Tom Jackson hopes people will spread the love for Christmas with his new show, Stories, Songs and Santa Causes, Nov. 29, a new cross-country tour that stops by the Enmax Centre to raise money for local food banks and family services agencies.

“ Call somebody and tell them that you love them and then tell them to call somebody else  and ask them to tell them that you love them and I guarantee in five minutes the world will be a better place,” encouraged Jackson.

 He emphasized that  “Songs, Stories and Santa Causes” is not  the Huron Carol, his popular variety show that has raised  money for local charities since 1987 featuring a combination of up and coming and well known country and folk musicians singing in the Christmas season, but it is it’s spiritual successor.

“ We were stymied for two years because of Covid, so we recorded  a virtual show and gave it to the organizations so they could raise money,” he said.

The 74-year-old, whose philanthropic efforts have raised an estimated $250 million in cash and in-kind food banks and disaster relief since the 80s, began his national Stories, Songs & Santa Causes tour Nov. 24 in Edmonton and wraps it up on Dec. 16 in St. John’s.

“Last year we did 13 shows in western Canada. This year we’re going from Vancouver to St. John’s, Newfoundland,” he said, noting he is looking forward to performing live with long time musical director Tom McKillip and multi-instrumentalist John MacArthur Ellis.

“People will be 10 feet away. We’ll be able to see their faces,” he said adding it won’t just be Christmas songs.

“Most of the songs will be familiar and some won’t,” he said, adding  he is excited to involve the audience in the show  by getting them to sing along.

It was a busy Tuesday in Lethbridge, Nov. 22. With Ron James bringing the laughter to the Yates Theatre  and Amy Nelson hosting the Owl Acoustic Lounge’s open mic.

 So it wasn’t too surprising that Toronto musician John Borra and Calgary based songwriter Emily Triggs didn’t have the audience they deserved at the Slice, Nov. 22.

 I always seem to miss Quebec born, Calgary based singer songwriter Emily Triggs, so was glad she was still playing when I arrived.

She told some stories and praised tour mate John Borra.

 She introduced a song  “ Summer in Las Vegas” about Las Vegas in the 1960s  by telling a story about  her and her husband hated it when  they visited it a few years ago.

 She noted her song was about   Las Vegas in the 1960s, and featured the chorus “ Drop the bomb.”

 She sang beautifully and talked about growing up in Quebec with her mom and sang a song in French.

John Borra sang a. short, but sweet solo set including  solo songs and songs from his Cassettes in Common” CD, featuring a songs from a who’s who of the Toronto punk and alt country scene.

 He opened with  a catchy number “ She Leaves Like a Train” which included one of many sweet harp solos.

 He sounded like a mix of Canadian talent including Murray MacLachlan,  Gordon Lightfoot and even Gord Downie in places.

One of the highlights was a cover of Art Bergmann’s “ Sleep” from  “Cassettes in Common.” Another highlight was “ Marie” from the same CD which also had a waltz feel.

Emily Triggs joined him to sing harmonies for the last couple of songs including  “Blue Wine” and “ Who’s Picking On You.”

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar brought the blues, a lot of soul and a heap of good vibes to Southminster United Church for a decent sized crowd, Thursday, Nov. 17 for a Geomatic Attic/Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Society co-production.

The Alberta born Toronto based Martin finally got to play the Lethbridge show for her latest CD “ The Reckless One,” which had been cancelled because of Covid a few months ago, so she was overjoyed to be back on stage, especially backed by a crack nine-piece band.

 As a bonus, Steve Marriner was also on the bill , supporting his latest solo CD “ Hope Dies Last.”

 He played  solo with an acoustic guitar, which was a change from his usual loud blues infused rock he plays with MonkeyJunk.

 But he added  extra percussion by stomping on a slab of wood set at his feet.

Marriner played a few solo tracks, He opened with “ Trouble” but focused on the new CD. One of the highlights was “Coal Mine,” a co-write with Blackie and  the Rodeo Kings’ Tom Wilson.

