tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47222821029261310232024-02-19T08:41:18.174-08:00Mike Norman - Around The World With 12 NotesMike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-14623241802792427082010-06-20T11:33:00.000-07:002010-06-20T12:02:13.939-07:00Updates - Health - Family - BenefitLife has been good for me despite a few minor obstacles. Recovering from medical issues (radiation, chemo etc.) and still working (trying to keep up my pace of the past 20 plus years) is an interesting game. I've found the way to do it is to prioritize. After a large abscess in my neck was discovered in the nick of time (a by product of perhaps a surgical infection - cutting off oxygen to my body), a trip to the hospital was made and the problem was removed. After three weeks plus in the hospital I am finally transitioning out on day passes. Tomorrow is Monday June 21 - my intended discharge date..... fingers crossed (Happy Father's Day BTW!).<br />My summer will be for healing. I would love to gig live but ..... prioritize! I intend to do that for another 50 years and I don't want to mess that up. I will do sessions in my basement and elsewhere where necessary but only if I'm up for it. Prioritize! My health is important. My great rewards come (now more than ever if that was possible) from my family and I want to be selfish and spend as much time with them as possible. Prioritize!! Health comes first. Everyone knows that and anyone that doesn't isn't a great influence on one's overall well being.<br />Lots of love to my friends and family as well as extended acquaintances (fans from the road who come out and support myself and the artists I work for). You guys are best.<br />To the Johnny Reid and One More Girl friends ... sorry I'm going to miss you on the upcoming dates but I'll be back stronger than ever soon. In the meantime enjoy their shows.... they have some great stuff on the horizon.<br />Finally, a BIG thank you one more time to the all of the artists, friends and fans who attended, organized and played at the Mike Norman benefit and fundraiser on April 7. A lot of money was raised and it was an evening I'll never forget. <br /><br />All the best and stay healthy - see ya soon!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-53385907394694298252010-03-22T19:58:00.000-07:002010-03-22T20:07:53.146-07:00Classic Rock Fiesta!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtzBMZ_QjHbel59P9w8sJhM7PvJDRt-fALOihog8DU64o2Dq80b_hMkFzZasPDdSgk22xdBibQJwsOE1Kt4XM2zctDxe2RJ8V0wo6UIz7FyXjWy4G13xASvLJq0FNGteJGiU7WXi0D9kW/s1600-h/IMG_0410.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtzBMZ_QjHbel59P9w8sJhM7PvJDRt-fALOihog8DU64o2Dq80b_hMkFzZasPDdSgk22xdBibQJwsOE1Kt4XM2zctDxe2RJ8V0wo6UIz7FyXjWy4G13xASvLJq0FNGteJGiU7WXi0D9kW/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451660646357378178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eLQczJ9vpuKKjBaOHBW_ofhLhUZIK0BhA08mLFb8KEXWCwFtI08mPpEO_NV17nKOvaA8EXS1UfT8UTuz8VAAj1p_CNJFfRCa2viHqQnUsMHPP0gePRysmDneMQgxdked1EgIGyQot22e/s1600-h/Jimi.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eLQczJ9vpuKKjBaOHBW_ofhLhUZIK0BhA08mLFb8KEXWCwFtI08mPpEO_NV17nKOvaA8EXS1UfT8UTuz8VAAj1p_CNJFfRCa2viHqQnUsMHPP0gePRysmDneMQgxdked1EgIGyQot22e/s320/Jimi.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451660641202798450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lTbHclooIFcQoPSrkVbnqY_uRIYb6xdBvutcYbNZmWCgtin3Jf9I79ddXzANlQUBpOzqb4jSZKrMxD00PAToN9dQrlqdMp-H68yA96D7ymBA9GLIF1xdqgbVEIqvesUMUD3AU0D9FU5y/s1600-h/John,+Mike+and+Shane.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lTbHclooIFcQoPSrkVbnqY_uRIYb6xdBvutcYbNZmWCgtin3Jf9I79ddXzANlQUBpOzqb4jSZKrMxD00PAToN9dQrlqdMp-H68yA96D7ymBA9GLIF1xdqgbVEIqvesUMUD3AU0D9FU5y/s320/John,+Mike+and+Shane.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451660631874257490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPmcHUbIZOnmVA0LvvNxgPrDK8xUmB-tkT4M_Qm4lTeJtDjS0sidKnsf0PynPJO9KEvVAK00KyceNoQe1rqPJWXa4uWUaEGXP4tLAheqUN2X_RLxVd-4XAPE8m9srnmQePesKH5szI0GL/s1600-h/Bobby,+Mike+and+Shane.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPmcHUbIZOnmVA0LvvNxgPrDK8xUmB-tkT4M_Qm4lTeJtDjS0sidKnsf0PynPJO9KEvVAK00KyceNoQe1rqPJWXa4uWUaEGXP4tLAheqUN2X_RLxVd-4XAPE8m9srnmQePesKH5szI0GL/s320/Bobby,+Mike+and+Shane.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451660620183139666" /></a><br />One of the great things about being a self employed musician is the lack of routine. You know you'll be playing somewhere for someone .... you just don't know the specifics a lot of the time. That's okay - it keeps you young. Routine is not really my thing ......<br />Another great thing about being a self employed musician are the surprises that life throws at you. Take for example a call I received in February 2010 from Loverboy vocalist Mike Reno and his girlfriend vocalist Catherine St. Germain. "Hey Mike, do you wanna go to St. Maarten in the Caribbean for a gig?". The answer of course is yes. "Great - you'll be playing with four singers whose music you grew up on as a youngster." Cool ..... wha??? <br />I knew music was my career path at age 14. It became clear to me when I heard Duke Ellington, Errol Gardner, and Count Basie from my Mom's record collection. It became really clear as my palette expanded - bands like Chilliwack, Skywalk and Steely Dan crept into my awareness and inspired me to no end. From there I was hooked. Allow me to focus in on four acts during that time. <br />Survivor - led by former Ides Of March singer Jim Peterik - consistently provided rock anthems that were staples on rock radio during the 80's. 'Burning Heart', 'The Search Is Over' and 'I Can't Hold Back' were among their biggest hits and featured the thick soulful vocals of Jimi Jamison. <br />Toto - some of Los Angeles' finest session musicians formed this supergroup which featured great songs executed with perfect musicianship. The keyboard section of David Paich and Steve Porcaro influenced me greatly - as did the soaring vocals of Bobby Kimball (BTW - check out the great Tubes' song 'She's A Beauty' - that's Bobby on BG's - amazing). Their record '4' won a truckload of Grammys. 'Hold The Line', 'Rosanna' and 'Africa' are classics.<br />John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band - timeless rock and roll performed by a true rock and roll band. With great songs written by leader John Cafferty - they hit the big time when they were featured on the soundtrack to the movie 'Eddie And The Cruisers'. Their "overnight success" was 11 years in the making. 'On The Dark Side' and 'Tender Years' are timeless.<br />Loverboy - Five SOLID musicians, great rock songs, great vocals, great performances - a TEXTBOOK example of a great rock band. Loverboy were the arguably one of the biggest bands of the 1980's and continue to rock venues to this day. On a personal note (while they all influenced my playing style) let me say keyboardist Doug Johnson is one of the finest synth players ever. His endless creativity, tastefully crafted parts and fine technique should be held in the same regard of Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman etc. Simply brilliant. Along the same lines - vocalist Mike Reno is brilliant and sounds as good today as he did thirty years ago. 'Working For The Weekend' is routinely played on radio stations everywhere at 5PM on Fridays.<br />SO - back to the gig: a few sets in St. Maarten playing the hits of the aforementioned bands with vocalists Bobby Kimball, Jimi Jamison, Mike Reno and John Cafferty. Let me try and articulate how strange this is for me. The opportunity to play songs which contributed to the soundtrack of your younger life with the people who created these hits is .... well .... wonderfully strange. These people who, up to this point, were nothing more than images on a TV screen or magnetized cassette tapes were now real. You knew they existed, but seeing then, HEARING them, therefore confirming they're real people .... just plain strange. And WONDERFUL.<br />Our set: On The Dark Side, Tough All Over, CITY, High On You, The Search Is Over, I Can't Hold Back, Hold The Line, Africa, Rosanna, The Kid Is Hot Tonight, Almost Paradise, Turn Me Loose, Eye Of The Tiger, Working For The Weekend, Tush<br />The band (Shane Hendrickson, Marc LaFrance, Ian Cameron and Cathy St. Germain) did a great job. The songs are great. Excellent people. St. Maarten is beautiful. My wife even came down! Thank you Charlie, Betsy, Mike, Ralph, and the many other folks who made this a perfect week,Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-30306645294432989352010-02-12T21:47:00.000-08:002010-02-12T22:03:19.576-08:00Feeling good in February!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo0Rg8huo_p35Iw93OpIdfDHj4x6ntJUjNYXEGD6e9IcvTbdPavTMAZd62xA9xXbnQtMrVKdhmhdnZZULrlfxjY9gneI4BANBsNOFgM3LPxIJ7_Y_Q_sCGVS7bIJUHRKdyCqZhyphenhyphenO0hl3k/s1600-h/DSC05288_2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo0Rg8huo_p35Iw93OpIdfDHj4x6ntJUjNYXEGD6e9IcvTbdPavTMAZd62xA9xXbnQtMrVKdhmhdnZZULrlfxjY9gneI4BANBsNOFgM3LPxIJ7_Y_Q_sCGVS7bIJUHRKdyCqZhyphenhyphenO0hl3k/s320/DSC05288_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437604655554399586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy02vh6w772pE59vvSdb4NfsCuSj6bRCs2-cHAr1DY8OcUftH3XIHhPEnlYIzzrfURSd4g5lDfHFlq6up2dMeymA53R4zNP0cTQBDSnvbFuDumyzgV0528K_BYu7ItWbRaJHoJ6GBDcAD/s1600-h/John+E.,+Karla,+John+D..jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy02vh6w772pE59vvSdb4NfsCuSj6bRCs2-cHAr1DY8OcUftH3XIHhPEnlYIzzrfURSd4g5lDfHFlq6up2dMeymA53R4zNP0cTQBDSnvbFuDumyzgV0528K_BYu7ItWbRaJHoJ6GBDcAD/s320/John+E.,+Karla,+John+D..jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437604644361738850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSmoeezFjrKGximjUT3miNrkFo5riWdWxn46AL4HnoZpG07luvIxbxC7s0O2Vu6YkwXk-o4tYdQ8cjqky_-zwq5pHuxHAq6KVSZMwq-D6cSeY7ISIXR7ehdYdVJRB8mC0TPigZjJvxwKy/s1600-h/John+E.+And+Jay.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSmoeezFjrKGximjUT3miNrkFo5riWdWxn46AL4HnoZpG07luvIxbxC7s0O2Vu6YkwXk-o4tYdQ8cjqky_-zwq5pHuxHAq6KVSZMwq-D6cSeY7ISIXR7ehdYdVJRB8mC0TPigZjJvxwKy/s320/John+E.+And+Jay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437604642829659842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXAhsyU_G4t6Pe1sucVJGSTE1AvZKyqioYmKgCJszPmC21vYFKtJ_lnVnEkWHzcSQyYxQagp6jiFB5YrOvgvM2-H125FiEmXMeRcPrDYp2on0OhZ62d2z71S5DaPKWj9Q4r_LBjkSmPnD/s1600-h/DSC05292_2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXAhsyU_G4t6Pe1sucVJGSTE1AvZKyqioYmKgCJszPmC21vYFKtJ_lnVnEkWHzcSQyYxQagp6jiFB5YrOvgvM2-H125FiEmXMeRcPrDYp2on0OhZ62d2z71S5DaPKWj9Q4r_LBjkSmPnD/s320/DSC05292_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437604630835621010" /></a><br />I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes after my last post. I'm starting to eat soft foods (ice cream, applesauce, miso soup ....mmmmmm) and getting my act together. I am still getting lots of rest and taking it easy HOWEVER the other thing I have added into my day to day diet - gigs and sessions. Let me tell you something - music is GREAT for the soul. I was thrilled to be invited to The Armoury studios to play 5 days of sessions for various artists. Within those five days I came alive. The band (The Lyin' Bastards - Tom McKiliip, Jerry Adolphe, John Dymond, John Ellis and Jay Buettner) all commented on how much better I became between Day one and Day five. I ain't gonna lie - when I play music these days, I cry. I cry tears of joy. I feel great and I realize how much music is a part of my being. It enlightens everything in my life - my family, my friends, my city .... find the music you love and turn it up. Sing, dance, chant .... it'll make your world that much better.<br />I have gigs coming up for February! I play the Feb. 14 medals ceremony for the 2010 Olympics here in my hometown! The band is great - bandleader Ed Henderson, Jerry Adolphe, Darren Parris, Adam Rohrlick and some new friends - Neal (a great sax/ tabla player), AJ (sitar) and T (a DJ). It's a big multi cultural show that I'm really looking forward to. The great multi instrumentalist Daniel Lapp is also on the show. I've never played with him before but welcome the opportunity.<br />Also - there's a bunch of other great shows I get to do with One More Girl, John Lee Sanders and David Gogo among others. In between the gigs and my R&R, I'm finishing up Yvan Petit's solo record. It sounds terrific BTW.... can't wait for everyone to hear it.<br /><br />That's it for now - go Canada go!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-39380830057483403092010-01-02T00:55:00.000-08:002010-01-03T14:46:35.883-08:002010!!Happy New Year everyone. It's January 1 and I write this after a flight home from Penticton, B.C. and a lengthy nap. I like 2010 a lot so far. I played a great gig last night with Johnny Reid in the aforementioned Penticton. It was my first bigger concert gig in a long time - September 2009. <br />I haven't been much of a blogger for a while and here's why: In October 2008 I had a small section of my tongue removed due to a cancerous ulcer which had developed on it. I was given a clean bill of health as of April 30 2009. It was a week or so after that where I noticed a lump on the left side of my neck. Raising my suspicions, I went to the doctor. A series of tests confirmed some cancerous cells from my tongue made their way to lymph nodes and started to multiply.