Rideau Raiders (Original Song and Autobio)

Hey everyone! I hope you won't find this too boring...I decided to do a song that I wrote over 25 years ago when I was a street musician. I played this back then with a couple of my country buddies in 3-part harmony and I have been dying to record it for a while now.

So here is "Rideau Raiders", a song about playing music in the street. I also added some background information about my personal history as a musician just to set the stage for the song. Like many of you, I started playing music on the street, open guitarcase to collect money and all. I learned a lot of skills from that and wanted to share my story.

The song is a bit rough. I just got home from work, exhausted, and did it live in one take for each of the 3-part harmonies and guitars. So yeah, there are mistakes for sure but then that's a lot like playing live on the street, too.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy my story and the song. I dedicate it to my musician friends, Danny and Steve, of the Rideau Raiders and to all of you musicians who play or played on the street. Those were good old days.

Best regards to all of you!

"RIDEAU RAIDERS"
(Music and Lyrics by Elliott Kimmel)

VERSE 1:
We are free and that's how we choose to be.
Harmony and the music is so sweet.
We're high on a morning light,
We live for the peace that's right,
We give from the heart.

VERSE 2:
In the street music flows to those you meet.
Feel the beat let it make your life complete.
We sing for the girls who smile,
We play for the little child,
We give from the heart.

CHORUS:
Cause we're the Rideau Raiders,
We will not steer you wrong.
We're the Rideau Raiders,
So won't you please come along?

VERSE 3:
Here we are because of you we've come this far.
Take the car let's hit the road under the stars.
We drive through the pouring rain,
We're going to Portland Maine,
To give from the heart.

CHORUS:
Cause we're the Rideau Raiders,
We will not steer you wrong.
We're the Rideau Raiders,
So won't you please come along?

(copyright E. Kimmel, 2010)

Special thanks to:

- Danny and Steve Endicott for getting me into country music and performing with me in the "Rideau Raiders" band

- Benoit Aubrey for black and white pics of me and Al Wilmore at Kilroy's Pub and pic of me at Beacon Arms Hotel.

- Alexis Milne for band poster.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• street
• musician
• acoustic
• guitar
• original
• song
• ovation
• Ottawa
• Calgary
• elliott
• kimmel
• zerobio

[laurie2883]

my uncles and elliot are the rideau radiers loved hearing them sing when i was little

[zerobio]

@laurie2883 Hello laurie, I'm not sure i know who you are but i appreciate hearing from you regarding the rideau raiders. Are you danny or steve's child? kathy and frank? haha sorry i don't know.

[TrickTOlly]

I hope my YouTube video "Ottawa Sound Waves of the 1980s" will remind you of some of the buskers and places. Sorry! sorry, my reference to the Rideau Raiders is not that positive - but we trust you will take it in good humor and understand that we were a little jealous.

You can get the words & chords and a free download of the song at my SoundClick;

Regards, Patrick.

[zerobio]

@TrickTOlly Hey were we featured in your video? I will check it out regardless. No problem at all about any reference to the rideau raiders.

[TrickTOlly]

Hi Elliott,

I lived in Ottawa for most of the 1980s. I remember the Rideau Raiders put on a good show and gathered a big crowd when they played. I, like the Raiders, also played some Eagle songs when I was out busking then. Me, I sort of enjoyed busking and learning music and never encouraged a crowd but I think some far off listeners may have caught some good moments. I do not know if you would remember me; E-sop or by other names.

[zerobio]

@TrickTOlly I'm sorry I missed this comment, I really do appreciate you writing me about the past. Gosh, my memory has faded somewhat but I remember your name, I do. Great to hear from you again.

[TrickTOlly]

Guess you can't post an address here & you would have to look up Trick T Olly on SoundClick.

[zerobio]

@madstadd13 Thanks for watching that. It's such an old song and crappy recording.  Oh well. Appreciate it.

[madstadd13]

cool pic of you in high school mann...I think the song i just wrote you commented on is about people just like you dedicated to what they do and love....Real great song dude

[zerobio]

Hey Rocket! Cool that you found the Ottawa stuff.  Thanks for watching.