This Week at the Branch Texas Grill

Wednesday, February 1: The Exes, 8pm, $5. Beau's beer has pitched in to help support this new weekly event at the Branch; Hot Country stylings with Ottawa's The Exes, featuring our own Kim James, out from behind the bar to wail out all your favourite country hits from today's top artists...Every pitcher of Beau's Lug Tread Beer comes with a free Branch 'Buenos Nachos'--piles of blue and yellow corn chips topped with cheese, queso sauce,beans, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos (if you want'em...) ...This is becoming a bit of an after dinner 'pub night' with a similar vibe to our popular Rubber Boots Buffet, it's social, fun, and yes, dancing is encouraged!

Thursday, February 2; Keith Glass, 8pm, free! Keith Glass will be performing the last of his monthly ‘First Thursday’ showcases next Thursday, February 2nd. Keith is taking a break from this monthly event to immerse himself in his next major recording project, (that’s right, a new Keith Glass album!) Let’s pull a big crowd for this living legend next Thursday to send him off in style…For those that don’t know it yet, Keith is the multiple Juno award winning guitarist and primary songwriter for the legendary Canadian Country band Prairie Oyster, as well as being the perennial sideman for Ottawa’s incredibly popular (and rightly so!) Lynn Miles, and an occasional journeyman with other local favourites, Trevor Alguire and Brock Zeman. It has been a real privilege getting to know Keith these last few months, but we are all looking forward to hearing his new material and (hopefully, hint, hint…) hosting a cd release party for him when it is ready for the light of day! Don’t miss the last of these free shows, your next chance to see him, well, let’s just say it may not be so easy to get in, if you know what I mean…That’s next Thursday, February 2nd, 8pm, and yep, it’s free!

Friday, February 3; The Frank and Birdie Show, 7pm, free! Frank Western and Birdie Whyte have come to be a symbol for all that is good and right at The Branch...Heck, the world! Sweet cover tunes that range from old time to rootsy blues, Tom Waits, John Hiatt, John Prine and Gillian Welch; and originals that are precise, crafted, funny and even beautiful. The only thing better than the music is the always warm and often hilarious stage presence of Kemptville's biggest stars!

Saturday, February 4; Trevor Alguire, 9pm, $10: We are always pleased to welcome back one of our most popular (for good reason!) Branch regulars, country-tinged singer-songwriter Trevor Alguire; (...the following biographical info was provided by the artist...) "Alguire, hailing from a small town just south of Ottawa Ontario, first drew attention in 2004 with the release of the album Narrowed Down (under the guise of his band Mercury Pickup). The album was critically acclaimed in the press with frequent comparisons to artists such as Steve Earl, Tom Petty, Blue Rodeo, Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. These comparisons said As of Yesterday his second release landed Alguire his first record deal alongside fellow songwriters such as Steve Earle and Buddy Miller proving that Alguire was only at the start of such musical depth.

Within four months of releasing As of Yesterday, Alguire went worldwide with consistent radio play across Europe, Australia and North America. Two of Alguire’s songs have since been released on Blue Rose Records compilations along side Gurf Morlix, Steve Earle & Dwight Yoakam. Multiple Juno award winner Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster (Canada’s premiere roots music ensemble) collaborated with Alguire to produce and play on Alguire’s recent album. The newly recorded second solo album was released in July opening for Martha Wainwright at Ottawa Bluesfest.

“Alguire tells tales of life on the road, his words painting pictures of his country and its people. He is a great story teller with empathy and emotional depth matched by a warm sonorous and strong voice, reminiscent of Richard Buckner, Tim Easton and Michael Hall.”

Sunday: Open Stage 3-6pm, Rubber Boots Buffet from 2-8...