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Thought-provoking performance next up at Motley Kitchen

John Brooks takes the stage in Dinner & Show series
050318_John_Brooks
Those who attend the Motley Kitchen on March 8 can expect a show that is thought-provoking as well as entertaining as singer-songwriter, Jon Brooks takes the stage for the next Dinner & Show. (Supplied)

Those who attend the Motley Kitchen on March 8 can expect a show that is thought-provoking as well as entertaining as singer-songwriter, Jon Brooks takes the stage for the next Dinner & Show.

One of a very few Canadian winners of Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Award, Brooks is also a five-time English songwriter of the year nominee at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and has earned recognition from sources as varied as US National Public Radio, Neil Young's Livingwithwartoday website, and the Canadian War Museum.

Brooks will be accompanied by Alec Fraser, a much sought after award-winning bass player, who was in Jeff Healey’s band, as well as working with a who’s who of the blues world, including Bo Diddley, Colin James, Matt Minglewood, The Drifters, David Wilcox, Jack de Keyser, Danny Marks, and Jerome Godboo, not to mention Randy Bachman.

It’s not all sweetness and light, however as Brooks addresses subjects like homelessness, serial killings, and gun dealers. 

"But it’s also not preachy or simplistic political protest," said a news release. "His aim is to inspire compassion and hope."

In his words, “I’ve chosen to write healing songs and, for that reason, I’m obliged to reveal a wound or two now and then...I want my songs to be three-and-a-half-minute pills which, if digested, induce upon the listener empathy toward others.”

A trained keyboard player, Brooks spent his formative years in a blues and rock band, even playing Hammond organ on the Headstones’ first album in the early ’90s. After a 1997 visit to war-ruined Bosnia-Herzegovina, having become disenchanted with the state of modern music, he gave it up. 

Then in his mid-30's, one of his literary heroes, Austin Clarke, suggested that Brooks embrace songwriting and he decided to give it another go.

Dinner and entertainment combined is $55 including HST. Show-only seats are $20 each. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the buffet dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the show approximately from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Reserve now to assure good seats and dinner by calling 705-222-6685.

For further information visit www.jonbrooks.ca.


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