HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-02-01, Page 17Who needs a stage-wide show and
fireworks when all that you need to
hold an audience in rapture is what
you can balance on a barstool?
Joshua Gropp, a Brussels resident
and guitarist, has just embarked
upon his first ever national tour with
an itinerary peppered with intimate
venues from British Columbia to
Quebec.
Jan. 22, Gropp, along with Owen
Sound solo musician Jeff Catto, set
out toward Thunder Bay to complete
his first of a string of media
interviews and evening
performances. From there, he went
on to Winnipeg where he stopped to
see his sister, then it was on to
Saskatoon.
“It’s been a surprisingly beautiful
drive,” said Gropp while still en
route to Thunder Bay. “I’ve been
taking a lot of pictures.”
In November 2006, the release of
his debut album Sunsets from
Swingsets ignited the fire that has
Gropp on this 30-show tour across
Western Canada.
Gropp’s guitar playing and
fretwork recalls artists like Eddie
Van Halen, and combines it with the
folksy storytelling of Bruce
Cockburn.
He’s earned his distinct style by
writing personal songs, keeping
them stripped and simple. Such
simplicity means Gropp’s
deceptively complex guitar work is
the focus of his debut. His use of a
two-handed tapping technique has
won him the accolades of seasoned
musicians and music lovers alike.
“My favourite musician taught me
that you are a product of everything
you’ve been exposed to in your life,
and I like to think that my style is
proof of that,” said Gropp. “I have
played in jazz bands, metal bands,
Latin/salsa bands, punk bands, and
showbands. This is a direct result of
all of those.”
Jim Ryan, of Wingham, a well-
known area musician who books
talent for a local venue, says of
Gropp, “Certainly he has a lovely
guitar style. The technique really is
excellent, it’s very melodic, very
musical, draws people in. It’s like
there is a lot of joy in his music.”
“He just has a presence. He’s got a
smile on while he’s playing and it
really draws people in in a very nice
way.”
“His songwriting too, you know,
has a very positive spin to it, which
is nice, but mostly I just like his
flexible, wide-open approach to
things.”
Ryan also credits Gropp for being
flexible as a musician. “Some people
just work on their particular thing. I
just know that an audience would
warm up to him, even on the coldest
days of the winter.”
Gropp’s skillful tapping, plucking
and strumming is a testament to a
rich and varied musical background.
Son of Mark and Bonnie, 24-year-
old Gropp was brought up in a house
that teemed with all kinds of music.
Trained early on in piano, Gropp
found ease in learning the trumpet at
the age of 11. But it wasn’t until he
was 13 that he learned to play the
guitar. Taking an immediate affinity
to the instrument, he went on to
study jazz guitar at Toronto’s
Humber Institute of Technology and
Advanced Learning. He
experimented with various styles,
including heavy rock in his full
band, Perish, before finding his own,
quieter niche in acoustic folk.
“Playing with Perish has been
something that has opened my eyes
to what can be accomplished
through music. The way people react
and identify with what you’re doing
is amazing,” he said. “That’s
probably the biggest thing I love
about doing this solo project. To see
what I can do musically by myself,
and see what that does for other
people.”
According to Gropp, local support
helped him along when producing
the album, which was co-recorded,
mixed and mastered by Teeswater
resident Thomas Ireland at Ice
House Studios. It was local support
that saw him through his early years
as a musician in the county. He said
that Huron has a surprisingly
impressive music scene.
“Considering the size of Huron I
have absolutely always been proud
and impressed with the vibrancy of
the county music scene,” he said
while stopped in Winnipeg. “Per
capita it is very strong, and the
musicians that we have, are strongly
committed to their craft. It is very
diverse too.”
Right off the heels of shows in
Langley and Vancouver, Gropp has
headed to Kamloops for a show
tonight. (Feb. 1)
To follow along with Gropp’s
journey, a full list of tour dates is
available at his website,
www.joshuagropp.com.
