ADDITIONAL ORIGINAL MUSIC ADVENTURES
2001: Celebration of Lights and Solo Acoustic
One of the biggest events in the Sarnia-Lambton community is the annual Christmas time light display, the “Celebration of Lights”. In the summer of the 2000, the event organizers approached Kevin about writing and recording a new theme song. The result was “Light It Up” which Kevin recorded with Mark O’Reilly of Sarnia.
The song received significant airplay on CHOK Radio in Sarnia that holiday season. Kevin also performed the song, along with “Freedom” at the official opening ceremonies at the Dow People Place in Sarnia(old friend Kevin Claxton joined him for lead guitar and harmony vocals).
Kevin also produced and performed a solo acoustic concert designed as a fundraiser for the Celebration of Lights, a non-profit group.
2000: “Freight Train”
On the heels of Kevin’s experience with the Riverband, Kevin put together the three-piece outfit he called Freight Train for one reason: “I’d been told you couldn’t go into a bar and perform original music and get away with it. So, I decided to go out and do exactly that.”
“The first night was a little rough, I’ll admit,” Kevin remembers with a chuckle. “But once we got our feet underneath it, we cooked up it real nice. And yes, people danced to the original songs and even sang along with a couple by the third night. In fact, every now and then, I still get asked if Freight Train is ever going to do another gig.”
Some highlights:
- Interviewed and performed “Freedom” on the Cogeco TV show Harada and Friends
- Performed “Freedom” live on 99.9 the Fox FM in Sarnia
- Four-night run at Dallas City Limits in Sarnia
Late 1990′s: The RiverBand
The group approached Kevin about coming on board as a songwriter, rhythm guitar player and backup vocalist. On the premise that the group was intent on recording a new pop/rock original CD, Kevin agreed. He quickly learned the band’s catalogue of cover material and set out on writing new songs, one of which was later performed on live TV.
Months later, little interest had been shown by the band in pursuing original music. “I had an absolute blast with those guys but I didn’t get the impression they really wanted to break from their formula of performing popular cover songs, and I suppose I can understand why, looking at the success they’d had with that,” Kevin reflected. “But that’s not why I was there. So I wished the guys the best and moved on.”
Some highlights:
- Headlined Canada Day Festival in Centennial Park in Sarnia in 1999.
- Performed throughout Lambton County and parts of Kent County in Ontario
- Performed Kevin’s original song “Sunken Soldier” live on CFPL TV in London
Early 90′s: “Innoncent Bystander”
Innocent Bystander was Kevin’s first band. He sang lead and co-wrote all the original songs for the group, which had a brief but productive run of rock and roll in the early 1990’s. Some highlights:
- Recorded a 5-song demo tape called “Forget About Tomorrow” (sold every copy!)
- Won Beal Secondary School’s “Battle of the Bands”
- Represented London and the “Stay Clear Festival” and performed in Toronto
- Played festival at Victoria Park in London, opening for the Doug Varty Band
- Performed at Canada Day Festival at White Oaks Park in London, where Kevin also performed the National Anthem
