast Classic- Golf Tournament, Digby Pines, NS
07/17/08 Dundee Golf Resort, Cape Breton, NS - Band
08/02/08 Sam Slick Days, Windsor, NS - Band
08/03/08 Casino Nova Scotia, Sydney, NS - Band-outdoor concert
08/09/08 Saint John Marina, Saint John, NB - Band
08/16/08 Upper Clements Park, Annapolis Royal, NS - Band
08/23/08 Tunes on the Dunes, Bouctouche, NB - Band
08/30/08 Shore Club, Hubbards, NS - Band
New dates will be added to the schedule. Check out our calendar Tour Dates and keep spreading the word!!!
We really appreciate your support!!!
We'll see ya down the highway!!!
If you are a venue/presenter that would be interested in having Matt at your venue (clubs, festivals, concert performances, corporate functions, house concerts) please email me at NortonEnt@mattminglewood.com. Suitable contacts are greatly appreciated.
Press & Interview Contact Info: Barbara Batherson 902 849-5290 bbatherson@ns.sympatico.ca