I’ve had a great run of shows this past couple of months, most of which have been in the mountains. Gary recently added some photos to the website (and thank you Tyler Hunt for shooting photos of the Highland Park show!)

Gary and I were in Jasper for two weeks, and I performed two shows per day at the Jasper Park Lodge. Since this was 6 hours per day, I did the first show on piano (no vocals) and the second show with vocals/guitar/violin/keyboard and looping. It was great fun, and I got to meet people from around the world; lots of visitors from Germany, the US, and Australia especially. I even met a lovely family from Uruguay; a little boy gave me a nifty mosquito bracelet – ha!

Stampede was really fun this year too; lots of hotel shows meeting many tourists…and a few more unique private shows, like playing Highland Park Community with a couple of really cool acts from Blue Willow Entertainment- Jaiden Riley and the Crybabies, and Rosie Crisp. Both amazing talents.

One of my favourite moments was playing at Cambridge Manor – a beautiful seniors’ residence in NW Calgary. I was going through the audience and meeting everyone before I started the show, and met a lovely woman named Jeannie who enjoyed singing. I got her up with me to sing the last song (You Are My Sunshine) She was thrilled, and so was the audience, to see one of their own get up and do it!

By the end of August, Gary tells me we’ll have done 98 shows this year! Amazing – we’re having a ball, and getting to see some of the most beautiful mountain destinations.

Meanwhile, thanks to all the shows, I’m getting to play a lot more violin and getting smoother; I’m still not playing any Orange Blossom Special or Devil Went Down to Georgia, but I can do many beautiful little fiddle tunes, and add violin layers to several songs. Four Strong Winds and Faded Love are gorgeous on violin!

I was really happy to book a wedding in September where the bride wants to hear a few Irish fiddle tunes, and some East Coast music! Yes! Those are genres I don’t often get to play much of, but really enjoy.

In Calgary, I’ll be playing at Palliser Hotel’s Hawthorn Lounge in August and September, as well as doing more piano shows at Banff Springs Hotel. Come on down to see me.

I’m also working on a Holiday EP….more news on that soon!