Back in Toronto. It's been a summer with a wonderful balance of some interesting gigs with several different musicians and the down time between at our cottage. I made a promis to myself to take advantage of every opportunity to get out on the windsurfer ….. and really got lots of time on the water! … Read more
I'm getting ready for another Blue Skies Weekend. I'm doing as much praying for strength and practicing!!! I've been there many times and it's always stimulating. Aug 10 should be a blast. I get to play with Ian Bell, Anne Lederman, Jeff Bird and who ever else Ian has cooked up for this day of … Read more
I was able to perform at the Marine Museum, Port Dover last week. It's the perfect place to be IF you HAD to be locked in a room for 24 hrs. Curator and faboulis musician Ian Bells has really made this place an essential part of the community. The reason the I was there was … Read more
Here is some exciting news. Wexford School for the Arts vocal group "the Wexford Gleeks" were invited to add the choral parts to a song that was co-written by the Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield and Bare Naked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson. Chris recorded his part from UP IN ORBIT! Back on earth the "Ladies" … Read more
Here is a review of the performance that Mark and I gave for the Cuckoo's Nest Folk Society at Chauser's Pub, London on Sunday Jan 27, 2013. The place was packed and everyone seemed to have a great time – us included! "Haines & Leighton delight Cuckoo's Nest audience" Written by Bob Cunningham Great night … Read more
Mark Haines is coming up to Southern Ontario for a few selected dates. It's been quite awhile since he has performed in Ontario so he and Tom will have a LOT of music to catch up on. Both have been very busy performing with others so it won't be a question of being rusty, but … Read more
Both Conrad and I performed at the Cobourg Highland Games this past weekend. We have quite a bit of Scottish material in our repetoire and actually had material left over after playing in the Pub Tent. I hope that the entire weekend was successful for the organizers. It was sure fun for us. Next night … Read more
May 30/12 What a month. I've been able to play with Mark Haines, Conrad Kipping, and several fiddle functions with Anne Lederman PLUS our BIG production of HAIRSPRAY at Wexford. This year I was asked to help man the soundboard rather than be up in the loft with the band. That means that I was … Read more