Back in town now after a hectic couple weeks of travel.   Canada Music Week was a wonderful experience – had a chance to see one of my favourite songwriters, Gordie Sampson play his song “Paris,” on piano – which I recorded and have listened to numerous times already (because I love performing this song – and met his mother last year, who performed it on piano also). I also saw couple of my other favourite performers, Emmylou Harris, who was as elegant and soulful as ever, and the incomparable Randy Bachman.  Randy told an hilarious story of how he wrote “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” on a lark to tease his brother who had a stutter – and it ended up being a big hit.   The jam was hosted by Paul Williams, who has written tons of famous songs, including “Rainbow Connection” for Kermit the Frog.  He made an impassioned speech, which included the inspirational reminder that, “There are thousands of unborn children that need to dance to your songs!” – which I plan to use whenever I need a pick-me-up!  Just hearing it said made my eyes water!

Then this weekend, we were in Thunder Bay, mainly to visit CILU, the local station that really supported Red Hot Candy Heart out of the gate, and took it to #1 on their local folk/roots chart.   Jason Wellwood, the station manager, gave me a 1-hour live show, and then I performed at the local Ruby Moon that night.    It was a really fun show, and ended up in an acoustic jam at one of the tables – we even got a local blues harmonica player, Tracey K to join in…she’s also a great harmony singer.

I also found out while I was away that my album received another strong review from Jason Gladu at Stage Door reviews…check it out!

In other news, I’ve been booked again this year as a featured artist at the Calgary Stampede – yahoo!  Thanks to Pat McGannon at PM Gigs for lining this one up.

Next on the agenda: flat-out rehearsal and prep for the April  7th show at Cantos!