Alan's From the Road

2008

Tour Diary - December 19, 2008 - Home

Hey

GBS had a grand gig at drop-in center known as the Gathering Place here in St. John’s.  This facility provides support, recreation, and meals to folks in need.  A couple of days back, they were having their Christmas Party and they asked us to come and play for the celebration.  

It was a great day and all hands left feeling in the spirit of the season.

Local CBC showed up and took some cool video, which you can now watch online here. 

You’ll see Sean, Bob, and myself and if you wait till the 3:48 mark you’ll see a couple of special guests who shared the stage with us.  You can call them Jean and Tom.  I call them Mom and Dad.

Have a great holiday season everybody.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - December 5, 2008 - WestJet Flight 682 (Vancouver-Toronto)

Another tour bites the dust.  I’ve been sitting here for an hour or so, trying to estimate how many shows we’ve done since the launch of the Fortune’s Favour CD back in June.  I recall setting out on the promo run and playing several shows in the pubs in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax for a handful of folks.  I also recall the weekend in that took us from Quebec City through Ottawa to the Molson Amphitheatre that had us play for more than 50, 000 people in just three days.   We managed to weather the storms in Ohio that forced thousands of homes into darkness, while the billboard for the Nokia Theatre lit up Times Square in Manhattan with the band’s name and photo.

I’d have to check the books to give an accurate count of appearances, including radio programs, sound check concerts, etc. that we’ve done since June, but it would be well over a hundred.  Fun stuff.  Many thanks.

Truth be told, we’re not yet done this tour.  Still on the agenda is a Charity gig in Toronto for Daffodil Place.  Comedienne Mary Walsh will join us on Saturday night to hopefully raise over 100k for a worthy cause.  After the Christmas break, we hope to play a few shows in the Deep South of the US before and after the BNL Cruise.  March is slated to be quite busy as well with a date or two in Chicago, and a few shows in Atlantic Canada and Southern Ontario and Quebec with Spirit of the West as guests.  That run ends with a date at the Hockey Rink in the Canadian Capital with what should truly be the last show of the Fortunate Tour.

Looking forward to going home, but have a few wee things on the go before I can hug the Prince in person.  I’ll have to rely on Skype kisses for a few more days, as I’ve got to nip down to LA for couple of meetings and should be back on the Rock by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.  Should be home for a month straight at least before the next journey abroad.

The little TV screen on the seat back in front of me shows the wildly out of scale white airplane turning over more than two thirds of Southern Ontario on a tiny map of the country.  If this illustration could be trusted, I would be a bout three kilometers tall and this laptop would be the size of a hockey rink.  All inaccuracies aside, this means the plane is landing and we’ll be in T.O. any moment.

Many thanks to all hands for coming out to the shows.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - December 1, 2008 - Calgary (Hotel Lobby)

Rode overnight from Edmonton to Calgary on the bus last night, which should wind up my moving sleeps for this tour, and for the foreseeable future.  Bit of a bittersweet departure, actually, as I love the convenience of the bus and having your stuff close to the gig at all times.  That said, two days in posh hotels in each of Calgary and Vancouver sounds pretty appealing after rolling around North America since August.

Feeling a little fatigued, I confess.  Fatigued in ways that are new to me. The pipes are a bit strained after many shows in a row, but I’m well used to the honey-tea and Thayer’s lozenges that come with the sixth show in as many days.  Today, my right shoulder hurts and the first finger and thumb on my right hand are tender from gripping the guitar pick, I suppose.  Must be getting old.

GBS has enjoyed a few spectacular nights in the last week.  Every show Sold Out since Thunder Bay, including a rammed Jubilee Theater in Edmonton last night.  At almost 2600 seats, the Jubilee could very well be a hockey rink. 

Really enjoyed Murray’s Johnny Cash cover in Regina, and loved singing ‘She Ain’t Pretty’ in Saskatoon, myself.  Had a few good jogs with Sean and Murray at different points, but my favourite run was a solo effort that found me a new friend.

I left the theatre in Regina and started around what I later learned was the Wascana Lake.  It is bordered by a dandy trail that snakes through the woods and meadows that surround the water.  All was normal on my solitary jog and had brought myself to the middle of nowhere when I rounded a corner and was met with a small worried looking face of a wee beast.  There in the snow, looking rather chilled and nervous was a brown and white terrier type dog who seemed eager to have someone come along.

I stopped and said my usual greeting for animals, which are not that different from my conversations with people, by the way.  The pooch was very receptive and I decided to do the jog test, to see if she was interested in following, or had her own agenda for the day.  Indeed she followed and continually ran ten steps ahead of me, turned around and sat to face me and occasionally stood on her hind paws ever so slightly.  My years as a dog owner has taught me that this is canine speak for “I’m friggin’ lost.  Please pick me up.”

I obliged her and offered a few words of encouragement and had a look at her nametag that some responsible owner had secured to the dog’s collar.  “Angel”, flowed by a street address and a phone number.  I brushed Angel off and laid her back down and re-tried the jog test with the same results.  Since there was not a house to be seen for miles, I concluded that she would be hard pressed to find her way home and might benefit from a courtesy call to the owners.

I had my cell phone on me and dialed the number.  A younger male voice answered and I said something ill advised in what must have sounded dognapper-esque like, “I have your dog…” or something 24ish like that.   The young fella seemed confused and a little scared and whispered, “I’m gonna get my Mom.”

By the time the lady came to the phone I had managed to adjust my tone and politely explained the situation and that I’d gladly lead Angel to the Tour Bus and she could be retrieved whenever was convenient.  She was very grateful and said that she’d meet me at the bus momentarily.

Me and Angel finished our lap of the lake and had a few bonding moments on the GBS Bus.  Kris snapped a shot.

 

Shortly thereafter, a relieved lady came and Angel seemed very excited to see her.  They left and went on their way.  I must say, I was kind of sad to see her go.  She was great company for while.  I felt lucky to come across her.

Currently in the lobby of a schmancy hotel and the front desk ladies have given me a key to my room.  A few more shows till we rest.

Hope to get sent another Angel or two.  T’is the Season after all.

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Tour Diary - November 27, 2008 - Winnipeg, Manitoba (MTC Center)

Please tell me someone got video or pics of the Streaker last night.  Yes, I’m serious, full frontal classic streaking.  For those of you who were not at the gig in Thunder Bay last night, I am referring to the dude who, during the last few choruses of “Consequence Free” (quite appropriate choice for streaking, I figure) bolted from somewhere to Stage Murray, whipped across to Stage Sean, paused for a moment to wiggle his dangly bits, then disappeared in to the theater and out the back doors.  I am told by the building staff that he escaped all security efforts to detain him by making it to the back of the theatre where he grabbed a cardboard box from a dumpster, slid his feet through the bottom and dashed to the neighboring woods. 

He came into our lives like a child in his birthday suit, then Poof, like a fleck of goose down on a windy day, he was gone. Total and perfect execution of textbook shock entertainment. I never got to meet this wonderfully silly bastard, but he will live in my heart and giggles forever.

Rock on, Streaker Dude, Rock On.

Here’s a couple of plugs, if you don’t mind.   Myself and Murray went to see a play called “Festen” in Toronto last weekend.  It stars our friend Allan Hawco, who many of you would recognize as the pouty dude in the Clearest Indication video, along with an All Star cast of Canadian talent.  Eric Peterson, from Corner Gas, and Nicholas Campbell, from DaVinci’s Inquest are just two of the folks who’ll most likely bring you to your feet if you check out the show.  It’s a cool and different theatre experience where the house lights stay up for the whole show and the staging very cleverly takes you from room to room, and night to day with no physical changes to note. 

Really heavy subject matter, but a moving show that you won’t soon forget.  It runs at the Berkeley Street Theatre till December 13th.  All the info is available at CompanyTheatre.ca.

And congrats to our Mr. Foster on the launch of his new green business venture Platypus’.  He and his co-horts offer specialized e-cards for Christmas and other occasions that send well wishes, but more importantly explain that the sender has made a donation to Carbon Offsetting companies by purchasing this greeting.  Happy folks get a card from a friend, which is cool, and companies that re-plant forests, research green fuels and the like, get a donation, which is very cool.  Check it out at Platypus-Cards.com.

Good Luck with the whole deal Mr. Foster.  May the world will be greener for your efforts.

Big gig tonight.  Back into the land of Rink Rock.    Here’s what the MTC in Winnipeg looks like at 9am on a show day.

That’s a lot of seats.  Plus hundreds more go on the floor.  And they are all sold. 

Let’s not suck tonight.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary- November 26, 2008 - WestJet Flight 425 (YYT-YYZ)

Don’t often fly WestJet, as they still don’t have as many flights as their competitors in and out of Newfoundland.  Somehow, Westjet has done the seemingly impossible.  They have made Airplane travel simple.  You show up, you get on the plane, you pay the fare they ask, and they drive you to the agreed destination in a clean and safe vehicle.  That’s pretty much it.  Everyone’s happy.  No big promises, no big expectations, no big letdowns. 

