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Sometimes the Soda Crackers morph into a western swing band ...
SUE MALCOLM & THE SWINGIN' DOORS
Dance to the music of Vancouver's newest western swing band, featuring some of the city's hottest roots musicians: Left to Right: Stu MacDonald (bass); Phil Belanger (drums), Don Fraser (lap steel); Sue Malcolm (vocals & rhythm guitar); Rueben Gurr - (electric guitar) and Doug Thordarson (fiddle).
 WRITTEN IN INK
In February 2011, Seniors Living Magazine sent freelance writer Ruth Kozak over to my place, and I was an interviewed for a feature in their publication. We discussed my musical beginnings, the early days of the Pacific Bluegrass & Heritage Society, the bands that I've been in, and my passion for teaching music - the Slowpitch Jam and other courses as well.
You can find it online HERE.
 MUSIC TEACHERS LISTEN UP!
Are you a teacher of any acoustic instrument in the bluegrass/old-time/acoustic vein? Are you seeking students? Do you know of other teachers, including classes, workshops, and camps?
In response to many requests I get through my Slow Pitch Jam website, and at the ANZA Club, I'm going to create a simple directory of music instructors. This will be a page on this website. Nothing fancy - just a list that people can refer to.
If you'd like to be included, please send me your contact information and anything else you'd like to mention. Also, please send your address, or at least the area you live in, as I get requests from all over BC.
Please feel free to spread the word!
 SLOWPITCH JAM ARTICLE - JANUARY 10, 2010.
There was an article in Vancouver's The Province newspaper on January 4th, 2010 about the Slow Pitch Jam. You can read it here
 BLUEGRASS BRUNCH AT TIMBRE
Every Sunday at Timbre Restaurant on Comercial Drive in Vancouver they have bluegrass music. Highrise Lonesome was asked at the last minute to sub for the band that was supposed to play on November 1st. Check out the Photos section to see how we looked that day.
 FRANKIE RODGERS
We are sad to report that legendary Canadian country fiddler Frankie Rodgers passed away on September 9th. Details are sketchy, but he died suddenly at his home in Surrey. I've heard that he was jamming at the Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival only the previous weekend.
There was a funeral in Edmonton, and I took part in a Vancouver memorial. Paul Norton and Sue Malcolm did a tribute to him on 'In the Pines' on Vancouver Cooperative Radio.
I was fortunate to play with Frankie in the western swing band Sugar Moon for a couple of years (left). He also played with our bluegrass band False Creek for a couple of festivals in the summer of 2004.
Here's two great YouTube videos of Frankie playing with Sugar Moon at the 2003 BC Bluegrass Workshop Instructors Concert ...
Orange Blossom Special
Fiddlesticks
You can also go here to hear four Sugar Moon studio tracks.
Anyone who ever played with him will agree, he was an amazing musician and human being. His playing was always so expressive, rhythmic, creative, and not to mention - energetic! And he was the best accompaniest a singer could want.
He composed many wonderful tunes, the most famous being Ookpik Waltz, which has been recorded by hundreds of musicians. He was inducted into the BC Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 1995. Here's a link to their website, where you can read a short bio. www.bccountry.com
 Co-hosting IN THE PINES on Co-op Radio
As of August 2009, Sue Malcolm co-hosts with Paul Norton on this popular, long-running radio show on Vancouver Cooperative Radio. You'll hear an appealing blend of bluegrass, old-time, country, western swing, honky-tonk and more. Tune in and see what you think!
That's on the SECOND Sunday of every month, from 2:30 to 4:00pm Pacific Time. Available through the airwaves at 102.7 fm, streaming on the web at www.coopradio.org/listen, and on satellite Starchoice 845. If you miss the show, or just want to listen to it over and over again, check out the downloadable CFRO archives.
 THE RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER was a big success!
Sue and her sister Barb cycled from Vancouver to Seattle on the weekend of June 20th and 21st. They were part of a group of 1701 people, and collectively we raised an incredible 6.9 MILLION DOLLARS! We've both registered for the 2010 ride. We'd like to invite you to be part of our team. It was an incredibly inspiring, challenging - and most of all - rewarding event!
For more information, check out www.conquercancer.ca.
To see photos from the Ride, go here.
- Sue.
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