Hello from snowy Hamilton (still).
Slippery, icy conditions on the roads in eastern Ontario this weekend getting to and from shows. But, some traction and joy sharing songs and stories @ The Branch in Kemptville and @ Ben and Christina's house in Russell. Thank you Bruce, Christina and Ben, Mike and Michelle for making it all happen! CBC Ottawa and David Yazbeck @ CKCU, thank you for promoting the show at The Branch and playing my songs!
A heartfelt thank you to all of you who came to hear me play too. Your support and interest means a great deal. Not lost on me that you could have chosen to burrow at home instead of brushing and scraping off your cars to venture out. Wonderful, slightly unnerving, but never soul-sucking (!) to make music as you listened with quiet intent. Bruce (@ The Branch), have you ever considered getting a patent for your "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh" table cards!?
Special shout out to my young, talented nephew Seth for his debut bass playing in front of paying guests at The Branch. You rock. He held me, my brother Mike and sister-in-law Michelle in line as we sang "The Maker" by Daniel Lanois. Thank you Mikie and Michelle for singing and playing with abandon.
As an ice shell formed around my car on the longer-than-usual drive back to Hamilton, I listened to Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life with my daughter who accompanied me on the trip. Later it was Tallest Man On Earth, Kris Kristopherson and Iris Dement (footnote: teenage daughter retreated to her own listening at this leg of the listening trip). Eight hours of winter driving made bearable and even timeless.
Peace,
Paul
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