Here we are at the day of the year many regard as the one true High Holiday: 420 Day, on which, for reasons that are still somewhat in dispute, pot smokers parade their predilection for puffing, celebrating a plant both combustible and edible.

Although by now the marijuana activists who started promoting the concept as far back as 1970 have —like the organizers of International Women’s Day and Gay Pride— more or less already achieved their main goals, the day, like those acknowledging the other great social struggles of the past generation that still smoulder, is worth commemorating and bowing to its spirit.

For while pot use may be, more or less, legal here in Canada, there are severe restrictions on exactly how much of the beauteous bloom you can possess and how you’re supposed to get it. And in plenty of jurisdictions both far away and closer to home, the ownership, let alone combustion, of even a little of the lovely leaf can get you a jail term.

So the fight goes on! And since a pot smoker’s idea of throwing punches is to bend their elbow to offer you a puff, it’s a battle that all can enjoy in a spirited manner.

And not only is it 420 day, it’s 420 day in 4/20, a whole month of days that seem to reference the occasion. And happening as it does during what we hope will be the zenith of the COVID pandemic crisis, it seems fortuitous that, with work and time at the moment but ephemeral concepts rather than the driving forces of our lives, every day can be 420 Day now!

Naturally 420 has always included music, since that was the other lynchpin of the so-called “counter culture” that characterized the Boomer generation which first began to make the waves that spawned the tide of toking that has now become a tsunami.

In fact, one version of 420 history has Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh picking it up from a group of high school students in California in 1971.

However another group of theorists believes that 420 is sacred because it’s the product you get when you multiply the numbers in Bob Dylan’s classic bud-boosting ballad “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”.

Perhaps York Region singer, songwriter, jam host and show organizer Matt Groopie, then, is part of this latter faction of the factual fracture.

Because today he’s assembled over 30 other artists to contribute vids of themselves doing Bob Dylan covers “from quarantine” to an online compilation show, called “Hard Rain: A Tribute to Bob Dylan” that starts at —you guessed it— 4:20 p.m.

The stellar lineup includes numbers by Steffi G, Greg Swan, Michael Stanfield, Chris Murray, Ginger St. James, Stan Simon, Mitch Girio, Freeman Dre, Richard Malouin, Mike Weidman, Carmen Toth, Carmen North, Marlon Chaplin, Steve Ketchen, Jonathan Billings, Frank Zirone, Greg Wyard, Joe Balazic, David Grossman, Jory Vernon, Maria Ryan, Lucas Stagg, Natalis Wong, Deborah Treger, Louisa Barbosa, Frank Jeffrey, The Gauer Brothers, Doug Halls, Christian D, Christopher James, Mari Nicholson, John Loree and Joan Marshall (whew!) and runs till about 7. You can see it on Matt’s YouTube channel once it’s begun.

There’s also another 420-related show going starting at the same time. “Come and Toke It” features acclaimed iconic Country songwriter Willie Nelson hosting but it does seem to be more of a variety show and is being sponsored by a couple of companies that sound like they’re basically retailing cannabis-related products. It’s streamable on Twitch and on a website.

Since these days most of us are more or less permanently in holiday mode, and to mark today’s unique character, I’m enclosing a .wav file tune that I hope in the spirit of the day helps to that I hope in the spirit of the day helps to spread some cheer, a charming number by The Tall Brothers from B.C., called “Smokin’ What We Want for Christmas)”.

Put that in your pipe and puff it!

-By Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
[email protected] * [email protected]

ONLINE/ON AIR SHOW LISTINGS for Monday, April 20, 2022

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Midnight to Midnight> **New album release of Really Small Town by One Eyed Oracle (aka Boris Buhot) on website ~original Rock/Pop**

*6am-6am daily> CBCMusic shows feature all-Canadian content @ CBC Radio One

Noon-1 weekdays> Tarek Ghiri and Nour Kaadan; Chris McKhool kids’ singalong for City Hall Live in support of Unison Benevolent Fund relief for artists fund streamed live on Facebook ~songwriter

