We in the GWT have come off one of our busiest and most successful winters ever!! Before the festival season starts, let us fill y'all in on what we've been up to.

For those who don't know, Bersh has for several years been leading his high school Improv team to provincial and national competitions - that ever elusive victory still on the horizon. More recently Bersh has been taking his improv tricks on the road, having had the opportunity to lead workshops and training sessions for theatre groups, treatment centres and university programs. 

Greg is spreading the percussion-love, recently recording with Ruth Cassie on her first solo release. Ruth spent part of last year touring Europe in Hawksley Workman's band. Greg is also involved in a live worship recording session with the incredible jazz pianist Mike Janzen. The recording will take place at Little Trinity Anglican Church in Toronto's east end on June 5th, 6th and 7th.

Kevin has recently accepted an offer to return for the second time to North Western Ontario this summer to tour the area doing what he does best, play guitar. Kevin will be playing at a summer camp, churches and cafe's in and around Kenora, Dryden and Wabigoon. Watch for him if you're in the area!

Brad is using all methods possible to bring attention back to traditional storytelling. He has been commisioned to write and record voice over for a Muskoka Woods promotional video. Muskoka Woods is a sports resort on Lake Rosseau. Brad continues to contribute storytelling broadcasts at CFRU 93.3 and has finally taken the plunge and mailed off a manuscript of his original stories to an undisclosed publisher. Couldn't resist adding that last bit in - let's hope something comes from it. 

 Over the next few months we will be appearing in various incarnations at Latitudes Storytelling Festival in Kitchener, Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, Hillside Music festival in Guelph and the the Blueberry festival in Sioux Lookout.

 See you along the way!

On Sunday March 29th, The Great Wooden Trio and African Griot, dancer, singer and storyteller Adwoa Badoe shared the stage at the 2009 TORONTO FESTIVAL OF STORYTELLING. This event was held at The Loop Centre for Lively Arts and Learning in Artscape Wychwood Barns. African rhythms, tasty harmonies and acoustic grooves blended into a vibrant evening of spoken word and music. The new Artscape space is amazing, and we're hoping to be invited back to perform there again as soon as possible! Thanks to Cher MacNeill for the cool snapshots!

On Saturday March 7, we had the pleasure of performing at HOPE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH in Courtice Ontario. HOPE FELLOWSHIP was hosting a 10th Anniversary Community Dinner Party.  Special thanks to Carl Feddema for arranging the evening and who took us out for cheap laffs and Ultimate Fighting later that evening. 

Awesome photos by David G.

CD LAUNCH NUMBER 3

On Sunday June 15, we held the final Great Wooden Trio CD Launch party at The Bread and Circus Theater and Bar in Kensington Market, downtown Toronto. Once again, there was a massive early summer thundershower that made getting down to Kensington somewhat of a challenge. Thanks to all who did brave the rain and lightning and made it out that night. Opening for us was the brilliant comedy of Peter Stevens - we're still quoting some of his genius lines. Joining us again was David White, mandolin player extraordinaire and a host of close Toronto friends who quite frankly, storm or no storm, filled the narrow little bar in Kensington. Here are some more Cher MacNeill pics from that evening - thanks Cher!! Thanks also to Scott "buzz-killer" Francisco for taking matters into his own hands. We could use a guy like you in our organization.

CD LAUNCH NUMBER 2

On Thursday June 12, we held the second of three CD Launch events at Bryden's Pub in Milton. Jeremy Giesbrecht of the Gun Shy Rebels opened the evening with some quirky acoustic/pop tunes, accompanied by our very own Kevin Morse. We played to an enthusiastic Milton crowd. There was a positive vibe being felt at the bar that evening, evidenced by 'the dancer' who rushed the stage. I'm still waiting on photographs from the evening, so for now I'll include this link from the Milton Canadian Champion Arts and Entertainment page. Thanks again to Scott the Soundman and to Sherry for workin' the merch'. Oh, and thanks to Craig Roberts for showing up...... late.

CD LAUNCH NUMBER 1

On Sunday June 8, we held the first of three CD Launch events at the legendary Albion Hotel in Guelph. We lit'rilly had an all star cast of musicians with us that night. Opening the show for us with her hypnotic vocal loops and jazz ballads was the fantastically fantastic Ambre McLean. Joining the GWT on keyboards was Tim Alberts, who recorded, mixed, mastered and performed on our CD. Jesse Turton, a local heavyweight played some awesome upright bass - an instrument we've never used live before. David 'Pool Boy' White played mandolin and to end the evening off, local musical heroes Tannis Slimmon and Jude Vadala joined us on backing vocals. We had a great big crowd out, despite the muggy, unbearably hot thunderstorm evening (a storm of some kind always occurs when we play in Guelph - according to Bersch) and CD sales were well beyond expectations. Thanks to everyone for showing up and a very special thanks to Sherry Morse for working the merch table, to Cher MacNeill for the great photos (below), and to Scott the sound man for working his miracles yet again.

GWT CD RELEASE DATES!!!

APRIL 25, 2008 - We have final confirmation on all of our CD Release dates!!! It's going to be a three city release party, and the fun won't stop until all the CD's are sold. So bring your good humor, your love for music, your thirst and your wallet so you can bring home some of that good ol' GWT magic. (that's the corniest thing I've ever written) Click on CD release poster below for the big version so you can read the details.