Ditch Horses leaping forward with long-awaited album release tonight

\ TORONTO WEST \

With several local appearances and media interviews over the past couple of weeks, Country songwriter Reid Pickering has been building momentum to leap the gap from local bar band to serious songwriting outfit as his group The Ditch Horses releases its debut album tonight.

The group has been performing regularly at small bars like The Only Café for some time and recently has been stepping up its schedule after completing recording of the new self-titled disc earlier this year.

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of the album a few months ago and as I told you then, it’s a lively collection of original tunes that show off not only Pickering’s lyrical talents but also the musical acumen of the four-piece band.

The group includes one of the city’s most sought-after Country/Roots sidemen, guitarist/backup vocalist Chris Bennett, who has a knack for turning straightforward Country compositions into little mini-masterpieces. The pair are backed by a high-energy rhythm section in bassist Sean Ryan (who also offers vocal harmonies) and drummer Dino Maccarato.

The songs themselves offer a variety of feels and vibes, with humour, intelligence, tenderness and story songs of substance all part of the mix, as well as some good ol’ fashioned kickass Rockabilly-style stompin’ dance-friendly numbers.

Tonight two-hour release event 7-9 p.m. at Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Ave. at Dundas St. West) should see lots of emphasis on the energy component of the music both because of the locale and the fact that the band will be joined by opening act the Lucas Stagg Group, darlings of the Dakota-centered TO Rockabilly scene.

The door charge amount isn’t stated in the event promo but since it includes a copy of an album you’ll enjoy listening to many times over, I’m sure it will be well worth whatever you shell out.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Tuesday, November 11, 2021:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

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11am> James Sloan performers “Remember Them Well” original song as part of Remembrance Day Ceremony, East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave., TO East

5-8> Bill MacLean & Brian stepehens @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~R&B duo

*6-9> Julian Fauth solo @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Blues piano

6-8> Carlos Lopes @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

6> Slocan Ramblers @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6:30> Adam Teixeira’s Tropical Punch @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*6:30-11> The Woodshed jam with Don Niblett & Frank Zochodne @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

7-9> album release for The Ditch Horses feat. Reid Pickering @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~original Country

7> Earl Wilfong @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

7:30-9:30> Jazz Moustache @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Django Jazz

7:30> Aurochs @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO ~Jazz

*8-11> Danny Marks & Alec Fraser Blues Night @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

8> C&C Surf Factory @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

*8> open stage with host Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

*8:30> Django Jam @ Dominion On Queen, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~Django Jazz

8:30> The Oxford Wild album release @ Gladstone Bar, 1214 Queen St. W., TO West

8:30> Matthew Byrne @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~songwriter from Newfoundland; $15

*8:30> open mic @ Falcon & Firkin, 10300 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*8:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

*8:45> open mic with Matt Zadkovich @ Culchain’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga

9> Bluebelle; Mercy Flight feat. Steve York; The Celebration Army feat. Nelson Sobral for Indie Night @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie

**9> open mic with host Jody Ferrer & 10 p.m. feature by tba @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

*9-1> karaoke with Randy Petrie @ King’s Belly, 429 Donlands Ave., TO East

9> Jake Chisholm @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

9> Poor Young Things; The Mohrs @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

9-12> Brett MacDonald @ Bar Radio, 615 College St., TO ~Roots; pwyc

**9> aBabe Music presents Port On Port; The Fairest; Bad Dad & The Best; The Pool Girls; Stan Simon @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~indie showcase; $5

*9> open mic with Manny D, Andy Earle & Dave Breckels @ Big Chris BBQ, 17380 Yonge St., Newmarket

9:30> Nicola Vaughan hosts jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

*9:30> The Phil & John Show feat. Phil Naro @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop Rock

*9:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ The Fossil & Haggis, 790 Military Trail, Scarborough

*9:30> Peter Verity @ Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Folk Roots

*9:30-12> open stage hosted by Jennifer Brewer @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> Jazz jam hosted by Chris Gale @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*9:30> jam with Derek Downham @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic

9:30> Brad James @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

*10-2> The Sattalites @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~orig. & cover Reggae/Funk

10> Stop Time @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO ~Jazz

10> Sinners Choir @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

*10-2> Marshall Dane Trio @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~New Country/Pop

10:30> The World Is Yours Unplugged @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

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