Had a very enjoyable couple of days home.  However brief, it is such a luxury to dash back to your own bed, wash your clothes and most of all, and spend time with the family.

Back to the gigs today with a big and busy period ahead.  The long journey West has us performing 8 two-set shows in 9 days, followed by a long flight back to Toronto for a big Charity event.  More about that later. 

For now all hands are focused on delivering our best to some of our most devoted fans in North America.  Folks from cities like Winnipeg and Saskatoon have been on the GBS bandwagon since day one and I can’t wait to show my appreciation for their years of dedication with a great show.  We’ve played some of our biggest shows in the Peg and look forward to dancing in the new(ish) Rink.

Speaking of Rink Rock, what a run we had last week in Southern Ontario.  Without delving too far into to the numbers and particulars, suffice it to say GBS enjoyed one of the biggest weeks in our history as Kingston, Kitchener, and Oshawa, gave us sold out hockey rinks approaching 12,000 fans in those four nights.  Add a near sell out in the Barrie Rink and a standing room only crowd in the Hamilton Theater, and you’ve got one hell of a week under your belt.  All tolled, GBS played for just under 20,000 people in six days last week.  (The sixth show, by the way was a private function for the Ontario Truckers Convention…pretty big gig as well).

That’s some serious numbers for a band in its fifteenth year. 

Many Thanks to all who came to share the night, with a slight thank-you point’s deduction dealt to the gals in Hamilton who decided to use the stage as their posing platform for their Facebook page, or whatever.  I confess I find folks sitting on the stage during the show and facing the audience while their friends fumble with cameras and flashes, to be a tad distracting.  I have a hard enough time remembering the words and chords as it is.  

My attention span is just too…hey look pretzels.

Looking forward to another big week on the aptly named Fortunate Tour.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary- November 17, 2008 - St. John’s Airport

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Tour Diary- November 1, 2008 - Portland, Maine (On the Bus)

How do you follow Great Big Sea Day?  Seriously, by official proclamation of His Worship Bob Kiss, Friday, October 31st, 2008, was Great Big Sea Day in Burlington, Vermont.

C’mon.  That’s pretty friggin’ cool.

Bit of a day filled with mixed emotions, really.  Beautiful weather, lovely city, effectively a sold out show on GBS Day, and I was dying to go home.  I’ve had my share of tinges of homesickness but I can honestly say, for the first time in my professional career, I would have cancelled a big show to fly home yesterday to join the Halloweening.

Spent the whole day Skyping home and receiving emailed photos of my son Henry and all the neighbourhood kids in full regalia.  They were having a ball and I wanted to be there so bad that it actually hurt. 

By late afternoon, I decided to go for a run to clear my head and get myself in the right frame of mind to do the concert justice.  Mistake.  I ended up getting lost and by dusk I found myself in a residential area where dozens of Dad’s led their little Thomas the Tank Engines and Pirates and such around by hand as they Trick or Treated up and down the perfect fall Vermont streets.  Jaysus, it was depressing. I ran to the end of one perfect Halloween scene and in an effort to discretely get away, I smacked right into some post on the corner.  To make a bad situation worse, I look up to see what has clobbered me, and it was a sign that read “Henry St.” 

Wow, I should be home.

On the way back to the Theatre with night coming on, I ran down the pedestrian high street.  It is one of the nicer ones in the US, lined with shops and pubs, and swarming with all kinds of folks with their Friday faces on.  Each block of the high street is divided from the next by a crossing street for cars.  The walkers are protected from roaming onto the middle of the cross street and into the path of oncoming vehicular traffic by lovely black cast iron posts connected by a dark grey chains that are clearly visible in the daylight hours.  But not so visible to depressed folksingers in the dark.

At full romp, I took one of the chains right around the middle of the thigh and went flying into the crossing street and landed about a meter in front of a moving Police Car.  Luck for me Burlington’s Finest, are sharper than me and hit the brakes before making tire food out of yours truly.

They jumped from the car and very reasonably assumed that I was drunk.  When they asked if I’d been drinking, I replied,

“Not yet Officer, but that sounds like a good idea.”

Thankfully, the show went very well.  Sang ‘Testify’, a tune I wrote with Russell Crowe for the first time ever.   Cool tune.

Had a few pints with audio guy Steve for his 40th and watched drunken college kids in all kinds of foolish and suggestive costume.  They must have hammered to put on some of those get-ups…though, despite hours of observation, I saw not one of them trip up in the dark grey chain.

Great Big Sea Day indeed.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - October 30, 2008 - South Orange, New Jersey (On the Bus)

So far South Orange reminds me of one of those dandy English Commuter towns where people ride the train for a half hour or so to and from the big city each day.  Had breakfast right around the corner form the gig, which actually sits right under the Train Station, just like I remember in many towns just outside the city, limits of Greater London.  Perpendicular to the Railway Line, a Main Street (High Street in Britain) runs up a gentle slope and is bordered by small shops like Deli’s, Shoe Repair, Jewelers, and the like.  From first glance, it seems South Orange has bucked the normal North American trends and kept its little downtown intact and I actually see evidence that folks here use the train.  Very positive first impressions.

Today is Thursday, I believe, which means four more shows till we go home.  This leg has been quite successful and all hands are in good spirits, but the cumulative effect of the road two thirds of the time since August are starting to show on the faces around me in the front lounge this morning.  Part of the problem is we’ve come North over night and all hands would rather veg in the front of the bus than put on an extra layer and face the fact that the Fall is all but over up here and Winter is all but upon us.

Not so for McCann, he’s brought running gear for all weather, and he knows that I’ve got some all weather stuff too.  Shite, should not have had such a big breakfast.  Any moment now he’ll say something like, “C’mon Doyle, I saw a dandy park on the way in.”, or something like that and I’ll have to chase him through the woods and folks backyards for the next forty-five minutes.  I would not worry so much except for the alarming fact that dogs often chase us and McCann is much faster than me.  I fear I’ll be the one getting a tetanus shot and stitches later today.

Reminds me of when Sean, my Tri-Athlete buddy Pete, and me went hiking on a day off in Banff.  Pete, the local warned us of the bears and how they could be quite quick on their feet.  I asked if Pete was worried about outrunning a bear, he answered,

“I don’t need to outrun the bear Al, I just need to out run you.”

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - October 26, 2008 - Charlotte, NC (On the Bus)

Beautiful afternoon in Charlotte as the GBS Bus is parked on a textbook American Campus here at Queens University.  Brick Buildings surrounded by well-tended lawns dotted with the earliest leaves to give up the fight against the Fall.  Chased Sean around some of the best-kept homes and gardens I’ve ever seen in the US and wound up in Freedom Park; a city park with a large man made pond, perfect grass, and a dandy amphitheatre that I’d love to play sometime.  The place reminded me of one of the great parks in London, England, albeit much smaller.

This tour has been going very well considering the uncertainty in the US Economy.  Sold Out in Rochester, very big houses in Boston and Baltimore, and a very respectable first appearance in Keene, NH, has spirits and morale fairly high after week one.  A day off in Atlanta tomorrow should buoy us along to get through the week with all systems go.  But you never know.

Do Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Love Hewitt really need Proactiv?  Sorry, but the Satellite TV on the bus has been on the cooking station all day long and every 15 minutes, one of these Hollywood Dolls is schilling this Acne Solution. It has dawned on me to wonder if there is an odd irony at play here.  I’ve never met either of these fine ladies in person, so I’m really just talking shite here, but some cynical part of me suspects neither of the above mentioned gals has had a blemish in her life.  The ‘before’ photos actually look doctored, as if they photo-shopped in pimples on Daisy Duke.  Interesting.

Normally TV Ads make celebrities seem larger than life and perfect, not more flawed.  I’m sure every hair care commercial has doctored the images to make the models look better, not worse.   I find it believable that Tiger Woods drives a Buick and I’ve seen him using Nike Golf balls, but I just can’t picture one of the supermodels noted slathering Proactiv on their perfect cheeks. 

Don’t get me wrong; I don’t blame them for taking the check if indeed they don’t use the stuff.  I’d certainly do the same.  I just find it interesting that the campaign relies on the viewer accepting that these women have had skin issues.

Hoping for good crowd tonight to round off a good week.

Fingers crossed.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - October 22, 2008, 12:33pm - Home

Nice to be home, isn’t it?  The normalcy, the comfort of the most familiar surroundings; its almost peaceful.

Yet, note the date and time noted above.  It’s 12:30PM here, which makes it 11AM in Rochester, NY, where GBS is slated to hit the stage at 8PM.  See the problem?  Not so serene here at the kitchen table in Coastal Newfoundland when the Itinerary says you are supposed to perform in Upstate New York in 9 hours.

And last I checked, we did not have a GBS Jet.   That’s a bit beyond the Folk Band budget.

