2008 Canadian Christmas Update


Hey Country Christmas Clubers! Well I've got to come up with some moniker for you folks that love to come to these shows, right? (lol) Just playing with ya! Seriously this is kinda like a club. Yes it's Sean here and this is the 5th year pre tour update. This year I'm gonna have a Country Christmas Club list for you to sign, when you're at any of the shows, as well as postcards to take with you and mail back, or fill out and leave with me at the end of each show. I wanted to bring you up date on this year's concert season for the Canadian Country Christmas tour.

I hope this finds you all doing well. Wow it's October 29th already and the Christmas tour starts up in a little over a few weeks time in Ontario. Once again we have a good number of shows lined up for the tour this year a total of 15 it looks like.

We start in Sudbury Ontario on Friday the 21st of November. The Fraser Auditorium, at Laurentian University is one place we have not played yet, but I know with KICX 91.7's assistance, we're bound to have great evening. My friends Duane Steel, Jamie Warren, and a talented new comers Chris Henderson and Shane Chisholm oh yes and of course myself will be taking the stage there at 8:30 pm. This show is for the Salvation Army and we promise not to disappoint you. Tickets are available at the box office or by calling 705-674-8381 ext. 21 Don't miss it!

Sunday November 23rd we're back up in Timmins. Yes home to some famous person hmm... who was it now,...hmm oh yes Shania! (lol) who could forget? Though she won't be there, a young woman who sings way better if you ask me, will be there. Samantha King she is all of 23 and truly an amazing vocalist. Of course again with my buds Duane, Chris, Jamie at the Sylvia Gravel Theatre at O' Gorman High school contact the school for more info. I am working again with World Vision this year. I sponsored two children in Malawi a year ago and we had I believe another 26 kids sponsored throughout the Christmas tour. I know in Timmins the kids at the high school are going to being getting deeply involved there to bring awareness to people in their community. Tickets available in Timmins at Shoppers Drug Mart and at our show.

On Monday November 24th we are playing the Gordon Lightfoot theatre in the Orillia Opera House. This is a beautiful old theatre and I look forward to working with KICX 106 to bring the show back there . We have not played this venue since the first tour in 2004. We'll have the five of us there so if you're in that area please come out to our show for the local Salvation Army. Maybe we'll get Duane to sing Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind Love", he does a killer job on it!

We fly out on the 26th for the West and begin our concerts in Olds, Alberta on Thursday November 27th. Now as usual, our Western dates are changed up a little from the Ontario shows. I like bringing a new artist or two on board to keep us on our feet. This year Nashville based singer/songwriter Steve Fox who did the Ontario shows last year, is on to the bill. We're playing the Olds Community Centre. This show is brought to you in conjunction with our friends CKFM. As with last year's show the net proceeds here are for the benefit of the Food banks in the area of Olds. We've raised a few thousand dollars for this food bank in the last couple of years Also on this show is newcomer Calgary resident Sarah Beth Keeley. Sarah has recently released her second album and I look forward to hear a few cuts live. Ticket info can be found at the station in Olds and at the door before for the concert as well.

Sunday November 30th sees us taking the stage for another year in Fort Mc Murray AB. Boomtown casino, and it begins to feel like a second home as we head for our 3rd year there. We've raised several thousand for the food bank there and hey if you like to play the games too, well you're a double winner this night. Show time in the lounge is set for around 9 pm.

December the first begins with us as a first as well for this show as a new venue for the Canadian Country Christmas Concert. The only honky tonk for this year's tour. Actually, I understand it's gonna look pretty classy in this saloon on the night we hit "The Electric Rodeo" in Spruce Grove. Join us if you can just 40 minutes East of Edmonton, for our inaugural evening there. Show starts at approx. 9:30 pm this night and sorry but it's adults only at this venue.

What the? Okay get out the egg nog, December 2nd is a day off well we knew it was bound to happen so we'll kick back in Jasper maybe?

Okay this next show on the 3rd of December has been one since I first put this tour together in 2004. We're playing at The Prince George Playhouse for the Child Development Centre. My friends we will have a rand time as we alway do and we may need bigger venue for P.G. if this year goes as the last few have and we have or biggest crowd here yet. Tickets are available at "Studio 2880" for the show and yes kids are certainly invited tot his venue too. As with most shows there is a break for kids from the adult cost.

December 4th finds us back in Alberta and back for the third year in Whitecourt but for the second year with the crew raising money for an orphanage in Africa. Last year an amount of close to $3,000. was raised by the show and the kids at the Hilltop high school where we performed were very cool about the event. I tell you what I wish we were that proactive when I was in school.. If you live in this area contact XM105 for the ticket info.

