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The Capitol Theatre presents a sensational night of music, stories and songs

Date: November 4, 2009

NEWS RELEASE

Ken Tobias / Jessica Rhaye - Capitol Theatre Poster

(Moncton, November 4, 2009) – The Capitol Theatre presents a sensational night of music, stories and songs, with Ken Tobias and Jessica Rhaye on Friday, November 20th at 8 p.m. The public is invited to participate in an unforgettable evening of collaboration. The two singer songwriters from Saint John, New Brunswick will both be accompanied on stage by their respective bands.

Ken Tobias is one of Canada’s most accomplished singer songwriters with a career that has spanned over three decades. Ken will perform his classic hits and songs from his prolific career, such as I Just Want to Make Music, Every Bit of Love and Dream #2, as well as songs from his latest album From A Distance. This Saint John artist reached national prominence in the 1960’s as a cast performer on the Canadian television series Music Hop and Singalong Jubilee and has since worked with the music industry’s most famous artists and penned many #1 hits.

“To compare Ken Tobias with any other artist is close to impossible. His voice is unique, comforting and retrospective and really cuts to the heart, soul and spirit.” -Sandy Graham, Cashbox Magazine Canada

Up-and-coming singer songwriter Jessica Rhaye will be showcasing songs from her new album “Good Things”. A multiple ECMA nominated singer songwriter, this young woman has quickly captured the attention of the East Coast. Jessica and Ken have already collaborated, by co-writing three songs off Jessica’s most recent album. They both look forward to taking the stage together and offer the public a taste of their camaraderie.

“It’s a strong, confident and simply that much better Jessica Rhaye on her new disc, Good Things." -Bob Mersereau, CBC Radio

Tickets for Ken Tobias and Jessica Rhaye at the Capitol Theatre are now on sale at the Capitol Theatre Box Office, l’Escaouette, Frank’s Music, Monument Lefebvre and l’Université de Moncton, at $18.50 to $22.50. Tickets are also available by phone at (506) 856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922, or online at www.capitol.nb.ca.

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INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS
Geneviève Maltais, Capitol Theatre: 506-383-6711 / communications@capitol.nb.ca 

Tony Tobias, Pangaea Media and Music: ttobias@pangaeamediaandmusic.ca
Mark Marshall: mark@jessicarhaye.com
www.jessicarhaye.com   www.kentobias.ca  www.capitol.nb.ca

 


Ken Tobias donates original painting to Brush of Hope 2009

Date: October 23, 2009

This week Ken donated one of his paintings to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Brush of Hope 2009 campaign. Ken joins nearly 200 Canadian music artsts and other celebrity entertainers and sports figures who have tapped into their inner visual artist to contribute. Some of the other celebrities who have contributed their art: Alex Lifson, Cynthia Dale, Jessica Rhaye, Leonard Cohen, Paul Henderson, Brent Butt, Amy Sky and many more. Check out the amazing art.

Photo: Judy Cannon (Kidney Foundation of Canada, Saint John Chapter) and Ken Tobias.


Ken Tobias... his role in the 1978 Lucio Fulci movie Silver Saddle

Date: August 31, 2009

In 1978 Ken Tobias, while on a promotion trip to Cannes, France, rerouted his trip back to Canada to Rome, Italy to spend six weeks writing and recording songs for the Italian movie Sella d'Argento (Silver Saddle). This "spaghetti Sella d'Argento DVD coverwestern", directed by renowned Italian director Lucio Fulci (1927-1996) is now considered a classic and has just been remastered and released in Europe on DVD.

KenSilver Saddle - vinyl single picture cover's contribution to the movie was his collaboration with renowned film composers Fabio Frizzi, Franco Bixio and Vincenzo Tempera on the two theme songs: "Silver Saddle" and "Two Hearts". Ken wrote the lyrics and performed the songs. "Silver Saddle" was released as a single in Europe on Cinevox Records and in Canada on Attic Records with "Two Hearts" as the B-side.

To read an exclusive interview by Lionel Grenier (in French) with Ken on the subject of his experience of working on the theme songs for Silver Saddle go to the Lucio Fulci tribute website. You can also learn more about director Lucio Fulci on his MySpace page.

