Just back from a four-week tour of Mexico, which included three weeks in Southern Baja and the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival. The two months before I left were a blur of gigs (including some very fun ones, like the annual "Hankover" concert (a tribute to Hank Williams)), and a pile of studio work. An excellent 2nd album for singer/songwriter Miss Quincy, the music for Vertigo Theatre's production of "When Girls Collide", and half of a new cd for songwriter/harmonica player Paul Saks.
Mexico remains very much a part of my soul ; really the only thing I miss living in Canada about my upbringing in Southern California is it's very "Mexican-ness" (Mexicanissimo in Spanish). I have never felt particularly at risk in Mexico (except in a few taxis) ; I've been hassled way more in Oakland and San Francisco. In a selfish way, I'm glad of the fear keeping tourists away because I don't have to listen to their casual racism and constant whining. The music, history and culture of the place continue to fascinate me : one gallery owner, in the course of a conversation in Spanish about the regional folk art she had on display, asked me if I lived in Mexico or was part Mexican, and when I replied no she said "Yes, part Mexican...in your soul".
I left at 6 a.m. Valentine's Day (sorry again, honey) and was in Los Cabos airport just after 10 to be picked up by the drummer I was touring with, in support of local charity La Semilla de la Vida (The Seed of Life), and driven to my digs at Tres Palapas in San Jose Del Cabo, a delightful home/guest house/recording studio on Gringo Hill, where my wonderful hosts Greg and Mary quickly transitioned from hosts to new friends. I played a private party at their place, the weekly Artwalk in San Jose del Cabo, two bars and a sunset cruise in Cabo San Lucas (try playing guitar standing up on a mid-sized catamaran with nothing to hold on to because both hands are busy, while singing into a microphone swaying with the motion of the boat as well...interesting), 5 shows at local restaurant/bar Deckmans, and road gigs to La Ventana (near La Paz) and Los Barriles (on the East Cape). Everything from solo gigs to 8-piece bands with 3 horns and my friend Robbie Laws co-starring on vocals and guitar.
March 4 I flew from Los Cabos to Mexico City (waving at Mazatlan out the window on the way by) where the pollution was so bad it infiltrated the air conditioning in the airport and on the plane as it sat on the runway, then to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo airport where I was picked up and whisked directly to the artists' "meet-and-greet" dinner at El Pueblito, a delightful courtyard restaurant which would also be a venue through the week. Next day a press conference while watching the sunset on the beach; then opening show in Ixtapa, a funky old bar called the Black Bull downtown, two nights at Jose Luis Cobo's beautiful roof-top club El Canto de la Sirena, a finale at El Pueblito, and a pulic concert in the Zocalo (town square) also called La Gancha because it houses the municipal basketball courts. This festival is a gem with world-class players from (this year) Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and Turkey.
Coming home was brutal...only an hour to change planes in Houston, which entails : claiming and re-screening/rechecking your checked luggage with U.S. customs; riding an automated shuttle-train to my next terminal (3 terminals away from where I started); going through personal security again, with not enough metal detectors and moronic security people screaming their instructions to the crowd; finding the boarding gate not on my itinerary but available from flickering on-and-off screens; and arriving at the boarding gate as they were about to seal the airplane door. All good after that except my checked bag didn't make the flight and had to be delivered a day and a half later (mercifully relatively intact). The last 2 times I've broken my rule about not taking flights requiring plane changes in the U.S. they've delayed/lost one guitar and 3 suitcases...back to my former resolve.
I took my new Crafter hybrid electric-acoustic with me on this tour, and for the most part it performed admirably (once I began to get the string guages right). And it held up to the radical climate and humidity changes without an ounce of complaint...are you listening, Crafter ? I like your stuff - maybe an endorsement deal ?
The next night was my regular solo Tuesday at Mikey's Juke Joint, followed by 2 days of trying to catch up with banking, bills, missed sleep, and gigs/session work. I'll be in town now until late May, playing my house gigs at Mikey's and The Blues Can (Saturday Jam, 3-7), plus evening gigs at both of those venues, The Ironwood Stage and Grill, Carlsons On Macleod in High River, The Lethbridge Folk Club, Locals in Bragg Creek, and sessions to finish Paul Saks cd plus contributing slide guitar to 2 tracks on Jared Sowan's new cd. I'll be up-dating the website calendar in the next few days.
Spring and Summer will include some large and many small-ish festivals in BC and Alberta, a swing of club shows on Vancouver Island to make up for cancelled dates on the November "weather from Hell" tour, work on my own next cd, and a huge batch of Stampede gigs including 3 with The Hackamores - the Western Swing band I'v been rehearsing with for quite awhile now.
