There has never been any non-musician more significant to the Halifax music scene and, in many ways, the East Coast live music industry as a whole, than Rob Cohn.
Well said and thank you for keeping this story alive. I was fortunate to hear Rob speak several years ago at a memorial for the late great Dutch Mason, a true pioneer of the NS music scene. In his own words, he stated he created the East Coast Music Association to bring recognition to and promote artists like Dutch Mason, Matt Minglewood, Sam Moon, etc. , who were out there forging the way and making things happen when there was no scene.
Wow, what a great piece, John. Rob was a force to be reckoned with. I remember at the time being befuddled by the lack of respect he was getting from management at Q104 (who I was with then). They seemed to afraid of his volatility to actually climb aboard the idea of an award show. But Andy Gillis and I took Rob up on his offer of three flats of beer to host that first show. (Three EACH, or did we each get one and split the third?? I can’t remember…) And while that first night at the Flamingo was small in scale, it was a loud ‘n’ proud night, attended by many of the area’s best … Minglewood acknowledged Dutchie’s lifetime of achievement, Sarah returned to regale us with a few tunes from her first album. There was even a cover-band award sponsored by a hair product. Hey, it was the 80s and it was a start. The next year it was in a bigger venue and Myles came to perform. Within another year or two, a slight name change and CBC carried it on National TV. Pretty damn good, Rob Cohn.
Thanks for reminding everyone John.
Well said and thank you for keeping this story alive. I was fortunate to hear Rob speak several years ago at a memorial for the late great Dutch Mason, a true pioneer of the NS music scene. In his own words, he stated he created the East Coast Music Association to bring recognition to and promote artists like Dutch Mason, Matt Minglewood, Sam Moon, etc. , who were out there forging the way and making things happen when there was no scene.
Wow, what a great piece, John. Rob was a force to be reckoned with. I remember at the time being befuddled by the lack of respect he was getting from management at Q104 (who I was with then). They seemed to afraid of his volatility to actually climb aboard the idea of an award show. But Andy Gillis and I took Rob up on his offer of three flats of beer to host that first show. (Three EACH, or did we each get one and split the third?? I can’t remember…) And while that first night at the Flamingo was small in scale, it was a loud ‘n’ proud night, attended by many of the area’s best … Minglewood acknowledged Dutchie’s lifetime of achievement, Sarah returned to regale us with a few tunes from her first album. There was even a cover-band award sponsored by a hair product. Hey, it was the 80s and it was a start. The next year it was in a bigger venue and Myles came to perform. Within another year or two, a slight name change and CBC carried it on National TV. Pretty damn good, Rob Cohn.