Environment Canada issued a wind warning yesterday afternoon and we went through our usual poor weather protocol.  This kind of thing is standard procedure if you want to live in Newfoundland and travel for work 12 months a year.  Air Canada usually delays all the flights and Manager Louis and Travel Guru Sheila protect us on other flights and Airlines etc.   All through the evening and into the night and into the morning, all hands booked and rebooked but to little success.  Since 4am, I have been booked on Air Canada, WestJet, Continental, and SunWing.

So far, Mother Nature has shagged the works of them and I am typing from the aforementioned kitchen table.  Molly looks confused.

We were to fly out of YYT at 7AM and meet the bus and lads in Toronto at around 9:30 EST and make the leisurely jaunt across the order for a noon-ish arrival in Rochester.   Everyone made the rendezvous except Sean, Bob, Glen, and myself.  So the bus has rolled on without us and we are hoping the 2:30 SunWing Flight will get us to Toronto by 5PM EST, where we’ll rent a car, and drive some 267 kilometers in rush hour, with a border crossing, in an attempt to make the 8PM curtain call.

Betcha we make it.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - October 11, 2008 - Boise, ID (On The Bus)

Lovely morning in Boise.  There's a definite chill in the Sunny Saturday morning air that exclaims the end of our summer touring. The passersby the bus are covered in thermal wear and woolly hats, and there is not as pair of shorts or t-shirt to be seen. Bring on the Fall.

'Does Summer feel the Winter come'...from Here and Now. That's one of my favourite GBS lyrics; favourite lyrics of all time for that matter. I can brag about it because I did not come up with it. Sean wrote it during our brainstorming sessions for the Fortunes Favour CD. I instantly loved the words and asked Sean what he thought it meant.  He replied something like,

"you know, does Summer feel itself dying, does every flower and plants passing, sting a little. 'Does Summer fell the Winter come'...you know dude, like, does it hurt."

Friggin Cool.

Had a few dandy days treading on new ground in Albuquerque, NM, and Murray, Utah. My wanderlust is still alive and well and I'm thrilled that my job regularly takes me to new destinations. Played golf in both towns with Bob and Murray and Bus Driver JP. Enjoyed the desert and mountain views in the respective towns and met some kind folks by the bus after each show. Many Thanks.

Denver has been one of GBS's biggest US audiences since day one. Amazing that our progress there has been so quick. A couple of nights ago we headlined the Paramount Theatre in Denver. That's the A Room for sure. Next stop after that is the Hockey Rink. Gotta like it. Thanks to all the Denver folks for filling the more than 1400 seats. Hope we can come back to the area in the New Year.

Just getting ready to chase McCann around again. I've been running with, I mean behind, him every other day or so on this tour. Tough to catch him on a normal day, but he looks particularly ready to scoot up and down the River Banks today.

 

Me thinks I’m in for a beating.

Two shows to go.

We'll soon enjoy the charms of our sweethearts and our friends.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - October 6, 2008 - San Luis Obispo (On the Bus)

Currently parked in front of the hotel in downtown San Luis Obispo.  Slept in as late as I possibly could, as last night was our only chance on this tour to sleep in an honest to God bed.  I’ve been fighting the flu since the start of this run and I may have knocked it with this morning’s leisurely rise at 11:30.  It’s been a while since I’ve slept that late, and I confess that I really enjoyed it.

There are those adults who lose their teenage ability to sleep for longer than 7-8 hours in a row.  There are dudes on this bus who wake at 6am; no matter what time they may have burned the midnight oil.  Thankfully, I can still pretty much sleep on a clothesline for as long as is available to me.

Grand gig last night followed by a trip to the pub for sociables.  Thanks to all the kind folks who chatted and offered liquid joy and for keeping me out and entertained.  More thanks to the kind folks who had sense to send me home to the hotel for the much-needed kip.  I am better for your sober judgment.

So far, this day is going as it should.  I had some light food, a big walk about the Cali/Mexican style downtown, and am currently making use of the hotel’s laundry facility to freshen up the wardrobe.
 
How about Kris and Murray’s solo pieces in the previous two concerts?  Talk about raising the bar. Holy Jumpins.  How do we follow that?  What an odd position to find myself in.  I feel cheap singing my own songs following the cool and obscure covers of Richard Thomson and Bob Dylan respectively.  We’ve just instated a “No Repeat” rule, by the way so we have to learn something new each time your turn comes around.   Very cool that that solo slot in the show has done just what I had hoped.  It has made each concert unique, and guarantees that something special happens at every stop on the tour.

Just dashed off to take the clothes out of the washer and dump it into the dryer.  Miracle of miracles; I remembered to not put my good shirts in the dryer!  Holy frig, a good nights sleep can do wonders.

Must go find some good food for the evening meal.  Might be the last meal eaten with a fork for a few days so, lets make it count.

Bus rolls to Tucson tonight.

Rock On.

Cheers
A

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Tour Diary - September 30, 2008 - AC Flight 105 (YYZ-YVR)

How’s this for a lovely photo of Molly with the Historic St. John’s Harbour in the background?

Now, I know what you’re thinking. 

‘Doyle may have lost it and is posting pics of his dog on the Internet.  All politeness aside, this family pic has no place in this forum and Doyle is obviously drinking in the daytime as he types his Blogs.’

I don’t blame you one bit, Dear Reader, for making this assumption, but as it turns out, I am perfectly lucid and would love to explain the seemingly inappropriate, domestic, out of character, shot that sits above.

Molly is a Regal Beast and deserves a photo shoot any time if you asked me.  Likewise the skyline of Old St. John’s with the sunshine pushing the clouds back out to sea is worthy of a snapshot.  However, the focus in this timely piece of photojournalism is neither the Dog of Dogs nor the City of Cities, but the massive cruise ship that dwarfs many of the 100-year-old buildings in the downtown core.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

‘Doyle has definitely lost it if he thinks we are interested in random tourist shots of cruise ships.  Dear Alan, I think we are all quite aware what a cruise ship looks like and we’ve seen lost of postcard shots of the city that you go on and on about.  Before you post anymore ‘enlightening’ images, please know that we’ve all seen airplanes land and have rode on the escalator at the Mall.’ 

That’s what I would think if I were you, anyway.

But this is no random boat.  This is the Norwegian Jewel, and if my research proves correct, this is the venue for Ships and Dips in February.  This is the craft that will ferry many of us to bliss and joy on the Caribbean Seas in the New Year’s dead of Winter.  Just thought it was cool to see it at home. 

Made me hope for a grand time come 2009.

Did a cool interview in Manhattan with a website called Do Something.  We spoke mostly about Daffodil Place, and mine and the bands effort to put something back into the community that gave us so much.  Check it out.

Hope it raises more awareness about the cause.

Currently sitting in 12D about one quarter of the way from Toronto to Vancouver.  Already flew from St. John’s to Toronto, but have no memory of the journey.  I know I got up and showered at 5AM, and got a Taxi to the airport.  I can recall nothing of the boarding process or flight.  Sleeping on planes is a Godsend. 

I hope this long flight across this vast land affords more of the same.

Really enjoyed the few days home, I must say. Looking forward to a few gigs in the West.  Hitting a few new spots is always a traveler’s treat.  Never been to Albuquerque or San Luis Obispo, I don’t think.  It’s always good to see old friends in Seattle, San Fran, and Denver.  An inner tube ride in Boise is a must.  One could even hope for a star sighting or two in Hollywood. 

Much to hope for, isn’t there?

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - September 23, 2008 - Home

Home Sweet Home after a very busy two weeks on the road.  In thirteen days on the road, we did twelve full concerts in twelve cities, three television performances, five television appearances, and three radio performances.  Pretty full schedule.  All good news.

Finished the tour of with three grand gigs in Pittsburgh, New York, and Altamonte, NY.  Funny thing about Pittsburgh is that, despite the fact that I’ve been there over a dozen times, I always find myself in a new neighborhood with not a familiar building or street corner in sight.  On Thursday, we found ourselves in the Theatre District and I found it quite an appealing downtown with tons of food and entertainment to pick from.  I also enjoyed the views across the River(s) and the dandy walking trails.  Had a great day, and almost went river kayaking right downtown, but a press commitment kept us out of the water.  Next time.

I think I’ll start to bore you all if I go on any more about how much I love Manhattan.  I’ll just ask any newcomers to refer to many previous entries here to find details of my love affair for the Big Apple.  On Friday, though, I may have discovered something about New Yorkers that I had not yet realized.  I’ve always thought that if you live in a city long enough, you being to take on physical traits of others who’ve done the same.  In other words, cities cause people to look a certain way.  

Copenhagen, for example, is completely accessible by bicycle, so many folks in that city look healthy and fit.  A US city, that I will leave unnamed, is only accessible by car and is littered with fast food, so many folks downtown are overweight and unhealthy looking.  Folks in Anchorage look very content in their parkas and snow clothes.  Londoners look surprised each January when Winter comes, and they appear weighed down by their layers and coats.   