<br />On July 7 2009 I went to an oncologist for a 2nd opinion on the lump. They confirmed I have two to three lymph nodes with cancer in them. The good news is it's unlikely it had spread into the rest of my body. On July 17 2009 I went in for surgery under the capable hands of Dr. Anderson who removed the ulcer on my tongue. He performed a left neck dissection whereby he cut open my neck and removed as much (hopefully all) of the cancerous areas he could. He ended up taking out 10 lymph nodes and part of my jugular. He says he took out more than he needed to just to be safe.<br />I haven't drank alcohol since 1994 and even before that it wasn't very much. I've never done drugs - including the herbal stuff. And - I've never smoked cigarettes. So how did I get this? Well, the simple answer is bad luck. It's basically a virus and for some reason it manifested itself in this way.<br />I recovered well and went on the road for three dates with Johnny on July 31, 2009. It went pretty well! Life went on as usual - I started work as a producer with Yvan Petit (Johnny's longtime guitarist) on his great solo record, the Canadian Country Music Awards (fourth year in the house band!), sessions for Dean Maher, David Wills and others.<br />The doctors felt (after reviewing my case) that because I was young (ish) and healthy (other than the cancer) that a radiation and chemotherapy program would be a positive step - get rid of every last cancerous cell so we wouldn't have to deal with this again. I agreed. On September 7th I entered the Surrey Memorial Hospital (conveniently located next to the BC Cancer Agency) for the first of 33 radiation treatments and 3 chemo cocktails.<br />Everything was good for the first couple of weeks. I managed to work a bit and I managed to eat. My last full meal was with my good friends Adam Rohrlick and Chris Meister - delicious tortilla soup and burritos (BTW - as you read you'll see why food is my favorite thing in the universe right now). It was around October and a quarter of a way into the treatments that I became very tired and lost my appetite. I couldn't eat, drink or talk. I would go to a treatment, come home, watch TV and sleep. The option of a feeding tube inserted into my stomach had been offered to me by the knowing staff at the Cancer Agency but of course I was a tough guy and dismissed it.<br />It wasn't until one day I got out of bed and fell back down. I could barely walk and was blacking out. There was no way I was coming in for treatment today .... however once you start they don't want you to stop for anything. So a call was placed by me and my beautiful brother in law and bass player par excellance Shane Hendrickson came and picked me up. We went to the Cancer Agency where they hooked me up to an IV and got me back to a better condition. A week later I was the proud owner of a GI tube in my stomach. I was admitted to hospital for 12 days and was closely monitored. <br />The radiation and chemo ended on October 26. I had no voice, lost some hair in the back of my neck, a sore mouth and throat and had lost nearly 40 pounds. The expected recovery time was two to three weeks. As it turns out, as I write this I am still recovering. I spent November and December mostly in bed. It was tough for me to have to sub out of Tom and Alison Jackson's Singing For Supper Christmas tour as well as CP's Holiday Train which I've done for the past 5 years - both great cross Canada tours benefiting food banks. The fact was I needed to get stronger. Of course all parties involved were incredibly understanding and I transitioned out of both tours with no problems (thank you all again).<br />I slowly got better but the one thing I couldn't (and still can't do) is eat. For some reason I can't get food down my throat. It is for that reason the GI tube was so necessary. I miss food so much. I treasure the smell of it so much. <br />Thanks to the help of my wife Wendy the tube feeds went well. I managed to get some strength back. Wendy became a great nurse - changing my dressing on the tube, keeping the bed and towels laundered, picking up supplies and doing a million other things while trying to balance her already insane schedule. She's awesome and I owe her an awful lot - I love you.<br />Wendy went to Edmonton for Christmas where her family lives. From there my sister Kimi and brother in law Shane took over. I was in there care. They switched me over from the Boost supplement drinks I was taking in the GI tube to Vegan smoothies and vegetable juices. We went to Vancouver Island to be with our Dad and Nana for Christmas. I stayed on the couch again for most of it - feeding tube in tow. A parade of guests came through to say hi - I didn't eat Christmas dinner but it was a wonderful trip. My Dad is amazing. He and his girlfriend Vicki are so supportive and my Nana is incredible. I have a wonderful family and I love them all.<br />Kimi and Shane kidnapped me and I've been living at their house on the couch again where they continue their program with me. I feel a lot better - however the 'not being able to eat' continues. This is the next hurdle we are trying to overcome. As soon as I can eat I can gain some weight, get my strength up and everything else will fall into place.<br />And so, here it is - January 1, 2010 - a new year - a new decade. A little older and deeper in debt. The cancer is gone. The recovery is nearly over. I'm ready to work. Resolutions? Yeah - I have a few. I'm gonna take more time for myself. I'm gonna hang with my family and friends a lot more. I'm gonna get to the gig earlier and leave a little later. I'm gonna sit in my back yard and listen to music. I'm gonna go a little slower. The daily "to do" lists will generally not get done on THAT day. This is a beautiful life we have, people. If you were like me - work crazy - reconsider. I'll always be a little work crazy but I'm sure gonna enjoy the benefits surrounding it. I have the greatest job in the world. People envy me up on a stage in front of copious amounts of people. I'm gonna savour that more now ..... for as long as I can.<br />I have amazing friends - I know so many people and the support I've received has been unsurpassed. It's been an emotional time for me. I cry tears of joy an awful lot these days - many of you have bore witness to this. I am so happy and blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you.<br />So now, I finish up this "note' and it's January 2. What's up for me? Not much on the books but work will come in. Yvan is coming out here in January and we're gonna finish his album which stalled due to my condition. It's gonna be a great year. Always is! Take care everyone.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-74823796049127546952009-08-04T14:43:00.000-07:002009-08-04T14:50:07.073-07:00July 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaKiTkUFgYFQu388cw_xrv6hQuXb2d-9A39qVPCCeX6Txs9u8esiK9Z5nvtebLhuptn-51eS4lctcdVQ_i5hC4i6S2kgpbP24ZL78XfV2CC4rV9j3rV58FyUM2m5idakjEw67T0phJkcl/s1600-h/Nick.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaKiTkUFgYFQu388cw_xrv6hQuXb2d-9A39qVPCCeX6Txs9u8esiK9Z5nvtebLhuptn-51eS4lctcdVQ_i5hC4i6S2kgpbP24ZL78XfV2CC4rV9j3rV58FyUM2m5idakjEw67T0phJkcl/s320/Nick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366228939749978482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsQL0jg6AJnBajK0dLJsq-Mav4hPXfJF2aDHmIQkbMFHrIS_o6_sRWktw5JjKf01IeU5dCSmm14obs4Q8HvY7ItwUMJtekh2w40m21kmsLmUjVPIjGklnDk-ChliYwRLYF8H-S8YRYevN/s1600-h/JR+in+Regina.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsQL0jg6AJnBajK0dLJsq-Mav4hPXfJF2aDHmIQkbMFHrIS_o6_sRWktw5JjKf01IeU5dCSmm14obs4Q8HvY7ItwUMJtekh2w40m21kmsLmUjVPIjGklnDk-ChliYwRLYF8H-S8YRYevN/s320/JR+in+Regina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366228931514374978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c2E62c-QSaI5R_FYc6XXRpxkGCt9AmQVtd6zvd9P_dG70YrSqX-v2SzUapzhLs5CXZWKL5QO7yOatEgi9XdAbr294nKlGRMQzsP1MtzhjWUYIp2Hz5xSG2cbEP9tl6_OfQ3E3HvpOCO5/s1600-h/Marshall.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c2E62c-QSaI5R_FYc6XXRpxkGCt9AmQVtd6zvd9P_dG70YrSqX-v2SzUapzhLs5CXZWKL5QO7yOatEgi9XdAbr294nKlGRMQzsP1MtzhjWUYIp2Hz5xSG2cbEP9tl6_OfQ3E3HvpOCO5/s320/Marshall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366228918838562482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gqmnesl3W3PzPw3wX6qjTQvi_MzAm8MZGpD994tFJiOJBxWaweieMLf6396P0__xmAiVRsjBL74tAukpjDalh6Rz2LqFtYXRspCMXkfRdCgLXpkC0wFE4fn4JDs9NYoW7kqUVwTiJpOC/s1600-h/Johnny+Merritt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gqmnesl3W3PzPw3wX6qjTQvi_MzAm8MZGpD994tFJiOJBxWaweieMLf6396P0__xmAiVRsjBL74tAukpjDalh6Rz2LqFtYXRspCMXkfRdCgLXpkC0wFE4fn4JDs9NYoW7kqUVwTiJpOC/s320/Johnny+Merritt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366228909004841906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb-kIZiqEHJ5NPbfkTh6su2y3EXBOvJAIV3Ijpgo7J8VwT2qdCKlwh7yvCeU92flZ8NgmOVW5yc9Hvub5PtGeG25HcFS4sPJTgwjmF8eNEb1f7HUsD7RM-msfLDqudkORQE9IEteZN554/s1600-h/Stampede+Crowd.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb-kIZiqEHJ5NPbfkTh6su2y3EXBOvJAIV3Ijpgo7J8VwT2qdCKlwh7yvCeU92flZ8NgmOVW5yc9Hvub5PtGeG25HcFS4sPJTgwjmF8eNEb1f7HUsD7RM-msfLDqudkORQE9IEteZN554/s320/Stampede+Crowd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366228900673079250" /></a><br />I write this as July comes to a close. So far the summer has been ablaze with it's familiar sights and sounds - fairs, outdoor music festivals and mini donuts among other things. The donuts you know about... here is a brief account of some of the gigs I have done this month.<br /><br />Canada Day (July 1 for the tourists) was in Toronto in Woodbine Park with One More Girl for a free concert. The 10,000 plus crowd were great and the girls put on a great show. The band (Denis Dufresne, Darren Savard, Tom Mckillip, Gary Craig and John Dymond ) took no prisoners and played the gig like they'd been doing it for years. The record company reps were out in force and it sounds like they were impressed.<br /><br />Johnny Reid's dates this summer have been impressive. The crowds are on <br />his side. Merritt, Dauphin, Rabbit Lake and the Calgary Stampede among others have brought the Tartan Army out in force. Thousands of screaming fans always do wonders for one's morale. Carrying around a shiny instrument such as a saxophone makes you a bit of a spectacle and people seem to like it despite the old adage .... You can tune up a car but you can't tune up a saxophone.<br /><br />Sadly, the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose suffered some devastating bad luck. The day AFTER we were there, Mother Nature showed who was boss and flipped the mainstage over. As I write this details are sketchy but I'm sure by the time I post this news reports will be filtering out. I've heard of casulties including a death .... I hope this isn't true .... what a shame.<br /><br />Sidney York's record is selling well and she seems to have an endless supply of gigs around Canada which is very encouraging. <br /><br /> I started helping Johnny Reid's guitarist Yvan Petit's solo effort. Yvan came to Vancouver for a week where we cut beds, guitars and his vocals for 11 songs. August for me will be spent comping, editing and overdubbing on his project. I'm very excited to be working on it as he is a real talent and the songs (most of them co written with Johnny) are excellent.<br /><br />Until next time.....Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-3452705306961670302009-07-06T17:05:00.000-07:002009-07-06T17:09:21.387-07:00DrummersAs a musician, I count my blessings on a regular basis. One of the great perks is getting to interact with other musicians - feeding off their skills, personalities and individual musical ideas. The musicians in my 'circle' are among some of the best in the country - NAY - the world. They are all very high calibre, aware, intuitive, creative, sensitive and very giving. Permit me to tell you about a week in my life and introduce you to some of my drummer friends.<br /><br />June 27 - Chris Meister - I first met Chris when I started playing for the Rick Tippe band in the mid '90's. He was a quiet unassuming fellow with an excellent sense of humor. We became fast friends and have been playing gigs ever since. Any gig - from a big concert event to a quiet casual (as was the case on this date) is always a pleasure. He has a great sense of groove and is effortless to play with.<br /><br />June 29 - Pat Steward - A fellow Vancouver Islander, I met Pat while I was still in college. He had just finished up his tenure with Bryan Adams and had moved on to play with some of Canada's (and elsewhere) elite - Colin James, Jimmy Barnes, Matthew Good and his own band The Odds (among others). This particular night was the debut live performance of The Rothschilds: a band that Pat and I belong to along with Wide Mouth Mason guitarist Shaun Verreault and Pat's fellow Oddsman bassist Doug Elliot. We played The Yale as part of Vancouver's Jazz Fest. The results were a great night of jam rock / blues. Pat's boundless energy and creativity were a huge driving force.