As we all look at the skies awaiting rain, music continues to pour into Tauranga.

I'm sure there's a pile of it that I miss. But I do try to keep up, mainly via a series of undercover Watusis spread through the community who monitor every tiny move on the music scene.

This week there's a lot to be getting on with: there are new albums, fundraising concerts, a fantastic Canadian bluesman coming to town and, as usual, all sorts of little things that fall into the 'did you know that...” category.

Let's start there.

Did you know that there's music every Sunday at the Mount Hot Pools? Assuming your answer is 'no”, well there is.

These kicked off at the beginning of this month, taking place every Sunday evening, and run till the end of March. What better way to enjoy music than with a side order of hot-pool-soaking?

It just costs the standard Hot Pool admission but, in addition to the rest, relaxation and general unwinding that comes from wallowing in warm water, you'll also be treated to poolside music from 7 till 8.30pm. This Sunday you'll be listening to Camila Lanhart, next week it's popular Mount entertainer Josh Pow. Rounding out March will be slots from Jon E.B., Melissa Cox, Brendan McCarthy and Hamilton veteran Tim Armstrong.

Tim was also spotted at last week's Blues night at Jack Dusty's and since he's still in his fifties probably wouldn't thank me for the word 'veteran”. He plays in Tauranga often so many will be familiar with him. But did you know that Tim also won last year's Hamilton Blues Society's Golden Mic Songwriter's Award with a tune of his called Wintertime Blues?

Fundraisers

Meanwhile, an upcoming series of fundraising concerts kick off at the end of the month and no doubt you'll be hearing more about them. Called Bay Rains they aim to raise much needed funds for Australian Bush Fire victims.

The first is down town at The Barrel Room on Sunday March 1, then the following week it's out to the Waihi Beach Hotel on the Saturday (March 7) and finally a week later (Saturday March 14) at The Black Sheep in Whakamarama.

Each concert features ten or so performers so I'm not going to list them all here, but recognisable names at the first one include Hamilton county rocker Tony Lee, tireless promoter L.A. Thompson, young Katikati wiz Louie Campbell, Brendan McCarthy, Soren Olsen, Lady Leopard and more. Elsewhere you can hear Electric Universe, The Shirleybyrds, Anthony Coulter, Stones In The Ocean, Max Headroom, Steve Wright and a host of others.

Tickets are $20 for the first one and $30 for each of the others and obviously they run for many hours, kicking off at midday. Check out the events' Facebook page for full details.

More music

And on to the new album... I only got it yesterday so a review will have to wait. It is Heart To Heart by EmRiver who recently played local support for UK guitar virtuoso Ken Nicol and plays flute, glockenspiel, guitar, djembe, melodica and more as well as writing the songs and singing them.

OK. Last thing. That bluesman I mentioned. He's all the way from British Columbia, the western-most province of Canada and is well worth seeing in concert.

Joel is both a terrific guitarist and singer, and a most entertaining raconteur. He plays a mix of blues and folk music, moving between his own instrumentals and blues favourites from America's southern states. As far as the guitar goes he plays finger-picking slide on a resonator guitar and has won more than a few awards for it, including a Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Instrumental Album. He's also been nominated for both a Juno and a couple of Canadian Folk Music Awards and has had his music featured in various TV shows.

Most of all though, he's an engaging and dynamic life performer whom I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. You'll find him at the Historic Village's Jam Factory on Friday, February 28. Tickets are $20 from Events Pronto (or the door if you're very lucky).