All Roads lead to a local coffee house...

I played up in Yellowknife last fall and called the show "All Roads Lead to Yellowknife". I used to live and work up in the NWT for almost 5 years and was happy to be back to play a local coffee house in one of my favorite Canadian cities. This photo was taken up in a beautiful community called Gameti north of Yellowknife in 1998..showing the view out my window.

If this past spring 2010 tour had to have a theme or another name..it would be "All Roads Lead to Medicine Hat". Arriving in Medicine Hat rested and well fed thanks to Helen in Swift Current, Lyn and I found the Hatter Roastery in a downtown historic section of a city. I loved the dark blue walls filled with art photography and the aroma of roasted coffee beans as we wandered in. A windy and cloudy day, I was happy to be spending the afternoon at this cosy cafe. We set up in front of the window and were ready to start. A woman was on her laptop in the corner speaking into a headset. I quietly wondered if she was sitting in a great spot, but then I felt it would be good for her to stay where she was. I told her that I wouldn't be too loud. Midway through my set, just after finishing a song about crazy weather and prairie storms, I realize that Lyn is looking outside and a commotion seems to be going on outside behind me. As I turn around, I see a car back up onto the curb and run over a tree planted alongside the sidewalk. The driver has hit the front end of the car parked behind her and now sits in her car, slightly dazed...on the sidewalk. About 10 feet or so and she would have backed into our lovely coffee house, right into me as I sang. I am momentarily stunned as all I have seen so far is a car in a strange position, a tree moving in the wind and other gusts of wind picking up on the street. I think it is a tornado... for just an instant. With the black sky and heat we had earlier, it wouldn't surprise me. But no tornado. Thankfully no one was hurt. The tree was not so lucky. The excitement settles down and I complete my set, working to hold back the giggles as I sing my last song. Always looking for stories....

Watching Lyn perform, I also watch the activity of the coffee house. With the glass front as the backdrop, I can see the people walk by outside. I can see a little man..dwarf...midget. What is the politically correct name? He walked one way, then back the other, then back again..with the top of his head bouncing along as he passed. Then moments later, a blind man with a cowboy hat and belt buckle walked by....a blind cowboy. I wondered what he thought of the car on the sidewalk. Then the midget walks into the coffee house.... After the show was over, the woman who sat in the corner came over to say hello and introduce herself. I will not fully tell her story here, but will instead leave the link to her blog.www.sdholman.com/walkforlove/brings-you/travelogue

The hum of life. Real life. Real music. Certainly far from perfect but genuine and authentic. Her story certainly has touched me. We happened to cross paths on day 50 of her 100 day walk. The mid way point of her journey. In her blog post that day, she spoke of the Cree and the Cree word Wanuskewin.... seeking peace of mind. In the spirit of this......with the sky, land, flowers and birds to guide her, may the Creator hold her close on her journey ahead.

Morning coffee is for the Birds

I write this newest entry from a kitchen in Swift Current filled with the sound of early morning birdsong. An artist and songwriter herself, our gracious host Helen Gauvin has kindly offered us a comfy bed and a home cooked meal while we overnight here in Swift Current. Packed, with guitars and suitcases at the door, I have a few moments to catch my breath and enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee and a home made muffin. My touring partner Lyn and I have had a great and very busy last few days. And we have agreed that the weather angels are on our side. The weather has been perfect for cruising across the prairies in the wide open air of a convertible. The venues and people we have met along the way have been a highlight. Amazingly, at least one songwriter has come out to every show and we have never had an empty sea of chairs to sing our birdsongs to. I'll add more when we get to Medicine Hat later today for a show. We just realized that they may be one hour ahead so we need to do a time check with the cute coffee house that I have booked us...The Mad Hatter Roastery is the next stop on the road. With the sounds of last night's beautiful and impromptu accordion performance by our talented and wonderful host in my head, we will make our way out of Saskatchewan on into Alberta suntanned and rested.

Meeting Roy and other Tree Bandits

The miles and the hours have blurred these past days. Waking up in Regina this morning, I go off to a meeting for a few hours while Lyn soaks up some rays and visiting. I am always struck by how unique Regina feels as if I can't quite place where I am in this vast country. It must be the lush green leaves of the trees lining Albert Street...planted with vision years ago. I think we should all become bandit gardeners, planting trees where there are none...in the wees hours of the morning.

