It's a (W)rap! Thanks from Doc and Dave

March 29, 2010

Doc MacLean & Big Dave McLean Thank You

Century Blues Tour a Great Success with Help from Our Friends

The Century Blues Tour wrapped in December after playing 104 shows in 92 days. We played to over ten thousand people in 9 provinces and 2 territories. This Tour was the Big One— a “Century” Tour of over 100 back to back shows— likely the most comprehensive music tour ever achieved in Canada. If you haven’t already done so, you can visit or re-visit this Tour Blog and follow the Tour’s daily progress from start to finish. It’s mostly up to date now, though I’ll probably be adding a few movies and some more text here and there over the next month. Check in and leave your comments, if you like! Who would of thought it would take so long to finish up the loose ends? Now it's time to say "good-bye" to the Century Tour and "hello!" to new projects.

Tours like this don’t just happen. They involve months of work, and significant efforts by a huge team of people. Usually I contact everybody individually to give my thanks, but this time the numbers are simply too big. On a daily basis probably three or four or five or ten different people did things that helped to keep us going, and helped to make the Century Tour the success that it was. Now, post tour, I’ve got a list of nearly 400 people and organizations that need to be thanked! That’s one of the reasons why I’m posting this somewhat generic note. There are many special people to whom Big Dave and I are deeply grateful— and there are simply not enough days available to write personal notes to everyone. Finally, our fans made it happen— they bought the tickets and filled the seats. We appreciate that beyond words.

Canadians love the blues. Big Dave and I were treated wonderfully coast to coast by a great group of individuals and organizations, both commercial and non-profit. It’s rather humbling after all of these years to have fostered this kind of support. Dave and I want to express and underline our deep and sincere thanks to everyone who was involved.

This said, I need to acknowledge the participation and support of a few individuals and organizations who played larger roles. Firstly, Jeff Long and Long & McQuade. We were shown tremendous hospitality in their many locations across Canada. Conducting master classes and workshops with Long & McQuade enabled us to interact with communities on a real, grass roots level. And their backline support of the Tour was flawless. As expected, everything worked wonderfully. When we needed a replacement cable or a mic stand the L&M staff were always cheerful, helpful and there for us. Coast to coast. Dave and I are also career customers. We like the way these guys do business. We are sincerely very proud to have had the support and participation of this great Canadian company. http://www.long-mcquade.com.

Tour council, Paul Sanderson, Sanderson Law, http://www.sandersonlaw.ca, kept our spirits up as we went through some truly bizzare, behind the scenes challenges. His expert advice and calm guidance probably saved the tour. Paul’s been a great supporter over the last thirty years or so, but his assistance to Big Dave and I was way beyond the call of professional duty. A musician— a blues musician at that— as well as one of the most experienced entertainment lawyers in Canada, he brings real empathy and compassion to his work. I am so grateful to have a place on his client list.

Richard Flohil, Richard Flohil & Associates, http://www.richardflohil.com, publicist, promoter, wordsmith, music lover… also provided assistance and advice to the Tour. When you are working with Richard, you are working with the best. His participation was much appreciated, and helped us through from launch to last.

CBC Radio. Peter Skinner in particular. He encouraged us to bring the Tour to the North— and we did. Then he and his staff recorded us and co-promoted a show in Yellowknife. We are also grateful to CBC staff in nearly every major city and region. We did interviews coast to coast, and the airplay we received on these shows had a huge impact on our final box office. Thanks for supporting and taking an interest in the Century Tour. This was, I believe, a very significant, all-Canadian event. At some point you’ll be hearing Peter’s recordings of the Century Tour on Canada Live and on Saturday Night Blues. http://www.cbc.ca.

DPI Graphics. http://www.dpigraphicsgroup.com. From out there in the wilds of Mississauga, ON, once again these guys did a tremendous job with all of our print materials, including the very cool banners that vanished somewhere between High River, AB and White Rock, BC!

And last, but not least: to anyone and everyone else who promoted shows, took chances, took us home and fed us, upgraded our hotel rooms, took us on tours, picked us up at airports, presented us on local radio and television, helped carry gear, provided great sound, packed bag lunches, gave us cds, books, hugs, handshakes, opening shows, fine dinners, lunches, jokes and laughs, encouragement, praise, photos, reviews, advance press, smiles, applause, air time, fixed guitars, changed strings, made coffee, bought red wine, followed the Tour blog, made posters, printed banners, embroidered jackets, bought cds, came to shows in rain, snow and moonlight… You made it happen and gave us 1000 reasons to keep on this crazy blues highway… Thanks. We hope to see you next time. We really do.

