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

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

Aaron Pritchett - Thunderbird Stadium April 12

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

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

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

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

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

April 1 - London, ON - Cowboys

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

Aaron Pritchett Eastern Canada Dates March 21-April 1 Part 2

March 27 - Toronto, ON - Gibson Show Lounge

This gig was set up as a show for contest winners in the Toronto area as well as for industry types as invited by OPM records. The show is a one hour acoustic show with guitars provided by the Gibson people - makers of quality instruments for many years.

March 28 - Whitby, ON - Johnny B's

Just outside of Toronto is Johnny B's. A lot of effort went into this gig on the part of the promoter - great sound crew - nice stage sound. Promo throughout the town - cars sporting wraparounds with Aaron's picture driving throughout town spreading the word. Also excellent was the dinner we had at the restaurant. Gourmet all the way - I enjoyed Chilean Sea Bass with fresh vegetables and jasmine rice. Delicious.

March 29 - Toronto, ON - Sheraton Downtown

This was what we call in the business a "corporate gig". We were hired to play a private concert for a bunch of people who worked in the insurance business all over Ontario. Corporate gigs, generally, are humdrum affairs. You get in - set up - play a polite set to an empty room as have the people are in the foyer drinking and socializing. It is a way for bands to make a quick and healthy wage.
This gig was different. I have NEVER been in a room at a corporate gig (and I've done a lot of them) where everybody sat back, listened and enjoyed it. There was no audience murmur, nobody who left, no requests for "Brown Eyed Girl". They were an excellent bunch of people and one of my favorite gigs on the tour.
My one question though .... explain to me why, when staying at a Sheraton, the local phone calls are $2.00.... yet when you stay at a Comfort Inn they are free?

March 30 - Burlington, ON - Big Bucks Saloon

After a grueling 45 minute bus ride we arrived at our next gig. Our hotel? A COMFORT INN! Free calls! Free breakfast! Free internet! Love this place! We had an interesting twist before the gig. Carmen informed us that there were some contest winners whose prize was a four song acoustic set aboard our bus. All of us (except Ron) piled onto the bus and situated ourselves on a couch. The fans came in and we did the three new songs as well as an barbershop arrangement of 'Hold My Beer'. Let me explain. When 'Hold My Beer' first hit the charts in July of last year it was (and still is) getting a great crowd response. After an excellent festival gig the libations began to flow on the bus. One thing led to another and we came up with different ways to perform the song.... heavy metal, reggae, cocktail jazz. Barbershop was the style that stuck. Hopefully we'll document it someday.
The gig was an exciting 90 minutes - filled with screaming women, really loud guitars and drums. I bailed out of the post gig party to do some work in my room. I'm looking forward to the post gig report tomorrow.

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

Here are some of my observations of the March Eastern Canada run of Aaron Pritchett and the APB (roll call - Aaron (fearless frontman/ guitar), Mitch Merrett (guitar/ vocals/ management), Dennis Marcenko (bass/ vocals), Mike Sanyshyn (violin/ mandolin/ vocals), Ron Briggs (drums), Carmen Choney (tour management, merchandise), Scott "Scooter" Findlay (sound technician), Dwayne Nemlander (bus driver) and yours truly (keyboards/ guitar/ vocals).

March 21 - Dartmouth, NS - Rodeo Lounge - Meet and Greet

The trip started with the band flying out to Toronto from Vancouver and meeting up with the tour bus. This particular bus will be our primary mode of transportation on the longer runs as it was purchased by Aaron's "people". It's past owner (or at least the guy who held the lease) was Kenny Rogers .... which is a good thing. I have a feeling Kenny is a somewhat clean living guy -by comparison my brother in law Shane Hendrickson (who plays bass with Natalie McMaster) is currently riding around on a bus that belonged to Tommy Lee. What happened on those couches and bunks on that bus is a mystery I don't think anyone wants to unlock.
Due to prior commitments I flew straight to Halifax - the rest of them rode for around 18 hours to Halifax. I missed the meet and greet but apparently the event went well - hands shook, babies kissed, autographs signed and pictures taken. I got a report from the crew that the hospitality of the club was overwhelming ... as evidenced by the slow start everyone had the next morning. The club was nice enough to buy us breakfast the next morning which was most welcome. We are slated to come back for a gig in two days..... looking forward to it.

March 22 - Liverpool, NS - Astor Theatre

Nice gig. A small theatre in a wonderful little community about and hour and a half from Halifax. They were a great listening crowd. We hadn't played in quite about a month and a half with the full band so this was a nice way to get back in the groove.
By the end of the trip we should have six new songs added to the set including three new tunes written by Aaron, Mitch and some Nashville based writers. We're also doing a tune from his very first record called 'Perfectly Blue' - a slow 6/8 shuffle a la 'Treat Me Like A Fool' as well as 'Right Down The Line' - a Gerry Rafferty song from the 'Something Goin' On Here' CD. We managed to rehearse and add 'After The Rain' (a new ballad) at this show.
I think the town had a sale on digital cameras that day - every time I looked out that crowd every other person was snapping photos.

