An interview with the professor of rock’n roll: Rob Bowman.

Interviewer: Richard Flohil

Rob Bowman has been writing professionally about rhythm and blues, rock, country, jazz and gospel for over a forty-five years. Nominated for five Grammy Awards, in 1996 Bowman won the Grammy in the “Best Album Notes” category. He is the author of Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Recordswhich was inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013, pioneered the study of popular music at the university level in Canada, helped found the Stax Museum of American soul music and over the years has conducted multi-hour interviews with a wide range of artists including the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Lou Reed to Bob Marley, Isaac Hayes, Chuck D and Smokey Robinson.

Richard Flohil is a Toronto-based publicist writer and concert promoter who has been involved with more than 100 artists' careers in a 50-year career. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his work, including the CIMA “Unsung Hero” Award (2016), a Special Achievement Award from SOCAN (2009), the Keeping the Blues Alive Publicist of the Year Award from the Blues Foundation in Memphis (2010), and the Spirit of Folk Award from the International Folk Alliance (2010). Flohil is a former founding editor of The Record, edited The Canadian Composer for 20 years, is a former artistic director of the Mariposa Folk Festival. He also presents up to a dozen shows a year at various stages in Toronto, London, Hamilton and other cities.

***

As part of the 21st Maple Blues Awards, the Ontario Blues Forum will be held between January 15-16, 2018. Led by special guest speakers, panels specifically curated for blues musicians and the industry will be open to public and free to attend. All panels will take place in Yorkville Room at the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre Hotel. Stay tuned for more info and mark your calendar.

Accommodation:

The Ontario Blues Forum will take place at the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre Hotel. For guests who would like to benefit from the special TBS room rates starting at $135 for their stay during the Forum, please contact TBS Office at info@torontobluessociety.com until January 10.

Ontario Blues Forum - Full Schedule:

Monday, January 15

• 10:00am-11:00am | Tips on Booking & Touring: How to get a gig?
  https://ontariobluesforum-tipsonbookingtouring.eventbrite.ca

• 13:30pm-14:30pm | Women in Blues: Gender parity and other issues in today's music industry.
  https://ontariobluesforum-womeninblues.eventbrite.ca

• 15:00pm-16:00pm | Blues Booster Interview: An Interview with the professor of rock'n roll: Rob Bowman.
  https://ontariobluesforum-bluesboosterinterview.eventbrite.ca

Tuesday, January 16

• 14:30pm-15:30pm | Music Money: Advice and details on government and other grants available to develop your career
  https://ontariobluesforum-musicmoney.eventbrite.ca

• 16:00pm-17:00pm | Socialism: Get up-to-date with social media strategies and essential steps for your profile development
  https://ontariobluesforum-socialism.eventbrite.ca