Summer 2008 Reflections I am really looking forward to this summer! In the past three months, I have been involved with many things and have been having a lot of fun. At school I was in the musical production of ‘Back to the 80’s’ which featured many favourite hits of the 80’s. I received honours with distinction in my studies and am honoured to be selected to attend a Summer Academy summer camp at St. Francis Xavier. The Summer Academy is a camp based on different science related topics and it is highly regarded camp in our Province. All Grade 9’s in Nova Scotia wrote a standardized test and the four students who had the highest marks were picked to attend the camp. I am thrilled to be one of the four! I know my summer months are going to be very busy. I look forward to visiting many local festivals and events in August – Milford, Truro, Bear River, Parrsboro and Pictou… It will be great to reconnect with my friends throughout the Province. (Visit the on tour page for all scheduling information.) The Connections just finished playing a showcase at the PEI Bluegrass Festival in Rollo Bay and I have been involved in a number of concert band performances through June. I have also been playing a lot of conventions with Fiddles and Feet and our band is now beginning its hectic summer schedule. On the topic of the F&F band, a few weeks ago we started arranging vocal tunes that are now included into the sets – and these are great! We perform a couple of Johnny Cash tunes and a few popular Maritime tunes. I also plan to work on my next CD project in the up-coming months. My Dad and I were trying to release the new CD for the summer, but now are working for a Fall release. Instead of rushing a few of the last recordings, we are going to take our time to ensure the arrangements are right good (Please listen to my single ‘Heart as Cold as Stone,’ available for download on the my music page.) Enjoy the summer fun! Hope to see you at one of my performances in the next couple of months, Megan 2007 ReflectionsIt has been a while since I've updated you on my activities and the fun I've been having. I am finishing grade 8 in a few months and look forward to playing through the summer! There's lots of news to share! The Fall / Winter This past Fall, I was selected to be part of a province-wide program called the Nova Scotia Honour Jazz. It is a program where musicians from across Nova Scotia come together for three weekends a year and play music. I'm playing my fiddle and performing in a funk combo. We are being directed by Rick Waychesko - the trumpet player for Tower of Power and The Lighthouse. It's been a real learning experience. At the end of each weekend, we play a concert. And at our next weekend, when we are in New Glasgow, we will be recording a CD. Through the Fall, I spent a lot of time with my good friends in Fiddles and Feet. We have been playing a regular gig at the Old Triangle in Halifax. This bar is always fun and everybody gets into the songs and step-dancing. You really never know where we might perform. During the March break Fiddles and Feet played the Halifax RV show for four days. We have been doing that gig for a number of years. Over the past six months, some of my memorable performances have been with Honour Jazz. I will never forget the show I did with Fred Isenor on Milford TV. And I really liked a Fiddles and Feet performance at Ski Wentworth - a lot of fun! A new CD! I am excited to announce that Connections has been in the studio working on a brand new CD. We are hoping to release the CD in the Fall. The traditional piece "McPherson's Lament" and a few Gordon Stobbe's tunes are on this new recording. I recently received a song from Melanie Doane that she wrote for me and it will be on the CD as well. Once we have finalized the mix for a few of these songs I will post them on the website. Keep watching for new posts! New Materials for the Stage I have been busy introducing new songs into our stage performances. Our group Connections has been learning many new songs. Some of them are from a bluegrass family group called Cherryholmes. This family of six musicians is from Tennessee United States and the band is very good. They write their own music and I've begun singing a few of their tunes. I am a big fan of Cherryholmes and we are thinking about recording a couple of their songs for the next CD. If you want to learn more about this fantastic group, visit their website at www.cherryholmes.com. I am also step dancing more in our performances. The last few times Connections played, I am dancing to three tunes. I also combine fiddle and step dance in one of our Connections songs. I am also dancing in a couple of songs with Fiddles and Feet. What to expect... In the next few months you can expect to see me at the tulip festival in