Alan's From the Road

2010

Tour Diary December 4, 2010 Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport

Sitting with Brother Bern awaiting a Porter Airlines flight from Montreal into Toronto Island Airport. I usually fly on Air Canada, but am curious about Porter and really curious about flying into downtown Toronto. I’ve never landed downtown before and am interested to see if it saves as much time and hassle as has been reported.

Grand time last night in Montreal. As many of you know, I’ve loved La Belle Ville for as long as I can remember. I loved it long before I ever actually visited the place. As a young Habs fan, I fantasized about the far away French City of Montreal, where Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur, and Bob Gainey walked up and down the streets just outside Pierre Trudeau’s house. It may as well have been Disneyland for me. The Montreal Forum, the old home of the Habs, may as well have been the Vatican. One of those places that millions of people have imagined and pictured in their minds so often that the reality could not possibly live up to the fantasy.

But like a kids first view of Disneyland, or a worshiper’s first step in St Peter’s Square, my first experiences in Montreal only confirmed my love for the place. I Know I’ve written of it in the past, so I won’t go on about it. Suffice it to say that Montreal is one of my favourite places in the world, and I’m so grateful that I’ve had the chance to work and play here so often.

Merci Montreal.

Pretty quiet today, compared to the past week which has seen Sean and I doing press blitzes in each of the towns we visited. Most days began with a quick attempt at exercise. Usually a 5-10k run. Though I am glad to say I was not on the ill fated Murray and Sean run in Quebec city wherein the gents got lost and ran for over two hours and some 21k’s. I was happy enough with my 7 k lazy jog around La Vieux Ville. Following the exercise, me and Magoo have been whisked away to some Radio or TV station to talk and sing. These mini concerts varied in length and complexity from me singing into a mic at the CBC Radio station in Quebec City to a full on show at Canada AM. In any case, all tolled, I’ll have done 13 performances in 6 days before I get on a 6am flight tomorrow morning. Jaysus.

Last week was fun. I should mention special thanks to the Bakery Girls in Kingston who looked after us so well. The quiche was over the top. Many thanks.

I’d like to take a moment here to say a special Thanks to the now Former Premiere of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Danny Williams. Mr. Williams stepped aside yesterday to make room for a new administration after a decade of outstanding growth and prosperity in our province. Most of which is due in part or in full to Danny’s hard work. Professionally, I have to say thanks, as the Arts have never been more recognized and supported by the Government. Personally, I have to congratulate Danny on a Herculean effort at home and abroad. I am big fan of Newfoundlander’s punching above their weight and pursuing what most would deem impractical if not impossible. You are an inspiration to us all. Many Thanks for a job well done.

Off to Toronto for the Smilingland Benefit.

Rock on.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary November 22, 2010 Toronto, Ontario Over Easy

Over Easy is a breakfast place on Yonge Street here in downtown Toronto. The GBS gents discovered it a while back when we were here playing for the Grey Cup Celebrations a few years back. It is really a hotel diner. You know, one where breakfast makes up half the options and, halleluiah, is available all day. Part of the spirit of this Blog is to let you in on some of the not so obvious happenings when fellas like me hit the road.

High on the list of Pet Peeves is when you crawl off the bus or an airplane at 10 am, a respectable hour for someone who works nights, and find that a cracked egg is almost impossible to purchase. I cannot tell you how many times a few of us have staggered, bleary eyed and hungry for bacon and eggs into a place displaying breakfast on the menu in the window, only to find that that particular menu page is only available till 6:15am or some equally un-Godly hour. Countless times we have sat in empty restaurants at 11:05 and learned that an omelet that was available only 6 minutes ago, is now completely impossible to buy for any money.

Protestations such as ‘we are the only one’s here’ or bargaining chips like, ‘hey man we are the band playing across the street tonight. Love to pay you double the bill charge for some breakfast for a hungry crew and we’ll throw in some tickets and stuff if you can help us out’, are equally ineffectual. To try to look big in the lads’ eyes, I once went around to the kitchen entrance of a sports bar in a town that shall remain nameless, and offered the cook a hundred bucks to cook four of us steak and eggs and I almost got kicked out. Here’s the kicker, you could order steak and fries off the lunch menu and in the small print you could order two fried eggs as a side order. I did not mention the irony of the moment at the time as I was already on thin ice.

In any case, finding a place that makes good breakfast all day is great victory for any touring musician. I’m not sure why. I guess it makes us feel alternative or something to be having eggs and toast when most others are ordering coup and salad for lunch. Maybe it’s the opposite and a yolk-dipped sausage is one of the few things that make us feel like we are living typical lives. Not sure. But I am sure that Over Easy is awesome.

I am here in the Big Smoke a couple of days before the GBS Tour starts to accept an award at the SOCAN Awards. SOCAN is the organization that collects royalties and such for composers and songwriters in Canada. GBS is receiving the Folk and Roots Award. Should be fun. I’m grateful to the SOCAN peeps for their nod. I also have the honour of presenting Spirit of the West with their National Achievement Award. As many of you know, SOTW have been one of my favourite bands for years. Should be fun as well.

Tomorrow I am working with Hawksley Workman, who many of you will recall is the producer and co-writer on many of the tracks on Fortune’s Favour. Hawk and I are working on an exciting project for 2011 that I’ll tell you about later.

On Wednesday, I hope to take the train from Toronto to London, Ontario. I’ve taken the train in North America only a handful of times. Looking forward to the Fall colours that line the tracks.

I had a chance to read Bob’s book. Not surprised that it is awesome. Though it is more about him and his stories than about me. Can’t see why he’d go for that. It is a great page-turner as it takes us all on a journey with Bob and his musical observations. Well done, Bob.

Likewise had a chance to listen to Murray’s alter ego CD, The Cocksure Lads. Very cool jaunt back in time to hear the Greatest Hits of this Brit Pop Sensation. I’m pretty sure the lads meant for this to be a funny musical homage. Not sure they knew the music would turn out this good. Check it out. Well done, Murman.

Looking forward to the last leg of the Fall Safe Upon the Shore Tour.

Till London.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary November 7th, 2010 Las Vegas Airport

I know I’ve written about the bizarre passage of time and distance while touring in other blogs in this Forum.  But there are times when the perceptions of all that is in the distant and recent past become so overwhelmingly confused, that I can’t help but mention it.

I had to be reminded last evening that the snowstorm we encountered in Regina happened on this tour.  I honestly feel like that was four months ago.  I also have a hard time with the fact that that big blue bus that just drove us from the beach in San Diego to the desert in Vegas is the same vehicle that drove us from Toronto Airport three weeks ago and through the above mentioned snowstorm.  That kind of travel still seems impossible to me, even though I just did it.

Many notable happenings since we boarded the bus 20 something days ago.  I finished scoring another video game, which proved to be a fun and challenging daytime experience while on tour.  I had to record most of it in dressing rooms and the back lounge of the bus.  This was usually no imposition to the other guys and theatre staff, but there was one day in Regina when the boys could not have helped but notice what I was up to.  See below.

In true Guerilla Recording style, I am helping Sean with his next solo effort as well.  He loves to record in weird and unlikely scenarios.  He most often hates studios of any kind.  Hates anything formal or institutional about recording. Loves to record on the fly, where he feels casual and easy about the whole deal.    Here we are in the dressing room of the Jubilee Theatre in Edmonton, I think.

While in Edmonton, we had the opportunity to explore the madness of the Halloween night out on Whyte Ave.  Many college students on the prowl in full costume.  Not that many of the gals costumes were that full.  I know I am about to sound like someone’s Dad, but what are you gonna do?  I am someone’s Dad.  Halloween has become a time when dudes dress like super heroes and gals dress like strippers.  I spent about a half an hour walking up and down Whyte Ave in the midst of it all and I felt like a dirty old perverted English Prof or something.  I looked at Bob and Sean and nothing needed to be said.  With a few eye rolls and headshakes we retired to the hotel, too old…er I mean experienced…for Halloween Party on Whyte Ave.

Had a grand night in Vancouver with some friends from the Olympic organization.   The night at the Orpheum was the best night of the tour so far, despite the fact that it was on a Monday.  Before our buss rolled South, we managed to get a glimpse of the KT Tunstall show at the Commodore.  What a powerhouse she is for a gal who I would characterize as petite.

A couple of days in Portland were a grand rest stop before California.  Me and Sean ran along the waterfront for 15ks upon arrival in San Francisco.  I love the fact that so much of the Harbour is accessible to everyone, and that it has not just become a Tourism area.  Its great that walking or running or biking along the waterside let you see real life happening.  Fishing boats come and go.  Massive container ships loaded to the sky about to head somewhere near or far.  Recreational boats of all varieties too-ing and fro-ing. 

