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February 27.08

Well Gang...

I'm counting down the days. Two weeks from now, I'll be in sunny Austin, Texas, and for the first time ever, experiencing that phenomenon known as SXSW.

The whole process of preparing for this has been a huge learning experience. I've probably spent every spare moment of the last 3 months writing grant applications, getting all kinds of paperwork in place to cross the border, rehearsing with the band, working with performance coach Brenda Baker and all kinds of stuff. I want to send out a huge heartfelt thank you to SaskMusic and the Saskatchewan Arts Board for their support in all of this.

SXSW is the largest music conference and festival in North America - possibly even the world. From what I hear, there's music and crowds everywhere at all times. I was never good in big crowds - Disney Land and Canada's Wonderland were nightmares for that very reason. But I do love a good roller-coaster and SXSW is probably the Steel Dragon of them all. Plus I'll have my trusty entourage with me - David J Taylor, Jay Semko, Lou Fontaine and Chantale Fontaine. Glad you're all with me on this one.

I'm taking my video camera. We'll be shooting everything and likely editing on the fly (go iMovie). Watch for our SXSW rock-u-mentary - coming soon to a computer screen near you - via YouTube.

Over and out!
Kim

December 20.07

Hi Gang,
Well...2007 is coming to a close and what a wonderful year it has been. It was a fantastic year not only for myself, but I think everyone who makes music in Saskatchewan had a good one. Since last posting, I attended the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA's) in Regina and the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA's) in MooseJaw. Both were big fun schmooze fests. I met a lot of really cool people and industry pro's from all around the world. I heard lots of amazing music too.

Jay Semko and I had the honour of presenting a Songwriting Workshop at the WCMA's Youth Career Day event. That was a blast. And I almost broke out into tears when I presented Bonnie Austring Winter with the Industry Builder of the Year Award. For those of you who don't know Bonnie, she produces a live performance program for CBC called "The Gallery" and through this, she gets artists like myself national CBC radio exposure on a show called "Canada Live". Jay Semko and I were featured artists last spring. In fact, Jay is about to release a live CD of his set - which is really cool because I was also his bass player and background vocalist. So yes, in a nutshell, it was a huge honour. But one of the biggest highlights of that weekend was watching my dear friend and producer David J Taylor accept his WCMA award for " Producer of the Year." Yay DJT! You rule!

So, I have some really, really exciting news!
"I've heard a lot about Austin, maybe I'll get there one day" is a lyrical line in the second verse of my only real autobiographical song and the title track off my album "Life Happens." It's amazing what can happen when you write something down on paper - and sing it night after night. Someone once told me that when you write something - you give it power and it takes on a life of it's own. Well, there's something to be said about that because as of a few weeks ago, I've been invited to Austin, Texas next March to showcase at the SXSW Music Festival. Umm..WOW! Don't have many details as of yet but I will post as soon as the date and venue are confirmed.

Well...that's it for '07. Thank you for checking in and have a great holiday.

Kim

August 30.07

Hi all,
Well...summer is almost over...
And what a wonderful summer it has been. For the most part, I stayed close to home. Played a wonderful weekend up at Anglin Lake with Jay Semko, I really enjoyed being part of the Songwriters' Circle at the Broadway Theatre and made it up to Ness Creek to do a workshop and set change spot. I'll find any excuse I can to crash the Ness Creek Festival. I also had the opportunity to perform to a whole new audience at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest. What a wonderful event. From teeny weenies to seniors, Windy Acres comes to life with the sound of violins. In my opinion, music and the great outdoors is the perfect marriage. I'd have to say the highlight of the summer was our first annual Emma Lake Songwriting retreat. Lyn, Curtis, Terry, Ray and Glenn, it was so much fun working with you. David J and Jay - you guys are soooo great. The late night jams were a blast and thanks to the lovely Terry, we started penning our first group hit: "The 12 Bars Blues".

I also want to thank the gang at 306 Productions in Regina, who licensed "Angel" and "I am Lucky" for one of their projects. Can't wait to see it.

Now that fall is around the corner, it's time to get back to school in to the realm of songwriting. We have more University songwriting classes starting up in a few weeks. I'll also be heading down to Moose Jaw in October to take in Western Canadian Music Week and I'll be speaking to a group of young emerging songwriter's at their Youth Career Event. WCMA is a great event. Lots of workshops, showcases and awards stuff. It's a big schmooze fest. And you Saskies who haven't been, I recommend taking the weekend off and checking it out.

More shows and songwritiing classes are scheduled for the fall (see the dates page) and we'll be drumming up some Western Canadian tour dates in the new year.

Thanks for checking in.
Kim

May 22.06

Well, Juno Week here in toon town was a blast. Broadway Avenue was hopping. I had the busiest performance night in my 20-some year music history. Blair Finley and I kicked-off the Friday by playing live at the Delta Bessborough for CBC's Afternoon Edition with Colin Grewar.
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We've just finished running USCAD songwriting 1 classes at the University of Saskatchewan. Kirk Hall rocked!
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As for other news, on March 10, I had co-launched my latest CD "Life Happens" along with my good friends Jay Semko (of the Northern Pikes) and David J Taylor. The concert was recorded by CBC radio and will be aired both regionally and nationally.
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March.17.07
Hello Friends,
I want to thank everyone who made it out to the Jay Semko/Kim Fontaine CD launch concerts in Regina and Saskatoon, and to those myspace friends who left some really kind postings on my page.
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Feb.19.07

Hi All,
Wow! It's been a while since I've checked in. How are you all doing? I just want to open by announcing that the official CD Launch dates in Saskatoon and Regina for "Life Happens" are right around the corner. (Read more about "Life Happens") ...

