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BNL Blog
I just heard an enlightening and crucial Q (http://www.cbc.ca/q/) show today about Haiti. I highly recommend checking it out. It really gave me a lot more perspective on the state of Haiti. Also, Ron Sexsmith sang a song that cut right to the heart of the issue. There will be a telethon tonight at 8pm on CTV that will have a lot of our Canadian friends playing and raising money for the relief. Catch it you can.
Jim
We played in Boston last night. It was good to hook up with friends that I haven’t seen in a while. We were getting all nostalgic with Greg and Mike from Mix 104.1. We talked about the humongous turnout at city hall when Stunt came out, back in '98. I like those guys. I liked ‘em then, and I like ’em now.
posted by Jim on November 13, 2009
in Brothers Creeggan, Causes, Dave Bidini, Justice for Children and Youths
I've had a few good weeks of seeing some good friends making Art. Two weeks ago my brother Andy and I played a 40th birthday party for Octopus Books in Ottawa. The Bidini Band was on the show with us. It was life affirming to see Dave Bidini rock out the way he always has with the Rheostatics. He has surrounded himself with exciting, convention bashing musicians who take the music higher at every turn. Doug Frieson on Bass, Paul Linklater: guitar, and Don Kerr: Drums. The Rheostatics will always be at the core of what has inspired the Ladies.
I'm currently regrouping in my hotel room in Primm Nevada. The hotel is Buffalo Bills. It looks like a big grain elevator except for the roller coaster that sends screaming people past my window every 20 minutes. At first I thought it was a Harley Davidson Hog blowing it's muffler off into my room, but after I had the guts to peak outside my window, I realized it was just some folks having a thrill. I'm cool with it now. It's amazing how you can get used to anything. Maybe I just know what it's like to be a screamer.
Tyler has been dubbed "The Party Commando", he has been given an open invitation to a big party that Kev's Dad (Big Pat) will be having some day. When there is no hope that a party will happen, Tyler will defy all odds, and tear the roof off the sucka. Back Stage before our Rockford show, Tyler made it happen once again. He utilized the sound of a funk band playing next door to get things started right. Kevin was really there for him too.
I grew a beard this summer. It’s the first beard I have physically been able to grow. When I’ve tried in the past, I often end up with random sprouts of hair on my face. Mind you, my moles are consistently the most prolific whisker makers. There is a mole on my right cheek that if left a day or two, becomes the consistency of a needle. So much for Montreal style greetings. I have to keep that one well trimmed, at least for the sake of the French.
Who says Keyboardists can't dance? Kev has found the way. There is no stopping him. Believe or not, he's walking on air.
It's a day later, and I'm still enjoying the after Taste Of Chicago. Your city is amazing, and I want my town of Toronto to follow your lead. The way Chicago has reinvigorated its waterfront is truly inspiring. I even saw palm trees lining a beach outside my hotel window. I'm not sure how Chicago pulled this off, but I'm all ears. The free Classical music concerts in Millennium Park has made chamber music fun again. Pizza, and Paganini in the park, what else could one ask for?
We're having a day off in Chicago after playing Muskegon yesterday.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Muskegon is a special place for me. But is it shallow to feel a connection with a place just because it rhymes with your last name? I'm convinced an old country song is buried somewhere in Michigan. "Jimmy Creeggan from Muskegon, it's been a while since we've seen 'em...".
