Relive the Magic!
Montreal, PQ
REPLAY The Beatles is a unique tribute to the Beatles. Many bands play the music and wear the costumes. REPLAY is not that kind of tribute, but rather more of a "true-to-life" reproduction. Not only strikingly real look-a-likes and sound-a-likes, more importantly, REPLAY recreates the essence and persona of The Beatles. Many people who have seen the band have said "REPLAY IS the Beatles". They truly felt that they were watching John, Paul, George and Ringo.
No special effects or a multitude of costume changes, just a straight-forward Beatles concert probably very much like The Beatles would give today if they were together. See for yourself - REPLAY The Beatles and RELIVE THE MAGIC!
Members of REPLAY: Ricardo Branchini as John, John Oriettas as Paul, JF Cyr as George, and Ted Doyle as Ringo. They have previously performed and toured professionally with feature acts such as "LUBA", "Charlie Harper Blues Band" and "Yesterday Les Beatles", as well have shared the stage with such well-known acts as Bowser & Blue, Laurence Jalbert, and Andre-Philippe Gagnon.
Expect to take a trip down Abbey Road, through Strawberry Fields, and a magical mystery tour down Penny Lane! You will surely be on your feet and singing right along with them, and no doubt will go home smiling and feeling twenty years younger! So come out and enjoy!
Beatles Hall of Famer
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia
Ever since Hal Bruce witnessed the North American birth of The Beatles in February 1964, his musical influence was molded permanently. Since then, he has studied every song ever recorded by his heroes, from the instrumental parts to their unique vocal stylings.
It was because of The Beatles that he decided to form his first band at the age of 14. His passion for their music grew with every new album release...thus increasing his ever-growing repertoire. Because Hal sang along with every Beatles song since he was 11 years of age, his vocal stylings are very reminiscent to the original recordings...a feat not too many solo artists have accomplished.
Since 2000, Hal has embarked on lengthy journeys which have taken him to concert settings throughout the world. His unique Beatles Tribute has netted invitations to the "International Beatle Week Festival" in Liverpool, England for 7 consecutive years; numerous concerts in Adelaide, Australia at the "Australian Beatles Festival"; "Abbey Road On The River Beatles Festival" in Cleveland, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky (where Hal set a world record by performing a non-stop medley of all 214 recorded Beatles songs); "Abbey Road At The Races" Beatle Event in New Kent, Virginia; "Latin Beatles Festival" in Buenos Aires, Argentina; "Beatles Day Festival" in Mons, Belgium; Luxembourg concerts; as well as Beatles events and concerts throughout Canada. His appearances throughout the world as one of the world's best Beatles Performers has earned him the honor of being named "The Cavern's Very Best Friend!"
He has recorded four Beatles tribute Cds, Volume I "In My Life...", Volume II "I Will...", Volume III "Thank You Girl", and Volume IV "All You Need Is Love" all recorded at Ferguson Music Productions in Dartmouth (Scott Ferguson).
"Hal Bruce represents the magic of The Beatles with a tremendously entertaining show that enraptures people everywhere he goes...I too, was spellbound!!" Sam Leach - The Beatles' first Promoter/Manager, Liverpool, England
"Hal is, without a doubt, one of Beatle Week's finest performers...he is welcome at The Cavern anytime!" Bill Heckle - "International Beatle Week" Organizer, Liverpool, England
"Listen, do you want to know a secret? Hal Bruce is the best Beatles soloist in the world!" Gary Jacob, Producer (Abbey Road On The River Beatles Festival, Louisville, KY)
"Hal performs the music of The Beatles with a remarkable resemblance to the originals! 'A Day In The Life'...one voice and one guitar...you have to see it to believe it!" John Meir - Entertainment Presenter, deCoste Centre, Nova Scotia, Canada
"Hal Bruce captures the true spirit and energy of The Beatles in his live show and on CD. He achieves such a high level and standard which makes him not just another tribute show. If you haven't seen him...what are you waiting for!" Peter Miniaci - Beatlemania Shoppe Owner, Toronto, Ontario
"Hal Bruce is The Cavern's Very Best Friend...we love this man!" Steve Panter - The Cavern's Veteran MC and Host, Liverpool, England
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Picture this...It's 1968 in a remote fishing village in Eastern Canada. A six year old boy comes home from an afternoon of jigging tommy cods on the wharf. He carefully drops the needle on "Rubber Soul", his parents' only Beatles album, adjusts his headphones and starts jamming to Ringo on his toy tin drum. These are the humble beginnings of what has become a great musical adventure.