All this under the majestic shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge.  A miracle of engineering if there ever was one.  I often stand beneath these accomplishments of man and try to imagine how many centuries I would need to be on the earth before I could produce one of these wonders.  And what disasters would ensue if I had to be in charge of one of these bridges or buildings or roads. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel like I’ve wasted my days or been a lazy person, but dedicating your life to music and performance feels powerfully impractical when you stand beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.   I felt that way the first time I saw the CN Tower in Toronto.  I felt the same when I saw the ancient locks on the River Thames in England.  Hell, I feel that way every time I eat a slice of bread as I have not the slightest clue how someone walked through a field of wheat one day and went, ‘Jaysus, this yellow tall grass would be awesome for sandwiches.’  Miracles, as far as I’m concerned. 

As noted in a previous post, I have had the LA and San Francisco dates ear marked for a long time.  Always cool to play these cities, but I was so excited to have the chance to share the stage with Scott Grimes.  I’ve had the privilege of walking in Scott’s backyard a few times.  Both personally and professionally.  Personally, I’ve been to his backyard many times and like everyone who goes there was treated with perfect hospitality in the most casual way.  You’re practically family when you walk I the Grimes’ home.  I am certain he would give you his TV if you asked for it.  I got to learn from Scotty in his professional backyard as well as he and I shared a trailer while filming Robin Hood.  It was my first real acting job and along with a few other Merry Men, Scott’s daily advice, encouragement and reassurance got me through the steepest learning curve I’ve ever had to scale. 

That’s why I have been so excited to get the chance to return some of the many favours he’s given me.  As I explained in a blog or so ago, Scott is an amazing musician, songwriter and singer.  He is quite accomplished and experienced yet he’s never really toured on any consistent level with a professional touring act with a bus and a crew and all that stuff.  This is primarily due to the fact that he has been so busy with TV and Film roles that he is constantly offered. I thought he’d really enjoy being a part of a touring acts that plays over 100 concerts a year.  I also knew that he would go over very well with the GBS crowd and his incredible voice would be a big asset to the night’s entertainment.  Ask anyone who attended LA or San Fran and you’ll know that Scott rocked the houses.  

That a way, Scotty.

I was very glad to have the chance to have Scott in my professional backyard for a couple of days.  I hope I can have him and his family in my personal backyard soon, too. 

On the long flight across the continent now.  The digital map says we are about 40 minutes from Montreal.  A quick turnaround and we’ll hopefully make our connection to St John’s.  Three weeks since I’ve woken the Prince in the morning. 

I don’t care how late I get home, I am getting up early.

Thanks to all hands for making these past few weeks so much fun.

Til the buss rolls to London, Ontario.

Cheers,
Alan

 

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Tour Diary October 26, 2010 - Regina, Saskatchewan

It’s 6:45 am and I’m lying in my bunk wide awake.  I’ve been this way for almost an hour. I am not sure why.  This is prime sleeping time as the bus is stopped and quiet sitting outside our day off hotel, which we’ll check into later.  I did not go to bed till after midnight, so why am I so absolutely awake this early.  Might help me sleep tonight, I suppose.

Had a great first week to the tour with awesome nights in Ann Arbor, Kent, Chicago, Minneapolis and the big Rink Rock show in Winnipeg.  Many thanks to all hands for coming out, especially Roy and the fiddlers from the school in Wanipigow.  Had a great afternoon showing these guys and gals around the Rink Set up and enjoyed seeing the spectacle of it all through their eyes.  Fun stuff.

We are covering some serious ground this tour.  It’s kind of funny to see it on a map.  Looks kind of impossible.  Check it out.

We started in Toronto and will finish at the airport in Las Vegas about 10,000 Kilometers later.  Quite a North American trek.  North as far as Dawson Creek.  South as far as San Diego. 

Very excited about the Los Angeles and San Diego shows, especially, as my Merry Man pal, Scott Grimes will be joining us for the shows.  Many of you will know Scott as Will Scarlett or for one of his many rolls on various TV Shows, Films, Broadway shows and everything else in the entertainment business. Having just finished a long stint on ER, he continues to be the voice of Steve Smith on American Dad. He’s been at it for over thirty years, and he’s not 40 years old yet.
 
He’s a great actor and all around entertainer, but with apologies to Scott for marginalizing any of his many talents, I think of him as a musician first.  We had many nights singing together while filming Robin Hood and he has one of the most appealing voices I’ve ever heard.  And I’ve been lucky to have been surrounded by some good ones for a long time. 

Check out Scotty’s latest music venture here:
http://www.scottgrimes.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=69

Scott opens for GBS at the House of Blues in Los Angeles and San Diego.  I can’t wait.
Day off today, but not really.  I’ve got another video game to score so I’m off to make life hell for whoever is unfortunate enough to have the rooms around mine in the hotel.  I may be recording a bagpiper today. Good Luck getting a nap through that.

Thanks again to all hand for making this first week a grand one.
Happy Birthday Kris MacFarlane who, despite having been on the road for a thousand years, is only 35 years old.  Well done, Sir.  Many more to come.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary October 5, 2010 - Toronto Airport - Air Canada Lounge

Just waiting for a flight home following a couple of lovely days in Niagara on the Lake.  I’d never been there before and can honestly say it is one of the nicest areas on the Canada-US border.  Beautiful this time of year especially, as the trees are in Fall colours.

The last public gig of the tour was in Chatam at the wonderfully restored Capitol Theatre.  (Grand job Good People of Chatam) but we had one more commitment before heading home.  GBS was a part of a fundraising event for a much needed facility in the town of Hamilton.  Friends and friend of friends have been lending their efforts to build Mark Preece House, a residence for those who need it while family members are receiving care in the hospital.

Mark passed away a number of years back, so I’ve never met the man.  But I can tell you he must have been quite a guy a his friends and family have gone the extra mile to see that his legacy lives on in a Facility that will benefit families in need for years to come.  Quite a tip of the hat, if you ask me.  It was an honour to be a part of it.

For more information on the Project, check out the following site;

www.markpreecehouse.ca

On the flight to YYT now.

Finished my 30-day booze fast the day we played the fundraising gig at Peller Estates Winery.  I had a few glasses of wine after the gig and I confess they tasted great.  I am also somewhat sad to say that I actually felt more myself.  Hmm.  What to think of that?

What to think of it all, I suppose.  I am not even sure why I went down the 30-day drink less road.  I guess it was part a health cleanse, part personal challenge, and part morbid curiosity. Now that is behind me, I can offer a couple of thoughts, though very little advice. 

-staying off the drink for thirty days was much easier than I thought.  Even on a tour bus with many temptations and grand opportunities, I really never considered breaking the pledge. 

-I don’t feel one bit healthier for it.  Honestly, I’d love to tell on that on day 20, I woke and felt super human or even mildly better than usual, but that did not happen.  I honestly can feel no obvious or subtle change in my health.

-you don’t need to drink to have fun.  That’s true.  I had lots of fun over this past month.  But you’ll miss a lot of the fun your drunk friends are having if you are not on the train with them.  That’s also true. 

-I have discovered that booze weighs heavily in my Catholic Guilt.  It serves as a reward for good work, and a motivator for more good work.  That is to say, I often work harder to justify rewarding myself with drinks and celebration after the fact.  Likewise, I often punish myself the morning after with work and exercise, because I have to pay for my indulgence.  Jaysus, do I sound like a 12th century Monk or something.  Did my Catholic upbringing really affect me this much?  In any case, I found myself not running 2 or 3 extra k’s because I had not been on the drink the night before.  I lay in the bunk a couple of afternoons and watched videos.  A luxury I would rarely afford myself if I had been at the pub the night before or was planning to go that night.  Does booze actually drive me to exercise more and work harder?  Jaysus, I am a well travelled university educated man of the 21st Century.  Surely I am not bound, consciously or not, by this ancient code of moral debits and credits…am I?

-constant sobriety for someone not used to it is exhausting.  Do you remember the Spinal Tap scene with the boys standing over Elvis’ grave?  The funniest bit from that sequence was a conversation that went something like;

“Put’s it all in perspective, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, too much bloody perspective.”

That means a lot to me now.  I really missed the break that the occasional drink gives you from sober thought.  I am not suggesting I am better for wanting my thinking impaired occasionally.  Quite the contrary.   But in the spirit of full disclosure, there it is.  I don’t want to think perfectly straight 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  For better or for worse, I crave the foolishness that comes with hanging with people mutually letting their guard down.

-if some medical or social scenario raises its head in the future and I need to stop drinking, I know I could and would do it.  Cold Turkey.  No problem.  Barring that, I really don’t think I’ll go another 30 days without a glass of wine.  As I’ve long suspected, it is just too good.

Heading home now for a couple of weeks.  Need to make up for lost time with the Family and survey, first hand, the damage that Igor dealt the Island. 

Also need to scratch Molly’s head.  Funny how you miss the little things when you are away from home.

