Latest News...

Apr. 30/12 - Festival season is upon us! - After playing a wonderful JUNOFest in March, John and the gang are going to keep the ball rolling with a WESTFEST show in Ottawa's Westboro district on Sunday, June 10th at 6pm. Headliners that evening are Ottawa's own Cooper Brothers! John will be playing solo on Canada Day at the Mystical Music Festival in Lanark, ON. It's an evening show, just before the fireworks and campfires! And this just in... John will be taking part in the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest festivities this year. He will be playing the Rideau Centre Acoustic Stage on Saturday, July 7th at 12 noon! More festival dates to be announced in the coming days!

Apr. 22/12 - International award-winning songwriters bring tour to Shaika Café in Montreal and the Elmdale House Tavern in Ottawa -
The Shaika Café in Montreal and the Elmdale in Ottawa will be rife with musical storytelling and and folky rock rhythms on Thursday, April 26 (Montreal) and Friday, April 27th (Ottawa). That’s when John Allaire (from Ottawa) and Tom Breiding (from West Virginia, USA) will join forces for an evening of original music and stories from the road.

Tom Breiding has been honing his singing, guitar playing and songwriting talents since the early 1980s, from his hometown of Wheeling W.Va., to his current residence in Pittsburgh, and points in between. One of Western Pennsylvania's most diverse, prolific, and longest-serving entertainers, he's played in working bands for twenty-five years continuously, served on the staff of a major Nashville publishing company, and has released seven of his own albums since 1991. Tom has carved a niche as a chronicler of small town America. His songs are poignant and affecting, and he delivers them with total conviction.

Voted Pittsburgh's Best Acoustic Performer of 2000 at CitySearch, Tom was asked to fill more opening spots than any other artist at Rosebud, once one of Pittsburgh's premier live venues. His extensive experience as a performer includes several sold out shows broadcast to national radio audiences at Jamboree USA in West Virginia, performances in the round and featured writer nights at the famed Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and yearly performances at the beautiful Oglebay Park Amphitheater in Wheeling. Tom has appeared on countless television and radio programs and continues to perform regularly in clubs and at festivals throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Website: http://www.tombreiding.com/

Apr. 11/12 - The Mountain Fourellas begin residency show in the Glebe! - "Annie & Clyde's Smokehouse" to host weekly music show!

"Annie and Clyde's" once the mighty flagship location for "Mexicali Rosa's" is turning on the Southern BBQ charm and bringing a Monday night show to the Glebe.

Starting April 16th, every Monday, The Mountain Fourellas will host "The Fourellas and Friends" music show.

OK, so who are the Mountain Fourellas??? They are a new band fronted by the songwriting team of John Allaire and Tara Holloway. The Fourellas project began about a year ago when Allaire and Holloway joined writing forces and started churning out original songs with a unique blend of their own styles, fused with an indie-folk and Southern flair.

The result is an album that is just about finished, recorded up in the Gatineaus and produced by well-known Ottawa Hilotron, Mike Dubue. The album is expected to be released late Summer with a Fall tour in tow.

But in the meantime, Allaire and Holloway have decided to hone their act and give audiences not only a sneak-peek at the new band, but also at varoius guest musicians and songwriters from around the region who will be joining them on an ad hoc basis throughout the series.

The show is free and the restaurant will feature different food specials throughout the residency. (Donations and merch purchases are encouraged)

Mar. 16, 2012 - JA and the Campistas to play JUNOFest -
John will be fronting one of the many bands playing JUNOFest around town on the March 30th weelkend. Specifically, John and teh band will be playing the Elmdale House Tavern on March 30th with The Ornaments and The Gentlemen Husbands from Cobourg. Bracelets for the weekend events can be purchased or individual tickets at the door. More info here!

Feb. 2, 2012 - The ALLAIRE SHOW celebrates its first anniversary this weekend!
John will be celebrating one year of his weekly songwriter series, modestly called The ALLAIRE SHOW this Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Quinn's Pub, 1070 Bank St. in Ottawa. John's special guest for the show is perennial crowd favourite Tara Holloway! Get there early, as Quinn's ain't exactly Massey Hall! 3pm-5pm every Saturday. Go to the "Shows" page to see who's coming up on The ALLAIRE SHOW. And here's a list of the amazing guests who have been on the show to date!

