NEWS ARCHIVE:
ARTISTS FOR BOB CONCERT


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A concert featuring Canada’s best musicians and writers took place Saturday, 14 June 2008 at Sydenham Street United Church in Kingston. Bruce Cockburn, Susan Aglukark, David Francey, Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright, Terry Tufts, Unity, and the Algonquin Drummers performed. The event will raise funds for Robert Lovelace, father, retired chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Queen’s University professor, who has been imprisoned for his peaceful opposition to uranium mining in North Frontenac. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go to Bob Lovelace through a trust fund established for him by OPIRG Kingston. (Bob won his appeal and was released 2 weeks before this concert took place.)

Nancy Bouwma, frequent contributor to the CockburnProject, sent us the following report and scans of the concert program which are linked to full size pdf files. Artists for Bob Lovelace program front

14 June 2008 :: at Sydenham Street United Church

We were at the Artists for Bob show last night in Kingston, ON and I'm very pleased to say that Bob Lovelace was in attendance himself at the event. Bob was released on May 27th, his fines and his sentence were reduced and he was set free.

It was a very powerful and emotional evening that started with The Ardoch Algonquin Manomin Keezis singers and allies performing the Grandfaher drum. The scene was made complete with young adult dancers in ceremonial dress of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nations.

Each performer has a personal link to this whole uranium mine situation. The songs that were performed and the words that were shared left us feeling empowered and motivated to take action.

Bruce was introduced to the stage by Sarah Harmer. He stepped onto the stage and immediately broke into The Trouble with Normal. He followed with Indian Wars, Stolen Land and A Dream Like Mine. Each song was greeted with extended applause, especailly Stolen Land.

Sarah Harmer joined Bruce on A Dream Like Mine with amazing harmonies. I had never heard him tell the story associated with A Dream Like Mine before. He had been asked to write a song for a movie soundtrack based on a book that he had never read. He had a basic knowledge of the book and thought that A Dream Like Mine would be suitable. The producer did not share this line of thought and chose not to use the song, Bruce figured the deciding factor was because he had not bothered to read the book.

Bruce also shared a story about walking downtown in Kingston and running into an aquaintance. This person told Bruce that he thought maybe Bruce should rethink doing this anti-uranium mine fundraiser. The aquaintance stated that there is a world wide demand for uranium and perhaps we should consider exporting it in large quantities. Bruce reacted by saying that by exporting uranium we would be no better than the Taliban exporitng opium, they are both poison aren't they?

Each performer was limited to just a few songs so when Bruce was finished he exited the stage during the crowds standing ovation to make way for the next performer.

People may be interested to note that the event was being filmed by two different documentary film makers. CBC and CTV news were also supposed to be in attendance. ~submitted by Nancy Bouwma.

CD Artists for the Algonquin cover Related Links

(Artists for Bob Program in pdf format)
  • Artists for Bob Program
  • Artists for Bob Program
  • Artists for Bob Program


  • Released on June 14, 2008, this various artists benefit CD contains 19 tracks. Bruce contributed Stolen Land.
    CDs can be ordered by contacting Ellen at Leopard Frog Studio.

    ~bobbi wisby




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    This page is part of The Cockburn Project, a unique website that exists to document the work of Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Bruce Cockburn. The Project archives self-commentary by Cockburn on his songs and music, and supplements this core part of the website with news, tour dates, and other current information.