Isolation is tough on musicians. Six weeks ago gigs dried up as bars, restaurants, theatres and performance spaces across the country shut their doors. COVID-19 started invading our towns and neighbourhoods and almost overnight we became soloists confined to our hovels, garrets, studios and RVs. Bands went on hiatus, projects and collaborations were cancelled, and recording sessions were put on indefinite hold.
But music never sleeps and the urge to create with our friends is paramount. Somehow, platforms like ZOOM just don't cut it. We are social creatures and a hand-held device will never replace the ‘human-ness’ of a live performance. The dilemma is, of course, how to play together without breaking the rules and putting anyone's health at risk.
Halton Hitz on-line radio host Lee Lakin thinks he has the solution and it's called COV-AID Acton. Last Friday Lakin dragged his drum set to the edge of his Frederick St. driveway and invited some friends to bring their instruments and take part in a “distancing jam.”
The event would consist of a handful of musicians spread out along Lee's lawn, and would be a benefit for the Georgetown Hospital Foundation. Most importantly “We don't want you to come down here,” Lakin told his radio audience. Instead, they were encouraged to follow the jam on HaltonHitz's Facebook page.
After one minute of silence for the massacre victims in Nova Scotia, Lakin's COV-AID band and local crooner Monty Greig broke into a heartfelt version of “Stand By Me.” Some the of the chords were a little sour and the sound was a little scattered, but the live music vibe element was kindled and the core band kept rocking until 4 pm. Ken Baker and Al Briant alternated on bass, Dave Hyduk played most of the leads and yours truly played some back-up harmonica from across the street.
Lakin deserves credit for doing this thing right. He contacted both Halton Police and Halton Hills bylaw department and got the green light. “They [Halton Hills bylaw enforcement] even showed up to make sure we were compliant,” he said.
Lakin raised $200 for the Georgetown Hospital Foundation and had 550 followers at one point. “It was such a great success that we want to do it again this Friday,” he said. “The next one we'll be doing live to air. We're planning on doing it this Friday, of course it depends on the weather. We'd love to hear from musicians. Don't want to say every Friday, because I don't want to commit to it, but we'll see.”
To donate to the Georgetown Hospital Foundation go to : https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ghfcrf/account/977208/?fbclid=IwAR26eR7bgXHclKRAcUH0UipdUNxuZDlR5hwfA3hgxS8rkTNpcbIDo8T4LGg
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