Bring your appetite, humanitarian spirit and love of music!
Moose McGuire’s, Trevor Denault, and “Blues Bud” Brent Diab, in association with Ottawa Rock and Roots Society (ORRS) are hosting a boutique Blues and BBQ festival in support of one of the founding members of the Ottawa Blues Society (OBS) - Jed Rached, on Saturday, July 2nd, 2016, at Moose McGuire’s on 3320 McCarthy Road in Ottawa, ON. There are 100 Early bird tickets available at $15 each, and all tickets after that are $20. The event starts at 1pm and runs until 1am.
Local celebrity, Jed “the Rocket” Rached) has been playing music for over 26 years and is well known in Ottawa for helping establish a vibrant Blues scene in the city. “Rocket” Rached has been unable to work for several years now due to chronic illness and depression;; therefore his friends and fellow musicians are throwing an intimate Blues and BBQ fundraiser in an effort to offset his accruing health costs and expenses. Headlining acts include: 3X Maple Blues Awards nominee Jerome Godboo (performed with Prince, the Tragically Hip, Dutch Mason and many more);; Juno Award nominee Wild T (also featured on David Bowie’s album “Black Tie White Noise”);; and Ottawa’s own Juno Award winner Drew Nelson. Also sharing the stage are past OBS ‘Road to Memphis’ winners, the Lucas Hanneman Express and Freddy Carrier of Fire Belly. Other recording acts include: River City Junction, The Joe Gaspar Band, Crunchy Flower, Rod Williams Band, and Jed Rached’s band Fat City 8. Special guests will include Lyle Odjick and Clint Everson.
Select BBQ items will be available all day, with entertainment alternating between an indoor and outdoor stage. Tickets are available for purchase in advance through Moose McGuire’s, and at the door (while they last). In support of the fundraising efforts there will be a silent auction. Door prizes also available. In the event it rains, the Blues and BBQ fundraiser is prepared to be held indoors at the same location. Here is the Facebook link to the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/135035366907326/?ti=icl
Writer’s note: Depression is something that affects so many of us, yet seems to be a topic that denotes an element of shame or weakness, and is often kept in the dark instead of brought out fearlessly for open discussion. That grey cloud sometimes quickly passes overhead for some, lingers longer for others, or becomes so dense, the sunshine has no way of peeking through. Intensities of hopelessness, despair, desperation, and suicidal contemplation can render a person unable to work, socialize, or maintain a sense of self-control in thought or action. All confidence, self-esteem, and vision into the future is lost, as the wave of depression slips over and tries to drown its victim. I am not afraid to tell you that there have been such times in my life depression has triggered thoughts of suicide, and a longtime battle with eating disorders. I am not afraid because I know I am not alone, and the purge of talking about it without fear of persecution or ridicule somehow empowers me all the more. I’ve often been told since a child that if you bring something out into the open…into the light, you’re able to see what it is you’re dealing with and take the first step at tackling it. Kudos to my friend, Jed Rached, for courageously reaching out, and to my friend, Trevor Denault, for answering to the call of a friend in need.
- Terry Steeves