<br /><br />July 1 - Gary Craig - Canada's biggest acts can't be wrong: Blackie And The Rodeo Kings, The Wilkinsons, Anne Murray, Tom Cochrane, Bruce Cockburn, Jann Arden, et al enlist Mr. Craig whenever necessary and with good reason. With minimal rehearsal, On this day Gary played the Canada Day Jam in Toronto with One More Girl and NAILED the gig. Tremendous ability, feel and experience make him one of Canada's first call timekeepers. An amazing guy.<br /><br />July 3 - 5 - Chuck Fields / Marshall Richardson - Two of Memphis' finest. Johnny Reid's regular drummer - the remarkable Mr. Fields - could not attend three dates (festivals in Grande Prairie, AB, Rabbit Lake, SK and Dauphin, MB). In his place, Marshall Richardson (whom I just met) steps in. COLD - no rehearsal - he NAILS the show. His remarkable work ethic and attention to detail solidified his place in the Reid band. He recognized the need for the artist to be as comfortable as possible and rose to the occasion. Needless to say the gigs rocked.<br /><br />These are a few of the many - Chris Aiken, Jerry Adolphe, Phil Robertson, Randall Stoll, Chris Nordquist etc etc - I could go on and on about my drummer friends. On the odd occasion I play a gig that is - let's say less than stellar - I know that I can always count on the musical calibre to be high. No more drummer jokes.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-30828988731263592182009-06-20T16:23:00.000-07:002009-06-20T16:36:53.495-07:00May and June - gigs abound. Mike counts his blessings!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgBElrVf8GBuMrINK-W9-pxdoVEWdyXOtywsgIDoTUzYePxh4bQLuYS-Cnuyxjc3xpu3X6vuL1NWGDnOBGUoltjWzLclwZXkPv11E1yG5je8_dPUJ41Z2biDUfGVAQ1EqOZKv8DufuNeG/s1600-h/DP+at+the+Yale+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgBElrVf8GBuMrINK-W9-pxdoVEWdyXOtywsgIDoTUzYePxh4bQLuYS-Cnuyxjc3xpu3X6vuL1NWGDnOBGUoltjWzLclwZXkPv11E1yG5je8_dPUJ41Z2biDUfGVAQ1EqOZKv8DufuNeG/s320/DP+at+the+Yale+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349556458405213730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgPVbyT2Qdenn_Pftgddn4Z3cSGZj7ZhY_IDxy1f6dEdMjhqEvVFTRJFo2DjIxc2mC8jRpg0KPfz-BJSUkW-3_d8nbuioxnP0p62f7zA64xMvRS5oFGSDHG-nAnkgikOUWniyNSc8wwQt/s1600-h/OMG+Power+Trio+6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgPVbyT2Qdenn_Pftgddn4Z3cSGZj7ZhY_IDxy1f6dEdMjhqEvVFTRJFo2DjIxc2mC8jRpg0KPfz-BJSUkW-3_d8nbuioxnP0p62f7zA64xMvRS5oFGSDHG-nAnkgikOUWniyNSc8wwQt/s320/OMG+Power+Trio+6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349556453320817842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDSx8MAD-ga110-k3IcG3Up-0oQ4-gN747xra4VitAS49ct9svkKvRxL6UgSUuRTSeRXeQWA-vnICX8ctghbL41YFKL6_Y1rtANOXu8gtA2CWXMKcWZcmRZBCogxVe6O4iYVn0pDrAC7p/s1600-h/Odd+Squad+Band.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDSx8MAD-ga110-k3IcG3Up-0oQ4-gN747xra4VitAS49ct9svkKvRxL6UgSUuRTSeRXeQWA-vnICX8ctghbL41YFKL6_Y1rtANOXu8gtA2CWXMKcWZcmRZBCogxVe6O4iYVn0pDrAC7p/s320/Odd+Squad+Band.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349556452059193314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-gKLeg5Lv8rj4BuaxWn0KgHo_0E7DFrl7i_k3AJeqPIx2BxiapcMq9qJ_8-O4CHbaHh1ADb3nkr-UgTRXdm0RP74OAITibUifyZiHWX6dHeF09TEriYR5uibw_hS0maNaFkjuFphNI4b/s1600-h/Tom+and+Bill.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-gKLeg5Lv8rj4BuaxWn0KgHo_0E7DFrl7i_k3AJeqPIx2BxiapcMq9qJ_8-O4CHbaHh1ADb3nkr-UgTRXdm0RP74OAITibUifyZiHWX6dHeF09TEriYR5uibw_hS0maNaFkjuFphNI4b/s320/Tom+and+Bill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349556446011389042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1lYXcbg75E3-usn1-u4QpHyGxiUFFBqy4EADXEmFTPP3kd_TXWnie17BXOnZ8bgyusMog7xilUdvCtNNY0aLnc7bAXfWaKR5J18e6ddffV5JscdqwoqU9hecfv1rnVicHZ70KuwpLjcV/s1600-h/Mr.+Tim+Hearsey.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1lYXcbg75E3-usn1-u4QpHyGxiUFFBqy4EADXEmFTPP3kd_TXWnie17BXOnZ8bgyusMog7xilUdvCtNNY0aLnc7bAXfWaKR5J18e6ddffV5JscdqwoqU9hecfv1rnVicHZ70KuwpLjcV/s320/Mr.+Tim+Hearsey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349556442840285778" /></a><br /><br />It's been a welcome change to not be on a a plane or a bus for a while. I've had a rewarding month and a half of playing with some great people including some fun nights at the Yale .... I sat in with the Tim Hearsey Band - Jerry Adolphe, Darren Parris and Dave Webb along with THE Mr. Hearsey himself. Bill Henderson sat in for one night with the core Lyin' Bastards band playing hits of old by The Coasters, Wilbur Harrison etc.. It was fun to get Bill out of his routine - he was fantastic. He's a wonderful musician. Later on that month we played with Bill again, along with Victoria Banks, Michelle Wright, One More Girl, Lisa Brokop, Aaron Pritchett and others at the Merritt Walk Of Stars gala. Another two nights of sensational music .... Also, I did a corporate gig with Mike Reno - lead singer of Loverboy. I lived another childhood dream playing hits such as 'Turn Me Loose', ' Working For The Weekend' and 'Lovin' Every Minute Of It' - reaffirming my role as the luckiest man alive. <br />Sessions have been good.... I've done a bunch of overdubs in my studio for various projects. One project I'm very happy with is an album by Sidney York. I co produced this record with Ms. York and it sounds great (see past blogs for details).<br />My summer includes dates with Johnny Reid and One More Girl. Preparations for that have begun ... Assembling bands...... Figuring out arrangements, itineraries, etc.. I also have a few dates booked with guitarist David Gogo (who tells me a couple of our co written efforts are on his new record. Awesome). <br />My friend Will Davis was good enough to fly me to Regina. He was promoting four Canadian shows featuring Ms. Carol Burnett. Her shows are essentially a Q&A format - not unlike what she do at the beginning of her classic CBS television show. It was a thrill to meet Ms. Burnett and speak with her about Peter Matz... her brilliant musical director. It's not everyday you meet a living legend.<br />I write this on a plane from Saskatoon to Vancouver. The One More Girl 'power trio' (which is Britt, Carly and myself) opened up for Aaron Pritchett at the Dakota Dunes Casino. It was a fun gig and great to hear the re vamped 'APB'. The band has never sounded better and it was very exciting to hear such a well oiled machine. Aaron, Jay, Scott, Shane and Jayson took no prisoners. Rob Esch had it pumping out front and it was nice to meet Amil (the monitor guy). It was great to hang afterwards and catch up.<br />I lead a charmed life.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-77017418070092145902009-05-15T13:45:00.000-07:002009-05-15T13:47:30.210-07:00RIP Wayman TisdaleI never met Wayman - but I sure liked what he was all about. A positive spirit and talented musician - gone WAY too soon. Cancer sucks. All the best.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-28755450291448203502009-05-15T10:28:00.001-07:002009-05-15T10:32:35.391-07:00Rise Again - May 13 2009 - Winnipeg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgJk3P6EVPyJ2rbyoF4rMKYQbfBEYD7TMqIpohZzwI4s93Fp6Z5Q1hCSIamkpai8pTSOi3MSw3ESxZ4YM9voi9g0eLFpu9XimM9rWmh2_jXlckmVEm4Rin7WLo-wGKKMX7HhHdvgVc7sj/s1600-h/Bet.e.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgJk3P6EVPyJ2rbyoF4rMKYQbfBEYD7TMqIpohZzwI4s93Fp6Z5Q1hCSIamkpai8pTSOi3MSw3ESxZ4YM9voi9g0eLFpu9XimM9rWmh2_jXlckmVEm4Rin7WLo-wGKKMX7HhHdvgVc7sj/s320/Bet.e.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336104530162631426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ09YBVE1-M8pDj2NPoiqxUd0_y8gAp3FycPcoC74DC37qCA7s5XfyUemr7A4KtdW9SQQ3TCd5nlvDWKP41l2x2ymnxYbviYWa6PPulOcxqP-Slr-oV-RbunmTnBYJRu2oZ5ZsHzs3ARuL/s1600-h/Bev+and+OMG.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ09YBVE1-M8pDj2NPoiqxUd0_y8gAp3FycPcoC74DC37qCA7s5XfyUemr7A4KtdW9SQQ3TCd5nlvDWKP41l2x2ymnxYbviYWa6PPulOcxqP-Slr-oV-RbunmTnBYJRu2oZ5ZsHzs3ARuL/s320/Bev+and+OMG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336104525389545986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc-dy8u_x9q_gnENhTyIAtHtSKojEJi-GhqRpJmj_jah-7BkFEhqIps0GuE9pQECBBxn62CeW73dQ3rfi1y-X816lgD7GrVPD3YGbRmsDpH6GxVCV1sI2ccfkRt0A4V9imwpfrkWfvG94/s1600-h/JD.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc-dy8u_x9q_gnENhTyIAtHtSKojEJi-GhqRpJmj_jah-7BkFEhqIps0GuE9pQECBBxn62CeW73dQ3rfi1y-X816lgD7GrVPD3YGbRmsDpH6GxVCV1sI2ccfkRt0A4V9imwpfrkWfvG94/s320/JD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336104528198604018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxFXPaskkcyMmtX7YYEGSaavjyEMz9zg6lEOPyXOtQaTGd3ncq6jmOoBcBVmv9HtPG-jevwSkh3tiWQFtthhivtNT2zbGRI_XptC30jEBS1kJJUZF6NuLmNBqRqOsu6ROVba65yt6CrUI/s1600-h/Tom+Cochrane.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxFXPaskkcyMmtX7YYEGSaavjyEMz9zg6lEOPyXOtQaTGd3ncq6jmOoBcBVmv9HtPG-jevwSkh3tiWQFtthhivtNT2zbGRI_XptC30jEBS1kJJUZF6NuLmNBqRqOsu6ROVba65yt6CrUI/s320/Tom+Cochrane.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336104525687953218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqB1VapUo_-ddQ7t1zu32MvsGHu0PNDGsgNbvykvad1hyphenhyphenm-5aL4_XGzTPgqQf5wNilWgIJwcpWVlj9x943tCVno-M48TTVqOcUSK135eyQcSqiT0p9jVm2UexsX_a6BTTlaYDmIuf2iPA/s1600-h/Jayson.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqB1VapUo_-ddQ7t1zu32MvsGHu0PNDGsgNbvykvad1hyphenhyphenm-5aL4_XGzTPgqQf5wNilWgIJwcpWVlj9x943tCVno-M48TTVqOcUSK135eyQcSqiT0p9jVm2UexsX_a6BTTlaYDmIuf2iPA/s320/Jayson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336104523709491442" /></a><br />The province of Manitoba has had a rough time this year. Excessive flooding has left many of its residents homeless and in need of great financial help. Actor / musician / humanitarian Tom Jackson and his crew (Alison, Shelley and MANY others) rallied and with tremendous support pulled together 'Rise Again' - a benefit concert for the flood victims. I was called in to join the house band.<br />The five days of rehearsals went by fast. The event itself was amazing. The house band (Darren Savard, Jayson Brinkworth, Phil Hall, Tom Mckillip and myself) played a diverse selection of music - Bet. e (bossa nova), Deborah Cox (R&B), Beverley Mahood and Ken Munshaw (pop), JD Fortune (Rock) and One More Girl (Country). It was fun to jump around like that. The cherry on top of this musical sundae was getting to play 'Life Is A Highway' - a worldwide hit - with Tom Cochrane and his great band (which included guitarist Ken Greer and the quintessential Canadian bassist Ken 'Spider' Sinnaeve). It was good to hear the other acts as well - The Barra MacNeils, Moses Mayes, and Nathan. A fun musical night for a good cause.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-3362587636544162822009-04-28T15:56:00.000-07:002009-04-28T15:59:17.602-07:00The Final Leg - Martimes - Johnny Reid Dance With Me Tour 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O2MjIQax-bvyzBPEgTUNEh2Y2RjaTDPBUCHXYuvEZvwfPWHT3XakrMcmZJ7rDARm8sJyER9ufGFnOGTvAn98iQ0be5nqbbl1evitbl34k5DR4qnUE7bvT067ezuL-cNBDi8K0c_u7oR-/s1600-h/Yvan+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O2MjIQax-bvyzBPEgTUNEh2Y2RjaTDPBUCHXYuvEZvwfPWHT3XakrMcmZJ7rDARm8sJyER9ufGFnOGTvAn98iQ0be5nqbbl1evitbl34k5DR4qnUE7bvT067ezuL-cNBDi8K0c_u7oR-/s320/Yvan+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329880683851092290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnwuqW36HN7awpR9jKOm5uE0JoASg9BHaj0z7vBoE8YiZ-7WIMfprwIzvRwgV1OtINs7e7z-O3w4wb1283ZN7qKOzuM9_VteZFJUdA2YmxAhw9ORocltUkZtvyqBVL7oKrMmeh17TALLc/s1600-h/JR+in+Moncton.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnwuqW36HN7awpR9jKOm5uE0JoASg9BHaj0z7vBoE8YiZ-7WIMfprwIzvRwgV1OtINs7e7z-O3w4wb1283ZN7qKOzuM9_VteZFJUdA2YmxAhw9ORocltUkZtvyqBVL7oKrMmeh17TALLc/s320/JR+in+Moncton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329880681512476226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjk9z8bishp5QBHjMcXgYcbdnhYPLN-TfxfmxY3JS56gKDKZlEJyVXXmAxpiJNT70lc9jVHzAijfHVzQLdd4kJ56IY2fAVzIqPeEqB6aNwG9dpPXbfiJI5KPcs1fOyENONlcAoqfPPS_H/s1600-h/Girls+in+PEI+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjk9z8bishp5QBHjMcXgYcbdnhYPLN-TfxfmxY3JS56gKDKZlEJyVXXmAxpiJNT70lc9jVHzAijfHVzQLdd4kJ56IY2fAVzIqPeEqB6aNwG9dpPXbfiJI5KPcs1fOyENONlcAoqfPPS_H/s320/Girls+in+PEI+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329880676026568994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6H-aiEZUuT38VFAyTBI1X-k5e0xmUowpAAcoSZQ-3Vujj0Nc_gHhTjXWP6xwoaWtaI6NffNJGhl9kzvVg_GpZccjWUkmxbIWpSLqmtY0tsYoPrEQTOGPCujMiwBWPflHouR7yWj-p68u/s1600-h/Front+line.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6H-aiEZUuT38VFAyTBI1X-k5e0xmUowpAAcoSZQ-3Vujj0Nc_gHhTjXWP6xwoaWtaI6NffNJGhl9kzvVg_GpZccjWUkmxbIWpSLqmtY0tsYoPrEQTOGPCujMiwBWPflHouR7yWj-p68u/s320/Front+line.