Thanks to you all for sharing in Leg One of the Safe Upon the Shore Tour.  The bus rests till Ann Arbor.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - September 28, 2010 - US Air Flight 3127 - Toronto-Charlotte

Had a couple of days off the bus in Toronto. Arrived there on Sunday morning to shoot a CMT special to be aired later in the Fall. Spent the bulk of the day prepping and sound checking with the production team before playing a near two-hour set before a small outdoor studio audience.  Here’s a pic from Kris of me being primped for the show.

 It was a bit of a tiring day as we had played 12 shows and 12 cities over the past 12 days.  Shooting a Live TV special on night 13 of 13 in a row is not the wisest plan we’ve ever cooked up, but there was no avoiding it.  Luckily, the old pipes have held up, even after the barnburner rock show in New York a few nights back.

I should be well rested, but my hotel room insomnia is in full swing.  It makes no sense that a grown man should sleep more soundly in a bunk on a moving bus than in a posh king size hotel suite, but not everything about playing in a band for a living makes sense.  Perhaps the odd night cap has helped me nod off in the past and these nights off the drink provide no cues to tell my mind to stop racing.  I am on day 26 of  30 day stint off the drink.  We play a private gig on a winery on Sunday.  I believe I have timed this quite well.

I am very grateful to the folks who stuck with us on a chili evening for the CMT taping.  You guys were a big part of the show.  Likewise, I am grateful to the kind Gent and Lady who donated some Leafs Hockey tickets to us last evening so a few of us could attend the game against the visiting Sabres.  It was a lovely break from it all.

Spent yesterday morning in meetings with my Manager Louis, and some TV/Film folks about some projects that may come up in the New Year.  Keep you posted.  On the topic of projects on the horizon, watch for an announcement regarding the launch of Bob’s new book, ‘Writing out the Notes.’  Bob says it is a collection of blogs and stories about his life in St John’s, as a traveler and a musician.  Can’t wait to read it, myself.  Hope he does not mention what I did to him that time in Halifax in ’95.

For the Fru-heads out there, you would have loved join with me and Sean yesterday afternoon, as we had a recoding session with half of Moxy Fruvous.  I am helping Sean with his second Solo CD and we nipped up to Dave Matheson’s home studio, along with Murray.  For those of you who don’t know, Murray and Dave were in one of the best pop vocal groups in Canadian History.  Moxy had cool songs and quirky ways about them, but it was their singing that always made me cheer.  Dave is an ace producer and side guy these days, working with the likes of Ron Sexsmith.  We needed his skills as a general collaborator and a pianist.  We recorded some piano and piano accordion, as well as guitar and percussion tracks in the short time we had to gather.  I really enjoyed it.  Hope we can make our way back soon.  Thanks Dave.

I’d like to give a shout out to the kind folks at Sirius Satellite Radio in NY.  They had us in there on Friday past and we taped a show for the Village, a Folk based, mostly acoustic station.  I’ll try to keep you posted as to an air date for those tunes.  We had fun playing there, so I have high hopes that these versions will be cool.  More pics from Kris…

 

Speaking of cool versions of tunes, have a look for an special iTunes release from the band.  A few weeks back, we went into Metalworks Studio near Toronto and recorded ten or so tracks in a few hours.  Most of these are live off the floor recordings of some Safe Upon the Shore tunes and some classic GBS tracks.  Many of them will be quite different than the studio or live versions you’ll know because we did a few of them in smaller configurations.  I believe there will be a very acoustic version of Long Life, and a solo version of Yankee Sailor, for example.  

And one other brief piece of self-promotion, if you don’t mind.  Robin Hood is now available on DVD and BluRay.  I have not yet seen this but I’m told there is a longer edit of the film as well as cool ‘Behind the Scenes’ footage.  I’m looking forward to that in particular as it will be a wonderful reminder of all the cool folks I worked with for almost half of last year.  Check it out if you get a chance.

About to descend into Charlotte.  Week three begins. 

Let there be Folk.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - September 23, 2010 - Pittsburgh, Penn - Dressing Room

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Tour Diary - August 29, 2010 - Home

It’s been a while since the last post, so apologies, Dear Reader.   When we left off a few weeks back, I was bound for home with hopes of getting to work with a couple of brothers from the greater Limerick area of Ireland.  Owen and Moley O’Sullivan make up Size 2 Shoes, an alt everything folkish act and I hope to collaborate with them in part or in whole on their next recording.  The boys were in Newfoundland for the NL Folk Festival and we managed to sneak in a few days recording during their visit.  A couple of those days found us at my cabin in Rural Newfoundland where we sang to the birds and moose.  Through the jigs and the reels, we managed to write and record three tunes and I learned a lot for the gents as they have a really unique way of stacking vocal harmonies and including beat boxing and rap in folk music.  I hope we get a chance to finish the CD, but the sched is not on our side as I am bound for the road with GBS for the Fall and Winter, and they are bound to feature in a film by an up and coming director named Steven Spielberg.

Here’s a snippet.

I wish the boys well and hope we can re-gather soon enough to finish what we’ve started.

Since then, GBS has played two weekends.  The first of which started with one of the most taxing travel schedules I’ve seen on the itinerary in a long, long time.  I awoke in Stn John’s shortly after 3:30 AM to catch a flight to Toronto at 5:20.  From there we dashed across the airport to catch a flight to Minneapolis.  An even quicker dash across that airport led us to another connection to Duluth.  We then had to drive for a few hours to get to the gig in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  Jaysus.

Thankfully, Bayfield is beautiful.  It is a lovely Summer Home looking kind of logging town on a far-reaching corner of Lake Superior.  The folks there treated us very kindly before, during, and after the gig.  The shenanigans went late in to the evening, especially considering the entire GBS Cast and Crew had been up for well over 24 hours by the time the real foolishness began.  In case anyone is wondering, Lake Superior is quite warm at 4am.

We all rolled to St. Paul to partake in the Irish Festival and were delighted to be reacquainted with the Young Dubs and a few other musical friends.  Hope to be asked back to the Festival again.  An interesting note: We were actually booked to play this Festival in the Summer of 2009, but I had to pull the plug on it to meet the commitments to film Robin Hood.  This year, Summer 2010, we roll into the gig’s hotel, and as I walk into my room, I hear my own voice on the TV saying, “We’re common archer’s, Robin”, a line from Allan A’Dayle in the very same film.  Turns out that the film had just been added to the in Room Movie line up.  How’s that for bookending a year. 

The following weekend we had grad times at the Molson Amphitheatre, with a massive crowd.  Hard not to feel like a Rock Star headlining the Amphitheatre.  But for a couple of days previous, I was moonlighting in T.O. with Little John, himself.  It was great to meet up with Kevin Durand and his Dad, Serge.  Again with the Robin Hood connection, Kevin and I were in town to do some advance press for the DVD/Blue Ray release of the film.  We had a blast and on the second night I sang the National Anthem at an NFL Pre Season game at the Skydome.  Here’s me and Kev on the field.

Yes, he is really that big.  NO gear and he still made some of the players look small.
 
That evening we rolled to Vermont and had a gig near Woodstock on a ski hill called Suicide Six, I believe.  I spent most of that day chasing Sean around the historic town and up in the hills.  We ran over 11 kilometers, which for me is a big run, but for Sean these days is a brisk warm up.  I nearly had to be helicopter-ed down off the hill. It was lovely to hear Natalie McMaster play her fiddle that evening.  Have not seen Nat that often in the past five years or so as our paths have not crossed as much as they once did on the circuit.  She is a Master at her craft.  And could very well be the best Fiddler Cape Breton has ever produced.  For those of you who don’t know the context of the previous statement, that is like saying you are the best bottle of wine ever produced in Italy.

We finally got to headline Wolftrap in the greater Washington, DC area.  We’ve played there eight or nine times now and finally got to do our own show.  Amazing to have a weekend with the Amphitheatre in Toronto and Wolftrap in the same weekend as they may be Canada’s and America’s best outdoor convert venues.  Quite a privilege.

Home now, and have been for a week or so.  Putting in as much family time as the last breaths of Summer 2010 will allow.  The sched ahead see’s me away a ton this Fall, so I want to roll with the Prince as much as possible before the Safe Tour starts in September. 

Two happenings I can report that you may find worthy of note. 

Myself and Sean and a few others helped our friends Jason and Leslie re-open a pub in downtown St. John’s.  They just purchase Nautical Nellies on Water Street.  This place is one of the three or four pubs that served as the first GBS circuit in the Spring and Summer of 1993.  I think it is the second pub Great Big Sea ever played, following a Paddy’s Day weekend at the Rose and Thistle.  Back then, we would typically book from Thursday to Sunday in either the Rose ,or Nellies, or the Garret or 7 George.  Along with the occasional solo or duo gig, or a happy hour here or there, that’s how the months looked. Pushing our little PA as West as far as Nellies, East as far as the Garrett.  About 300 Meters I suppose. 

