News and Pictures

October - 2009 - Lot's of projects under way and nearing completion! Check out Lenny Howells new video, "Jimmy Kay". This is one of the original songs Lenny will be releasing soon on his new album, "Soul Bearing".

April 1st, 2007 - We are gearing up once for the Calgary Stampede Youth Talent Search. This will be year 27 for Al Muirhead and his band. If you are between the ages of 13 and 21, and would like to compete, there is lots of information about the rules, auditions, prizes and eligibility. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these young performers to work with a live band and hone their skills,

February, 2007 - Rollanda Lee and the "Canadian Hot Stars" Jazz Band have just finished up their second superb dixieland jazz album, "Our Kind of Jazz". Great tunes, awesome musicians... Better have a listen when it is released next month...

is now complete and available! This is a great collection of thought provoking original songs from a well seasoned professional singer - songwriter. Jeff sings and plays some great electric guitar ..... Well worth a listen or ten....

Heather Brooks is a very talented and experienced singer - songwriter from southern Alberta. She has started a new album project which promises to be very good! Keep an eye out for a release this fall!

We have just finished up a very nice roots rock album with "Train Wreck" from Edmonton. The disc contains 12 original cuts co-written by the members of the band. Here is a picture.

Bob Walker (bass), Roger Rensen (drums), Warren Beaudry (electric guitar) and Steve Hartley (vocals, acoustic guitar)

Once again, the Calgary Stampede has come and gone! Here is a picture of the back up band, affectionately known as "Rockin' Al and the Dream Crushers" for 2006! It was a great year for talent, and we all had a great time working the the young performers. This has been the 26th consecutive year for the Calgary Stampede Youth Talent Search!

Eric Friedenberg, Bobby Cairns, Miles Jackson, Kai Poscente, Al Muirhead, and Steve Foster.

Al Muirhead has been leading the band and helping the contestants do the best they can since the show opened in 1971! Al's one of the hardest working musicians in the business today and is first call trumpet for most things that go on in Alberta.

Bobby Cairns is a fabulous jazz guitarist, as well as having been the head of the guitar department at Grant MacEwan college in Edmonton for over 30 years! Bobby brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the band.

Eric Friedenberg has been one of Calgary's busiest musicians for decades! His exceptional sax and flute playing add a lot of to the show! Eric also doubles on keyboard strings and organ.

Kai Poscente has been holding down the bottom end and keeping the groove happening for several years now. Kai is also very involved with big band jazz, and stays busy in the clubs around town.

Steve Foster is an exceptional drummer who came to us from Jolly Olde England several years ago. He's one of the most experienced show drummers around, and can play every style convincingly, from country to jazz, reggae, rock, ballads... you name it! Along with Kai on the bass, you can't find a more versatile rhythm section.

Yours truly, Miles Jackson on piano. This has been my 16th season working with the Youth Talent show, and with Al as leader, the show and the band seems to get better each year. It's a great opportunity for these young performers to experience the thrill of working with a good professional back up band, and I'm happy that so many of them take advantage of the situation and have us play their tunes!

Congratulations to Tara Tennant who is our 2006 Talent Search winner, seen here receiving her check for $4000.00! She sang a killer bluesy version of "Sunday Kind of Love" to clinch the first place spot! Way to go, Tara!

Also, congratulations to last year's winner, Maureen Murphy, who has now joined the Youth Talent committee!! She is just perfect as an enthusiastic performer and an inspiration to the kids coming up! If you are interested in auditions, or for more information, you can contact members of the Youth Talent committee at www.stampedetalentsearch.com


The "Buccaneers"	Jeff McCann	Keith Jones


Kent Hanwell Group	Lenny Howell	Krista Brazeau


the "Mixie Chicks"	Pat Hatherley and Jim Lewis	Randy Howell


Randy Jevne	okay.. so we play some pool

Carlene Friesen has finally recorded an album of the type of material that her many fans have been requesting! Her new album, "Country Recollections",featuring Wes Yaciuk on guitar, Kevin Andrews on drums, and yours truly, Miles Jackson on piano/bass, is chock full of great classic material from many of the great country divas, notably Patsy Cline. Lots of great country "recollections", lots of smokin' fiddle and good old country Gospel music!

News From the Beach - October 2009