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329880676066963666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N1D3xRNFNCXbn8N4b6_nk2ffNU_oGpOY8eS7E9XyjxEgIEuoZMDNMXV8kxmKX3_1M0LRkplZqrN2zjglyDh6LO6TK2EXNKbSvkIfhJxrpR4j-gH_wcT8FUoJvXkBCCP6qwMh05fgbMpj/s1600-h/Ben+and+Denis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N1D3xRNFNCXbn8N4b6_nk2ffNU_oGpOY8eS7E9XyjxEgIEuoZMDNMXV8kxmKX3_1M0LRkplZqrN2zjglyDh6LO6TK2EXNKbSvkIfhJxrpR4j-gH_wcT8FUoJvXkBCCP6qwMh05fgbMpj/s320/Ben+and+Denis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329880672792069138" /></a><br />April 22 - Moncton NB<br />The DWM tour's third and final leg began with a bang at this great gig at the local arena. One More Girl opened up and received a rousing round of applause after the first couple lines of their hit 'I Can Love Anyone'. This was a good sign. The crowd did not dissappoint.<br /><br />April 23 - St. John NB<br />The J train rolled in to the towm where he received his first ever CCMA award. Excellent gig and .... On a personal note ... The poached salmon was exquisite!<br /><br />April 24 - Halifax NS<br />This was amazing. Four thousand fans attending made this gig truly special. The show began with two bagpipers walking through the crowd. I couldn't hear them through the cheering. Amazing. To make the day complete, Denis Dufresne bought me fish cakes from the Blue Nose cafe. Marc Perry from EMI bought me sea bass at the Five Fisherman. Life was perfect that day.<br /><br />April 25 - Sydney NS<br />Traveling with One More Girl (I was helping with the driving of their minivan as both Britt and Carly are not old enough to drive a rental van), I bore witness to some of the most beautiful terrain Canada has to offer. The people in the Maritimes are the most charming down to earth people you'd ever want to meet. Cape Breton is a special place. Johnny brought up two of the coolest little ones onstage to 'jam' with the band... I've posted two pictures which I snapped onstage at this gig. Adorable.<br />On another note, the pub that catered the gig (I think it's called 'The Govenor' or 'The Grosvenor') blew my mind. Thai cous cous, blackened salmon and a pepperpot soup left me speechless.<br /><br />April 26 - Charlottetown PEI<br />Carly and Britt lost their minds as we crossed over the Confederation Bridge.... A 13 KM engineering marvel which connects PEI with the mainland. The regal quaintness of this community never ceases to amaze me and I couldn't think of a better way to end the tour.<br /><br /><br />Thanks to all the local crews, the promoters, agents, catering, runners, drivers and other people I'm forgetting for helping out. Thanks to the GREAT fans for attending and keeping us working! Thanks to media for supporting it. Thanks to Britt, Carly, Tom, Linda, Denis, Marc and Fraser from the One More Girl gang. Thanks to our crew Ken, Warren, George, Gary and Alex. Thanks to the band: Chuck, Nick, Dave, Yvan, Ben, Miku and Saidah. Thanks to the Zen gang: Tracey, Brianne, Cathy,<br />and Mr. Sakamoto. And last but not least, a big thank you to Mr. Johnny Reid for giving me this wonderful opportunity to make great music and memories. Until next time.....Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-35010123138656387502009-04-28T15:53:00.000-07:002009-04-28T15:56:23.462-07:00In Praise Of The Road Crew<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ThK2fH-nmDWvbZlYNNWzWTcxMwoD0oe-wRyo1mkrO1LuMtqzeq00KadNKHBxNYuJgx8TUqzSC0Qp0zZ9oIDqEeiHDKYbCOj0usWkshTgUjNwYi_B-ipIpmHIzmbzzSsmiPXH3WZGj3Yb/s1600-h/The+Crew+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ThK2fH-nmDWvbZlYNNWzWTcxMwoD0oe-wRyo1mkrO1LuMtqzeq00KadNKHBxNYuJgx8TUqzSC0Qp0zZ9oIDqEeiHDKYbCOj0usWkshTgUjNwYi_B-ipIpmHIzmbzzSsmiPXH3WZGj3Yb/s320/The+Crew+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329879904378589138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NyZv57HqcSpBllfRdDMZa_RnKjOVkzjiMYhwV7ZuhEj9QvkDzggZ0GPdQaifk0djtybGxUyPhT0n8AGKOO1_Z9Xb3liWQ8sOBE91alY6VRuYajMyE_hIAaemdggru2Y5cU0qxvdA4Cnj/s1600-h/Halifax+Stage.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NyZv57HqcSpBllfRdDMZa_RnKjOVkzjiMYhwV7ZuhEj9QvkDzggZ0GPdQaifk0djtybGxUyPhT0n8AGKOO1_Z9Xb3liWQ8sOBE91alY6VRuYajMyE_hIAaemdggru2Y5cU0qxvdA4Cnj/s320/Halifax+Stage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329879904214744050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-flfMFDLY9A0v7v0FZP3f4ApplpNlhHV93K3-865CUqWgYO_N5b2TWcXEt3NrCOll6iNtNNJsPj2nVLK1Oj3dWDuV1ti6XSFH-EUg5wY_-3hGp386lRbQLfBMGG_0US8D79uAWfnRJCYc/s1600-h/Halifax+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-flfMFDLY9A0v7v0FZP3f4ApplpNlhHV93K3-865CUqWgYO_N5b2TWcXEt3NrCOll6iNtNNJsPj2nVLK1Oj3dWDuV1ti6XSFH-EUg5wY_-3hGp386lRbQLfBMGG_0US8D79uAWfnRJCYc/s320/Halifax+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329879898993570866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOtiblolX8tI9Mcx-cD-AGZcrdoyjgzLnpvIjtSVHeOsmnzlel-L4PXCLzOopmBOWXXoj9PYFXY1j80VYRI_emWDK5eeqDX2K_FNFxVmESKfDDePaJFxae2NzN9WLF73mLFh211mwP4HJ/s1600-h/Halifax+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOtiblolX8tI9Mcx-cD-AGZcrdoyjgzLnpvIjtSVHeOsmnzlel-L4PXCLzOopmBOWXXoj9PYFXY1j80VYRI_emWDK5eeqDX2K_FNFxVmESKfDDePaJFxae2NzN9WLF73mLFh211mwP4HJ/s320/Halifax+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329879900047817714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iog5gYoOPKyGsHlgrpC2orV5T3kXNOve7lJkuj6eHGTzS9FZ-hzm9Qz2csikOAp7DnBY5z34oqAJTduph4HF205QxHfsl0N-qQfzRB6BWHa3sVSde1ZH3xm1wbNi65EmHeD8hZI77IQJ/s1600-h/Crew+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iog5gYoOPKyGsHlgrpC2orV5T3kXNOve7lJkuj6eHGTzS9FZ-hzm9Qz2csikOAp7DnBY5z34oqAJTduph4HF205QxHfsl0N-qQfzRB6BWHa3sVSde1ZH3xm1wbNi65EmHeD8hZI77IQJ/s320/Crew+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329879888978609730" /></a><br />The artist is the one that gets 90 percent of the attention at a show. The band, the crowd and other elements of the visual presentation make up the other 10 percent. It's time to give some extreme credit to the crew... The roadies, the techs, the guys with the black shirts, mag lights and laminated backstage passes. On the 'Dance With Me' tour, we've had a great crew. Warren Dieno and Ken Turta have shared the front of house duties (the sound which the crowd hears). Alex Livland is at the monitor desk (the sound which the band hears). George Gorton is the guy who runs all the lights. These guys are the crew which travels with us on every date. However, the local crews (who are provided by the venue or local sound company) round out the people who work on the show - setting up the stage, rigging, putting up the lights, the speakers, 'hucking boxes', setting it up, breaking it down... Etc etc. . They operate the spotlights, they drive the trucks and buses, they provide security, they cater our meals ..... I'm thankful for every one of them!<br />Jackson Browne was far more eloquent in praise of the 'common' roadie than I could ever be... But let it be known the roadie rules. Bill Henderson said 'if there's no audience there just ain't no show'. There wouldn't be a show without the roadies either. Next time you're at a show and the monitor guy says 'Check, check' into a mic.....give him a round of applause! All hail the roadie!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-33865296955916083842009-04-14T15:09:00.000-07:002009-04-14T15:36:25.554-07:00Johnny Reid - Dance With Me Tour 2009 Part 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtwPqI40Qx5U6QFHmNcWZZWzV-NGy80GD3l8CC-eGUc3sweUkFcVSCEVmXMQzar-1SJy5jK_5OsdHD9UavJiwun8neiZJufTpaQhLiRWjyB6eoDM4XNKincFVkNAhPYhZRUBfUEMR42ca/s1600-h/Nipsey.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtwPqI40Qx5U6QFHmNcWZZWzV-NGy80GD3l8CC-eGUc3sweUkFcVSCEVmXMQzar-1SJy5jK_5OsdHD9UavJiwun8neiZJufTpaQhLiRWjyB6eoDM4XNKincFVkNAhPYhZRUBfUEMR42ca/s320/Nipsey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324679600677495154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzVjy9vyW3CmylEpg9_twF3x_HyoaJTKjgztN4yURH-Xa18FU0GV-YsF0zqQ9p26QPxx7nwiphkV2WMmmw3QiKACUumtOKYQOgo2RpRF2Jj3aOhctinRQdUpTBuNcaLenEXm33A68XkTZ/s1600-h/Saskatoon+JR.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzVjy9vyW3CmylEpg9_twF3x_HyoaJTKjgztN4yURH-Xa18FU0GV-YsF0zqQ9p26QPxx7nwiphkV2WMmmw3QiKACUumtOKYQOgo2RpRF2Jj3aOhctinRQdUpTBuNcaLenEXm33A68XkTZ/s320/Saskatoon+JR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324679590004642610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHwyarWKXcVucMsEipK5e50gpe1AGNKoOK9W2OZmHgAv5LvtfR-4ZjueNr3S0zPMxO3ckkoIbxPkzYKXRePLtLUBI8ju_6-gX3NABXC43kbRnXfDRQPvHcm9BpiaeZsTdR3XeYBOrrUpv/s1600-h/The+Gals.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHwyarWKXcVucMsEipK5e50gpe1AGNKoOK9W2OZmHgAv5LvtfR-4ZjueNr3S0zPMxO3ckkoIbxPkzYKXRePLtLUBI8ju_6-gX3NABXC43kbRnXfDRQPvHcm9BpiaeZsTdR3XeYBOrrUpv/s320/The+Gals.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324679587089945810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhrdgEq4eCwyt_NmtkYbiI9oFv8kvq02Uvw72BXwFdWKmPG2EtZYF28_umLE0ycdQfi7s_2QwXEo1XiAv4xKw9n6vzJbRTNjdCxxsvzt01lQ2yId3kaQ7vrowJhJZnCTThXW4AWJU45lo/s1600-h/Johnny+Lethbridge.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhrdgEq4eCwyt_NmtkYbiI9oFv8kvq02Uvw72BXwFdWKmPG2EtZYF28_umLE0ycdQfi7s_2QwXEo1XiAv4xKw9n6vzJbRTNjdCxxsvzt01lQ2yId3kaQ7vrowJhJZnCTThXW4AWJU45lo/s320/Johnny+Lethbridge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324679585209790770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qFavAFA1RL3HZc6hFZQjOb1NfeUdl1tjg0NjFagbn6t0dRZ55YFdepUusypRMtQcun4i6W30dJgD73sQCOF6Crr2S4nbHRETLyhWYPocA-KStguSv3tlo8JmWb-ihW0_bNh5lFKvNPKo/s1600-h/Saskatoon+bow.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qFavAFA1RL3HZc6hFZQjOb1NfeUdl1tjg0NjFagbn6t0dRZ55YFdepUusypRMtQcun4i6W30dJgD73sQCOF6Crr2S4nbHRETLyhWYPocA-KStguSv3tlo8JmWb-ihW0_bNh5lFKvNPKo/s320/Saskatoon+bow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324679582269330290" /></a><br />April 2 - Edmonton, The Jubilee Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />The Reid train arrived in Edmonton in this beautiful theatre. The show was filmed for a DVD which will be released at some point. Director par excellence Joel Stewart and his crew did a great job of capturing Johnny at his best. <br /><br />April 3&4 - Calgary, Deerfoot Casino - 4 shows SOLD OUT!<br />April 6 - Lethbridge, ENMAX Centre - SOLD OUT!<br />April 7 - Moosejaw, Mae Wilson Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br />April 8 - Saskatoon, TCU Centre - SOLD OUT!<br />April 9&10 - Regina, Casino Regina - 3 shows SOLD OUT!<br /><br />At the risk of these journal entries sounding like Groundhog Day ..... let's just say "Great crowds, great venues, great gigs!" Thank you to everyone who came out. Looking forward to the Maritimes!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-80389622272163147572009-04-02T11:47:00.000-07:002009-04-02T11:51:02.241-07:00Mr. Jack Velker - RIPJack Velker was one of the most unique individuals I ever met. He was a pianist / accordion player / vocalist and one of the most engaging entertainers I've ever had the pleasure to play with. Articulate, wise and always surprising and inventive - whenever a gig came up with Jack I was excited and delighted. He left this world doing what he loved and I learned a valuable lesson from him - the gig is what you make it. It's a lame gig if you make it a lame gig. I've enjoyed playing music even more after meeting Mr. Velker. Rest in peace Professor.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-8686324535713575382009-04-02T10:37:00.000-07:002009-04-02T10:50:17.082-07:00Johnny Reid - Dance With Me Tour 2009 Part 5 - The Hat and The Deer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wxthnmR9RaQeDp1DHLZm0ScqOhsvsY2Phhjp6zxGTopQWa4TyRuzJYP1C7PKP_wf8n72yl6qIHgC3HhrgNuGMF8qDPoa6oX39lFt9-lfZslUTG-3km59MpXsS3ZjIOxDv_TnTsJ46j0j/s1600-h/Chuck+Fields+Modern+Drummer+Cover+Mar+31+2008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wxthnmR9RaQeDp1DHLZm0ScqOhsvsY2Phhjp6zxGTopQWa4TyRuzJYP1C7PKP_wf8n72yl6qIHgC3HhrgNuGMF8qDPoa6oX39lFt9-lfZslUTG-3km59MpXsS3ZjIOxDv_TnTsJ46j0j/s320/Chuck+Fields+Modern+Drummer+Cover+Mar+31+2008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320152422721923666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTvo2mqFWcRc54ltKzRfx1Kp9pif9Wt-oYOgtndFiEX-h_F6JspfgLx8_NxM_18AojMT0WaBiRRe8OEu2cb0XAURNRCk4r3lzXML0nm91a-mtiS4jKKqzMrGAaL_ynuP0qlLFbQyxeDQt/s1600-h/Yvan+Bus.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTvo2mqFWcRc54ltKzRfx1Kp9pif9Wt-oYOgtndFiEX-h_F6JspfgLx8_NxM_18AojMT0WaBiRRe8OEu2cb0XAURNRCk4r3lzXML0nm91a-mtiS4jKKqzMrGAaL_ynuP0qlLFbQyxeDQt/s320/Yvan+Bus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320152420846415778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PvNU16Y2EsWZLegFhEYncqXQU-tYrBYzHpBOs78Ws34MW7vM-lWQmkmuvoCACQr5io_EAya07MNk8uaiF8tToOzM01ENCRmHusFyEXbe-Iu7hMu7E-ueheyu5Wib9zRb21VUiRosoQoB/s1600-h/Medicine+Hat.