But these gigs were our classrooms.  Four sets a night. Booming noise from the street and every other bar. Patrons and Punters with dozens of excellent options battling for their attention.  This is where we learned how to do the most important job a pub band has; keep the bar full and keep them drinking.  Pub owners loved us.  We eventually shattered every beer sales record in pubs in St John’s Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, just to name a few.  By the Summer of 1994, we had it down.  Get them in early, keep the Sociables coming, and comment of the excellent quality of a particular beer or drink…whatever the pub owner wanted us to push.  And most importantly, keep the tunes up-tempo and engaging. One person leaving in the middle of a set is a failure.  Get all two or three hundred people who may come and go over the course of the evening to buy one more drink than they might have otherwise.  Pub owners won’t mind paying you top dollar of you can demonstrate you are capable of this. 

Perhaps I’ve rambled.  Sorry, but I’ve had some time waiting for the Ferry to come. What Ferry, you may ask.  Well I am about to fulfill a longtime desire and finally get to the home town of Gideon Brown.  Here comes the boat.  Back in a bit.

Made it.  Finally got to visit Fogo Island.  See here

In the distance is Joe Batt’s Arm.  In the foreground is Alan Doyle’s Arm.  Very cool place.

We had a grand time in Tilting and Fogo, and JBA (as the crowd from Tilting call it).  A grand Lady named Zita Cobb is heading up a movement to restore many of the heritage buildings in these towns and also is also developing state of the art Artist Studios and Residences to connect Fogo with the rest of the world through visual arts and writing and songs and stories.  And Fogo has lots of all of that.

Of course I had to make a bit of a pilgrimage to Brimstone Head.  I’ve been speaking about this place onstage for years and I know many folks are convinced I make some of this stuff up.  But Ladies and Gentleman, I kid you not.  I have been to one of the corners of the earth…according to the Flat Earth Society.

This as good a photo I could find on the net, but trust me, no photo could explain how sinister and looming this mountain of rock appears in person.  It dwarfs the sizeable fishing village of Fogo below and at dusk with the right rain and clouds still visible below the moon, the Head looks almost impossible.  Like a scene from a Tim Burton Film.  Just waiting for a sorcerer’s castle to be CGI’d on top.  Very cool. 

And I made it up and back safely.  Dodging fate once again.

It’s not easy to get to Fogo Island.  Thankfully.  If Newfoundland is the best kept secret in North America, then Fogo Island is the best kept secret in Newfoundland.  But not for long.  It’s just too good to keep under wraps.

I’m back at home now enjoying the last few days of Family time before the Safe Tour starts hard and fast in a week.   Looking forward to getting out there, I confess.  I’m sure I’ve mentioned it here before, so forgive me for the repetition, but I love September.  I love the Fall. I think it stems back to my high school years.  Though I dearly adored my young life in my little fishing town of Petty Harbour, I was ready for a lot more than the North and Southside Hills had to offer.  High School saw us in the Goulds, a much bigger farming town with a main road, a supermarket, video arcade,sports fields,  bars with bands, girls in my class who were neither close or distant relatives of mine.  September meant getting back to all that. And I loved it.
The fact that Newfoundland is gorgeous in the Fall does not hurt either.

I wonder though if it is not something else that makes September so special for me?  I wonder is it actually the start of a new year?  January 1st, is really a day when very little begins.  With the exception of a few sporting events, very little happens on that day…is that true?  I can think of nothing I’ve ever begun or started a fresh on January 1st.  But September is truly the time of new beginnings and perhaps has always been my New Years Day.  Maybe that’s why I rarely, if ever rued the fading of Summer. Too fascinated to see what comes next, I suppose. I don’t know.

In any case, I am fascinated to get the bus rolling again.  Sorry this entry has been been a bit long in the tooth, but I’ve been absent here for a few weeks and had a lot to say.  More to come when Me and Bobber, and Magoo, and Murrman, and KMAC, and Archie, and JROC, and leBriton, and Young Johnny ,and Glenbo hop on the GB Bus with JP at the helm.  What a Cast.
Rock on.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - July 26, 2010 - Flight AC 137 - Toronto-Vancouver

We’re Number 2! We’re Number 2!

Serves me right, I suppose for standing on stage for a few months now, mockingly congratulating the US Men’s and Women’s Olympic Hockey Teams for their Silver Medal Olympic efforts.  Here I am eating my words as the new GBS CD debuted in the second spot on the Canadian Soundscan (Canadian Billboard) Charts.

Truth be told, I am actually ecstatic about being in the runner up slot.  I’d been secretly hoping to make the Top 5 and had expressed a wish to be in the Top 10 but I honestly never thought we’d be so high up the charts.  Only our Sea of No Cares debut was higher, and you have to remember that the CD retail world was quite different all those years ago when that CD hit the shelves.

What I am trying to say is that All Hands in the GBS Camp are very grateful to all the folks who bought the new music.  It is quite a thrill to be still on the musical radar after almost two decades.  Thank you so much.

For those of you who don’t know, a young and upcoming rapper named Eminem beat us out.  Look out for him.  I think he’s got a bright future. 

I still have the Soundscan Chart for the Sea of No Cares release.  I don’t recall all the other names in the Top 10, but I know the gal who finished second to GBS was a gal named Shakira.  I wonder if she looked at that chart.  Do you think she went, “F%*k those Newfoundland Shanty Bastards!”?  I really doubt it.  Though it is a fun thing to picture.

Currently flying West on another strange and bizarre travel day that we in GBS accept as normal.  I woke early this morning and got the Prince on the go for milky cereal and Thomas the Tank Engine discussion.  I went to the gym in St. John’s, then went home to put the last few screws in a deck I built with my Father last week.  I had lunch and some playtime with the Prince, and then made for the airport.  I checked in and had some email time in the AC Lounge, then boarded a flight to Toronto.  That flight was a bit behind schedule so our connection time in Pearson was very short.  I dashed with Sean and Bob across the airport to make the flight that I am sitting on now.

When we arrive in Vancouver, we are to meet the crew and Bus and drive across the border through Washington to Roseburg, Oregon.  I should get there sometime in the morning.

So how’s that for a day in the life?  It starts with about half a day St. John’s Newfoundland, and ends some 20 hours later in Roseburg, Oregon.  I think about stupid statistics on days like today.  I wonder if Sean and Bob and I, are the first humans to ever be in St John’s, Newfoundland, and Roseburg, Oregon, within one 24-hour period?  And if we are not the first, who is?  What other possible scenario would find someone with this itinerary?  Foolish thinking, I know.  Just being honest with you.

Really looking forward to the gigs this week.  I feel like we are getting our heads around playing some of the new tunes.  It takes a few gigs to get them all together.  You can practice till your fingers bleed, but a band never really gets new tunes together till you road test them a number of times.

Again, many thanks to all of you for the support.  I am very grateful to be Number 2.  But I know one Rapper from Detroit who should be looking over his shoulder.  Someone’s tailing him from the East.  And they are coming awful fast.

Let there be Rock.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - July 16, 2010 St. John’s, NL (Republic of Doyle Set)

I can't say I've ever dreamt of being a Prisoner in any jail or penitentiary. The closest I've come so far was an ill fated 'walk home from the pub with my pint' in downtown St. John's in the late 1980's. This poor decision resulted in me sitting in the back of a paddy wagon explaining to two Officers that I had no idea the black liquid in this pint glass was actually Guinness.

'I asked for a glass of Pepsi, I swear. They must'a gave me this by mistake.'

Lucky for me an ex-softball coach of mine, who's paying job is a Warden, was on the gate at the Lock Up under Courthouse, and I never got past the threshold.

Likewise, I have never planned to beat the shite out of my actor friend, Allan Hawco (Jake Doyle, Republic of Doyle). I may have slashed him hard enough to bruise his unpadded calf once or twice playing ball hockey, but that's as close to fisticuffs as we have come in our 30+ year friendship.

In retrospect, it is too bad my avoidance of incarceration and Hawco abuse were so successful. These experiences would have served me well in my second professional gig, as an actor as I find myself playing a Convict who dukes it up with Jake on a few occasions in an Episode of The Republic of Doyle.

I can't tell you much about the story or the other actors, as I don't want to spoil the fun, but it's been a thrill all week to be a part of the show. This despite the fact that I've been chained and beaten for more hours than I care to discuss. Not to mention the really unflattering wardrobe. See below.

I've had the good fortune to work on quite a variety of projects, big and small in different parts of the Entertainment Industry, in different parts of the world. But this experience feels unique. There is a sense on the set from the Cast and Directors, to the Camera and Sound Crew, to the Caterers and Drivers, that we all working on something really special. Something special for the CBC and for the Canadian TV audience, but special for Newfoundland in particular. Feels like all hands are jumping at the chance to prove ourselves, whether we actually need to or not. This show is something made right here, with lots of help from talented folks from all over world, but something unmistakably ours.

