Article
Entertaining Elgin - Sam Hurrie
Article submitted by David J. Ferguson
John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, to name but a few, have had their lives intertwine with Elgin County’s own Sam Hurrie. This humble and exceedingly talented musician says it subtly “that I am almost famous”. His story, thus far, is one that most musicians only dream about, while this noteworthy Blues icon has lived his life ‘Sam style’ without regret.
Sam Hurrie traces his musical roots back to his hometown Yorkville (now part of Toronto), where there was always a guitar around the house as his Dad played a bit of classic country now and then. In 1957 a young Sam was captivated by Buddy Holly on a television program where he recognized the chords as being the same his Dad played. It wasn’t long before Sam began strumming his own guitar and hasn’t stopped since.
Grade seven was a pivotal turning point in his musical career. While roaming the radio dial to find some music he locked on to a Johnny Hooker recording being played. Sam stated “that was the instant I became black and hardly listened to any other type of music again”.
In high school Sam hooked up with other young musicians and played rock n roll at school dances and other clubs. Briefly taking guitar lessons for six months he switched to another method of learning by listening to Chuck Berry records, which were 78s at the time, playing them at a slower speed to pick up the guitar licks.
His teen years were filled with an obsession for pre-war acoustic blues, but he still continued to play with friends when the opportunity arose. Sam’s first band, The Churls, was with high-school friend Eugene Smith, who later went on to work with Ronnie Hawkins’ legendary ‘60s R&B band. At one time The Churls opened for Blood Sweat and Tears.
With band mates from the Churls, he moved to New York to record for A&M Records. Sam was fortunate enough to jam with some of the greats of the period, including Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Miles. Sam encountered many thrills throughout his musical career that included opening for his idol Muddy Waters at New York’s Electric Circus. Muddy even held Sam’s baby daughter at the time! Another thrill was performing in front of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, never really a Beatles fan but always respectful of their success.
Sam left the fast paced musical scene when he moved to western Canada to raise a family and work a full time job. He continued to perform Delta and Piedmont Blues plus original material on the side. Over the years he perfected his ability on the slide guitar, without switching instruments or re-tuning, that inspired him to develop his own style of bottleneck playing in acoustic and electric music.
One satisfaction of being in front of a live audience for Sam is sharing some of the history behind the music, the fascinating stories of the wonderful characters who wrote the songs.
Elgin County is certainly fortunate Sam Hurrie calls this area home. Whether you’re a big fan of the Blues or not you will be hooked by his infectious performance, the sweet sound of mellow tone vocals and a stage presence that beckons you to ask for more. Check out myspace.com/samhurrie for dates and times around the area. You won’t regret it.
Locally grown Dave Ferguson hails from the metropolis of Aylmer and has been writing in a variety of genres and styles for over fifteen years. He’s an active author in several writing groups, member of PWAC (Professional Writer’s Association of Canada) and currently chairs a monthly creative writer’s workshop in St. Thomas. His works can be found in a myriad of magazines, periodicals, newspapers, corporate pieces and websites. Spare moments provide opportunities for his fictional works. If you wish to contact Dave send email to writeadvantage@amtelecom.net.
On a visit to the St. Thomas library back in 2004, Deb Underwood spied a book lying open to a picture of a labyrinth and was intrigued. She delved further, studied up on labyrinths and became determined to create one in St. Thomas. That she did, and she has persevered to maintain it through the driest of summers, obtain funding for sprinklers, sign and gravel entranceway, and to recruit volunteers.
Deb chose a space at the back of Waterworks Park for a couple of reasons. She notes, “It was a dry, un-utilized space and Waterworks is a beautiful park with a long history.” Ground was broken in 2005 with permission from the mayor. With the maze beyond reach of park workers’ hoses, Deb and a few volunteers struggled to maintain the plants through a couple very dry summers. Thinking there had to be a better way, she applied for Trillium funding and last year saw the installation of sprinklers, drainage and a new sign at the entranceway. It won a 2006 award from Communities in Bloom, for community involvement.
The Unity Peace Labyrinth in Waterworks Park is a Cretan pattern, which has 7 circuits, with mostly perennial plantings and is 340 square metres.
Don’t visit the labyrinth expecting a maze. Deb emphasizes it is not that—it’s a path for meditation and reflection. With the entranceway poem in mind, you can become absorbed in the rhythm of your circular walk, as you listen to the birds. People have been known to do yoga and tai chi there and Deb has received many emails and phone calls from individuals and groups who have enjoyed the labyrinth.
LABYRINTH FACTS
(From www.labyrinthnetwork.ca)
Common Labyrinth Patterns
The Cretan pattern has seven circuits that surround the centre. The Chartres style, based on a pattern set into the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, has eleven circuits leading to the centre.
History
Labyrinths are thought to have been used as protective symbols, as pathways for sacred dances, or for displays of horsemanship.
Today
There has been a resurgence of interest in labyrinths, with increasing numbers found in public parks, private gardens, and churches since the 1990s. Hospitals, community groups and schools have recognized their positive effects. They can be useful in stress relief, aid in rehabilitation, serve as a place of meditation, reflection and exercise and stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving.
The Unity Peace Labyrinth is located in Waterworks Park, South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas. It is entirely dependent on donations for plants and on volunteers for planting and weeding. Work weekends are held in June and in September to prepare the grounds for fall and winter. For more information, visit www.unitypeacelabyrinth.blogs.com.