2011
Jan 29 - Karyn Ellis (Toronto)
Feb 5 - Shannon Eddy Smith
Feb 12 - Brian Simms
Feb 19 - Al Wood
Feb 26 - Ken Workman
Mar 5 - Terry Gillespie
Mar 12 - Lynne Hanson
Mar 19 - Jehan Khoorshed
Mar 26 - Brandon Agnew
Apr 2 - Alex Boyd and Ian Sabourin of The Riot Police
Apr 9 - Brendan Flynn
Apr 16 - Pat Moore Duo
Apr 23 - John and Jeff from The Town Cryers
Apr 30 - Tara Holloway
May 7 - Marc Nelson
May 14 - Gerry Wall
May 21 - HOTCHA! (from Toronto)
May 28 - 1st Annual Quinn's Hot Dog Eating Contest and bluegrass jam
June 4 - Chris MacLean
June 11 - Marc and Curtis from the Woodrunners
June 18 - Bill Toms (from Pittsburgh)
June 25 - Mica Hamerson and Greg Brayford from The Flats
Sep 10 Matthew Chaffey (Brothers Chaffey)
Sep 17 Drew Nelson

While John is on a US Tour, Pat Moore will be the guest host:
Sep 24 Lindsay Ferguson
Oct 1 Pat Moore Duo
Oct 8 White Coals from North Bay

John returns as host for:
Oct 15 Tyler Kealey
Oct 22 Terry McLeish from Westmeath
Oct 29 Mike Dubue (Hilotrons)
Nov 5 Ray Harris
Nov 12 Ashley Newell
Nov 19 RW Haller
Nov 26 Kristine St-Pierre
Dec 3 J.P. Ranger

2012
Jan 14 Marc Nelson
Jan 21 Phil Jenkins
Jan 28 Erin Saoirse Adair

Dec. 3, 2011 - Reviews surfacing from all over the planet for Heart of Steel - Here's one from Belgium...

..." Comparisons in the press with the sound and songs of Neil Young and Bob Dylan can’t even be called exaggerated. We hear both masters echo in a couple of songs on the CD that was co-produced by the 46 year John Allaire and Dean Watson.

He is still poetic in his lyrics and varies musically between accoustic folk songs like in “Picking And Choosing”, the strongly Neil Young-like  “Gravestones And Dial Tones” and the beautiful  “Wish” and the otherwise electric gitar driven solid rocking songs in “Kitchen Chair”, “Spin The Wheel” and “Stone Cold”... See the full review.

Nov. 30, 2011 - Chartin'!! - John's latest album, Heart of Steel, is hitting the charts around the globe. As with past albums, Internet radio has taken a shine to John's work in Belgium and the Netherlands. Closer to home, Heart of Steel hit number 2 last week on CKCU FM! Keep requesting it!

Nov. 1, 2011 - Canadian album release party on Nov. 19th!! - John and the Campistas will be playing a full band show in celebration of John's new album "Heart of Steel", released just before his US Tour a few weeks ago.

Almost exactly one year ago, John survived a heart attack and subsequent emergency heart surgery. While recovering, he completed a number of songs that were on the go, as well as writing a whack of new ones. The result? "Heart of Steel", recorded at The Gallery Studio and produced by John and Dean Watson. And it was mastered at Bova Sound, to give it that extra shimmer!

"Stronger ... faster ... louder ... better insured ... AND NOW with 50% MORE METAL in his chest cavity to serve you better!"

After John's October US Tour in October, he had to re-order copies for his Canadian shows! Pick one up at the show, or before the show at both Compact Music locations in Ottawa, or online at http://johnallaire.com or iTunes!

Opening the show, Brandon Agnew & The Pocket 4's
(Music in the style of New Orleans)

They were the 2010 Ottawa Representatives (Solo/Duo) at the International Blues Competetion in Memphis, Tennessee!

This'll be a good one. Only $10! Get there early!

Oct 25, 2011 - FanBridge takes over promotion duties - New York City-based "FanBridge will be taking over John's promotion, meaning e-mail campagnes, news letters and social media duties will be in their capable hands. Please sign up below for the newletter and hey, ask John a Question if you like!

 

Oct 11, 2011 - US Tour a great success! - John played 18 shows in 21 days from Pittsburgh to Florida to New York, etc... A huge thanks to everyone at all the stops along the way who came to the shows, booked the show, and/or let John crash at their place! Go here to see the pictures!

Sep. 14, 2011 - Heart of Steel released! - John's latest album, Heart of Steel, has dropped and is now available in stores and online. ORDER it here and take advantage of the t-shirt bundles and other products!