I had a great trip out to Calgary. I had the chance to play at the Ironwood and hang with some good friends (Marco - dinner was amazing - you rule! Jasmine - I've missed you like crazy and it was so good to see you again). I Had a very enjoyable visit with John Beaudin from California 103 and I also had the opportunity to work with some SAIT broadcasting students. I was the subject matter for a video project - way too cool!
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Dec.23.07

Hi All,
"Life Happens" is now available on CD Baby and iTunes.

I had the best time at the Roxy last Tuesday... David J Taylor drove from Edmonton. Jay had just gotten back from touring the maritimes...Lou and Blair were amazing. Anyhoo, for those of you who missed it, check out the photos on the gallery page.

And BTW, the University of Saskatchewan CCDE is taking registrations for the 2007 USCAD songwriting courses. Check it out at www.uscad.usask.ca
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Kim

Oct.7.06

"Life Happens" was recorded at Audio Art recording in Saskatoon from July-September 2006. It was produced by David J Taylor, was engineered and mixed by David J Taylor and Neil Meckelborg, and was mastered by Dave Horrocks at Infinite Wave.

The album also features the ever so great musicianship of Jay Semko, Lou Fontaine, David J Taylor, Ross Nykiforuk, Blair Finley and Steve Dodd.
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July.30.06

I'll be heading out east for 3 weeks pretty quick. I'm mixing business with pleasure...Played some fun shows this past summer...Land of the Loon Resort at Anglin Lake was probably one of my favorites...
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May 26.06

Lots of big news! I'm one of the lucky recipients of a Rawlco radio 10K20 grant...

Level 2 of the USCAD songwriting course is well underway, and we are having a great time collaborating and writing songs...

I've got a big trip out East planned for August. I'll be re-connecting with Roger, Danny, Sue, Howie and Suds (all my past band mates from my Legal Limits days)...
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April 24 .06

Just got back from Alberta and I think this was one of the best trips ever!

I had a great time with Jonathan, Tony, John and the rest of the gang at California 103 FM in Calgary.

And speaking of California 103, thanks for all of your support. And thank you John for getting us backstage to meet Gino Vanelli. What a great concert!
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March 14 .06

I just have to say thank you to everyone at California 103 FM in Calgary for adding 6 cuts from "Morning Pages" to your playlist...

Other than that, I've been keeping busy writing and working on some new songs. David J Taylor and I are planning to start that whole pre-production process we'll be recording...

Songwriting courses start in two weeks. There's still time to register!
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Feb 22 .06

Exciting news! Angel has been placed in a Documentary titled "Under the Skin: Drugs, Dreams and Demons"...

I also spent last weekend taking in a wonderful songwriting workshop presented by the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association...
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October 28.05

I just got back from touring Western Canada with David j Taylor and Jasmine Whenham...

The Vancouver WCMA's were good! I took in some great workshops and met some wonderful people...

I'll be conducting 2 songwriting courses for the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division... More info on the songwriting course can be found at: www.uscad.usask.ca/coursedes.html. Scroll down the page.
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June 24.05

"The Reading of Morning Pages" video is now on line. Check it out on the media page.

David J Taylor, Blair Finley, Lou Fontaine and myself had another wonderful trip to Alberta...

This summer is shaping up to be a busy one...
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May 12.05

The big news is - we've finally gotten that DVD done. It's a 12 minute behind the scenes rock-u-mentary...

I was in Edmonton last week at the Atlantic Trap and Gill, where I was joined by the lovely Michelle Boudreau and Jasmine Whenham. Then there was also those amazing shows in Forget, Saskatchewan with Dale and Dave...

And for those of you living in the Calgary area, be sure to tune into the the A-Channel's "Breakfast Show"...
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Feb 27.05

We just got back from a great weekend in Calgary and Lethbridge...

Next stop - Forget, Saskatchewan on March 18 and 19.
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Feb 20.05

We're gearing up to head out back to Alberta for a short tour. And for those of you living in the Calgary area, tune into CKUA on Thursday Feb. 24th just after 4pm...

I've been working with Juxtapose Productions on a DVD, complete with live performances and studio footage...
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Nov 22.04

Just got back from a great weekend in Regina...

Other than that, I got news that "Angel" has been picked up as a feature song in an up and coming episode of Renegade Press. The episode entitled, "Giving Yourself Away"...
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Nov 7.04

Hi all,

I just got back from doing a few shows in Calgary...
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October 28.04

For all the Regina Folk!

A CD launch is set for Regina on November 20th...
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Sept 29.04

CHAB is going to feature "Tenderness", "Naked" and "Feel Good Today" on Saskatchewan Spotlight...
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June 20.04

Thank you to all who made it out the the CD launch at Lydia's Pub on Broadway...
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