Thanks for checking in, and supporting live roots music, and I hope to see you at a show soon.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Time It All Went For Shit
Sorry to be so long getting back to this blog...things have been crazy ! In my last post I was in Kelowna, mid-November, heading for Vancouver Island. The rental car had very used all-season tires and someone had set the brakes so hot I was afraid to sneeze in the driver's seat while piloting the car out to Merritt and over the Coquihala Pass the morning after the Kelowna Folk Club gig (it had snowed for almost 24 hours since my arrival in Kelowna. Ferry ride to Vancouver Island was beautiful, and a good crowd at the Dancing Bean in Chemainus, including old friends Nathan Tinkham and Stephen Sparks who dropped over after their show at the Theatre went down. Next day, off to Gabriola Island where friends Michael and Shauna loaned me a lovely house on the water.
After hooking up with the Steffanson brothers (Ken and Gerry) and Gary Fjellgard, I managed to lose the house key through a hole in a jacket pocket...an interesting evening of meeting with the locksmith (thank heavens there is one on that tiny island) and listening to the wind howl. Power was out next morning, but I found the other key in the front yard, so now my friends have two. Packed the car and caught the ferry to Nanaimo, where I stopped at Fascinatin' Rhythm (one of the last real record stores left anywhere) and headed north to catch the ferry to Powell River from Comox. I caught the last ferry and had a visit with my son and daughter-in-law, then to bed, and the lovely experience of waking up with my grandkids.
After a nice visit, I was trapped in Powell River when gale-force winds shut down ALL the ferries. I had to cancel my Campbell River gig, enjoyed an extra day with family, and crossed back to Vancouver Island for a gig at the Cumberland Hotel, sponsored by old pal Doug Cox and the Vancouver Island Music Festival. A great night, and a drive up-island to Port Hardy for a sold-out house concert. Next morning I awoke to find a massive mudslide had blocked the Island Highway and I was stuck in Port Hardy. A sold-out gig at Duncan Garage Showroom had to be cancelled. After a day of BC Highways moving back the estimated opening time of the highway, I checked with the airport and they had added one flight which hadn't been sold out yet. Natonal Car Rentals, quite possibly soon my EX-favorite rental company, charged me way over a THOUSAND DOLLARS drop-off fee.
Flew to Campbell River, then to Vancouver, rented another car, dove to White Rock and played my gig...a group of regulars there got me a hotel room in town and paid for it...what a crew. Next morning I drove back to Vancouver Airport, turned in the car, and changed my ticket from Kelowna to Vancouver-Calgary, arriving home in time to change clothes and play at Mikey's Juke Joint. Got home to find my Sunday Brunch gigs cancelled, and a night in High River double-booked. Unless National coughs something back my way, I beat the shit out of myself for 2 weeks for a net profit of $250. National sent an e-mail 5 WEEKS AGO saying customer satisfaction was a priority and they'd talk to me soon.
Home and the holidays were a bit of a blur, with production of the new Miss Quiny cd and part of a cd for harmonica player Paul Saks, plus my own gigs and pre-production work on the Vertigo Theatre production of Stewart Lemoine's play, "When Girls Collide." A slew of in-town gigs and studio stuff this month, then Feb. 14 I return to Mexico for several gigs in Los Cabos, and on Mar. 4th I go to Zihuatanejo for a return appearance at the International Guitar Festival through Mar. 12th.
I'm looking at a swing through the BC interior in June...after the May long week-end during which I teach at Foothills Acoustic Music Institute in Bragg Creek Alberta. The Lethbridge folk club is scheduled for May 15, and I'll also try to make up the missed Vancouver Island shows.
August will see me playing with my band, Big Dave McLean and Greg "Junior" Demchuk at the Labatta Edmonton Blues Fest !
After hooking up with the Steffanson brothers (Ken and Gerry) and Gary Fjellgard, I managed to lose the house key through a hole in a jacket pocket...an interesting evening of meeting with the locksmith (thank heavens there is one on that tiny island) and listening to the wind howl. Power was out next morning, but I found the other key in the front yard, so now my friends have two. Packed the car and caught the ferry to Nanaimo, where I stopped at Fascinatin' Rhythm (one of the last real record stores left anywhere) and headed north to catch the ferry to Powell River from Comox. I caught the last ferry and had a visit with my son and daughter-in-law, then to bed, and the lovely experience of waking up with my grandkids.
