Notebook on the Edge -
Labrador's Harry Martin almost never made his first St. John's performance in years.
He was part of Ruckus In The Round - Songs From the Edge at the Delta Tuesday night.
He told the audience he had a number of things to do while in the capital city.
Among them was dental surgery, which he underwent Tuesday morning.
Martin - who said his songs are inspired by Labrador's old-timers and their way of life - noted that he left the surgeon's office with a mouth full of gauze.
Perhaps the funniest song at Ruckus in the Round was Mike MacDonald's reggae-like number inspired by an incident in St. Jude's - a small community near Deer Lake - that involved a guy falling through a "mother-in-law door" (an entrance with no bridge).
Its chorus: "No problem, shalla-moo bubble gum. Madge knows you, shalla-moo bubble gum."
The crowd sang along after a few bars and laughed out loud as they learned about the Newfoundlander who dreams of travelling to Gander.
Apologies if shalla-moo is spelled incorrectly. Our spell check didn't pick it up.
MacDonald is a member of The Catch and The Fables. He was nominated for the 2009 Music NL SOCAN songwriter of the year award.
There were some humour exchanges during Ruckus in the Round.
After Karla Pilgrim finished a song inspired by Trisha Yearwood, MacDonald went falsetto and tried imitating her voice.
"What are you on?" Pilgrim asked him.
"For the first time in my life," MacDonald replied, "nothing."
Later, Ron Hynes asked the crowd if they were enjoying themselves.
The audience was affirmative in their answer.
"We'll change that," said Hynes, before launching into "Godspeed."
Sherman Downey, a dread-locked up and comer from Corner Brook, was in the second half of the Ruckus in the Round.
He was among the group that featured Juno nominee Amelia Curran, Maureen Ennis and the legendary Hynes.
After each had played a few songs, Downey said he noticed that when Hynes played a few notes the crowd applauds because they know what he's about to play.
He said he'd like it if the audience did the same for him.
"I just want to know what it feels like," he laughed.
Downey followed with a fast-paced number from the CD he's "still paying off."
It caught on with the crowd and earned the evening's first standing ovation.
"All you got to do is ask, Ron," he chimed.
Ruckus on the Edge school concerts were held Tuesday at Exploits Valley Intermediate in Grand Falls-Winsor, Clarenville Middle School in Clarenville, Stephenville Middle School in Stephenville, Mealey Mountain Collegiate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Baccalieu Collegiate in Old Perlican.
Great Big Sea fans should note Sean McCann will do a solo gig at Fred's Saturday at 2 p.m.
His performance will be one of five set at the popular Duckworth Street record shop that afternoon.
The Great Lake Swimmer, NQ Arbuckle, Postdata and Tim Baker of Hey Rosetta! will also perform.
McCann recently released a solo album, "Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes."
On his website - greatbigsean. com - he says it'll be his first solo gig in almost 20 years.
Composer Marjan Mozetch has two songs nominated in the Classical Composition of the Year.
He said one was first written 23 years ago and the other 18 years ago.
"I guess they're standing the test of time," he said.
Juno-nominated composer (at age 26) and tuba player Rob Teehan is blogging daily about his Juno experience (www.robteehan.com).
He is already in town and was at the MUN School of Music for the "Classical Composer Showcase" Monday night.
The members-only Spoke Club in Toronto has set up a satellite centre in St. John's during Juno Awards week.
Open only to invited artists and industry professionals, the clubhouse will be the Majestic Theatre Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Impromptu jam sessions are expected.
With files from Ashley Fitzpatrick and Steve Bartlett
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