I probably should have written something about the Calgary Stampede, but i think the videos about it,
Parts 1,2 and 3 sum it all up quite nicely.
What you didn't see was our two sets and Ranahan's, the "high-rollers'" lounge above and behind the Grandstand on the Stampede grounds. it was a little ironic to be playing background music through the speaker's in the ceiling for people just having some drinks and getting a dose of air-conditioning, considering Jessie had just hours before sung the national anthem for 30,000 people in the stands. Make no mistake, I am not suggesting that the project "has arrived" and that we should be getting any superstar treatment -- we have a long way to go and a lot to prove before that happens -- just drastic shift, the kind that can only really happen in the entertainment industry. We had some fun and messed around a bit with the songs because we figured no one was listening (except perhaps for my family members who were there, who were at least half-listening). It was acoustic. J-Go didn't play, so he shot some video of us, had a drink, smoked 34 cigarettes and solved another Rubik's Cube.
Nashville North, as anyone who was there will know, had over the week of the Stampede achieved the most sickly-sweet smell of stale beer, sour feet, vomit, and sweat, slow-baked in the huge tent at 55 degrees celsius. It was in effect, a drunk human greenhouse. We got used to it. It was part of the fun. The band Hey Romeo was a highlight.
It was nice to see some familiar faces from our previous shows in Alberta. Hopefully people that have seen the show a few times already enjoyed the addition of Chris on keyboards. Chris is an old friend of mine who lives in Sydney, BC. I played in a bunch of other bands with him when I lived in Victoria. He is the only guy I know who could have played all that music with one rehearsal and a quick cram session listening to mp3s on the plane. Incredible player. He's a busy man, but we expect to have him back for more shows in the future.
On Sunday we head to Tumbler Ridge for GrizFest. I have to say it's been a lot quieter this summer than I thought in terms of how many gigs we've played. The album release has been pushed back a bit to October, but starting in September things are going to really start to cook with a big show in Moncton with Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, rolling right into the CCMAs. I just found out yesterday that Jessie has been nominated for a Rising Star award, or something to that effect, and Female Artist of the Year. Do they know that her album isn't even out yet? I guess they know a good thing when they hear it, but what cool way to start a career, just months after the first little tour with Emerson Drive. The band is excited, too. Maybe we'll get a bus.
R.