Amy Campbell helps us turn five, February 25!

We're celebrating five years! 

In February 2007, Suzie Vinnick and Tony D rocked the house for our first house concert. And now, we're going to have a bit of a party for five years of great music.

Our guest? None other than the performer who helped us celebrate our first birthday and released her last CD with us, the wonderful Amy Campbell. Amy is a true gem among Canada's folk community. Her unique guitar style and her warm, inviting voice are endearing. And her songs of heartbreak and love are leavened with the wry sense of humour she brings to the stage (perhaps a byproduct of her Newfoundland heritage).

Amy is finalizing her followup to the double CD/book project "Oh Heart / Oh Highway", and I have no doubt that "Letters Home" will be as enjoyable as her last project.

If you need any more convincing, why not take a look at this video of a song I hope will be on the new record:



Opening for Amy will be John Bowman. We are proud to say that John rediscovered a love of music at our house that resulted in his releasing "Beach on the Ocean", his first CD, in 2011. John will be playing a Spirit of Rasputin's show later this spring.

Join us, won't you? There will be some cake. There will be much music. There will be laughter, and there will be celebration.

WHAT: BobCat turns FIVE! 
WHERE: BobCat Birthday House, 214 Northwestern Ave 
WHEN: February 25, 2012. Any time after 7; music starts at 8
WHO: Amy Campbell (s/g John Bowman)

Suggested donation is $20. All proceeds to the artist. Please pay in advance using PayPal, Interac e-transfer, by mail, or in person. 

How to donate to the OCFF Taylor Mitchell Bursary

Here's the donation link for the OCFF Taylor Mitchell Bursary. Any donation is kindly accepted.

Something special for our fifth birthday

In February of 2007, we celebrated music, we celebrated me being cancer free, and we celebrated Cathy's birthday, by inviting Suzie Vinnick and Tony D to come and play at our house.

I couldn't have guessed where all of that would lead us over the ensuing five years. And I couldn't have guessed the joy that BobCat House Concerts would bring to us. 

In February of 2012, we celebrate five years of giving musicians a respectful, comfortable, joyful place to play, and giving friends, colleagues, acquaintances and neighbours the experience of seeing and hearing tremendous talent up close. We -- you, mostly, with us creating the place -- have raised money for Babes For Breasts. We've donated more than 1000 pounds of food to the Food Bank. And we've all had a great time. 

Traditionally, February's the month when Cat gets to pick the artist. And her taste has been impeccable. Suzie and Tony. Penny Lang. Peter Elkas. The Good Lovelies (remember Cat's version of "My Inflatable Guy" with the Lovelies backing her up?). Missy Burgess and Keith Glass.  

And so for five years, she chose someone who we both love dearly, as a human being and as a performer. Amy Campbell is a Newfoundlander by birth (which already is a good sign), who has been performing for more than a decade and recording since 2003. 

In 2008, we were proud to host her at BobCat to release her CD "O Heart, O Highway", which went on to critical acclaim and well-deserved popularity. And she's coming back to BobCat on February 11 to premiere her new CD "Letters Home." 

Opening for Amy will be John Bowman. We are proud to be mentioned on the liner notes for John's first CD. When he moved to Ottawa and was brought to BobCat by his brother Rob, he rediscovered his own passion for making music (and became a big Amy fan too), which has led him to his own first CD, "Beach on the Ocean." John will be performing with Amanda Rheaume at Spirit of Rasputin's later in the spring, and we look forward to a preview here. 

Taylor Mitchell

And one final thing. We're talking about this show so early because we want it to be something special. In 2009, a young singer-songwriter named Taylor Mitchell was killed in an animal attack in Cape Breton. She was on her first tour. Taylor had benefited from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Youth Mentoring Program. And so after her death, her family created the OCFF Taylor Mitchell Bursary, which allows a young performer who might not be able to afford the costs of attending. 

To celebrate the power of music and of community, we're pledging to match your donations to the Taylor Mitchell Bursary up to $500, meaning we could raise $1000 to help young musicians chase their dreams. Use the ChipIn widget at the top of the right-hand column (right above our logo), why don't you? 

So come. There will be wonderful music to be sure. There will be surprises, and laughter, and possibly a tear or two. It will be everything you expect of a BobCat show, and maybe a bit more. 

WHO: Amy Campbell

WHEN: February 11, 2012; 7:00 mingling, 8:00 music 

WHERE: BobCat Birthday Club, 214 Northwestern Avenue

WHAT: $20 suggested donation, all proceeds to artist. A food item to share, and booze if you're partial; a non-perishable food good for the Ottawa Food Bank. 

Here's some memories of BobCats past: 

Final 2011 show: Terry Gillespie, with Lyndell Montgomery November 19

Terry Gillespie is a bluesman respected the world over. From his days with the legendary “Heaven's Radio” to opening and playing with people like Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker, to his solo career, Terry has impressed and influenced generations of musicians and listeners. 


His sound ranges from blues to soul to touches of reggae, but whether it's soul food or jerk spiced, it's all tasty.

If you fondly remember our shows with Suzie Vinnick, Tony D, David Gogo Rick Fines, Andy J. Forest, or Chris Whitely and Diana Braithwaite, DO NOT miss this show.

Terry will be bringing along musician Lyndell Montgomery, who is a veteran of both years of touring with Ember Swift and a memorable outing in the Van Kleek Hill Demolition Derby.
* WHO: Terry Gillespie with Lyndell Montgomery
* WHEN: November 19, 7:00 mingle, 8:00 music
* WHERE: BobCat Blues Barn
* WHAT: Suggested donation of $20; BYOB; bring some food to share if you prefer, and a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank if you can. Please pay in advance so that the musicians are paid fairly for their work.

As always, you can contact us to pay by cheque or cash, or just use PayPal or Interac Money Transfer with the email address bob.ledrew@gmail.com.

Here's what you'll be hearing:

And a teaser: we have a real treat coming in February to celebrate our fifth anniversary of BobCat. You'll hear more soon.

David is still playing!

Some of you may have heard that David hurt himself last week. While he's not healed up yet, he is playing, and expects to be performing on the 8th. Just don't expect to high-five him.

Welcome new visitors!

Welcome to those of you who found us through the Ottawa Citizen's Style magazine. Hope you like the site, and hope to see you at a show sometime soon!

Ann Vriend and David Ross MacDonald, October 8

It's becoming a bit of a tradition. Thanksgiving weekend comes, and we have the good luck of presenting our friend, singer-songwriter David Ross MacDonald. (I won't make any turkey puns)

You may have seen David here, in which case you already know what a stunning songwriter, guitarist and performer he is. He's able to bring you into the musical equivalent of a sacred circle with his songs and his quiet but engaging stage presence.

Here's what David does:

David Ross Macdonald: Pepper Tree from shoottheplayer.com on Vimeo.

Well, this time David is being joined by a musical friend from Alberta, Ann Vriend. Where David is a guitarist, Ann is a master of the piano; where David is understated, Ann is theatrical; where David's vocal style owes debts to Nick Drake, Ann's will remind you of Dolly Parton or Dusty Springfield.

Here's a taste of Ann's music, from a recent Australian tour:

One thing these two very different performers share is a confident originality. I guarantee you will find joy in the music they make.

Who: David Ross MacDonald and Ann Vriend

Where: the BobCat turkey coop

When: October 8, 2011, 7:00 mingling 8:00 music

What: bring a snack or dessert to share, and a donation to the Ottawa Food Bank if you choose.

Suggested donation $25; as always, 100% of proceeds to the artists.

Let us know when you're coming.