March 23 - Dartmouth, NS - Rodeo Lounge

Back for the show - we had a quick soundcheck. Due to some production issues (apparently the truck with the PA and backline broke down en route to the venue) we had time for a quick soundcheck as the lineup to get into the club was around the block (general admission). This impeded our chance to rehearse our second of the three new songs - 'My Kind Of Woman'.
We managed to have a hotel room rehearsal and worked MKOW up and got it in the set for that night.... it went pretty good - we'll hopefully have time at the next gig to nail it down a little better.
The gig was great - another one of those AP shows where the crowd deafened me. The band hung around after and enjoyed the hospitality once again .... very nice. I unfortunately had to retire early and get back to the room to complete some overdue tasks (accounting - tax time.... FYI deadline is the end of April - mid April for our US friends - so do your part!).
The next day we were invited back to club for more hospitality in the way of breakfast again! Good times.... we look forward to coming back.

March 24 - Truro, NS - Cobequid Education Centre

I'm on the bus by myself - the rest of the gang is in the venue signing autographs and I opted out to write whilst watching some romantic comedy with Hugh Grant where he plays a handsome and whimsical yet awkward English gentleman who gets caught in a "sticky wicket" eh wot. (Which movie was that again? Oh right - EVERY movie he's been in!)
A quick drive to Truro - about 45 minutes. Soundcheck was far more plentiful.... we had a couple of hours. We used most of the stage time to fine tune "After The Rain" and "My Kind Of Woman". We are especially excited about "After The Rain". It's a very good song written by Mitch, Aaron and Deric Ruttan. We are in preliminary arrangement stages and it is starting to really feel huge. It cries for big strings and we're setting it up for just that. Chances are it'll be in the set all year.
The gig was great - crazy crowd. Aaron, Mitch and I debuted a new tune that they had written called"All Over Again" - the third in the trio of new tunes. We did it acoustically - by the end of the trip I'm sure we'll have the band in on it as well. Dwayne our driver has started up on other duties - he escorted a couple of young ladies off stage when they made their way on stage to touch Aaron.
Great crowds in Nova Scotia - we're coming back in August - thanks everyone!

March 25 - Moncton, NB - The Rockin' Rodeo

We were here last year and I guess we're back by popular demand. Especially exciting was the prospect of hitting Captain Jack's, a restaurant on the water that serves an exquisite lobster feed. We left Truro early, looking forward to a lunchtime arrival. To our dismay our restaurant was closed for the season. After a slightly less satisfying lunch at another local eatery (which franchises into many other communities around the world) we carried on to soundcheck.
The gig was a madhouse - a party crowd as only the town of Moncton can provide. It seemed as those the party could've continued long into the night for the patrons and band however the bus had to be on the road by 2:30AM as we had to be in Toronto by Tuesday and wanted to allow sufficient travel time. Apparently rumours abound that we will be back here in August as well. The party will continue then. That's what we do. We party. Yee. Haw.

March 26 - New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario - Trans Canada Highway

Dwayne is earning his money by putting in several "overdrives" (bus driver lingo for overtime and double scale wages) to get us to Toronto in time for our show tomorrow. The time on the bus is passed several ways - movies, sleeping, writing blogs, editing recording projects by other artists (those two are mine), texting or calling friends and loved ones, confirming gigs and organizing booked ones (Carmen) and a new pastime - playing Jacks (not the card game - rather the game where one bounces a ball and you have to pick up as many jacks as you can - you know the one). Posted for your viewing pleasure is a little home movie (or pictures depending on which blog you visit) of this activity. It's actually a very nice way to travel. Exciting to note was the truck stop we visited. The typical pedestrian food fare was accented by a selection of East Indian food which was prepared by the owner .... very good and a very welcome surprise for myself and Carmen - the band Indian food aficionados.

Nazanin Showcase Dates - March 6-16

I was contacted by Bodog Music to assemble a band for an artist named Nazanin. Nazanin is a remarkable person. She was born in Iran and raised in Vancouver. She studied Political Science at UBC and speaks three languages. A former Ms. Canada and Ms. World runner up - she has received accolades from around the world for her humanitarian efforts.

She was instrumental in the release of a young Iranian girl whose name is also Nazanin. While walking with her 15 year old niece, three men attacked and tried to rape them. In self defense, she stabbed one of the men who later died in hospital. She was charged with murder and to be executed until Nazanin (the artist) collected over 350,000 signatures and through pressure from the UN and other organizations the young girl was released.

In order to strengthen her voice for humanitarian causes, she recorded an album which will be released her on April 24. A few showcase gigs were set up for publicity's sake - Vancouver at Ginger 62, West Hollywood at an amazing home one block off Sunset in the hills and New York at the Plumm Club.

The band was a pleasure - great friends all of them. I played bass and some piano, Chris Meister on drums, Lee Worden on guitar and vocals, Rick "Boink" Bazuin was our road manager and Carly Mckillip on keyboards and vocals (you may know Carly as the star of CTV's "Alice I Think" or from the singing duo with her sister "Saving Grace" - she's also the daughter of producer Tom Mckillip). It was Carly's first trip to NYC and we had a lot of fun. I learned a lot from her on the basic principles of cell phone texting - something I was not that versed in before.

Being fans of Woody Allen, Chris, Lee, Boink and I made certain we visited the Carnegie Deli, made famous on Woody's movie 'Broadway Danny Rose'. We ate some great food - I went for the Blintzes. Chris ordered a Rueben snadwich - the size of which had to be seen to be believed. Therefore - I am posting it .... and no, he did not finish it. The two pictures are before and after....

Nazanin is a pleasure - we had a great time. The gigs went well and everyone who met Nazanin fell in love with her and her message. She is a beautiful person inside and out. I hope we can do it again sometime soon.