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