After a nice visit, I was trapped in Powell River when gale-force winds shut down ALL the ferries. I had to cancel my Campbell River gig, enjoyed an extra day with family, and crossed back to Vancouver Island for a gig at the Cumberland Hotel, sponsored by old pal Doug Cox and the Vancouver Island Music Festival. A great night, and a drive up-island to Port Hardy for a sold-out house concert. Next morning I awoke to find a massive mudslide had blocked the Island Highway and I was stuck in Port Hardy. A sold-out gig at Duncan Garage Showroom had to be cancelled. After a day of BC Highways moving back the estimated opening time of the highway, I checked with the airport and they had added one flight which hadn't been sold out yet. Natonal Car Rentals, quite possibly soon my EX-favorite rental company, charged me way over a THOUSAND DOLLARS drop-off fee.
Flew to Campbell River, then to Vancouver, rented another car, dove to White Rock and played my gig...a group of regulars there got me a hotel room in town and paid for it...what a crew. Next morning I drove back to Vancouver Airport, turned in the car, and changed my ticket from Kelowna to Vancouver-Calgary, arriving home in time to change clothes and play at Mikey's Juke Joint. Got home to find my Sunday Brunch gigs cancelled, and a night in High River double-booked. Unless National coughs something back my way, I beat the shit out of myself for 2 weeks for a net profit of $250. National sent an e-mail 5 WEEKS AGO saying customer satisfaction was a priority and they'd talk to me soon.
Home and the holidays were a bit of a blur, with production of the new Miss Quiny cd and part of a cd for harmonica player Paul Saks, plus my own gigs and pre-production work on the Vertigo Theatre production of Stewart Lemoine's play, "When Girls Collide." A slew of in-town gigs and studio stuff this month, then Feb. 14 I return to Mexico for several gigs in Los Cabos, and on Mar. 4th I go to Zihuatanejo for a return appearance at the International Guitar Festival through Mar. 12th.
I'm looking at a swing through the BC interior in June...after the May long week-end during which I teach at Foothills Acoustic Music Institute in Bragg Creek Alberta. The Lethbridge folk club is scheduled for May 15, and I'll also try to make up the missed Vancouver Island shows.
August will see me playing with my band, Big Dave McLean and Greg "Junior" Demchuk at the Labatta Edmonton Blues Fest !
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Last Road Trip 2011
Left frozen Calgary early in the p.m. yo fly to Kelowna, where the relatively balmy +5 C had me shedding a layer as I walked across the tarmac to the terminal. A painless flight, guitar and suitcase unscathed, and a nice bump-up from National to a red Elantra. Dinner with my son and daughter-in-law (nice baby bump showing there) and update this blog and the web page calender before an early bed-time. Tomorrow is the Kelowna Folk Club, and Saturday is The Dancing Bean in Chemainus, on beautiful Vancouver Island. After a few days off on Gabriola Island and in Powell River, visiting friends and family, I play Campbell River (house concert), the Cumberland Hotel (presented by the Vancouver Island Music Fest), Port Hardy (house concert), the Duncan Garage Showroom, and the White Rock Blues Society before flying back to Calgary in time for Mikey's Juke Joint on Tuesday the 29th. December is a whole lotta studio work, plus Carlson's on Macleod in High River, The Art Station (Fernie BC), The Ironwood Stage & Grill and more. I'll be updating the web site calendar (www.cayusemusic.com) as soon as I'm done here. Drop around if I'm anywhere near you, and watch me road test tunes for the new cd, and my new Crafter SA, a lovely acoustic/electric I've been using lately. Big thanks to the Labatts' Edmonton Blues Festival and the Mountainview Music Festival for being the first summer fests to sign me for the 2012 season, and check out www.pacificproductionscorp.com to read about February gigs in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Adios, amigos !
Sunday, September 25, 2011
California to Dawson Creek and back
So it's my birthday...63 years old !...and my wife and I take a taxi to the Calgary Airport, fly to San Francisco, board a shuttle bus to Sonoma County airport, and are picked up by a volunteer for the "Just Strings Music Festival" slated for the following week-end in Geyserville, in the heart of wine country. It's interesting to be back ; I left California in 1970 and rarely go back, especially to perform. We are driven to the Geyserville Inn, a classic little wine country hotel with beautiful grounds and a small pool, about 3/4s of a mile down the road from town - a Gold Rush - era main street of wine shops, one good restaurant, antique stores, 2 corner stores where as much business is done in Spanish as English, a few nice Victorian homes (they appear to be either week-end homes for wealthy Bay area residents or B&Bs), and side-streets of shotgun houses where the Mexican and Mexican-American work force for the surrounding vineyards work.
