JASON SETNYK
Two sold-out benefit concerts by Cornwall-born musician Graham Greer filled Cline House Gallery with music and laughter, raising funds for the downtown arts space while drawing fans from across Eastern Ontario, Quebec, New York State, and beyond.
The intimate performances featured a mix of new material, solo acoustic arrangements, stories from Greer’s career, and familiar songs from Barstool Prophets, the 1990s rock band that helped put Cornwall on Canada’s alternative music map.
The original concert sold out within roughly 48 hours, prompting organizers to add a second show. Fans travelled from Ottawa, Montreal, Kitchener, and New York State to attend the performances. “When people come from the States, Kitchener, Montreal, London (Ontario), and all over, it’s amazing,” Greer said. “The London, England ones couldn’t make it,” he added with a smile.
The concerts also highlighted Greer’s return to recording after a lengthy gap between releases. The singer-songwriter said he is currently working on a new solo album, which he hopes to release a bit later this year.
“I figured 17 years was enough,” he said. “I’m recording right now to try and get an album out by the end of the summer.”
Greer said the project’s working title is Muster Point and described the music as reflective of the current moment.
“It’s like a salve for the times,” he said. “I think the album’s going to be called Muster Point because it’s going to be a point where people gather.”
The performances included eight or nine new songs mixed with older material, including several Barstool Prophets favourites.
“If I didn’t play some of those songs, the fans who were coming from far and wide would riot,” Greer joked.
Formed in Cornwall in 1989, Barstool Prophets gained national recognition during the 1990s with songs including “Paranoia,” “Mankindman,” and “Friend of Mine.” Signed to Mercury Records, the band toured extensively with acts such as Our Lady Peace, Big Sugar, and The Tea Party before disbanding in 1999. Reunion performances and continued fan support have helped maintain the band’s strong following decades later.
The weekend performances also marked another milestone in Greer’s return to regular live shows following hearing-related issues that at one point left him uncertain about performing again.
“There was so much uncertainty at one point as to whether or not I’d be able to sing in tune again,” Greer said. “The first time I was back with the new earpieces, I was petrified. I hadn’t had stage fright since I was probably 12 years old.”
Now comfortable performing again, Greer said the experience has renewed his appreciation for live music and smaller venues like Cline House Gallery.
“I arted it up a little bit by dragging in a bunch of mannequins and lighting them up,” he said, referring to the unusual stage setup created for the shows. “Just to give people something else to look at besides me.”
The mannequin-filled stage design added to the gallery atmosphere and reflected the artistic setting of the performances.
Operated in partnership with the City of Cornwall, Cline House Gallery serves as a community-focused arts space supporting exhibitions, workshops, and cultural programming. Funds raised from the concerts will support ongoing gallery programming and operations.
The events also received support from Nicholas Seguin Creative, which handled sound production, and Rurban Brewing, which provided local beverages for attendees.
Greer hinted that additional Barstool Prophets news may be coming later this year.
“There’s some Barstool announcements coming probably for September in Ottawa,” he said.
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