Kevin Bulmer of London, Ontario, is set to release a three-song CD to raise awareness and money for WAMBO (Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing). An official CD Release event is being held on board Macassa Bay Boat Tours out of Sarnia on Sunday, July 29. The CD will also be available at WAMBO, where Bulmer will perform the songs, along with several others, on the Friday night (August 10) and Saturday afternoon (August 11) of the event.

The release of the CD, entitled “I Remember,” marks the completion of a project that began when Bulmer wrote a song about WAMBO in 2003. The effort picked up steam in February of this year after Bulmer met with WAMBO Chair Chip Gordon and Al Mann, a local author and historian. In addition to the original song, titled “Wallaceburg,” Bulmer has since written and recorded two others for the project (“Glass” and “I Remember”).

“I felt like maybe I could do something on behalf of my family that would make a bit of a difference,“ Bulmer said. “Chip and Al immediately understood where I was coming from and it has been a wonderful privilege to work with each of them. I hope and expect that the promotion and performance of these songs will show positive results for WAMBO and for Wallaceburg.”

Bulmer has deep family roots in the town. His great-grandfather, Edward Hystead, whose photo and profile are on display at the new Glass Gallery museum exhibit, was a worker in the early years at the glass factory. Kevin’s father, John Bulmer, is in the sports Hall of Fame with two different teams while his grandfather, Murray Newkirk – a one-time Executive of the Wallaceburg Kiltie Band – is still in town, now in his nineties.

“I think it would be fair to say that my Grandpa Newkirk started all this without really intending to,” Bulmer said. “He loves this community. Being an enthusiast of all the river traffic, he is intensely proud of WAMBO. And for me, it (WAMBO) is the best current example I’ve seen of why he loves this place so much, as it tells us a great deal about the way the town once was, what it still is and what it can be again. It’s a shame that, physically, attending WAMBO is out of the question for him now. So I thought I’d see what I could do.”

With the support of Gordon and Mann, the project quickly gained momentum.

“I learned quickly that I’d have to work hard to keep up as long as Chip Gordon was involved,” Bulmer laughed. “He and I have just begun discussing where we might be able to make the CD available for sale in town. We hope to have that confirmed and announced by the time WAMBO gets here.”

Mann has provided the photography used for the artwork on the CD insert from his Mann Historical Files. “There are some absolutely incredible photos in his collection,” said Bulmer. “It is exceedingly generous of Al to donate his time, expertise and images to this effort. I’m entirely grateful.”

Some people in Wallaceburg have already heard two of the songs, as Bulmer performed “I Remember” and “Glass” at the opening ceremonies for the new Glass Gallery exhibit at the Wallaceburg and District Museum in June.

Joining Bulmer on the CD and for live performances is Dave Cook of Sarnia, a lead guitar player who has been working professionally since the 1980’s. Though he’s had an extensive and varied career, Cook’s musical resume is highlighted by his trip to Liverpool, England where he played at the renowned Matthew Street Festival in 2004. At the event, Cook performed on stage in the Cavern Club, made famous by the Beatles and their regular gigs there during the band’s hey day.

Cook’s latest pursuit is to help Bulmer and lend his talents to the Wallaceburg project.

“When Kevin called, I thought it would be a chance to work with a very talented vocalist and songwriter and to create something that is truly original,” Cook said. “I think the combination of both musicians will help to raise it to a level to where the songs are really something special. I know it’s very important to Kevin to represent Wallaceburg as professionally as he can and I’m glad I’m involved.”

The CD was recorded at KG Productions in London over several sessions in June and early July and is being released by CPT Entertainment Inc.

A portion of the proceeds of the disc, funded by Bulmer and CPT Entertainment Inc., will go directly to the WAMBO committee to put toward future events.

“We know that the 20th anniversary is coming up next year,” Bulmer said of WAMBO. “We’d like to help, at least a little, to make that a celebration like the town has never seen. We’ll do our best.”

Further details on the project, as well as the Macassa Bay CD release event, are available online at www.kevinbulmer.com.