Choose the Blues Productions
3306 Yorks Corners Rd K0A 2G0 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Some hard news just came in: CHUCK JACKSON has been diagnosed with cancer - on his tongue. The good news is that they found it early and have started aggressive chemo/radiation treatment over the next 5 weeks. They say there is an 89% chance that he will recover fully which are excellent odds. However - this means Chuck won’t be able to do the February 19/20 BOTR gigs at The Cove Inn with his Trio as planned. (He is aiming to be healed up and ready for the next Downchild to...ur tentatively planned for late April). Stay tune for updates re: a replacement group for the Feb BOTR dates but given the current COVID situation - and the fact that The Cove Inn is closed until further notice due to a local outbreak - we will wait for awhile before making any further decisions of announcements about the Blues On The Rideau WINTER SERIES. Stay tuned. Thanks James P.S. If you want to send a note of love and support to Chuck while he is going through his treatments his email is [email protected]

Please keep The Cove Inn in mind over Christmas and during their COVID lockdown period (for however long that lasts). They have been - and will continue to be - the heart of Westport in many ways- and a huge supporter of local, regional and national musical talent. And look at the number of local good causes/charities they have supported over the years. Buying Gift Certificates is a great way to show your support for them - plus they make a great gift for under the tree.... They can be used towards any Cove event including future Blues On The Rideau shows. You can order the Gift Certificates by phone (leave message) 613-273-3636 or email [email protected] and they will mail them out or arrange for you to pick them up so you have them in time for Christmas. Peace, love and Merry Christmas everyone

PHOTOS & COMMENTS FROM ATTENDEES AT THE HOROJO TRIO SHOWS AT BLUES ON THE RIDEAU @ THE COVE INN THIS PAST WEEKEND Jamie HOlmes (drums), Jeff ROgers (vocals & keyboards) and JW-JOnes (guitar & vocals) spell HOROJO and boy did these guys give us a couple of great shows at Blues On The Rideau at The Cove Inn last Friday and Saturday. No wonder they won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis last January (and JW won for Best Guitarist). They are also up for a combined 5 Map...le Blues Awards this year including Best New Artists. Great Blues, Rock and R&B performed with a lot of soul, fun and talent. Their sure were a lot of 10 out of 10 scores on the Comment Cards from these two shows! "What a super entertaining band! My new favourite. HOROJO clearly love to play and their energy and talent puts a big smile on my face. JOYOUS! And thanks to The Cove for the exceptional food and service" Tammy Edmison, Carleton Place (Has attended 15+ BOTR shows over the years) "Our first time at Blues On The Rideau and definitely won't be the last! So great after being deprived of LIVE music for months. Appreciated The Cove being respectful of COVID protocol. A great getaway date night" Hilary Hampson, Ottawa (First timer) "A terrific night out. GREAT music and a fabulous dinner. Only difficult part was not being able to get up and dance. LOL. COVID = chair dancing!!" Tracy Bano, Perth (First timer) "Amazing night. Very COVID cautious here. Great band, food and atmosphere!10 out of 10 for everything" Kathleen Kelly, Manotick "Great food. Wonderful ambience. Just the antidote needed tonight after the news today of projected increase of COVID cases. HOROJO took me to a better, warmer, lovely place. Greatly facilitated by the great Cove food, staff and venue. Thank you so much for keeping BOTR alive!" Yvonne Helwig, Newboro (2nd time at BOTR) "What you are doing here is important. Thanks" Josh Lambert, Kingston $550 was raised for the WESTPORT FOOD BANK (Further donations can be made at KUDRINKO'S Market in Westport) WATCH FOR NEWS COMING SOON ON THE WINTER 2021 SERIES !

