Hanover Drive-In Concert a Success
 Bruce Worthington Show Band Headlines
Big Brother Big Sisters Benefit


Photo courtesy of Penny Walpole 

 The concert kicks off (before dark)

     On the evening of August 27, 2020, country music fans flocked to the Hanover Drive-In Theatre to take in a live outdoors concert produced & hosted by Bognor Jam Production, Promotion & Consulting.

      Headlining the concert was the 12 piece Bruce Worthington Show Band. Quanita & the Big Deal, also performed. Performers from Look-Up Theatre also added to the concert venue.

      According to theatre owner, J.D. Lyons, it was the first concert of its kind at his Hanover site. “It was an amazing event,” said J.D. “Here’s hoping we can do it all again,” he added. “My wife & I love country music, so hopefully we can organize another similar event.”

      Despite threatening weather conditions, high winds & heavy rainfall held off, which allowed many attendees to meet & mingle, all observing social distancing. The concert venue featured a number of original songs authored & performed by Bruce Worthington, plus a Tribute to George Strait.

      Recipient of the concert proceeds were directed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey-Bruce. “We can’t thank you guys (Bill Murdoch & Arnie Clark, concert producers) enough,” said Andy McKee, a Director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. “It was a class act,” he said.

      Concert sponsors included Country 93 & Bruce Power. “The event wouldn’t have been possible without a major sponsor. We sincerely thank Bruce Power, our title sponsor,” noted Bill Murdoch. “We’re hoping we can put something together for the 2021 theatre season,” said Murdoch...

Photo courtesy of Penny Walpole 

 & the the concert continues (after sundown)
NEWS RELEASE
         September 4, 2019
Bruce Worthington CD Release Party –
George Strait Tribute

 Could Have Been the Willie Nelson

 Join Bruce & his all-star group... The Bruce Worthington Band for his 2nd CD Release Event, Friday, September 27th, Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion – Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame Auditorium. Showtime – 7:00 p.m. Tickets - $20 available at Fretz Value Mart, Sauble Beach, in Hepworth at the Legion & Cindy’s Variety, & in Owen Sound at Bayshore Country Feeds.

 Join Bruce & his band for an evening of Pure Country... all the tunes from his CDs (recorded in Nashville) PLUS, Bruce’s special Tribute to the legendary, George Strait.
Contact: 519-371-1152


     Arts & Culture
Young Singer Looking Forward to Performance at Meaford Hall

Published: Thursday, 24 August 2017 08:42
Written by Helen Solmes

     Thirteen year old Barrett Moore is open to any and all opportunities to sing in front of live audiences and learn from other performing artists. He will be performing during Meaford Hall’s Bruce Grey Country Jamboree on September 9, along with local artists Amanda Dorey, Scott Almond, the True Country Show Band, and True Heart Trio.

      Barrett is the son of Regan and Jay Moore of Whitby and the grandson of Marilyn and Richard Morris of Meaford. He first performed in Grey County last December when True Country Show Band emcee Bill Murdoch invited him to perform during a True Country Christmas concert at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound.

      Barrett has been a student of the Bird Loft School of Voice under the direction of Roberta Michele Quilico since he was seven years old. The majority of what he sings and the lyrics he writes are what he describes as upbeat contemporary pop music.
     To hear Barrett perform music by some of the great adult voices makes one wonder how a vocalist so young can sing with the depth and soulfulness of the likes of Leonard Cohen and Adele, yet he does.

      “People ask me all the time how I can sing about adult emotions,” he said. “I listen to the lyrics, I think of the meaning in them, and I try not to think of them as strictly adult feelings.”

      For Barrett, singing is more than a hobby, it's a passion.

      “Singing is more than just a hobby for me. I performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah in my hometown during a Vimy Ridge concert in April. When I chatted backstage with the other performers and asked them if they knew Hallelujah, they did, and many versions of it. I asked about other songs - they knew them all. I would love to get there, where if someone asks me to sing a particular song I will know how to sing it.”