2> Home Routes Concerts presents community workshop and jam-a-long on Facebook with Shauna and Grant

3-7 weekdays> Julian Taylor hosts @ 106.5 ELMNT FM in Toronto & www.elemntfm.ca ~eclectic music 25% indigenous, 35% CanCon

4-6pm weekly> Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ 101.5 FM or 1015thehawk.ca

4:20> “Hard Rain: A Tribute to Bob Dylan” with host Matt Groopie & over 25 other artists (including Steffi G, Greg Swan, Michael Stanfield, Chris Murray, Ginger St. James, Stan Simon, Mitch Girio, Freeman Dre, Richard Malouin, Mike Weidman, Carmen Toth, Carmen North, Marlon Chaplin, Steve Ketchen, Jonathan Billings, Frank Zirone, Greg Wyard, Joe Balazic, David Grossman, Jory Vernon, Maria Ryan, Lucas Stagg, Natalis Wong, Deborah Treger, Louisa Barbosa, Frank Jeffrey, The Gauer Brothers, Doug Halls, Christian D, Christopher James, Mari Nicholson, John Loree, Joan Marshall) perform “Bob Dylan Songs from Quarantine” for 4/20 party online on YouTube ~tribute to Bob Dylan

4:20-9:40> Willie Nelson joined by artists, chefs, comedians, and cannabis experts for “Luck Presents: Come And Toke It” 4/20 4-hour and 20-minute live-streamed variety show on Twitchandon website

*5-6 weekly> “Out of The Bassment” with host Keiko Gutierrez @ 93.3 CFMU Hamilton and online at http://cfmu.ca/shows/21-out-of-the-bassment ~music featuring bass players

*6 weekly> “Underplayed and Underpaid” interviews and performances by Guelph area bands on CFRU 93.3 FM broadcast and online

6 weekly> “Soundcheck with Sabrina” with Sabrina Fallah @ Jungle 77.3 & online at http://www.jungle773.com/ ~eclectic tracks, interviews etc.

7-7:30 daily> Craig Cardiff performs covers & originals live streaming on Instagram

7:30-9> Scarborough Ukulele Jam hosts “watch party” virtual jam on Facebook with pre-uploaded videos

9-11:30> weekly> “Virtual Riverboat” open mic with host Alan Moffat on Facebook

9-10 weekly> The Mandy Goodhandy Radio Show with Todd Klinck & special guest Olvia Chow streaming live @ blogtalkradio.com ~previous shows also available

*9:30-10:30 daily> “Q” TV broadcast with Tom Power with segments from @TheCurrentCBC, interviews, entertainment news & more @ CBC-TV

NEW: RESIDING> vid of Laura Hubert Band performing cover of “Loralei” @ Jazz Bistro filmed by Xpand Studio, on YouTube ~Jazz (0:4:47)

**NEW: RESIDING> One Eyed Oracle (aka Boris Buhot) new album Really Small Town links on website ~original Rock/Pop**

RESIDING> Little Peter and the Elegants perform 11-song set covering Sha Na Na at Wheels On Danforth, August 2019 to celebrate 50^th anniversary of Woodstock ~video on YouTube (0:30:11)

RESIDING> Robbie Rox performs “Ridiculous Host” original song solo acoustic on YouTube (0:1:52)

RESIDING> Carmen Toth “surprise live stream” covers & originals from April 17 on Facebook (0:34:40)

RESIDING> Late Fakirs featuring Greg “Harpfool” Shields perform continually growing collection of original tunes from “Corona-chan Collection” ~videos link on YouTube ~contemporary original

RESIDING> Shawn Brady performs original song “Sideways 2020” video on Facebook ~songwriter (0:4:46)

RESIDING> video of Carmen Toth performing “Way Too Early Show” April 11 edition on Facebook solo ~songwriter solo (1:16:32)

RESIDING> Kathleen Lovett performs cover of John’s Prine’s “Sam Stone” acoustic solo on YouTube; (0:5:22)

RESIDING> Al Reilly performs “Still Loving You” Scorpions cover acoustic solo on YoutTube (0:6:17)

