On this weekends' edition of 'Atlantic Airwaves' - An East Coast Blues Summit part 1 featuring performances by Morgan Davis, Linda Carvery, Matt Andersen, Carson Downey, Theresa Malenfant and Garrett Mason

For the full concert isten here

The east coast has been a hotbed of blues music for, at least, the past fifty years. Many styles and influences...country blues, swing, urban and jump, to name a few, have contributed to what is now an east coast sound and approach. CBC in the Maritimes decided the time was right to showcase this wealth of blues and to produce a musical special for radio, television and online. The East Coast Blues Summit brings together those influences, styles, and an incredible group of Maritime singers and musicians on one stage performing some of the music that inspired them as well as originals. Matt Andersen, Morgan Davis, Linda Carvery, Garrett Mason, Theresa Malenfant and Carson Downey are all award winning artists with deep blues roots and emotional delivery. The band is a special group of players, all being recording artists in their own right. From the very first notes of rehearsals right through to showtime there was an atmosphere of excitement and joy to be playing together.

On this Saturday's Atlantic Airwaves - two features - Dylan Guthro with his debut recording All That's True - And Steven Bowers with his new recording Boethuk Words.

Singer songwriter Dylan Guthro is proof of the old adage that the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree. Following in the fairly large footsteps of his Dad, Bruce Guthro, Dylan is set to join the family business with the release of his debut recording All That's True. And what is true about this recording is that he has learned his lessons well. The record leaves no doubt that this is a talented singer-songwriter with a very bright future. The songs are solid and sincere, and the musicianship superb.

Steven Bowers is a singer songwriter who is not afraid to put a lot of miles under his wheels. Originally from Newfoundland and having established himself here on the East Coast he now calls Alberta home, at least for now. Maybe that's what got him thinking about the impermanent nature of life and the fact that our little lives are brief fleeting moments in the overall scheme of things. Steven was back in Halifax for some shows and he dropped by for a chat about his new recording Beothuk Words.

On this weekend's edition of the program we'll have a feature on Allan Cooper and his latest release Rose Dale - Also, a feature on Music PEI Award winner Ashley Condon and album Come In From The Cold

It's been nine years since Allan Cooper released his last album, but now he's back with a new project he calls 'Rose Dale'. You might remember the New Brunswick poet and songwriter as part of the award winning roots blues group Isaac Blewett and Cooper from the late 90's. Since that time Allan has been concentrating primarily on his poetry, the lure of music could not be ignored. This time around Allan teamed up with his daughter Kate and some of New Brunswick's finest musicians to create a project who's musical landscape is larger and lusher that any of his previous works. Through this process Allan, who always tried to separate his poetic and lyrical writing, finally realized they both share many commonalities. Melody and rhythm being the most important.

Raised between two potato fields on Prince Edward Island, Ashley Condon is the grandchild of Bill Leblanc, a Canadian country pioneer who once spent the night in jail with Hank Snow. Like pecan pie - sweet and nutty - Ashley has won audiences over with her larger-than-life stage presence and down-to-earth charm. As a performing artist, Ashley has more than eighteen years of stage experience and a degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College; a testament to her strength as both a songwriter and entertainer. Last week, during the 2012 Music PEI Awards, Ashley was presented two trophies including New Artist Of The Year.

On this weekend's edition of the program we'll have a feature on Becky Siamon and her debut solo album Breakfast Epiphanies - Also, a feature on Caleb Miles and his recent release Strange Weather

On January 28th Becky Siamon will release her long awaited CD. It will be one of the events of the In The Dead Of Winter Festival. held in Halifax each year about this time. You may remember her from such notable Halifax groups as The Johnson Sisters and The Hurtin' Unit. But with her debut solo recording Breakfast Epiphanies, Becky serves up a mixture of music that draws heavily on the music she loves; blues, jazz, reggae and roots. The album release concert will be held at The Bus Stop Theatre on Saturday January 28th - showtime is 11:00pm.