In case you haven't already heard - there was a COVID outbreak in one of the schools in Westport last week - and a subsequent rise in positive cases in the surrounding area so in the interests of SAFETY FIRST (which has been the operating creed at The Cove since the pandemic began) THE COVE INN has decided to CLOSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - i.e. until the COVID situation improves and they feel they can open and operate safely again. We are still hoping - and planning for - the ...WINTER SERIES of BLUES ON THE RIDEAU at The Cove to proceed as planned, beginning with the January 15 & 16 shows with the JACK DE KEYZER TRIO but that will depend entirely on the COVID situation at that time and when The Cove reopens. We are monitoring the situation day by day and will make a decision about the January shows no later than January 4th at which time we will notify everyone. Note that The Cove continues to offer hotel accommodation (just the restaurant and bar are closed) and is monitoring ts phone messages at 613-273-3636 and email [email protected] - so if you want to MAKE A RESERVATION for any of the Winter BOTR shows - in anticipation that they will be able to take place - then call or email them. It will still be LIMITED CAPACITY with full COVID Safety Protocol in effect when The Cove does reopen so it would be wise to make your reservation ahead if you want to be there. We will contact all those who have reserved prior to the show dates to confirm if the shows are a Go or not. Please also watch our Facebook pages, websites and eBlasts for further updates. www.BluesOnTheRideau.ca www.coveinn.com www.facebook.com/thecoveinn www.facebook.com/ChooseTheBluesProductions Thank you for your understanding and support. Merry Christmas and wishing everyone as happy holidays as possible during these most difficult times. Looking forward to better days ahead in the New Year. Take care. Stay safe. God bless.

LIVE BROADCAST of the HOROJO TRIO Blues On The Rideau show at The Cove Inn Westport Ontario tonight starts at 8 pm ET (90 minutes). Tune in and please DONATE if you can. Help the artists during these very difficult times. Thank you

Announcing the WINTER 2021 SERIES of BLUES ON THE RIDEAU at THE COVE INN, Westport ON. Another great Line-Up! January 15 & 16 JACK DE KEZYER TRIO February 19 & 20 CHUCK JACKSON TRIO March 19 & 20 PAUL REDDICK TRIO... All 3 artists have won Juno Awards and multiple Maple Blues Awards. More details, links to artist websites, Bios & YouTubes at www.BluesOnTheRideau.ca Proceeds from all shows go to support local charities DINNER & SHOW only $70 (plus HST) - includes full course meal, door prizes & donation to charity. 2 Shows Friday & Saturday - per Engagement. 7-10 pm both nights * Note* The Cove continues to be open Wednesdays to Sundays and will remain that way unless the government announces a lockdown due to a worsening COVID situation. A reminder that the Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Health Unit Region continues to have one of the lower rates of COVID in the province due to low population density and careful COVID safety protocol. * Full COVID Safety Protocol is in effect at The Cove at all times masks required to enter. 6’ distancing between tables, HEPA Air Purifiers in place, hand sanitizer, plated dinners, etc. * Please DO NOT COME to The Cove if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, have been out of the country or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID within the past 14 days. ADVANCE RESERVATIONS required * Book ahead * Limited capacity due to COVID Help us to maximize safe seating by getting together with friends to create a Bubble table Call The Cove to reserve: 613-273-3636 or email [email protected] Why not make it a little STAYCATION and stay overnight? Well-priced rooms available at The Cove, nearby B&B’s and motel. And if you can’t be there in person all Shows will be BROADCAST LIVE on the BOTR YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/UCwljdQBzal87XBJLg9sW-CQ/featured All shows 8 to 9:30 pm EDT. High quality HD video and Sound Board audio. Please SUBSCRIBE to the channel and please SPREAD THE WORD! No charge to view but DONATIONS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED to help out the artists & venue. * Note * SHOWS MAY BE POSTPONED due to COVID situation at the time of performance. Check with The Cove closer to show date to confirm. Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone! Here’s hoping for a much better NEW YEAR in 2021 than 2020! See you in January. www.BluesOnTheRideau.ca www.coveinn.com https://www.facebook.com/ChoosetheBluesProductions https://www.facebook.com/thecoveinn

Off to Westport today for another great Blues On The Rideau weekend at The Cove Inn. HOROJO TRIO (Jamie Holmes, Jeff Rogers, JW-Jones) - winners of the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis - great Blues/Soul/R&B. Can't wait. Proceeds from these shows go to support the Westport Food Bank. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oERJtAV8G7c... Both shows are Sold Out but you can still catch the LIVE BROADCAST of their shows on the BOTR YouTube channel - 8 to 9:30 pm EDT both nights - Friday Nov 13 and Saturday Nov 14 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwljdQBzal87XBJLg9sW-CQ SUBSCRIBE to the channel for quick and easy access. No charge to watch but DONATIONS gratefully appreciated to help out the artists and the venue/producer during these very difficult times. Thanks for your support! Enjoy

REMINDER that if you haven't done so already tomorrow, Dec 1 is the LAST DAY TO VOTE for your favourite Canadian Blues artists for this year's MAPLE BLUES AWARDS. Any Canadian Blues fan can vote. Just go to www.mapleblues.ca and follow the instructions. It only takes a a few minutes and your favourite artists will really appreciate it.

