CURLEY BRIDGES & CHRIS WHITELEY KICK OFF NEW BOTR @ THE COVE SEASON

The popular BLUES ON THE RIDEAU Dinner & Show Series at THE COVE INN, Westport Ontario begins its 4^th season on October 17 & 18 with blues great piano/vocalist CURLEY BRIDGES backed by one of Canada’s most versatile and talented musicians - CHRIS WHITELEY (guitar, harmonica, trumpet and vocals) and his excellent band - Bucky Berger or Bob Vespaziani on drums and Victor Bateman on bass.

Almost every BOTR @ The Cove Show sold out last season and no wonder – what a treat to see some of Canada’s best blues artists performing in the up close and personal, friendly atmosphere of The Cove combined with a delicious buffet dinner and dancing – all in support of local charities – for only $55 pp (dinner, show  taxes and donation to charity included).

To meet demand this year all artists will play BOTH Friday and Saturday night Shows – on the third weekend of every month from October to June (December excluded). Advance reservations are required – call (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-COVE-INN. Well-priced accommodation is available at The Cove and nearby B&B’s.

CURLEY BRIDGES www.electrofi.com was born in North Carolina 1n 1934 and started his career in the 1950’s inspired by blues greats Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner and Billie Holiday (with whom he had a close friendship). His high-energy piano and deep, powerful voice made him a very popular entertainer. In the ‘50’s he hooked up with red-hot blues trumpeter Frank Motley & His Crew touring throughout the U.S. and Canada for over two decades. In 1966 he moved to Toronto and started his own band, The Rounders, playing around Ontario until 1981 when he moved to Barrie and largely disappeared from the music scene. Andrew Galloway from ElectroFi Records re-discovered him in 1998 and got him to record a new CD – “Keys To The Blues” followed by “Mr. Rock ‘n Soul” in 2001. Both feature some of the best blues piano and singing you will hear anywhere. Since then Curley has come out of retirement to play select festivals and clubs. We are very pleased and honoured to have them back – Curley and Chris were the first act to play Blues On The Rideau at The Cove in January 2006.

“Curley Bridges is a revelation who brings down the house and blows you away” Blues Beat Magazine

CHRIS WHITELEY www.chriswhiteley.com has backed Curley since appearing on his CD’s. A member of the famous Whiteley musical family (brother Ken, daughter Jenni, sons Dan & Jesse) – Chris is one of Canada’s most versatile and talented blues/jazz/roots musicians – singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist, harmonica, trumpet player & more. He has played on 150 different albums over his 25+ year career with artists as diverse as Stompin’ Tom Connors, John Hammond, Prairie Oyster and David Wilcox as well as recording several of his own. His most recent collaboration was with Canadian blues diva Diana Braithwaite: “Morning Sun” – a delightful tribute to the Bluebird label songs of the ‘30’s & ‘40’s. (Note: Chris & Diana played here in March 2007). A 6X Juno Award nominee, multiple Maple Blues Award and Jazz Report Award winner - Chris and his great band are worth the price of admission on their own - having them play with Curley is a double treat!

“If there is another blues musician out there who can do more things in more ways on more instruments as well as Chris Whiteley please introduce him to me.” James Doran, Ottawa Blues Society OBScene Magazine

PROCEEDS TO

Friday: Rideau Vista Elementary School,

Saturday: St. Edward’s Elementary School