Our driver is a guy I met before in Mexico (the Artistic Director has also served in the same capacity for the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, and there are quite a few familiar faces among performers and volunteers). A strong nip of tequila from a flask disguised as a cell phone (love it !) and the evening is under way. Over the week-end there will be reunions with numerous friends (Catherine Krantz, another past Artistic Director from Zihuatanejo), Los Pistoleros (from Dallas), Shelly King (Austin), Nick Vigarino (Seattle), Patric Sweany (Nashville) and my friend Pat Guadano, New Jersey saloon singer extraordinaire. We will do a radio broadcast from Santa Rosa, just south of where we are down Highway 101; discover a truly extraordinary Mexican Restaurant/Tequila Bar in Healdsburg (also just south of us) called Agaves - check it out if you're ever in town. Octavio brings spices from Oaxaca, and the best in Tequilas and fine Mescals (yes, there is such a thing) from Jalisco and Oaxaca, and it is truly cosmic. I'll discover some great players/singers/writers...Carolyn Aitken particularly comes to mind...we'll tour wineries, make astounding music in the evenings at the hotel, and play to virtually no one under a baking sun at a festival which is suffering the "first year" curse.
At the conclusion of the festival, Artistic Director Jeanne Pezzi tries to pay me and I first try to not accept, but am convinced to take re-imbursement for the car I've rented (she's already shelled out to fly me / bus me in, put up Jo and I, and stock the bar in the party room plus a few meals).
On arriving home it's back to my usual house gigs in Calgary (Tuesdays solo at Mikey's Juke Joint and the Saturday Jam at the Blues Can, week-end gigs in both rooms with my band, The Electro-Fires, a rehearsal with The Hackamores - a western swing band I'm part of - a private party, then Bar-B-Q on the Bow, an annual competition/barbecue fest, the Calgary Soul Fest (put on by former Perpetrator Scotty Hills, to a very encouraging response), and off to Dawson Creek. Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway. Along with Grande Prairie on the Alberta side of the border, the commercial hub of the Peace River farming/ranching country and a serious oil industry jumping - off point.
The 9 1/2 hour drive is from Hell : I have a cold, and the cd player/radio in the rental car dies by the city limits...Edmonton is a hideous construction zone of lane closures, rude/terrible drivers, and a complete lack of signage to get you out of the city. I roll into Dawson Creek in time to set up in the Dew Drop Inn (beer parlour for the 1931-constructed Alaska Hotel) where I will play 5 sets a night through Sunday night to farmers who love guitar, 20-something oil trash, and crushed natives, while staying in a room where I can smell the mould even through my head-cold. At its best it was great, and at its worst it reminded me why I play the festivals, folk clubs and dedicated music rooms to the exclusion of booze barns whenever possible. A note to the girl who cursed at me for not playing "Jackson" by Johnny Cash : in Dawson Creek you might be considered a hot date, but in a real city you'd be just another stoned whore. See you next time - NOT.
The owners, Charles and Heidi, are lovely folks with whom I'll always be glad of a visit, but I no longer have whatever it takes to do 5 sets a night for the Great Uncaring. The drive back, although still silent, was beautiful (except for the terrible traffic accident I drove by just over the border). Fields still being harvested, colour beginning on the softwood trees, and my own bed where I could lie down and lose the cold.
September's last few gigs will be Mikey's this Tuesday, and The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne , Alberta, on Friday night. October's gigs include the usual Mikey's and Blues Can gigs, plus Mondays solo at The Blues Can (subbing for my pal Darren Johnson while he's off to Florida) on the 10th, 17th and 24th; Vangelis Pizza in Saskatoon on the 5th for the Blues Society; a workshop at Legacy Guitars, in Cochrane Alberta on Wednesday the 12th, The Blues Can with The Electro-Fires on the 14th-15th; Alberta Showcase in Edmonton the 21st-23rd (I showcase on the Saturday and will have a booth at the hotel - drop around if you're attending and say "Howdy"); and 4 dates with a wonderful group of players ...Steve Pineo and Robbie Laws are the other guitarists/front men, with a "dream band" of Ron Casat (keys), Mike Clark (sax), John Hyde (bass) and Kelly Kruse (drums)... October 27th at The Vat in Red Deer, 28th-29th at the Ironwood Stage & Grill in Calgary, and the 30th at the Old-Timers Cabin in Edmonton (Halloween fund-raiser for the Edmonton Blues Society).
Lots more on the go...2 cds to produce and the score for a play at Vertigo Theatre (Calgary) to get ready, RECORD MY OWN NEW CD, and ride herd on the summer festivals already making offers (seems earlier each year). There's now a working website for the festival I'm part of in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in Feb./Mar. at www.pacificproductionscorp.com. See you somewhere down the road !
