Musician insists on is making jams all-ages affairs

“It just tends to be the place to drop in,” says local singer/rhythm guitarist Jim Pushie, of his band Saltwater’s hot Thursday night jam at Ballada (1125 Dundas St. E.).
On any given Thursday, this laid-back jam attracts anyone from local phenoms like singer Chris Ning (runner-up in the Mississauga Future Star competition) and teen bassist Greg Appland, right through to L.A.-based players such as guitarists Mladen, Mike Key (ex-Nelly Furtado Band) and drummer Randy Cooke (Ringo Starr Band!).
The host players themselves are no slouches, with Pushie joined by lead guitarist/vocalist Carmen Lamont, Chris McNeill (ex-Glass Tiger) on drums and Doug Elash on bass.    
They’ve found a special talent in hosting jams, where they kick off the night with three or four songs and then start calling up the players. Somehow it all works in this Polish bar, where there’s a dining room, games room, 25 cent wings and patio.  
“The chemistry of a jam is so not to a science yet, whether they go or they don’t,” Pushie says. “We host one hell of a jam, just because we’re personable.”
One thing he insists on is making their jams all-ages affairs.
That reaped fruit last week, when a fine impromptu jam developed between a local 16-year-old lead guitar player named Mike, veteran singer/guitarist Mike Greco (ex-Hotel California) and Lamont’s brother on drums doing rock ‘n' blues like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Pride and Joy, Cream’s Sunshine Of Your Love and Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze.
Pushie founded Saltwater seven years ago. His amenable taste in covers takes in Guns ‘N Roses, Bon Jovi, Rage Against The Machine, Michael Jackson and way more. Lamont (ex-Ryan Malcomb Band, Oklahoma Bomb Squad) joined the group two years back – she does the dance pop of No Doubt one minute, then shreds through Metallica or Green Day the next.
“I just find the people like to let (their) hair loose, so we bring the music right up,” she says.
“It’s an emotional roller coaster,” Pushie adds. “By the end of the night we’re exhausted.”
They gigged all last week in Sudbury. This week, they’re in Turkey Point (near Dover).
“We’re 100 per cent fully booked,” Pushie says. “I’m having to turn (club owners) down, man.”
Pushie just released a country album, under the name, Jamie Mitchell (co-produced with McNeill). It bears much the same catchy mainstream feel as anything he plays.
“You know what? Country is rock and roll for 25 years now,” he muses.
Likewise, Lamont reports, "Hopefully, soon I’ll be releasing my CD, too. It’s on the harder side of my tastes.”
Show time is 9:30 p.m.
On the town Wednesday, the Enfield Fox (285 Enfield Place) launches its grand reopening with the appearance of a familiar face, the Tom Barlow Band, which will be hosting a weekly Wednesday night jam. The Mississauga resident, and former Sony Music recording artist and Juno nominee, spent several years as host of the Fox’s previous, long-running Monday night jam. He more than capably braves anything from The Doors to Elvis Costello to Tom Petty, while throwing in a few from his promising original band, The Beautiful Unknown.
On the town Thursday night: Chris Partland continues his residency at Cuchulainn’s; Kimberly Wetmore Band jams at AppleJacks.
Friday: Shakin’ Not Stirred rocks Abbey Road; Band 9 lights up Lucy’s; Ronnie and the Corvairs return to Caven’s Alley Bar; Midtown appears at Lake Affect; Dean Gray jams at Trojan’s; Sean Pinchin plays lap steel guitar at Mosquito Grill; Christian Kennerney solos at the Cock and Pheasant.
Friday and Saturday, it’s Liquid at On The Curve, Bang at West 50, Jay Douglas at Snug Harbour, A Is A at Failte, Sonny Boy Mick at The Harp.
Saturday: Mama Kin pays tribute to Aerosmith at Roc ‘N Doc’s.
Sunday: Kevin Phillips & Mulligan’s Stew do their weekly gig at Mulligan’s; Phil & John do the same at Misty Moon Café (8 p.m.); Jay Douglas Band checks back into Sydney’s Island; Reno solos at Karma.
Tuesday: Chris Smith plays jazz and rock at Ten.
onlinenews@mississauga.net