Truro, and at the Riverview High school in Moncton. I am happy that Connections has 4 festivals booked so far this summer and we will be very busy. Fiddles and Feet bookings are also starting to pile up. We get very busy now that summer is coming - May we're performing nearly every weekend. The group also just finished recording a new CD and we hope to have it for sale very soon. So, there are some surprises in the months to come. Watch the website - we will be sure to share some photos of our gigs and the places we are traveling to. I hope you will like the new recordings I will post and that you will like Connections new CD. I look forward to seeing you at one of my next stops. You will not want to miss Connections new numbers that we keep adding to our repertoire. Hope to see you soon! Summer 2006 A few Q & As on Megan's summer season 1. What are you looking forward to this summer? I am most looking forward to going back up to play at the Keltic Lodge in Cape Breton. I also enjoy playing the festival with Connections on Musqudoboit. The summer concert scene, the venues, and the crowds are just great - I really enjoy this time of the year. 2. What new songs will people hear in your sets? People will hear a few new Alison Krauss tunes. I am performing a few with a little different style, a couple as blues and a country number. I'm sure people will recognize the songs and I think they'll like my interpretations. 3. Tell us a few of the favourite songs people are requesting? Some of the most requested tunes are Coat of Many Colors and, the most popular, Travellin' Soldier. Both of these songs are on my album. I enjoy singing these songs a lot. 4. You have started step-dancing. Will we see you step-dance in any of your performances? The rumour is true - I've been practicing my step-dancing. And yes, I will be step-dancing with Connections during the summer. Either Dad or Nathan will take over the lead instrumentation while I tap along. This is new to my performances and I'm looking forward to putting my right foot forward! 5. Where will you be travelling with her respective bands in the next few months? With Fiddles and Feet, I will be traveling to Cape Breton, to Halifax for various venues and to Bible Hill for Canada Day. With Connections, I will be doing the Musqudoboit Festival. And I will be going to festivals in Digby and Maitland with the Pioneers. You can follow my schedule on my website - and I encourage people to do so, because I have performances being added to the tour all the time. 6. Are we likely to get a new CD soon? I don't think we will be starting another CD at this time. I am currently in the studio with Fiddles and Feet and we are working on a new album that we have yet to finish. There is talk of releasing a few new tunes on my website - and we may be making an announcement about this in the near future. So stay tuned, by either checking back with the website or by joining my mailing list (you can join the mailing list on this page). Fall 2005 Reflections When looking back on the summer, the three gigs I liked the most were performing at Brookfield’s Lotta Truck Draw, at the Keltic Lodge, and ‘the Ceilidh on the Cove’ at Hubbards. There were many more memorable afternoons and nights. Playing and singing is always fun because all my fans are very supportive. I have many great memories from my performances. I have received many complements along the way about the selection of songs I perform. Many will be familiar with the tunes on my debut CD. Some tunes I love to play that are not on my album are the classics Orange Blossom Special and In the Mood, Big John Mac Neil, and an Alison Krauss vocal tune entitled Atlanta. This fall, I have started to learn a few early Alison Krauss songs, as well as Cheryl Crowe, and certain Sarah Evans pieces to perform with Connections. I look forward to continuing to perform in the three bands I currently tour with. Fiddles and Feet I really enjoy because the girls and guys get along so very well and we are playing in quite nice venues. I like the Pioneers because it’s nice to be with all my family – from great grandfather to first cousins. The third band I play with, Connections, is great as well because it’s made up of family – the band consists of Me, Dad, Aunt Stephanie Isenor, and my cousins Warren and Nathan Beeler. This fall my schedule isn’t as busy – which is a good thing. I am in grade 7, in a new school, and it’s a big change from elementary school. I’m enjoying social studies and science for my curricular classes. My favourite times, though, are with my music programs, which include Beginner Band (I play french horn), guitar club, and a new program called Blues Guitar Club. I want to thank all my fans and supporters who make this adventure so much fun. Hope to see you soon! Megan Summer 2005 Reflections On an evening in early June, Megan Isenor took time away from her practice to answer a few questions. For the many people who will be first learning of you through your new CD, tell us a little about yourself? Well, I am 12 years old and live at Shortt's Lake, Nova Scotia – just outside Brookfield and Truro. I attend school at Brookfield Elementary and this fall I will be going to Grade 7 at South Colchester Academy. In school I enjoy Math and Social Studies and like basketball and choir. