In the News

Hometown hero

When Sunday's headliner at the Ottawa fest, Gladys Knight, cancelled due to the untimely death of her son, festival promoter Mark Monahan moved Buckwheat Zydeco into her slot and filled his spot with hometown boy Tony D. Like so many blues guitar players, Tony is well-known overseas, but he's taken for granted in Canada and unknown in the United States. Tony had lost his slot earlier in the festival to accommodate soundchecks.When his chance came around again, he and his hometowners blew the roof off the stage. Not only is Tony a gifted player, he has a gracious stage presence. He offered condolences from Ottawa to Knight's family. After a half-hour of showing off the B.B. King and Albert Collins dynamics he's soaked up, he shared the last half of the set with his musical family, many of whom hail from Ottawa. He first called up Sue Foley for a Strat duel. Then added New Orleans harp player Andy J. Forest and finished the performance with local blues singer Suzie Vinnick belting out "Hot Little Mama". Thanks, Ottawa, for doing things right again.

t'Aint Nobody's Business
Art Tipaldi