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PvNU16Y2EsWZLegFhEYncqXQU-tYrBYzHpBOs78Ws34MW7vM-lWQmkmuvoCACQr5io_EAya07MNk8uaiF8tToOzM01ENCRmHusFyEXbe-Iu7hMu7E-ueheyu5Wib9zRb21VUiRosoQoB/s320/Medicine+Hat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320152415263510466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fVZjznRAi-RwnYD4-gABpX3SSE-WnTvH79PEe5FQ65iII6Eg9NWtUonotPtN_NhRFIxc9INYNZxHQ6TvPr595qA97JlU9SYdPQfKiZ0PXnuuYsb7i7-q5tLYKUz5DHubO9cFTFn0WgDf/s1600-h/JR+Band+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fVZjznRAi-RwnYD4-gABpX3SSE-WnTvH79PEe5FQ65iII6Eg9NWtUonotPtN_NhRFIxc9INYNZxHQ6TvPr595qA97JlU9SYdPQfKiZ0PXnuuYsb7i7-q5tLYKUz5DHubO9cFTFn0WgDf/s320/JR+Band+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320152417162181778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHN_Lur9sgwcDlkrdCJX1yvpykHWzKflIHSfB8SSkJJ3gwWgSIWwAry-j3FfDGf_51jRoUmSeEGCgsOR6_ninE0u2LhaH494vqpHw3UZ-45LMkFqIceokpldrqgx6kvRzDGMO0hNI2msZ/s1600-h/Pyramid.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHN_Lur9sgwcDlkrdCJX1yvpykHWzKflIHSfB8SSkJJ3gwWgSIWwAry-j3FfDGf_51jRoUmSeEGCgsOR6_ninE0u2LhaH494vqpHw3UZ-45LMkFqIceokpldrqgx6kvRzDGMO0hNI2msZ/s320/Pyramid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320152409415406674" /></a><br />MARCH 31 - Medicine Hat, Alberta - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />After the successful Winnipeg run the tour buses arrived and shuffled us off to Medicine Hat. Again - a big crowd and the gig rocked. We were joined again by One More Girl (aka 1MG)..... The bus ride was great - Yvan and I enjoyed the Game Show Network and I introduced him to the finer points and rules to the $100,000 Pyramid. Awesome!<br /><br />APRL 1 - Red Deer Alberta - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />Another great gig. It was nice to see Duane Steele, Greg Shannon and Tera Lee. Ms. Sidney York even made it to the gig from Calgary which was great. It was a nice reunion of the Huron Carole crew as well whom I hadn't seen for a while - Warren Dieno, Rick Wilson and Chris Briere. A love fest!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-58128851221446846182009-03-29T15:53:00.000-07:002009-03-30T00:27:21.930-07:00Johnny Reid - Dance With Me Tour 2009 Part 4 - Winnipeg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsFLVzQog9dkKNHaTkV9lP9yIDq_DawV87-l6PSj6wBfAggnMf9PdK2HI8U6B1IgLV3FRMbqHvxRXQidqhTRdvbwmFX0seObtOtUczTFDXt-8OjxvY0sUmwUVZbGQ9UClX39Gq3e17yZ0/s1600-h/Winston,+Kelly,+Johnny+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsFLVzQog9dkKNHaTkV9lP9yIDq_DawV87-l6PSj6wBfAggnMf9PdK2HI8U6B1IgLV3FRMbqHvxRXQidqhTRdvbwmFX0seObtOtUczTFDXt-8OjxvY0sUmwUVZbGQ9UClX39Gq3e17yZ0/s320/Winston,+Kelly,+Johnny+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318749605794449922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfMdfyo-tXWijTYmSOt-Yn7EV3Ewg_NSAnLVUZdILDHzT0RTRxTU1TOezsl2MksW9YRyZ_w7RiLsAXAXOPnTE2BPzitJuA2g0jOVTnYyqPg2B2FHQra1HCBSZYeUXRaogvxQSTmCrCs7j/s1600-h/WP+8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfMdfyo-tXWijTYmSOt-Yn7EV3Ewg_NSAnLVUZdILDHzT0RTRxTU1TOezsl2MksW9YRyZ_w7RiLsAXAXOPnTE2BPzitJuA2g0jOVTnYyqPg2B2FHQra1HCBSZYeUXRaogvxQSTmCrCs7j/s320/WP+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318749604251394914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3FhrAVQwjToHwAlk3zZBlXHaisvGOR_1f01vWxihoewQrehg6Omo1e3Ga21iUEiis5aaaRQD0npAXbyLV6CrIkI7i56Lpv6Wz2Cxf9Xgsp9_dWtCNLEwnnLIsTpXW3wG9GeJB8c8YxES/s1600-h/WP+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3FhrAVQwjToHwAlk3zZBlXHaisvGOR_1f01vWxihoewQrehg6Omo1e3Ga21iUEiis5aaaRQD0npAXbyLV6CrIkI7i56Lpv6Wz2Cxf9Xgsp9_dWtCNLEwnnLIsTpXW3wG9GeJB8c8YxES/s320/WP+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318749604147635154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoRVt3DODh85r8B3NcI9c5-1lLrtIWNngv-jqwYHkPwX4oGK4sLzyFklqsUcX0TdTjqyjLrbRIUKFUdk5KXs_LiHs108_20CCNmunP9N0COzmdxz8mC_eV0l5kuEwBbRkRPZlYu7DzR6f/s1600-h/Winnipeg+TV+Dressing+Room.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoRVt3DODh85r8B3NcI9c5-1lLrtIWNngv-jqwYHkPwX4oGK4sLzyFklqsUcX0TdTjqyjLrbRIUKFUdk5KXs_LiHs108_20CCNmunP9N0COzmdxz8mC_eV0l5kuEwBbRkRPZlYu7DzR6f/s320/Winnipeg+TV+Dressing+Room.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318749598758443234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB_dbt3FTy6gACCQG1htrhLTH6nFN5T_SFI_er5NkW0RN5yvXfwDR1knol8N4OpT5A6Np-X2wyJ1vvUOueeXM28vbC0-Xc5UC-pBjNZI9acs2vuMzRwt1C-hUrpsN87s05UUuaQQB3X9d/s1600-h/WP+9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwB_dbt3FTy6gACCQG1htrhLTH6nFN5T_SFI_er5NkW0RN5yvXfwDR1knol8N4OpT5A6Np-X2wyJ1vvUOueeXM28vbC0-Xc5UC-pBjNZI9acs2vuMzRwt1C-hUrpsN87s05UUuaQQB3X9d/s320/WP+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318749590383617634" /></a><br />One week passed - I arrived home from the Ottawa shows and went straight to Vancouver Island. I got together with guitarist David Gogo and worked on material for his upcoming record. I visited with my Dad and Nana. I recorded an album with Soren Lonnqvist and the 'Heartline House Band' at Soren's studio in Abbotsford. Before I knew it, it was time to leave again.<br /><br />The tour resumed in a big way. I flew to Winnipeg and arrived at the Club Regent casino. What started as four sold out shows over two nights became five. Johnny - ever the humanitarian - volunteered his services to play a benefit concert for the Red River relief fund to benefit victims of Manitoba's current flood crisis. The fifth show was added on Sunday night and - according to casino box office folk - sold out in SEVEN minutes! Johnny donated all profits from the show to the fund - effectively doing the show for free. <br /><br />As I write this - we have not done the fifth show but the previous four have been wonderful. It was nice to see some familiar faces and incredible Johnny Reid fans. Winnipeg holds some of the best music supporters I've ever seen (and they know who they are). It was nice to see Abby White and his gang as well - one of the nicest guys in radio.<br /><br />Johnny received great support here - glowing reviews and articles and excellent crowds. What a great way to start out again after a one week break.<br /><br />PS - Thanks to Johnny's donation, the people who bought tickets to the show and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation (who matched the profits dollar for dollar), The Red River Relief Fund raised over $30,000.00. Well done. CCMA members - take note - vote Johnny Reid for the Humanitarian Of The Year award.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-30138725073100326422009-03-19T09:08:00.000-07:002009-03-19T10:11:50.980-07:00Johnny Reid - Dance With Me Tour 2009 Part 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIytrRU2h7Fb8i08EWnZwLvugNkhYZU_J9RCErESIIUAR1bbBfN9LDeUnNsMWcemUpgL36cIqXClBrOCX9Inb8MmmuwT_9Qn5Y8oyg_mHtQ9xqfLP5wRAsHNkI1RC5cnqLjnNe1Cmipkq/s1600-h/Belleville+4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIytrRU2h7Fb8i08EWnZwLvugNkhYZU_J9RCErESIIUAR1bbBfN9LDeUnNsMWcemUpgL36cIqXClBrOCX9Inb8MmmuwT_9Qn5Y8oyg_mHtQ9xqfLP5wRAsHNkI1RC5cnqLjnNe1Cmipkq/s320/Belleville+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314947716079674066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtHycD5b0lO9SUMZ-eg2CMasP_iG2jx3vTxBOwfy3SMcih9wIzPTgcezfb1FQfHp3xzhCHNqaMq1e6GxEuTiTv5uJZA2xQQK-rrw-a3XTiDq6MmqHRTmNyokjrbCkaTazXA3tPRw7T5xr/s1600-h/OMG+Performance+Hamilton+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtHycD5b0lO9SUMZ-eg2CMasP_iG2jx3vTxBOwfy3SMcih9wIzPTgcezfb1FQfHp3xzhCHNqaMq1e6GxEuTiTv5uJZA2xQQK-rrw-a3XTiDq6MmqHRTmNyokjrbCkaTazXA3tPRw7T5xr/s320/OMG+Performance+Hamilton+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314947705553086082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4n5gFfjxntrRwsLMbMpv7sRLJXd1nyNzFTPwC0nLpqqrLHD7JZ39qNV5xURrM1d4EA0QGOMwc6sv_CSGxiS58Dw2L80x3XYXJL12vSJgTdjilC-RmqIA8DJFRCqx52c-DFwDn0umb3km/s1600-h/OMG+And+Denis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4n5gFfjxntrRwsLMbMpv7sRLJXd1nyNzFTPwC0nLpqqrLHD7JZ39qNV5xURrM1d4EA0QGOMwc6sv_CSGxiS58Dw2L80x3XYXJL12vSJgTdjilC-RmqIA8DJFRCqx52c-DFwDn0umb3km/s320/OMG+And+Denis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314947706323013650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUgNCzWxseLBbV4gKhNq-Fof39vky3rSfdYpKrCk2zvcmaYFj3yD7H0qCSMBnj7xXUR4u9fV-AYoj0RHM4EZ8V8uZWWdYxcS55WO1lbtTmOMH_YtEY8gpp0BLnmMHxKcQOkXYUBYntH5W/s1600-h/OMG+Soundcheck+Kingston.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUgNCzWxseLBbV4gKhNq-Fof39vky3rSfdYpKrCk2zvcmaYFj3yD7H0qCSMBnj7xXUR4u9fV-AYoj0RHM4EZ8V8uZWWdYxcS55WO1lbtTmOMH_YtEY8gpp0BLnmMHxKcQOkXYUBYntH5W/s320/OMG+Soundcheck+Kingston.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314947708206698146" /></a><br />March 15 - Kingston - The Grand Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />Kingston is a remarkable town. Home to The Tragically Hip, Don Cherry, Dan Ackroyd and many other Canadian ambassadors, it drips with charm and class. I wandered around the town and at one point I attained perfect balance in my life - the temperature was cool yet the sun warmed my face, Lake Ontario was glistening with the remains of the winter ice hanging onto dear life, the Americano I sipped was hot, and Donnie Iris' 'Ah Leah' found it's way into my IPOD. I ate some delicious Indian food and we had another great gig.<br /><br />March 16 - Hamilton ON - Convention Centre<br /><br />A big venue - ALMOST sold out .... a great gig (This is redundant. From here on assume all gigs are great UNTIL I tell you otherwise). The catering - oh my goodness - a lady named Michelle came bearing a bounty of culinary delights. Who says you lose weight on the road? <br /><br />March 17 - Kitchener and/or Waterloo - The Centre In The Square<br /><br />See above - exact same comments as Hamilton ..... HOWEVER tonight (and for the two nights afterwards) I am doing double duty - playing with Johnny and opening act One More Girl. This is exciting for me as Britt and Carly are two very good friends and a pleasure to play with.... young stars getting ready to occupy their place in the showbiz universe.<br /><br />March 18 and 19 - Ottawa ON - The Centrepointe Theatre - SOLD OUT x 2<br /><br />It was home court advantage for Yvan, Ben and Johnny who spent a lot of time here. I saw a lot of friends myself. It's a nice way to end the first leg of the Canadian tour. Home tomorrow - go to visit my Dad and Nana, write with David Gogo, play the Yale, do a session for Mr. Soren Lonnqvist and maybe do some laundry!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-88035903721603058122009-03-14T11:26:00.001-07:002009-03-14T11:31:30.833-07:00Johnny Reid - Dance With Me Tour 2009 Part 2 - More Pix<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ek1wTUDJuMrbS_bIvacDz3KD48E1vL3xhxYTWuKPc1BBwW_CsCiQn6I6ZAWchhsaC5ZCX6v2ia8Ebev6dkq9-vjGPp9wzBVd_DaglZ9sxhKsJ10-XEsXricy5q53HFxqDlQReJ6ljnCn/s1600-h/Daily.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ek1wTUDJuMrbS_bIvacDz3KD48E1vL3xhxYTWuKPc1BBwW_CsCiQn6I6ZAWchhsaC5ZCX6v2ia8Ebev6dkq9-vjGPp9wzBVd_DaglZ9sxhKsJ10-XEsXricy5q53HFxqDlQReJ6ljnCn/s320/Daily.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313112214054401042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI4b6lpqJ0OmN8Mq0vXBzcNB0yZ01oQ-dYb_frIY2arCVYwcG0JtRxIUg-eQY7lY9fxH01Pyw0LWMg_oYBn3LhMyU71LOUVdszGtBz9k5eZ4uYypmoUdyjrJpTa3EHvTl1x_axkBFyrSd/s1600-h/Kingston.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI4b6lpqJ0OmN8Mq0vXBzcNB0yZ01oQ-dYb_frIY2arCVYwcG0JtRxIUg-eQY7lY9fxH01Pyw0LWMg_oYBn3LhMyU71LOUVdszGtBz9k5eZ4uYypmoUdyjrJpTa3EHvTl1x_axkBFyrSd/s320/Kingston.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313112213848291186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1Kni3JJx_HFIPUvvqwrJVDWG0fHsBxZE1Y9NdBzWNgmOmu0Q2zohKCLYh2AEMjbU_JrmXx4IMjKnPUyDL3KjXAbMVCTQmNyE6X2MpmOC3MsxQw60sacCsxCOm_umcurh0VFdAnhCdAtc/s1600-h/Ken+Turta+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1Kni3JJx_HFIPUvvqwrJVDWG0fHsBxZE1Y9NdBzWNgmOmu0Q2zohKCLYh2AEMjbU_JrmXx4IMjKnPUyDL3KjXAbMVCTQmNyE6X2MpmOC3MsxQw60sacCsxCOm_umcurh0VFdAnhCdAtc/s320/Ken+Turta+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313112203527822034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQDwwg9Pqeuxg1jR50JdyeBuWvS5Tnn0uscjoXn9Sjhmm0bPCgG44BYBeDoQ2DURrhqhfLtBG5u3CnzILu6GzAT8VMjs5u7znWGSsX6ZX1W949iTu8mMfXMsU54vi25Z0d1P5d1796ZLs/s1600-h/Benny+and+the+buses.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQDwwg9Pqeuxg1jR50JdyeBuWvS5Tnn0uscjoXn9Sjhmm0bPCgG44BYBeDoQ2DURrhqhfLtBG5u3CnzILu6GzAT8VMjs5u7znWGSsX6ZX1W949iTu8mMfXMsU54vi25Z0d1P5d1796ZLs/s320/Benny+and+the+buses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313112198667667938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYg-LI1qgzm_jbCgPpvtnFkXWlX35qEzV8xaj26wEXe-YbnmZlh9cjjAYlU6oLlmsJpcVQMMo98ZIa1exM-jXS-zU2MhmyqKnWIMdZSlreTALS1ExSiLcNvhe9Pv-OVB5tO_p7bVr5AXj/s1600-h/Photo_031009_004.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYg-LI1qgzm_jbCgPpvtnFkXWlX35qEzV8xaj26wEXe-YbnmZlh9cjjAYlU6oLlmsJpcVQMMo98ZIa1exM-jXS-zU2MhmyqKnWIMdZSlreTALS1ExSiLcNvhe9Pv-OVB5tO_p7bVr5AXj/s320/Photo_031009_004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313112194804916418" /></a>Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-87004777334418837302009-03-12T09:12:00.000-07:002009-03-14T11:26:04.391-07:00Johnny Reid - Dance With Me Tour 2009 Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Cyz6AqE63Hkv7LLDxWCmoqDt9J92RC8HUvYXWDBWX8k9QBjqujdY0db2WMjhpQ-JcXBkzJ0ZPFyKfuA4u-aQDzWy3lkc_VRmG9rN6eAhLLYzHogOIqfQS4WqBoSLmARVbjbfk_Lwtddg/s1600-h/Soundcheck+Kingston.