He said he is scheduled to be back
home in late February, and plans to
perform a homecoming show on
March 8 at 9 p.m. at The Anchor in
Wingham.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2007. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&
Music on the go
Joshua Gropp, a 24-year-old musician and Brussels native
has packed his bags and set out on a musical tour of
western Canada. He is scheduled to return to Ontario by
late February after four weeks on the road. (Focus photo)
Brussels musician sets out on western tour
The Ontario government and the
Ontario Federation of Anglers and
Hunters are encouraging anyone
looking for some winter fun to get
outdoors and drop a line during the
first winter Ontario Family Fishing
Weekend, Natural Resources
Minister David Ramsay said Jan. 24.
“Many Ontarians enjoy winter
fishing as a sport and social activity,
and parents and others across the
province can take this opportunity to
introduce children and young adults
to the fun of fishing,” said Ramsay.
“The winter family fishing weekend
is a great time to learn from
experienced anglers about fishing,
safety and conservation.”
Canadian residents can fish
licence-free in any public waters
across Ontario on Saturday, Feb. 24,
and Sunday, Feb. 25. Events
offering free instruction on ice
fishing and safety on ice will be held
where ice conditions permit safe
fishing opportunities – mostly in
Northern Ontario.
Through a new partnership
arrangement with the ministry, the
Ontario Federation of Anglers and
Hunters (OFAH) will be taking on
more responsibility for organizing
Ontario Family Fishing weekends.
“Ontario Family Fishing Weekend
is the province's flagship outdoors
event that works to promote
recreational fishing. The original
concept for Ontario Family Fishing
Weekend was presented by the
OFAH and we are pleased that the
Ministry of Natural Resources has
increased opportunities to
participate in this outstanding
program,” said OFAH president
John Ford. “Ice fishing is good
family fun, and the OFAH is proud
to expand our partnership with the
ministry and the outdoor industry to
help introduce the new winter
edition of Ontario Family Fishing
Weekend.”
During the family fishing
weekend, anglers must follow the
conservation licence limits set out in
the 2005-2006 Recreational Fishing
Regulations Summary, which is in
effect until future notice.
Information on these limits will be
available at each participating site.
“Taking part in outdoor activities
such as fishing raises people’s
awareness of the environment,” said
Ramsay. “We look forward to
working with the federation in the
future on more fishing events to
promote a conservation-based
approach to recreational fishing.”
For more information on the
Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, or
if your organization would like to
host an event, visit
www.familyfishingweekend.com.
By Dominque Milburn
Focus
Happy 90th
Birthday
Lois Haines
(formerly of Auburn)
Everyone is welcome
to an
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Saturday, Feb. 10
2:00-4:00 pm
in Fordwich
Senior Citizens Hall
Best wishes only
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Sat., February 3
at 8 pm
Tickets $10 (advance) $12 (door)
$30 (family) $35 (door)
Outlet
Luann’s Country Flowers - Blyth
Featuring
Watchmen
& Kirby Cook
MC ~ Bill Townsend
Sponsored by ~ ABC Women’s Ministry
Blyth Memorial Hall
Fish for free on family weekend
Happy New Year was celebrated
at the Seaforth Seniors Dining Out
program on Thursday, Jan. 18 at
noon at the Seaforth Arena.
The Diners dined on traditional
ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies,
coleslaw with roll and cherry
chocolate cake.
Dale Sauve from the Brussels area
brought his display of woodwork
crafts. He demonstrated how to
make wood flowers, hummingbirds
and birds. Many of the diners
purchased one to take home.
Door prizes were won by Mary
Janmaat, John Janmaat, Ruby
McCullough, John Uwin and June
Martene.
Sauve donated two door prizes.
Share-the-wealth winners were
won by Teresa Maloney, Rosa Van
Bergen,Watson Reid, Bertha Taylor,
Kate Aslin, John Janmaat and Grace
Corbett.
The next Seaforth and Area
Dining Out program will be on
Thursday, Feb. 15 at noon featuring
pork loin chops. Entertainment will
be the Andrew/Rose Quartet. Cost is
$8.
Free transportation in town is
provided.
The Brubachers of Ethel
Restaurant & Bakery
Real Home Cooking
Try our Cinnamon Buns
519-887-8659
Mon. - Fri. 7-6:30;
Sat. 8-6:30, Sunday Closed
Seaforth Seniors celebrate