First off, Happy New Year to everybody!
2009 was quite a notable year in music. Springsteen released 'Working On A Dream", Metallica was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame, Iron Maiden released their 'Flight 666' documentary, Michael Jackson and Vic Chenutt died, and Faith No More reformed for a tour.
Meanwhile, a little closer to home I had the greatest year with the release of "Achin In Yer Bones". Three U.S. tours, two European tours, two Canadian tours, ten festivals, and well over 200 shows. I was honoured to have 3 nominations for album and songwriter of the year in Canadian music awards, two of which I was so humbled to take home at The WCMAs in September. That was a great weekend where I also got to perform with one of my all time favourite bands from Saskatoon, The Sheepdogs.
I had the greatest opportunity of having The Weber Brothers back me up for 6 months of the year. We toured the globe and they are some of the most talented musicians anyone can have on stage with them. I presently have the honour of having Jason Nowicki (of The Perpetrators fame) officially join the band this winter, along with rock steady and true champion of music David Landreth on the bass. The newest addition to the band's line up is Canada's own Ryan Voth, an off the charts solid heartbeat of a drummer who we are all really excited to hit the stage and the road with.
There's a lot to look forward to for 2010. The new band line up and I will be touring South of the border down the midwest to Texas and then Western Canada in the spring. We will also be heading back over the pond to Europe in May (Germany, Holland, UK and Sweden). I am also presently working with Anagram Pictures to write the soundtrack to a movie they are working on. More info on that coming soon.
As I hunker down for my three months off this winter, I'll be doing more writing (and sleeping... OKAY, OKAY... and some festive drinkin) trying to rest up and gear up for another great year of music, touring, new friends, reuniting with old friends, and all around givin'er.
Thank you so much to everyone that is reading this, cuz that means you give a shit to some capacity and have helped support what I do along the way and I absolutely couldn't do all this without you. Hope to see you out there again in 2010!