Well its been a pretty quiet couple of weeks. Not much to report.

Just kidding of course. Where to begin?

Weekend before last, the third incarnation of the Crowe/Doyle Indoor Garden hit the stage in New York City. I would be tough to call it anything other than an amazing night for all concerned. I got to NY a few days prior and met up with RC, Scotty, and the Size 2 Shoes Gents and a few other regular members of the gang. Was delighted over the next few days to work with Roberta Duchak, a lovely lady who has a storied pedigree in Musical Theatre and has become one of the most sought after vocal coaches in North America. Likewise, I was charmed to meet Samantha Barks who is to star in Les Mis with RC and could be one of the loveliest singers I’ve ever shared the stage with. Over emails and phone calls, I had worked with Carl Falk before, as he did all the additional music on the Crowe/Doyle Song Book Vol. 3, but I have never had the pleasure to meet him in person till the day of the show. That same day big Kev dashed in and rounded out the Merry Men. We all gathered and made for a great night on stage and in the audience too, I think.

Have I forgotten anyone? Oh yeah, Sting played too.

HOLY SHITE.

The day of the gig RC, whispers to me, ‘Looks like Sting might make it towards the end. He wants to sing ‘Every Breath You Take’ in the key of A major. Can you play it?’ I coolly looked right at him tried not act anywhere near as excited as I was, took a deep breath, and lied right to his face saying, ‘Yeah of course no sweat.’ Next possible moment I was surfing the net for chord charts and Youtube performances to get the changes right and scribbling cheat notes.

It’s a funny thing when opportunities like this arise. Often, and lucky for me, I am asked to do things I have no history or experience doing. You may wonder if I got nervous or anxious when I first acted with Oscar winners, or while meeting Royalty, or almost filled in at the last second for Blue Rodeo’s Bass Player live on National TV at the Half Time show of the Grey Cup. And I certainly did, but I was buoyed by the fact that I honestly am not supposed to know how to do those things. I really don’t want to shag these things up, but I don’t feel the same pressure I feel when some one asks me to play guitar or sing for them.

You see, I AM supposed to know how to do those things. I have been playing guitar and singing professionally for pretty close to thirty years. I should be way better at both of those things. And I am not being falsely modest here. I can sing in tune in my own way, and I can play rhythm guitar modestly well, but I am not a hired gun axeman or vocalist by any stretch. And most times that suits me just fine, as it is my own thing and thankfully some folks enjoy it. But when you are about to play ‘Every Breath you Take’ for Sting, a fella like me can’t help but think, ‘Frig, I wish I was a better guitar player.’

So I went and got Scotty and between him and me we agreed on what we thought the most commonly used chords and changes were between the many Sting and Police versions of this tune and we had something ready, in case one of the most famous people in Music History really showed up and asked us to play for him.

As many of you know, show up he did, and me and Scotty brazenly launched into it, again, trying to look muso cool, like this was no big deal. Pretty sure I can speak for Scotty when I say I can remember no time on stage when I wanted to play some thing right. I confess that normally occupies little of my attention.(I hope that’s not being too honest) Most times I am living in the moment of the songs and performance, and the nuts and bolts of the chords, rhythm and melody, have been ingrained over dozens or hundreds or thousands of plays, and they come out correctly on their own. But during the Sting song, behind my ‘yeah cool song man’ kind of smirk, I was counting bars and mentally forecasting the changes and sections to come.

I think it went well. The crowd loved it and Sting seemed as delighted to get to play with new people as we were to accompany him. There was one point though where Sting looked at me across the stage and uttered one word…’bridge’. It happened really quicky, and all that I am about to describe happen in a sec or two.

I looked back at him and thought to my self, “did he say ‘bridge’ or did he ask ‘bridge?’” And I was blown back to one of the hockey dances in the basement of the church in Petty Harbour in the mid 80’s where all the fellas would strategically try to get a gal lined up to dance for the slow dances. I recall getting a pretty girl who shall remain nameless, to agree to dance with me to this song. It was one of those dances where your head is past hers and slowly you both move your head back and you feel your ear next to hers, next thing you know, your cheeks are brushing, and in any second lips will be touching and you’ll be getting a kiss at the hockey dance. The song ended before I managed to get a smooch, but I remember it being the soundtrack to a lesson in courtship and a beautiful memory of my young life in my little fishing town with a population of 500 or so.