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family. When did you start playing the fiddle? I started playing at the age of 8. I received my first fiddle for a graduation present at the end of grade 2. In the fall of 2001, I started lessons with Gordon Tucker. Who is your greatest musical influence? Alycia Putnam [http://www.munet.ns.ca/alp/Index.htm] and her dad played music on my deck for a family party in the summer of 2001. From that performance, I was inspired to work hard to play as well as Alycia does. I have been very fortunate to play with her in Fiddles & Feet. [http://www.munet.ns.ca/fnf/index.htm] What artists do you like to listen to? Some of my favourite artists are Sheryl Crow, Allison Krauss, Shania Twain, Natalie Cole, and Melanie Doane. I also like last year’s 2nd place Canadian Idol finisher, Theresa Sokyrka. What do you enjoy the most about your music? I think what I enjoy most is watching the crowd and their reactions to the music. I really like the wonderful people I play with in The Pioneers (a family bluegrass band comprised of four generations of Isenors) and Fiddles & Feet. What's your most memorable time playing, or the time you've had the most fun? The most memorable time was having the chance to play a concert with Ivan Hicks [http://www.ivanhicks.com/] because my grandfather has always been such a big fan. I have the most fun when playing at the Old Triangle Pub, [http://www.oldtriangle.com/welcome.htm] in Halifax, because the crowd is so encouraging and everyone has a great time there. Megan Isenor is currently playing in three groups: Fiddles & Feet, The Pioneers and Connections. Her self-entitled album is her first. The Road Traveled In 2005 – 2006, Megan traveled with three different groups (Fiddles & Feet, The Pioneers and Connections), playing to audiences throughout the Maritimes. To give you a sense of her hectic schedule on the road, here is her list of appearances over the past few years. JANUARY 2005 15 - Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 23 - Milford Church - Pioneers 28 - Shubenacadie Coffee House - Pioneers FEBRUARY 2005 5 – Bible Hill Family Day - Fiddles & Feet 5 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 13 – Memramcook, NB - Fiddles & Feet 19 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet MARCH 2005 5 – Private Function, Brookfield 18 – Outdoor Sports & RV Show, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 19 – Milford Coffee House - Pioneers 26 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet APRIL 2005 2 – Maple Syrup Festival, Upper Stewiacke - Connections 16 – Stewiacke Recreation Hall - Pioneers 17 – Noel United Church Coffee House - Connections 21 – World Trade Centre, Halifax - Connections 24 – Children’s Wish Concert, Nine Mile River - Pioneers 30 – Private Function, Brookfield MAY 2005 1 – Valley United Church Coffeehouse - Pioneers 3 – Literacy Association, Debert 8 – Farmers Clem’s, Bedford - Connections 11 – Private Function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 14 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 14 – Glengarry Hotel, Truro - Fiddles & Feet 20 – Tulip Festival, Truro - Fiddles & Feet 28 – Private Function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet JUNE 2005 1 – Retirement Party, Brookfield Elementary 3 – Private Function, St. Anne’s By The Sea, NB - Fiddles & Feet 4/5 – Digby Bluegrass Festival - Pioneers 10 – Private Function, Keltic Lodge - Fiddles & Feet 17 – King’s Theatre, Annapolis Royal - Fiddles & Feet 18 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet JULY 2005 1 – Bible Hill Canada Day Celebrations - Fiddles & Feet 2 – Nine Mile River - Pioneers 3 – Ceilidh on the Cove, Hubbards - Fiddles & Feet 9 – Brookfield Lotta Truck Draw – Connections 15 – Parsboro Exhibition NS – Fiddles & Feet 16 – Elmsdale Baptist Church Picnic - Pioneers 22 – Brookfield Homecoming CD Launch - Connections 23 – International Cabaret, Brookfield 27 – Brookfield Baptist Church Coffee House – solo act 29 – Brookfield Wingding – Connections 30 – Private Function, Truro NS 31 – Concert in the Park, Victoria Park Truro – Connections AUGUST 2005 4 – Private function, Clarkes Harbour – Fiddles & Feet 6/7 – Middle Musquodoboit Bluegrass Festival - Pioneers 7 – Ceilidh on the Cove, Hubbards - Fiddles & Feet SEPTEMBER 2005 3 – Private function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 10 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 11 – Point Pleasant Park, Halifax – Pioneers 18 – Brookfield Train Station – solo act 24 – Private function, Milford NS 25 – Lantz/Milford United Church service, Milford 25 – Sunday In the Park, Truro – Connections OCTOBER 2005 15 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 26 – Private function, Halifax – Fiddles & Feet NOVEMBER 2005 12 – Tatamagouche – Fiddles & Feet 26 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax – Fiddles & Feet 26 – Braeside Manor, Middle Musquodoboit -- guest appearance with Kimberly Holms DECEMBER 2005 3 – Bicentennial Theatre, Middle Musquodoboit 11 – Children’s Wish Concert, Nine Mile River -- Pioneers 17 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax – Fiddles & Feet 18 – Colchester Food Bank Concert, Brookfield Knox United Church 31 – Private Function, Truro – Connections JANUARY 2006 20 – Friday Night Jamboree in Shubenacadie - Pioneers FEBRUARY 2006 10 – Hilden Community Showcase - Pioneers 11 – Valley United Church Coffee House – Pioneers 14 – Private function, Parkland Estates, Truro - Pioneers 18 – Milford - Lantz/Milford United Church Coffee House - Pioneers 19 - Noel Sunday evening Coffee House - Connections 25 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet MARCH 2006 4 – Brookfield - Knox United Chuech Coffee House - with Kim Holmes and Friends 11 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 24 – Lower Sackville Church - Pioneers APRIL 2006 8 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 19 – REC TV, Milford - appearance with Fred Isenor 23 – Oxford United Church Concert - Pioneers 24 – Brookfield - SCA Music Program Spring Concert – playing french horn and fiddle 28 – Private function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 30 – Children's Wish Bluegrass Concert, Nine Mile River - Connections MAY 2006 6 – Private function (wedding), Brookfield – Megan Isenor 7 – Milford - Lantz-Milford United Church Anniversary - Pioneers 7 – Milford NS - Fiddle Concert H.E.R.H – under the direction of Kimberly Holms 13 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 19 – Truro Tulip Festival - Fiddles & Feet 21 – Truro Tulip Festival – under the direction of Gordon Tucker Glengarry Hotel, Truro - Fiddles & Feet 27 – Truro Hieghts Baptist Church - Pioneers JUNE 2006 2 – Private function, Halifax – Megan Isenor 8 – Lantz and Halifax, school band trip – playing fiddle 9 – Nathan Green Square Halifax Waterfront, school band concert – playing fiddle 10 – Digby Fish and Game Bluegrass Festival - Pioneers 11 – Digby Bluegrass Festival – Megan Isenor 22 – Private function, Shortt’s Lake – Megan and Bruce Isenor JULY 2006 1 – Bible Hill Canada Day Celebrations - Fiddles & Feet 2 – Ceilidh on the Cove, Hubbards - Fiddles & Feet 8 – Private function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 16 – Private function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 26 – Bridgewater RV Show - Fiddles & Feet 28 – Private function, at Keltic Lodge, Cape Breton – Fiddles & Feet AUGUST 2006 4/5/6 – Middle Musquodoboit Bluegrass Festival - Connections 9 – Decoste Centre, Pictou - Fiddles & Feet 10 – Private function, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 11/12/13 – Mill Pond Bluegrass Festival - Pioneers 13 – Victoria Park Bandshell, Truro - Connections 20 – Private function, St. Catharines Ontario – Megan and Bruce Isenor SEPTEMBER 2006 10 – Nine Mile River Jamboree – Megan and Bruce Isenor 17 – Ed Creelman Park, Brookfield - Connections 21 – Private function, St. Andrews NB – Fiddles & Feet 22 – Milford United Church – Connections 24 – Milford United Church - Pioneers 28 – Private function, St. Andrews NB – Fiddles & Feet 29 – Bedford Baptist Church - Pioneers OCTOBER 2006 7 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet 15 – Gore United Church – Pioneers 21 – Valley United Church - Pioneers 27 – Red Hat Society, Truro - Connections NOVEMBER 2006 4 – Brookfield Knox United Church Coffeehouse - Connections 19 – Private function, Kemptown - Pioneers 21 – Private function, Halifaxoboit - Fiddles & Feet 26 – Nova Scotia Honour Jazz Concert, Truro – Megan Isenor DECEMBER 2006 1 – Christmas House Tours, Brookfield – Megan and Bruce Isenor 10 – Children's Wish Christmas Jamboree, Nine Mile River - Pioneers 16 - Kim Holmes Christmas Concert, Middle Musquodoboit – Megan Isenor 17 – Brookfield NS - Knox United Church Food Bank Concert – Connections 17 – South Colchester Academy Christmas Cabaret – playing French horn and fiddle 30 – Old Triangle Pub, Halifax - Fiddles & Feet |
For booking information you can contact Megan Isenor:
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