Very, Very, Best Regards,

Doc MacLean & Big Dave McLean

Upcoming:

National Steel “Darker Ways” Blues Tour, solo Doc MacLean, fall 2010 (all Canada)

National Steel “Big Road Blues” Tour, Doc MacLean & Big Dave McLean, fall 2011 (all Canada, plus Alaska).

Naniamo: Long and McQuade, Caprice Theatre

It's an easy drive from Duncan, BC. First we pot around town looking for a good, bacon and eggs kind of breakfast joint. I don't think there is one— plenty of chain food around the edges, but that seems to be it. We stop off at the Garage again. The downstairs cafe is pretty good, but they always stop serving breakfast before we can get there.. so it's muffins and burritos, or something like that. We stop by a giant Thrift store and wade through rooms of stuff and more stuff. Nothing we can't live without, so we are gone.

Our first stop today will be Long and McQuade Music in Naniamo. Of course we are looking forward to this. With the help of the GPS we are in the L&M parking lot almost before we know it.


As always, Longs is friendly. It's still a little quiet, but we are early, so we have a relaxed set up, meet Larry and the staff, and check out the store. This is a really well designed place, with plenty of light coming in from outside, warm wood fixtures, and a nice display configuration.



Dave looks as though he'll probably be loud enough for the workshop! We're starting to have a few people come in, and it's nearly time to start. We've had a fair amount of advance press for tonight's show at the Caprice Theatre, so the Long and McQuade workshop has attracted more than a few blues fans— some equipped with shoe-phone video cameras to capture the event.


These workshops differ depending upon who comes out and what they'd like to learn, but generally we talk a bit about the history and construction of resophonic guitars, and then demo them in various fingerstyle blues traditions. Usually we discuss set-up, strings, slides, pick-ups, mic techniques as well.


Today we field more questions about the blues and its history, and demonstrate a couple of different tunings.


It's always kind of neat to remind people that they don't have to play their guitars in the key that they are tuned to! In other words, you can play in a variety of keys using each tuning. For variety, I accompany Dave on the washboard for a couple of selections. Longs could sell these, if they could get 'em. Lots of interest in the washboard today.


Eventually we need to wrap and be on our way to prepare for this evening's show. Thanks for the hospitality, Larry! Nice store! We'll look forward to dropping by on our next visit. After picking up some harmonicas, picks, and strings, we make our exit.

It's late afternoon, and we hope to get a little nap in at our digs before soundcheck. First we need to find the place...


This IS pretty nice. We could get used to this. All we need is a dock and a boat... and maybe Steve Cropper to lay down a few tracks with us...




The boats are actually pretty big— the ones that are moving by out there on this Bay. There is a BC Ferry terminal nearby, so we are seeing their ships come and go. We settle in to snooze for a couple of hours before heading down to soundcheck. Our host, Tom Dodge, has enough gear set up in his living room for a band. Great view. Nice couch. Warm. Very good.

By the time we get down to the venue it is more than dark. It is still early evening as we drive up and down, searching for the rear loading docks to the Caprice Theatre. This back street looks pretty rough, and I decide immediately that I will NOT be parking the truck here for longer than it takes to load in. While we are stopped, squinting at the buildings, there is a knock on the truck window. "Are you fellas looking for a good time? I can help ya— give ya a great deal tonight." This young hooker is all of, maybe, sixteen. Dave tells her that we are looking for the Caprice Theatre. "That's it, over there." She seems disappointed, but asks if we have any spare change, or drugs, to spare. For better or worse we give her all our spare change, and make a quick U-turn to the Theatre entry gate. It's an ugly little scene, on this little side street, with people lurking in every alcove and streetlight.

Tom and his co-producer, Manda Chelmac, are quick to rally their Sky High Productions crew. Plenty of hands help us load in and set up. I slip out and drive the truck several blocks away, where I park it in the more brightly lit club district.

Sky High Productions is part of the Sky High Performing Arts Academy. This is actually an alternative high school program— and all the young persons helping out here tonight are aspiring performers themselves. They get high school credit while they learn the business and the art. This seems like a wonderful program— I wish there were many more like it across the country.

Of course, the price to be paid for all this help is also a little bit of hurry up and wait. There is a little bit more fussing over set-up and soundcheck than we would like— but for a good cause, so we take it in stride. Dave explains our basic mic choices and acoustic mic technique, while I conduct a mini workshop in the lobby about merch, sales, percentages, spreadsheets, manufacturing costs... It just seemed right to talk to these kids as much as possible as we went about our work.

