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