The quest for the Guinness Book of Records Longest Concert by Multiple Artists crown continues unabated at the Earl of Whitchurch in Stouffville Ontario. The concert started Mar 17 2017 with a goal of running until at least Apr 2, and perhaps beyond. The Earl has its dukes up and is going for the win.
Heather Cook-Scala, along with open mic host Kevin Ker of the Epidemic Music Group, are behind the Earl’s record book attempt. To accommodate the rules required by Guinness the entire event must be recorded on video so with the help of a local security surveillance company a camera has been set up to film but also live-stream the concert. The Earl now holds the World Record for longest live-streamed event.
Kelly Jamieson & THE Keepers
Cook-Scala says the line-up for the Stouffville concert, (which is also a fundraiser for several charities including the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund), is almost all local musicians from the Whitchurch-Stouffville area. But artists from Durham Region and the GTA have signed up or dropped by. Stephen Stanley of Lowest of the Low, came by to perform Mar 24.
Stanley says he was most impressed with the community Ker has built in the area.
“Beyond a really great reaction from all the folks there to our set, what struck me was the massive sense of community that Kev is fostering. Everyone I talked to is pulling in the same direction and having a fantastic time in doing it. Setting the record will be gravy on top of all the good will and community that has been created. Chris Bennett and I were absolutely honoured to play a very small part in this huge endeavour,” he says.
As the concert rocks and rolls towards its goal organizers are saying more nationally known musicians are expected to show up. The organisers also are hoping to seal the world record deal at the same time Canada’s is celebrating its national record industry at the annual JUNO awards being held in Ottawa Apr 2 with a possible tie-in. But even without celebrity endorsement the entire event has galvanised the area’s music and business community.
George Bigelow, owner of the Earl of Whitchurch Pub
“The support has been one of the most amazing parts of this attempt,” says Cook-Scala. “We knew people would come out but being smalltown, Stouffville has really taking ownership of us. They have formed almost a protective community around us. So we have a tribe of people who show up at four in the morning. They literally won’t leave, they bring us food, they bring us toiletries, they stay until they know with absolute certainty we are ok.”
Cook-Scala, Ker, the volunteers, musicians and staff too are staying until they are absolutely certain they have the record.