      The September 9 Bruce Grey Country Jamboree is a Bognor Jam Productions concert. Tickets are available at the Meaford Hall Arts & Culture Centre.
Lisa Marie to join Hepworth’s Opry North Show
Hanover Gal’s first Appearance on local Opry Stage
     Up & coming country singer & songwriter, Lisa Marie (Lisa McEwan Mcallum), will be a feature artist at this year’s 4th annual Grand Ole Opry, Hepworth North Show.
     The 2016 Opry is set for Saturday, October 29th in Hepworth at the Legion – Music Hall of Fame Auditorium. Showtime is 7:00 p.m.
     The country music extravaganza will also include the True Country Show band & performances by 10 guest artists. The evening’s entertainment will be recorded live, on location, by Bayshore Broadcasting's Country 93. Radio personality, John Christie & Bognor Jam’s Bill Murdoch, are show hosts.
     Lisa Marie, from Hanover, Ontario, has gained a lot of attention in Nashville circles for her vocal abilities & songwriting skills. She has shared the stage with such artists as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Steve Diamond & Kelley Lovelace. She’s also enjoyed the unique opportunity of penning songs with some of country's foremost writers, such as Michelle Wright & Patricia Conroy.
     Lisa’s songs have been featured on the “Bachelor Pad” & “Canada's Got Talent.” Her song, “Girls Will be Girls,” was selected as the theme song for “6 Chix,” a live concert featuring Nashville’s up & coming singers & songwriters.
     Other guest artists at this year’s 2016 Opry include Kenny Fromager, Paul Williamson, the True Heart Trio, Buck ‘O Williams Jr., Tyler Beckett, Ned Taylor, John Beckett & Amanda Dorey. Also performing is Second City comedian, Steve Morel. A longtime favourite of the Wingham Barn Dance Show, Linda Elder, will also join the Opry event.
     Tickets are $30 (includes tax) & are available in Hepworth at the Legion & Cindy’s Variety.
     In Owen Sound at RAM Trophies & Sportswear, Long & McQuade, Bayshore Country Feeds, Taylor Electronics & David Fromager’s Music & More. The Port Elgin ticket outlet is Books & Strings.
     The Opry is an annual presentation by the Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion in association with Bognor Jam Production, Promotion & Consulting.
     Contact 519-371-3918, 519-371-1152 or 519-935-2902 for more information, or to reserve tickets.
JIM
MERRIAM
FUNNY FARM
    Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.
Oliver Wendell Holmes

     While we’ve all been distracted with the election and the Blue Jays, the rest of the world has been rotating on its normal axis.
    The undisputed boss of country music, Willie Nelson has had a bout with illness; enought that he had to cancel a couple of dates on his tour with Merle Haggard.
    With all we’re hearing about the healing properties of marijuana, you’d think Nelson would be immune to all diseases, but apparently not.
    Nelson’s son said the health issues were minor and the tour is back up and running.
    Fans of true country – as opposed to that fluffy soft rock junk they pass off as country today – would do themselves a big favour attending one of these concerts.
    These two greats were in Detroit last night but it doesn’t appear they will be coming any closer to the border.
    Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to see both Willie and Merls live and as muleskinners say, it don’t get no better’n that.
    I also had a couple of opportunities to see the Highwaymen, a quartet composed of Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and the late Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. 		    This Senate of country was music to my ears, so to speak.
    A high flautin’ executive in our company once asked me to name my favourite music group. To his credit he knew who the Highwaymen were when I responded. But he could not hide his disappointment that I wasn’t a Stones fan.
    Another great country voice is alive and well and living in Paisley. Jim Patterson can do Waylon and Merle and sings a Vern Gosdin hurtin’ tune as good as ole Vern himself did.
    Patterson will be a guest at the Grand Ole Opry Hepworth North show on Saturday at the Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion.
    This, the third presentation of this show, will be recorded live by Country 93. Kind of like the Nashville Opry that made WSM radio in Nashville famous worldwide.
    By the way the WSM call letters come from its original parent company and stand for “We Shield Millions.”
    The company was in the insurance business and the show was a sales tool.
    But I disagree.
    This weekend’s show hits the boards at 7:00 p.m. It will include performances by “Little” Davey Hiscox, Buck ‘O Williams Jr., John Beckett, Jamie Gordon, Sue & Justine, Comedian Slim Buck II and Keyborad Kenny.
    Also starring will be the True Country Show Band including Ken Fromager, Tyler Beckett, Paul Williamson, Dave Farrar, Lloyd Williamson, Arnie Clark and Gord Cottrill.
    The show will feature rising star Olivia Williamson and Jimmy Buffet tribute artist Brian Neale.
The SUN TIMES      Owen Sound      Wednesday, October 21, 2015
News Local
By Scott Dunn, Sun Times, Owen Sound
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 5:03:12 EDT PM 		 
Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame opening


