March 2013
Last year I was elated when Steve Purtelle, owner of the Acoustic Grill in Picton, Ontario approached me with the idea of recording a live CD in his establishment. The trouble was, I had just released "Crowe River Blues" which included most of the material being featured in my current performances. Not wanting to let a good opportunity slip away, I quickly penned a few new tunes, revisited some songs I had previously written for Fathead and brushed up on some old blues faves.
 The result is "Live At The Acoustic Grill", a modern, bare-boned disc that is as downhome and true to myself as I can possibly get: No over-dubs or guest musicians, just me, my guitar and rack harmonica. On hearing the final mixes, it put me in mind of those impressionable years when I was first exposed to the Riverboat Coffeehouse in Toronto's thriving Yorkville Village back in 1965. I was only eleven, but since they didn't serve alcohol, a kid like me could get in. In the coffeehouses, intimate and attentive crowds would sip mochas and expressos while listening to solo acoustic performers such as Joni Mitchell and Dave Van Ronk. Blues artists like Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Bukka White and John Hammond all appeared regularly. It was the blues artists that really moved me and inspired me to become a fulltime musician, which I’ve managed to do now for over forty years.
While I was interested in music from an even younger age, it was those early concerts that really ignited my fuse and propelled me down my chosen path. This Live At The Acoustic Grill recording manages to recapture that same coffeehouse spirit. Coincidently, I feature a few songs here that I first heard all those years ago. It seems the older I get, the more life seems to come around full circle. I am right back where I started, but with a much different perspective. It is a good place to be.
I will be holding CD Release Parties on the following dates with more to come. Mark your calendars!!!!!
Sunday, May 26....Acoustic Grill, Picton. 7pm
Thursday, June 6.....Rubb's BBQ, Campbellford. 8pm
Saturday, June 15...Dominion On Queen, Toronto, 9pm
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March 2013
It was with surprise and delight when FATHEAD’s band members each received congratulatory certificates from the House Of Commons. Each one bore the name “FATHEAD” as well as our individual names and the instruments we play, and was signed by Craig Scott (NDP), Member of Parliament (Toronto-Danforth)
It proclaimed “On the occasion of your 20th anniversary as one of Canada’s music gems”, and went on to to say “As Andrew Galloway, President of Electro-Fi Records put it so well in the cover notes for your album Twenty Years Deeps, ‘Surviving 20 years as a blues band in today’s world, with no signs of slowing down, is a feat of soul sanctified brilliance.” It closes with, “Here’s to twenty years deeper!
We are deeply honored by this recognition! 
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Jan. 2013
Happy New Year everybody. It was nice to have a little down time over the holidays, but I always look forward to getting back to work. I love my job!
CBC's Galaxy Radio released their 100 most played albums of 2012 and I am happy to report my Crowe River Blues disc was #43. Not bad considering how many blues recordings get released every year.
This week I start rehearsals with the Maple Blues Band who will be backing everybody at the upcoming Maple Blues Awards at the magnificent Koerner Hall in Toronto on Jan 21.
FATHEAD's sold out show last month at the Aron Theater in Campbellford was a smash success! We recently released a "Best Of.." compilation CD called "Twenty Years Deep" and we look forward to getting into the studio to record a disc of new material very soon.
A reminder that I am at Rubb's BBQ in Campbellford EVERY THURSDAY @ 8pm. This is a slow time of year, so I urge you to get off the couch and take in some live music.
That's all for now. Stay tuned...
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Dec, 2012
The Blues Underground Network has named "Crowe River Blues" in their annual Top Ten list for "Best Debut Recording". The disc has also remained in the Roots Radio Top 100 for ten months!!!!
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Oct. 2012
Al has been nominated again for a Maple Blues Award for "Horn Player Of The Year". As well, his Fathead bandmates have been nominated in their respective instrument categories: OMAR TUNNOCH (bass); TEDDY LEONARD (guitar); BUCKY BERGER (drums). The awards take place on Jan 21, 2013 in Toronto at Koerner Hall. Al, along with Teddy both play in the Maple Blues Band which will be backing all the performers on the night of the event.
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Aug. 2012
 2012 marks FATHEAD's twentieth anniversary! To celebrate the occasion, Electro-Fi Records is releasing "Twenty Years Deep... The Very Best Of Fathead 1992-2012". The album boasts a total of nineteen tracks spanning all seven of the group's releases, and also includes songs from the two Little Mack Simmons discs that Al produced in which FATHEAD was used as his backing band. Several of the tracks were remastered, and whether you are a long time FATHEAD fan, or just being introduced to their music for the first time, this is an excellent disc to add to your collection.