Caleb Miles cut his musical teeth under the blazing sun of New Mexico's high desert, playing lead guitar in original rock'n'roll bands throughout the 1980s and early 90s. He joined The Illegal Aliens at the age of fifteen and continued his musical apprenticeship in bands such as Sundog, F.O.R., and A Murder Of Crows. Albuquerque at that time offered little reward for the aspiring musician, but it did foster hard-edged determination, strength of purpose, an outlaw sense of community, and an appreciation for sweaty bodies writhing in dance-induced ecstasy. His guitar sound is shaped by his desert days: sharp, clear, and dry like the sage-scented air. Lawless like the Old West. In 2005 he moved to Nova Scotia expecting to surrender to rural solitude and an early retirement from the stage. He has found instead a rich and rocking community of musicians, songwriters, performers and listeners with whom to share his ongoing musical adventures. In 2006 he recorded BRICKYARD ROAD, a rootsy assemblage of spare parts and previously unfinished tunes that served as an introduction to his new audience. In 2008 he released MEMORY WELL, featuring twelve new songs graced by contributions from several talented local friends. His latest recording, Strange Weather, is entirely a one man creation, from the production to the recording to playing all the instruments.

On this weekend's edition of the program - A concert from Ireland's Black Family with Mary Black, and a feature on Ian Alistair Gosbee and his latest recording 'Invisible'.

Featuring Mary, Frances, Michael and Shay, the Black Family is one of the most important musical families in Ireland. The Black Family started performing in the folk clubs of Dublin in the 1970s. While sisters Mary and Frances rank among the best-selling folk artists in the world, the three albums that they recorded with their brothers - Shay, Michael, and Martin - document the strength of this family collaboration. Their music was inherited from their parents - their father Kevin was a fiddle player from Rathlin Island, while their mother Patty, sang traditional and music hall songs. Michael, Shay and Frances performed at Celtic Colours in 1999, but this was be Mary's first time. And, what a time they had!

The acoustic guitar is and always will be synonymous with Halifax's music scene. It's an old city comprised of a vibrant collage of old school sounds with new school flavors. Nothing vibes with city quite like six strings on wood and no one embodies that feeling quite like Ian Alistair Gosbee. The multi talented singer/song writer has been grooming himself for a career in music since he was a five years old, sneaking down to the basement to wail on his brother drum kit in secret. Though his talent has earned him performances in Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean, Ian has always felt his most rewarding gigs have always been charity centered here in Canada. In 2007 he lent his talents to Bands for Breast Cancer, and was featured on CTV. In 2008 he showcased his abilities during the Human Rights Torch Relay concert in protest of China's abysmal human rights record and their being awarded the Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee. Though he takes his career as a musician seriously, he's never afraid to have some fun, as he fronted Nova Scotia's favorite Kiss tribute Dressed 2 Kill. While remaining active locally and playing a whopping 180 solo shows in 2009, most of Ian's energies are currently being poured into songwriting. His first solo album 'Music' was release summer of 2011 and his follow up album 'Invisible' was released just last week. "I like to think of myself as an open musician. I don't want my music to become stale, so I'm always trying to expand on my styles and keep pushing myself."

On this weekends' edition of Atlantic Airwaves we'll have a concert from Amelia Curran & Symphony NS - and - A feature on The BackYard Devils and their award winning debut self titled album.

Amelia Curran on stage with Symphony Nova Scotia - it's been quite a journey from busking the street corners of St. John's, but the real story here is the Poet-Songwriter's uncanny ability to deliver her insights into the human condition, no matter the venue. Sometimes sentimental, more often frank and revealing with a touch of wry self deprecation, Amelia's work ranks with the best Songwriting Poets of our time - each song a condensed meditation; a universe in a grain of sand.

You might be tempted to think that a lush Symphonic treatment might betray the intent of the self-confessed minimalist poet, but fresh arrangements by long-time friends Erin Costelo and Phil Sedore, along with settings by Rebecca Pellett are a sympathetic backdrop for Amelia Curran's very personal songs.

Symphony Nova Scotia is well known for it's successful run of collaborations with many of this country's finest songwriters - this time Shalom Bard is at the podium, and he conducts the orchestra with great aplomb. From the stage of the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, Nova Scotia it's Juno Award winner Amelia Curran live in concert with Symphony Nova Scotia.