It's pretty clear to me that the hot meal specified in our agreement isn't going to happen here. There is no food, and the hall is starting to fill up. We haven't had lunch yet, so we'll be playing our show without dinner as well. No snacks in the green room. No wine, no beer— I think there is pop and popcorn in the lobby, but we're busy now, gotta get suited up and get at it!

And our lucky tour jacket winner! We had a good crowd of blues fans come out to this show. The theatre was quite cool— a big, high stage, plenty of depth, and a deco come 1950s kind of decor. A great vibe for a blues show, and a nice hall acoustic sound. Dave and I both had some old friends come out to the show— always great when that happens, but never enough time to properly talk to people as we are so busy before, during and after.

I went and got the truck, and we loaded out into the night. Down on the main drag the police were busy keeping an eye on the partying folks around the dance clubs. Our little side street was less busy, but still active. Now it is late and we are still looking for food. It seems like everything is closed now, but for some fast food places. We do a drive through and Dave orders some kinda mini-baby burger things. I don't order at all— I just can't face eating this kind of stuff. Dave is hungry! I'm beyond that point now.

Back at the digs we have the place to ourselves. It's time to do the books on the show. You can tell I'm tired, and Dave is, too. Soon we'll climb into our bunkbeds and bring this day to a close.

Big Day in the Big Hills— Doc Scores a Lincoln

All is quiet in the valley— mist or fog still hugging the foothills as Dave and I set out this morning. Dave has been out for an early morning walk already and has something he wants me to see.


Hmmm... it's a nice looking Lincoln Town Car with a "for sale" sign in the windshield. We knock on the door, but as there is no answer, we head into Enderby to the breakfast joint. I think it's called Hungry Jack's. Did I get that right? I hope so. It is definitely where to have breakfast in these parts. At breakfast, I reach the car owner on the phone and— recklessly— offer to meet him in 20 minutes to look at the car. The meeting is arranged— but we are in a hurry— we've got to get to Kamloops for an afternoon workshop at Long and McQuade, and we don't want to be late! Even crazier, we meet the guy, make him an offer, and buy the big Lincoln in all of about ten minutes. I count him out a deposit on the hood of the car and tell him I'll be back to pick it up in a month! He's not real happy about that, but money talks... So we have a deal. Moments later we are lead foot towards Kamloops and I'm realizing that I'm going to have to come all the way back here from the eventual Tour end in Winnipeg to pick up my new wheels. Heck, I shoulda waited and bought something closer to home. Dave, at least, is thrilled, so I challenge him to a street race in December... Lincoln against Caddy, boot to boot... All this crazy talk serves to take our minds off the witch's curse. (Yes, the Tour now has an evil witch following it along. OK, maybe not evil, but not real nice either— and we're thinking perhaps not well balanced. Pickett and I carried garlic in the truck last year, and we were fine... This year there is something black hovering in the air, somewhere, looking at us.)


But right now it's a pretty drive north to Kamloops— looks like this!


This is an unknown Long and McQuade store to us, so we are looking forward to meeting everyone and checking it out. Manager Ron Wilies and his staff are ready for us when we arrive. The store is up on Summit Drive, not far from the highway, and not far from the university. Nice layout, and some nice stock, too! It's an easy load in for the workshop, and we're ready to meet and greet in short order. A good little crowd amble about, not a big turnout here, but an interested one. Somehow they are too busy to take any photos with the Tour camera— as am I! Email me a couple of jpgs would somebody? I know there are at least two video recorders on the go and some stills being taken! Anyway, it is very pleasant and, as usual, there are some good questions from the Long and McQuade visitors. Dave and I buy harmonicas, picks, stuff, before heading out to grab some food for the road. Longs has always got STUFF! And we always end up buying some of it! A great little store here in Kamloops— see you next time.


We're going to head west and south to spend the night at Ashcroft, BC. It is, of course, Halloween, and traditionally it's been impossible to book this night anywhere. Tonight it is to be bands, dancing and DJs throughout the land. Party down people. We'll see if any of our pals are around Ashcroft. Perhaps we'll take in a house party and get a chance to do some playing. It is a real nice haul out of here to Ashcroft, at least on a real nice day. And today is nice, so we enjoy the ride... I think this area is correctly called "high desert." Whatever. I like it a lot. This is a great life.






Dave retires early to his room, but his cousin, Clem, turns out and we go for dinner at the local pizza joint. Ashcroft is sure quiet. We're just not connected tonight— so we will sleep. No internet in these hotel rooms.

