Capital Professional’s Open Mic is music to the ears for Big Brothers Big Sisters

“There’s so much talent in this city, it’s amazing any work gets done,” organizer Ted Carty joked on stage at the Rainbow Bistro on Friday as musician after musician wowed the crowd at the 3rd edition of the Capital Professional’s Open Mic (CAPO).

The four-hour event featured live performances by folks who hold down a variety of regular jobs, including chief executive roles, while also embracing their artistic side as singers, songwriters and musicians. They performed to a sold-out audience that included supporters of beneficiary Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa.

While final numbers are not yet in, the event raised more than $12,000. A digital broadcast of the event was provided by iSiLIVE with a donation link, and is available on the iSiLIVE ROKU channel as well as here.

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Sponsors were the Railway Association of Canada, Kelly Santini LLP, seoplus+ and 100 Men Who Care Ottawa. Leaders from the music sector in attendance included Erin Benjamin, president and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association, and Colin Mills from Algonquin College’s program for music industry students.

The show was curated by Carty, who, along with being an independent business development consultant, is a respected singer-songwriter within the Ottawa music scene.

Local recording artist and record label owner Tara Shannon agreed to help host the show when asked by BBBSO board member Carrie Irvine, founder and CEO of Carrie Irvine Communications. The non-profit organization is led by executive director Susan Ingram while its board its chaired by former city councillor Keith Egli, both of whom were there that night.

Shannon, a long-time ambassador for BBBSO, reminded the audience how every dollar raised that night would help the organization match children and youth with volunteer mentors who can serve as friends and positive role models. “I encourage you to give a little bit tonight if you can,” said Shannon, who hadn’t planned on singing but, due to repeated requests, treated the room to an a capella number. Shannon was headed to Nashville today to finish up her next big album.

There was a surprise performance by Irvine, accompanied by Carty. They worked together to make the third edition of CAPO after she “cornered him” at the last CAPO and asked him if he’d host the next one for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He agreed.

Calian Group CEO and guitarist Kevin Ford played that night with his band Split 312. He got a special mention from Carty for his major role in helping to rescue the Rainbow Bistro. A number of business leaders “banded” together to save the legendary live music venue, located in the ByWard Market, when it was facing hard financial times during the pandemic.

Ford was joined on stage by his son, Skyler Ford on drums, while eldest son, Cody Lee Ford, a professional guitarist with progressive metal band Soen, proudly watched from the crowd. It was a memorable night, with people dancing, singing along and just simply letting loose. “I just want to say what a pleasure it is to be here with you tonight,” Ford told everyone.

Split 312’s setlist included a Jeff Healey song. The Canadian artist was among the many to have graced the stage at the Rainbow over the years. 

Highlights included Split 312 singer Donna Logan’s performance of Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know. She nailed it, and left Carty thoroughly impressed. “That sounded way better than I thought it was going to be, I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to lie,” he said, describing her performance as “incredible” and “wonderful”.

The show was divided into three parts: original music, cover songs and music bands. The evening ended on a rousing note as all the artists were invited to return to the stage to perform a finale: Bachman-Turner-Overdrive’s Taking Care of Business — a classic Canadian rock song.

The official lineup of bands also featured Tyler Cochrane and Friends, the Knight Tones and Any Good Reason. As well, the crowd enjoyed performances by Real Strategy Advisors CEO Darren Fleming,  Ottawa city councillor Sean Devine (Knoxdale-Merivale), Catherine Lindquist (ED of Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization), entrepreneur David Stein, Ottawa lawyer Doug Smyth, and Akash Sinha, director of acquisitions and developments in Ottawa for the Rohit Group of Companies.

Matthew House executive director Allan Reesor-McDowell performed. As did Canadian Armed Forces member Michael Creech, singers Crystalena Paquette, Chantal Hackett and Erica Brighthill, IT specialist Darren McMenemy, Kay Francis and registered nurse April Rick.

Participants were encouraged to briefly introduce themselves and their music. Riaz Mohammed, who performed with his daughter Maya, honoured the memory of a friend with a passion for music who “became part of the cosmos” almost two years ago. 

“Jim [Weiler] was kind, compassionate, empathetic and loving — all the things I think we need more of,” said Mohammed. “He encouraged me to play more, and so that’s part of the reason why I’ve taken the challenge and come up here for my first time to play live.”

He humorously launched into the first few lines of Burt Bacharach’s saccharine song “What the World Needs Now” before switching to their intended musical choice, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, by Queen.

Carty announced plans to host a CAPO 4 in the fall, and instructed folks to register through the website, capomusic.ca.