Societal opinions also cause citizens to dress and appear certain ways, I think.  I did not notice may Goths while growing up in Petty Harbour or while touring in Utah.  But Seattle is a perfect place to a Goth, I figure.  Yeah, Seattle could be the perfect place to be a Goth.  Rainy, cool music, not too much direct sunlight.  I’ve always felt bad for Goths in cities like Phoenix.  Jaysus, what a heat in the compulsory black skinny jeans, tall leather boots, t-shirt and, trench coat.  But, I digress.

New Yorkers look excited to me.  Excited and very true to themselves.   I suppose they are excited because they love the place and you’ve got to be high energy to last in the city that never sleeps.  They also seem very true and real as they have almost no social limits to put on any kind of artifice.   There exists in New York, such a cross section of humanity that one could truly be whatever one desires…and find a few others to join the club.  You can be really Artsy, Goth, Gay, Macho, Flaky, Conservative, Promiscuous, Religious, Atheist, Whatever in Manhattan, and you would not get a second glance on the M Train.  Such variety and tolerance is rare and allows folks to realize their true selves without restraint.  

Just the spot.  I Heart NY.

I confess that I did not think the gig in Altamonte, NY would be great.  I did only a little research on the gig and as it was called “Irish 2000” or something like that, I instantly assumed it would be a sea of plastic green hats as we performed in a city park on the back of a flatbed truck in between, ‘Wink the Blarney’ and ‘Green Beers and Ham’, or something like that.  It turns out, I was dead wrong.  The Festival was on a great Fair Grounds-ish kind of place with lots of cool concessions and several excellent music venues in various sizes of tents.  The stages were very professional with high-end sound and lights and the bands were excellent.   Watched Celtic Cross, from New Jersey, who had some memorable tunes and a great singer.  Also witnessed Gaelic Storm slay the place with a show that could very well be the best hour of entertainment on the Celtic circuit.  
Had a grand chat with Travis Crickard and his buddies from the Potsdam NCAA hockey team.  Travis is from St. John’s and is playing goal for the team and dropped down to the Altamonte gig to give me a few goalie tips.  Hope I don’t let you down in my next beer league skate.  Good Luck to you and the lads with the season.
Drove overnight to Toronto and played CBC Sunday Morning TV show before blasting off to the airport.  Made it home to catch the Prince before bedtime.  

Best squeeze I ever got.

A few days home before jetting to the West Coast.  Bring on the Clowns.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - September 18, 2008 - Cleveland, Ohio (Hotel)

Sort of had a day off on Monday as we had no evening performance.  We did, however, have to get up at 5AM to load into the Cleveland Fox Station.  We’d been invited to be the Band for the Day on the very popular morning show and despite my distaste for singing in the early morning, I jumped at the opportunity to play in front of a viewership of over 2 million.

The folks at the Station were kind to us and gave us several hits on the broadcast.  We, of course, took over the place as much as possible and even invaded the Anchor area;

We left the Fox Station and went directly to the Hotel in downtown Cleveland. We were pretty bagged, but the rooms were not ready.  I took advantage of the time to have a dandy breakfast at the Juniper Grill, I believe, and did my laundry in between Eggs Benny’s.  Very productive, I thought.
Just as the clothes were dry, the lady gave me a key to my room.  I’m off to a flying star on this day, I thought.  Who knows what else I could get done.  I went to my room and lay on the bed for a moment, and woke up three and a half hours later.  I swear I woke up at 3PM and I felt like I had been on Acid for a whole weekend.  Completely spaced out and had not a j.d. clue where I was.  I honestly had to look at the hotel card on the desk to remind myself I was in Cleveland.

Not much to report from the rest of that day.  I returned many overdue emails and surfed the web till I could not stare at the screen any longer, then had a supper with some of the lads in the hotel bar.  I was in bed by midnight.

Played golf with Bob and Driver JP on Tuesday and had a blast.  Did not score that well, as I have not been playing much, but managed a 94 as my putter saved me more than once.  I was hoping to play a lot on this run, but the daytime press commitments have been pretty consistent, and that is a good thing, I suppose.

We had good crowds at the two Ohio shows considering much of the State is still without electricity and many folks are at home dealing with Insurance Companies that are threatening to go out of business any day.  Not to mention the fact that the economy is way down, price of gas is way up.  I suppose if you plan to be in a touring band for fifteen-plus years, you have to expect to roll with the punches.

Currently sitting behind the Theatre in Pittsburgh.  Already made an appearance at a morning TV Station, did some exercise at the local YMCA, ate some Mexican, bought a few gifts for the Family, did sound check, had a band conference call with Manager Louis, rehearsed a new set of tunes with Bob, and have all but typed a new FTR Blog.  It is not quite 5PM.  
Jaysus, still 3 hours till Showtime.  Where does the time come from?

Rock on.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - September 13, 2008 - Chicago, IL (On the Bus)

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Tour Diary - September 5, 2008 - Home

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Tour Diary - August 23, 2008 - Flight 692 ( YYZ-YYT)

After a great show at Wolftrap, JP rolled the GB Bus across the border to Toronto in record time and got us to the airport several hours ahead of schedule. Thanks to a kind lady at the Air Canada counter, we actually got on an earlier flight. Home early. Gotta like it.

I'm wearing my "Jesus Saves" t-shirt. Some of you may have seen my wearing it on stage. It shows goalie Jesus making a wicked glove save. Looks like this:

Funny how many heads this t-shirt turns. I swear a lady in the coffee shop wanted to spray me with Holy Water or burn me as a heretic. I had another t-shirt that I thought was even funnier, but I had to stop wearing it in public as several people blessed themselves in front of my as I passed. THat shirt just had two quotations with small footnotes identifying the person responsible for them;

GOD IS DEAD - neitzsche

NIETZSCHE IS DEAD - god

Now, come on, that's funny. Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist, whatever. That's frigging good. 

Religious messages have always caught my attention, but a few months back I saw one that nearly made me put the car off the road. Now please bear in mind, I'm not snickering at Scripture here and I'm not taking a poke at any one sect or church, but this must be noted. Right next to Memorial University, a place of higher learning, a large slide in the letters kind of sign in a Church Parking Lot announced...

"It was not Nails that held Jesus to the Cross. It was Love."

My first thought was that I felt the author of the sign might want to talk to Jesus about that. I had a funny feeling that He would say something like, "No, Trust Me, It Was Nails."

The oddest thing was that I was on my way to the hardware store when I saw the sign next to MUN. I was getting some stuff to repair our back fence. It was all I could do to resist walking up to the counter and saying, 

"Excuse me, I need some galvanized four inch love, please."

Thanks to everyone for coming to the gigs last week, from Buffalo to Vienna. 

Almost home. Only a few days respite before we head to Halifax for the Urban gig. 

Rock On. 

Cheers,

Alan

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Tour Diary - August 20, 2008 - Martha’s Vineyard - Beetlebung Coffee Shop

Enjoying a day off in Martha’s Vineyard after some of the oddest travel and encounters in my professional life.  The past 24-48 hours have been boring, thrilling, terrifying and bizarre at times.

Immediately following the Philly Folk Fest, we rode to a near by hotel and grabbed showers and napped on the bus for a few hours before rolling to downtown Philadelphia for the World Café Radio gig.  They treated us very kindly there and the whole thing went off without a hitch.  It went so well that we finished an hour or so ahead of schedule so Sean and I bolted to the airport for an earlier fight than our scheduled 3:30.  We were leaving the bus, you see, to head off to Durham, New Hampshire to film some spots for a PBS program we hope to release in the Fall.

We got to the airport just after Noon.  The best of intentions were met head on, however, with a not so joyous lady at the US Air Counter who informed us of two things. One, the earlier flight to Manchester was oversold and we cold not get on it, and two, our 3:30 flight was delayed and would not be departing till 5:00.  We had 5 hours to kill in the Airport.  Boo.

After much pacing, email checking, departure screen staring, cel phone flicking, coffee drinking, supposing, doubting, scheming, tabloid magazine browsing, scrunched up paper ball and garbage can basketball playing, and self loathing, Sean and I finally got on a plane at 5:15.

We arrived in Manchester, an hour or so late and were picked up by a kind lady who drove us in the woods.  Yes in the woods.  In about ten minutes we were surrounded by nothing but tall trees, foliage and shadows.
 
It’s all staring to look very Soprano’s.  Jaysus, are we about to get whacked?

Turns out the road to Durham NH winds through miles of farmland and countryside and the driver lady had no malicious intent.  Our destination was the New England Center, a conference center and hotel planted deep in amongst huge pine and oak trees near the University of New Hampshire, but feels completely isolated.  From the drop off point, hotel guest need to wander down a winding path through the forest to get to the Hotel Lobby.  It honestly felt like being in a Robin Hood movie.  I kept expecting the Liv Tyler ride past on a white horse, whispering in Elvish or something. Surreal destination after a long day.