Arnie Clark, (left) former Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch,
and Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion president Elmer Brown (right) stand
with a sign to be erected for the new Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame
at the Legion in Hepworth. (James Masters/QMI/The Sun Times, Owen Sound)

HEPWORTH - People who hear about the soon-to-open Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame have told Bill Murdoch it’s about time.

 The former local MPP turned Owen Sound radio call-in host said people commonly tell him there are so many worthy people who should be in the hall of fame.

 Murdoch said he could think of probably 50 people who belong the hall, which will officially open June 7 in what originally was called the Hepworth Country Music Auditorium. Now it’s the Hepworth Shallow Lake Royal Canadian Legion in Hepworth.

 Murdoch said he’s helping carry out the idea of recognizing a spectrum of local musical talent which friend and fellow music promoter Arnie Clark has been talking with him about doing for a few years.

 They book acts through Murdoch’s Bognor Jam Production & Promotions and both were members of The Tombstones, a ‘60s era local rock band which Murdoch managed and Clark played guitar in.

 “We just felt it was time we had a venue to honour our entertainers, both those that are still with us and those that have passed on,” Murdoch said.

 The Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame will be inside the auditorium of the Legion, a performance space which tends to feature country music. In the fall it’s home to Hepworth’s Grand Ole Opry North but in the 60s it also saw the likes of Mel Tillis, Leroy Van Dyke, Whispering Bill Anderson and other Nashville artists.

 According to Murdoch and Clark, some say Stompin’ Tom Connors got his start at the Hepworth Auditorium, when he asked if he could take the stage while the headliner took a break.

 “With such an amazing entertainment history attached to our auditorium, it makes having a Music Hall of Fame at our Legion such a positive part of our facility,” Joyce Wettlaufer, the Legion secretary-treasurer, said in a news release which announced the opening of the hall of fame soon.

 Murdoch said the hall will be open to recognize all genres of local music, from the symphony to the blues and all entertainers “who have made their mark in Bruce Grey.” Writers, radio personalities, and builders will also be eligible for nomination.

 On Sunday, June 7 the Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame will officially be dedicated with an afternoon gala. A special part of the opening will feature personal congratulations from Whispering Bill Anderson and Leroy Van Dyke, both of whom performed in the hall in 1968.

 Six local entertainers will be inducted after a concert by longtime local mainly country music performers Rudy and Jean Couture. There’ll be a silent auction hosted by Funny Farm newspaper columnist Jim Merriam and Durk Devries. A fried fish dinner will follow the induction ceremony.

 Each inductee will receive a commemorative memento and their names will be engraved on small plaques and showcased on a seven-foot maple and cherry-wood Epiphone replica guitar, custom-made and co-sponsored by Exquisite Wood Designs of Owen Sound. Financial donors will be recognized in the hall as “partners”.

 The induction committee is seeking donations of items for its auction on opening day, financial contributions and donation or the loan of historical musical artifacts for the hall, to be displayed behind glass doors on shelving which will be erected on the back walls of the auditorium.