The official CD Release Party will take place on Saturday October 6 in Toronto at the Monarch Pub/Delta Chelsea Hotel on Gerrard just west of Yonge at 4pm. If you know FATHEAD, you know this will be one hell of a party! Mark your calendars as you won't want to miss this show!
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June 12, 2012
SOCAN is Canada's largest music rights/publishing organization, and they have just licensed my song "You're The One" for play on their web. The song will stream from June 15 until July 14 at www.socan.ca. Considering that they have thousands of songs and artists to choose from, I am thrilled they picked one of mine. Meanwhile, "Crowe River Blues" is getting more great reviews and picking up steam on US blues radio. Four months after it's release, it is still at #14 on the Roots Radio Charts!
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Time certainly flies! The start of June 2012 marks the one year anniversary since Al has started his weekely Thursday Night Blues Series at Rubb's BBQ in Campbellford. Along the way he has had some great guests sitting in such as Alec Fraser, Lance Anderson and fine local talent such as Dave Papple, Mike Accera, Jane Archer, and Phil Smith. "It's been a handy gig for me since moving to this neck of the woods. I've met a lot of great people at Rubb's and I am greatful to the great staff there." If you've not been there, come and check it out. You'll her some great music and you can taste some of the best ribs this side of Memphis! Rubb's is located in Campbellford, Ontario at 18 Bridge St West. The show runs 7pm-11pm.
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March 8 2012
So far the reviews for "Crowe River Blues" have been outstanding and the album is now garnering some radio airplay. The disc is listed as #1 in CIUT's Top Blues chart, and is currently at #4 at CHLY FM in Naniamo, BC. You can view these reviews on the BIO page.
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Feb. 25. 2012
 I want to thank all who came to my CD Release Party for the launch of my very first solo disc "Crowe River Blues". Held at the Monarch Pub/Delta Chelsea in Toronto on Feb. 25th, the packed house provided me with a fantastic vibe as I performed songs from the album backed by a crack band that featured producer/bassist ALEC FRASER, BUCKY BERGER on drums and DENIS KELDIE on keys and squeezebox. Blues dj DDAVE 'Daddy Cool BOOTH" was on hand to introduce the band, and my FATHEAD brethren JOHN MAYS and OMAR TUNNOCH sat in for the second show, as did LINDSAY BEAVER on drums. I've received many congratuatory emails, phone calls and Facebook postings from so many of you. I hope to see you at my shows in the future. I am so grateful for your support.
The disc is already receiving radio airplay and is getting good reviews (see the REVIEWS page). I look forward to a busy year ahead with FATHEAD as well as with my solo shows. See you soon!
A.L.
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Come celebrate the release of Al's debut solo CD "Crowe River Blues" at Toronto's Delta Chelsea's Monarch Pub on Saturday Feb. 25, 3pm. Joining Al on stage at this free event will be bassist/producer ALEC FRASER, DENIS KELDIE on keys (filling in for Lance Anderson) and Fathead's own BUCKY BERGER on drums. It promises to be a great show that is not to be missed! You can probably expect a few special guests to show up as well.
The disc features Al on lead vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica and saxophone performing thirteen songs that range from solo acoustic blues, incendiary harmonica workouts, heartfelt ballads, New Orleans inspired funk, to soul-shaking rock'n'roll. Al is the featured writer/composer on ten of these.
Al and the band will playing songs from the album plus a whole lot more! The Delta Chelsea is located on Gerrard St, just west of Yonge St.
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Feb. 2012
FATHEAD was recently nominated for four MAPLE BLUES AWARDS. John Mays was up for "Male Vocalist Of The Year" while I had the nod for "Horn Player Of The Year". Omar Tunnoch received a much deserved nom for "Bassist" and Bucky Berger was up for "Drummer Of The Year". The awards took place January 16 at Koerner Hall in Toronto and included a performance by FATHEAD and others. I was back again in the sax/harmonica chair playing with the Maple Blues Band while we backed BC's Bill Johnson, Rita Chiraelli,Shakura S'Aida and Treassa Levaseur. We didn't bring any trophies home this year, but it is always nice to be recognized with a nomination!
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