CBC's Matt Galloway Interviews Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios for the First-Ever Blank-Fest Toronto

The date: a rainy Thursday morning, 14, October, 2010. The time: approximately 6:15 A.M. Matt Galloway of CBLA-FM's Metro Morning interviews Blank-Fest founder and front man for NYC's The Baghdaddios, Kenn Rowell for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (99.1 FM CBC Radio One Toronto) at the network's main broadcasting facility, the Canadian Broadcasting Centre . The occasion: the first-ever Blank-Fest Toronto, which was to take place, later that night at T.O.'s storied el Mocambo showplace. Known informally as the "el Mo", el Mocambo has featured some of the most iconic performers in history including The Rolling Stone, The Police, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Costello!

During the interview, they are joined -- via telephone -- by Jon Asher of Asher Media Relations. Asher, who is this show's main organizer and promoter, details how he first heard of the annual concert series through "a friend of a friend" and was able to bring it to nearby Montreal, with great success. He further states that he is now bringing the same concept (donations at the door of either one blanket or an article of clothing, which would then be distributed to the homeless) to Ontario's provincial capital -- with hopes for similar results.

Rowell, for his part is asked to recall how he came upon the inspiration to organize such an event, 14 years prior in his native New York. The early morning interview is the audio for this YouTube video, which employs posters from past Blank-Fest shows in the UK, Florida, New Jersey and Guelph (Canada) along with excellent photographs from NYC-based photographers Rick Poston, Cecily Rappaport McGuckin, and Jonathan Valentin and assorted stock images to round out the visual side of this presentation. (Of note, pictured at one point in the proceedings: Ron Purtee, online radio personality and the organizer of Blank-Fest Wisconsin.)

Special thanks to CBC's Susan McReynolds for helping to make this much-needed exposure for this more-than-worthwhile event possible! Likewise, thanks to Matt Galloway for being a great sport as well as a spot-on interviewer. More thanks to Jon Asher, David Chinner and Barbara Pavone for additional coverage and their unflagging support. More thanks go to Old Toad Gil and Sheena for making the long trek in for the show. Finally, all Blank-Fest organizers from around the world deserve a shout-out: Rich Kubicz in New Jersey; Ron Purtee in Racine, WI; Jami Kurz in Florida, Mark (Dark Poet) in Nottingham, UK (England) -- and, of course, Asher and Dave in both Montreal and NOW Toronto (along with Indie Week organizer and founder Darryl Hurs) -- you all are the GREATEST!

Always remember: It's about the homeless. Nothing more, nothing less.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Blank-Fest
• Homeless
• Kenn Rowell
• Matt Galloway
• CBC
• 99.1 FM
• CBLA
• Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
• Toronto
• Ontario
• NYC
• New York City
• The Baghdaddios
• Lower East Side
• Indie Week
• Asher Media Relations
• Jon
• Quebec
• Montreal
• Abbas Jahangiri
• Spadina Avenue
• Indie
• punk
• NY
• UK
• Canada
• U.S.
• Benefit
• less fortunate
• Rock 'n Roll Report
• Darryl Hurrs
• October 14
• 2010

[Baghdaddio]

@JoneseyMustDie Yeah, we were pretty knocked out by that, too! What can we say: they take Blank-Fest VERY seriously, up North!

[Baghdaddio]

@AngerManagement6969 Thank you, man!  Really!

[AngerManagement6969]

You go, BUOOOYYY!!!!!!!

[JoneseyMustDie]

National Radio, huh?  PROPS, Baghdaddios!

[Baghdaddio]

@THERESAFIX Thank you.  We do what we can!

[THERESAFIX]

Wonderful Video for a great cause!