One night around three or so years ago, Mike McDonald was hosting his long running Sunday open stage at the Rosebowl, wondering if his career was indeed winding down, when in strolled Mickey Vallee, accordion in hand. Mickey was from Ottawa, and had played for a long time in Ottawa favourites Jimmy George, who were rumoured to cover many Jr. Gone Wild songs, which happened to be Mike’s old band. Turns out Mickey was here to continue his PHD, and to play some music. Duane Elias was there as well. He had been playing bass with Mike for years, and sat in regularly with Mike at the Rosebowl. Long story short, Mike, Mickey and Duane spontaneously played some songs that night, and the McDonald Broadband was born. Eventually they got a gig for a local folk club where they were sharing the bill with Ev LaRoi (among others). Ev ‘s part in Edmonton’s alternative chronicles goes way back (most notably, Idyll Tea), and he and Mike had talked about working together from time to time over the years. Ev liked the Broadband, and through the usual social convolutions agreed to be in the band. This was around three years ago, and it actually took this long for McDonald to walk across the room and set up a myspace space…thingy.
I last saw you with Jr. Gone Wild and then with a violinist on the open stage at Edmonton Folk Festival doing Gram Parsons' Hickory Wind. Yeah, long time back. But I never forgot those two performances. Glad to have reconnected with your music and I'm looking forward to hearing lots of it. Keep steppin'. You got something extraordinary.