They've got a surprisingly well tuned and oiled machine considering it is really still new. I have previously mentioned here that show creators, Allan and Perry Chafe are old friends of mine. But I don't want you to think I am just flattering my friends by mentioning how efficient this place runs. They need to make decisions quickly and respond to unforeseen challenges on the spot and they are doing an amazing job. Really impressed with the industry they've created along with their brothers in arms, Rob Blackie and John Vatcher.

I think all hands in Newfoundland really proud of the boys for landing this show and managing to keep it so alive and well for a second season. I know I am.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on your chance to see the show when Republic of Doyle's Season 2 gets rolling in January, 2011.

Just got the 5-minute call. One scene left to film. One more chance to act like a criminal and punch Jake in the neck.

Grand times.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - July 13, 2010 Washington, DC (On the Bus)

GBS CD #10

Jaysus.

I remember the day our first indie CD was delivered to St John's. I showed up the day before the CD Launch, which, I believe, was August 3rd, 1993. It was the coolest day of my life. I've probably mentioned this before here, but I'd spent much of my young life in bands and choirs and playing on concerts of varying types. Always dreaming of having a professionally manufactured CD of my band's own music. I'd though of it as the most legitimizing business card in the music industry. It is the biggest separation between those who want to be in a band for a living and those who undeniably are in a band for a living.

So what then should I think of being in a band that now has 10 CDs? Can we now finally say that we can do this for a living? If releasing CD #1 is the great divide in real and pretender bands, what then is the significance of releasing CD #10? Does this finally justify us as a career band or something? I don't know yet. I am just glad this day is finally here, and another batch of our musical offerings is born onto the world.

Thanks for all the congrats and well wishes. I feel pretty cool today.
Hope you do too.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - June 7, 2010 - St. John’s, NL - Home

Just back from a fun three day trip to Grand Cayman. The Ships and Dips boat stopped there on one of the Cruises, but I was far too done in from the night before to even consider leaving the room for a day trip. Now, I wish I had got my arse out of bed and onto the shore. It could very well be the best Island destination in the Caribbean.

My travels have led me to think that any place where Tourism is the largest industry is bound to be not that interesting to me. This is especially true of warmer destinations that get so much commerce in accommodating beach dwellers and sun seekers, that all the cool local activity that comes with a fishery or a cotton field or a sugar cane, or mining area, gets left behind and lost. I am much more interested in visiting places and witnessing people doing exactly what they would be doing even if I was not there to watch. You know, places where people cultivate or make things for a living, rather than exclusively play host to the masses.

I have found too many of the warmer destinations in the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts fall into the group of places that have, by choice or necessity, lost some or all of the local customs, occupations, language, and music in favour of the Tourist Trade. (Holy shite. Do I sound like a Rock Star travel snob, sticking his nose up at a beach vacation? What a dickhead. Sorry.)

I am very happy to report that Grand Cayman seems to be a great beach destination where you can witness people living in their own environment and not just waiting on the shore for the next ship-load of suckers looking for plastic maracas made in Indonesia. (Holy Shite, do I sound as jaded as I think? What the f*&# is wrong with me?) I met lots of fishermen and many folks who work in the Banking Industry along with a whole bunch of home-builders, a few medical students and teachers. Very interesting group of people. The beaches are beautiful and they claim to have the cleanest coastline in all the Caribbean.

Grand spot.

Now I temper my delight by confessing that I was there on an all expense paid working trip and was housed and pampered at the Ritz Carlton. In case you are wondering, I cannot afford the Ritz Carlton. It is really beyond even the most successful folksinger's budget. And the kind folks from the company who shall remain unnamed here (as I have not asked their permission) treated us like gold as they employed us to play for the opening of their Conference.

All that full disclosure stuff aside, I recommend Grand Cayman. Not that it’s the most exotic place in the world, but for the fact that the walks on the beach, the swimming, the snorkeling or diving, kayaking and all the active holidaying are available and quite enjoyable. Likewise the food is varied and very good and the chats in the pubs are grand.

Being resourceful, as we tend to be, GBS decided to take advantage of the days in the sun to film a new video for the new CD. Nothing but a Song will be the first single off the new GBS recording and the video should feature us frolicking in the sun around Grand Cayman. Some performances and some other stuff should make it in there, all things being well.

A couple of pics to give you the idea… 

My favourite part of the whole experience was swimming with the stingrays. I realize it appears to be the very Tourist Trap kind of thing I snubbed above, but this was really cool. They are amazing creatures that seem prehistoric. Very cool.

The band performance part of the video was shot at a pub on the beach and I am very grateful to the owners and Staff for looking after us so well.  I am especially grateful to all hands who volunteered to participate in the fun. T’was grand.

Keep your eyes open for the video release.  Should be in a few weeks. 

Next up in GBS land is a gig in Nanaimo in a few weeks. If it looks funny on the schedule for there to be a one-off gig on Vancouver Island, don’t worry.  We have not lost our Canada Maps. As with Grand Cayman, we have a corporate event to play elsewhere on the Island and we just thought it a perfect time to play the cool little theatre in Nanaimo. It should be a great night to try some new songs off the new CD.

Flew home on Thursday of last week and did something I have not done I over a year. I unpacked my suitcase and put it away. I usually just hide it, still packed, in the closet as my wife, child, and dog are all bothered by its presence. But this time, I really could unpack it and put it away as I am to be home for almost a month straight. 

I might even get to mow the grass. Living the dream.

Cheers,
Alan

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TOUR DIARY - MAY 17, 2010 - LEONARDO DA VICI AIRPORT - FLIGHT AC 891

Happy Birthday to me. 

Just drove past the Vatican and through the ruins of the Ancient City of Rome.  Awaiting a flight to Toronto to make a connection home.  The Robin Hood Press blitz is over.  The Film is out there, born onto the world.

It has been a wild ride since the Robin Hood Family and his Merry Men along with their Merry Ladies met in Cannes, France a week ago.  I’m not sure I’m capable of capturing the essence of it all in descriptive prose, so please accept the following discoveries and observations to describe the past seven days.

Please forgive any name-dropping, but it is impossible to tell the story without some of the personalities.

Icelandic ash clouds will do their best to spoil any travel plans.

The Cannes Film Festival is a big deal.

The Sofia Loren Suite at the Carleton Hotel has two balconies overlooking the French Riviera, a lobby entrance, a living room, and a master bedroom with full master bathroom.

I was not sure which of the two toilets to use in the above-mentioned master bath.

The folks at Universal Pictures are very nice people.

The acoustics outside Italian Restaurants in Antibes, are perfect for late night busking.

It takes a lot of people to shoot the Today show on location.

It takes a while to put on a tux properly, and there always seems to be bits left over even thought you look and feel fully clothed.

Red Carpets are not for those who hate getting their picture taken.

Red Carpets are great for those who love getting their picture taken.

Watching Robin Hood with the Merry Men and Ladies was one of the most satisfying and rewarding 2 hours of my life.

Following the Premiere Screening of Robin Hood, Salma Hayek either looked at me and winked, or looked in my direction, as she had something in her eye.
 
Cuba Gooding Junior is very fit, Benecio Del Torro is very tall and Tim Burton’s hair is really like that.

The After Parties at Cannes are amazing.

The After Parties at Cannes are no place to stare at your iPhone to watch the Habs eliminate the Stanley Cup Champion Pens.

If you ever get the chance to watch the sun rise from one of the decks of the Sofia Loren Suite at the Carleton Hotel in Cannes, France, I highly recommend you go for it.

It is a short flight from Cannes to Milan on a private jet but again Icelandic ash clouds will do their best to spoil any travel plans.

Men are very well dressed and look like models in Milan. 

Women are very well dressed and look like models in Milan.

Have you ever seen the SNL skit where the dude pretends to be an Italian talk show host?  Italian talk shows are strangely similar to that sketch.

Sitting in the audience of an Italian talk show listening with an ear piece as a translator translates the hosts Italian questions in to English while an announcer on a loud speaker simultaneously translates your buddy’s English answers into Italian is truly a unique and bizarre experience.

Singing a song on an Italian talks show is actually a very cool experience.

Giorgio Armani is a very nice man with a lovely property.

It is a short flight from Milan to Rome on a private jet and still Icelandic ash clouds will do their best to spoil any travel plans.

Everyone on Earth should get to see Rome at least once.

The Trevi Fountain has to be the coolest Fountain in the world.

Singing in Italian Restaurant kitchens is a great way to say “Prego” to the staff.

I toured the Coliseum with the Gladiator.

Hannibal Lector knows the words to the Old Triangle.

The Spanish Steps might be the coolest staircase in the world.

The acoustics on the Spanish Steps are not so perfect for late morning busking, but singing there provides one of the coolest backdrops you’ll ever see.

