Over the past eighteen months, fans of The Scott Woods Shows have been diligently sending in requests for their favorite tunes.  There were over 3,000 different tunes requested and this sure has a certain 'toy soldier' (aka Scott) all wound up and ready to march to the beat of the audience's drum!

'By Request' is a two-hour live show that has been built around the most requested tunes.  It is jam packed with terrific old time music along with fancy fiddling, sensational step dancing, glorious gospel, family humour and much more.  This show has been built by the people, for the people and can be enjoyed by all!

'By Request' began last September in Ontario and continues across the country wrapping up in August 2010.  Be sure to check out the enclosed schedule or the website at www.scottwoods.ca for a show date near you.  All concerts are fundraisers for churches, charities and other worthwhile initiatives.  You can help by spreading the word and encouraging your friends and family to attend.

To compliment the live show, Scott has recently released his newest CD appropriately entitled 'By Request.  It contains a masterful collection of the most requested tunes not previously recorded on any of Scott's other CD's.  Although Scott's CD's are not available in stores they can be purchased at the live shows or by mail using the CD order form attached.

On August 1, 2009, the folks in Harvey New Brunswick organized a Centennial Celebration to honour the birth of Don Messer.  The week-long event, that the committee expected a few hundred people to attend, drew a crowd of over 13,000 from all over the world!  What a tribute to their native son!

The Scott Woods Band was thrilled to have been invited to launch the festivities by performing an Opening Night show on Saturday August 1st to an overflow crowd.  The week-long celebrations included showcasing fiddlers of all ages and skill levels, a fine display of memorabilia, a small market where local foods and crafts could be purchased and much more.

Congratulations to the committee for putting on such a wonderful event and a hearty thank you to those who came from near and far to support it!  What a party!

While at the Centennial Celebrations in Harvey, the band had the distinct pleasure of meeting the one and only Ken Reynolds.  Ken was, for many years the tour manager for some of our favorite country stars including of course, Don Messer.  Ken also worked closely with legends like Wilf Carter, Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, Ward Allen, Ronnie Prophet and Graham Townsend, to name a few.

Ken has recently released a book titled 'Ken Reynolds Presents - Sixty years in Canadian Country Music'.  The book contains behind the scenes stories never before told, along with over 200 great photos, copies of letters and other memoabilia.  The original photos, letters and more were graciously donated to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa to be enjoyed by all.

The book sells for $25.00 (plus $10.00 shipping) and can be ordered by sending a cheque or money order payable to Ken Reynolds at 15 Parkland Crescent, Ottawa  ON  K2H 5V3.  For more information, phone Ken at 613-726-1285.

One might think that after touring across the country every year as pianist for The Scott Woods Band, that Carolyn Woods (Scott's mom) might like to come home, unpack and relax.

But no...shortly after wrapping up the Christmas 2009 concert series, Carolyn was off on a mission trip to Nicaragua with a dental team based out of Parry Sound, Ontario.  Carolyn's job was to be a 'sterilizer' of the dental instruments, not with Canadian standard equipment, but the best available.

You may remember that last year's newsletter spoke of Carolyn's recent mission trip to Kenya in support of 'Our Kenyan Kids'.  And prior to that, she had travelled to Haiti on yet another mission trip.  Way to go Carolyn!  Your tireless efforts are making you a legend in your own time and  an inspiration to everyone!

On Thursday August 5, 2010, The Scott Woods Band will be returning to The Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship held in Shelburne Ontario in celebration of its 60th anniversary! 

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Shelburne, the event features Canada's top fiddlers in competition for more than $17,000 in prizes along with the most prestigious prize, the Canadian Open Champion.

Scott began competing in Shelburne in 1979 (age 8) and continued every year until retiring from competition in 2004.

"I remember competeing on the Shelburne stage more than any other," Scott recalls.  "Hanging from the ceiling were silver paper fiddles.  One whole wall of the arena would be opened to let the warm August air in.  Lights from the ceiling had a soft orange glow and they would shine down on the paper fiddles, making them look golden as they swayed gently in the breeze".

