FRIDAY , SATURDAY & SUNDAY

AUGUST 15, 16, 17  2008

RUNWAY PARK

SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO, CANADA

A special Bell presentation in support of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation

A special Bell presentation in support of the Sault Area Hospital Foundation

Sponsors

An MC Squared Event Management Company Production in association with Stage Right Entertainment

THANK YOU from THE PROMOTERS

The Bell Border Jam 2008: Let It Rock!

Launching a new enterprise is always a formidable effort. A festival of this kind or magnitude had never before been attempted in the Sault and area. In many ways, people were not ready for it and that was somewhat reflected in the attendance figures. But now, that has changed.

For those that did get it, the weekend that was Bell Border Jam 2008 will go down as one of the best times of our lives. Under a spectacular August full moon, rock’n’roll delivered!

The performances of every one of the 24 bands that took the stage over the three days were sensational in their intensity and commitment. The playing was wildly inspirational. The sound was staggering.

Huge kudos and shout outs are deserved by everyone that participated, in whatever capacity. In your own way, every individual made a major contribution to an idea that benefits community and fellowship. It’s what rock’n’roll does.

Thank you to each of you men, women and children who attended.

To the volunteer team, 125 strong, that had the Border Jam operations running silky smooth and safe, you are the warriors that made it rock.

To the sound production team that filled the air with incredible music, you are the total pros that made it roll.

To the food and merchandise vendors that braved a new world and took the leadership role for the community, you demonstrated tremendous work ethic.

To the staff at Runway Park, in going well beyond the call of duty, to bring this city a venue all the performers and visitors were dazzled by and grateful for.

To the sponsors, big and small, for displaying a singular courage by getting involved in a new experience that betters us all.

To the local authorities, a job well done in keeping the spirit harmonious, we thank you.

To the musicians and their crews for putting on an awesome force of power that stirred the very soul, thanks for memories that will last a lifetime.

To Bell Canada, an honorary gold medal for showing faith in our town and backing it with real muscle to make the Bell Border Jam project a reality. Your belief will always resound with those that know.

The Bell Border Jam 2008 is in the books. A first-rate production delivered a multitude of fest-goers an experience for the ages. For those rockers who missed out, word needs to travel so that they too, in future, make the discovery we all have. In life, opportunities like this are so few and far between, to seize the moment when it is presented. ‘Til next time, “Let it Rock.”

The Bell Border Jam 2008: Band Reviews

Rock’n’Roll Duty.

“You people have an amazing thing here, a great venue, a first-class operation and sponsors that care about your community. Now it’s up to the people of Sault Ste. Marie to support it. I hope you do.”

And with those words Kim Mitchell and his band kicked into “Rock’n’Roll Duty.” Soon thereafter an endearing fan flung her bra onto the stage in pronouncing her unabashed affection for her hero.

Mitchell’s set was a stellar, crisp performance complete with all the radio hits that have garnered him a place among the all-time greats of Canada. For many it was the highlight of the Bell Border Jam 2008.

Backstage, Mitchell expounded on the festival scene throughout Canada and was genuinely impressed with what he discovered at Runway Park and the Bell Border Jam.

You can catch Kim Mitchell the DJ on Q107 Toronto when he isn’t on stage rockin’ out.

High Road Easy.

Introduced as “the lady with so much soul to control”, Sass Jordan and her band mates poured the passion into every note. An electric presence on stage, Sass belted out song after song with such ferocity fans were left awestruck.

These days, it’s rare for Sass to do concerts as she has expanded her career primarily into television. Hopefully, that changes.

Sass enjoyed her time so much here that she expressed, “if you would have me back, I would gladly return. I’ve been treated royally.”  Thank you, Sass.

Burnin’ For You.

The truly classic Blue Oyster Cult wrapped a historic weekend up in fitting fashion. Under a spectacular full moon, Buck Dharma and his agents of fortune, including bass legend Rudy Sarzo, peeled off the sensational “Don’t Fear The Reaper” with the crowd in full throttle.

