News and Views

I have had this Gig Salad Site for a few years. It provides a focused place where people who are looking for entertainment can find me for their entertainment needs.

https://www.gigsalad.com/marv_machura_vernon

Hi Friends,

When I released this song a couple of years ago, someone commented in on my YouTube Channel, “Aren’t you like 50?” I thought about that and it’s implication that I was too old to write a love song like this. So I wrote back, “Actually I am like 60.”

It is not true that as we grow older that we need less friends and love. If anything the opposite is true. We need more.

I hope that you will have many “beautiful nights” regardless of your age!

Cheers!

This song has had a long history with me. I was on my way to some show in Lac La Biche and as I was crossing the North Saskatchewan River near Smoky Lake the song came to me in a flash. But, as often happens with inspirations like this, it takes a while for the inspiration to be realized. In this case it took a few decades, but here it is!

Thanks again to the mighty Michael Short for creating the video.

That’s Blitzen the Blues Fan, Reindeer in the poster!!

This past spring, I approached the community-minded people at Okanagan Restoration Services if they would like to sponsor a blues jam at Don Cherry’s here in my hometown of Vernon, BC. This was just as the COVID restrictions were lifted. They said yes, and the rest is history. From the first show, there has been a huge outpouring of support for the blues from the wonderful staff at Don Cherry’s to the musicians of Vernon, and all the blues fans that come out to the Jams. “The blues is the roots; the rest is the fruits.” – Willy Dixon

Thanks for all who came out for another Okanagan Restoration Services Blues Jam at Don Cherry’s last night! And CONGRATULATIONS to Russel Jackson featured here jamming with Paul, Mad Max, Kirk Hughes, and Charlie Fisher. Russel Jackson has been recently nominated for the BEST BASS PLAYER in CANADA award for the upcoming MAPLE BLUES AWARDS. Note: this is his 7th nomination for this prestigious national award. If there’s any justice, he should win!!!!

https://www.mapleblues.ca/nominees.html

https://www.facebook.com/okanaganlivemusic/videos/419731297030850

A few years ago I was performing at an old-age residence and one of the residents (a lovely lady from England) asked if I knew “White Cliffs of Dover.” I said, “Yes, I know it, but not well enough to play it.” But I promised her that I would learn it and play it next time I was there. So I went home and listened to the song for the first time really hearing what this song was about, etc. When I started playing it, the song just hit me straight in the heart as I realized how beautiful and incredible it really is and couldn’t even finish it without starting to cry especially given that its message is still relevant. Some years later, I am able to get through it without the tears, but this song still has a powerful effect on me and I’m glad to share it here with you on this Remembrance Day, and every day. Cheers Friends. “NEVER FORGET.”