HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-02-28, Page 19Lyndon John has a great smile. And the
Brussels resident is wearing it a lot these days.
This month, John, a 31-year-old musician
received word that he had been nominated for
a Juno award, the top honour in the Canadian
music industry, in the Reggae Recording of the
Year category.
Like most musicians John is content just to
play, in his glory when he can find a kindred
spirit that he can jam with.
But after years of honing his craft and
paying his dues at small bars and university
clubs, the honour has him beaming.
“It’s very exciting. A great surprise,” said the
affable guitarist. And the surprise was made
even greater by notice that he had also
been nominated for a Canadian Reggae
Award, with the contest being held in
March.
“When I heard, I couldn’t believe it. I’m
still shocked,” he said, flashing his award-
winning grin.
His musical education began with the
requisite childhood piano lessons, which he
“hated”. Then he spent time under the tutelage
of the “best teacher in the world” while
studying guitar at the Ontario Conservatory of
Music.
His interest in music continued into high
school where another favourite teacher
happened to discover another of the youth’s
talents and recognize the potential.
“He came into the room one day and I was
singing the The Love Boat. He followed me
around trying to get me to take part in the
school drama production.”
While he was less than enthused, John
credits the teacher, Paul Lacalamita and his
wife Jane with teaching him how advance his
musical skills.
“They showed me how to put music
together, how to write harmonies.”
In an attempt to further this education,
John went on to York University,
where after just a year, he realized it
was not the program for him.
“They would have us sitting
listening to the fluorescent
lights to say what pitch
they were. I wanted to
play guitar.”
That
opportunity
came when
he stu-
died
at
the
Guitar
Academy
in Toronto.
“My teacher,
Rob Campbell
was a jazz guitarist.
He was amazing.”
With all of these
influences in his life, perhaps
the most came from John’s
Grenadian parents, through whom
he was introducted to the calypso and
reggae sounds of the West Indian islands.
“Different islands have different
specialities; Jamaica is reggae, Grenada,
calypso, but I was into reggae music.”
It’s a genre that he believes is catching on
more here. “I think when I listen to the
different influences in music today, a lot of
musicians are putting some reggae into their
music.”
He began writing music in high
school and even wrote a song for a
soundtrack. However, while it’s
important to be able to make
the music, independent
musicians also usually
have double duty as
promoters.
“I knew
Toronto was
the place to
be for
reggae
music,
but I tried
hard to get my
name out there.”
A woman
answered one of
the ads he had placed.
“She was Italian and had
called and said she was in
need of a guitarist. She told
me about all the musicians she had
lined up, who had played with Bob
Marley.”
“We were doubtful,” said John’s
wife, Julie. “We thought this couldn’t be
true.”
But after some thought, she encouraged her
husband to go for it.
It was a wise move. The musicians there
were some of the cream of the reggae crop.
“It was an amazing opportunity for me,”
said John, who brilliantly saw a way to
capitalize even further. “I said, ‘Can I borrow
you guys? I have some ideas for a record.’
They came to the studio, introduced me to an
engineer.”
That was the summer of 2004 and and in the
months that followed, John said he was
introduced to an expanding roster of talent.
“Every time I went I met someone new.”
The CD, Two Chord Skankin’ was
completed at the end of 2006 and released in
June of the following year.
At the end of that year, the Johns also
tried another move. Having spent their entire
life in the city, they decided it was time to
try the country life, and moved with their
three little ones from Cambridge to
Brussels. “With little children, I don’t
think my heart could take living in the city.”
His day job, however, keeps him in the
urban swing of things which is good because
as an independent, it’s not enough to play
music. There’s business to look after as well.
“As little as I know about the music industry I
had to do it all.”
He legged miles delivering his work to
record stores, radio stations and universities. “I
passed it out and they started playing it.”
At one point he checked to see how his
music was doing and was heartened to see he
was number two on the chart at one radio
station.
Now, he and Julie are getting set to head
to Calgary where among other things John
has been invited to be among the performers at
the Junofest celebration held the weekend
before the Sunday, April 6 awards
presentation.
“I’m a little nervous. But this is such an
amazing thing that’s happened.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&Local musician off to the Junos
NNoommiinneeee
Brussels musician Lyndon
John has received a Juno
nomination in the Best
Reggae Recording
category for his indie CD
Two Chord Skankin’.
(Bonnie Gropp photo)
The season schedule for the Huron
County Playhouse in Grand Bend
was announced last week.
The 2008 season kicks off with the
classic musical My Fair Lady which
will run from June 3 until June
21.
A “pageant of political patriotism”
will continue the season with the
opening of Sorry... I’m Canadian, an
entertaining trek across the country
that will run from June 24 until July
12.
Following up Sorry... I’m
Canadian will be Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels, running from July 16
until Aug. 9. The adaptation of the
popular film was a smash on
Broadway and will be making its
Canadian debut this summer.
Wrapping up the season will be A
Funny Thing Happened On The Way
To The Forum, running from Aug.
13 to Aug. 30. It stands as one of the
funniest and original musicals ever
written.
In addition to the lineup at the
main playhouse, Playhouse II in
Grand Bend will play host to I Love
You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
which takes a look at the absurdity of
love, running from July 16 until Aug.
30.
Tickets are $37 for adults, $20 for
18 and under and $30 for preview
performances.
For tickets or more information,
contact the box office at (519) 238-
6000 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463
or at their website at
www.huroncountyplayhouse.com.
‘My Fair Lady’ kicks off Playhouse season
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
To celebrate the Reuben R.
Sallows Gallery’s fifth anniversary, a
new exhibit, Our Favourite Images,
opens on Feb. 28, with a reception at
5 p.m.
The images were chosen by past
and present board members, staff
and founders.
They feature a variety of themes
and settings, showcasing the
excellent work that Sallows did
during his lifetime. Most of the
photographs featured were taken
between 1890 and 1937.
Some have been featured in past
exhibits, while others are from a
collection that has grown from 200
photographs to over 1,450 in five
years.
The show will run until May 1 at
the Sallows Gallery, 52 Montreal St.,
Goderich. It is located on the
mezzanine level of the Goderich
Library.
The Gallery is open noon to 5
p.m., Tuesday to Saturday.
Admission is free, though donations
are welcome.
For more information call the
Gallery at 519-524-9261 or check
the website: www.sallowsgallery.
ca
Happy 1st Birthday
Hayden
February 15
Love Mommy, Daddy,
Ryder and Sheldon
for
MIKE GROBBINK
&
TARA KRYNEN
• Sat., March 8, 2008 • 8pm ~ 1am
Tavistock Memorial Hall
• Lunch Provided • Age of Majority
Stag &Doe
519-887-8657Advance Tickets
call Sarah....
Gallery celebrates anniversary
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