Our driver is a guy I met before in Mexico (the Artistic Director has also served in the same capacity for the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival, and there are quite a few familiar faces among performers and volunteers). A strong nip of tequila from a flask disguised as a cell phone (love it !) and the evening is under way. Over the week-end there will be reunions with numerous friends (Catherine Krantz, another past Artistic Director from Zihuatanejo), Los Pistoleros (from Dallas), Shelly King (Austin), Nick Vigarino (Seattle), Patric Sweany (Nashville) and my friend Pat Guadano, New Jersey saloon singer extraordinaire. We will do a radio broadcast from Santa Rosa, just south of where we are down Highway 101; discover a truly extraordinary Mexican Restaurant/Tequila Bar in Healdsburg (also just south of us) called Agaves - check it out if you're ever in town. Octavio brings spices from Oaxaca, and the best in Tequilas and fine Mescals (yes, there is such a thing) from Jalisco and Oaxaca, and it is truly cosmic. I'll discover some great players/singers/writers...Carolyn Aitken particularly comes to mind...we'll tour wineries, make astounding music in the evenings at the hotel, and play to virtually no one under a baking sun at a festival which is suffering the "first year" curse.
At the conclusion of the festival, Artistic Director Jeanne Pezzi tries to pay me and I first try to not accept, but am convinced to take re-imbursement for the car I've rented (she's already shelled out to fly me / bus me in, put up Jo and I, and stock the bar in the party room plus a few meals).
On arriving home it's back to my usual house gigs in Calgary (Tuesdays solo at Mikey's Juke Joint and the Saturday Jam at the Blues Can, week-end gigs in both rooms with my band, The Electro-Fires, a rehearsal with The Hackamores - a western swing band I'm part of - a private party, then Bar-B-Q on the Bow, an annual competition/barbecue fest, the Calgary Soul Fest (put on by former Perpetrator Scotty Hills, to a very encouraging response), and off to Dawson Creek. Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway. Along with Grande Prairie on the Alberta side of the border, the commercial hub of the Peace River farming/ranching country and a serious oil industry jumping - off point.
The 9 1/2 hour drive is from Hell : I have a cold, and the cd player/radio in the rental car dies by the city limits...Edmonton is a hideous construction zone of lane closures, rude/terrible drivers, and a complete lack of signage to get you out of the city. I roll into Dawson Creek in time to set up in the Dew Drop Inn (beer parlour for the 1931-constructed Alaska Hotel) where I will play 5 sets a night through Sunday night to farmers who love guitar, 20-something oil trash, and crushed natives, while staying in a room where I can smell the mould even through my head-cold. At its best it was great, and at its worst it reminded me why I play the festivals, folk clubs and dedicated music rooms to the exclusion of booze barns whenever possible. A note to the girl who cursed at me for not playing "Jackson" by Johnny Cash : in Dawson Creek you might be considered a hot date, but in a real city you'd be just another stoned whore. See you next time - NOT.
The owners, Charles and Heidi, are lovely folks with whom I'll always be glad of a visit, but I no longer have whatever it takes to do 5 sets a night for the Great Uncaring. The drive back, although still silent, was beautiful (except for the terrible traffic accident I drove by just over the border). Fields still being harvested, colour beginning on the softwood trees, and my own bed where I could lie down and lose the cold.
September's last few gigs will be Mikey's this Tuesday, and The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne , Alberta, on Friday night. October's gigs include the usual Mikey's and Blues Can gigs, plus Mondays solo at The Blues Can (subbing for my pal Darren Johnson while he's off to Florida) on the 10th, 17th and 24th; Vangelis Pizza in Saskatoon on the 5th for the Blues Society; a workshop at Legacy Guitars, in Cochrane Alberta on Wednesday the 12th, The Blues Can with The Electro-Fires on the 14th-15th; Alberta Showcase in Edmonton the 21st-23rd (I showcase on the Saturday and will have a booth at the hotel - drop around if you're attending and say "Howdy"); and 4 dates with a wonderful group of players ...Steve Pineo and Robbie Laws are the other guitarists/front men, with a "dream band" of Ron Casat (keys), Mike Clark (sax), John Hyde (bass) and Kelly Kruse (drums)... October 27th at The Vat in Red Deer, 28th-29th at the Ironwood Stage & Grill in Calgary, and the 30th at the Old-Timers Cabin in Edmonton (Halloween fund-raiser for the Edmonton Blues Society).
Lots more on the go...2 cds to produce and the score for a play at Vertigo Theatre (Calgary) to get ready, RECORD MY OWN NEW CD, and ride herd on the summer festivals already making offers (seems earlier each year). There's now a working website for the festival I'm part of in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in Feb./Mar. at www.pacificproductionscorp.com. See you somewhere down the road !
