Merry Christmas, all...

To the several hundred people who made it to a BobCat show in 2007, to the folks who opened up our shows (BobCat Bob, Dave Haskins, Rob Bowman, Heather Daley, and Rachel Ferguson) and to the wonderful performers who made it worth everyone's while to come out (Tony D, Suzie Vinnick (twice!), David Gogo, Lynn Miles, Wendell Ferguson, Katherine Wheatley, Coco Love Alcorn (who we had to cancel on in 2007 but has promised to give us another chance in 2008, Ana Miura, Meredith Luce, and Rick Fines) the Merriest of Christmases.

In an act of dedication, I was out Saturday preserving "BobCat Arena", as you can see here:



The good news -- the roof didn't leak a drop during Sunday's rain. The bad news -- if you were hoping for us to install the retractable roof dealio from the Olympic Stadium in Montreal... it's not gonna fit, so our concerts will have to have a roof over their head for the foreseeable future.

If you aren't already signed up for Chris & Diana, you're probably out of luck; but worry not -- there are more great shows coming in 2008, and we will have details early in the new year on several of them.

Merry Christmas. Enjoy some great music over the holidays.

Bob and Cat.

SA-TUR-DAY, HEY! Rick and Suzie rock.

In the unlikely event that we ever get discouraged about house concerts, memories of November 17, 2007 will serve to put us back in a good mood.

Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick put on not one, but TWO fabulous shows for us, with over 60 people getting to hear some absolutely wonderful musicianship and songs.

Those who were at the evening show got an extra treat when their musical pals Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley, in town for the Healing Garden benefit concert today (November 18), dropped by and ended up getting up to play and sing with Suzie and Rick.

Here's some of what it looked like. If only you could have heard it!

We also have a big box of food for the Ottawa Food Bank, lots of new Rick & Suzie fans, and our first show of 2008 to announce (in a separate post). Enjoy the pics.

Wendell & Wheatley -- two seats open

Due to a last-minute cancellation, we have two, count 'em TWO, seats available to the first comer.

If you want 'em, e-mail me at the usual address. First come, first serve.

See the lucky concertgoers tomorrow!

Cheers,

BobCat.

Wendell and Wheat sold out

Well that didn't take you long.

Wendell and Wheat on June 8 is officially sold out, but we can do a waiting list. Let me know if you want on. There are some tentatives at this point.

Thanks,

Bob and Cath.

One show confirmed! Book June 8 in your calendar

BobCat House Concerts is proud to present...

Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley in concert
Friday, June 8, 2007
7:30 pm

It's been said that when Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley play, one won't leave a dry eye in the house, while the other won't leave a dry seat.

Katherine Wheatley is a geologist by training and a performer by passion. Her songs are catchy without being sappy, and her experience in Canada's more wild climes and in Africa has fed the sense of adventure that any musician and writer needs. She's got two solo CDs to her credit -- "Straight Lines" and "Habits and Heroes" -- and is part of the Toronto group Betty and the Bobs, Wendell Ferguson's group The Smoking Section, and the Pomelos. She's appeared on almost any CBC program you can name and done tons of other work, and she's the public face of the "Give in a Heartbeat" campaign for the West Parry Sound Health Centre in her home town.

Wendell Ferguson has played with Katherine Wheatley for years, and has the rare combination of truly prodigious musical skills and a truly twisted sense of humour. A winner of the Canadian Country Music Association's Guitarist of the Year so many times they "retired" him (seriously!), he has contrtibuted to records and concerts by a galaxy of stars. You might recognize George Fox, Shania Twain, Lisa Brokop, Michelle Wright, Tommy Hunter, The Dixie Chicks, Quartette, Cindy Church, Murray McLauchlan, Bob Snider, Gordon Lightfoot, Jane Siberry, James Keelaghan... well, Wendell's played with them all. But it's when he gets out on his own that the laughs threaten to drown out the cheers. With CDs like "The S**T hits the fans" and "Happy songs sell records, sad songs sell beer" and songs like "Rocks and Trees", "The Barnyard Two-step" and "Great Big Johnson", you get the idea.

An evening with Wendell and Katherine will leave you inspired by the music and exhausted from the laughter.

To join us in enjoying Wendell and Katherine, simply e-mail to reserve your seats. Space is limited (we don't live in a mansion, after all). Suggested donation is $20.