JW-Jones, will be Ottawa's next "over night sensation".  I just love that expression! JW-Jones has released eight albums, toured extensively around the world over the past 15 years, has been nominated and won numerous awards and received kudos from the likes of Dan Akroyd. Yet, right now, it seems his career is about to explode!  If you don't know him, you will very soon and you'll wonder where he's been all your life.  JW-Jones's latest disc, Belmont Boulevard, has been picked up by legendary San Francisco-based blues label, Blind Pig Records. There's something new and exciting about this one. JW is in Ottawa this weekend to present it to his hometown at the Rainbow Bistro Saturday night. But first, tune in this Friday at 5 pm as he joins me in conversation on CHUO at 89.1 FM.

We'll also spin some brand new Rich Aucoin (coming to House of Targ next week) and we'll cover Ottawa's "longest-running and least shady" country music festival, the 8th annual O-Town Hoedown.

Don't miss it! Tune in at 89.1 fm in Ottawa, online at chuo.fm or on iTunes radio.

anne-marie
 

Stephen Fearing and Andy White have honed their long-distance relationship and brought the concept to a whole new level.  With Stephen based in Nova Scotia and Andy in Australia, they have somehow managed to collaborate on two full-length album in 3 years.  The bulk of their sophomore disc, Tea and Confidences, was written over four days between two Canadian music festivals!  Both Fearing and White are highly renown artists in their own right with over 20 albums between them.  So their collaboration is truly a labour of love, no strings attached, created purely for our listening pleasure.

They are in town tonight performing at the Blacksheep Inn.  It'll be a real treat chatting with them on Hop The Fence today. Don't miss it!  Tune in on 89.1 FM in Ottawa at 5 pm or listen online at CHUO.fm or on iTunes radio (filed under college stations).

TGIF dj, anne-marie

We are covering the Ottawa Folk Festival this week.  I expect many of you have already been out to the festival site since opening night last Wednesday.  The event continues full speed ahead through the weekend. Be sure to check the website for line-up, site map and how to get there.

On today's show, I will be chatting with Wooden Sky who have just released a terrific multi-layered indie rock-folk-Americana album called, Let's Be Ready. This one is going to be on my list of 2014 favorites!  The band will be on the Eh! Stage at the Folk Festival on Sunday at 5 pm.

I also had a chance to chat with Ottawa Folkfest and Bluesfest Director, Mark Monahan earlier this week.  Tune in to hear his thoughts on Canadian and local bands. It starts at 5 pm on 89.1 FM in Ottawa or on-line at CHUO.fm or on iTunes radio (filed under college stations).
xox anne-marie xox

If you live in the Ottawa area and perhaps don't often venture to the Gatineau side of the National Capital Region, now is the time to do so.  There's a festival going on there this weekend!  It is the Festival de l'Outaouais Emergent.  Don't let the French name scare you.  The line-up is awesome and includes amazing emerging and established artists such as Kandle, Half Moon Run, IllScarlett and We Are Wolves.  We will be chatting with We Are Wolves on this week's program ahead of their live show at Le Petit Chicago on Sunday.

Also highly anticipated is the upcoming Ottawa Folk Festival which begins next weekend on September 10 and runs to the 14th.  Check the website for the impressive line-up!  It includes Ottawa's own Jill Zmud hitting the Valley Stage on Thursday, September 11 at 8:15 pm. Jill has recently released a new baby (really!) and a new album called, Small Matters of Life and Death. Jill will join us live in studio this week.

Also this weekend starting today is the 11th House of Paint hip hop festival celebrating and elevating urban arts and culture.  Check the website for details. There's plenty of free programming.

So much fun. So little time!  Tune in this Friday from  5 to 6 pm at 89.1 on your FM dial in Ottawa or online at CHUO.fm