Bachman underfire during CBC labor lockout for his radio show "Vinyl Tap" « Thread started by Mark: Oct 7th, 2005 at 8:28 pm » According to Canadian news sources, striking CBC employees are making claims that Bachman broke lines for doing new content during an eight-week CBC lockout on his CBC Vinyl Tap radio show. The finger-pointing started three weeks ago when Bachman dedicated the September 10 episode of his CBC Radio show Vinyl Tap to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The problem was that the storm ripped through Louisiana on August 29, two weeks after CBC management locked out 5,500 of its employees. This could mean only one thing according to CBC employees: that Bachman was recording new shows in the middle of a divisive lockout. News of the "scabbing" spread rapidly through picket lines across the country, and many felt betrayed by the Winnipeg-born rocker. "There's no doubt about it," says Karen Wirsig, spokesperson for the Canadian Media Guild, "he's a replacement worker who [was] doing struck work. He is crossing a virtual picket line every time he sends in that MP3 of his show over the Internet." Bachman's position is that he believed, based on his discussions with management, that he was honoring his obligation to deliver these additional shows." But this placed Bachman, who is in the CMG database as a dues-paying freelance member, in the unenviable position of strikebreaker. "I initially had a summer contract for Vinyl Tap for 10 shows, which CBC extended for September. I am not currently taping any new shows for the CBC. Repeats will start in October." The CBC meanwhile defended its contract extension (which was formalized five days before the lockout), and maintained that Vinyl Tap was an independent production that falls outside the union's collective agreement. "The contract was in place well before the labour dispute began," CBC spokesperson Jason MacDonald says. "They can call Mr. Bachman what they like, but to say he's a scab or doing replacement work is unfair."   Read More | Post Your Comments Here

Bachman Cummings: Winnipeg CAB Awards in November « Posted by Mark on October 4th, 2005 at 1:03 pm » Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings will be recognized by Canada's private broadcasters at this years' CAB Annual Convention in Winnipeg. Bachman and Cummings will be inducted into the CAB Hall of Fame in the Music Star category at the Gold Ribbon Awards Gala on Tuesday, November 8th. "We cannot think of a more fitting tribute to these immensely talented artists" said Rob Braide, Chair of the CAB Board of Directors. "Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings have been instrumental to the success of the Canadian music industry, both at home and abroad. They truly represent the best that Canada has to offer. Canada's private broadcasters are honoured to be celebrating their achievements at this year's CAB Convention." Full story is posted on Discussion Forum Read More | Post Your Comments Here

Garry Peterson Speaks Up « Thread started by Mark: Sep 4th, 2005 at 4:22 pm » In a recent interview, Garry Peterson talks about the history of his involvement with the Guess Who for over 4 decades, his personal philosophy about dealing with the changes, his life at home and the strength he draws from his wife. Read more on the News and Reviews area of the Discussion Forum. Read More | Post Your Comments Here

Review of Bachman Cummings Band in Atlantic City « Thread started by Suddenchange02 on Sep 25th, 2005 at 12:33 am » Longtime fan and All Hashed Out member PamfromSunnyToledo made her way to the Bachman Cummings gig at Trump Marina in Atlantic City and brings back a detailed report and setlist posted on the Discussion Forum. Pam reports that comments made suggest more Bachman Cummings Band shows are on the horizon. Read More | Post Comments Here

NY Times: Katrina blows new life into old Guess Who song « Thread started by Mark on Sep 20, 2005 at 12:25 am » The New York Times reports the musical activity of a handful of musicians in New Orleans keeping the spirit and soul of the city alive. In an article titled "Singing Into the New Orleans Night By David Carr, A woman named Marguerite Smith is mentioned who has breathed new meaning in to the Guess Who's song "New Mother Nature" as she plays it outside the Johnny White Sports Bar on Bourbon and New Orleans. "There are five of us left," said Marguerite Smith, who was playing her Ovation Celebrity guitar in the gloom outside Johnny White's Sports Bar here. Drunks and friendlies lumber up out of the darkness requesting Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, but Ms. White plays what she chooses. "I'm playing just for me tonight," she explained." For more of the story see the Discussion Forum. Read More | Post Comments Here

RIP Domenic Troiano « Topic started by FredH May 26th, 2005 at 1:18 pm » After a long battle with cancer, the former Guess Who guitarist passed away Wednesday night around 11:15 pm on May 25th.   Domenic's guitar playing placed him in a variety of bands in the 60's and 70's, including The Mandala, Bush, The James Gang and The Guess Who. He had a solo career and teamed up with other former Guess Who members on various projects over the years as well. Troiano's career seemed to be a series of replacement spots of other legendary guitarists: Robbie Robertson's spot with Ronnie Hawkins, Joe Walsh in The James Gang and then Kurt Winter and Donnie McDougall in The Guess Who. Beside the Guess Who material he wrote, Troiano penned a few songs covered by Three Dog Night; one, "I Can Hear You Calling" luckily was the B side to Three Dog Night's biggest hit and the #1 song of 1971: "Joy To the World". Despite rumors that Troiano was going to do a guest spot in a Toronto show on the recent past Guess Who re-union tour, we fans were all disappointed that it never happened. When Troiano joined the Guess Who in 1974, he quipped that he had a two album curse. After producing two albums worth of materal with Burton Cummings for the Guess Who, the band broke up in 1975. I'm not sure what songs he was most pleased with that he did for the Guess Who. I know Burton was especially proud of "Dreams". More details including funeral arrangements and visitations and plans for a tribute can be found on the Discussion Forum. Read More | Post Your Comments Here