Friday, August 5, 2011
Another Summer (more or less)
After a cold and miserable spring (and a sparsely employed one, owing to the collapse of 1 guitar camp, 2 festivals, and a cd production gig), the good weather arrived more or less along with the Calgary Stampede Parade. I think it was nice on June 9 when I became a Canadian citizen (dual/US) but my mind was on other things. I played 4 shows at the Stampede grounds in the International Visitors Lounge of the Agriculture Building - lovely audiences of people actually from the ranching/farming global community, and turned my regular Tuesday ig at Mikey's Juke Joint into a debut performance of The Hackamores, a western swing band I've been rehearsing with for quite some time : Al Baekland on guitar and vocal, Charlie Veilleux on steel guitar, Gorb Bregg on bass and bgs, Johnathan Lewis on fiddle, Gary Gelhorne on traps, and me on guitar, vocals, mandolin and button accordion. A great night of fun music.
On the 15th Jo and I headed to Chase for a picnic with her holidaying sister and family, then the next morning we were off to Penticton for a night at The Dream Cafe. Possibly the best club/restaurant anywhere, hosts Debra and Pierre offer stellar food, drink and music in an absolutely charming space. Then 3 nights hanging in Kelowna, hanging with my on, Dr. Josh, and his wife (the newly minted Dr.) Heather. A great barbeque, an afternoon of touring wineries, and a lot of just chillin'. Next was a 2 night stand at The Blue Loon Grill in Clearwater BC, where weather forced the show indoors (and woke me up later absolutely pounding on the motel roof). Sun came out enough on day 2 for a picnic at Helmcken Fallis in Wells Grey park, with a stunning amount of water pouring through in this very wet year. Friday was a travel day, down Highway 5 through Kamloops, west over the Coquihala Pass through Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, ferry to Nanaimo, drive to Duncan and get my schedule/passes for the Islands Folk Fest. A 10-minute drive later we were in beautiful Cowichan Bay, at the Wessex By The Sea Motel. Next day I played a concert in the acoustically stunning Chapel Room and said hello to countless friends. Sunday was the long shift...a morning blues workshop with old friends Ray Bonneville and Dave "Slim" Harris, plus Kat Danser; a noon mainstage with '70s running buddy Rick Van Krugel (brilliant mandolinist/multi-instrumentalist/luthier), then one more solo concert and a beer with Washboard Hank and Bruce Brackney (formerly of Utah Phillips' Rose Tattoo), get paid and discover I was almost sold out of cds only midway through the tour. Many thanks to pal Chris Hunt for getting more from my office and shipping them out.
Next came 2 days off in Courtenay, with side-trips to Coombs (another family picnic) and Qualicum Beach (for the insanely delicious Fanny Bay oysters served up by the Shady Rest pub), and a beer in Cumberland with dobro-playing pal Doug Cox. Over beers and catch-up (Doug plays with Slide To Freedom, Betty Soo and others, and is the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Island Music Festival) we decided to attend the blues jam at the Cumberland Hotel where we were joined by funny guy and guitar monster Todd Butler for a rousing set.
Then it was off to Gabriola Island for what has become an annual show at the Roxy Theatre, put on bby long-time friend Ken Stefansson of Gabriola Gourmet Garlic, and a night at ate beautiful Hummingbird B&B. Up early for a delicious breakfast, we caught the ferry back to Nanaimo (no time to stop at my favorite record store, Fascinatin' Rhythm, which probably saved me a bundle) and north up-island to the Filberg Festival in Comox. It's an arts & crafts event with 130 artisans, and Bobbie Blue programs a brilliant bunch of music on 2 stages. Catching the last few tunes of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, while setting up for the blues panel after them, I had a chance to catch up with Jolene (Little Miss) Higgins and Foy Taylor, Lester Quitzau, Suzy Vinnick, and Eric Bibb (lots of hugs all around). Blues Panel was brilliant, 2 solo sets on the Garden Stage both went really well (a few drops of rain as I finished...I like to use up the good weather and then leave), grab the handfull of remaining cds and take off after long-overdue visits with Cindy Church and James Keelaghan. Dinner at the Old House (wonderful food and a great covered patio), a few hours sleep, and the 15 1/2 hour car/ferry trip home to Calgary, where our cat Beulah was quite happy to see us (I think that's what she was saying anyway). Big thanks to Trevor Reuger and Howard Chapman for feeding the old gal while we were gone. Next day I picked up another old friend, Smiling Jack Smith, at the airport to begin a handful of local gigs and be our house guest for the week...like my mainstage set with Rick Van Krugel, hanging out and playing with Jack was the effortless resumption of a musical/personal conversation interrupted by decades.