We ate in the hotel restaurant, which was quite good, and both retired fairly early as we were knackered.  I lay in bed for a while trying to get interested in the Olympics.  I watched some Table Tennis and some Trampoline or something.  Now, as many of you know, I am a pretty big sports fan.  But I cannot seem to give two shites about this year’s Olympics.  With the exception of the magic fish dude, Phelps, there seems little to discuss.  I’d hoped that my evening in front of the TV would renew my hope, but no sir.  Table Tennis and Trampoline just did not do it.  I s’pose I’ll have to wait for 2010, when Moose Hunting and 120’s are expected to be demonstration sports.

Myself and Sean met in the lobby at 8:30 AM and were picked up by a kind Gent from New Hampshire Public Television.  We went up the street, past the gorgeous campus (very Harry Potter) and were met by a few kind ladies who ushered us into a boardroom to discuss the business of the day.  This station has agreed to present parts of the Courage, Patience and Grit DVD to America in the Fall.  We were there to film interviews to accompany the broadcast.

After some discussion we were led to a TV Studio where we began taping.  Just before the questions began between ourselves and our interviewer, another announcer lady did a little intro, in a pleasant and reserved tone…

“We hope you are enjoying this program.  If you’d like to show your appreciation for programming such as this, we have several gifts to say thanks for your pledge for Public Television”

I’m telling you, it was perfect.  It instantly sounded like one of those PBS Pledge shows where we all watched Riverdance or whatever for the first time.  They’ve got it down, for sure.  Very cool.

We were done ahead of schedule and bolted once again for the Airport.  This time, Logan Airport was our destination.  We dashed to the Cape Air counter and once again tried to get on an earlier flight, only to learn once again that, the earlier flight was oversold, and we were bound to spend another block of time wandering through airport halls.

Mercifully, the time past quickly and we were walking down the hallway to the gate for the plane.  Just before we get to the big door at the end, the Cape Air employee, who looked to be right around half my age, turned hard right and headed down the steps where they normally pass down the stroller and stuff.  Figuring I was first in line, I followed her down the steps where an even younger dude took over, and led us round the corner of the building to our awaiting “plane”.

Forgive the quotation marks above.  I do not mean to suggest that a 9 Seat Cessna 404 is not a real airplane.  I just could not think if a better way to convey my sense of surprise to be approaching a commercial airplane that I’d have to step down into.  Holy frig.  My Mini Van is bigger than this plane.  I’m serious.

The young dude led us up to the plane and asked me to enter first as I was to be the co-pilot.  Funny, I thought.  That must be his standard gag to break the ice when people look nervous.  Wrong.  He lifts the side panel and points to the seat next to the pilot.  “Up you go”, he says. 

No joke.  Ten seconds later, I’m sitting next to Captain John, and I can feel the wee steering wheel rubbing against my thighs.  Sean almost barfed.

Five minutes later, we are 3000 Feet above Boston and I am one dude away from being at the helm.   It’s truly unbelievable, in this post 911 World that this scenario happens numerous times a day.  I could feel the steering wheel move, matching the Captain’s every turn.  I almost got my foot stuck under one of the operating pedals below.

Two things occur to me.  One, I could send this plane crashing to the earth if I felt like it.  If I had the slightest chaotic or suicidal instinct, I could sucker punch Captain John and take this plane wherever I wanted.  Thankfully for everyone involved, I have no such instincts so this course of events was not going to happen.  The second thing to occur to me was a little more disturbing.  What if Captain John has a brain hemorrhage?  A heart attack?A sneezing fit? A freaking nose bleed?  I will be left flying this plane.  Me.  Alan, many moving violations cant parallel park can’t drive a standard transmission should never have got a driver’s license, Doyle.  With the possible exception of the infant in the back, I must be the worst candidate for this job.

I figured it would be a white knuckler, but I could not have foreseen this turn of events.  Despite the fact that it was a lovely day with no turbulence and the flight afforded a grand view of Cape Cod and Nantucket, I still kissed the ground he moment we stepped from the plane.

We strolled, weak in the knees from the airport to the gig, which was only a few hundred meters, where we were met by an awaiting driver who was to bring us to a radio station for an acoustic performance.  We barely had time to tell the lads about our harrowing experience when before we found ourselves traveling across Martha’s Vineyard.  All seemed well till the driver made a sharp turn off the highway and started down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.  In ten seconds we were completely out of sight of all civilization. 

It’s all staring to look very Soprano’s.  Jaysus, are we about to get whacked? 

Any way, we arrive at this converted house/ radio station in the middle of the woods and sing a few tunes and are back in the car in no time at all.  Shortly there after we got back on the bus next to the gig and announced that we were never getting off it again.

Rock On.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - August 16, 2008 - Highway to Akron

Woke up early.  Alone in the back lounge of the bus, rolling steadily somewhere.

Not sure where we are exactly.  Through the bus windows I can see a four or five lane Interstate Highway that could be one of a million places in North America.  The trees are mostly deciduous trees that are common in most Central and Northeastern parts of this continent.  The houses that fill the passing subdivisions all have black tile or metal roofs, which I’ve seen practically everywhere from Scarborough to Seattle.  We have past an Arby’s, a steel manufacturing plant an apartment complex and a truck stop as I’ve been typing this sentence.  So far nothing I’ve seen in the past twenty minutes gives me any indication as to my current locale.

Amazing how much of North America has become so non descript, so generic.  I’m certain this is why I still live in St. John’s…it does not look, sound or smell like anywhere else.  It is different, unique.  I’m sure this is why I love places like Manhattan, New Orleans, Quebec City, and San Francisco.  Nothing better than a place that strives to be its own self.Nothing worse than a place that strives to be otherwise.

The same is true for people, I suppose.

I just saw a sign for Highway 271 North.  If I had a map, that would help me out, but there’s not enough wireless power to get Google earth running, so I’m still lost.  I could just walk up to the front of the bus ads ask JP, our most excellent driver, where we are, but I’m kind of enjoying this moment of suspension; on the winding road between somewhere and somewhere else, but at the moment, nowhere in particular.  Cool.

There’s a Highway 8 North sign and a BuySell Shop on the intersection.  We must be close to some town because we have slowed considerably and are stuck in traffic.  The license plates of the neighbouring vehicles are almost all from Ohio, which gives me enough evidence to assume that I’m in the right State.

Tonight we play Akron, which is a first for us, I believe.  Hoping to improve on last night’s performance, which for me at least was a feat of memory and panic.  Funny how some nights the chords and lyrics just appear in you hands and mouth at the right time.  Yet, on rare occasions like last night, I have to think about every strum, note and line to make them work.  Very grateful for the enthusiastic 5000+ who buoyed us through a few miscues.

Going over a very high over pass with a lovely town below the right side of the bus.  Looks like a College town with a big University Building and a church in the middle.  And the bus just veered right off the highway.  Me thinks we are in Akron.  Yep, Akron Recreational Department on the bus ahead.

Suspension complete.  We have arrived. Touchdown Akron, Ohio.
Lets make it count.
Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - August 15, 2008 - AC Flight 1197 (YYT-YYZ)

Off we go again. Bit of a crazy week ahead, but I am very glad to have the chance to play a few concerts in a row. Feels like it’s been a while since we did more than a weekend.

What lies ahead looks something like this. We fly to Toronto and jump on the Bus where, hopefully, Kris and Murray and the crew will be waiting for us. We roll to the border and head into Buffalo for tonight’s gig.

Late night tonight we roll to Akron. Have we ever played Akron? Have I ever been to Akron? I know we’ve played Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton. We also spent a day off in the parking lot of a Hojo (Howard Johnson Hotel for the un-jaded travelers amongst us) in Medina. I think, but cannot confirm that we stopped for gas in Toledo once as well. That’s six cities I’ve visited in the State of Ohio. I wonder if I’ve been to as many destinations in any other State?

Anyway, late Saturday night we head to the Philly Folk Festival to headline one of the most prestigious Music Events in the US. Big gig. Early Monday morning we nip over to the University in Philly to record a radio show called World Café, I think. We played this show a number of years back and all I can recall is humping our gear up four flights of stairs to this wee closet of a room where the hosts did a great show with few resources. Thankfully, the show has moved into a real ground level studio and the crew will not mutiny when it comes time to load in.

Its gets a little hairy at this point.

Following the morning taping of the show, the whole party has a day off in Philly and then roll to the morning Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. That is the whole party except me and Sean. We dash to the airport and fly to Manchester, NH and catch a car to Durham, NH. Is there a good pub in Durham, I wonder? We sleep in a Durham Hotel and rise in the AM and go directly to the New Hampshire PBS TV Station to record some interviews for a potential upcoming release. (More about that in days and weeks to come.) Following the interviews, we are to be driven to Boston Airport where we’ll board what I imagine will be a frighteningly small airplane bound for Martha’s Vineyard. Following this inevitable white knuckler of a flight, we are to be swept off to a local radio station to perform a couple of acoustic songs live on the air. Then we are to finally meet up with the lads who’ve had a day and a half of leisure under their belts and will look calm and refreshed having gorged on Cheese Steaks in Philly and Clams in Martha’s Vineyard.

