Jonas is featured performing live and in interview alongside Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, Colin James and James Cotton as part of the new Downchild documentary entitled “Flip Flop & Fly 40th Years of the Downchild Blues Band” that premiers nationally on TMN and HBO Canada this Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 6:25 Pm EST.
In the late 60’s Donnie Walsh and his brother Richard “Hock” Walsh imported blues music from the United States to Canada and introduced Canadians to this passionate and infectious music. Forty years, 19 albums, countless live performances and numerous awards later, Downchild remains the top live blues band in Canada, regularly selling out concerts throughout the country and around the world.
Their influence on a whole new generation of young Canadian musicians cannot be overstated: Jeff Healey, Colin James, and Amanda Marshall are but a few who were influenced by Donnie’s blues tradition. In the U.S. his contribution remains timeless: Donnie and his brother, the late Hock Walsh, were the inspiration behind Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s iconic film The Blues Brothers. Says Aykroyd, “There would be no Blues Brothers if it wasn’t for Downchild.” In fact, two Downchild original songs, “I Have Everything I Need (Almost)” and “Shotgun Blues” appear on The Blues Brothers multi-platinum soundtrack “Briefcase Full of Blues.” Donnie and Dan’s longtime friendship is based on mutual respect and their lifelong passion for blues music as both tirelessly continue to spread the word.
Narrated by Aykroyd, Flip Flop & Fly captures “once in a lifetime” live footage of Downchild’s sold out 40th Anniversary performance last fall at Massey Hall in Toronto and tells the story of the band’s incredible journey through interviews with members past and present, archival interviews, vintage film footage and band rarities from inception to present day. Friends, fans, music journalists and musicians all add their memories, providing added perspective on the amazing journey of Downchild. Also included: never-before-seen footage of the late Jeff Healey in performance with Downchild.
For further details, check out https://www.themovienetwork.ca/specials-docs
Trailer:
Flip Flop & Fly: 40 Years of the Downchild Blues Band from Scarlett Street on Vimeo.