Tomorrow I play my usual set and host at the Blues Can jam, and on Sunday I play a concert in South Calgary for the Parkland in Summer series. Monday I coach a student through his audition piece for the Berklee School of Music, Tuseday is my regular solo spot at Mikey's Juke Joint, Wednesday afternoon I'm at the Hillhurst Farmers Market, and Thursday (my birthday !) we fly to California where I play at "Just Strings...A Music Festival" in Napa Valley. First paying gig in my home state in 35 (?) years. Back in time for my Mikey's show, the Foothills Acoustic Music Academy camp, a private function, Friday night Aug. 26th at Mikey's with The Electro-Fires, the Blues Can jam next day, and the Last Chance Saloon in Wayne, Alberta (as seen on the TV show "Canadian Pickers" - Fred didn't sell them anything) from 3-6 on Sunday the 28th. Mikey's solo on August 30th closes out this delightfully busy month, and a new blog post will be up for September's gigs and some long-range news: one more western tour before year's end, at least one festival in Mexico in the coming winter, maybe a new cd, etc. I'll also be taking a limited number of students for this fall-spring, so if you're interested let me know !
On the 15th Jo and I headed to Chase for a picnic with her holidaying sister and family, then the next morning we were off to Penticton for a night at The Dream Cafe. Possibly the best club/restaurant anywhere, hosts Debra and Pierre offer stellar food, drink and music in an absolutely charming space. Then 3 nights hanging in Kelowna, hanging with my on, Dr. Josh, and his wife (the newly minted Dr.) Heather. A great barbeque, an afternoon of touring wineries, and a lot of just chillin'. Next was a 2 night stand at The Blue Loon Grill in Clearwater BC, where weather forced the show indoors (and woke me up later absolutely pounding on the motel roof). Sun came out enough on day 2 for a picnic at Helmcken Fallis in Wells Grey park, with a stunning amount of water pouring through in this very wet year. Friday was a travel day, down Highway 5 through Kamloops, west over the Coquihala Pass through Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, ferry to Nanaimo, drive to Duncan and get my schedule/passes for the Islands Folk Fest. A 10-minute drive later we were in beautiful Cowichan Bay, at the Wessex By The Sea Motel. Next day I played a concert in the acoustically stunning Chapel Room and said hello to countless friends. Sunday was the long shift...a morning blues workshop with old friends Ray Bonneville and Dave "Slim" Harris, plus Kat Danser; a noon mainstage with '70s running buddy Rick Van Krugel (brilliant mandolinist/multi-instrumentalist/luthier), then one more solo concert and a beer with Washboard Hank and Bruce Brackney (formerly of Utah Phillips' Rose Tattoo), get paid and discover I was almost sold out of cds only midway through the tour. Many thanks to pal Chris Hunt for getting more from my office and shipping them out.
Next came 2 days off in Courtenay, with side-trips to Coombs (another family picnic) and Qualicum Beach (for the insanely delicious Fanny Bay oysters served up by the Shady Rest pub), and a beer in Cumberland with dobro-playing pal Doug Cox. Over beers and catch-up (Doug plays with Slide To Freedom, Betty Soo and others, and is the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Island Music Festival) we decided to attend the blues jam at the Cumberland Hotel where we were joined by funny guy and guitar monster Todd Butler for a rousing set.
Then it was off to Gabriola Island for what has become an annual show at the Roxy Theatre, put on bby long-time friend Ken Stefansson of Gabriola Gourmet Garlic, and a night at ate beautiful Hummingbird B&B. Up early for a delicious breakfast, we caught the ferry back to Nanaimo (no time to stop at my favorite record store, Fascinatin' Rhythm, which probably saved me a bundle) and north up-island to the Filberg Festival in Comox. It's an arts & crafts event with 130 artisans, and Bobbie Blue programs a brilliant bunch of music on 2 stages. Catching the last few tunes of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, while setting up for the blues panel after them, I had a chance to catch up with Jolene (Little Miss) Higgins and Foy Taylor, Lester Quitzau, Suzy Vinnick, and Eric Bibb (lots of hugs all around). Blues Panel was brilliant, 2 solo sets on the Garden Stage both went really well (a few drops of rain as I finished...I like to use up the good weather and then leave), grab the handfull of remaining cds and take off after long-overdue visits with Cindy Church and James Keelaghan. Dinner at the Old House (wonderful food and a great covered patio), a few hours sleep, and the 15 1/2 hour car/ferry trip home to Calgary, where our cat Beulah was quite happy to see us (I think that's what she was saying anyway). Big thanks to Trevor Reuger and Howard Chapman for feeding the old gal while we were gone. Next day I picked up another old friend, Smiling Jack Smith, at the airport to begin a handful of local gigs and be our house guest for the week...like my mainstage set with Rick Van Krugel, hanging out and playing with Jack was the effortless resumption of a musical/personal conversation interrupted by decades.