December 5th we're on the road again heading for Peace River, Alberta where we will be cheering in "the Season" with the first of two nights at The Belle Petroleum Centre. Last year over $10,000. was raised through one show for further research into a drug to fight cancer with. This year both the Friday night show and the Saturday night performance will again be aimed at the research efforts. Please contact Peace River Belle Petroleum Centre for ticket info at 1-888-602-5546.

December 7th is night off, thanks we'll need it. (lol)

December 8th is the unofficial grand finale often it's the biggest show! We have raised over $12,600. for the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation in the past few years and this alone makes it huge in it's impact. Now this year the spotlight is being placed on the South Peace SPCA as the beneficiary of the event's net proceeds. This show of course is much like the other shows but the fact s that after raising the most ever in this Community there's bit of an extra feeling that Dawson does Country Christmas like no other place. Perhaps this a different town will take the cake for Christmas central.

However not to be forgotten and certainly it could be, that we will outdo what we did last year on for this charity. As we return to a theatre to perform for what as I recall which was an exceptionally supportive crowd in for the Boys and Girls Club of Kelowna.

Okay gotta fly for now hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, Sean Hogan

EMAIL: Sean Hogan



2007 Canadian Christmas Update

Hey folks, here’s the 2007 Canadian Country Christmas update from yours truly Sean Hogan. Okay we’re getting set to announce all the dates on the tour this fall. I say fall because after all winter doesn’t start till December 21st right? Ha ha, okay sorry couldn’t resist. Yes it does feel like that old man winter starts much earlier in Canada but our shows will likely wrap up somewhere around the 17th this year. The tour this year starts on the 19th of November.

News item # 1

Remember that song I wrote called "It's Christmas time?" That tune started me in the direction of planning this now annual tour. Well here’s the scoop, it’s on a Christmas album this year that Standard radio and Universal Music are releasing called Canadian Country Christmas..ya sound familiar? (lol). Pretty cool, lots of big names on it, and a portion of the proceeds from sales of the disc will go to Food banks across Canada . We’re heading into our fourth year of this show’s tour and we have raised over 40,000 dollars for various charities across the Canada so far . From food banks to hospital foundations, to service group organizations and clubs like the Knights of Columbus in Hanmer, ON. Children’s Development Centre of Prince George, B.C. a long term care facility, in Peterborough, the Rotary club, of Camrose AB. and yes even the United Way in Timmins, and the odd High school too, like say Porcupine Plaine SK.. I won't list them all here, but let me assure you, it has been amazing. To say the least.

There's a tremendous spirit for the nature of the Canadian Country Christmas tour, and the volunteers involved have also made a serious contribution to presenting the shows. In return me and my friends are bringing some solid artistic entertainment to the public for the Christmas Season. This year we’ll have most of our past partners back on the have a few new partners, as well such as the Boys and Girls Club of Kelowna, as well as Wild Horse Theatre, and raising money and awareness for cancer drug research.

News Item # 2

This year in Ontario Artist newcomers to the tour include Steve Fox, Greg Hanna, and Samantha King . My buddy Jamie Warren who has joined me now for a couple years on the Christmas tour will be returning, and so will Duane Steele. It’s always great to have artists back who have been on the tour before, as it adds to the memories of the past live performances not too mention our personal humorous experiences we have while travel Canada hi-ways. Truth is the entire event is much more of a seasonal family gathering I have to admit,. Speaking of which Out West the roster includes Julian Austin, Duane Steele, Greg Hanna and Samantha King. Duane has been on the tour before in the first year and Samantha last year but a lot of these dates are new so it’s great to have veterans back.

News Item # 3

Now for some major news about this year tour. I am for the first time working in partnership with World Vision this year, after sponsoring a couple kids while taking the One Life African Village tour at IPSCO Place in Regina this year. I have been on the fence about working with any groups in the past but after meeting with the people at World Vision in Canada and the U.S. I have faith the money raised is going to a very worthy organization providing much needed assistance in third world countries.

Wow, for now at least I'm done gabbing on. I appreciate you all taking the time to review the changes for this year's tour and please feel free to send me your thoughts.

As usual, We're trying to make the tickets affordable for families on every stop. I hope you'll have the time and interest to come out and celebrate the Country hits and Seasonal favourites that make the fun times, great music, and supportive community spirit. For now all the best to you and your family,

Sincerely, Sean Hogan

EMAIL: Sean Hogan