Along with taking the Canadian Open Championship title in both 1993 and 1996, Scott has won in the 12 & Under Class, 18 & Under Class, Novelty Class several times and Duet Class three years in a row with sister Kendra.

The People's Choice Award, recognized with The Merv Woods Memorial Trophy, is awarded to the competitor that the people (not the judges) pick to win.  Merv Woods was of course Scott's father who passed away in 2003, the year before Scott himself won The People's Choice Award on the stage at Shelburne.

This August, The Scott Woods Band will kick off the festivities with a special concert on Thursday evening.  The contest itself will commence with the playdowns on Friday and will conclude with the finals on Saturday evening.  Proceeds support the charitable work of the Shelburne Rotary Club and other local service clubs and organizations.

Come on out and celebrate 60 years of fiddling in Shelburne!  To all competitors, best of luck at this year's event!!

Long-time bass player and treasured friend of the Woods family, Karl Watson has decided to retire from playing in the band.  Many of you know Karl, as he played with Scott's dad Merv back when they started playing music in 1944 and has been with the band for many years.  Though Karl's talents, experience and dry humor on the stage and on the bus will be missed, his voice can still be heard as the Narrator in the By Request show.   To Karl and his lovely wife June, all the best in your retirement!

New this year, The Scott Woods Band welcomes 15 yr old step dancing sensation Kyle Waymouth from Stratford ON.  This young man in multi-talented and ready to light up the stages all along the tour path with his step dancing as well as playing bass and fiddle!

It is also a thrill to debut the newest family member to take to the stage in music.  Keayla Woods (Scott's niece) will be keeping the band in time on the drums.

By popular request, Ben Norris (Scott's nephew) will be returning to the tour this year.  Despite a hectic university schedule, Ben has continued to refine his musical talents and looks forward to sharing them with you.

Don't miss these three young up-and-comers as they take part in the Cross-Canada tour of 2010.

A note of sadness - Scott's beloved Golden Retriever, "Bailey" is now up in doggie heaven.  Since Bailey was a pup, she has been at Scott's feet as he practiced, recorded, rehearsed with the band and taught.  She was well travelled and loved by all as she had accompanied Scott and the Band across the country and into the United States many times.  She will be greatly missed.

Each year when these newsletters are mailed, several are returned by Canada Post due to errors in the street name or number, postal code or missing information such as P.O. Box numbers, apartment numbers or fire numbers for rural addresses.  Please have a quick look at the envelope your newsletter came in and contact us if you notice any errors or missing information so we can make the necessary corrections.  Thank you!

The Scott Woods Show changes each and every year to a brand new theme, and next time around, we're going full steam ahead!  Get ready to climb aboard and join us as we travel from coast to coast with an array of fiddle tunes in this two hour musical journey across Canada!  This show is sure to spark a few memories of days go by, coupled with laughter and stories of what truly makes us Canadian.  Let's keep our roots alive and at the same time, support local organizations.

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

I was converted by the absolute finesse of this fine fiddler, the infectious spirit of his band and the variety of their program.  - L.M. Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia

Your show is the BEST!  Warm, thoughtful and uplifting! - D.B. Red Deer, Alberta

This is the 6th time we've seen your show and each is as exciting and refreshing as the first time.  - C.M Peterborough, Ontario

Thank you for bringing such a rich blessing to all of Harvey as you played, sang and mingled with the people.  Your beautiful spirit was so evident and REAL...wow!  - B.M. Fredericton, New Brunswick

Couldn't keep my feet from dancing!  - D.A.  Ft MacLeod, Alberta

We need more of what you offer to make a better and happier world.  - E.I. Sault Ste Marie, Ontario

The show was great - very professional, nicely balanced.  - A.S. LaFleche, SK

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.