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Cyz6AqE63Hkv7LLDxWCmoqDt9J92RC8HUvYXWDBWX8k9QBjqujdY0db2WMjhpQ-JcXBkzJ0ZPFyKfuA4u-aQDzWy3lkc_VRmG9rN6eAhLLYzHogOIqfQS4WqBoSLmARVbjbfk_Lwtddg/s320/Soundcheck+Kingston.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313111444432225138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ5uzSDIPuJv0oVskmODKcQ91WNo_t0Cerx0cXfWn0Yv5KTUjkNg8odLtZmNGOLgeydQ43FtAL8HemfM6N-M3fhxDQAQpiGIW3cZ7x8CFHBOAQiigBUG-vIzX1MTvhj-mo9XSqLzsDVix/s1600-h/Chuck+Fields+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ5uzSDIPuJv0oVskmODKcQ91WNo_t0Cerx0cXfWn0Yv5KTUjkNg8odLtZmNGOLgeydQ43FtAL8HemfM6N-M3fhxDQAQpiGIW3cZ7x8CFHBOAQiigBUG-vIzX1MTvhj-mo9XSqLzsDVix/s320/Chuck+Fields+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313111440761569458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkj55geDDK15ik17IWUIUqhMwcH4BXk9josFyKCsVlU4Bzt_0A0XiaYx2tIGIN06gyy25PhOpyKp9E2Wep2Ahry2kz67vorDy0dGngUJIcN3uhVhXHSNd6d_Dt8N1jZPlUIHJpR0LHbVl/s1600-h/Canada+AM+set.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkj55geDDK15ik17IWUIUqhMwcH4BXk9josFyKCsVlU4Bzt_0A0XiaYx2tIGIN06gyy25PhOpyKp9E2Wep2Ahry2kz67vorDy0dGngUJIcN3uhVhXHSNd6d_Dt8N1jZPlUIHJpR0LHbVl/s320/Canada+AM+set.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313111436533426722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DKmpY33hRgM7g3knIMLgvamCahH8ImxcTl2WuAT33_mF1vvAdKzLybztcIW0fVC41cK-O8QXpg7z8RSgToIBdT7-8-bMfWTzIxwu6toI22JrhrvxIOsR1enXbzUDZeB_W-RTpdTxWDWE/s1600-h/Brampton+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DKmpY33hRgM7g3knIMLgvamCahH8ImxcTl2WuAT33_mF1vvAdKzLybztcIW0fVC41cK-O8QXpg7z8RSgToIBdT7-8-bMfWTzIxwu6toI22JrhrvxIOsR1enXbzUDZeB_W-RTpdTxWDWE/s320/Brampton+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313111433691209986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFsO0Yct-OuDQN3hk5IBm9TfLfcKnSfdvC1_dYwp2aM14hb4dGy1D9NtKy5IWMZHA73-q-_Xp-A6FBq_mb8AbLm6ut96kFBMgos71Yh8fMbT8YAA-RHtls23VxG8opkNijhZ1xC4OE6QJ/s1600-h/Belleville+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFsO0Yct-OuDQN3hk5IBm9TfLfcKnSfdvC1_dYwp2aM14hb4dGy1D9NtKy5IWMZHA73-q-_Xp-A6FBq_mb8AbLm6ut96kFBMgos71Yh8fMbT8YAA-RHtls23VxG8opkNijhZ1xC4OE6QJ/s320/Belleville+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313111427429143010" /></a><br />I was asked by singer Johnny Reid to join him on a tour to support the release of his latest CD entitled 'Dance With Me'. I've had the pleasure of accompanying Johnny on a few occasions in the past. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he is a fine Scottish lad (from Glasgow I believe) who moved to Canada with his family as a boy. He grew up in Brampton Ontario and paid his dues playing the '401 circuit' in Ontario. Fast forward several years - he has recorded two CDs which have sold exceedingly well. All evidence indicates the new CD will break all past records he has set. While his music is most likely heard on country radio, in my opinion his sound resembles the 'blue eyed soul' genre .... his voice resembles Rod Stewart, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding with a touch of Tony Bennett thrown in. My role in the band is the utilities player - guitar, keyboards, vocals and my precious saxophone. I get to hang my toes off the side of the stage and wail on a few solos - which is cool.<br />The band is pretty big and VERY good - longtime guitarist Yvan Petit, bassist Nick Czarnogorski, keyboardist Dave Cohen, fiddler Ben Rutz, drummer Chuck Fields (who plays with Terri Clark and in the past has worked with Paul Brandt, Chris Cummings and Martina Macbride) and singers Miku Graham and Saida Baba Talibah (both of whom work with Jully Black). The crew - FOH man Ken Turta, lighting tech George Gorton and monitor man Alex Livland are great as well. We have two buses and two great drivers - Mikey and Craig. And so the adventure begins in the Canadian province of Ontario:<br /><br />March 5 - Brantford, Sanderson Centre Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />The first gig was a complete success. The PA went up quickly and the monitors (thanks to Alex tweaking our in ear monitors during the rehearsals) were tremendous. The band played well and to my mind the audience was thoroughly entertained. We had a long day and sleep came quickly.<br /><br />March 6 - Belleville, The Empire Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />Delicious dinner, delicious theatre. The venue apparently sold out the show in a day ... demonstrating Johnny's popularity at this point in time. A second show was added. We'll be back here in a few days.<br /><br />March 7 and 8 - Gravenhurst, The Opera House - both nights SOLD OUT!<br /><br />A charming theatre - over 100 years old. The 8th was our first solid night's sleep on the tour. The band is rocking now .... the set is tight and it's a lot of fun.<br /><br />March 10 - Toronto ON, Canada AM TV Show<br /><br />The 6AM lobby call came far too early, however we mustered up the energy and at 8:51AM I struck the opening chords to 'A Woman Like You' - Johnny's new single. We played two more songs to the audience in studio off camera and then hopped on the bus and headed back to.....<br /><br />March 10 - Belleville, The Empire Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />Deja vu! They sold out the first show and so they set up another. Great crew BTW. Record time set up and load outs. Johnny's new album was released today as well. Apparently in Canada he sold more CD's this day than U2..... pretty good....<br /><br />March 11 - Brampton, The Rose Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />Home court advantage for Mr. John Reid. This is the town he grew up in. He received a big welcome. The theatre was AMAZING. Really nice people. The big news is we were joined by opening act One More Girl! Britt and Carly (along with Tom, Lynda and mandolin/ guitarist Denis Dufresne) will join us for the rest of the shows! Very exciting to hang with my favorite show biz family!<br /><br />March 12 - Lindsay, The Academy Theatre - SOLD OUT!<br /><br />And the sellouts continue! A prior engagement with Jully Black has us down one BG singer as Ms. Miku Graham could not make this show. As a result I step up to the plate to cover her BG vocals with lovely Ms. Saida..... A quick rehearsal and I'm good to go. The show goes well. The big news .... Johnny's new record... 48 hours after it's release was certified Canadian GOLD (50,000 copies sold!). This is an amazing feat and proof that I'm on a pretty great gig!<br /><br />March 13 - London, Centennial Theatre<br /><br />A sellout gig? No! Our first of the tour. 40 tickets shy of a sellout! A huge crowd nonetheless and an amazing gig. One More Girl were outstanding and we were pretty good too (if I do say so myself).....<br />I write this on our bus (we call it the 'Soul Bus' due to the enormous amount of soul music we listen to while riding on it). Everyone is asleep except Mikey the driver and myself. I sit in the front lounge and it is 1:30AM. I look out the window and the moon is big and beautiful. MASH reruns are on the TV. I have internet and gingerale. I again am reminded what a charmed life I lead.<br /><br />March 14 - DAY OFF!! Go to the gym, get my haircut and comp some vocals for Ms. Sidney York's record....Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-73070315712023048372009-02-26T13:37:00.001-08:002009-02-26T13:43:51.868-08:00Barbados and The Leafs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzeJLj8hWKKWQwww5H7swNGC-BdDePg0cluGFyf-CuLPxRjZCPDV7orlVpvWys0EsnmOZKxXlOepx5SpUKqVjo2kg6AZ5DeNtMgszUATiKwpah9hD7LCLaVXN8nm13eG8Zs6TNBK2GSZU/s1600-h/DSCF0126.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzeJLj8hWKKWQwww5H7swNGC-BdDePg0cluGFyf-CuLPxRjZCPDV7orlVpvWys0EsnmOZKxXlOepx5SpUKqVjo2kg6AZ5DeNtMgszUATiKwpah9hD7LCLaVXN8nm13eG8Zs6TNBK2GSZU/s320/DSCF0126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307224609398227314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio00LqeowEEqhin06CQTbxTFwuO5kdujQNpTQHWbQfNMy14DhzRoDsZ5bI4rcr0pVS6sifw4myisanC7rvRyF4iBcLeWBI3_JdjZGeGelLRX3Ga-N2ZbpG1W5pGLhkd9F0YZWxatrwUm1j/s1600-h/DSCF0007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio00LqeowEEqhin06CQTbxTFwuO5kdujQNpTQHWbQfNMy14DhzRoDsZ5bI4rcr0pVS6sifw4myisanC7rvRyF4iBcLeWBI3_JdjZGeGelLRX3Ga-N2ZbpG1W5pGLhkd9F0YZWxatrwUm1j/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307224605690898690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0quo2Abt-Y4R5YVhWEl95kt6HNiryeohUnlsH0GfycIDfIldvSAm_GsQ755Jr3L4WLj-4GvZjwzXSqI2fdSEbN0rpaHrwyzMXmzre388EY7LvWp21OpGX5j5brkqixzkgR33eahpJ_0nH/s1600-h/DSCF0146.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0quo2Abt-Y4R5YVhWEl95kt6HNiryeohUnlsH0GfycIDfIldvSAm_GsQ755Jr3L4WLj-4GvZjwzXSqI2fdSEbN0rpaHrwyzMXmzre388EY7LvWp21OpGX5j5brkqixzkgR33eahpJ_0nH/s320/DSCF0146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307224603099445842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nr6cU0fo8L97_9iJ27-XBsHVafJL0ihcRUCJKZqChD8UFR1jChLk9WnyCzdwcWRKqOXbt-otGlwGwdWmBRd_AqEsE-3SZLSd2Unu-Oxi67vHUj8hR8e2t5dBuHH_ZbrWCpZc_1Dr8vGH/s1600-h/Leafs+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nr6cU0fo8L97_9iJ27-XBsHVafJL0ihcRUCJKZqChD8UFR1jChLk9WnyCzdwcWRKqOXbt-otGlwGwdWmBRd_AqEsE-3SZLSd2Unu-Oxi67vHUj8hR8e2t5dBuHH_ZbrWCpZc_1Dr8vGH/s320/Leafs+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307224597881111042" /></a><br />Feb. 17 came and the first extended trip away from home began. From Feb, 18-24 I was to meet producer Randall Prescott and his wife / tremendous singer Tracey Brown for a business / vacation / gig type excursion to their vacation home in Barbados. My business can get pretty rough sometimes. In a stunning case of 'right place at the right time', Vancouver Comedy Fest president Will Davis was flying to Toronto on Feb. 17 .... the day of the first segment of my flight. I had nothing to do that evening. Will was meeting with some members of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization to discuss some business matters. This resulted in an unexpected invite for me to attend the Leaf's game against Buffalo. While the outcome was not as positive one for the Leafs, I did enjoy the game. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. B. for your generosity.<br />I flew to Barbados the next day and my mind was blown. The sun, the crystal clear water, the friendly locals, the food..... I met some great people from all over the world. I was especially excited to meet Inchiz and Bashment (The rasta man wit da rasta plan) .... two exciting hip hop artists. <br />The gig at Smoky's Soup Bowl Bar was rustic and a lot of fun.....thanks to everyone .... Randall, Tracey, Kaylen, Sophie, Breanne, Phil, Terry, Stevie, Lawrence and Jeanette, Michael Bolton, Orlando, Inch and Bash ..... until next time.... off to Toronto now to begin the 'JR' experience.....Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-43371703715640983052009-02-13T00:19:00.000-08:002009-02-13T00:26:56.925-08:00David and Sidney and Sierra and Johnny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsneeDttnlEwxoDsUpsSZ4rFVPdUIoB7mHmwkltbRZK8ysyforrsTyeXuw1u96t4ajdFcc_0GgXuRpGdeT8V852b3pvy_-LXo88_3gMZZo8FX_XFJqkU7Kl3nyLWlQomEXGAlIJBn-Q083/s1600-h/CVJ+and+Mikey+the+dog.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsneeDttnlEwxoDsUpsSZ4rFVPdUIoB7mHmwkltbRZK8ysyforrsTyeXuw1u96t4ajdFcc_0GgXuRpGdeT8V852b3pvy_-LXo88_3gMZZo8FX_XFJqkU7Kl3nyLWlQomEXGAlIJBn-Q083/s320/CVJ+and+Mikey+the+dog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302195075219351522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvyIrV-6KAgw13_H86o4O8q4tJSBHEIRXUvz5ZhQPH8EyGioBDK1rfusYRIUmqBa8phN6UQZc2dem8ZF57XkuPElYaUfsAsJ023Y5DQVjnlnPoG3SLzXGrWzBrqh80UTVdExWdHCwx_70/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvyIrV-6KAgw13_H86o4O8q4tJSBHEIRXUvz5ZhQPH8EyGioBDK1rfusYRIUmqBa8phN6UQZc2dem8ZF57XkuPElYaUfsAsJ023Y5DQVjnlnPoG3SLzXGrWzBrqh80UTVdExWdHCwx_70/s320/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302195077349097570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyqaRY1XG5G7R1jEtDGfP_gU1xkqxL23SkYAIR7joNvCzyTYuM1EqXHtSoVBI4STeW4GIrcYVXssA2MtLh0ONTiq2NDx8Rb68byu9KYi-oy-tX2U_kO4q0tdhnoYadILazDgxJirpEtKj/s1600-h/Gibson+ES330+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyqaRY1XG5G7R1jEtDGfP_gU1xkqxL23SkYAIR7joNvCzyTYuM1EqXHtSoVBI4STeW4GIrcYVXssA2MtLh0ONTiq2NDx8Rb68byu9KYi-oy-tX2U_kO4q0tdhnoYadILazDgxJirpEtKj/s320/Gibson+ES330+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302195074622344674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo41ViKM4vcx5bYoG4OZwl_FJd3D3U54n8A_ScO6HvjAb7IhTcV1pgUKvDgyNzSG91Gb2oR23Evw9FDLXAsMcc1RsfCojxd-ROYr455su4FeriqMg8bqXRyQ5aUzYeIDS_3BAOoUNZSdj/s1600-h/Brandi+and+Mikey+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo41ViKM4vcx5bYoG4OZwl_FJd3D3U54n8A_ScO6HvjAb7IhTcV1pgUKvDgyNzSG91Gb2oR23Evw9FDLXAsMcc1RsfCojxd-ROYr455su4FeriqMg8bqXRyQ5aUzYeIDS_3BAOoUNZSdj/s320/Brandi+and+Mikey+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302195072685530258" /></a><br />The start of each year as a musician is traditionally a fallow period. Work is scarce - and generally musicians stow the bounty they made on their Dec. 31 gig in the back of their bank account to live off for the first two months of the new year. I am one of the lucky ones. My January and February have been busy - exceedingly busy and filled with the intensely joyful creation of new music. Fellow Vancouver Islander and gentleman guitarist David Gogo have been hanging out, laughing and writing new songs which will hopefully end up on his new recording which he plans on starting this year. <br />The tremendously talented Sierra Noble graced my house for the better part of two weeks, We wrote songs and recorded two of them as well - just Sierra and I. She is a young lady who I am more than convinced is destined for super stardom and I hope that on her meteoric rise I can grab a hold of one of her legs and have me sponge off her celebrity. All indications point to her becoming a star - whether or not she brings me along remains to be seen (ppllleeeeeeaaasseee Sierra pleeeeaaasssee!)