This Week at The Branch

Wednesday, February 8, The Exes, 8pm, $5: This week, join us on Wednesday (actually, every Wednesday…) for live Hot Country and East Coast covers with our very own fun loving Kim James and her band: The Exes. Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company is the sponsor for this ‘college night’ as we’ve been calling it; but perhaps, based on the all ages appeal we’ve seen so far, ‘pub night’ would be a more appropriate title: What does that mean? Well, a pitcher of Beau’s Lug Tread Beer comes with a free order of nachos (this month, limit one free nacho per table of four) and there are some door prizes (in case you’ve seen a few of those sweet new Beau’s toques around…) The music is swinging and fun, the atmosphere is casual (a good stop for fans of the Rubber Boots Sundays…) and dancing is encouraged!

Thursday, February 9; George Buys, 8pm, no cover: Local blues scholar, erstwhile Roosterman Blues Band member, and Beatle aficionado George Buys will be on hand with his axe and harp to help you sing those blues away. This be the first of a few George Buys Thursday night shows we hope to scatter throughout the course of the year—come on out for a while, or even just for a smile…

Friday, February 10; The Frank and Birdie Show, 7pm, free: Frank Western, as you may or may not know, is a pseudonym; and his real name? Elvis Aaron freakin’ Presley. You wanted to know, well THIS is where he is, PLEASE, don’t hate him for wanting his privacy. And Birdie Whyte? Norma Jean Baker, or, as you may have known her, that’s right; Marilyn Monroe. Yep. Not dead, neither one of them, just hiding out in Kemptville. Who knew that these two were timeless lovers? I mean, it makes sense, when you think about it. Well, I’m sure that you understand, but for the sake of their privacy, the world can never know. So don’t tell anyone. Really. And don’t come see for yourself either. Whatever you do, don’t come see Elvis and Marilyn at the Branch Restaurant every Friday. Please. Don’t. Really.

Saturday, February 11; Ottawa Valley Special, 9pm, $6: (Must admit, I cribbed the following from OVS’ website…) The Ottawa Valley Special serves up a tasty meal of hot bluegrass, classic country, blues and folk that’s better than Mama’s home cookin’. Acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bass are the mix: Mandolin/guitar player/singer and songwriter Jamie Anderson toured nationally in the states for over 20 years and has also played in Canadian venues like Rasputin’s and the Black Sheep Inn, her nine(!) albums have received airplay on mainstream TV and hundreds of radio shows. Holding down the low end on stand-up bass is Jim Bossert. His first instrument was the piano but since it’s real hard to play Old Joe Clark on one, he switched to bass a few years ago. Ottawa native Tracy Clark is a singer/guitarist who has performed and recorded with many local blues, rock and country bands for over thirty years, including Hickory Wind. Fiddler Ellen Daly (…with a Kemptville pedigree!) can crank out anything from Irish to Cape Breton to old time without even breaking a sweat. She may only be seventeen but she’s played for ten years and has won countless contests in Canada and the United States. Recently she placed second at the Canadian Open Under 18 Fiddle Championships and fourth at the 2010 Pembroke Fiddle Contest. In 2008 she was the Under 16 Eastern North American Irish Fiddle Champion.
This is good time music for folks who like good times, not to be missed!

Sunday, February 12; Love Song Open Stage, 3-6pm, free! The Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day is always our ‘Love Song Open Stage;’ no advance sign up is required. Just Love.