RESIDING> Doc Higgins performs original song “The Lonesome Death of John Prine” on YouTube; (0:4:36)

RESIDING> Robbie Rox performs original song “Small Things Make Me Happy” solo acoustic for Good Friday on Facebook ~songwriter; (0:1:25)

RESIDING> Sebastian Agnello performs “Pour Me Another Tequila Sheila” @ Black Swan live in 2011 on Moon TV on YouTube; (0:2:54)

RESIDING> Kevin Jollimore performs “Stay the Blazes Home” for COVID protocols on YouTube ~ original Roots Rock; (0:3:20)

RESIDING> Drew Winters all ten tracks from Last Call In Montreal album on YouTube and on Spotify ~original Pop

RESIDING> Scott Rogers solo and with Maggie Keogh as Maggie & Mr. Rogers ~several videos on YouTube

RESIDING> Rob Minderman performs “Invisible Enemy” original song about COVID-19 on YouTube (0:4:00)

RESIDING> Wayne Neon and the Amazing Tubular Orchestra™ on Youtube: Social Distance Sessions live ~eclectic covers & originals (0:18:22)

RESIDING> Late Fakirs featuring Greg “Harpfool” Shields perform “Corona-chan Collection” of six original tunes ~videos link on YouTube

RESIDING> Kathleen Lovett covers “Sam Stone” by John Prine on YouTube; 0:5:22)

RESIDING> Susie Grooves & Company performs “Rhianna” at Southside Johnny’s on Facebook (0:3:44)

RESIDING> Eclectic Power Company featuring Graham Clarke covers “Wheat Kings (Tragically Hip) on InstagramTV (0:3:10)

RESIDING> Josh Gordon on Koch guitar solo for “Koch Quarantine Sessions” on YouTube (0:1:33)

RESIDING> Howard Gladstone performs original Roots solo on Facebook ~songwriter (0:5:32)

RESIDING> Dougal Bichan performs original song “More Than 100” on InstagramTV (0:8:23)

RESIDING> Kathleen Lovett performs solo on Facebook live ~Pop Rock/Roots/Blues covers (1:52:53)

RESIDING> David McLachlan performs two original songs recorded @ Bluebird Café, Nashville, on YouTube (0:8:02)

RESIDING> Alex Radeff & Donkey perform original song “Another Night At The Bar” on YouTube, recorded @ El Mocambo, December 1993 (0:4:20)

RESIDING> Howard Gladstone at Winterfolk XVIII performs “Crazy Talk” on You Tube ~songwriter (0:4:10)

RESIDING> Roger “Pops” Zuraw with Joshua-Walker & friends performs original song “Headboard Boogie” on YouTube (0:4:55)

RESIDING> recording of Carmen Toth performing St. Patrick’s Day concert solo ~songwriter (1:10:23)

NEW: RESIDING> Scarborough Ukulele watch party jam introduction on Facebook

RESIDING> Colin James performs cover of “Walkin’ Blues” by Son House on YouTube ~Blues (0:3:28)

RESIDING> Jesse Cook (with 12-year old daughter) performs 25-years-old original song “Tempest” on Facebook ~songwriter (0:3:30)

RESIDING> Andy Griffiths performs “What’s So Funny” (Nick Lowe cover) on YouTube (0:4:34)

RESIDING> Jackie performs original song “Unspun” on YouTube ~songwriter (0:3:14)

RESIDING> Rick McCue performs original song “A Full Bottle of Wine” on Facebook ~songwriter (0:3:13)

RESIDING> Eric Schenkman performs original “Locked In The House All Day” song on YouTube ~original Rock; (0:3:45)

RESIDING> Jesse Parent performs new original song “Learning to Live Apart” in YouTube video; ~songwriter (0:3:22)

RESIDING> Steve Bowen’s Kitchen Party from Milton on Facebook ~ol’ time/traditional Roots; (0:42:51)

RESIDING> Bill Romberg performs original “Army of Heroes” song on YouTube ~songwriter; (0:3:30)

