Don't touch that dial...as The Scott Woods Band is on the air!  The new show 'Stay Tuned' is coming through loud and clear at venues all across the country.  This show continues until August 1, 2009 wrapping up with a very special performance in Harvey, NB. 

'Stay Tuned' is a two-hour musical journey back in time - to when the live variety shows on the radio and television ruled the airways!  Back when musicians simply gathered 'round the microphone and with raw energy, broadcast their talents live to the folks listening in at home.

'Stay Tuned' is a reflection of those times and has more variety than ever, including some very special 'guest' appearances!  Check out the schedule for information on show dates near you and be among the 'studio audience' to enjoy this great family entertainment.

Scott also has a new CD appropriately entitled 'Stay Tuned' that is now available.  It too has a wonderful variety of old time music with some fancy fiddling, jigs and reels, gospel and swing music, much of which will be heard at the live show.  'Stay Tuned', along with the entire collection of Scott Woods CD's are not available in stores; they can only be purchased at the live shows or by mail using the CD order form enclosed.

May 9, 2009 marks a very special milestone in Canadian Music History as it is the 100th anniversary of Don Messer's birth.  Don was born in Tweedside - near Harvey, New Brunswick and studied violin in Boston, Massachusetts.

He played his first dance with his dad at the age of 7 - a barn dance - and went on to have the number one rated television show in the history of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - even surpassing Hockey Night in Canada!

From 'The Backwoods Trio' to 'The New Brunswick Lumberjacks' to 'The Islanders', the music and entertainment that Don Messer and his band provided, will hold a special place in countless hearts for many years to come.

The musical influence Don Messer has had on Scott Woods alone has been tremendous, and is clearly evident in Scott's style of playing.  For seven years, Scott was the musical director and played the part of Donn Messer in 'Memories of Don Messer's Jubilee' which toured extensively throughout Canada.

The Scott Woods Band is honored to be invited to perform as the headline act on August 1, 2009 as part of the Don Messer Centennial Celebrations currently being planned in Harvey, NB.  Everyone is so looking forward to being a part of this wonderful event!  Keep an eye out for more information on these celebrations as they develop over the coming weeks.

Kendra Norris (Scott's sister) is thrilled to be joining the band on the Western leg of the Cross Canada tour this year (May - early June 2009).

While Kendra is very well known to audiences in Ontario and Eastern Canada, she is a full time teacher and is usually still in school when the band travels west.  This year though, she's cutting class early (ok...taking an approved leave of absence) and is very much looking forward to 'going west' and participating in the whole tour!

Whether spoken or put to music, it's no secret that Scott likes to tell a story or two during his shows.  Some make you giggle, others make you groan (sorry Scott!) and then there are those that reach right in and grab hold of your heart.

At the ongoing request of audiences coast to coast, Scott has just finished recording a collection of his favorite 'Stories & Songs' on a brand new CD to be released in May 2009.

This CD is unlike anything Scott has ever recorded.  For the first time, audiences can take home the laughter, love and inspiration experienced from the stories and songs heard at the live shows.

Be sure to pick up your copy of 'Stories & Songs' at an upcoming show or oder by mail using the order form attached.

Carolyn Woods (Scott's mom) knows a thing or two about travelling...and tickling the ivories of course...but most importantly, she knows how to give a helping hand to those who need it most.

In 2007, The Scott Woods Band played a benefit concert at Wall Street United Church in Brockville, Ontario in support of 'Our Kenyan Kids'.  Following that show, Rev. Doug Warren, founder of 'Our Kenyan Kids' wrote "...as a result of the portion returned to 'Our Kenyan Kids' last night a big difference will be made in lives in sub-Saharan Africa.  For example:  $2,000 represents 25 months worth of supporting a Child Care Worker and his/her family; or 40 months worth of High School education for our students; or 40 months of part-time support for our administrator who supervises our group living with HIV/AIDS, ...and so on."

