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City produces 100th Anniversary music CD
Features award winning song by Diane Armstrong

Posted by Len Gillis

As part of the 100th anniversary celebrations, the city has produced a limited edition CD featuring some of the best musical talent the community has to offer.

The city held a gala CD launch party at the Shania Twain Centre last Thursday. Along with launching the CD it also showcased the wealth of musical talent in the city.

The new album is on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office, the Shania Twain Centre and at Timmins city hall. Timmins city clerk Jack Watson, who oversaw the production of the album, says the CD is likely to become a collector's item, and a bargain at only $10.

"Over 50 local artists are featured on the CD and include, among others, Wyatt Young, Leslie-Ann Dupuis, Bolger Loopen, Chantal Delorme, Cindy Doire, David Michael Hartt, Tony Kos, Tom Oliver, Gabe Benoit, Mike Ringrose, Mike Alarie, The Shaftmen, Soul Doubt, The Barrelhouse Blues Band, and Diane Armstrong, well known author of the Over the Hill column and winner of the official 100th Community Anniversary Song Contest sponsored by our friends at Q92 and EZ Rock" said Timmins municipal communications coordinator Guy Lamarche.

"I am extremely excited. This has been a long time coming," said Lamarche.

He said the 15 tracks on the anniversary album represent all music styles and he is confident there will be something for everyone from country ballads, to blues to soft rock. Lamarche said it was not difficult to get material to work with.

"You know what, it was an easy sell. Quite frankly, the music industry in Timmins was extremely grateful for this opportunity. This obviously gave them a leg up in terms of getting them the promotion that they rightfully deserve. We've got an immense amount of talent here," he added.

Several of the local artists were invited to perform at the Thursday night event.

"We all know that music is the universal language, that all of us can understand; one that we relate to; one that needs never to be translated," Lamarche told the audience at the album launch.

"Song on the other hand will outlive all speeches, will outlive all sermons in your memory," he said.

Lamarche said afterwards it was not difficult to get material to work with.

"You know what, it was an easy sell. Quite frankly, the music industry in Timmins was extremely grateful for this opportunity. This obviously gave them a leg up in terms of getting them the promotion that they rightfully deserve. We've got an immense amount of talent here."

Well-known local singer Leslie-Anne Dupuis said she was proud to have been selected to contribute to the album.

"I am absolutely humbled by this. It's recognition amongst my community," she said.

She too said she was pleased with the variety of local artists.

When her turn came to sing, Dupuis showed her versatility when her backup music mix somehow abandoned her award-winning vocals. Right in the middle of her performance, the music stopped. Ever the professional, Dupuis laughed if off. She smiled, chatted with the audience and reminded everyone that she will be sure to have her band with her on New Year's Eve when she headlines at JJ's Ranch on Father Costello Drive.

Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren, who dressed up for the event as "Prospector Tom" said he is more than pleased at the success of the Anniversary CD as a cultural item.

"When a community becomes 100 years old it comes of age, and I think that when you look at Timmins and the history we have in Timmins, music being very, very much a part of that, the multi-cultural community that this is, this is a great event," Laughren told reporters, adding that music has played a significant role in Timmins over the years.

"We sometimes take for granted the talent we have in our community. I don't care if you go to the symphony orchestra, the Sons of Maxwell, the theatre arts performances we have, there is a lot of talent in this community and I am very proud of it."

"There is some excellent material on it. I think it's one the community will be very, very proud of," said the Mayor.

Recording producer, performer and musician Tom Oliver who has been living in Timmins for only a few years said he was amazed at the scope of musical talent in the city. To back that claim, Oliver performed a soft rock ballad that featured local cello and violin players along with local rock band performers.

http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2201190