Richard and I knew about a half hour out from the venue that we were in trouble. The weather was not cooperating. It turned out to be a wet day, at least to start off. The radar on the weather app offered a hint of hope for the mid-afternoon, but we had to get to the mid-afternoon first. This was not something we wanted to see, especially when we were dependent on a walk-up crowd in order to see a profit from this event.
When we got to the venue the rain had almost stopped, and we decided to go ahead with setting up on the outdoor stage, mainly because the indoor space was not viable. It might have been okay for an acoustic guitar show, but with drums involved, the reflections would have been problematic to say the least.
And so we set up outside, and mercifully the rain held it down to the odd drop. That is, until the the first act was about to take the stage, and the skies opened up again. About three songs into Bradley McAree’s set, the sunshade started leaking water onto Bonz’ drum kit and my guitar amp. The monitors were getting drenched...more garbage bags were needed. Bonz used his cymbal bag to protect his bass drum from the steady stream.
After Bradley’s set, a reprieve. The sun came out. It was blistering hot. There was no longer hope of a walk-up crowd. There was no hope of a profit being made from this venture, now in its third year. I suppose if you take into account all three years combined, a profit was turned; this is of little consolation. However, these are purely financial considerations.
I love doing things in a DIY fashion. It feels good even when it fails. I’ve been doing it my whole life...yes...failing, but also putting on DIY events. There is a beauty in it. There is a truth in it. There is an honesty in it.
Perhaps I’m stubborn and I don’t like to ask for help, or perhaps its my aversion to the music industry cliques/ schmoozfest...but I have come to realize I thrive on going it alone. I don’t know if I can say I like all of the risk inherent in DIY rock and roll, but at this point it feels rather like a comfortable old pair of shoes. I keep walking on.
As for the rest of Summertime Shindig 2026, it was a pleasant affair. The sun was out and there were people there...not enough people for us to break even, but enough people to create a good vibe.
When Dead Root Revival took the stage to close the show, we got about one minute into “Got In Store” when the skies opened up once again, and it began to pour rain. The mixer froze up and the mics stopped working...it seemed like we might be finished just as we started our set. Mercifully, when Richard rebooted the mixer, things came back online.
The catharsis of the remainder of the set was palpable. Unbelievable sheer rock and roll power coursing through our veins. “This Band!!”, I thought to myself as we powered through the numbers.
I have experiences of synesthesia every so often...when I taste the music. If things are really cookin’ I taste citrus in my mouth...or rather in the back of my brain somehow...tastes like a slightly tart tangelo.
I could taste the music last Saturday.
Nothing tastes better than that.
Thursday, July 9th - The Mill-Rights wsg Tom Savage at The Cove in Westport, ON (5-8 PM, $10 suggested cover)
Saturday, July 11th - Dead Root Revival perform at a private cottage party(you also could book us for a private event. Contact me for details at deadrootrevival@gmail.com )
Sunday, July 12th - Tom Savage & Friends at Spearhead Brewing (2-5 PM)
Saturday, July 18th - Tom Savage & Friends at Spicer’s on Wolfe Island (6-9 PM)
Thursday, July 23rd - Dead Root Revival performs live at Meyers Creek Brewing in Belleville! Looking forward to getting back to town to rock out with our Belleville crew! Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dead-root-revival-at-meyers-creek-brewing-tickets-1988915132702
Friday, July 24th - Tom Savage & Friends at the ANAF club in Kingston(5-8 PM) **this is the same format as TUNESDAY, with the middle set being an open mic
Friday, August 7th - Wolfe Island Music Fest Warm-up Party at Spicer’s with Tom Savage & Friends (early show, 3-6 PM)
Friday, August 14th - Dead Root Revival perform at The Cove in Westport, ON for the Music Westport kick-off party!! 6 PM start
Saturday, August 15th - Tom Savage & Friends at Spearhead Brewing (2-5 PM)
Saturday, August 22nd - Dead Root Revival returns to the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield,QC
Friday, August 28th - Tom Savage & Friends at the ANAF Club (5-8 PM)
Speaking of failure...
For most of us in this life, failure is part of the process of growth, of finding out who we are, and what our place is in this universe. The important part of the equation is to keep on going; to keep on working through to an understanding.
I thought this song tied in nicely with that meditation.
I hope you enjoy listening.
Keep On Trying - words and music by Tom Savage
Keep on feeling
Keep on striving
Keep on dreaming
Keep on fighting
Keep on healing
Keep on exciting
Keep on wondering
Keep igniting
Keep on walking
Keep on guiding
Keep it together
Keep on trying
Keep on wishing
Keep on praying
Keep on pushing
No delaying
Keep on talking
Keep on learning
Keep on teaching
Til the tide starts turning
Keep on moving
Dream that you’re flying
Keep it together
Keep on trying
Keep on loving
Keep understanding
Keep it whole
The world we’ll be passing
Keep on top of it
Keep it under control
Keep it with you
Until you gotta let it go
Keep on loving
Keep on smiling
Keep it together
Keep on trying
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