Look for a video from the album to be released shortly after the US Tour!

Sep. 14, 2011 - 7,000 sing along to "Swing the Hammer Down" at Ottawa Folk Festival - John Had the crowd all warmed up for City and Colour and Steve Earle when he got them rockin' to a olo performance this August!

August 13, 2011 - Heart of Steel goes out for pre-sale: Release date set - John John's latest album, Heart of Steel, is now available for pre-order. Those ordering before the release date will save two dollars AND receive their copy before the CD hits the shelves (depending on when you rder, of course). PRE-ORDER it here and take advantage of the t-shirt bundles and other savings. Save save save!!!

Oh, and sneak a few samples from the music page here on the site!

Heart of Steel T-Shirt - men's and women's styles available!!!

August 7, 2011 - Three shows announced for the Ottawa Folk Festival - John will be playing the Ottawa Festival three times this August. The first will be a show for volunteers and cxrew on Wed. Aug. 24th. The public will get their first chance to see John with the Campistas Thursday, August 25th at 6:15 pm. John will be doing a short solo set on Friday, August 26th at 7:15 pm before Steve Earle and the Dukes. See the Folk Festival site for more info.

July 24, 2011 - Show cancellation - John will be playing the Rideau Canal Festival in Ottawa on Friday, July 29th at 6pm on Malones patio overlooking Dow's Lake. However, the show scheduled for Sunday evening at the same location has been cancelled. He is still playing the Saturday show at Quinn's Ale House with Leslie Dishslayer and Tara Holloway.

June 20, 2011 - Summer means FESTIVALS and RECORDING! - John will be playing a couple of festivals in the next little while in the Ottawa area. On July 2nd, he will be playing the Mystical Music Festival at MacDonald's Corners in Lanark County. Then on July 29 and 31st he will be playing the Rideau Canal Festival at the Dow's Lake Pavillion in Ottawa. Check the "Shows" section of this site for updates on extact times and directions.

John's also heading back in the studio overth the next 60 days, both on his own accord and with Tara Holloway. First, John will be recording an album featuring some of the songs that have been creeping into the set lists over the last year. THe release of this piece should be in the mid-September range.

Then, he'll be heading way up into the hills of the Gatineau to record a duet album with Tara Holloway. This exciting project will be launched once John and Tara return home from their respective solo tours in the Fall of this year. Look for a tour for this new project in the early weeks of 2012!

June 19, 2011 - Thanks for the tour support! - John and Bill Toms would like to thank all those who came out to their shows across Ontario in June! We had a great time and we'll do it again soon!

Apr. 22, 2011 - ALLAIRE SHOW guests and audience "loving every minute"- The TOWN CRYERS' songwriters play this weekend! - As many of you know by now, John performs weekly at Quinn's Ale House (1070 Bank St.) in Ottawa. The Singer-songwriter Series takes place 3pm-5pm every Saturday. John has hosted many songwriters from around the world, as well as playing a set himself and accompanying his guests. So far, the guests have include: Karyn Ellis (Toronto), Shannon Eddy Smith, Brian Simms, Al Wood, Ken Workman, Terry Gillespie, Lynne Hanson, Jehan Khoorshed, Brandon Agnew, The Riot Police, Brendan Flynn and Pat Moore!

This week, the songwriting duo (John Allaire and Jeff Tanguay ... and maybe Breeze...) from The Town Cryers will be playing a couple hours of Cryers' tunes, along with some requests, audience challenges, and prize giveaways! C'mon down. It's free every week, with a "Good Karma" hat for donations to the musicians and plenty of merch for purchase.

Upcoming shows feature Tara Holloway, Marc Nelson,, Gerry Wall, HOTCHA! (from Toronto), the First annual Quinn's Hot Dog eating Contest, with a local bluegrass jam, Chris MacLean, Marc and Curtis from the Woodrunners, Bill Toms (Pittsburgh) and Mica and Greg from The Flats!

Check the "Shows" section of John's site for updates on the series.

Bill Toms comes back to Canada - Springsteen-produced Bill Toms will be coming back to Canada and playing a bunch of shows with John and the Campistas. Toms and Allaire will be playing the Tranzac in Toronto, then the Elmdale and Quinn's in Ottawa and the Branch in Keptville in mid-June. See below for details. Then, after Summer festival season, Allaire will be joing Toms for an extensive US tour in September. More info to come on that front!