Being the pianist is just one of the key roles Carolyn plays in The Scott Woods Band.  By way of the benefit concerts performed, she contributes to worth while initiatives like this all year round.  But Carolyn wanted to do more...and so on December 27, 2008, she headed to Kenya herself to participate in a mission in support of 'Our Kenyan Kids'.

During this trip, Carolyn delivered staple food supplies to starving grandmothers and their grandkids in the Babndogo slum; served lunch to 94 kids at the Nairobi Children's Home, and led prayers in a remote village where the adults are desperately trying to support 80 orphans at their school.

Of course, the joy through music and dance was shared in ways such as doing 'The Hokey Pokey' with a grade eleven class at Usueni Girls School and singing 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' with about 80 nursery school kids in the Nairobi slums.

"It was wonderful - but very heartbreaking," remarks Carolyn.  "There is such beauty in the country and in the hearts of the people.  It is truly wonderful what is being accomplished by so many dedicated volunteers and community members.  Yet all of this is quickly put aside when I remember the extreme poverty and living conditions, and the lack of nutritious food and clean water."

This was Carolyn's second mission trip, the first one being to Haiti in 2005.  She hopes to do more in the future.  Until then, through the ministry of The Scott Woods Band and the many helping hands of both hosts and patrons of the show who make it such a success, Carolyn knows that lives are being improved all over the world, little by little.

How can you help?  Come out to any performance of The Scott Woods Show.  You can enjoy this top-notch entertainment while supporting countless worthwhile initiatives at the same time.  Every show by The Scott Woods Band is a fundraiser for a church, charity or community organization.

If your group is in need of funds to support a worthy cause, consider hosting The Scott Woods Show yourselves.  For more information on Our Kenyan Kids, please visit www.okkids.ca or call 613-925-1222.

The Scott Woods Band performs upwards of 150 benefit concerts each year.  It is our mission to help as many groups with their fundraising efforts as possible, while delivering the old time music that we love so much.

These concerts are best designed for enthusiastic hosts looking to maximize benefits for their cause and have some fun while they're at it!  Show dates book up early though, so please contact the office right away for information and to secure a date for your event.

The Scott Woods Show changes each and every year to a brand new theme, and the next time around, you get to give the band their marchiing orders!

Coming in September 2009, the audience calls the tunes in the new show 'By Request'.  The way it works is easy!  Submit your requests for the tunes you'd like to hear using the forms provided at the live shows or by sending an email to info@scottwoods.ca.  Last day for requests is August 2, 2009.  The show will then be built around the most requested tunes received from our audiences across the country!

Scott and the Band could be playing your tune, so please come on out and enjoy seeing the band marching to the beat of the audience's drum, in 'By Request'!

A selection of the most requested tunes will also be recorded on a new CD entitled 'By Request' scheduled to be released in the fall of 2009.

The following are just a few of the comments received from patrons who attended The Scott Woods Show in the past year.

Looking forward to being in the audience next year but I think we may have to wear seat-belts!  God bless you as you continue your musical journey. 
M.T. & B.T.
Nova Scotia

I was so weary when I came home from work I almost didn't come, and what a mistake that would have been.  My friend and I had a ball!
I.S.
Ontario

Thanks for making us laugh so much!  And your trick fiddling is something else.  Amazing!  A.P. Alberta

At the age of 50 I never thought I would be e-mailing someone a fan mail.  You truly impressed me in every way!!  And my mother!  G.C. Ontario

The talent of all involved is just amazing.  We can't remember the last time we enjoyed a concert more and the time went so quickly.  S.F. & M.F. Nova Scotia

Your quality of music was advanced, highly professional, and most entertaining.  W.S. British Columbia

I really enjoyed it...the performance was lively and a joy to watch.  L.M. Nova Scotia

Words cannot express the feeling that was buzzing around the church after your show.  You gave our church the lift that we all needed.  M.R. Ontario

Your music brings a smile to her face and it has given her more life engagement in the last few months than she has had for over a year.  M.B. Saskatchewan.

Please visit www.scottwoods.ca for information about The Scott Woods Band including its history, members, some great photos and more.  New shows are being added regularly so please check back often!