GRAINNE: News

Hello Friends! 

I'm sitting on my back porch on this lovely, warm day of May 12, 2012. I just heard one of my neighbours say that we're in for a big storm, which is exciting! I love storms and their intensity of Big Mama Earth cleansing herself. Let's just hope that she's all done by the time we hit the road to go see The Stone Sparrows perform in Bowmanville tonight! I've got to say, I am very grateful to my friends who have invited me to come along to a couple of awesome shows lately. Just this past Wednesday I met The Cranberries back stage before their totally amazing concert at The Sound Academy in Toronto, thanks to a good friend of mine. It was pretty darn cool to have an all access pass to a  band that had much influence on me as I was cutting my musical teeth many moons ago. I must also admit, the band members' (and tour manager, etc) accents sure made me miss Ireland! I must return there soon and see my lovely family. Ok, this is a rather brief note today my friends, I have a bit of catching up to do, so I better sign off. If you are signed up to the mailing list you will be receiving my newly redesigned "Dirty Little Newsletter" (thanks to Alysha Main at the Southern Harmony Music Club) shortly and this month's newsletter includes some exciting news and a signed CD giveaway!  If you are not signed up to the mailing list, there is a form below that you can fill out to stay informed with all the "dirt" on my musical adventures! If and when you sign up, you will receive a free MP3 of my song Colours Of You :) ... So sign up today for a free MP3 and chance to win a signed CD! ... and just so you know, it's sent out on the 15th of each month (ie; only once a month) so it won't be clogging up your inboxes! 

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you will join us, and the world with live as one..." one of the world's great heros, Mr. John Lennon.

Grainne xoxo

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November 27, 2011: Starting in January 2012, Grainne will be directing the first chapter of "Shout Sister!" Choirs in Peterborough, Ontario: "Shout Sister! takes an unorthodox approach to choral singing. The focus is on relaxing and having fun while singing a wide range of popular music. Auditions are not required and no one reads music. This choir fills a need for inexperienced singers. Being allowed to sing with a choir for the first time is very powerful and joyful. Experienced singers find the relaxed atmosphere and repertoire of popular music a welcome change." For more information and/or to register, please visit the Shout Sister Website. 

Grainne's new CD Looking For Sunshine (produced by Moe Berg), has been officially released! The first of two CD Release parties was held at The Red Dog on November 26th, 2010. The night was a huge success, well over 100 people came out to celebrate. Grainne was joined on stage by an "all star" band; Ken Tizzard (The Watchmen, Thornley) - pedal steel, Cale Gontier (The Art Of Dying) - bass, Josh Gontier (formerly of Slow Nerve Action) - electric guitar, banjo & backing vox, Travis Berlenbach - guitar & backing vox, Ali Stead (formerly of Moreas Fate) - electric guitar and Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace) - drums. The staff at the Red Dog did a great job. Ryan Kemp, who books the bands there, had the place looking beautiful, a theatre style setting with couches & candles for the audience's comfort. Strands of white lights adorned the stage, creating a real concert setting for both the band and the audience.

Then two weeks later, on December 10, 2010, Grainne hosted her second CD Release party at The Cadillac Lounge in Toronto. Again, a very successful night, with a turn out of over 100 people. The Cadillac has a very cool vibe, a very relaxed atmosphere. Grainne's friend and fellow musician, Ken Tizzard opened the night with a great solo acoustic set of his own material from his recently released CD Between The Lines. He even had a surpise guest, Daniel Greaves (front man for The Watchman) joined Ken on stage to sing an excellent acoustic version of their song "Holiday", what a treat that was! Then Grainne hit the stage with yet another "all star" band: Alvin Lapp (Buddy Guy, The Jayhawks, Goo Goo Dolls) - drums, Jeff Beauchamp (Vince Gill, Lawnie Wallace) - bass, Ken Tizzard - pedal steel, Ali Stead - rhythm electric guitar, Cora Westermann (Grainne's sister) - backing vox and the one and only Moe Berg (The Pursuit Of Happiness & producer of Looking For Sunshine) - backing vox and awesome gritty electric guitar. A good time was had by all, lots of CDs were sold, people were dancing, it was a fantastic evening!