Stompin' Tom declares young activist his biggest fan
Published Monday August 10th, 2009
Community Concert in King's Square to benefit people in need is(latest accomplishment(of young activist
SAINT JOHN - Stompin' Tom Connors didn't stop by King's Square on Saturday afternoon to check out the music that was being played in his honour, but he was seen circling the square a few times in his limo late in the afternoon, says Jason MacLean.
MacLean, who has proclaimed himself Stompin' Tom's biggest fan, was thrilled just the same with the concert he organized in King's Square Saturday in honour of Connors. In fact, during his concert at Harbour Station Saturday night, Connors told the audience that MacLean is, officially, his biggest fan.
"I've been crowned," MacLean said. "It was the best concert I ever saw. He was with it.
"I love Stompin' Tom. I'm a huge fan and any friend you would ask would probably say I'm his biggest fan.
"I think my true intention here is to get music out there, help young artists, and celebrate Stompin' Tom's music."
Saturday afternoon's event was "one of the nicest days I can remember in King's Square," MacLean said.
"There's just a whole mix of people, young and old," he said, checking out the crowd of a few hundred who had gathered to hear the music of people such as Big John T-Bone Little, Babette Hayward, Mike Biggar and MeAteUs.
"King's Square is such a beautiful park. I wish it was always like this."
Georgia and Charles Slowley, originally from Jamaica and now living in Brooklyn, were cruising around the square shaking hands and chatting with the musicians. They had arrived in the city on the cruise ship Carnival Triumph.
"We're having a great time, the entertainers are excellent," Georgia Slowley said.
"It's a nice audience and we're happy to be here," Charles Slowley added. "We have four sons and they all play music."
The couple was particularly excited about speaking with Big John T-Bone Little, who had played in Charles Slowley's hometown in Jamaica and is familiar with a couple of big-name musicians from Montego Bay.
"It's a beautiful place, beautiful day and we enjoy all the people," Charles Slowley said.
As Greg Marks belted out Unchained Melody, Mary LeBlanc could barely contain her excitement.
"When I hear music I just can't sit still," she said. "This is what we need around here," she added.
MacLean is no stranger to jumping in and getting things done. He was instrumental in setting up the city's skateboard park and, initially, hoped to temporarily name the pedway in Connors' honour.
Common council wasn't too crazy about that idea but Maclean organized a concert in King's Square with the proceeds going to a fund to help privileged children and single mothers. The fund has been set up in Connors' honour. The Greater Saint John Community Foundation has been entrusted with the new fund. On Saturday, volunteers with buckets collected cash from onlookers at the King's Square event. The total was still being tallied on Sunday afternoon.
In retrospect, MacLean says he's glad that the pedway idea wasn't a go.
"I'm almost happier it ended up this way because this is a beautiful day and I'm in King's Square hanging out with my friends," he said.
MacLean isn't sure what's next on his "to-do" agenda but in the short term he says he'll be concentrating on his yoga.
As a member of the band MeAteUs, he's also part of the city's tight musical network.
"We're one another's fans and that's unique because, in most places, things tend to be a little more competitive. But here, we just work together.
"You might be in a totally different genre of music but you'll be at your friends' show if you want music to do well. You have to commit to it. Saint John is a very musical place, we just need venues."
MacLean's successes have led him to the conclusion that, if you believe in something, eventually people will catch on.
"It was the same way with the skate park. People thought it was a bad idea, that skateboarders were hoodlums and that has proven to be not the case. When you believe in something, people will eventually get it, if you're persistent enough.
"My advice to get out there, get involved and you will meet all these people in a very short period of time. You'd be amazed at how these people can facilitate ideas and events for you."
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