Like all good things, summer must come to an end, and along with that comes the last performance of the Summer Music Showcase.

This coming Saturday, August 28, will feature Dann Downes and the Migrant Workers.  Described as Canadiana, Blues and Roots, and “spooky cool,” this performance is sure to end the series on a high note!

From Downes’ official page at MySpace:

Dann Downes is a musician, broadcaster and academic who was part of the new country movement in Toronto during the 1980s as a lead guitarist and singer-songwriter in bands such as Company Town and Conditioned Response.

His influences include guitarists Scotty Moore, Doc Watson, and George Harrison. His writing influences include Johnny Cash, Fred Eaglesmith, Steve Earle, John Fogerty and Lucinda Williams. For over twenty years Dann has written and performed in the roots/alt. country tradition.

Since 2001 he has lived in Saint John, New Brunswick where he has played with singer-songwriter Grant Heckman in The Shaggy Dogs and as roots duo Heckman Downes. The duo have played with many of the country’s best roots and folk musicians, including: Stephen Fearing, Jay Semko, Matt Anderson, Rose Cousins and Ron Hynes.

As a sideman, Dann has played guitar, banjo, and mandolin on tour and recordings with Jay Semko, Matt Anderson, Babette Hayward, and Brent Mason. Dann has played from Newfoundland to Ontario and has appeared in festivals such as the Acoustic Music Festival in NS, and the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, NB.

Poking around the Internet like the mouse potato I am, I also found Dann Downes’ Facebook and ReverbNation pages, and I couldn’t resist listening to some of the tunes I found there.  (My favourite, in case you’re wondering, was “A Shot in the Dark.”)  If you’re not a fan of country (and I’ll be honest –  it’s not my usual genre of choice), don’t let that word scare you.   “Country” is not the first word that came to mind — there’s not a single twang to be found!

Dann Downes and the Migrant Workers will be playing in the Saint John City Market on Saturday, August 28, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  You won’t want to miss it!