The Pope has really nice digs.

The Popes had to get their genitals officially checked to ensure that they were male before being finally named the new Pope.

There is a chair with a slot and hole in the seat for this inspection.

I’m serious.

The Sistine Chapel has more beauty in its small space than entire cities elsewhere.

St Peter’s Cathedral can seat almost 60, 000 for mass.

St Peter’s Square holds over half a million.

Drivers in Rome are terrible, crazy or amazing, and I can’t tell which one.

With the exceptions of the group of restaurateurs who have already done so, every pizzeria on Earth should stop doing business immediately and send their chefs to Italy to learn to do it propoerly.

Same as above for pasta chefs.

Same as above for cheese makers.

Same as above for coffee shop owners.

Great grappa is amazing.

Anything less than great grappa is really some form of petrol in a nicer bottle.

I am in the #2 Movie in North America.

I am in the #1 Movie in the World.

Please check out the above mentioned Movie…and bring a friend.

It’s a long flight from Rome to St. John’s especially when you have to fly via Toronto, and of course, Icelandic ash clouds will do their best to spoil any travel plans.

Kevin Durand is a grand fella with a big laugh who exercises a lot.

Scott Grimes is a grand fella who sings very well, even in the morning.

Russell Crowe is a grand fella, and the hardest working man in show business.

I am a lucky bastard.

All the above-mentioned dudes have gals far better than they deserve.

I am 41 years old today.

I am going home to kiss the Prince and I don’t care how late it is when I get there.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who made all the above happen.

Cheers for now,
Alan

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Tour Diary - May 3, 2010 - Sellersville, PA - On the Bus

Hey.  Much to report from the last few weeks.

Had a grand few days in LA rubbing shoulders with the stars and the famous Hollywood Press.  Interesting things these massive press junkets.  For the most part the star, or stars (as in our case where the three Merry Men worked together on Friday Saturday and Sunday) are held up in a hotel suite decorated with posters logos from the film, all lit for tv.  There is a full camera, sound, and light crew prepped to blast off dozens of clips and interviews for the awaiting journalists.  And there were a lot of journalists.

Let me describe one of the days.  Myself and Kev (Little John) and (Scott) went into one of these hotel suites at 10 am on Sunday,  and left at 5:15.  I can’t tell you how many interviews we did, but some quick math will give you an idea.  The awaiting journalists line the halls and wait for hours to get their four-minute chance to get what they need for their respective stations.  That’s right, four minutes.  Thirty seconds to get one in and one out and off we went. 

So, if we allow 10 minutes per hour for food inhalation and pee breaks, we probably averaged 10 interviews per hour.  So, in 7 hours, we did somewhere around 70 interviews.  You have to bear in mind that that is 70 interviews about the same thing in one sitting.  We did basically the same thing on Friday and Saturday as well.

It is a very effective way to get the word out about the film very quickly, but I confess it was challenging to look excited and engaged the 55th time someone asked, “What was it like working with Ridley and Russell?” or “Did you have to do any training for this film?”

By the end of it I felt like answering, “Sorry dude.  A lot of people worked on the film.  Who exactly are Ridley and Russell?” or “No, no training was necessary for this film.  All of us regularly ride horses in Medieval Chainmail and fire flaming arrows at French people.”

But, of course, I did not say any of that and did my best to speak clearly and accurately about my experiences while on the film.

Had a day off in LA with the MM lads.  Had a grand bike ride with Kev up to the famous sign.  No fun chasing him in any physical activity, but the result tells the story.  We made it.

 Had a fun evening to follow at Scott’s house.  A few songs and lovely company.  They are a grand crowd, all the Grimes and friends.

Jetted from LA on Wednesday to Nashville.  Walking on the GBS bus was like coming home.  Dumped my stuff in the same bunk I’ve had for almost a decade.  Magoo in the front lounge finger picking his guitar and writing a song. Kris in his bunk listening to tunes while chatting on some drummer chat page.  Bob and Murray in the back lounge with their faces aglow from the lights of their laptop screens.  I breathe a sigh of relief to be in such familiar surroundings. 

Had a couple of great gigs in Nashville and Atlanta and made our way to Merlefest.  The site for this festival might be the best I’ve ever seen.  The festival is set on the grounds of a community college and had long flat fields of grass, and sloping hills to accommodate bigger and smaller stages.  The weather was amazing and the talent even better.  The highlight for me was seeing Elvis Costello with some of the best bluegrass players on earth close the Saturday session. 

We may have stuck out like a sore thumb on this primarily bluegrass program.  Or we may have been a breath of fresh air to those hiding from banjo solos.  I think we did very well, but confess I am not certain.  I would love to be invited back to Merlefest.  I loved every minute of it.

Rode over night to Arlington, Virgina, and saw Sean do his first official solo gig.  All hands were so proud to see him take the stage with such confidence and poise.  I thought he sang his tunes spectacularly well and was engaging and funny all the way through.  Was thrilled to jump up and help him close the set, though I think he could have easily slain the place on his own.  Way to go Magoo.

Currently on the bus in Sellarsville, PA.  Seems like a classic cool small American Town.  As we rode in, I looked out the window across the flat fields and the make shift baseball diamonds in various empty lots and schoolyards.

“This is where Third Basemen are born.” I said to Brit as he looked out over his glasses and nodded.

Five shows till home.  Then a quick turn around and off to Cannes for the RH Film Opening. 

Exciting times.

Cheers,

Alan

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Tour Diary - April 22, 2010 - Air Canada Flight 797 - Montreal-LA

Still licking my wounds following a late night/early morning Juno’s after party thrown by the kind folks at Warner Music Canada.  Held at Bianca’s, normally a fine restaurant on Water Street in St. John’s. But for this event, the white tablecloths and good cutlery were put aside to make way for guitars, drums and speakers. 

After a few polite hellos and sips, I appointed myself emcee for the evening and started a parade of jams that went well into the daylight.  Highlights included, some Andrews Sister-esque singing by the Good Lovelys, Lenny Gallant and Ron Hynes proving to all hands that Atlantic Canada has the best songwriters, and the return of Brothers in Stereo. 

Sean managed to coerce the Billy Talent boys to come up for a jam of a few tunes including a Police number in which I pretended to know the chords and Ian from BT ripped a solo like he wrote the shagging song.  All the while, Magoo and BT’s Ben held the battle of the male sopranos.  The BT boys rocked and later confessed that in their 15+ years history, they had never really jumped up and jammed with other bands. 

My personal thrill was getting to sit in for Greg Keelor with a makeshift Blue Rodeo.  Jim Cuddy, Basil Donavan, Glen Miltchem from the real band made up the core of the experience while myself and Chris Ledrew from Brothers in Stereo tried to look like cool and act as if this moment was not the f*&king coolest of our musical lives.

The daylight was creeping into the restaurant as the last tunes were sung. I jumped a cab home and got to bed around 5:30 am.  The Prince woke up at 6:55.  Ouch.  Pancakes were made.  Very quietly.

Despite the rain, drizzle, fog, volcanic ash, floods, locusts, and other Biblical Plagues cast over St. John’s last weekend, I think the Juno’s were a massive success.  The numbers support my suspicion as this year’s event had the highest ratings in years. 

Thank you Juno’s.  Please come again.

The unpronounceable volcano from Iceland has arsed up many schedules and plans around the globe.  Even Hollywood is not immune to Ash Clouds.  The much anticipated press event for the film Robin Hood to be held in the Mother Country in London, Nottingham and a few other places has been relocated outside the no fly zones of the UK.

As I type, I am bound for Los Angeles where I’m to meet up with the rest of the cast and prep for a press blitz over the weekend.  Really looking forward to seeing some of the cast and crew again.  They were such a big part of my 2009 and I have not seen many of them since I walked off the set and on to a plane last August.  Not sure what lies ahead as I have never before done a Hollywood Blockbuster press junket.  I do know that the publicity machine is in full swing and more clips and photos have been released to the public.

Here’s a cool poster I found on the film’s website, www.robinhoodthemovie.com:

Friggin’ cool.

Here’s an individual shot of Allan A’Dayle.

Exciting times. 

Much approaching in GBS land as well.  I join the lads in Nashville on Wednesday and we do a few dates on the East Coast.  Looking forward to the gents on the bus.
And, I’m very happy to announce that the new CD Safe upon the Shore is mastered and in production.  Release date is set for early July.  Keep checking here or on the homepage for the exact date.  Shortly after that you’ll see the full fall touring schedule in support of the new cd.

Also looks like a few of us might get to fulfill a life long tourism craving and get to visit some of the remote communities in our Province.  Me and Sean hope to join some of the Distance Education folks at Memorial University who teach music online to kids and classes in tiny isolated schools in Newfoundland and Labrador.  We hope to visit four communities in the last week of the school year and bring some traditional and not so traditional music workshops to the kids.  Keep you posted on that as well.