Tonight we have a show at Tuesday Night Trobadour Songwriter's Night at Bocados, hosted by local Regina musician JJ Voss. He has set us up outside on the patio. It is a gorgeous evening so a great idea to have us play outside. But first some visiting is in order and dinner is on JJ Voss. Lyn has some family from Regina coming out to the show as well as producer David J. Taylor coming for dinner and to see our show. I haven't met David before but know who he is the minute he walks onto the patio. His liberal use of the word "F**ck" is quite sincere and endearing. I like him immediately. With our sets over and being a few CD's lighter, we head inside to watch the band just starting. As we sit down, this young guy already has the mic, belting out a tune that I can't quite place. This kid is amazing and singing from his toes. I am riveted to my seat. So is everybody else when I sneak a peak around.

Part Elvis, part Roy Orbison, part Pavarotti.

Moose Jaw and the Wandering Gypsy

I start out on Monday morning in Prince Albert and lay my head on a pillow that night in Regina. Somewhere in the day, I drive in the sunny open air to Saskatoon to pick up Lyn and drive on to Moose Jaw for our show at the Java Express Coffee House on Main. After saying goodbye to our beds, a week of couch surfing lies ahead and the road tour officially begins. We chatter like happy little squirrels all the way down to Moose Jaw. The coffee house where I have booked us to play is right on Main Street and in an old heritage building. The gypsy theme seems to be sticking with us as the upper level of the coffee house has a boutique called "The Wandering Gypsy". We immediately feel right at home and are both fed and watered by the manager Taylor, a fantastic guy who happens to be moving to Winnipeg in the next few months.
Midway through the show a little wandering gypsy girl drifts into the coffee house to watch. After making some new friends and fans, we make our way to Regina to stay at Lyn's brother's house for the next 2 nights. Half asleep when we arrive, I am awake enough to notice the banjo and drum kit in the basement and look forward to making some pretty sounds in the morning. But first, I think I'll wait till Lyn has had her morning cup of coffee. If you are ever passing through Moose Jaw, stop by the Java Express for a coffee and say hello to the wandering gypsy girl.

http://www.23mainstreet.ca/

Saskatoon Solla sings

I can tell that I will love this place as soon as I walk through the door of the eclectic Cafe Solla in Saskatoon. It is now day three of our eight day tour and the third stop on the way. I drove down today to play with Lyn in her hometown. She has set up this show and the venue is perfect. We have an afternoon performance and the sun is streaming through the windows as we set up. I have heard of this coffee house before and know of friends that have been performed here. It is obvious why it is a popular choice. We have the charming side room for our use today and the chairs quickly fill up. And what funky chairs they are...made of reclaimed wood and iron, shaped like questions marks. The audience is full of friends and family who have come to give Lyn and I a proper send off. Even an old friend Matt, from my Yellowknife days is out to see the show. With the show in the mid afternoon, we both have the night off to relax and pack. We will have a busy Monday and will be in Moose Jaw tomorrow night...with big sunny skies all the way.

A musician friend from Prince Albert came out to the show to support us as well and take a few pictures. Thanks Gabe! You can check him out at:

http://www.gabepenna.com/

Jenny's beautiful NEW GROUND CAFE and soul

The reward for performing original music in a cafe filled with great art and an appreciative audience is the heavenly dessert waiting for me. The theme of the evening is green or "spring on a plate". The location is the gorgeous New Ground Cafe in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, a perfect 33 km from Prince Albert. Wide open prairie, a river crossing and a gentle roll in the road now and then completes the drive on an early Saturday evening. The weather is warm enough so I drive with the top down on my convertible and arrive with very crazy wind blown hair. I will be performing first so I know I can't stuff myself on owner Jenny Willem's amazing food until after I perform my set. Tonight, Jenny serves each course on mismatched china. I love the presentation of her food and her wonderful attention to detail. Each course is announced with a silver bell and an introduction to the meal, how it was prepared and where the local food and ingredients were sourced from. A true artist, Jenny even served up some "Gypsy Salami" in support of our tour!

With my set over, I can now sit back and listen to my fantastic road tour partner Lyn Besse McGinnis. Her energy and beautiful songs are a toe tapping and relaxing backdrop to that dessert that I'm talking about.....a carrot parsnip cake with a mango squash coulis (sauce).

Check out Jenny's blog for yummy updates at:

http://www.jennisnewgroundcafe.blogspot.com/