Our Stories

Messines (Little Green House)

Music by James Frew,  Lyrics by Dan Hilts.  Song practiced one night, recorded the next day with Yvon, Don and Dave.

Suddenly

Another song we learned and practiced the night before recording in 1997.  Also never played live more than once.  When the internet was formed, 'newsgroups' would have trolls just weighing in to get a response... often 'flaming' others.

Also, I think James' guitar almost went up in flames as leads were so hot!

Flames

Words

tiny little titties

This week on Georgian Bay Roots Radio we're celebrating the women of folk and roots -- those talented musicians who live among us, perform at our festival, locally and beyond. Featuring tracks by Alysha Brilla, Baskery, Eve Goldberg, Dala, Paige Warner, Serena Ryder, Coco Love Alcorn, Loreena McKennitt, Irish Mythen, Amanda Rheaume, the Good Lovelies, Suzie Vinnick, Amy Speace and Amber Mitchell!

Georgian Bay Roots #354 July 30 2023 (with Kailey)

Pools and Palm Trees

Song About America

Sticking close to our format in this week's episode (sharing music made in and played in Grey and Bruce counties with folk and roots music from across Canada and around the world thrown into the mix!), host Kailey Jane Hawkins has new music from your friends and neighbours closeby, music from friends a little farther away, and some tunes courtesy of the Summerfolk office (with a little help from Lloyd Lemon!). Catch it all here!

Featuring tracks by Coig, Allison Lupton, Dave Gunning, David Hartt, Rob Elder, David Hawkins, The Sun Down Drivers, The Proclaimers, Aleksi Campagne, Natalie MacMaster, Amber May, Joe Quinn and Nuclear Vibes!

Georgian Bay Roots #378 January 14 2024 (with Kailey)

On this Mother's Day, I want to take a moment to acknowledge my beautiful daughter Lottie, who brought so much love and joy into our lives, even though she couldn't stay. Though our time together was brief, the impact of her presence is eternal. Today, I honour all mothers, including those who hold their children in their hearts instead of their arms. Your love and strength is immeasurable. 💖

Irish Blessing

David Michael Hartt is a singer/songwriter originally from Timmins, but now living in Owen Sound ON. He has worked with many talented musicians from Shania Twain to Larry Jensen.  His writing style is in more of a storytelling vein as can be seen in his first album “Our Stories” which has songs that tell 10 stories of his hometown of Timmins, ON.  This is to be followed up in late 2023 with a second 10 song collection called “More Stories” which will continue to tell the stories of events and people of note. 
The newest release is “Keep On Driving”. The songs on this album were written mostly over the last few years with a reworking of a 1986 song, “When You Look Up At Night” and the inclusion of “All My Life” a song recorded with his old band “Longshot” in 1987.
David likes to inject a little humour in his songwriting but can write a great love song and does not shy away from wearing his strongly held beliefs on his sleeve. 
Apart from the aforementioned Longshot song and first single “Demon Seed” produced by the very talented Michael Lanteigne of Canadian Country Band Johnson’s Creek, the rest of the album was recorded, mixed and mastered at David’s home studio, with him playing or programming all of the instruments. 
As he is a prolific songwriter, another album is on the horizon for mid-2024 tentatively titled “We’ll Always Have Main St” which will contain some collaborations with other songwriters and musicians.
Presently he is looking into assembling a band to perform the songs from “Keep On Driving”, as apart from the odd open mic, he has not performed live in over 20 years.