We made it through the obstacle course that is the first night of the tour. Last night in Kalamazoo, we played several songs that we have not performed in a decade or more. We also debuted three new tunes; Walk on the Moon, a song I wrote with my friend Gordie from Cape Breton a couple of years ago; Here we Go Again, a bouncy number about a cast that when assembled, can only result in one performance; Where I Belong, a song I wrote with my antipodean pal Russell about the constant emigration of Newfoundlanders to the distant shores of Canada. 

It always nerve-wracking performing new music, but there’s a first time for everything. I’m sure the songs will evolve a lot between now and when the final versions are recorded later this year. GBS plans to record the new CD over the course of 2007 to be released early in 2008. That’s the plan…at least.

Saw this amazing bass player in the pub next to the theatre last night. He was seriously laying it down with a funky jazz assembly. Quite amazing to discover after a moment or two that he was missing his right hand. Turns out, Bill Clements lost his arm and hand in a factory accident, but refused to stop playing bass. Very cool. Check him out by typing “One armed bass player” into You Tube. He is quite a player, no matter how many hands he has. 

Just came from lunch with Kris, Murray, and his pal Matt Bonner. Matt plays ball for the San Antonio Spurs. He met Murray while playing for the Raptors in Toronto a few seasons back. He was the tallest at the table. Cool chap. Very interesting to discover how the traveling life of pro athletes and pro musicians are similar in some respects and different in others. I suppose, in the end, we are all in the Entertainment Business. Though, something tells me the Spurs salary cap is a little higher than GBS’s.

Currently sitting in the bus on the back Parking Lot of the Casino here in Milwaukee. I don’t like wandering about Casinos. I confess that they depress and slightly disturb me. Not sure why…maybe it’s the long lines of lonely looking Senior Citizens blowing their life savings on the slots while chain smoking themselves into an early grave.

There is, however a full NHL package on the TV in the bus. Though, I figure we should probably watch a bit of the Spurs/Buck basketball game and cheer on our lunch mate.

Cheers,
Alan