March 27 - Toronto, ON - Gibson Show Lounge
This gig was set up as a show for contest winners in the Toronto area as well as for industry types as invited by OPM records. The show is a one hour acoustic show with guitars provided by the Gibson people - makers of quality instruments for many years.
March 28 - Whitby, ON - Johnny B's
Just outside of Toronto is Johnny B's. A lot of effort went into this gig on the part of the promoter - great sound crew - nice stage sound. Promo throughout the town - cars sporting wraparounds with Aaron's picture driving throughout town spreading the word. Also excellent was the dinner we had at the restaurant. Gourmet all the way - I enjoyed Chilean Sea Bass with fresh vegetables and jasmine rice. Delicious.
March 29 - Toronto, ON - Sheraton Downtown
This was what we call in the business a "corporate gig". We were hired to play a private concert for a bunch of people who worked in the insurance business all over Ontario. Corporate gigs, generally, are humdrum affairs. You get in - set up - play a polite set to an empty room as have the people are in the foyer drinking and socializing. It is a way for bands to make a quick and healthy wage.
This gig was different. I have NEVER been in a room at a corporate gig (and I've done a lot of them) where everybody sat back, listened and enjoyed it. There was no audience murmur, nobody who left, no requests for "Brown Eyed Girl". They were an excellent bunch of people and one of my favorite gigs on the tour.
My one question though .... explain to me why, when staying at a Sheraton, the local phone calls are $2.00.... yet when you stay at a Comfort Inn they are free?
March 30 - Burlington, ON - Big Bucks Saloon
After a grueling 45 minute bus ride we arrived at our next gig. Our hotel? A COMFORT INN! Free calls! Free breakfast! Free internet! Love this place! We had an interesting twist before the gig. Carmen informed us that there were some contest winners whose prize was a four song acoustic set aboard our bus. All of us (except Ron) piled onto the bus and situated ourselves on a couch. The fans came in and we did the three new songs as well as an barbershop arrangement of 'Hold My Beer'. Let me explain. When 'Hold My Beer' first hit the charts in July of last year it was (and still is) getting a great crowd response. After an excellent festival gig the libations began to flow on the bus. One thing led to another and we came up with different ways to perform the song.... heavy metal, reggae, cocktail jazz. Barbershop was the style that stuck. Hopefully we'll document it someday.
The gig was an exciting 90 minutes - filled with screaming women, really loud guitars and drums. I bailed out of the post gig party to do some work in my room. I'm looking forward to the post gig report tomorrow.
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