The Blind Dates tour: 14 shows in 3 weeks over 4 provinces with Melanie Brulée. It was a dive in to the unknown, a trip full of surprises. Since there’s nothing like a bar-tour to remind me of some of the big lessons in life, instead of the usual, I thought I’d give you the top 5 best bits of wisdom gathered the road…
1 – Cornwall, North Bay: Challenges. Cornwall was like one of those musician nightmares. You know, the ones where everything that can possibly go wrong does, technical issues, a giant spaghetti of cables, strings breaking, lost capos and a thunderstorm… Except that it wasn’t a dream. It was our first show. The lesson: It can only get better. A few days later, in North Bay, was the ultimate test of our determination to win over a drunken rowdy crowd, at all cost. The lesson: Even when you think no one is listening, they can still hear you.
2 – Farm Fest / lessons from Earl: I left a few days before Mel to give some workshops in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, where we were booked at Farm Fest. It was magical, music, harmonies, family and breathtaking scenery. But this one is a particular lesson. Mel texts me saying, « A super good friend of mine is hopping in. » I thought, sure, expecting a girl, our age. I was surprised, to say the least, when she showed up with a little white haired man! Washboard player, traveling salesman (he’d been selling showerheads out of my station wagon), vagabond, carnie, Earl told us stories, showed amazing generosity and openness, always with a smile. I know, there’s a bit of « don’t judge a book by its’ cover » here, but the real lesson is this: Through the highs and lows of life, always trust that you are at the right place, at the right time.
3 – Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sudbury, amazing shows. The lessons: Ask for help when you’re overwhelmed (Thanks to my brother David and his friend Gilles Zolty for the technical assistance!). Never take anything for granted (Thanks to the Franco-Manitoban cultural centre for lending us chairs last minute for our garage-show behind the Café Postal!). Also, I highly recommend wine, cheese and friends to boost energy levels when driving has taken it’s toll.
4 – Thunder Bay. After an 8-hour drive, we get to the Apollo Bar in Thunder Bay; the place is huge, super cool vibe and amazing sound. Unfortunately, it was empty. There were 2 people in the bar, and Mel managed to drag a few more in off the street, frantically flagging them down from the stage. Luckily, our friends Benoit and Elizabeth were in town, on their way to Winnipeg and decided to spend the evening with us. Benoit found a tiny mini-Casio keyboard on the stage, plugged it in, I grabbed the washboard that Earl had given me a few days before and switched on the disco ball. The lesson: Appreciate the absurd.
5 – Melanie: You see, Mel and I didn’t know each other before this tour. I was looking for a co-pilot (driving to Saskatchewan is friggin’ far!) and Tricia Foster suggested I call Mel. We had a short conversation on the phone, she seemed cool, we pooled our resources and booked the tour. Eventually, I went to Toronto and we rehearsed a bit - The Blind Date. The reason I’m putting Melanie in my top 5 is that when you drive 6000 km with someone, you’d better hope it’s someone good. Melanie is a giant heart, full of talent and wisdom, spontaneity and determination. Musically, we hit it off, but it’s more than that.
Mel, I love you, you’re my sister and I thank you a thousand times for these lessons: Take risks… and sometimes you have to just not give a shit.
Ok…6 – Toronto: It was a great show at the Cameron House. Bonus Lesson: It’s very important to dance and celebrate till sunrise once in a while.