Tomorrow I play my usual set and host at the Blues Can jam, and on Sunday I play a concert in South Calgary for the Parkland in Summer series. Monday I coach a student through his audition piece for the Berklee School of Music, Tuseday is my regular solo spot at Mikey's Juke Joint, Wednesday afternoon I'm at the Hillhurst Farmers Market, and Thursday (my birthday !) we fly to California where I play at "Just Strings...A Music Festival" in Napa Valley. First paying gig in my home state in 35 (?) years. Back in time for my Mikey's show, the Foothills Acoustic Music Academy camp, a private function, Friday night Aug. 26th at Mikey's with The Electro-Fires, the Blues Can jam next day, and the Last Chance Saloon in Wayne, Alberta (as seen on the TV show "Canadian Pickers" - Fred didn't sell them anything) from 3-6 on Sunday the 28th. Mikey's solo on August 30th closes out this delightfully busy month, and a new blog post will be up for September's gigs and some long-range news: one more western tour before year's end, at least one festival in Mexico in the coming winter, maybe a new cd, etc. I'll also be taking a limited number of students for this fall-spring, so if you're interested let me know !
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Festival Time
Well, festival season is upon us...after Stampede (actually I leave just before the Calgary Stampede ends), where I play a few shows in the International Room of the Agriculture Building, and the debut gig of The Hackamores (the western swing band I've been rehearsing) at Mikey's Juke Joint on the 12th, I head out for the first leg of summer touring.
The Dream Cafe, Penticton BC July 16th
The Blue Loon Grill, Clearwater BC July 20-21
Islands Folk Music Festival, Duncan BC July 23-24
The Roxy, Gabriol Island, BC July 28
The Filberg Festival, Comoc BC July 29-30
House Concert, Campbell River BC July 30
Then home to play Mikey's Juke Joint August 2, a workshop on writing and arranging blues for acoustic guitar (for the Calgary Int'l Blues Fest) August 4, the Saturday jam at the Blues Can August 6th, and Parkland Summer Concerts in South Calgary August 7th. Mikey's again on the 9th, then fly to San Francisco on the 11th (my birthday) to play the Just Strings Festival in Geyserville, Napa County. Home the 15th, Mikey's on the 16th, and the Foothills Acoustic Music Institute (FAMI) music camp in Bragg Creek, Alberta the 19-21st. Mikey's on the next many Tuesdays (and Aug. 26th with The Electro-Fires), a private party on the 25th, and the Blues Can jam on the 27th. The autumn is filling up with dates mostly close to home, plus gigs in Dawson Creek, BC and Edmonton AB, also possibly Saskatoon SK and one more swing to Vancouver Island before the horrific weather sets in again. I've accepted a playing/teaching gig in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in Feb.-Mar. : come take a guitar lesson in paradise. All confirmed dates (and some tentatives) will be on the calendar at www.cayusemusic.com in the next few days. To my fellow nominees for CBC Saturday Night Blues' "Great Canadian Blues Award", condolences that we lost to Dan Ackroyd...Mama always said "If you can't say something nice...". Hasta luego, I'll write more and sooner !
The Dream Cafe, Penticton BC July 16th
The Blue Loon Grill, Clearwater BC July 20-21
Islands Folk Music Festival, Duncan BC July 23-24
The Roxy, Gabriol Island, BC July 28
The Filberg Festival, Comoc BC July 29-30
House Concert, Campbell River BC July 30
Then home to play Mikey's Juke Joint August 2, a workshop on writing and arranging blues for acoustic guitar (for the Calgary Int'l Blues Fest) August 4, the Saturday jam at the Blues Can August 6th, and Parkland Summer Concerts in South Calgary August 7th. Mikey's again on the 9th, then fly to San Francisco on the 11th (my birthday) to play the Just Strings Festival in Geyserville, Napa County. Home the 15th, Mikey's on the 16th, and the Foothills Acoustic Music Institute (FAMI) music camp in Bragg Creek, Alberta the 19-21st. Mikey's on the next many Tuesdays (and Aug. 26th with The Electro-Fires), a private party on the 25th, and the Blues Can jam on the 27th. The autumn is filling up with dates mostly close to home, plus gigs in Dawson Creek, BC and Edmonton AB, also possibly Saskatoon SK and one more swing to Vancouver Island before the horrific weather sets in again. I've accepted a playing/teaching gig in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in Feb.-Mar. : come take a guitar lesson in paradise. All confirmed dates (and some tentatives) will be on the calendar at www.cayusemusic.com in the next few days. To my fellow nominees for CBC Saturday Night Blues' "Great Canadian Blues Award", condolences that we lost to Dan Ackroyd...Mama always said "If you can't say something nice...". Hasta luego, I'll write more and sooner !
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