Editorial Peter Cottar
Sydney, NS
This Labour Day Weekend Cape Breton's 'Rockin' The Blues Ambassador" Matt Minglewood will be honoured in a tribute concert at the Government Wharf in Sydney.
Minglewood aka, Roy Batherson, defies superlatives because of his talent, tenacious committment to his music and his patriotic love of Cape Breton.
Minglewood, a diehard hockey fan, was a force to be reckoned with during his formative years.
In the late '60s the tall, good-looking Northside native could be found perched behind his organ where he held down mostly keyboard duties with the legendary Rockin' Saints.
Even then Minglewood's talent was evident. There are many examples, like the Sunday night dances at the now defunct Sea Lanes bowling alley in North Sydney where fans gathered around the stage, spellbound to watch Matt pour out his heart with his own soulful rendition of such classics as Hank Williams' mournful ballad, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, or the Procol Harem's classic, Whiter Shade of Pale.
Year's later, during a stint with the Cape Breton Summertime Revue, audiences would be floored with Matt's take on Out On the Mira. In fact, legions of fans swear Matt's version is simply among the best (if not the best) interpertations of the Allister MacGillivary classic.
Since then, Minglewood has logged thousands of miles, saw countless line-up changes in his band, played his way back and forth across Canada and the U.S., and had nurtured and harnessed not only his remarkable talent but that of countless musicians and songwriters. In addition, he has rubbed shoulders and developed a fan base among notable musicians like Colin James, Jimmy Rankin, Donald (Duck) Dunn, Neil Young, ZZ Top and Charlie Musselwhite, just to mention a few.
The thousands of fans who have followed Minglewood's career over the years can well remember some of the wonderful bands Matt has fronted. The current line up of musicians is certainly no exception with Neil Robertson on drums, Grant Leslie, bass and Jim Ralph handling keyboards.
Minglewood's contributions are many and varied. However, is influence and the musical standard he has set and maintained for himself in the ruthless, cutthroat music business continues to be a guiding light for both aspiring and seasoned musicians.
With record sales of 350,000, three gold records, two Juno nominations, two Canadian Country Music nominations, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Coast Music Asssociation and Canadian Country Music Songwriter of the Year, plus his new CD, Drivin' Wheel, recorded with tender, loving care at Fred Lavery and Gordie Sampson's Lake Wind Sound studio in Point Aconi, Minglewood's talent, passion and committment are undisputable, as is his work ethic.
In today's pop culture, where image appears to be everything, Minglewood has consistently opted to put his music first and foremost.
Quite simply, Minglewood's music just keeps getting hotter and hotter.
The folks at Rave Entertainment are to be congradulated for taking this project on. Honouring Matt Minglewood, or the 'Cape Crusader' is long overdue. We should all get out and show our support and respect for Cape Breton's musical ambassador.
Other performers scheduled to perform in the Matt Minglewood Tribute include Dutchy Mason, Sam Moon, John Campbelljohn, Wayne Nicholson, the Blues Merchants and, rounding out the show, a special reunion of Buddy and the Boys.
While of number of activities have already taken place on the Government Wharf since the Cape Breton Regional Municipality purchased the facility, I for one can think fo no one better, to in one sense officially christen the CBRM property and at the same time be honoured by family, friends, fans and fellow musicians.
Minglewood's over three-decade career is remarkable and is the stuff of legends.
Cape Breton is proud of what Matt Minglewood has accomplished in his thirty-five years as a musician, friend and human being.