The "Good" About Tradition, Music on The Barge

WHAT A NIGHT FOR OLD TIME'S SAKE  -  THE GOOD BROTHERS ON THE BARGE

THE FINAL SHOW ALWAYS A NOSTALGIC WAY TO END A GREAT "MUSIC ON THE BARGE" SEASON

     IN THE YEAR 1889, A DESCRIPTION OF GRAVENHURST WAS INCLUDED IN A CHAPTER ON "THE MUSKOKA LAKES," WRITTEN BY W.H. WITHROW, IN HIS POPULAR BOOK, OF THE TIME, ENTITLED "OUR OWN COUNTRY;" A REGION BY REGION EXAMINATION, MUCH OF IT OBSERVED FROM ON-BOARD STEAM TRAINS, CHUGGING ALONG THOSE SILVER RAILS CONNECTING OUR COUNTRY SEA TO SEA. THE PASSAGE READS AS FOLLOWS:
     (ON THE NORTHERN RAILWAY) "At one hundred and fifteen miles (north from Toronto), is Gravenhurst, a rising town at the foot of the chain of the 'Lakes of Muskoka.' From its position, is the key to the great Lake District of the Muskoka, Magnetawan, the Nipissing regions, possessing excellent facilities for first-class railway system to the southward, and by steamers on the lakes, and by rail and stages on the colonization roads, to the
northward. The town occupies a most eligible site, crowning elevated but not too hilly ground, and encircling pretty bays in the form of huge amphitheatres."
     Just before three thirty, there was a black sky, and static on the AM radio, that seemed to indicate a return for all the Dorothys, to the Wizard of Oz. By four thirty, it looked like it might just rain a bit. By five thirty, my two feet were resting upon my venerable old birch, the one by the Gull Lake shore, that leans precariously over the walkway to The Barge. At six fifteen, there was people fuzz all over "Bald Man's Fringe," (the embankment above the lake). The Canadian flag was blowing briskly from north to south, and there was an expanse of blue sky with an August sun glow, as far as the lawnchair-bound man could see. The canoe traffic was a little light, yet colorfully red and yellow, due to the wind, and a few brave swimmers kept low in the water, out of the chilly air. By six thirty the party had begun, and the beachfront was filling up with concert-goers. By seven, Bald Man's Fringe was again a full head of hair (people), and the exposed beach in front of us, had its share of arm chair loungers. A couple of concert watchers found the Lifeguard's tower a perfect height for a clear view of the stage. The patrons brought everything from winter parkas, wool blankets, vintage car robes, and even some mittens, to go along with the toques. It wasn't that cold, but it was a big change of pace from most of the Sunday nights this past summer. Hot! Really hot!
     It was the kind of night, you know, that old writers cherish for all its contrasts and curiosities; it's flavor of community history, the tradition of summers in Muskoka, the sepia tone of nostalgia, in the gathering of old photographs of previous Barge summers, tucked into old albums and pressed into good books. It was a night when strangers became acquaintances, and the aroma of hot french fries permeated the air, and it was hard to deny that this was a special time of unrestricted, unfettered contentment, no strings attached…..no worries about the coming week, the business of the day, or expectations further ahead than the very next song. At times, during the evening, it felt as if somehow, the voyeurs had inadvertently stepped back in our own time, reaching for some comparable moment, when the gang was all together, and no one wanted to think about tomorrow, while today was as good as it was…..
     It was a night of pleasant fictions, so fascinating and inspirational, endearing and entertaining. It was a little haunting, as for many of us, we have been here before. The Good Brothers have appeared on The Barge for the past twenty-two years, and have become, unknowingly, the harbingers of late summer traditions. There is an echo when the show has concluded, and it will resound faintly across that lake, until they arrive back, once again, the very next August.
     Gull Lake has one of these magnificent natural amphitheatres, along its shore; and an island entertainment venue, known around the world, as "The Barge," is situated perfectly, a few metres into the lake, to entertain thousands of concert-goers who come each Sunday evening, through the summer season, to participate in the "Music on the Barge" concerts. Sunday evening, was the final performance of the year, and it was a memorable season-closer, with the outstanding performance by one of Canada's best known musical families, The Good Brothers. The park was packed, and after what began as a rainy early afternoon, it eventually cleared, as it has many times already this summer, heralding another perfect Muskoka evening.