Very happy to say that we stay in MV for the evening and have the next day off. I had the pleasure of sailing into Edgartown with the Fairest One of all and a few friends on a posh, posh, posh yacht a number of years back. Very cool little spot, surrounded by some very rich, rich homeowners.

That evening we board the bus again to head to Dewey Beach. As of typing this diary, I confess that I know nothing about Dewey Beach. I don’t know what State it is in, or if it is North or South of anywhere I’ve ever been. I assume from the name that I’ll be close to the ocean when I play, and I assume that will be the Atlantic Ocean, but can’t be sure.

On Friday we should arrive at Wolftrap in the greater DC area. This could be the nicest venue in America. It is a wooden Amphitheatre that looks beautiful and sound amazing and has the best technical set up I’ve ever seen. We’ve played there with the Cheiftains, Sinead Oconnor, Saw Doctors, Seven Nations, The Young Dubs and Eddie from Ohio. They’ve all been dandy.

Immediately following our opening set at Wolftrap (we are on at 7:30) we bolt for the border and Toronto in attempt to make the morning flight back to the Rock. If all goes well, I could be home by early afternoon.

Big week. They all seem big lately. Cool.

Just crossing through the border check area near the Peace Bridge. A surly looking US Customs Official looks like he intends to board the bus. Best not be looking at the Mac when he arrives.

Looking forward to the week ahead. Hope you are, too.

Cheers,

Alan

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Tour Diary - July 17, 2008 - Home

And there it was.  Gone. 

The three-day blitz in Central Canada came and went like a Tornado.  As expected, it was a weekend of notable occurrences and stats.  On Thursday, we played for our biggest crowd ever in Quebec.  We’ve done a few big things in Montreal, but as headliners we’ve never drawn a bigger Quebec crowd than at La Festival d’Ete.  I spoke with some kind folks who were visiting the hidden jewel of North America for the first time and they agreed that Quebec City is fabulous.  I would move there tomorrow if I did not love St. John’s so much.

All hands figured Ottawa would be big.  But no one could have predicted the record breaker that occurred on Friday night.  I’m told that we had just about 30,000 people singing along at the Bluesfest gig.  According to all reports, that is the biggest audience in the history of the Festival, and certainly would be the biggest paid audience in GBS history.  A sea of bodies was all I could discern each time LampieJayrock swept the field with the spotlights.  It was truly an amazing feeling.  I normally leave my in-ear headphones jammed in pretty tight, but I confess I pulled them out several times to hear the roar of the crowd.  I’m sure this did nothing for my timing or pitch, but I just had to hear what General Taylor sounds like, supported by so many voices.  Glorious.  Thanks to everyone.

And if Ottawa was not enough to give a God-like Rock Star complex, we dashed overnight to Toronto to the Molson Amphitheatre to a near 10,000 people packed into the Premiere concert venue in the country.  There were six video cameras, a separate recording truck, a cool walk on from Hawksley, and a PA and Light rig fit for Bon Jovi.  By the time we rolled to the airport at about 4 am, I had myself fully convinced that I was the biggest Rock Star on the planet and nothing could ever slow me down again.

No worries, this delusion quickly passed as I arrived home and checked my long list of domestic duties that had built up over my three or four day absence.  Nothing like scooping Molly’s poop to bring you down from a foolishly inflated sense of self.

So I was doing a press thingy for Daffodil Place yesterday with my Aunt Maud.  She has lived in the States for a long time but still holds Newfoundland close to her heart.  Her and some friends gathered together around $2500 for Daffodil Place.  Very cool, thanks Aunt Maud…see you in Altamont.

Anyway, after Aunt Maud and me finish our little press scrum, the CBC gal pulls me aside and asks me on camera I’d like to comment on the Page incident. I’m like, “What? Page incident? ...like paper incident?”  She rolled her eyes a bit and looked at me like I must live under a rock or something, as I did not know that the news of the day involved Steven Page getting arrested in NY State for possession of drugs.  I told her I could not comment on the matter as I knew nothing of it and merely insisted that Steve is a good guy and I hope this whole thing resolves itself to the betterment of him and all the BNL Camp.

Then she says, “Would you care to comment on the appeal of drugs in the music business?” 
Now, you guys know me.  Conservative comment is not my forte and my first instinct was to exclaim…

“Are you kidding, drugs are f%^&ing awesome.  I’m high as a kite right now.  I couldn’t walk on stage without a serious dose of smack.  If it weren’t for the dandy hookers, drugs would be the best part .”

You know, some ridiculous answer for a ridiculous question.

But, alas, my Mom and Aunt Maud were about six feet from me and I just did not have the heart to risk shocking the Dolls, so I said something polite and politically correct, and insipid and boring.  

I’ll try not to make a habit of it.

Rock On.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - July 8, 2008 - Home

Big weekend ahead.  This would be a terrible time for me to get the flu or break my fingers in a bar fight.  Three of the biggest gigs in a long time fall within the 72 Hours between Thursday and Saturday.  Add to that, a potential recording session and a video shoot and that makes for a pretty full three days, I figure.

On Thursday, we play La Festival D’ete in Quebec City.  As I’m sure I’ve mentioned here before, Quebec City could very well be the prettiest town in North America.  I love the old walled city and the distinct European vibe.  If I had to live somewhere other than St. John’s, Quebec city would be tops on my list of places to hang.  This year marks Quebec City’s 400^th Anniversary and I’m grateful to be part of the grand celebrations. 

I think the Dubs (Young Dubiner’s from LA) are in town as well.  Love to hook up with the lads for a pint.  They and us along with Seven Nations had a Summer to end all Summers when we crisscrossed the US on a three band bill called Uprooted.  The foolish nights we spent…

We overnight on the bus to Ottawa and perform at the Bluesfest.  I understand the venue has moved from the ugly parking lot we played a few years back and is now located down by the river on a lovely patch of grass.  Ottawa has always been kind to us.  Really looking forward to a big night.

We overnight again to Toronto for a gig at the Premier concert venue in the country, the Molson Amphitheatre.  There is no other stage in Canada that so clearly says that you are in the big leagues.  The line up for this year’s concert series includes, RUSH, James Taylor, Allison Krause, and Robert Plant, just to name a few.  And right in the middle of the same batch of International Talent this weekend is Great Big Sea. 

I’m not sure how many Canadian acts can headline the Molson Amphitheatre.  Certainly, the Internationally Signed acts like Nickelback, Avril, BNL, The Hip, Simple Plan, Sara M, and a few others could all sell the Amphitheatre.  Of the Domestic Canadian Bands, there are probably only a handful of acts that could handle the sheer capacity of this place. Ourselves, Blue Rodeo, Jann Arden, come to mind.   All tolled, probably less than twenty Canadian bands could get this gig.  I believe this will be our fourth time headlining this venue.  Forgive me for patting myself on the back, but that’s f@#$ng cool.

We’ll be attempting to shoot a couple of Live music videos on Saturday as well.  Hoping to capture images for Love me Tonight and Here and Now over the course of the weekend and especially at the venue on Saturday.  So if you plan to be at the Amphitheatre, please wear your best tops and slacks as you might end up on TV.

Might be recording a thingy in a studio in Toronto as early Saturday morning as well.  It would be a contribution to a Compilation CD, but I’ll say more about that somewhere down the road.

Should be a good laugh this weekend as videographer Darcy, who shot the making of the FF CD is along for the ride.  Brother Bern is coming to take some snaps.  And there should be a large crowd on hand for pints following the T.O. show.   Our bus rolls from the venue late night for Pearson Airport and an early morning flight to St. John’s.

All that in one weekend.  Jaysus.  Amazing, considering I can still put H to bed on Wednesday night and get him up from his nap on Sunday.

Might get over 30 Celsius today in St. John’s.  Summertime.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - June 29, 2008 - AC Flight 1198 (Toronto to St. John's)

Well, that was fun.

 

I'd forgotten what it was like to do a National Press Tour in Canada.  Myself and Bob did a smaller run when the Hard and the Easy came out, but the last honest to goodness GBS Press tour was in 2005, I guess, for the Something Beautiful CD.  I had forgotten how long the days can become when you're up at 5AM to do morning TV and Radio, followed by a full day of Interviews followed by a night-time performance.  I figure I've averaged about 4 hours sleep per day since last Thursday, and I could not be happier.  This day and age, fewer and fewer bands get the opportunity to have a major Record Label's Publicity Machine kick into full gear to promote a new project.  Music budgets just do not allow for such spending, so I feel honoured that the guys and gals at Warner Music Canada still feel we are worth the effort. 