Harvest Jazz and Blues— One of the Best Festivals!

Here's our view from across the river. It's kind of cold and foggy this morning. We have a quick breakfast at Joe's Diner, go back to the hotel and suit up, and head downtown to Kings Place for our noon hour show. Wonder what kind of day this is going to be...

No worries here! The sun is pushing it's way out and we've got a big crowd pumped and waiting behind the blue line! We have a coffee across the street as we wait for the opening show to wrap up. We are being photographed and autographed constantly. This is nice. We run into some blues pals, Dale and Andy from Nova Scotia and hang out with them for a while. They kindly offer to man the tour camera during our show. As you'll see below, they did a nice job of documenting the show!




It was a fun show. Afterwards we hung around and met people. We signed quite a few cds, as well as the festival cymbal! It feels like we know everybody in town now!



Now we're off to Long and McQuade to do a workshop. We find the store on top of the hill pretty easily, and the staff have got a little PA system waiting for us. Some folks from the outdoor show have come up to ask questions. We have a great time as always. Drat! The batteries on the Tour Camera died! No pics of this, very friendly Long and McQuade store. We've got just enough time to roll down the big, Fredericton hill to the Hoodoo Tent where we'll soon be doing our evening show. We load in at exactly the appointed time, and the ever present Harvest volunteers are there to help. Nice. Food is scarce backstage. There is beer and pop, but Dave and I don't want beer and pop, we want food! A quick trot across the street to Crumbs Cafe where they've got a BBQ set up and a pig ready to roast. No pork for us— we're a day early on that— but a quick burger it is, and then back to the tent. The place is sold out, and people are pressing us for passes we don't have! Sorry! I'd love to get everybody in. All the same, it is nice to be sold out.

Here's Dave waiting in the backstage cave with our gear.

Ready to go. Yeah!

I snapped this during the line check. Big tent. The Blues has come to Town.

Showtime!

Encore!

The festival provided us with "handlers" to help get us through the crowd after the show.

Guess who??


Mike, Doc, Jack, and Dave catching one of Morgan Davis' sets at the Fox.

Big hug for our pal Matt Anderson wraps the night for us. It's too early in the Tour for us to be staying up late! We've got about ninety shows ahead of us, and we need our rest. Harvest graciously pays us out and has our merch ready on the spot. Thanks so much. This will let us get going first thing in the morning. It's one of the great festivals— not because it is big, but because it's everything a festival should be. Dave and I are so pleased to have been part of it once again.

Launch at Hugh's Room

Well Hello!!!! We roll late afternoon into Hugh's Room, Toronto. This is one of the best acoustic rooms in Canada, and we are very pleased to be launching the National Steel "Century" Blues Tour here. This room features great sightlines, good food, nice bar, great service, great sound. Ann gets us set up and running in no time. The sound techs here are all excellent, highly experienced people who have been with the venue for years. It shows!

We've had a busy day picking up the Tour truck, going to Long and McQuade for our sound system, out to DPI Graphics to get some extra posters, going to Silverbirch Productions to pick up the new Big Road Blues cd in quantity. The cell phone has been ringing all day. The emails have been pouring in. But we are in motion. We drop back to my house to change into our working clothes...



Brian Blain dropped by to say hello and see us off. Always great to run into him around Toronto and at the various festivals. You can check out his music on the Northern Blues label. Nice to see you, Brian, and thanks for your help promoting our shows in the Toronto region.

Sales for this show are softer than anticipated, but promoter Richard Flohil does not appear to be too worried. We have a great meal, greet friends and fans, and then get down to launching this Tour!



Do you think Big Dave McLean is the meanest guy in Canadian show business? No, but he sure does deliver an intense performance. It's a real pleasure to be back on stage with him.



Y'all know how mean I am... I guess I'm in the zone for Angola Prison Rodeo. Dave is sounding great, and we are in the pocket. No jacket raffle tonight, but I gave Richard the first night's Tour Jacket. Flohil and Associates have been doing an amazing job of getting the word out across Canada. Many of the upcoming shows are already sold out. It's a real treat to work with Richard.

We were pleased to have quite a few family members in the audience at Hugh's Room— my Mom, brother and sister! Gosh, a family re-union! I was hoping that my mother and my son would get up and play something with us, but that didn't work out for logistical reasons. Next time! Thanks for coming! Dave's mom played the last show of our last tour... Anyway, Dave and I are glad to have the first show behind us now... looking forward to the next 103 dates. This is going to be a blast! We've got some video of the tonight's show, but I need to figure out how to post it here. Check back and see if I've managed to do this.