<br />And then, from out of nowhere, comes the wonderful Sidney York. How do we peg Ms. York? Hmm. She's a booking agent's dream. Folk, jazz, rock, a tiny dash of country, comedy, drama, tragedy, joy - all wrapped up in an alluring, charming, kind, gentle and complex package. She is a wonderful artist - a true renaissance woman and my newest friend. I love her to pieces. I have had the distinct pleasure to produce her new album which is, as I write this about 3/4's done. Gracing the album have been the talents of drummers Pat Steward and Jerry Adolphe, guitarists Tom Mckillip and Jay Buettner, bassists Rene Worst and Doug Elliott, trumpeter Derry Byrne and the aforementioned Sierra Noble on vocals and violin. More on that as it develops.<br />I've also been working on three new recordings for Aaron Pritchett. I won't get into that now but it's been a whole lot of fun. As a player - recording sessions have been surprisingly plentiful as well - stuff for producers Tom Mckillip, Bill Buckingham, Ray Roper and Jose Cardenas - as well as some soundtrack work for Tony Rudner for a mini series called 'Revolutions'.<br />I must also recognize our recoding engineers - Mr. Dean Maher, Soren Lonnqvist at Studio Downe Under in Abbotsford, BC, Chris Vaughan Jones and Mikey the dog (see above) and my good friend Chris Aiken .... all of which are contributing to the above projects and doing a great job.<br />I'm looking forward to March and April when I'm joining Johnny Reid's band for his 'Dance With Me' tour across Canada. There's about 40 dates in theaters and casinos. I'm filling the utilities' player chair on sax, guitar and keys. It's going to be a lot of fun and interesting as I only know two people on the sixteen person entourage. I guess that'll be the subject of my next entry. Until then ..... all the best!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-31200962210880951722009-01-09T00:08:00.000-08:002009-01-09T00:17:11.007-08:002009!Hey there-<br /><br />Another year has flown by. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. I look forward to all the good that 2009 holds. As a Canuck it is nice to see optimism flowing in our southern neighbors. In my life - I'm working (producing I guess is the term) with a great singer / songwriter named Sidney York. In addition I seem to be taking up a residency of sorts at the Yale Hotel in Vancouver with various musicians including David Gogo, Norm Fisher, Shaun Verreualt, Jerry Adolphe, Tony Robertson and others. All the best to you and yours.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-23904636052209154212008-12-23T04:35:00.000-08:002008-12-23T04:43:45.060-08:00Holiday Train 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp0Aev62LHswG_3tXrGc7CpblmuYiwSn7MMp4cb9RaFVYglYRX5wIjd4sDE4ErfEETbVLliBplxUc6mWOiNwhstBCDmdk1ey3KeYlYOouv1JVCLXpvzoqAJORO46jg5rLfIhhpr3wHVkP/s1600-h/Tracey+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGp0Aev62LHswG_3tXrGc7CpblmuYiwSn7MMp4cb9RaFVYglYRX5wIjd4sDE4ErfEETbVLliBplxUc6mWOiNwhstBCDmdk1ey3KeYlYOouv1JVCLXpvzoqAJORO46jg5rLfIhhpr3wHVkP/s320/Tracey+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282964260080131394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozAq4rHdVEw_ifojXXUwu6s0Ya0j-EV_lzJPCQ4982P_AGjkD8dsjjyThLvMor70PwL4H3TPSSEfzUO2qjdiP_XqSY2qi_Y1RAnHplMipttPUe2SMHK1rrYglx6yYc6zIV8eBwX1sua4p/s1600-h/Randall+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozAq4rHdVEw_ifojXXUwu6s0Ya0j-EV_lzJPCQ4982P_AGjkD8dsjjyThLvMor70PwL4H3TPSSEfzUO2qjdiP_XqSY2qi_Y1RAnHplMipttPUe2SMHK1rrYglx6yYc6zIV8eBwX1sua4p/s320/Randall+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282964255902896802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsvJKw3e4cfgY0B7e9YyBkzBrZ-VV0LUWpsZSWuFWHXWGAIpWaJVxbuxbFcOqvbbCAwr3DS4Q3IDtpdttvU-CrYMvp2mSR_sqn4DAl_SC0LJy3iDyV7W1iX-qLWgg_-3NpApvMtTIg_Jw/s1600-h/Tunnel+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsvJKw3e4cfgY0B7e9YyBkzBrZ-VV0LUWpsZSWuFWHXWGAIpWaJVxbuxbFcOqvbbCAwr3DS4Q3IDtpdttvU-CrYMvp2mSR_sqn4DAl_SC0LJy3iDyV7W1iX-qLWgg_-3NpApvMtTIg_Jw/s320/Tunnel+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282964255503511394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArDoMDk2AtR9hZg5eAAKLsznVFopBMMXJmjfd2mimlD2krUwAW9wvuSer69KReQC0LkFm8CnEBATdqcoseXgPWuu_hPAqmhLbWXCtTCDg81UXwTZEWhwUA7bC8-gm4D7zxz0fCetLlIgJ/s1600-h/Pat+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArDoMDk2AtR9hZg5eAAKLsznVFopBMMXJmjfd2mimlD2krUwAW9wvuSer69KReQC0LkFm8CnEBATdqcoseXgPWuu_hPAqmhLbWXCtTCDg81UXwTZEWhwUA7bC8-gm4D7zxz0fCetLlIgJ/s320/Pat+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282964252684686226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9hxP1GnBl_u467gUwjUF3LkrXYM4zgZBoTtv-RPBl0wKCXxSvG_h8sMYoxnzUJVpQYY6NqJOZQZfdOAqSMkqx6jr8PAi-u6lQfpYEPP1GpksjoiK38uGSNkdNhkLVohrj2ovixgJBL5d/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9hxP1GnBl_u467gUwjUF3LkrXYM4zgZBoTtv-RPBl0wKCXxSvG_h8sMYoxnzUJVpQYY6NqJOZQZfdOAqSMkqx6jr8PAi-u6lQfpYEPP1GpksjoiK38uGSNkdNhkLVohrj2ovixgJBL5d/s320/10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282964247459399266" /></a><br />Hello again. Here are some excerpts from blogs I wrote for CP's Holiday Train blog ..... for more info on what the Holiday Train is - check out past entries on this blog. It was a great trip .....<br /><br />DEC. 1 2008<br />So another year begins. I read of the adventures to date of the US train. It's no surprise that their train and performances are receiving rave reviews. The train is the star, but of course the talent is unsurpassed. Introducing your performers: Bass guitar virtuoso and resident 'handsome man' John Dymond. The thunderous drumming and smoky vocals of Ken Post. The soaring vocals and daunting presence of Marty Mctiernan The fiery axe slinging and soulful vocals of Wide Mouth Mason and acclaimed solo artist Shaun Verreault. Finally, a talented instrumentalist on violin, guitar or any other instrument she chooses, an amazing songwriter and vocalist whose sweet siren song captivates listeners and never lets go - the incomparable Melanie Doane. Those of you fortunate enough to see these performers are lucky indeed.<br />So here we are in Canada .... we gotta do our part and rock the North! Today we arrived at the train - drum legend Pat Steward, renowned for his work with Colin James, The Odds, Bryan Adams and many others. Yvan Petit - a terrific guitarist/ vocalist who works with many artists including Johnny Reid. Randall Prescott, Holiday Train producer (North and South) and multi instrumentalist second to none! He was nominated for a Grammy, people! Multi CCMA award winner and smoky voiced soul serenader Johnny Reid. Finally, truly one of the greatest voices on planet Earth today - Tracey Brown. She knows not the phrase "wrong note". We rehearsed for about two hours and put together our set. <br /><br />Due to the efforts of all of the wonderful CP employees who worked on prepping the train (I'm not gonna name names - I'll forget somebody) everything was in perfect working order. The stage car was amazing - organized, sounding good, clean, comfortable, warm. Awesome. <br /><br />The crowd at the first show was 1000 strong. Tracey opened the show - a rollicking shuffle medley of Mabel Scott's 'Boogie Woogie Santa Claus' and Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree'. Yvan and Tracey's bilingual duet on 'White Christmas' was a delight. Johnny was up next with his version of Tom Jones' 'Darlin''. He followed it up with his hit 'Love Sweet Love'. Yvan treated the crowd to a French version of 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer'. Randall wowed the crowd with his take on J. Geils' 'Whammer Jammer'. The finale featured Tracey and Johnny on 'Silent Night' and the oft covered 'Put A Little Love In Your Heart'. <br /><br />From a musician's standpoint - it was a success. No "train wrecks" (pardon the pun) ... the crowd was great and we're off to a rocking start. Can we match the thunder of the US train? Time will tell. We hope so.<br /><br />Submitted - Nov. 30 2008 - 6:00AM<br /><br />Mike Norman - musician<br /><br /><br />DEC. 4 2008<br /><br />We are seven shows in. I sit in my room - enjoying some tea and toast as I'm sure people who rode this train in the past did. I consider myself fortunate in my day to day life. Without trying to sound cliche, this time of year makes me feel especially blessed. I mean, here I am, riding around on a piece of Canadian history .... seeing Canada by rail! I get to play music for appreciative crowds with unbelievable musicians. I meet great people. My living quarters on the trip are second to none. I can't imagine what it would cost to buy a trip like this. This is my fifth year as the "musical director" (hate that term - it sounds so pompous) of the Canadian Holiday Train. It's always a great way to cap off my year.<br />Watching all of the good this train brings is an uplifting experience. Everyone's face lights up as the train pulls in. As the big doors open, Santa Claus performs his opening song and revs the crowd up into a frenzy. The food bank reps are thrilled to get the big cheque from CP. Then the music - Tracey, Randall, Johnny are all show-stoppers. My old friend Pat and new friend Yvan are a tremendous musical force. What really blows my mind are the people who come out to the shows. I've heard so many times from food banks reps about the increases in non perishable goods they receive when the Holiday Train comes through their respective towns. That is entirely due to the support from their local communities. That, my friends, is the Christmas spirit. No matter what you believe in at this time of year - whether or not you think it's become to commercial etc etc - if anything - check out the good it does the less fortunate. I've never gone hungry and I count myself blessed for that fact alone. I hope people like me NEVER take that for granted.<br />The crowds have been awesome. The requests for the train to come and visit communities in Canada is overwhelming. I have no idea who does the logistics for the Holiday train tours. It ain't your average rock and roll tour. This has so many more factors - other trains, safety, protocols, time of arrival and departure, making sure the train arrives at a spot that can accommodate a large crowd etc etc.. It's amazing and a simple musician such as myself can't comprehend it. Even after their schedule is finalized, the CP logistics people get requests for the train. Even after everything has been mapped out, the T's crossed, the I's dotted and the ink is dry on the itinerary, they do their best to figure in these places. Sometimes a longer stop for a full show is just not possible. Thus the '10 minute off the back show' was born. If anything, the opportunity to stop, sing a couple of Christmas carols and show off the train for a short while is the best that can be done. It's not the full show, but I applaud the efforts and am more than happy to participate. <br />We partook in one one these stops recently in the town of Brighton, Ontario. A huge crowd came out which took everyone in the crowd by surprise. Brighton - FYI - you guys were the topic of conversation that night. Please understand if a full show could have been accommodated, we would have done it. However, circumstances dictated that the shorter stop was all that could be done this year. Your numbers spoke volumes to the people on the train and while I have no say in scheduling, if I were a betting man ..... don't be surprised if you get a full show next year (bear in mind the predictions in this blog are mine only...). What a town - Brighton Rocks (we caaammmee to roocck! Sometimes it's all you got.... from the 80's metal band of the same name)....<br />Finally - we had a cool thing happen in Smiths Falls Ontario. The US Holiday Train stopped and we had a brief visit from the cast and crew! What a great treat. So cool to see them all ... if you're reading this - hope you are doing well. We miss you all.<br /><br />That's it for now - season's greetings everyone!