I’m flying in to LA for the second time in as many weeks to further this flirtation with Hollywood.  People are gonna talk.

Hope to make the most of these days and nights.

Grand times for this lucky bastard.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - April 11, 2010 - Air Canada Flights and Lounges St. John’s-LA

It’s been over a month since my last post here.  Terribly sorry for my recent absenteeism, Dear Readers.  I can only offer the following as my excuse.  The recent GBS Tour found me using most of my spare computer time compililng and/or re-mixing things for the upcoming CD.  I was also occupied recording parts for a new kids show to which GBS has made some significant contributions.  Since the end of the tour, some three weeks back, I have been on a long awaited Family vacation.  There was mostly beach walks, splashing in salt water and swimming pools. (which included much time dedicated to teaching the Prince how to float his toes above water and how to make faces under water)

It’s nice to be back here in this forum and thank you for your not forgetting about this blog.

Much to review from the last tour.  In summary, thanks to the kind Folks at the Irish Festival in Dallas, Texas.  GBS carries way more gear and people than most of the other acts on the bill and this can be a pain for some festivals.  I am grateful to the Dallas organizers for accommodating us.

Houston is another great stop on the House of Blues Tour.  Those clubs are such fun to play and hope we can do a full tour of them all some day.  Salina, Kansas, was a very pleasant surpise as we had a grand turnout in a lovely theatre. 

Thanks to Cherish the Ladies for making the post gig pints fun in Omaha. 

I think I could live in Boulder, Colorado.  I’ve raved about it’s virtues here before, I know, but I just can’t help but repeat myself.  Perfect size city, lovely pedestrian streets, cool people, great bars and food, mountain views and trails and great music and music fans.  Love it.

Aspen is not what I expected, I confess.  It is truly a beautiful ski resort town, not all that dissimilar to Lake Louise or Whistler in Canada, but there is something odd about the vibe in Aspen.  First of all, the place is strangely quiet.  Feels empty.  I asked a few locals and they confirmed that I had not struck the pace on a rare quiet day.  They seemed convinced that the immediate area had become so valuable that only the richest could afford to live or rent there.  This has resulted in fewer and fewer people on the streets in the restaurants. As one gent put it: “It all changed here, about 10 years ago, when the Billionaires drove out the Millionaires.”

The Theatre in Aspen is beautiful, though, and I enjoyed our gig there.  We had the next two days off so Sean and I stayed in Aspen that evening and the one that followed.  Earlier in the day, I noticed that an All Star Reggae Band was to perform at the Belly Up, another cool music venue in town.  To make a long story short, Sean and I went there and enjoyed the evening .  I was more than sufficiently served and have little memory of how the night ended.  I do recall, deciding it was a great idea to tackle Sean into a snowbank more than once.  There may have been other feats of strength I insisted upon him as well. I am grateful he did not see fit to reciprocate and for him for seeing me back to my accommodation unharmed.

The next day made me frightfully aware of the fact that high altitudes make hangovers worse than at sea level.  Apologies to HOW for my poor participation in our park bench chat.  You were lovely company. And it was a lovely day. And I was convinced that I would die any second.

Sean saved me once again and dragged me kicking and screaming to the John Denver monuments down by the river.  There in a beautiful nook by the stream, are large beach rocks with the lyrics to some of his more famous tunes.  That is all.  A simple and perfect dedication to a man who loves the area.  It lifted my spirits immediately.

Flew to Madison the next day and finished GBS' contribution to a new kids show that I referenced above.  The show is to be called “Pirates”, I believe, and is an art driven show to get kids involved in sketching, painting, and crafts in genereal.  We co-wrote and recorded the theme tune, “Sail Along with the Pirates”.  I’ll keep you posted if I hear when and where it is to air.

Paddy’s Day in Madison.  Sold Out to the doors.  Thank you very much.  Kris rocked the house with U2 cover.  Thank you very much.

Cool rock bar in Indianapolis, next night I believe.  Followed by the two nights at the House of Blues in Chicago.  This HOB might be the best small concert venue in the US.  Had two great shows including a marathon show on night two that wound up being 11 minutes shy of three hours.  If I had seen a clock, we would have went for it.

Many thanks to the folks in the hotel who hosted a dandy party following night one.  Grand food and drink and company.  Of course, I only heard about this second hand, as I would certainly not have been there in person.  I had a professional obligation the next evening and would definitely not be found galavanting around hotel parties late at night. 

Is that it?  I feel like I forgot somewhere? 

In any case, I am grateful to all hands for making the nights special. 

Now on to current news.

I am very happy to saw that there now exists a Mike Post/Alan Doyle song.  For those of you who don’t know who Mike Post is, just google him.  I cannot do justice summarizing his carreer as a musician and songwriter and producer, and most famously, a TV composer.  Suffice it to say that Mike Post is one of the most successful musicians in history.  Mike has been a supporter of mine and GBS’s for a few years now.  He was knid enough to call me a few weeks ago and ask me to collaborate with him for a new Law and Order Criminal intent.  He asked me to cowrite and sing a song central to an Episode called “Broad Chanel” which centers around a fishing town and the undergound kingpin who runs the place.

So if you tune in to the show, which airs on the USA Network on Tuesday, April 13, I believe, you’ll hear yours truly singing and playing throughout.

Can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have had this experience.  What a thrill.   Look forward to seeing the show myself. 

In other news, Robin Hood is set for release on the 14th of May.  I am proud to announce that the film has been chosen to open the Cannes Film Festival on the 12th.  Well done Russel and Ridley and the thousands of people who worked on this film.  Looks like I’ll be walking the red carpet in Cannes for my film debut.  Wow.  Quite an introduction to the movie business. 

The press for the film has begun and as many of you know, a clash with the dates for the film promotion and some GBS dates has forced us to reschedule a few shows.  I am sorry for this inconvenience to anyone affected by the moves.  Very grateful to the GBS Cast and Crew and Management, Agents, and Promoters who pulled off the seemingly impossible shifting of the calendar, and allowed me to make the press commitments and not lose any shows.

Thanks to all of you who shifted your plans and can make it to the newly scheduled shows. Again I apologize for the inconvenience and am grateful for your efforts.

As I type, I am enroute to LA for  a press gathering and a social date with Robin Hood and the Merry Men.  Congrats to Rusell for being awarded a Star on the Walk of Fame.  Well deserved by a man who’s accomplisments in the arts and entertainment world speak for themselves. 

Thanks for your company Dear Readers.  Sorry for my absence as of late, and I hope to resume my normal posts as in the past.

Much to come.

Cheers,
Alan

 

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TOUR DIARY - MARCH 1, 2010 - VANCOUVER, BC (VANCOUVER AIRPORT)

Hockey Hangover. 

Sid, the Kid no more, raises his hand to answer the Hero’s call. 

Having gorged myself on the National Pastime, I find myself in the midst of the morning after.  Moments of the rapture’s afterglow are met with stiff neck and sore throat.  I have been over served. And loved it to the perfect last drop.

What a week.  Bookended by Canada US Men’s Hockey games at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  Brother Bern and myself arrive in Vancouver last Sunday and went directly to the hockey rink to see our boys get whipped by the young and fast US squad.  A startling eye opener to the lots of who assumed the red and white would be untouchable in this tournament.

We left the rink with a bad taste in our mouths and decided to dive into to Olympic night.  Vancouver has never looked so good. What a showcase for the city and indeed the entire country.  We quickly made use of our Accredited Passes to get quick entry into the Provincial and Regional Pavilions.  Checked out Ontario and Quebec and had fun at the Molson Hockey House, but the Saskatchewan Pavilion proved to be the most fun.

A quick dart across False Creek found us in Atlantic Canada House and we fought the jet lag with some good tunes from Hey Rosetta.  Is there anyone out there who have not heard this band?  Quite possibly the most impressive music I’ve heard in many years. 

A boat ride back across False Creek led us walking up Granville to make our way back to our hotel.  The infamous call was made for ‘just one more pint’ and we stuck our noses into a pub, Johnny Foxes, I believe it was called.  There in the corner holding court with several cracker Irish tune players was Newfoundland Accordion maestro Graham Wells.  A wink and a nod from him and the game was on.  We sand and played till they politely asked us to leave.  Then till they not-so-politely told us to leave. Then two more accapella songs on the sidewalk as the night made its turn towards daylight.

The nights that followed were not all as epic as that one but suffice it to say that I felt that I got a real good taste of the Olympic Experience in Vancouver.  My favorite site was the group of hand made  (sp?) that lined the rocky edge of False Creek near the Provincial Pavilions.  Kids and visitors from all over the world took it upon themselves to stack a few stones on top op each other in the form of the official Olympic Logo. By mid week, there must have been ten thousand of them standing along the shore.  All personal beacons to commemorate the occasion. Nothing better to say “we were here”. 