Hey friends - in case you haven't already heard - there's a great BLUES CONCERT FUNDRAISER tonight on air at 8 pm EST - in support of THE OTTAWA MISSION that has done - and continues to do - so much good work to help the homeless in this city. What a Line-Up! * DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND w. Special Guests DAN AYKROYD, PAUL SHAFFER, DAVID WILCOX, KENNY NEAL, GENE TAYLOR & ERJA LYYTINEN * BIG SUGAR... * COLIN JAMES * SASS JORDAN * MATT ANDERSEN * MONKEYJUNK * DAWN TYLER WATSON Truly some of the best in Canadian Blues. Broadcast on CTV OTTAWA and streamed on THE MISSION YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtphDgCwLuqq-MvdKl7oSmw So TUNE IN and DONATE as much as you can to help out this great organization. Donations up to $75K will be matched. Spread the word. (This will be a lot better way to spend your time that watching the news channels tell us that it's still 253 Biden, 214 Trump)

This year's MAPLE BLUES AWARD nominees were just announced and VOTING has begun (through to Dec 1). Any Canadian Blues fan can vote so please DO THAT. Your favourite artists will really appreciate it. Just go to www.mapleblues.ca hit the REGISTER TO VOTE button and follow the instructions. CONGRATULATIONS to all of the nominees. What a great array of talent we have in this country! And if I may blow my own horn for a minute - as you scroll down the list of nominees note the... number who have played the BLUES ON THE RIDEAU Series at THE COVE INN Westport ON over the years. At least one - and in most cases more than one - in EVERY ONE of the 15 categories (not counting the International Artist Of The Year). Proving once again that when we say that BOTR features some of Canada's best Blues artists - it's true! If you've never attended a BOTR show treat yourself to the opportunity of seeing this kind of great talent in the small, intimate, friendly setting of The Cove. More details including upcoming shows at www.BluesOnTheRideau.ca www.coveinn.com YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwljdQBzal87XBJLg9sW-CQ

Both HOROJO TRIO shows Nov 13 & 14 at BLUES ON THE RIDEAU at THE COVE INN Westport are basically SOLD OUT. There might be a few more seats available especially if you can come as a small "safe bubble" table. And you can get on the Waiting List in case there are any last minute cancellations. 613-273-3636 or [email protected] HOROJO is Ottawa's newest and hottest Soul Rockin' Blues Trio - Jamie Holmes (HO) on drums, Jeff Rogers (RO) on keyboards & vocals and JW-Jo...nes (JO) on guitar. Last January they went down to Memphis and won the International Blues Challenge beating out over 250 bands from around the world - and JW won for Best Guitarist. An incredible double honour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohw0dFuW1wA DINNER & SHOW is only $70 (includes a delicious full course meal, the show and Door Prizes). Proceeds go to support the WESTPORT FOOD BANK. If you can't be there in person both shows will be BROADCAST LIVE on Blues On The Rideau's YouTube channel. 8 to 9:30 pm ET both nights. HD video and Sound Board audio. No charge to view but there is a DONATION BUTTON on the page and all contributions will be gratefully received. Remember how hard this pandemic has been on the artists and venues. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwljdQBzal87XBJLg9sW-CQ Subscribe for quick and easy access. A reminder that The Cove continues to practise strict COVID SAFETY PROTOCOL - masks required to enter, 6' distancing between tables, plated meals brought to the table, no dancing, etc. Please follow the rules to help keep us all as safe as possible and PLEASE DON'T COME TO THE COVE IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS or if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days. Thanks and stay safe wherever you are. And keep listening to the Blues. Medicine to heal the soul and Lord knows we can all use some of that these days! P.S. Watch for news coming soon on the WINTER 2021 BOTR SERIES - Jan 15 & 16, Feb 18 & 19, March 19 & 20. It's another great Line-Up!