 Tickets for the hall opening cost $20 and are available from members of the induction committee, which include Murdoch and Clark, local musician Kevin Moyse, Jim Merriam, Joyce Wettlaufer, Legion President Elmer Brown and past-president Bill Vanstone.

 Tickets are also available at the Legion in Hepworth and in Owen Sound at Fromager Music at 221 8th St. E. 8th St. E. and at Dave Fromager’s Music and More at 103 10th St. E.

 Call 519-371-1152 or 519-371-3918 to offer a donation for the hall, its auction or for more information.
News Local  
Memories of Elvis show back by popular demand


The Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion welcomes
Peter Irwin’s Elvis tribute show
back to the Legion auditorium on May 3rd,
by popular demand.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014 5:01:31 EDT PM

 Due to popular demand, Elvis will be back in the building!

 Peter Irwin and his award winning tribute to Elvis returns to the Hepworth-Shallow Lake Legion Auditorium on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

 It’s the Memories of Elvis show that includes Irwin as Elvis, his 8 piece band and the Rockettes as background vocalists. The Elvis production will take rock ‘n roll fans back to the early days of the “king” and later in his career – the come­back years. But even before Irwin takes the stage, his band, Jailhouse Rock, will open the show with some familiar hallmark tunes of bygone days, by such artists as Wilson Picket, the Everly Brothers, Chicago and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.

 “Traditionally, we’ve only had two sets in the show, but because of the wider interest in songs other than Elvis, we’ve added an opening set of other tunes which we hope to expand on,” said Bill Murdoch of Bognor Jam Production & Promotion, who has produced the show along with his associate, Arnie Clark.

 The Memories of Elvis – Jailhouse Rock Show is no stranger to the rock and roll scene across southern Ontario. Since its formation, Peter Irwin and his band have performed at many venues including theatre shows, dances and various fund­raising, charitable and special anniversary events.

 Although the show’s schedule has been localized in Ontario’s south, it’s now moving on to another level. Immediately following the Hepworth Shallow Lake event, Bill Murdoch confirmed that Irwin and the band will swing into Northern Ontario for a special function in Kirkland Lake. Murdoch indicated the success of the show last year in its concert up in Earlton. “It was our first concert in the north. There was a lot of interest in having us return,” he stated. He also noted that bookings are now coming in for 2015.

 Bill Vanstone, President of the Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion, is a big fan of the Bognor Jam musical productions. “Both the Elvis and the True Country shows have been extremely popular,” he said. “Bognor Jam presents very professional, very entertaining shows. The musicians are tops in their league.”

 Tickets for the May 3rd show and dance are $25, and are available at the Hepworth Shallow Lake Legion (519‑935‑2902) and at Fromagers Music in downtown Owen Sound (ph. 519‑371‑9662). Showtime is 7:00 p.m. There is no reserve seating. Sponsors for the event include Ruth’s Contracting, Cindy’s Variety and Penn Automotive.
Submitted to the Wiarton Echo by Arnie Clark.

MON, SEP 16, 2013
Collingwood
1969 Revisted at Meaford Hall Saturday

1969 Revisited at Meaford Hall Saturday
Submitted Photo
Get ready for a night of great classic rock with 1969 Revisited
on Saturday September 21, presented by Bognor Jam Productions.

 Meaford Express

 By Chris Fell

 Flashback to 1969 on Saturday September 21 with 1969 Revisited at Meaford Hall: an awesome 7-piece classic rock show that’ll take you back with the greatest hits from 1966-1972.

 1969 Revisited presents the music as you remember listening to it, on your turntable and the fm dial. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are just $25.

 Seven world class musicians take you on this musical trip: Trevor MacKenzie, Ed Morrow, Han Langeyk, Kevin Dandeno, Katie Lynn Dandeno, Dave Fearnall & Bob Robbins have over 50 years of combined talent that will leave you wanting more.

