My last window as a music programmer during my first time around at the AGO (1989-1998). After many hundreds of jazz, classical, world, childrens, avant-garde, and hip hop shows, I went out with this series dedicated to some of the heroes of the Toronto songwriting scene. Co-programmed with Molly Johnson, from whom I learned a lot, and with graphics by Kurt Swinghammer, himself part of the Toronto visual and music culture, the series could have been great. But it wasn’t. It was too expensive in a city of too much competition. We were in my favourite space for such things (the Gallery School) but it was lonely and cavernous. Still, the performances were actually all memorable: Carole Pope with Kevan Staples; Sylvia Tyson (with Clay Tyson); Colin Linden; Gordie Johsnon; and Tom Wilson. Sadly, the Dave Bidini and Kurt Swinghammer show was cancelled and, though I was a bit sheepish when I informed the artists, it was the right thing to do. “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em.”
