Rockin' the hall in Bellrock

Jan 26, 2012

Photo: John McEwen (right) with Collin Bowe at the Bellrock Community hall where John will be appearing regularly every Sunday from 1:30-3:30PM until February 26.

Music lovers, especially those of classic rock, folk, old country and blues, have a new, free Sunday venue to add to their list. Local troubadour and long-time Bellrock resident John McEwen has decided to bring his talents to the newly constructed stage at the Bellrock Community Hall every Sunday from 1:30-3:30 PM from now until February 26 to benefit the ongoing renovations to the hall.

January 22 was his inaugural performance and joining him onstage was piano player Collin Bowe, owner of Verona Computer. The two maintained a casual, easy and open dialogue as they progressed through a number of favorite classic rock and blues numbers.

John began the first set with Alice Cooper’s “Eighteen”, proving he has a voice that can do almost anything and that everything he does he does well. Add to that his quick and nimble guitar fingers, which together prove that this guy (who is much more appealing in person that the caricature in his ad on page 5 might suggest) has been around for a while. He is also someone who loves to get to know the audience almost as much as he loves to sing and play.

John, who has been playing guitar since he was a kid, has an eclectic taste in tunes and he shared that love playing a number of Dylan tunes and Stones songs.

Though Collin did not “know” a lot of the songs, his prowess allowed him to tinkle away on the white upright quite comfortably and he was more than happy to go it alone when John stepped off the stage a couple of times. The duo covered Costello Angle’s “Want to Wear My Red Shoes”, Stevie Ray Vaughn's “Pride and Joy”, and also took a number of requests from the crowd, which though a small one was more than enthusiastic.

If you have a chance check John out- it’s worth the trip to Bellrock. In lieu of the free admission John is happy to accept donations for the ongoing renovations taking place at the hall, the latest of which concern the women’s washroom.