By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Bobby Dean Blackburn sings the “Blues” in Lion’s Head, performing on the Harbourside Stage on September 3. Starting at 5:30 p.m. approximately 100 persons came out to enjoy the summer evening of music.
Blackburn was on keyboard; Cliff Hiple played various percussion instruments (a variety of shakers, tambourine, clef stick etc.); Gord Cattrill on electric base guitar and Steven Woods on drums.
Blackburn performed with his new musician friends, referring to them as the Three D’s: Dominic Franken on electric five string violin; Dan Corcoran on harmonica and David Smallwood on tenor saxophone.
Described by concert goers as “excellent”, “entertaining performer”, with a “palpable intimacy and groove between the performers and the audience swept away by the music.”
Opening with “Chicken Shack”, the group performed well-known songs such as “You Are The Sunshine of My Life”; “Georgia On My Mind”; “Under The Boardwalk” and many others.
Hiple asked Blackburn “Why do you sing the blues?” to introduce B.B. King’s moving story song “Why I sing the blues” describing experiences during slavery, labour exploitation, ghetto life and family heartbreaks.
Blackburn talked about how he met his wife and their recent 60th wedding anniversary celebration. He dedicated “Gotta Get Ready For Love” which he composed and wrote to everyone in love.
The evening ended with a rendition of “Goodnight Irene.”
Blackburn invited everyone to join him at Shipwreck Lee’s Bistro in Tobermory across from the Ferry dock every Sunday until October from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