 


The story behind Dream #2

Date: May 29, 2009

Just the other day I was asked again what my song “Dream #2” was about and where and why I wrote it. Some of you might not know the title because it isn't mentioned in the song. Most people know it from the first line “I drew a picture of a pair of wings because I want to fly”. The usual way a song is titled is from the chorus hook like my song “Every Bit Of Love”.
              
I don't really like to explain what a song is about because from my experience when I do give in and tell, it upsets some people because they already have an interpretation that gives them a sense of “getting it” on there own and a lot of times it's not the meaning I intended but is meaningful to he or she. That said here is my “Dream #2” story and I'm sticking to it.

In the late 60's I was living in Montreal for the winter season taking a break from my summer job singing on CBC TV's “Singalong Jubliee”. I was living in a little basement hole-in-a-wall down near the university. One night I was having a glass of wine with a beautiful girlfriend of mine just kicking back and “chillin out.” I remember she had to leave the room for a few minutes and while I was sitting with a drawing pad doodling (I'm also an artist.) I started to draw a pair of wings on the paper and was getting an unusual feeling inside - well it could have been the wine but whatever it was it felt good. Just then my girlfriend came back into the room and asked me what I was doing and I said (without thinking) I'm drawing a pair of wings because I......want......to...fly. While I was saying the words my heart started to pound and I was getting high on the words and I said to my friend “don't say anything.“

I started writing as if I was being dictated to by the writing muse. The words to most of the song just fell off the tip of my pen. I grabbed my guitar and started to develop the melody right there and then.

What can I say, I've always believed that “Dream #2” was given to me by the gods to pass on to those people who dream of flying not just in body but like a metaphor for the striving of the spirit to reach higher ground. A child is trying to tell his parents that to fly you have to believe so hard and think so high you can float like a feather but you have to learn to let go. His mother loves him and says, sort of, “that's nice dear” but his father thinks he is wrong to be living in a fantasy world. This does not deter the child's spirit or his seeking higher ground.

“Dream #2” has been studied in some university classes in Canada and has many stories of inspiration accumulated around it over the years. “Dream #2” has received the SOCAN Classic Award for over 100,000 Canadian radio performances. The gods were right about this one, it connected with the hearts of people. I'm blessed to have written such a song.

/KT

COMMENTS:

"This song has always been a favorite of mine, thanks so much for giving us a peek into how you wrote it.  As a songwriter myself, I know the process can be very diffiuclt to explain to other people. As someone who grew up in the 60's & 70s, this is the perfect song, expressing how our dreams can literally change the world." - Michaelann Dahlman, Abbotsford,BC

"What an incredible story! No wonder I am a huge fan of yours. I used to have dreams of flying as a child. I remember 2 of them vividly .... the only thing is the only way I was able to fly was if I was holding onto a string attached to someone's roof of their house. I anxiously waited for the next dream to be able to fly on my own. The feeling was incredible. Thanks for sharing your story!" -- Rob Francis, Halifax, N.S.

 


Victor McIntyre… the hardest hitting drummer

Date: April 4, 2009

Recently in my home town a musician friend left this earth to join that big band in the sky.

He was, next to Buddy Myles, the hardest hitting drummer I think I ever heard especially when he was playing funk, rock and R&B. His name was Victor McIntyre and he was well loved.

Some people along the way have asked me why I've written so many songs about Love - different kinds of love. Well this little story will hopefully explain one of them.

Victor's family was deceased. The only family member remaining was Hot Dog his dog. Then there were his close friends Jim and Joe, Nira & Peter, Al, Norman and many more. There were so many others who loved him from a distance. Before he died, the whole musical community came out to play for Vic at the Blue Olive concert club in Saint John, New Brunswick. He was heard to say: “I packed the Blue Olive” meaning that this venue was a prestigious place to play let alone to fill the place. I know what he meant… it happened to me. At a point in the evening Victor was picked up physically by several musicians and carried up to the stage and sat behind his own drum kit. As ill as he was from the grip of cancer he took his place with the Kindred Bros. Jazz Band and played his heart out. He'd been playing with the Kindreds for several years. Victor was a great drummer and he was great again that night. He played to howls and applause - this was love pure and simple. That same night we presented Vic with a plaque that stated how much he was loved and admired. Shortly after that night Victor moved on in peace.

 


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