A New Season
March 24, 2009
A new season, is really what it feels like. As though I am starting to watch a new season of my favorite tv show but only I am one of the characters and it is all in real life and real time.
I'm sitting on another WestJet flight returning from a trip that, in many ways, was a challenge going into it. But we, as a group, prevailed!
The "season" started in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, which happens to be just across a bridge from Halifax, where we played at the Rodeo Lounge for our amazing friend, Carla and the throngs of fans whom were eager to have a rip-roaring time with the boys and me! And not just one night but 2 nights!! What a blast and again Carla out-did herself with her hospitality and generosity. Thank you to her, Sandy and their staff at the club!
On Saturday morning we drove over the Confederation Bridge to play in a theatre called the King's Playhouse in Georgetown, P.E.I. These are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet anywhere! Now, usually you find that theatres can be a little lower key event but on this evening, this crowd wanted to party! And so we did!!
I have to make mention of two transplanted Albertans by the name of Joel and Dawn who own the Georgetown Inn and their daughter, Anne. These folks are originally from Edmonton and one day, so their story goes, they decided it was time to move somewhere that their hearts desired more... That place was Georgetown, P.E.I.! What a great story theirs is, with Joel being a formally trained fine-dining chef and not just a good one, an AMAZING one. Or just ask Dawn about her "Georgetown Makes Me..." song, what a riot! They bought a heritage home in the middle of town and have renovated it to create the ULTIMATE experience of a taste of East coast flavor and history. Amazing job on the house!
To hear more of their story, well, you'll just have to go and visit them yourselves! Wonderful people, who went out of their way for us and didn't have to. Thank you so much for that unforgettable experience from all of us!
The very next morning, Sunday, we had to get up and drive to Moncton for a show at the Rockin' Rodeo. I hadn't been there for a couple years and hoped that the fans didn't forget us... They definitely did NOT! On a Sunday, that was the eve of school returning back to session, I figured it would be a little quiet, plus it was snowing a blizzard outside (there are turbulence right now that are like no other I have ever felt before!!! Must be flying over Winnipeg!) But was I wrong! The place was packed, wall-to-wall! What a great way to end a little trip. Thank you to Jacques and his staff at The R.R.! You guys were great!
Now, as I sit on this flight, I prepare for the intense week ahead that will be the Juno week! In my hometown, no less, and is definitely a week I have been looking forward to for a long time! Nominated for Country Recording of the Year along side the beautiful Crystal Shawanda and Tara Oram, the dapper gentleman George Canyon and my good buddies Doc Walker is an honor and a privilege to be mentioned on the same ballot as them. But it is only one of the highlights for me this week. Friday, I play in the Juno Cup hockey game with stars of Canadian music against ex-NHLers like Bob Probert and Cliff Ronning, so for me this is the best of all my dream worlds. Wanting to be a hockey star as a kid- ok, I still do- and playing along side my peers like Jim Cuddy and Barney Bentall, all at once, is truly a thrill. Watch for it! Friday night at UBC's new arena. Or I'm sure it'll be on You Tube at some point!!
Also, I'm going to be presenting an award on the Juno Awards on Sunday, March 29th so you better have your Tivo set if you can't watch it live!
Well, that's the update I have right now for you so just keep your eyes and ears at the ready for any more updates!
Thank you to my crew for doing an absolutely incredible job this week! What a blast!!!!
See you soon!!
Aaron |
