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