Kevin Bulmer Enterprises
P.O. Box 37089
London, ON N6E 3T3
For Immediate Release
SARNIA GUITARIST JOINS CD, PERFORMANCE EFFORT
Dave Cook will perform with Kevin Bulmer in Sarnia on July 29
London, ON (July 16, 2007): Dave Cook of Sarnia, Ontario, has joined Kevin Bulmer of London, Ontario to record and perform a CD entitled “I Remember.” The disc will be released at an event on board Macassa Bay Boat Tours out of Sarnia on Sunday, July 29 from 4 pm – 7 pm. Cook and Bulmer will perform during the cruise, with a special guest appearance by Kevin Gorman, who produced the CD.
Cook, who was born and raised in Sarnia, has been an active professional lead guitar player since the late 1980’s. He got his professional start in Calgary, Alberta, with a country/rock band called El Dorado. He returned to Sarnia in the early 1990’s and later became lead guitar player for the Whiskey River Band, a group that enjoyed several years of regional success in the Lambton County area.
After contributing to several other projects over the following decade, Cook, a devoted fan of the Beatles, traveled with a band to Liverpool, England where he performed at the historic Matthew Street Festival in August of 2004. Among other shows at the event, Cook played on stage in the Cavern Club, made famous by the Beatles and their regular gigs there during the band’s hey day.
“That was probably the highlight of my musical career up to that point,” said Cook of his Liverpool experience. “To say it was exciting would be an understatement.”
Cook’s latest pursuit is to join Bulmer and lend his talents to the project of recording and releasing a three-song CD to raise awareness for WAMBO (Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing) and the town of Wallaceburg in general.
Bulmer, who began his career as an on-air radio host in Sarnia from 1996 to 2001, started the project to honour his family and assist in the promotion of an event (WAMBO) that has meant so much to the community where his family grew its roots. Cook has since recorded the CD with Bulmer and will perform with him at the CD Release event in Sarnia and at WAMBO in August. Additional dates past that are currently being discussed.
“When Kevin called, I thought it would be a chance to work with a very talented vocalist and songwriter and to create something that is truly original,” Cook said of his pairing with Bulmer. “I think the combination of both musicians will help to raise it to a level to where the songs are really something special.”
Bulmer, who began the project, was thrilled to find Cook available. “I’ve thought about working with Dave for a long, long time but there was always something else going on that has kept us from trying it. When he said he was interested, I was ecstatic. The poor guy – we tossed him in the studio almost right away, because we were on a deadline to get the songs done in time to have them out before WAMBO in August.”
The CD, which contains the original songs “Wallaceburg,” “Glass” and “I Remember,” was recorded at KG Productions in London over several sessions in June and early July. All of the songs were written by Bulmer. The CD is being released by CPT Entertainment Inc.
“The project started and revolves around the community of Wallaceburg but the content and themes are really quite universal,” Bulmer said. “The songs are not anthems or advertisements; they’re portraits of life that could be from any Canadian community that has a sense of family, overcoming adversity and an appreciation for its own heritage. Dave’s talents and personality are a perfect fit. It’s a privilege to work with him.”
“Just to be able to complement the songs is great,” said Cook. “We’re looking forward to performing and coming up with some great material. Kevin has an entire catalogue of songs he’s written over the years, so this is really just a place to start.”
A portion of the proceeds of the CD, funded by Bulmer and CPT Entertainment Inc., will go directly to the WAMBO committee to put toward future events. But Bulmer, who in 2000 wrote a song called “Light it Up” for Sarnia’s Celebration of Lights committee, hopes this project has also permanently re-connected him with Sarnia.
“I’m very, very pleased to have occasion to be regularly in Sarnia once again,” Bulmer said. “There are so many wonderful people, businesses and community groups that were so kind to me, particularly during my time at CHOK, that I truly hope we can somehow do some good things for them as we move forward.”
“Being back in Sarnia and working with Dave feels very much like being at home.”
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