The Spoons headline “The Long Road Back” event

Sep 1, 2022

Legendary Burlington band, long-time broadcaster, team up for Halton mental health fundraiser

In 1980, an intrepid young band from Burlington made “Spoons” a different kind of household word.

The Spoons, still featuring the original members Gord Deppe and Sandy Horne, made their mark, with hits including “Nova Heart”, “Romantic Traffic”, “Old Emotions” and “Tell No Lies”.

Their album “Arias & Symphonies” would go on to be named one of the 20 Most Influential Albums of The 80’s by “the Chart” Magazine.

Now, The Spoons are coming home, to the Burlington Performing Arts Center, to help in the fight against mental health stigma on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. “The Long Road Back,” is a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Branch.

“We are so honoured to return to our home town and be part of this very important night,” Deppe said.

“Our mental health may well be one of the biggest casualties of the pandemic. We’ve seen it affect those around us; from the ones we love to those who have fought hard to keep us safe. We need to join together and fight this other, silent pandemic, at a time when we need each other more than ever.”

Also featured on this event is special guest Michelle Titian of the Drive Foundation, an advocate of mental health awareness and solutions along with being a talented singer/songwriter in her own right.

Michelle is about to tour both as a panellist and performing artist through Europe in August/September to spread the word about recovery and healing through music.

Special Guest Marshall Potts had recent success with airplay in the UK on his latest album ‘The Storm’ with various single cuts garnering attention. About to tour Ontario and Quebec in October, the Marshall Potts Band is also lending their support for this important event.

The host of this special evening, is long-time Hamilton broadcaster, Ted Michaels.

In October 2014, he created, and hosted, a new radio show, dealing with mental health, called #WellnessWednesdays. That series won a National Champions of Mental Health Award, which was presented in Ottawa by the Governor General in May, 2015.

“This event is the culmination of two years of work,” Michaels said,

“As someone who suffers from anxiety, I wanted to share my story, because many people suffer in silence and don’t know where to turn. Guests on my show all shared stories of the fear and anxiety that COVID caused, and the problems that remain. People need to know those feelings are common and there is help out there.

It’s the start of The Long Road Back to any sense of normalcy as we know it, and I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

“During the pandemic, many people came to experience for themselves, the key challenges of mental health issues, like isolation, loss of purpose, a thinning of social networks and unexplainable feelings,” says Rashaad Vahed, CEO of CMHA Halton.

“For the first time, many people felt a brush with their own mental health stresses. We are grateful to Ted Michaels supporting our community’s ‘Long Road Back’ to wellness. Ted has been an incredible advocate in bringing greater attention to wellness and mental health.”

Tickets at $69.50, are now on sale. They can be purchased at the Burlington Performing Arts Center, 440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario,
https://burlingtonpac.ca/events/the-long-road-back/https://burlingtonpac.ca/events/the-long-road-back/ or by telephone 905-681-6000. Special group rates available.

Do you know a first responder that goes beyond regular duties? Nominate them for the chance to win the VIP treatment at “The Long Road Back”! More info: https://tinyurl.com/57mzep7f