Hello Dear Readers

Hope you have not forgotten about me, though I probably could not blame you if you did. As explained a few months back, my every writing moment has been taken up with a book for Random House Canada. I’ve been keeping touch over on Twitter, but have neglected this blog as the time and headspace was just not to be found to keep it up as in the past. The book commitments are winding down and I hope to resume regular broadcasts. Thanks so much for sticking with me.

The book is a memoir of sorts, which traces in a very winding and rambling way, my path from Petty Harbour to Great Big Sea. Tentatively titled, Where I Belong, the book tells tales primarily from my young life growing up a most awesome, wonderful and whacky little fishing town. If tales of leathery fishermen amusing young fellas while cutting out cod tongues, or altar boys pranking each other while in mid service, or a boys fascination with his Uncle Ronnie’s band are to your taste, this book should be a fun read.

Where I Belong is slated for final printing in the second quarter of 2014 and on the shelves early in October, 2014. Thanks so much for the advance interest in it. Stay tuned here and on Twitter for snippets and announcements.

The GBS XX Tour has two legs left, one in October and one in November. It has been a dream tour since day 1. What a treat it has been to be in the center of a celebration for so many people for so long. How about having the Waterboys share the stage with us in Toronto? How about playing for almost 30,000 people at the Ottawa Bluesfest? Or the incredible chance of a lifetime help Bostonians take back their city in the wake of the terrorism at the Boston Marathon. Not to mention two amazing gigs here at home, at Mile One and at the George Street Festival. All amazing nights and we have a bunch more to come. Check here for all the details.

Had an amazing time in Fogo Island last weekend, as I played a small gig in support of the Shorefast Foundation. This group, led by the inspiring Zita Cobb, have taken the revitalization of Fogo Island on their backs and are running with it in World Class form. The center of it all is the Fogo Island Inn, which I have not the words to describe, so I encourage you to check it out here, or better yet, catch the ferry to Fogo Island and see for yourself. Your eyes will not believe what they are seeing. Seems Impossible. But nothing is impossible for Zita Cobb and her group.

Currently on the set of Republic of Doyle, reprising the role of Wolf Redmond, tough guy undercover agent often found with his accident prone partner Jimmy O’Rourke, played so perfectly by the uber talented Scott Grimes. What a time. I’ve been getting a crash course in acting from Scott, as well as Allan Hawco, Sean McGinley and Lynda Boyd, just to name a few.

Been writing some songs for a new Alan Doyle CD that I hope to record early in the New Year and debuted a few of them at the Jackson Triggs gigs a few weekends ago. Can’t wait to get at it for real.

Back in front of the cameras in a few minutes, moonlighting with the best cast on a TV Set in Canadian Television.

Back on the road in a few weeks with the best cast on a Tour Bus in Canadian Music.

See you out there.

Cheers,
Alan

Hey Dear Readers

Apologies for my larger than usual absences here, but I’ve been writing like a crazy person to meet some self imposed deadlines for the memoir of sorts that I spoke of here a while back. I hope the Twitter feed over at @alanthomasdoyle is keeping us all connected.

Just dropping in here to say some Thank You all for the GBS Birthday wishes. Two days ago was the 20th anniversary of myself and Sean and Bob playing together. Hence the XX Tour and Box Set this year. The shows have been awesome so far and I’m looking forward to the rest.

Rolling to Calgary tonight after two awesome days in Edmonton.

Off we go.

Cheers
Alan

Bob Hallett and I just left Oz FM to chat up our upcoming concert stop in St. John’s. I remember going there in 1993 with our indy tape and asking the lady at the desk to give it to the folks on air see if they would play it. Much to my surprise, they did! OzFM, NTV, and the Newfoundland Herald, all of which live within the walls of those buildings on Torbay Road, have helped give us a two-decade career. I am very grateful to them all.

This afternoon, I’m heading up to Take the Shot Productions where they put together Republic of Doyle along with a few other shows. I’m going up there to get them to help me assemble some video stuff for the upcoming GBS XX Tour. I’m hoping we’ll be able to incorporate some archival (Jaysus, that word makes me sound ancient) footage of previous performances and videos into the two-set concert we are mounting in March. You can see cool bits of this footage on a DVD in the GBS XX Box Set, by the way.

Just got a sketch of how the GBS XX Summer and Fall should look as well. Very exciting to see big dates proposed for cities like Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, and a few others across the border. We should roll right up till years end. Yeha.

As for me I’ve got a couple of other things on the go. As many of you know, I’ve been toiling to finish a Documentary Film on the making of the Boy on Bridge CD. I filmed just about every recording session in all the likely and unlikely places. Happy to say that the film has finally been edited and the sound mix is complete. The colour correction and titles etc get done this and next week and then we’ll be ready to bring it to the broadcaster and discuss an air date. Not sure when that would be, but I would not be surprised if it were around the 1 year anniversary of the release of the CD in May. Could be earlier, could be later. Keep you posted. Stay tuned for web clips and trailers to come very soon.

Also, I’ve been in discussions with Random House Canada and am happy to report that I’ve signed a deal to write a memoir of sorts. I suspect it will be made up of tales of growing up in a small fishing town, leading to a professional life on stages around half the world. How’s that for a vague description? Truth be told, I’ve submitted about 20,000 words already and have a notion for how its going to go…I think. I’m very grateful to Nita, a wonderful editor who’s responsible for helping me wade through my hundreds of pages and try to make sense of my madness. Very excited about this whole thing, I must say. Again, keep you posted.

I had a great time in Fort MacMurray, Alberta last week. There have been such amazing developments in that town and it is thrilling to watch it turn into a wonderful place to live and work and raise a family. Well done Mayor Melissa. Congrats on your amazing passion and vision for the city that is to come.

I’ve spent more than a little bit of time shoveling and flooding a rink in my neighborhood. I’ve become a little obsessed with it, I confess. Not totally sure why. Is it because I want to skate and play hockey with the kids? Is it because I want to exercise outside more? Is it because I feel like I’m cheating Winter a little by finding great joy in her coldest nights? Is it because I feel oddly empowered by building something pleasurable out of a primal element as harsh as ice?

Or is it because I have found something for the first time in my life? That is, a hobby. I know most people have them, but I can’t say that I ever enjoyed doing something completely detached from my studies, exercise, duties, or work. I’ve never really done something in my spare time, I don’t think. Sorry if this is boring to you, but I can’t help but explain that this is a completely new feeling of satisfaction for me. I have never enjoyed crafts, or gardening, or model shipbuilding or whatever, so I’m surprisingly thrilled to be out with a hose, a bucket and shovel, late at night in -10Celsisus.

Looking forward to a few AD Band and Trio shows coming up in St. John’s, Calgary, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Penticton, and Kelowna. Check out www.alandoyle.ca/tour for all the details.

Thanks for all the Tweets, by the way. I’m @alanthomasdoyle on twitter…

Cheers,
Alan