     It is always a nostalgic evening when the Good Brothers come to town, because they are always the final act of the nine concert season, which began at Rotary Gull Lake Park this year, at the end of a hot, hot June. Only one concert had to be cancelled this year, due to threatening weather. So it was heart-sparking, to see some blue sky after the rain, and realize the show would go on, as scheduled. Barge Manager, Fred Schulz was on those proverbial pins and needles for the past seven days, particularly so when the fine weather folks, gave us some bad news about potential thunder storms. So to get a nice clear and dry night, and a whole evening with the Good Brothers, it was a gift to the patient....a bonus to the faithful, and a joy to all those who cherish those neighborly moments in the old home town, when we play host to folks from all over the region. This was one of those nights, that as a Gravenhurst citizen, you had to be beaming with pride, because there were a lot of out-of-towners, and many of our seasonal resident friends. And we were there too. We ended the concert series together, and it was a din of ovations, for one of Canada's longest serving, hugely talented bands, that continue to remind us, with their music, just how fantastic it is to be Canadian.
     What I appreciate so much about the Good Brothers, is that they are so appreciative of our venue, here in Gravenhurst, that they will talk about our town, and Gull Lake, while on tour throughout the world......saying that there's a little wooden platform, out on a sparkling lake, in a region known as Muskoka, that is one of their favorite places to play. And when someone, at one of these international performances, knows this place, "Gravenhurst," and possibly has watched a "Concert on the Barge" performance, sometime in the past......truly, we know we've got a good thing here......and that the money spent this year to restore The Barge, now more than fifty years old, was well worth the re-investment.
     It was a terrific show, and I think everyone in the audience felt a little pang of nostalgia toward the end, wishing that this night, this concert, this star-laden Muskoka sky was a forever moment, and we wouldn't have to fold-up our lawnchairs and head home to face the coming harvest.....the soon-to-be autumn season. As the opening of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, reminds us it's the final chapter of the summer, The Good Brothers performance in Gravenhurst, marks as well, a changing of the seasons......but on a very positive, contenting recollection, of our time spent together, celebrating the good things in life. Of this, we are very wealthy people in spirit. Thank you Good Brothers, for ending the Music on the Barge season, with such joyful enthusiasm, for the Canadian way of life, and the nature that binds us together in this beautiful lakeland of Muskoka.
     Once again, thanks to all the Barge volunteers, and of course to Manager Fred Schulz, for once again, coming through with a solid season of enterainment at Rotary Gull Lake Park, on the newly refurbished Barge. I hope Gravenhurst Councillors had the chance to see this final concert of the season, and bask in the glory, of one of the most successful seasons in Barge history. It is to their credit, that The Barge was spared for another half century of entertainment, on-board. I hate to think of it having been removed from this lakeland setting, that has become so deeply imbedded in the social / cultural history of our fair town.
     Thanks to all those who came out to support Fred and this final concert of the summer season. Thanks for offering a donation. You can still make donations to Fred, if you so desire, which will be used to help fund future Barge concerts.
     When those stage lights go dim, and the volunteers close the hatch of Fred Schulz's Blazer, and wander on up the hill, for that last time this season……, the only sound now, being the waves lapping on the shore…., if you were to watch, patiently, from the edge of Bald Man's Fringe, you would notice, as a silhouette in the shore light, that Fred has stepped out of the vehicle, for one last look back, thanking, in his own soft-spoken way, an old friend, The Barge, that has once again, made it through another demanding season……a partnership that has meant the world to him……and, pretty much the same for us. This, my friends, is the spirit ingrained in tradition.
     Thanks for joining today's blog. Please visit again, soon.