 

I think the whole week went very well.  I hope people enjoyed the pub shows, especially.  I confess that I wanted them to be very loose and dare I say, self indulgent.  I usually plan the course of the evening and give the lads a set list before sound check in case we need to run over a few unfamiliar songs.  But in these pub shows, I wanted people to see us in a very casual environment with little or no bells and whistles; barely a set list to predetermine the path of the evening. For one brief reprieve I wanted to take chances and risks that I would never do in a normal GBS concert setting.   I realize a song or two went off the rails a few times musically, as we were open to requests for tunes we had not played in years, and I hope that spontaneity came across as fun for everyone.  We'll spend the bulk of the next calendar year playing a slick and well rehearsed show with full PA, Lights and Set Production.  I really wanted these pub gigs to be naked and chaotic.  I had a blast.

 

Looking forward to the dates ahead.  The Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto and Gander shows in the next few weeks will serve as the first dates on the Fortunate Tour which should carry on through the Fall and into 09.  Jaysus, did I say 09?  I'll be friggin' 40 before this tour is over.  Could be way worse, I suppose.

 

Anybody notice that Bob now plays a new instrument.  Never fails...one per tour.  For those of you who missed the pub tour, Bob plays the harmonica now, as well.  Bastard makes me feel lazy.

 

Really miss my little boy, though.  Ten days away feels like a lifetime.  I can't believe he'll be two years old in a few days.  Wow.

 

I see the plane is dipping into the fog.  Must be close to home.

 

Happy Summer.

 

Cheers,

Alan

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Tour Diary - June 25, 2008 - Ottawa (on the bus)

Just sitting here on the side of a downtown hotel in the Nation’s Capitol watching people hurry to their jobs and clutching their Starbucks.  Funny how some seem to really enjoy the start of the day while others need a while to warm up to it.  I, for one, have never really been a morning person.  I get up when it is required and can function well on little sleep but I'm also very good at pulling off a 12 hour nap occasionally if time allows. I have never overslept and missed a flight or meeting, and can think of only two or three times when I'm the last guy to show up for an appointment.  I'm freakishly early, actually.  Must come from my Mom and Dad, I s'pose.

No, I am not a morning person, but I don't mind getting up. As long as it does not require singing before noon.  I don't think I'm a big whiner, so please allow me one paragraph to vent.  Jaysus, I hate singing in the morning.  I suck at it and it blows my pipes for a couple of days to follow.  The guys at Canada AM have been so good to us over the years, and giving us three tunes on National TV was a great way to kick off the CD, so I don't want to sound like and ungracious guest, but blowing out a couple of rockers before Noon is just crazy.

Thanks for that.

We've had a few great nights since we hit the road last Friday.  PJ O'Brien’s jam gig was grand fun and I can't wait for tonight's event in downtown Ottawa.  We've always been well received here, so I hope for more of the same.

The CD seems to be well received as well.  Got 3.5 stars in a Toronto Star review and a cool mention on the Playlist of USA Today.  Signs are good.

Spent last night at the Gainey Foundation event in Montreal.  What an accomplishment for that Family to take the tragic loss of a Mom/Wife and a Daughter/Sister and turn it into a positive force in their lives and the lives of others.  I am drawn to those who make the best of things ad make the most of their days.  The Gainey Family is on the top of the list.

I am typing on my new Mac, by the way.  I think this laptop may be the biggest submission to peer pressure in my adult life.  I honestly believe I bought this computer because all the cool people I know have one just like it.  Frig sakes, I'm almost 40.  I'm someone's Dad.  I should be above this kind of nudging, but apparently I am not.  I am under the illusion that this music making machine will make me a better write and producer, but who am I kidding?  I bought this computer so I could take foolish pics like these:

 

Many thanks to those of you who've com out so far.  Off to talk about myself again.

Rock on.

Cheers,
Alan

 

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Tour Diary - June 5, 2008 - Vacation

What do think of the new digs?  New Site looks pretty grand to me.  I can brag about it of course, as I had almost nothing to do with it, given that I am essentially illiterate in the world of design and the visual arts in general.  Check out some new stuff like Tosh (tells no) Tails when you get a chance.  For a Basset/Beagle cross he sure does have a purebred take on things.

GBS Cast and Crew have been held up at Club One in St. Johns for the past eight days rehearsing for the new set and tour.  We hope to perform 12 or 13 of the tunes from Fortune’s Favour, as well as some of the bonus tracks like Gallows Pole, and a few more fun covers as well.  All hands should still get to hear many of the faves from the catalogue, but the new tunes should allow us to switch up the set quite a bit from night to night.

The plan is to do a promo tour in a few weeks around the launch of the CD and to spend most of the summer chasing festivals and special events, many of which are already posted online.  

The honest to God Fortune’s Favour Tour per se will actually start in September and take us all over North America well into 2009.  We hope to do a two set show again this time as it gets us more stage time to play the zillions of tunes we’d like to perform.  Is that cool?  I sure prefer it, myself.

You’ll note the word ‘vacation’ listed in the top line of this entry.  As I type, I’m on an airplane with the fair one, brother Bern and his lady, as well as a couple of other friends.  All hands are headed for a weeks respite before the GBS madness begins.  I’ve become attached to my Google Calendar, you see.  Like most online calendars, you can assign different colours to different calendars.  You know, green for Alan events, blue for Family events, and bright red for GBS.  The months remaining in 2008 and the first few of 2009 are a sea of red with not much green and hardly any blue.  So we are heading for a week in the blue.  

Really looking forward to it.  

Only a few days till the new GBS Progeny is born onto the world making anxious parents of us all.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - March 27, 2008 - Home

I’ve managed to have a healthy apathy about the weather for most of my life.  With the exception of the occasions when GBS is slated to play outdoor concerts, I barely check the forecast.  Most days I could care less if it rains, shines or freezes.  I generally go about my day, indoors or out, regardless of the conditions. I’m convinced this Weather Zen is key to being a happy Newfoundlander, especially in the weeks that follow Paddy’s Day and lead to Summer. (Known most commonly as ‘Spring’, a season that skips the Rock annually)

Right now the sideways drifts of the third snowstorm in as many days are whipping up my street. Through the squalls, I cannot see my parked Grey Toyota Sienna, a rather large Mini Van, parked less than ten feet from my office as I type.  I can feel my Zen resolve slipping; I can sense my apathy breaking.  This winter is bringing me down a wee bit, I confess.

I must cast my gaze backward and forward on days and nights past and future as the present is cold and frozen.

Grand Paddy’s weekend a little while ago.  Great fun to have Russell join us in DC for a song or two.  Hard to beat his performances.  I’ve learned a lot from his presence on stage and his conviction to the moment.  I can think of few so eager to give themselves so completely to a performance when the curtain rises, the lights go down, or someone yells, “Action”.  

Like many in the GBS camp, he also prides himself on hosting the best parties.  The after show sing-along at the Hotel was one for the ages, with The Shantyman shining at his best, and Rachel M leading a lovely version of “Time After Time”.    Grand, Grand Night.

The visit to Atlantic City proved to me that places can’t be as bad as people say.  I thought the boardwalk was cool.  I enjoyed the kooky old games areas.  Reminded me of Tom Hanks and “BIG”, one of my favourite films.  

A long flight from DC to Edmonton (for a fun gig) and back to Toronto overnight, followed by a snow delay, another snow delay, a detour to Montreal for three hours and a near crash landing 24 hours later in a windy St. John’s was not a fun way to end a fun weekend.


But things are looking up.  Way up.  Labels, management, and band are gearing up for the launch of the new CD.  “Fortunes Favour” will be out on Tuesday June 24th in Canada and the US.  Much work going on behind the scenes for touring throughout the Summer and Fall.  

We are scheduled have photos taken and do a video for the first single, yet to be determined, in Toronto between April 12th and 15th.  And by a wonderful coincidence, that puts us in town for the Oysterband Show on the 13th at Hugh’s Room.

For those of you who don’t know, the Oysterband have been heroes to GBS long before me, Sean and Bob ever got together.  They are the quintessential British Folk Rock group that ran down the same corridors as the Pogues and Billy Bragg in England and Europe.  They still have a huge following in Britain, Germany and Scandinavia, as their concerts are legendary and their songs are even better.

Ever heard of a song called “When I’m Up I Can’t Get Down”?  GBS did pretty well with that track, thanks to the Oyster Gents who wrote and recorded many years before us.  When we were compiling material for the ‘Play’ CD, we considered a couple of dozen Oysterband tunes to cover.  We picked a good one, but there are literally several albums worth of songs as good or better in the Oyster catalogue.

We are not the only Canadian folkies to love their songwriting.  John and Geoffrey from SOTW count the Oysters as early influences.  Check out the Bara McNeils cover of “Northern Lights”, or Shanneygannock’s “This Town”.

Their song catalogue is Blue Rodeo Deep. Trust me.  Check them out at OysterBand.co.uk

Check out the tour dates and see if there’s a date near you.  Like I said, they play Hugh’s Room in Toronto on the 13th, and unless wild horses drag us away, so will the whole GBS Cast.  