RESIDING> Craig Cardiff MP3s of two versions of new “To Be Safe, Loved & Home” original song on Spotify ~songwriter (0:3:20/0:5:06)

RESIDING> “I Gotta Wash My Hands” Beatles parody COVID-19 video by Hobby Marketing on You Tube (0:2:30)

RESIDING> Barenaked Ladies “Selfie Cam Jam” together-apart performance of “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” (Bruce Cockburn cover); 0:5:15

RESIDING> 2018 Dave’s Crew video from open mic @ Dave’s Pizza on YouTube; (0:9:20)

RESIDING> Linda Nusca Albertyn et al together-apart video collage of “Listen To The Music” cover on Facebook; (0:3:37)

RESIDING> Toronto Symphony Orchestra together-apart performance of “Appalachian Spring” in remote ensemble on YouTube ~Classical (0:4:26)

RESIDING> various artists recorded live concerts for Care In Canada Ontario for seniors in care homes, accessible to anyone on YouTube

RESIDING> James Anthony performs original “Corona Blues” song on YouTube ~songwriter (0:2:39)

RESIDING> Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performs “Space Oddity” from International Space Station on YouTube via TorontoMoon.ca (0:5:30)

RESIDING> “Almighty Voices” Episode 1 video with various artists on YouTube in support of Unison Benevolent Fund relief for artists fund (0:35:40)

RESIDING> Spoons new original song “Landing Lights” on YouTube ~original Pop (0:4:41)

RESIDING> Eugene Smith recorded live stream show from March 27 on YouTube ~songwriter (1:13:55)

RESIDING> Jillian Bunting performing original & cover songs on Facebook ~songwriter (0:53:20)

RESIDING> Miz Debbie & The Don Valley Stompers video recorded at Grossman’s Tavern on YouTube ~Blues; (0:5:28)

RESIDING> The Jukebox Hour with Phill Hood and The Exclamation on Facebook ~covers and originals by request (1:23:08)

RESIDING> Reuben O’dell-Barkow with Marianna Lvovskaja recorded live (0:51:40)

RESIDING> Sarah Siddiqui video recorded live “Put The Worry Away (Isolation Sessions)” ~songwriter (0:25:28)

RESIDING> “10 Soothing Jazz Tunes…” (article with links) from Jazz.FM81 @ jazz.fm

RESIDING> Video of violinist Viera Zmiyiwsky performing for her 94-year-old grandmother, Anna, outside a retirement home in Mississauga on April 1 on Facebook ~classical; (0:5:38)

RESIDING> audio podcast episodes of “Q” with Tom Power and various artists streaming on request @ CBC Radio

RESIDING> Matt Groopie & David Grossman video performance of “Man On The Moon” (REM) acoustic outdoors from Facebook; (0:5:22)

RESIDING> Sam Roberts Band as Isolation Jubilation Sensation performing original song “We’re All In This Together” on YouTube (0:03:10)

RESIDING> Marsala Lukianchuk performs “I Wish I Was Locked Down With You” Facebook video ~songwriter (0:1:49)

RESIDING> James Anthony sings John Prine’s “All The Way With You,” recorded April 9, 2020; on YouTube; (0:2:18)

RESIDING> “Austin City Limits” presents free concerts from Country greats and original acts on pbs.org

RESIDING> The Dexters R&B super group perform “Melon Collie Serenade” on YouTube (0:5:55)

RESIDING> Jessica Mondello performing covers & originals on Facebook ~songwriter (1:03:43)

RESIDING> Colin Brunton performs original song “Coronavirus Rhapsody” on Youtube (0:6:01)

RESIDING> Mark Malibu and the Wasagas perform Rockabilly PSA “Fight Covid-19” on YouTube (0:0:53)

RESIDING> Michael Theodore performing covers & originals on Facebook ~songwriter (1:17:01)

RESIDING> Home Routes podcast Show #22 with host Tim Osmond & tunes by Roots/Blues artists Kalyna Rakel [previous podcasts also accessible from page]

RESIDING> Instructional video “The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do” on YouTube (0:8:34)