Dan Hill credits controling father for his success

By Mark Leger

When Dan Hill was 15 years old, his father burst into his room and demanded to know why he hadn’t yet “produced a sample” for his doctor. Hill had been diagnosed with orchitis, a painful condition that causes swelling of the testicles and can also render a guy sterile. Hill’s doctor asked for a semen sample so he could run a test. He hadn’t yet done that – hence the bedroom visit by his father.  

Hill begins his book, I Am My Father’s Son, with this story to illustrate the degree to which his father tried to control his life. This could be a good thing sometimes; Hill said he became successful as an adult largely because his father pushed him so hard. A memoir about his relationship with his late father, Hill’s book also explores his dad’s loving side. He was unfailingly loyal and protective of the people he loved, for example. One day, the family car stalled in the middle of the road after an accident, and Hill’s father immediately got out and pushed the car off the road to safety.

This book is not just for fans of Hill; it will speak to anyone interested in the complicated relationships between children and their parents. Not only did it make me reflect on my own relationship with my father, it also echoed other books I’ve read that touched on father-son relationships, such as Barack Obama’s Dreams of My Father and Ken Wiwa’s In the Shadow of a Saint.

Mainville releases ‘Out of Nowhere’

In March we interviewed local singer-songwriter Stephanie Mainville about her upcoming album, and she also played some tunes live in studio. Well, that upcoming album, called Out of Nowhere, is now out and available at Backstreet Records in Saint John and Noah’s Ark in Halifax. It’s also available online at Mainville’s website. Listen to the broadcast of our interview with her here.

Four Events To Attend This Weekend

Compiled by Mike Parker.

There’s a ton of events to attend in the Port City this weekend – just take a peek at our listings page and I’m sure you will agree. But if you are having trouble picking, here are four that are guaranteed to put a smile on your pasty Saint John face.

Irving critics go on the record

The following commentary kicked off the June 4 edition of the ‘Serf City’ radio show. The full podcast, which includes interviews with street performer Evans McGee and singer-songwriter Andy Brown, can be heard here.

By Mark Leger

A couple of years ago, a cheeky critic of the Irving empire placed stickers in public places around the uptown – on things like telephone poles, mailboxes, garbage cans. On the stickers, the Irving name on the company logos was replaced with words like Greed, Power and Control. 

The stickers got their 15 minutes of fame in a CBC television story. The author of this subversive prank remained anonymous.

The stickers provided a news hook for the enduring question about the members of Saint John’s all-powerful First Family – are they are a good thing for the city or not?

There was also a debate about the sticker campaign itself. Some people thought it was cowardly and unfair. Others believed it was a legitimate expression of free speech.

Everyone loves a Parade

Saint John singer-songwriter Clinton Charlton joined ‘Serf City’ for a chat on this week’s show. Good sport that he is, Charlton also played a couple of tunes from his new record, ‘Parade’, even though he was battling a nasty cold. The following commentary, inspired by a story Charlton tells about his father, kicked off the May 21, 2009, episode of ‘Serf City’ radio, which airs Thursdays at 6:30 pm on CFMH 107.3 FM. Listen to the commentary plus the interview and performance by Charlton here.

By Mark Leger

In the corner of my living room, behind a CD rack and an old, worn-out chair, sits a guitar – out of tune and coated with a layer of dust. I bought it in a moment of inspiration three years ago, thinking I’d learn to play it – for real this time.

I first bought a guitar 20 years ago at university in Halifax. I took lessons with a friend, and learned some finger-picking exercises, half-a-dozen chords and a few songs. In the music department at the university, there was a beginner course in guitar. When I went to the department to sign up, the instructor told me to play a little for him. I strummed some chords and did some finger-picking exercises. He grimaced and rather unkindly told me I should take up something else – anything other than the guitar.

An illuminating performance

Text and video by Mike Parker

Maybe it is me but it seems like Saint John is suddenly wealthy with talented people who are taking their place on center stage.

On Thursday, Jessica Rhaye launches her new CD Good Things at the Blue Olive. I’ve listened to the CD at least a dozen times since she gave me a copy a few weeks ago and it features some of the musician’s strongest work to date. So you know that the show at the Blue Olive is bound to be a memorable one.

Get out: Our listings of events

Looking for something to do this Victoria weekend? We have you covered. Check out our events listings for all the happenings around town this holiday weekend.

East coast country artist Kim Wempe performs at Sessions Cafe in Rothesay Saturday evening. The show begins at 8pm. Photo credit: Kim Wempe.

Get out: Our listing of events

By Mike Parker

Saint John singer Sean Roach performs at O'Leary's Pub on Princess Street every Friday and Saturday night (upper room). Sean, Tony Noddin and Matt Benoit also host an open jam every Sunday night at Cougar's Lounge in Market Square. Photo credit: Sean Roach.

One of the things I love about Saint John is the eclectic nature of the city. It seems something is always happening, if you are only prepared to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a new idea, a foreign culture or a new event.

Here are four days worth of events happening in Saint John. Some are new to the city – like the 54Hours Startup Weekend or the Asian Heritage Gala.  Others are popular annual events held every spring – like ACAP’s Marsh Creek cleanup or the  Gallery Hop (with the emphasis being on hops).

You deserve a good Paddling

By Mike Parker

Ahhh! Spring!

For me, May means the return of Paddlefest and the start of music festival season in the region. Held in St. Andrews, the popular concert weekend celebrate it’s fifteenth anniversary this year, with performances by Jens Jensen, Grand Theft Bus and The Divorcees among others.

Get out tomorrow

By Mike Parker

Looking for something to kick off the weekend? Here are three events happening in Saint John on Thursday.

A powerful image. Moncton photographer Maurice Henri believes that photography can do more than capture an image. It can heal a war-torn nation and help bring peace. To test this thesis, Henri travelled to the African country of Sierra Leone, where he put cameras into the hands of former child soldiers and the victims of war as part of the Cameras For Healing project. Henri talks about his experiences today over lunch at Shadowlawn Inn starting at 12 noon. Admission is $10.50 and includes two specials from Sierra Leone. Please call (506) 847-7539 to confirm your attendance.