Canada 3

Red Deer last Wednesday was..different. I cannot imagine more of a contrast from The Arden theatre the night before. I was told I didn’t need to show up till 8 o’clock, which set the alarm bells off as normally I, would be sound checked by 6. When I walked into the Vat Pub the scene was reminiscent of an old Western movie when the stranger walks into the bar and the place falls silent.There were a few folk playing pool and a bunch of folk at the bar of whom, for some reason, I knew were not there to listen to me. I walked through trying to look tough to the end of the room where the stage was. My spirits were somewhat lifted by my spotting someone wearing a Welsh rugby jersey! In the end around 60 folk showed up for what was a memorable night. By the time I had registered the big KISS rock roll band backdrop, and the fact that they switched on a mirror ball lighting effect as soon as I started playing, I realised that this was a night to get your head down and play hard. I went on at ten and finished just after midnight and it all worked out fine. It was just a bit of a culture shock after the plush theatre show the night before. Red Deer was a filler gig between two big cities but I enjoyed it. The next day I fulfilled a promise to go and visit an elementary school in Strathmore. Class 5A were a delight and we had a wonderful time together. Lets just say that these children have more to overcome than most and thanks to a loving teacher in Heather John they are finding a path for themselves despite many difficulties. I had some moments in that’s classroom I will never forget, but it would be wrong of me to single out anyone for obvious reasons. They presented me with wonderful gifts and gave me the honour of granting me an Indian name. Heather is from the Cree Indian nation and asked her elders permission to bestow upon a name that I’m not even allowed to mention in public. I can tell you what it means in English..Almighty Voice. I was told that this was not given lightly or without thought and that I should carry it gently. I was lost for words and it still has not sunk in that I have a Cree name. What an amazing thing to have happen to a boy from Cardiff. As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day I happen across a ticket to go and see the Calgary Flames beat the Nashville Predators (hockey) at the Saddle dome. Friday finds me in another school. This time it is 400 12-14 year olds of the I’Ecole Madeline d’Houet school. They pile into the gym and I play and talk to them about life, growing up, music, community, faith etc. We have a great time and it was a joy to be with them and the staff. That evening I play the Calgary Folk Club which has been going for thirty two years. Another late night finds me with a few hours sleep before rushing through a snow blizzard on Saturday morning to catch a flight to Prince George. Maureen Faulkner meets me at the airport and we drive straight to a radio interview. I have some wonderful friends in Prince George B.C. It’s a shame that I am only here for one day and a very busy one at that. I spend time with as many folk as I can and the gig in the evening is a special one. This is the place where this Canadian journey started for me back in 99, and I feel like I know the place so well. After the gig there is an after show party at Jo Beattie’s house and a magnificent cream cake bears the words ‘to Martyn, thanks for All This Time’. Folk are so kind and I do not take it for granted. After a speech of thanks I leave to get some sleep at Dave and Maureen’s on Bench Drive. They too have a little get together on the go so we sit up talking and the pillow hits my head around 3.15am. Up at 8 to catch the flight to Vancouver, which is snowless. It’s amazing that I can leave a snowy wilderness of -20 degrees, fly for 45 mins south and arrive in a mild and pleasant Vancouver. My good friend Sam Matorama from West Jet Airlines meets me at the gate with my favourite donut. I play Capilano College Theatre tonight, take a ferry to Vancouver Island to play Victoria tomorrow and travel north to play Comox on Tuesday. I’m very tired right now but ok. The majic of this place fuels me and keeps me going. I have been filming a lot of the trip and may put a little feature together as an extra for the proposed DVD we could be recording this year. These are great days for me and I’m blessed to be here. Looks like the powers to be are resigning themselves to no `weapons of mass distruction` being found in Iraq. I`m sure the apolgies will flow.