Thank you California. Like wise to Kelowna, Seattle, and Bend.
Grand few shows so far on this run. I feel like I am just recently beginning to understand the population and economy of California. In my mind, California is a country. There may be more gigs to play in California than all of Canada. Not that I would ever prefer LaLa Land over the True North Strong and Free. Quite the opposite, but strictly speaking from a touring musician’s perspective, California is ideal. The weather is rarely impassable, the drives are short between cities and despite the glum economic statements, Californians have lots of money to spend on entertainment. And they love to sing and dance.
A little look at the Internet tells me that Los Angeles County has just under Ten Million people. I think that’s more than live in the Eastern half of Canada. I’m pretty sure that a healthy adult could ride a mountain bike around Los Angeles County. If I left my house in St. John’s and started travelling West, I wonder where I would pass my Ten Millionth person? I guess it would be somewhere in Western Ontario or even Manitoba. Amazing.
Had two days off in Vegas. ‘Nuff said.
Currently in Tucson awaiting a gig at the really cool, Rialto Theatre. I really like this town. One of my favourites in this part of the US. It still has that South Western charm that I saw in the movies when I was a kidd. Congress, the main street is long and narrow and is very much a modern commercial automobile route. But it still looks like some dusty dude on a horse could ride up any second and tie the beast on to a watering station, before he busts through two Saloon doors and shouts ‘Whiskey’ over the shoulders of a few hop alongs bent over the bar. You can feel the past in the streets and store fronts here, and I dig this place because of it.
Four more gigs to home. And I can’t wait. I don’t ever remember finishing a tour without some kind of second thoughts about having the road life give way to the domestic home life. But I, hope you don’t mind if I confess, I am ready ready ready to go home. I think this week, we’ll pass the 150 shows mark on the Safe upon the Shore Tour, if we have not already. I have enjoyed the whole run, but am longing for some home time now. Might even do something crazy like stay home for a full month. Jaysus.
GBS up for a Juno this weekend. We’ve lost a dozen or more of them in the past, but this one is ours for sure. We are up for Group of the Year. Let me check who are competition is…Jaysus. Arcade Fire just won a Grammy amongst other global conquests and were voted by one industry mag as the best band on earth. They are one of, if not the biggest concert draws in the free world. Hmm. Broken Social Scene are no slouches either. Maybe we’ll spilt the vote! Yeah that’s it. We’ll sneak right up the middle for the win. Then we can finally take ‘Juno Nominee’ off our posters.
Or not.
Four more shows. Thanks everyone for coming out.
Stay tuned here and on my Twitter Feed for information about some shows in May with Russell in Los Angeles. Should be fun.
Cheers,
Alan