And now here I am in the Greatest City on Earth playing with the singer and composer of this song, and is he asking me if the bridge comes next? Jaysus.

Of course, I tried to show none of this irony and excitement to Sting or the others on stage or the audience. I just looked back at the lead singer of the Police and when he said or asked ‘bridge’, I said ‘yep.’

Then it was over and we all cheered and thanked Russell for organizing this whole deal and were celebrating an uber cool moment with Sting when I had to turn the corner to get a moment to myself and blink a few times. When I got around the corner, Scotty was already there. This is what two lucky bastards look like moments after they got to be Stings band.

That’s probably enough for now, though I’ve got loads to tell you about. Topics include the New GBS XX Box, video, and press and tour dates. A cool CD myself and Bob and a few others are finishing for a friend who passed away far too young. Also a night with the Symphony as Cory and Kendel and I play AD tunes with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra tonight. And maybe even some cool news about a wee part in a big movie.

Stay tuned.

The sun is shining again. Got to go get the Prince at school. It was Pajama day today and when I dropped him off there were dozens of kids running around in PJ’s. What a laugh.

As always, many thanks for reading, tweeting, and supporting all the stuff. I am very grateful for all of it.

Cheers,
Alan

Hey, didn’t I just write a blog from this very chair here in the AC Lounge in St John’s Airport while awaiting a delayed flight to Halifax? Hmm. Déjà vu.

I am still on a bit of a high from Sunday night past. As mentioned here and on Twitter, a bunch of Newfoundland musicians gatherer at the Delta Hotel for The Night of a Thousand Songs, a benefit for our songwriting hero, Ron Hynes, who is battling Cancer. Live music is a wonderfully chaotic thing. Throwing together nearly fifty musicians with little or no rehearsal to perform songs they don’t usually do, should be a recipe for a train wreck or two. But on Sunday night I feel like I got to do something that almost never happens. I feel like I played in a perfect concert.

I don’t want to sound like a braggart or something but I have played in thousands of concerts, and am grateful for everyone one of them. Good, Bad and Ugly. But Sunday night honestly felt as perfect an event as I’ve ever had the privilege to see, much less be a part of. Every act from the smallest most acoustic tune to the biggest rockers of the night were delivered with such honest passion that they were each amazing in their own way. It was music and performance at its finest as every last person sang and played for exactly the right reasons. Love and Gratitude. Love for the song. Love for the songwriter. Gratitude to get the chance to sing in such an environment. Gratitude to get the chance help a friend. Love and Gratitude to play even the smallest role in a night that everyone knew was magical.

Like I said, I am still a bit buzzed from it all. If it is at all possible, I love being a part of the Newfoundland Music Community even more than I did a week ago. Big shout out to Glen Tilley, Paul Kinsman, Heather McKinnon and Tony Murray, just four of the dozens of people who worked so hard to make it all happen.

I’m off to Mount Stewart, Prince Edward Island today for two shows at the Trailside Café. It’s a cool and tiny little place, I hear. It should be myself and Cory T on guitars and stuff and we are being joined for the first time by uber talented Lisa Macisaac. Our usual Fiddle Lady, Kendel Carson is out on another gig and could not make it, so we are grateful to Lisa for jumping aboard and eager to share the stage with her for the weekend.

Many thanks to folks who have seen and heard the Testify video and single and have requested it at their fav stations. It is actually getting added to playlists in both Canada in the US. If we are not careful, we might actually get a song on the charts. Jaysus. For those who have not seen he vid, here it is:

All hands very excited in the GBS camp as well. Just weeks away from the release of GBS XX our Twentieth Anniversary Box Set. There be a pile of stuff in there and we are doing 100 Very Limited Edition Boxes with one of a kind stuff in it along with concert tickets etc. We put them up for pre order yesterday, but the sold out in minutes. Looks like we are not the only ones excited for the XX Celebrations. We have a gig to kick start the launch of the Box in a few weeks in Toronto. Check it out if you can. All the info at www.greatbigsea.com

Finally, and sadly, we have to say Fare Thee Well to one of my favourite singers, Raylene Rankin of the Rankin Family. Gone too young. Condolences to Jimmy and all the rest of the Rankins, who paved the way for many bands and fiddlers and singers and songwriters from this part of the world. RIP Raylene.