Spring is in the air.  Somewhere.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - February 25, 2008 - Home

I wonder how many times I can write in this forum about my good fortune before you all start to get bored or worse, resentful.  With apologies, I have to proceed. This weekend past was one for the books.

I exchanged a few emails back and forth with Jim C from Blue Rodeo over the past few weeks as I heard they were coming to town.  I usually ask the band over for fish cakes or ferry a few of them around to a few hidden treasures in the Eastern Avalon area just to be hospitable.  I’ve learned a lot from the gents in BR over the years and I like to return the favour when they are in my backyard.

It’s no secret that I’ve been a huge BR fan for a long time.  Well before GBS ever struck a chord, I used to stand in the dark corner of Trapper John’s on George Street, just to the left of the two video lotto machines, barely in view and earshot of the few stragglers who would turn their ears to the solo dude with the guitar, to hear me stumble through a cover of ‘Try’, or “Rose Coloured Glasses”.   

There’s a real good argument to be made that Jim and Greg Keelor’s partnership has yielded more great songs that any other in Canadian history.  There’s a few Guess Who and Rush fans who’d beg to differ, but I’d put my money on the boy’s tunes any day.

I should also note that the boys in the band are the exception to the “Don’t ever meet your Heroes” rule.  They’ve been supportive, helpful, generous and kind to us ever since they gave us an opening slot on their Eastern Canadian tour way back in the mid 90’s.  They’ve done the same for many others.  

I remember Sara MacLachlan opening for Blue Rodeo many moons ago in a hockey rink in Mount Pearl.  It could have been Timmins, Ontario or Sherbrooke, Quebec, or Nanaimo, BC.  The boys have played them all.  There simply cannot be a band more dedicated to bringing music to Rural Canadians than Blue Rodeo.  They’ve been doing it for almost a quarter century, with no signs of slowing down.

Mile One Stadium had white paper signs taped to the front windows as I approached Blue Rodeo concert on Friday night.  The bold black letters read:

TONIGHTS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

That’s amazing…and very encouraging.  I would do queer things to ensure that GBS could sell out a 6000 seat hockey rink on a freezing day in February in our 25th year.  Looks like I’m still learning from the boys.

In the middle of their standing ovation earning set, Jim and Greg asked me up to sing one of my favourite BR songs, “What am I doing Here”.  I closed my eyes sang as loud as I could, just to try to keep up.  

I woke Saturday morning worried that the weather forecast might, for once, be accurate and blowing snow would ground us in St. John’s.  Me, Sean and Bob had a plane to catch, you see.  A plane to Montreal to sing the National Anthems at the Bell Center at the request of Habs GM, Mr. Bob Gainey, who just happened to having his Jersey retired and raised to the rafters that very evening’s hockey game.


Its no secret that I’ve been a huge Montreal Canadiens fan for a long time.  As kids, myself and brother Bern would do almost any chore asked of us on the weekends to earn the right to stay up late enough to watch Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights.  We never had cable TV, of course, but our Black and White floor model with the rabbit ears made from clothes hangers and wire picked up the signal nicely on most nights.  The game always seemed to feature the Habs vs. Toronto or Boston.  

I loved every shift of every period of every game.  The Montreal Forum was like Narnia to me.  It was my Hollywood.  A place that I knew existed but I would never get to see.  The games were like mass.  The ritual of the opening procession, the standing and facing the Queen, the respectful removal of the gent’s hats, the bowed heads twitching in anticipation as the camera panned the stands.  And the players, marching armies onto opposing sides, eyes closed to ease the nerves and to summon courage and patience.  

The fans, opposing players and officials all pause for the Anthem.  The one time when the whole room is united as the games could not begin with out the ceremonial song.  Roger Doucette was the regular Anthem singer at the Canadien’s games during my childhood and beyond (I wonder what happened to that guy?).  Clad in his black and white tuxedo, he brought a note of formality and class to the evening that I thought the night deserved.  What a gig.  One song and you get to see every Habs home game from ice level.

So, it was with nervous excitement that we gladly accepted Mr. Gainey’s invitation to song the Star Spangled Banner in English and Oh Canada en Francais.  

Here’s a bit of a confession that may surprise some of you.  GBS rarely rehearses.  I can recall less than a half dozen times in our years of touring that we all gathered to do nothing but practice.  We’ve often gathered to write, or to re-arrange traditional songs, but most of our honest to God rehearsal has happened at sound checks or (gasp) right in front of your eyes at gigs.

Last week, leading up to the Anthem gig, we rehearsed three times.  With all due respect to all you Americans readers, risking an off the cuff version of the US Anthem in Montreal, did not bother me one bit.  But I was shite-baked to shag up the French Oh Canada on the hallowed ice surface of Les Canadiens. So I begged Sean, Bob, and Kris to run over it with me numerous times.  (Murray had a gig in T.O. by the way and could not make the last minute anthem call, much to his chagrin)

We sat in the schmancy suite for the Jersey retirement ceremony.  We shared canapés and tipped glasses with Habs legends and witnessed a spectacular moment for the Gainey Family who’ve had more than their share of dark days recently.  

Just before the heading to the ice surface to sing, we were corralled into an alley behind the players’ benches to wait to be introduced.  An official asked us to step aside momentarily.  I was not sure why till one of the Habs, Steve Begin, I believe strides in to the hall way from swinging doors and waits for the rest of the team.  We were standing right outside the Habs dressing room!

Starting goalie Carey Price was next out and bent in deep concentration psyching himself up to lead the team onto the ice.  A few more players strode past when I realized that I might actually get a wink or a nod in with Bonavista, Newfoundland native Michael Ryder, who plays for the Habs, as he marched to the ice.  I turned to Mac Daddy to get him to click on his video camera, but he was way ahead of me.  He captured this:

Deadly.  Full knuckles from Ryder his way to the ice.  Cool grin from Mr. Gainey at the end as well.  He knows childlike obsession for hockey when he sees it.

I can’t say much about the Anthems.  We walked onto the ice, Sean belted out the Star Spangled Banner, and I doted out Oh Canada en Francais, the crowd cheered, and the game was on.  Perfect.

To make the night even cooler, a wonderful coincidence found all my siblings in Montreal for the event.  Little sis Michelle was in town to fulfill her Green Card formalities as she is singing and living in Ft. Lauderdale these days.  Big sis Kim had planned long ago to join her for the weekend.  When I got the Anthem gig, brother Bern was not to be left out.  So all four of Tom and Jean’s kids sat and cheered at the Montreal game on Saturday night.  

Long way from Petty Harbour and the black and white TV.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - January 14, 2008 - AC Flight 654 (Halifax-St John’s)

I’ve written in this forum many times about my affinity for New York, and at the risk of boring you, dear reader, I am compelled to do it again.  With my ears still ringing from the chanting of the Faithful at the Bowery, my legs sore from all the walking around Uptown and Little Italy, and my taste buds still perked from a dose of Lombardi’s Pizza and Enchiladas from Mexican Radio, I have to say that the world’s greatest city never disappoints. That said, I would have preferred that my first visit to a Rangers game at Madison Square Gardens might have yielded a different result. 

I flew down to NY a day early, you see, to catch the Habs play the Rangers.  My buddy Brendan got us seats against the glass for the Saturday night event and it was a dandy experience to see my favourite sport played in one of its most hallowed halls.  Too bad the Habs had such a poor showing and got trounced 4-1 by the home team.  It was good for the legions of local Rangers fans who make for a most entertaining night at the Rink.

Most of the kind folks who paid to see us at the Bowery would have no idea that the gig was, in part, a showcase event for a conference that was on going in the Big Apple.  The delegates of this conference are all buyers for the major theatres and concert venues in North America, and the Sunday night show was a chance for GBS to get in front of a bunch of them at once.  Smart planning by manager Louis and US agent Brian, I figure.  Hope they were all impressed and hire us to play all over the place.

I’d like to say thanks to everyone who attended the GBXmas gig and help to raise around 50k for Daffodil Place.  On behalf of the band and the fundraising committee, I am very grateful for your support for such a worthy cause.

All hands looking forward to the BNL Cruise in a couple of weeks.  I’ve never been on a cruise and honestly never thought I’d ever go on one.  But the thoughts of a floating music festival where we’ll get the chance to do our own stuff but more importantly, jam with everyone else, tickled my fancy, for sure.  I hope to join some of the other band members for foolish 80’s cover in the bar, shanties on the deck, or drinking songs in the pub.  According to Ed, from BNL, pretty much anything goes.  Yeha.

The plane just tipped its nose ever so slightly which tells me we are about to land.  I’ve been running ahead of the bad weather all day and had some serious doubts that I’d get to see the little fella before his bed time for the third night in a row. It’s funny how that kind of simple thing matters so much when you’ve got a small kid.  Don’t want to miss a thing.

GBS has a private gig in Whistler next weekend before heading for the Sunny South.  Ski Hills and SCUBA gear all in the same week.  I love my job.

Rock On.

Cheers,
Alan

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