Indeed, the entire set was jaw dropping, even paying a little homage to Led Zeppelin. It’s uncommon for musicians to act as fans among each other at a festival, but for BOC, the admiration for them was astounding. For rock fans it was a night forever burned in the memory vault.

I Have Become…

Wow!! Unless you’ve been to a Seven Mary Three concert, there’s no describing the intensity. You gotta feel it to know it. What a show these guys put on! Pure killer.

Like the calm before a hurricane, the 7M3 mulled about pre-performance, commenting that for a place they had never heard about they were blown away by the professionalism and the production. “You ask us and we’re back,” the boys remarked and that was before they played a single note.

And then the explosion that took place on stage pretty much sealed the deal. Incredible!

No Matter What.

Badfinger. One of the world’s all-time pop rock bands has a sound that is so pure and melodic that the songs stay fixed in your head and heart.

Fans at the Bell Border Jam 2008 were treated to a first time visit to our area by this classic group. Backed by the staggering quality of a top-notch sound production team, the Badfinger song collection, blasting off with “Baby Blue”, was as sweet to the ears as pop music gets. A unique and memorable evening was had by all.

See The Light.

Rest his soul the spirit of Jeff Healey is very much alive and well. Led by charismatic harpist, Jerome Godboo, and backed by Healey’s great friends and band mates, this was the blues, world-class variety. One blues nugget after another, injected with that special bond of camaraderie these guys have, and we all saw the light.

A Tribute To Jeff Healey is far more than that. This night proved that the soul of a genius lives forever.

Like so many of the bands that participated in the augural Bell Border Jam, the lads expressed a keen desire to return to help grow the festival while rockin’ the blues.

Jammin’ Slow Ride.

Yes sirree, the one and only Foghat. Anytime these long standing rockers hit the stage it happens and sure enough it did at the Bell Border Jam 2008. The driving guitars with the original booming back beat, supplied by Roger Earl, gets in your system and the slow ride begins. There was no holding back the fun ride as it built to a crescendo of maxim proportions.

After the show and into near dawn, the boys hit the campground jam stage for real life guitar hero action. Very cool for those who were lucky enough to be in the audience.

This War Is Our Kind Of War.

The Soo has a brand new favourite band. These guys know how to have a good time. Wild energy with big, warm hearts the band called WAR blew the crowd away with their ultra tight, infectious repertoire.

“Why Can’t We Be Friends” saw leader Lonnie Jordan bring three youngsters up on stage to help out with percussion, and start their rock careers. Way cool.

WAR broke into a “Low Rider” mid-song medley that featured each of the seven members, as they sampled Ozzy Osbourne, Santana and James Brown among others. Again, way cool.

The harmonica/sax interplay was wicked and the drums/percussion engine ripped along. It was a performance of virtuosic magnitude. Brilliant stuff.

If you were anywhere this weekend you would have seen some of the members of WAR playing at Docks or Reggie’s on Thursday night, all of them headlining Friday’s opening night of the Bell Border Jam 2008 and then jamming the after hours stage at Mark’s Campground.

You cannot miss this show ever again.

A Voodoo Chile…

If sizzling guitar is your thing then it doesn’t get any better than Wild T. and the Spirit. There were times you’d swear that his guitar would catch fire. The sound coming out of that axe no doubt channeled the immortal greats that have passed through our lives, yet Tony Springer is his own sound.

And what a sweetheart of a guy. At night’s end, Wild T. joined in on the fun of the jam stage until the wee hours treating Saturday night revelers to his brand of genius up close and personal. Great, great stuff.

Tony enjoyed his time so much here he asked to be brought back next year. Thank you sir, we’ll see what we can do.

Rock’n’Roll Royalty

Like so many others on stage, Hawkins expressed his gratitude to be part of Bell Border Jam 2008, remarking “What a great place, you could fit a million people here so we’ll play like there are.”

Then, living legend Ronnie Hawkins, with his scintillating Hawks, lit up the stage with a show that was as solid as rock’n’roll gets. Hawkins was a revelation, showcasing each member of his incredible 10-piece ensemble while recounting stories and adventures of his 50 years in rock music. It was class with class.

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