There’s barely a leaf left on the trees on my street and the backyard is quickly going from flowery and green to branchy and brown.  There’s a snowstorm forecasted for tomorrow. My 9-year-old son is already planning our snow day activities. I’ve heard Christmas music playing in stores and restaurants for more than a week. Perhaps most telling, there is a wind shifting up form the harbor that announces, without question, Winter is Coming. Very soon we’ll have the dawning of a New Year and I’m hoping 2016 was every bit as adventurous and fun as 2015.

The SO LET’S GO tour has been the thrill of a lifetime, and the few weeks on the road with Barenaked Ladies was a dream come true. I got home in time to send off a hero of mine, and the Ron Hynes celebration at the Basilica was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been a part of.  I’ll have more to say about that in the future, as I need more time to consider the whole deal.

I’ve just finished a few back and forth texts with my manager, Louis, talking about some exciting Summer 2016 gigs that are already on the books. Most notably, a main stage Saturday afternoon slot at the incredible Boots & Hearts Festival in August. So thrilled to be a part of this amazing lineup, which includes some of the biggest names in country and roots music. Many more in the works for the summer, so stay tuned.

Thankfully, I don’t have to wait till the snow melts to get back out there with the beloved Beautiful Gypsies. By afternoon on Friday, December 4th, a pile of new shows will be up for sale. They go from Ontario and Atlantic Canada all the way down to South Florida.  Me and the BGs will be playing tunes from my two albums, some Great Big Sea faves, traditional Newfoundland songs, and even a fun cover or two to make for the greatest kitchen party in history. Rolling into some really new places in the southern US, so please spread the word to some new faces who might come along for their first time. I’m totally happy to sign a CD or book, take a photo or just say Hi after any of these shows. Just hang around and we’ll get together.

All the dates and venues are noted here.

I’ve got to put away the leaf rake and get out the snow shovel.  Loves it.

Cheers,
Alan

Some sideways snow and a slightly delayed flight affords a quick moment here in St. John’s Airport.  I am hoping an airplane lands here shortly and ferries me back to Toronto to rejoin the Barenaked Ladies Tour in Hamilton tonight.  Me and The Beautiful Gypsies have been having a ball on the road with Ed, Jim, Kevin and Tyler and all the crew.  We’ve been treated like family since Day 1 and I’ll be forever grateful to them for this opportunity to play some old and new tunes for a bunch of new people.

I’ve been missing playing longer full shows and I have not done an honest to God opening tour since GBS opened for Runrig in Europe in 2002, I think.  But I have to say, I’ve enjoyed the chance to warm up the crowd and get it all done quickly.  Its also been very gracious of Ed and the boys to ask us back for a song or two in the BNL set, which I have described as follows…cool new tune, hit sing, hit song, hit song you forgot about, some charmingly honest improvised rap about the day we’ve had in the town, cool new tune, hit song, hit song, cool guest spots, hit song, hit song, really big international hit song, Canadian classic, Canadian classic, sing along, something funny, goodnight.  It is awesome.

When Ed asked me to sing Lovers in a Dangerous Time with them, he wondered if I knew it.  I answered honestly.   ‘Ed, I figure I’ve been singing that song about two weeks less than you.’  I started singing that song in pubs the moment I heard it first.  One of my fav covers of all time.

When GBS went into record our first blue cassette in 1993, we brought in the BNL Yellow tape as inspiration and guidance.  We figured if one of the biggest bands in Canada could make a living singing acoustic driven music, then maybe we could too.  It has been positively surreal some nights to stand on stage with them and be treated like and equal and a pal.  I am a Lucky Bastard.

The tour continues tonight in Hamilton.  Very happy to report a plane has emerged from the snow and we are boarding.

Love to see you at the last few shows this week.  All the info on the tour page.

Cheers,
Alan

Canada is a big country. I have said this before, I know, but today I hope you don’t mind if I repeat it. Today I will spend about 11 hours in airplanes and when I land I’ll still be in the same country. There are very few domestic routes that can boast such duration, but when you start in St. John’s and fly West to Toronto, then to Vancouver and North to Prince George, you understand the mass of land that is Canada.

Perhaps this will help illustrate the size of this Nation, and how far to the East of it I am starting my journey. When I stand on the street in Prince George later today, I will be further away from my house than if I was standing on a street in Berlin. About 200 kilometers closer, as the crow flies. And that would be some kind of crow.

But I’m not complaining. Quite to the contrary. Super excited to head West today to start a tour with The Beautiful Gypsies and sharing the stage with Barenaked Ladies. It been a while since I did an opening gig. Back in 2002, I think, GBS opened for Runrig in Scotland, England, Denmark and Germany. What a time we had. I’ve known Ed and the BNL guys for over two decades and they have always ben great supporters of me and other Canadians. So grateful to them for the invite to join up with them on this run. Looking forward to it all.

And it all is laid out on the website. Love to see you at the gigs. I’m happy to sign CDs, Books, or whatever at the Intermission so come on down. Full tour Info is here.

You might notice I’ve release a Deluxe Tour Edition of SO LET’S GO. It includes a studio version of I am a Sailor featuring Beautiful Gypsy Paul Kinsman on Piano and the most awesome string arraignment of Keith Power. There’s also a live version of a previously unreleased track ‘Dream of Home’ recorded at the Rebecca Cohn Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And, you’ll get the 1,2,3,4 remix with Ed Robertson from BNL and the wicked video for the same.

In other news, the Paperback and Audiobook versions of Where I Belong are available. So you can hear me reading me. Could be great or awful, depending on if you can stand to listen to my voice for 7 hours. All that stuff is available here.

Alright. Flight #1 awaits. SO LET’S GO

Cheers,
Alan