More stuff about movies, books and shows to come. Stay tuned here and follow alanthomasdoyle on Twitter to hear the latest.

Currently awaiting the delayed arrival of an aircraft that should quickly turn around and get me to Halifax. From there I am to be whisked in very Rock and Roll fashion down the shore to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where I am to help celebrate the re-launching of the famed schooner, Bluenose. (actually the Bluenose 2 for the stickly out there).

Pretty sure most Canadian and maybe even North Easter North Americans know about The Bluenose. Wikipedia says,

Bluenose was a Canadian fishing and racing schooner from Nova Scotia built in 1921. She was later commemorated by a replica Bluenose II built in 1963. A celebrated racing ship and hard-working fishing vessel, Bluenose became a provincial icon for Nova Scotia and an important Canadian symbol in the 1930s. The name “bluenose” originated as a nickname for Nova Scotians from as early as the late 18th century.

I remember asking my Father about the Bluenose when I was a wee fella. I knew about it because it was, and still is, the big ship that fills up one side of a Canadian 10 cent coin.

I think Dad told me it was a famous fishing boat from the Mainland, which for the uninitiated meant anywhere in North America other than Newfoundland; and also meant it was most likely no where near as good as any boat built on The Rock. For this reason I spent a big part of my youth a bit jealous that Nova Scotia got one of their boats on a coin and Newfoundland, to knowledge at the time, had not. I have long since gotten over this. Don’t worry.

I would learn later that the Bluenose was a big deal in the schooner world and a bigger deal in Nova Scotia. It has become an icon of Nova Scotian history and pride in a million lifetimes built on the sea.

It will come as no surprise to frequent readers here that I love Nova Scotia. From the first GBS gigs at the Lower Deck, I have felt amongst friends and family there. So I am delighted to get a chance to join in the celebration on one of the Provinces most special days. I am grateful to the owners for asking a Non Bluenoser to sing along, and I might keep the story of my silly youthful resentment to myself till tomorrow as a sign of my respect and appreciation.

Much ado in the near and distant future. A quick turn around tomorrow morning should se me back home tomorrow to sing in the Night of a Thousand Songs; a benefit for the God of Newfoundland Song, Ron Hynes. Ron is my favorite songwriter. Ever. He was one of the founding members of the Wonderful Grand Band, a musical/comedy act in the 70’s that owned the Radio and TV airwaves in Newfoundland. I’ve written about them many times here I’m sure. They sang songs, not from New York or La or London, but from home. We all grew up completely confident that the coolest stories we could tell were our own. The best place to look for songs was your own back yard. At the heart of that band and many solo CD’s since was Ron’s songwriting. A poet from just up the shore who got a whole generation of young Newfoundland would-be musicians and artists to look in before looking out.

Many people made me want to play music. Ron Hynes made me want to write songs.

Ron is battling Cancer and may be off the stage for an extended period. He needs a little help to get him through and me and every other musician I know from Newfoundland, are jumping to help. Night of a Thousand Songs Sold Out in about a millisecond as scores of music fans want to lend a hand for a Hero. I’m thrilled to hear of similar support in Halifax and Toronto and even Nashville. Thanks everybody.

Next week I blast back to the Maritimes. I play at the Trailside Café on Prince Edward Island on Wednesday and Thursday. These days I’ll be accompanied by Cory Tetford on guitar and stuff, and Lisa MacIsaac on fiddle and stuff. Then we three roll to Halifax for a celebration of Alexander Keith’s Birthday and we’ll be joind by the other AD Band folks, Kris on drums, Sheab on bass, and Todd on piano and stuff. Really looking forward to the whole weekend. Andrew James Obien joins us in PEI. He’s all kinds of awesome.

Out through the AC Lounge window, I see that the tardy plane is sliding into the gate. Looks like the bag guys are rushing stuff of their which most likely means they want to turn this sucker around in a hurry. Best suspend this chat here. Don’t want to risk missing the plane and have Bluenose waiting on me.

More cool stuff ahead.

Thanks for everything.

Cheers,
Alan