Submitted by Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
The Lion’s Head Market Band and fellow musicians perform at the Buskers Stage in Lion’s Head on Saturdays starting at 10 a.m.
Missing their regular music sessions, local musicians tried connecting through virtual platforms, but did not find them satisfactory experiences. To “keep the music alive”, the group of musicians that form the Lion’s Head Market Band plan to get together on Saturday mornings at The Buskers Stage.
On June 6, Karen McCulloch performed her original composition “Been a Long Time” backed up by Rod Layman and Gerry Gregory. Later Stuart Burgess, Dominik Franken and Mary Kelly joined Rod and Gerry to perform some old favorites such as “Jambalya”, “You’re Sixteen” and “Abilene”, dedicated to the memory of a fellow musician Dave Penson.
Shoppers, bicyclists and walkers stopped to listen, spreading out along the sidewalk and across the road while others stayed in their vehicles to maintain physical distancing.
The Buskers Stage, located in the grassy area between Scott’s Hardware and Hellyer’s Foodland on Main Street in Lion’s Head, was constructed last year by volunteers with all materials donated by local businesses and community members. The stage is solar powered with the electricity produced used to power the amplifier.
Depending who shows up, the repertoire may vary, from “a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll” to folk, blues, jazz, pop and classical; and instruments played are as eclectic such as mandolin, woodwind synthesizer, violin, viola, acoustic and electric bass, guitar, keyboards, harmonium, harmonica and beat box. The music session is expected to be two hours long, weather dependent.
Last year the band raised $2,400.00 in donations, which was distributed to the BPDS salad bar, Food Bank and Day Care. Any monies raised this year will also be distributed to local community organizations.
Musicians wishing to use the busking stage can contact Gerry (gerrygregory@live.ca), Dominik (dominikfranken59@gmail.com), or Rod (layman.rod@gmail.com)
The musicians likely to join a session at the busking stage are: Gerry Gregory (mandolin, woodwind synthesizer, bass), Dominik Franken (violin, viola), Rod Layman (guitar), Dan Corcoran (keyboards, harmonium, harmonica), Brian Taylor (guitar), Brian Osborne (electric bass), Stuart Burgess (guitar, cigar box guitar), Arnie Crittendon (harmonica), John Baker (guitar), Patrick Lima (accordion), Mary Kelly (guitar), Luke McMullin (beat box), Jan Menkal (acoustic and electric bass, guitar), and Karen McCulloch (guitar).