 The 1969 Revisited setlist is like listening to your favorite FM station: Led Zeppelin, Guess Who, The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Deep Purple, The Turtles, The Who, Moody Blues and many more. New additions for the Meaford Hall show include songs by Deep Purple, The Animals, The Left Banke, and Marianne Faithful. The first set of this fabulous show is all early 60’s. Sit back relax after intermission with music of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

 Get ready for a night of great classic rock with 1969 Revisited on Saturday September 21, presented by Bognor Jam Productions. Showtime is 7:30pm, tickets are just $25 and available now at the Box Office and online. Next up On the Stage October 2 is a show for all ages with Canada’s "Masters of Illusion" Ted & Marion Outerbridge ... a very exciting (and intriguing!) show. Global News calls them, "Crazy, impressive, fantastic, BRAVO!" Get your tickets to Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, perched perfectly at the Southern tip of Georgian Bay, just 30 minutes west of Collingwood. For more information on these and other Meaford Hall events follow us on Facebook, visit us and buy online at www.meafordhall.ca, call 1.877.538.0463 or drop by 12 Nelson St E in beautiful historic downtown Meaford.
10 The Post · Thursday, February 14, 2013                                                                                           Arran Elderslie
Don’t be moody or blue – win tickets to see Memories of Elvis
    All right Elvis fans, your chance to re-live the wonder that was the King of Rock and Roll is fast approaching.
    The Chesley and the Paisley branches of the Royal Canadian Legion are teaming up to present Memories of Elvis, starring Peter Irwin, The Hailhouse Rock Band and the Rockettes.
    The event is so big, both Legion branches are joining to­gether for this fundraiser, which takes place May 25 the the Ches­ley Community Centre.
    The show will be emceed by former Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch and is pro­duced in association with Bognor Jam Productions and Promotions.
    Doors are  at  7 p.m.,  with the
show kicking off at 8 p.m.
    Tickets are now on sale for just $25 and available at the Chesley and Paisley Legion branches, Denomy’s Appliances in Chesley, Marty’s Restaurant in Paisley or by calling 519-363-2788 or 519-353-5817.
    The Post is so excited for this show that we are giving away a pair of tickets for the event. Hidden in this week’s issue is a picture of Peter Irwin looking as good as the King did during the Aloha from Hawaii special. Fill out the ballet on the right side of this page, telling us where you spotted the King and get it to our office no later than 4 p.m. Feb. 22 for your chance to win a pair of tickets to this great event.

Photo by Bryan Nelson
 Peter Irwin will perform at the King of Rock and Roll at the
Memories of Elvis show in Chesley this May. He is pictured
with the Jailhouse Rock Band.
Arran Elderslie
Don’t be moody or blue – go see Memories of Elvis
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 1:42:36 EST PM
CHESLEY - All right Elvis fans, your chance to re-live the wonder that was the King of Rock and Roll is fast approaching.

     The Chesley and the Paisley branches of the Royal Canadian Legion are teaming up to present Memories of Elvis, starring Peter Irwin, The Jailhouse Rock Band and the Rockettes.

     The event is so big, both Legion branches are joining together for this fundraiser, which takes place May 25 at the Chesley Community Centre.

     The show will be emceed by former Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch and is produced in association with Bognor Jam Productions and Promotions.

     Doors are at 7 p.m., with the show kicking off at 8 p.m.

     Tickets are now on sale for just $25 and available at the Chesley and Paisley Legion branches, Denomy’s Appliances in Chesley, Marty’s Restaurant in Paisley or by calling 519-363-2788 or 519-353-5817.
Meaford Express Newspaper

Chris Fell Photo
Elvis rocks Meaford Hall! Peter Irwin on stage at Meaford Hall performing as Elvis.
Chris Fell, Staff Writer – May 07, 2012

 Elvis rocks Meaford Hall!