With their first album under their belt and 3 Music NB awards (Emerging Artist, Country Album of the Year & Group Recording of the Year) you'll find The BackYard Devils raising hell with their foot stomping music any place they can. And that's just the way they like it.

Fancy isn't a word often heard in Eastern Canada and there is nothing fancy about The BackYard Devils. They're simply playing the music they love. Their debut album is a well blended mix of dirty country, rockabilly and bluegrass. The musicianship runs deep in this band and although they're playing old styles they have managed to put their own twist to it.

When lead singer Erik Arsenault made a decision to move back to his hometown after a 4 year stay in the mountains of Alberta, big brother Remi flew west, and on the long drive home, the brothers laid down the foundation for The Backyard Devils. A dirty country and bluegrass band that would cater to young and old. From punk rockers to country & bluegrass fans. The brothers recruited Chris Belliveau, a talented and highly demanded guitar player with a love for roots music and Dillon Robicheau, a seasoned bluegrass mandolin and banjo player out of Nova Scotia to help create the vision. With a swinging guitar rhythm, doghouse bass slaps, smashing guitar solos and lightning quick banjo and mandolin lines, The BackYard Devils managed to hammer down their own sound in an old fashion style, just like the brothers had planned.

In January 2011, over three of the coldest days that winter, the band laid down 13 tracks live off the floor. With songs about guns, girls, god, drinking and outlaws, The BackYard Devils left the studio knowing that they recorded exactly what they intended to; an album that reflected what they sounded like onstage. From the first note, you can feel how much these guys love playing together.

On this week's edition of Atlantic Airwaves we'll have a very special presentation - 'A King's Christmas'

Seeing as it is Christmas Eve and all, we have a very special concert for you this week - The 4th annual 'King's Christmas',a presentation of readings and music for the season recorded at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax. The concert features the voices of The Chapel Choir Of The University Of King's College under the direction of multi Grammy award winning composer and organist Paul Halley and his equally talented son Nick Halley. The reader is author and university professor Alexander MacLeod who brings several readings from the Maritime region

The Choir had it's beginnings in the early 1970's with the purpose of leading the worship at the Thursday Eucharists at King's - In 2007 Paul Halley was appointed Director of music for the Chapel and since then he's built the group into an exceptional ensemble, which now includes touring and recording among it's activities.

Don't know if you caught the TV broadcast of of 'The East Coast Blues Summit', but if you didn't, here it is

On this weekend's edition of the program, music for the season from Atlantic Canadian Artists

On this weekends' edition of the program we'll bring you a concert from the 2011 Celtic Colours International Festival titled 'The Boys & Their Ballads' featuring Buddy MacDonald, Dougie MacLean, Archie Fisher and James Keelaghan

Dougie MacLean has been at the forefront of the Celtic music revival since the early 1970s. He was a member of such respected bands as the Tannahill Weavers and Silly Wizard. Since 1983 he has performed extensively as a solo artist and with his own backing band. At the same time he has established his own record label, Dunkeld Records, and a wonderful festival called Perthshire Amber. Dougie was presented the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to music and charity in Scotland by Queen Elizabeth.

An avid horseman and master guitarist, singer and songwriter Archie Fisher is Scotland's foremost troubadour and was inducted into the Scots Traditional Music Hall of Fame and in 2006 was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire), a prestigious honor nominated by his peers and bestowed by Queen Elizabeth.

James Keelaghan is one of the finest songwriters of this or any other age and is both a national treasure and one of the most popular male folksingers on the planet. His masterful story telling has, over the course of nine recordings, been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan nominations and awards - including a Juno and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia.

And Cape Breton's own man of song, Buddy MacDonald, completes this truly rare lineup of modern day balladeers. Born and brought up on the Northern Shores of Cape Breton Island, Buddy was exposed at an early age, to the singing and storytelling of some of the great Celtic singers of his native Island. Much of his song-writing is still influenced by this style he was so familiar with as a young boy.