<br /><br />Your humble servant Mike Norman<br /><br />DEC. 10 2008<br /><br />We're about 10 days into our journey in the sovereign nation that is the Canadian Holiday Train. We have no concept of time, date or what is going on in the world around us. All we see are bright smiling faces of people enjoying a taste of the holiday spirit. The gigs have been great - we are currently on show number 5 of our 7 show day. In between shows, we enjoy the unbelievable scenery that is offered up by this great country. We wave at people in cars. Drummer Pat Steward and myself grind premium coffee and serve it up in abundance. Our lives on the train are the makings of perfection. We are blessed. <br />It is interesting to watch the evolution of our holiday train team. CP employees have become well oiled stage hands. Everybody has their tasks and we are working in tandem with flawless precision. We're a swiss watch up there! However, the repetition has not staled us yet. The crowds fuel the energy in a Celestine Prophecy type manner - I can almost see the green glow of energy.<br />Johnny Reid has caught the Holiday Train bug in a big way - so much so that he wrote a song on the train. 'Everyday People Making A Change' represents the entire spirit of the train. The lyric is entirely based around life on the train and what it stands for. We learned it and immediately incorporated it into the set. <br />Tracey Brown has taken to 'working' the crowd. Sing alongs have been the order of the day - during 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer' ,Tracey will offer the microphone to youngsters to sing lines from the song - much to the delight of the onlookers.<br />More later ..... support your local food bank!!!<br /><br />Mike N. - musician and Christmas fanMike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-87741566963023002062008-10-28T17:48:00.001-07:002008-11-12T00:17:18.941-08:00The Tongue, the BCCMA and a session<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pVkocgeQfl7vRb2vFX2fI4rsjC-u5928Qa-onsWxjGiFuCIo2lRQtwJrO_WzbRvd07Q3PkzrXsMYaqqAKdFNYArcodQBj6goYWjo0hI3LYemuJHSRFk_gaB10uZe0sKym9EkTUea-J5v/s1600-h/l_e7c0e0d714b444bc874c3e37cf63808a.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pVkocgeQfl7vRb2vFX2fI4rsjC-u5928Qa-onsWxjGiFuCIo2lRQtwJrO_WzbRvd07Q3PkzrXsMYaqqAKdFNYArcodQBj6goYWjo0hI3LYemuJHSRFk_gaB10uZe0sKym9EkTUea-J5v/s320/l_e7c0e0d714b444bc874c3e37cf63808a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267682171931255090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6glvpJ4zsJUbCJSDi4ancONAU8D-M9SR6NE2gyJTKlYSR9CSrAYUoZ1T1_Ok1_apBCqveRgF22GO0Ng2qgwORKtGIK4Wozwj5Vl62anhGwnZXKXmTtttz9hPjrriEeTPBJHWEXToPqtw/s1600-h/l_d495aefde2e148b7bdc86be11a59b9a7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6glvpJ4zsJUbCJSDi4ancONAU8D-M9SR6NE2gyJTKlYSR9CSrAYUoZ1T1_Ok1_apBCqveRgF22GO0Ng2qgwORKtGIK4Wozwj5Vl62anhGwnZXKXmTtttz9hPjrriEeTPBJHWEXToPqtw/s320/l_d495aefde2e148b7bdc86be11a59b9a7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267682166386962306" /></a><br />So I've had this lesion growing on my tongue for the last few months. I had it removed at the advice of my doctor (I mean - of course....who wouldn't?). The lesion was about the size of a quarter. It was uncomfortable but not crippling. I went in on the 24th of October for day surgery. I had some general anesthetic administered and they went to work. I was home by 1:00PM that day. I had the rest of Friday and Saturday off to recover. <br />On Sunday it was time for the annual BCCMA awards show at the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam BC. The Lyin' Bastards were called to order and we assembled for the performance. We were fortunate to perform with some of BC's best (as well as some great out of towners) - Deric Ruttan, Art Pruce, Ginette Genereaux, Jordan Doell, Sandra Wainwright, Kelly Brock, George Canyon, Fera, Ridley Bent, Aaron Pritchett, George Canyon, The Higgins and Jessie Farrell among others. The show went great. I went straight home and resume recovery. I had my Monday off which was nice.<br />It's Tuesday now and I'm feeling good. I'm at the Armoury Studios right now doing a bed track session for three artists - Sheila Deck, One More Girl and Fera.In the meantime the doctors are going to biopsy the growth to see if there are any other concerns .... I'm sure they'll find nothing out of the ordinary.Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-19592166056595904922008-10-20T09:50:00.000-07:002008-10-21T20:08:51.899-07:00CP Spirit Train Sept. 21-Oct.-18<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcVzBsUDtFy1FT7q5jVBu7CENpyBnpVrZ2_O5O19H27towgQKYCCf6p_7PGiEroQVWo_iCSfiizci-UH33RVxd8w0IzKesu6ca9gnn6VLoxPX5SzMLldbduf2n-8an4oXlWDZjBtPOAFm/s1600-h/Paul+Rosen+Sierra+and+Kyle+Shewfelt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcVzBsUDtFy1FT7q5jVBu7CENpyBnpVrZ2_O5O19H27towgQKYCCf6p_7PGiEroQVWo_iCSfiizci-UH33RVxd8w0IzKesu6ca9gnn6VLoxPX5SzMLldbduf2n-8an4oXlWDZjBtPOAFm/s320/Paul+Rosen+Sierra+and+Kyle+Shewfelt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259280459906352274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7rbuiEL9Z9o5B7VV0iUwGPEW9ZE7MU1_bmMmjBxx9v352Hjvqw1GAetUPOniFiFmqw5XFA3SNJ-ZP3d0ANva1DIzoUrVLEBSFW4gjTN9ITQFKEBwucGoEdLCCzFtFMfZ7TCPfgFMAWVL/s1600-h/Dennis+Kelly+and+Sierra.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7rbuiEL9Z9o5B7VV0iUwGPEW9ZE7MU1_bmMmjBxx9v352Hjvqw1GAetUPOniFiFmqw5XFA3SNJ-ZP3d0ANva1DIzoUrVLEBSFW4gjTN9ITQFKEBwucGoEdLCCzFtFMfZ7TCPfgFMAWVL/s320/Dennis+Kelly+and+Sierra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259280468586517362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIMfhzRsCtt4IEHjANSEAttxREY2G3hTLpoPK0QODOdIAkidAfU_9n9eOHqdFBsC8Km7p2Cc_gRnj5DxUjF8rTX8OaiO_C2sAo637S8zhGd-eYoSSnfCNB1lhycWnfNGI0HA6D36U8L1t/s1600-h/Randall+with+CJB.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIMfhzRsCtt4IEHjANSEAttxREY2G3hTLpoPK0QODOdIAkidAfU_9n9eOHqdFBsC8Km7p2Cc_gRnj5DxUjF8rTX8OaiO_C2sAo637S8zhGd-eYoSSnfCNB1lhycWnfNGI0HA6D36U8L1t/s320/Randall+with+CJB.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259280473972426786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2kbsz0-BDlLA7cFZp8frkAVO1eLhVTwWfV_yjAWAkR99njjXKf69_-CV8Cs2UNWsmG6RC2I9VYyE5XVadn6EAQsLFaQN5NORoNDiuCSBW13JFl9FEZ1UdBMmJM1IycinIphw034Ytssw/s1600-h/Craig.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2kbsz0-BDlLA7cFZp8frkAVO1eLhVTwWfV_yjAWAkR99njjXKf69_-CV8Cs2UNWsmG6RC2I9VYyE5XVadn6EAQsLFaQN5NORoNDiuCSBW13JFl9FEZ1UdBMmJM1IycinIphw034Ytssw/s320/Craig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259280481791069154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JH2XPq4o8KjYYaXWWPUHU1IPNQiglGHrf7joaaeb3krLEb_kKaKDBrgMaRVqk0eCutoPs5ifH5S1IFvGUfrsQjtCcqz4Nl8d1Lf3SiupT8l-q79rmo7c82lV4gTFI7yX-tFSMPNVMOG2/s1600-h/Curt.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JH2XPq4o8KjYYaXWWPUHU1IPNQiglGHrf7joaaeb3krLEb_kKaKDBrgMaRVqk0eCutoPs5ifH5S1IFvGUfrsQjtCcqz4Nl8d1Lf3SiupT8l-q79rmo7c82lV4gTFI7yX-tFSMPNVMOG2/s320/Curt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259280486089083730" /></a><br />My wonderful association with producers Tracey and Randall Presto and Canadian Pacific Railways continued with the CP Spirit Train. The CP Spirit Train is a program put into place to promote the 2010 Winter Olympics across Canada and to get the "spirit" going. We (Tom Mckillip, Chris Meister, Dennis Marcenko and myself) were hired to backup artists across Canada. While the entire trip was presented over three weeks, we only did 12 shows which made for a reasonably easy trip. People we backed up included Duane Steele, Tracey Brown, Marty Mcteirnan, Matthew Mukash and Kayla and Kelly Prescott. <br />The featured acts who played on every stop were Dallas Arcand and Sierra Noble. Dallas is a tremendous performer. Along with his guitarist/ vocalist Curt Young, they combined hip hop, country and blues with traditional aboriginal rhythm and traditions. The set culminated with a hoop dance - which Dallas is renowned for. He has won a world championship twice. Sierra Noble is a wonderful singer/songwriter/fiddler. She combines Metis fiddling with great songs - very honest songwriting. In addition she's a beautiful person inside and out. We have become great friends.<br />The stars of the trip were the Olympic athletes. We heard many inspirational stories of Olympic triumph from them - especially from the Spirit Train Olympic Ambassador - Paul Rosen. Paul is a Paralympic Sledge Hockey Goalie. He won a gold medal in Torino. Listening to him speak is amazing. His presentation is down to earth and speaks to everyone - whether you are an athlete or not. He was a constant ray of light on the train and a huge music fan. He gave me an autographed picture and some great memories. I look forward to watching him and the rest of his team bring home the gold in 2010.<br />Colin James and his band were along for the ride as well. We had some great fun hanging with those guys as well.<br />The trip was not without controversy - protesters appeared at almost every stop. Without going into my views on this subject, this is what makes this country great. Free speech and peaceful protesting are a right we all have - it was good to be reminded of how great we have it in the Great White North,<br />We had a great time in Thunder Bay and Smith Falls jamming with some local bands as well - thanks to Mark Potvin and his band as well as 'The Roadies' for letting us thrash around on your gear and letting us get our musical rocks off.<br />I want to write more about this trip .... but deadlines loom...must get to work. Thanks to Randall, Tracey, Cathi, Brea, Mark, the King, Kevin, Jon, Jill, Rob, Rob, Marty, Orest, Doug, the village people.... the list goes on and I'm forgetting people..... sorry....THANKS!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4722282102926131023.post-82335671953221711942008-10-19T15:55:00.000-07:002008-10-19T15:56:22.665-07:00Vancouver Comedy Fest 2008 - Sept. 18-20<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruRGHef0jJI0rn4f6Wd6vlwGdAoiMpyTuFdRCNQO3EeAB6FbF59ZCG5C3Q1Vm0OgHZZe3hesLFwXRNA8XoZQd7y24-iezs80zS9RcriqTTFINKJCyZNJeUKcrg7tC0KWmLMvorpCRk8ma/s1600-h/Match+Game.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruRGHef0jJI0rn4f6Wd6vlwGdAoiMpyTuFdRCNQO3EeAB6FbF59ZCG5C3Q1Vm0OgHZZe3hesLFwXRNA8XoZQd7y24-iezs80zS9RcriqTTFINKJCyZNJeUKcrg7tC0KWmLMvorpCRk8ma/s320/Match+Game.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259002653805176818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lTHFbD2fh4QLsy3VrDaE3JEszdqQcIvok19R0skaAvf8a3sCZy9YeVXKY-LDtTH7DuPKt-DfEaP0bzDNwOXUVoGGOSclvk0_pV_l-4I9mqdcQvjfDQ9IJyHpnuOS92swQyuFrbYLej3Z/s1600-h/Eddie+Brill.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lTHFbD2fh4QLsy3VrDaE3JEszdqQcIvok19R0skaAvf8a3sCZy9YeVXKY-LDtTH7DuPKt-DfEaP0bzDNwOXUVoGGOSclvk0_pV_l-4I9mqdcQvjfDQ9IJyHpnuOS92swQyuFrbYLej3Z/s320/Eddie+Brill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259002661038127874" /></a><br />Once again, my friend Will Davis had myself and a few of my friends to provide some music to accompany the fine comedians performing at the Vancouver Comedy Fest. Of course, I jump right in - I love this gig!<br /><br />Sept. 18<br /><br />Chris Meister and I (aka The World's Smallest Trio) do the first gig of the night at the Vogue Theatre - Scott Auckerman and BJ Porter's Comedy Death Ray - three hours of standup (which turned into four hours - a marathon of funny). A wealth of comedians including Janeane Garofolo, Matt Besser, Andy Richter took to the stage. BTW - Reggie Watts - check him out. One of the most talented unique individuals you will ever see. Amazing talent! Afterwards - we went to the Media Club for the first of three nights as the house band for Andy Kindler's Talk Show. Andy is great - super quick -excellent at dissecting people and situations. He has recently been doing correspondent work for Letterman. Andy's sidekick for the show was Eddie Brill. Eddie is a talent booker for Letterman and also does audience warmups for the show. Chris and I realized this may be as close as we'll ever get to being in the Letterman band! It was awesome ... guests included Tim and Eric.<br /><br />Sept. 19<br /><br />Chris, Bruce Morrison and I started at The Firehall Theatre with Match Game - as we did last year. Our ol' buddy Jimmy Pardo returned with the panel - Scott Auckerman, Brian Posehn, Chris Hardwick, Janeane Garofolo, Matt Walsh and Marcia Wallace (that's right - an original Match Game cast member...Carol from The Bob Newhart Show...Edna Krabapple from The Simpsons!) Awesome! <br />Next up - night two of the Kindler show with Tim Meadows, Janeane, and some music with David Gogo who of course charmed 'em with some great banter as well.<br /><br />Sept. 20<br /><br />Long day - a session at the Warehouse for Dean Maher .... then to the Firehall for Match Game. After that - upstairs at the Firehall for The Todd Glass show - also a lot of fun! Finished it up for night three of the Kindler show .... Jimmy Pardo, Marcia Wallace and Shaun Verreault! More great fun.... love these gigs. Thanks Will!Mike Normanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909015313209256822noreply@blogger.com0