     On Sunday, May 6 it was Elvis Day in Meaford!
    Meaford Hall hosted Jailhouse Rock this past Sunday. It was an amazing show featuring award winning Elvis artist Peter Irwin.
    Meaford Hall hosted afternoon and evening pres­en­ta­tions of Jailhouse Rock. The two concerts were fund­raising events for Grey Roots Museum and Archives. Proceeds will be used to help further develop Moreston Heritage Village. The two concerts were spectacular shows that rocked Meaford Hall from top to bottom. Peter Irwin headlined the event performing many of Elvis’ classic tunes from the pop, country, blues and gospel genres.
    The act featured a nine-piece band and background vocalists – the Rockettes. Meaford Hall was absolutely packed for both shows. The matinee performance saw tickets being sold for balcony seats. The show was brought to Meaford by Bill Murdoch and Arnie Clark’s production company – Bognor Jam Production and Promotion.
    Without a doubt, Irwin was the star of the show. As Elvis, he took the audience on a trip down memory lane. He started the night featuring some of Elvis’ early hits and then moved into the comeback years during the second half of the show. The gospel hits of Elvis were featured heavily throughout the show. Elvis was an incredible pop and rock star that transcended the music world and crossed over into movies. However, he was also a Grammy award winning gospel performer.
    “It is truly humbling to stand up here with a band this size doing a tribute to Elvis,” Irwin told the audience as the show began.
    Irwin’s performance featured everything that made Elvis one of the greatest performance artists in history.
    The nine-piece band provided incredible musical accompaniment to Irwin’s fantastic and energetic stage presence. Throughout the show the ladies in the audience came to the stage to get scarves and kisses from Elvis.
    Irwin also made sure he engaged the crowd. He ventured into the audience to perform on several occasions and the audience was asked to participate during one song.
    At the conclusion of the show the audience gave the performance a long standing ovation. The sustained applause led Irwin to return to the stage for not one, but three encore performances.
Meaford Express Newspaper
April 26, 2012
Meaford Hall welcomes Elvis! After a very successful five month exhibit at Grey Roots Museum and Archives, the Elvis Grace and Grit production will conclude with two Elvis tribute concerts at the Meaford Hall Art and Cultural Centre on Sunday, May 6.

 Elvis is in the theatre!
    After a very successful five month exhibit at Grey Roots Museum and Archives, the Elvis Grace and Grit production will conclude with two Elvis tribute concerts at the Meaford Hall Art and Cultural Centre on Sunday, May 6.
    The concerts, at 2:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m., will feature award winning Elvis artist, Peter Irwin, his nine-piece Jailhouse Rock band and background vocalists, the Rockettes. The host of the show is Bill Murdoch, founder of Bognor Jam Production and Promotion, who along with Arnie Clark, are co-producers of the Elvis venue.
    The concerts, sponsored by Grey Roots, will highlight the early music as well as the comeback years of Elvis, who many consider to be the all time leading entertainer in country, pop, blues and gospel. Some of Elvis’s favourite gospel tunes will be performed by Irwin and Jailhouse Rock.
    “The gospel aspect will be a first for the band,” said Bill Murdoch.
    Elvis’s devotion to gospel is well known. Despite receiving 14 Grammy nominations for his music during his career, he only won three awards, all for gospel. “Elvis always wanted to be a straight gospel artist, but as we all know, pop became a big part of his career,” Murdoch added.
    Like Elvis, who got his start singing gospel in a Tupelo, Mississippi church, as a youngster, Peter Irwin’s vocal career too started out on a similar note when he began singing gospel as a youngster in his hometown Markdale church.
    Billed as one of the finest musical productions featuring local musicians and vocalists, Irwin’s Memories of Elvis-Jailhouse Rock Show, has received international coverage in both Canada and the USA courtesy of Shake Rattle Showtime, a syndicated radio show based out of Buffalo, New York. There is also widespread fan support throughout southwestern Ontario with several shows booked for community and private events throughout 2012.
    Proceeds from the Meaford Hall Elvis concerts are to benefit the ongoing growth and development of Moreston Heritage Village at Grey Roots. Concert tickets are $26.50 each plus HST and are available at Grey Roots (519-376-3690) or the Meaford Hall (519-38-0463).
    For more information on Bognor Jam shows, contact bognorjam.com, 519-371-3918 or 519-371-1152.