 He also played “Enough” which features Samantha Martin, so I halfway expected her to make an early appearance on stage, but she didn’t. Marriner observed both “The Reckless One” an “ 

Hope Dies Last” were nominated for Juno awards, but they lost out to Colin James.

 He played a tribute he wrote for John Prine. He talked about the pandemic, noting  “It‘s okay not to be okay” and sang a song about that before ending with “Long Way Down” from the solo CD.

Samantha Martin bounced around the stage, despite being pregnant, and howled soul into her microphone. She launched into an uplifting set with  the apt “ Love Is All Around,”  the first track from the Reckless One”bringing a little gospel to the church.

The ’50s flavoured “ All That I Am” featured a sweet  piano solo.

She welcomed Steve Marriner back  to the stage to sing a beautiful duet.

The Edmonton born, Toronto based singer talked about being pregnant and bringing her partner on tour with her to help her pull on the thigh high leather boots she was wearing.

 She sang  in a huge, raspy, voice  that oozed soul, reminiscent of Amanda Marshall, Alannah Myles and Sass Jordan with a touch of Janis Joplin. 

Martin talked about  looking for “Mr. Right Now” and sang about that.

 She delved back into the last CD “ Run To Me” for  the exceptional “Good Trouble,” then slowed things down with “ I’ve Got a Feeling.”

The band was fantastic, with the three piece horn section which added just the right amount of brass, never overpowering the songs , tasteful guitar and keyboard solos.

 She introduced their revamped  funk fuelled cover of Bob Dylan’s “ Meet Me In the Morning,” which allowed everyone to solo.

They wound down the set with “ I’ve got a Feeling and played another song about working hard.

 She introduced the band as they vamped on a few bars of R and B classic “ Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” before  ending the set with “Loving You Is Easy.”

 They were called back for an encore.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat editor

November winds down with a mix of classical music and country roots music.The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra kicks the week off on Monday, Nov. 21 with one of three concerts.

There is a triple play at Southminster United Church as The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and Opus 3 ( Airdrie Ignas, violin; Christine Bootland, cello; John-Paul Ksiazek, piano) perform Schultz - The Path to Grace (7'); Beethoven - Triple Concerto (35') and Brahms - Symphony No. 3 (35').

 The music begins at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$80. The Symphony features Kids Choir, Nov. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. each night.

 Also for classical music, the University of Lethbridge Wind Orchestra are performing  at the University Theatre, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. 

 Across the coulee, Luke James Bruce hosts  the Monday night open mic at Mojo’s Pub, Nov. 21.

The Owl Acoustic lounge features the first of many roots shows as Amy Nelson and  Ryan McNally host their Tuesday night open mic, Nov. 22.

Explore  Toronto’s  early ’80s roots and punk scene with  John Borra and special guest Emily Triggs playing the Slice on Tuesday,  Nov. 22. Borra has just released   a new CD “Cassettes’ in Common” featuring some obscurities from the scene.

Teri Petz hosts the Owl Acoustic Lounge’s monthly poetry open mic on Wednesday

The Slice has their open mic on Wednesday as well.

The Mark Hall band return to Honkers Pub to host their open mic on Friday, Nov. 25. the John and Scott Band host the Saturday afternoon open mic beginning at 5 p.m.

For country music, the Red Hot Hayseeds are swinging on the Owl Acoustic Lounge stage, Nov. 25 with their unique blend of Western Swing, folk and country music. Will Burghardt will be opening the show at 8 p.m.

There are a couple of big blues and folk shows on Saturday.

The Lethbridge Folk Club welcomes Calgary Celtic band My Son Ted,  formerly known as Tir na n’Og to the Lethbridge College Cave. The six-piece band play a variety of original and traditional Celtic - folk songs. Local classical guitarist  Dale Ketcheson will be opening the show.

Tickets are $35. Members get a five dollar rebate at the door. Student tickets are $10 at the door.