After a string of school concert bands, a diploma in Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Scott has gone on to live his musical dreams. In the early '80's, he focused on his jazz passion, studying with renowned drum teacher, Jim Blackley in Toronto, and performed with such greats as Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard and Dave Young. Settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scott broadened his stylistic scope and in 1992 embarked on a seven year tenure touring and recording with "The Rankin Family". After hundreds of concerts in Canada, The United States, The U.K., and Australia, Scott started persuing his interest in studio production. Fueled by his work with legendary producer George Massenberg on the last Rankin CD "Uprooted", Scott started "Ferguson Music Productions Inc." with his recording studio in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Scott met Hal at a meeting in 2002, where they both agreed that recording a Tribute to the music of The Beatles was the natural thing to do. Since then, together, they have toured the world on different ocassions, and have performed at England's Beatle Week Festival for a number of years. While home in the Maritimes they perform a lot of their Beatles classics under the name "Ticket 2 Ride" with amazing resemblance to the originals, so don't let the number of guys in the group fool you, you're seeing two but you're sometimes hearing four (and no pre-recorded tracks). Quite simply put...you'll have to hear it for yourself!!
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
When Mark was 6 years old, his older sister went out for the evening, and told him not to touch her Beatle albums or the "record player". Regardless, when sis came home, Mark was playing the piano, right along with her albums, never having had a lesson! He is reputed as being "completely obsessed" with the Fab 4 since that age.
Mark received private training in Louisville, KY, from Don Murray, who specialized in advanced or gifted students. Mark often arrived early to listen to student Jonathan Wolff, who later composed music for Seinfeld, Married with Children, and more.
At 18, Mark traveled with the band “World”, close friends he had been playing with professionally since age 14, These “kids” all had exceptional ability, playing intricate music by such artists as Yes, Kansas, and Jethro Tull.
Tiring of the road, Mark accepted a lengthy engagement at a popular local show venue as musical director for the house band, taking on the duty of convincingly reproducing lavish arrangements using his keyboards. Mark also sat in with or backed up incoming performers such as Chubby Checker, and Billy Joe Royal.
Having come full circle, Mark now embraces his passion for performing Beatles music with Louisville’s “The Rigbys. He owns a project studio where he records, produces, and arranges for students and performing artists. He is sought out for endeavors that require unusual or hard to reproduce “soundscapes” and orchestrations.
When Mark Beyer and Hal Bruce began work two years ago in Louisville for the world's first stage recreation of The Beatles' masterpiece album LOVE, a great friendship started between the two Beatle fanatics...both, who both have studied every chord that The Beatles ever put on record.
Also, Mark has been a "key" player in the 40th Anniversary Concert for The Summer Of Love at the same festival. Hal said, "I would love to bring Mark to Halifax to recreate some of that magic that happened during that Concert in Louisville in May of 2007"...and so it shall be! He is the Ultimate Team Player!!!
Amherst, Nova Scotia
Last year, we received a phone call from Mike Blakeney of the group Freefall. He stated that his band from Amherst performed many Beatles numbers and would like to be considered in our line up. Our roster was quite full, but we did manage to squeeze them into a spot in the afternoon and we are certainly were glad we did...having them back this year...you betcha!
The Band Members are:
John Chiasson - Vocals and Bass
Silvio Pupo - Piano
James Logan - Guitar
Eric Landry - Trombone
Rob Crowell - Sax
Dave Burton - Drums
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
This entertainer offered to be one of our hosts of our first event in 2006 and has been with us ever since. Besides her great hosting abilities, she is a professional singer in her own right and has dazzled the audiences with her renditions of 60's classics as well as a handful of Beatles favourites.
Now joining us for her fourth appearance at the Maritime Beatle Event, Donna will no doubt dazzle the audience once again with her charm, talent and energy.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
A successful artist in his own right, Ian has been a great addition to the Maritime Beatle Event line up. Returning for his 3rd year, he will be lending a helping hand to Donna and Kim as one our our hosts, as well as performing in many of the sets throughout the day as our sax player and solo performer.
Ian has also earned Awards such as Grand prize winner of the 2007 WCS International songwriting competition. His catchy lyrics make him equally at home in front of a large audience or a quiet house concert. His energetic stage show and honest presentation have quickly gained him recognition as a solid performer, lyricist and player. He was also naminated for two 2008 East Coast Music Association Awards (Pop Album of the Year, CBC Galaxie Rising Star Album of the Year).
Ian also played sax on Hal Bruce's current CD "All You Need Is Love" which was recently released.