It was an experience of a lifetime.  Quite a privilege, considering I was getting paid to be there.

The professional obligations went very well I think.  GBS played a to a well-lubed crowd in a post Canada Russia hockey game party at Molson Hockey House.  We had fun our comrades from the Rock at a celebration for the Province.  We are grateful to Bell Canada for asking us to sing and dance in their private event as well.  But the Daddy of them all was the Medal Ceremony at BC Place.  Close to 30,000 people in the room lent us their hands and voices to ring close Newfoundland and Labrador Day at the Olympic Games.  What a day.

For Bern and Myself the whole event was focused on watching Team Canada win a Gold Medal on home ice.  We got to do just that.  Twice as a matter of fact, as the guys and gals brought home the prize. 

Can’t begin to describe the vibe in the room and city when Sid slid the winner home in OT.  The place went up.  Laughter, tears, cheers, the whole bit.  But the coolest part was the second of dead silence as the puck left his stick and crossed the goal line.  It only lasted for an inhale, but it felt like a lifetime. It was as if no one wanted to jinx it by being the first to shout, ‘he scores’.  I’d like to think Sid was the first to break the silence, but I could not say for sure.  I can tell you that it was not me, as I could not utter a sound for a minute or two, partly because Bern had me in a near choke hold he was so excited. 

Unbelievable storybook week.  Again, what a privledge.  Thank you GBS for providing me with this chance to live in the Olympics and get paid for it.  Thanks to T and M at VANOC for making room for us.  Thank you Vancouver for hosting the best party our Country has ever seen. 

On the way home now.  Since I started typing this blog, I have flown from Vancouver to Montreal.  Waiting now for a connector flight to Home. 

With all the excitement of the Games, I never really did get a chance to congratulate our Sean on the launch of his solo CD.  Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes is a very lovely and heartfelt collection of tunes.  I know that all of them are very personal confessions and query’s from the poet I’ve stood next tom for almost twenty years.  Hearing he and Jeen O’brien sing ‘Razor and Rust’ is to hear as close to a perfect combination of voices.  There are other fav’s of mine, but I’ll let you decide for yourselves which tunes move you the most.  You won’t find a more honest group of songs anywhere.  You can get the stuff on iTunes, or in stores.  Check it out at

www.greatbigsean.com

Really cool.  Really proud.  Well done Magoo.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - February 16, 2010 - Home

Do you realize that if you leave Sydney Australia early in the morning of February 14th, and fly all day, you arrive in Vancouver earlier on the very same February 14th?  That’s like getting two Valentine’s Day’s in one year.  I had that very experience only a couple of days ago.  Double the Love.

I’ve been in Aus for a couple of weeks working on a couple of projects with RC.   We were writing for a new project that I hope to tell you all about in months to come, but for now shall remain hushed.  We also recorded a TOFOG entry for a new John Williamson Tribute CD.  For, Australians, John Williamson is like Stomping Tom for Canadians.  Not sure if there is a US comparison.  He writes and sings simple songs primarily about the rural Australian lifestyle and landscape.  Some of them are quite lovely and poignant; others fun and silly.  He is a Folk Hero to many in the land down under, as his forty plus years in the biz have cemented his place in Australian history.

Had a grand time with the TOFOG gents old and new and I’m always grateful for a chance to dance with them.

Jetted all the way back on the 14th.   Flew from

Coff’s Harbour to Sydney    1.5 hours
Sydney to Vancouver        15.5 hours
Sydney to Toronto        5 hours
Toronto to St. John’s        3.5 hours

With stop over’s the whole journey takes about 30 hours.  It’s about the same travel time going East or West, North or South of here.  Interesting.  That’s about as far away as one can travel without ending up closer to home.  Most would argue this to be a long travel day, and they would be correct.  

But I find it amazing that we can basically get anywhere civilized on the planet on commercial airlines, in less than a day.  Less than a Century ago, Australia was a world away, and literally a prison sentence for petty criminals from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.   Once a prison ship dumped you in Van Diemen’s Land, you would most likely never find a way to get back.  In more recent years, flying to Australia was a multi day venture.  Now the bigger jets do it in no time.

It’s 2010.  Big year for me, as I’m entering my 6th decade.  You know what I mean.  I was born in the 60’s, learned to walk in the 70’s, play gtr and sing in the 80’s, formed a band and signed a record deal in the 90’s, got married and had a son in the 00’s, and now I stand on the edge of the 10’s.  Doesn’t seem like much when you put it like that does it?

Big year for Canada as well with the World watching Vancouver.  As many of you know, GBS us heading West next week to play a few show’s in the Olympic area.  It is going to be quite a thrill to be a part of it.  

Personally, I’m heading out with brother Bernie a few days earlier in a pilgrimage that started the day the Olympics were awarded to Vancouver some five or six years ago.  That day, I contacted my brother and said,

“We are going to the Hockey”

That’s all I needed to say.  He knew what I meant.  We have been watching and playing hockey together for five of the six aforementioned decades.  The Vancouver Olympic Men’s Hockey competition could very well prove to be the greatest ice hockey tournament of all time.  It most certainly could be the best one held in Canada in our lifetimes.  Can’t wait to see it.  Great treat for me and Bern.

Still putting the finishing touches on the new GBS CD and looking forward to the release of Sean’s solo CD “Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes” due out next week.  More about the both of them later.

It’s just past 7am in St. John’s.  The jet lag found me awake at 5:15 and I’ve been sitting trying and trying to stay quiet.  Neither is my forte.  Like clockwork, shortly after 7, I hear the first stirrings of the Prince.  There’s been far too many Skype suppers and computer hugs in the past 12 months.  Best make the most of the real ones.

Cheers,
Alan

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Tour Diary - January 5, 2010 - Toronto (Pearson Airport)

I just had a man’s hands in my pants.  

In full public view.  I don’t recall that ever happening to me in the past.  Sure, there have been many hazy after parties, where things for a little out of hand, but I think I’d remember having some dude fish through my drawers while in full florescent light for all the world to see.  Heightened security is in full swing at the US Flight gates these days. Getting my private parts pawed by a security gent who must be hating his job just a little bit more today, is the price he and I share for yet another dudes political and/or religious agenda.

Could be worse I suppose.  If a gentle probing public feel is the worst thing that happens to me in 2010, I’m in good shape.  Not to mention the fact that his bashful, ‘sorry about this, sir’ whisper as he went 360 round the gear was actually kind of tender and heartfelt.

As I start this entry, I am sitting at Gate 168 in Toronto Airport awaiting a flight to New Orleans via Chicago.  As noted a while back, GBS is in the midst of the recording tracks that should make up the bulk of a new CD that we hope to have out there for all to enjoy in early Summer 2010.  I had a grand break home with the family and honestly can’t wait to get back at the new tunes to get them up to their full potential.

But enough about me.  Dear Reader, if you don’t mind a shameless plug in this forum, I’d like to give you the heads up about a TV show that debuts tomorrow, Wednesday night on CBC TV at 9pm EST.  

The Republic of Doyle, was created by Allan Hawco and Perry Chafe.  Some of you may recognize Allan as the pouty actor in the GBS “Clearest Indication” video.  But that’s hardly at the top of his CV.  He is also the Director of the Company Theatre Troupe in Toronto, and has starred in a variety of Films and TV shows and series. For those of you who read all the liner notes (I do) is the bro of Greg Hawco who played percussion on the first GBS CD.  Allan graduated from National Theatre school, Greg has a Masters in Percussion from McGill.  Talented buggers those Hawcos.  

Perry Chafe is might be funniest person I’ve ever met.  And I met him a long time ago. Before Kindergarten, if memory serves correctly, as we both grew up in Petty Harbour and went through every year of school and University together.  I stood pretty close to him when he got married, and he stood pretty close to me when I did the same.  

So full disclosure, before the plug.  The boys are my friends.  

That said, I can tell you with all honesty that I have seen one advance episode of this show and it is very funny, engaging, and shows St. John’s in a light that has never been seen on film before now.  Our quaint little fishing city backdrops this Father and Son Private Detective Comedy/Drama as a town in transition.  Big oil and prosperity has come to town and brought with it new world problems to an old world mentality.

The characters are as real as I know from St. John’s and it will give you a dandy view of the underbelly of the town I love so well.  I am not a TV Promo guy, so I’ll leave the cool descriptions to the pros.

Check out the Website here:  http://www.republicofdoyle.com/

Check out the Trailer here: http://www.cbc.ca/nl/blogs/seen/2009/11/trailers.html

By the way, to keep this somewhat self-serving, you might notice a familiar tune for the opening and closing credits of the show.  Thanks to the gents for including us in the project.

In any case, congrats to the lads.  This is a massive achievement and I’m proud of them hope sixty million people watch the show for the next 12 weeks.

Off to New Orleans.

Cheers,
Alan

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