Bass/ Keyboards/ Guitar/ Vocals - Aaron Pritchett Band April 12-15, 28

I had a couple of interesting gigs with the Aaron Pritchett band this month. I have always benefited in my career as being a guy who plays a few instruments (keyboards and saxophone tie for first - bass is next on the list an guitar would be fourth - flute and other instruments barely qualify but depending on your standards of quality I play a few others as well). With Aaron's band currently having a rotating bass guitar chair I have been thrust in the rotating instrumentalist role. I enjoy it because it keeps me thinking. We played Calgary's Rodeo Royale on Thursday which is a precursor to their famous Calgary Stampede. The gig was good although not as enthusiastic as most other AP gigs - due to the fact that the Calgary Flames were in the venue right next to us in a do or die playoff game. This was the second gig for Darren Parris - a tremendous bass player known mostly for his work with singer Daniel Powter (remember 'Bad Day' from American Idol? That's DP on bass). Darren kicked some serious ass on this gig and the band loves him which is good as he was my recommendation - no one except myself knew him.
However as Darren is working with singer Hayley Sales on her upcoming debut he was unable to join us for the gigs in Banff so to save some headaches I was elected to play the bass and double where I could on keyboards. It was good - the only thing really lacking from the gig in it's normal 6 piece configuration were the rhythm guitar parts. However Mike Sanyshyn, Mitch Merrett and I rallied and they covered some of the crucial rhythm parts. 75% of the keyboard parts I played with my right hand while fretting the notes on the bass with my right - easier on the ballads but tricky on some of the up-tempo numbers like Perfectly Blue (which is a 12/8 thing with a feel a la 'Sea Of Love' or 'Treat Me Like A Fool'). I enjoyed watching our stage tech Warren laughing at me as I played both instruments and sang harmonies - it was pretty amusing. I managed to cover everything with minimal error - so much so that I reprised this role for our gig in Boston.
Our gig outside of Boston (in Waltham at Bentley College) was an eye opener for me. Aaron's people have been trying to make inroads for his career in the US and has started looking into college gigs like this. Aaron is generally an unknown artist in the US so I wasn't expecting a huge reaction. However what was reenforced to me in this gig was the power of the internet and downloadable music. A lot of the people attending the shows knew a lot of Aaron's tunes (we even got a request for 'You Can't Say That I Didn't Love You', a tune from the first album). I could feel the "ground beginning to break'. Anyhow - fun gig and nice people.
When I get home amongst other things we begin demos for the next record with Aaron.... looking forward to getting creative!

Aaron Pritchett - Thunderbird Stadium April 12

We had a great gig last night. We were palying on a bill that included Finger Eleven and Sam Roberts. As Aaron tends to lean a little more to the country side, I must admit I get a little skeptical as to how we're going to go over with a body surfing audience. However, since I've been playing with Aaron nothing surprises me anymore. The crowd was great. They sang along to all the hits (even the verses of the ballads) and Aaron won over several more fans. I wish I brought a camera as the crowd was wild. Our bass player for the gig was Darren Parris who played the gig for the first time and nailed the set.

Susan Aglukark and Sierra Noble - Vimy Ridge - France - April 5-9 2007

Tom Mckillip (bandleader for Lisa Brokop, producer for Aaron Pritchett, Amanda Stott and many others) called me a month ago and asked if I would like to be in the house band for a celebration that was taking place April 9th at the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France. The Vimy Ridge Memorial is a huge monument that was dedicated in 1936 to pay tribute to the many Canadian soldiers that perished during a big and bloody battle on April 9, 1917. While the battle was considered a victory for the Canadians and the French, the death toll was staggering and many of the bodies to this day have not been found. The names of the missing are printed on the monument. If and when a body gets found and the identity is established (which does happen from time to time) the name of the found soldier is filled in and a military funeral takes place.
The monument itself is overwhelming. It was designed by Walter Allward over a period of 15 years and is made from limestone from a quarry in a Croatia. Unfortunately time had worn down the monument. The Canadian Government saw fit to refurbish it in time for the 90th anniversary of the battle.
Drummer Craig Bignell, bassist Phil Hall, Tom and I left on April 5 for Lille, France on a military flight to begin rehearsals with singer Susan Aglukark and violinist Sierra Noble to perform two small sets after the main ceremonies. We had a lot of downtime which was okay with me as it gave us a chance to explore the monument up close as well as take in some of the ceremonies. The 110 piece military band was awesome - excellent arrangements and despite some cold weather during Saturday's "Sunset Ceremony", their intonation was impeccable.
On Sunday we attended a dinner with Canada's Prime Minister Steven Harper and performed with Sierra. Especially fun for me was getting to hang with Tom's long lost cousin Major Jim Mckillip - the man primarily responsible for the ceremony. A man of considerable clout and intelligence, he was charming and an excellent hang. One of the boys.
Monday's ceremony was brilliant. Jets screaming overhead, choirs, soldiers with parachutes, the military band, the Canadian PM, the French PM, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip - it was all grandiose and a fitting tribute in my mind. After the main ceremonies I couldn't but feel that what we did was a little insignificant - however it was all made worthwhile watching Major Mckillip grinning from ear to ear.
As I write this I'm beginning my 15 hour commute home. It was all very worthwhile - another amazing experience all thanks to the fact that I play music. How lucky am I.

Aaron Pritchett Eastern Canada Dates March 21-April 1 Part 3

Yes indeed - the band's weary heads rose slowly after a night's worth of good natured debauchery. The hospitality in Burlington was amazing by all accounts (I was holded up in my room recording vocals for producer Allan Rodger so as a result I missed the festivities).
We arrived in Tweed, a municipality near Trenton, Ontario. It was an interesting locale - a "lived in" venue. It's a dance hall with a bar and hotel attached to it. Once again we were welcomed with open arms. The gig had sort of a "community dance" vibe to it - except we did our regular 90 minute show. The crowd was once again over the top crazy.
The party continued and I once again bowed out to complete my vocal tracks from the night before.

April 1 - London, ON - Cowboys

The final night of the tour. We got into London late due to a few traffic snarls on the 401. After a brisk soundcheck we headed back to the hotel - got cleaned up and hit the stage at 9PM. Another great crowd - the place was packed. A few people who saw other gigs on this tour made it out to this gig for one more look. A great way to end this trip.
The bus left the hotel at 3AM and we made our way back to Toronto for our 7AM flights. Band and crew (with the exception of myself and Dwayne) are fast asleep in their bunks. We fly home and Dwayne deadheads the bus back to Edmonton for some upgrades and then to Vancouver. I don't envy him.
So ends another exciting APB jaunt. More to come at a later date. Over and out.