Ashley MacIsaac Is Back!
Saying that you don't have time to improve your thoughts and your life is like saying you don't have time to stop for gas because you are too busy driving. Eventually it will catch up to you. -- Robin Sharma, Daily Inspiration
Ashley MacIsaac kilt flash 1997
Now, it's been 13 years since the kilt flash and this was one of many negative stories that did not portray Ashley in the best of light. So as parents, you can see why we were wondering what Ashley might do during the show. Our son has being asking to play the violin since he was 3 and we thought this would be a great way to introduce him to one of the greatest fiddle players in the world and he is from Atlantic Canada. So we decided to take a chance.
I am very glad we took that chance. I think Ashely decided to "stop for gas" as Robin mentioned in the above quote. At least for last nights show. His performance was amazing, he was very down to earth, shared some great stories about his visit to Saint John and invited some locals to perform with him on stage. One of those being Michael Hall from Saint John, NB, Michael's father and a 15 year old phenom fiddle player from Fredericton.
The entire show seemed to shoot straight from the hip. While Ashley often referred to his set list, he wasn't afraid to go with the flow during the entire show. It was great to watch. He even threw in some good jokes.
Overall I was very impressed with the show and I think Ashley is back and looking forward to seeing what comes next. I know there was a particular 6 year old who thought playing the fiddle was very cool. Here are some clips from the show.
Performing My Mother
I have Google set to alert me to new postings about Ashely, so that's how I found your blog. I have been playing fiddle now for 5 years, and it all started because of him. There is no end to the wealth of fiddle music and community in Canada. I personally am from southern Toronto. I'm so excited to hear that your son wants to play! He he's starts young, and finds some role models he can look up to now, he'll hopefully have it with him for life. There is an entire community of people out there ready to welcome him, and you!
I'm going to leave you with a few links, I'm not sure where you are from, I'm guessing the east coast, but I hope that you'll find these useful. Most are not really region specific, and the one that somewhat is will at least have a lot of information.
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/
Forum/info/lessons/heaven/more help and knowledge than you can ever get through. I 'm "Aqueya" on boards.
http://www.fiddle.on.ca/fiddle/hotlinks.htm
Bill Elliots site, GREAT way to keep up to date with fiddle events happenign in Ontario. And beyond.
www.atlanticviolinsupplies.com
Fabulous CANADIAN fiddle supplies store.. no American border taxes.. and supporting Cands!!!
www.enterthehaggis.com
The best band. Ever. Really. K. perhaps too much for your little guy, but they do something along the lines of what Ashely did.. Rock out the fiddle and make it cool. YOu can listen to their latest album on their site for free.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN2oyLOyatU
A young kid playing at Pembroke,competition an camp/park. HUGE event. One of the best fiddle events in ONtario.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN2oyLOyatU
A video of another young kid playing at one of the best ontario fiddle events ever.. Pembroke competition and campground (fiddle park) (btw.. I am Aqueya on youtube if you want to find me.. the baleetd email is just for spam... )
All the rest of the links:
My list of online fiddle resources:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AsPsZDSg_nTAdGZuSWxBQWV1QmNwa3FydlZtM1FUc3c&hl=en
Some info I wrote to share with students. I'm not at all "qualified", but I also do not charge $50 an hour! Just helping out other passionate poeple:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcPsZDSg_nTAZGMzZjVzNTlfMTE2Y2h6dGI4Zmo&hl=en
and
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcPsZDSg_nTAZGMzZjVzNTlfMTE1Y3BqMzQ5ZnQ&hl=en
if you know how- can you link this page of videos to my web page-maybe you can just set up an account onthere and offer up the link.
cheers
ashley