More from Andy....
Today started early with an interview at 'Hits FM 101.3', Prince George's local radio station. Martyn isn't at his best first thing in the morning (a marginal improvement comes later in the day following a cup of tea and his own unusual nutritional programme) but he was pointed in the right direction, eyelids propped up and everything went well
Following some quick refreshments it was off to O'Grady Catholic High School where he and I had been invited to come and speak to a group of about 40 15-17 year olds. The session was a mixture of shared views about life, religion, the Spice Girls and anything else that came up, mixed with some of songs. It was a good, relaxed and useful time and it must have gone well because later in the day letters were received from members of the group expressing their appreciation for the visit. One pupil expressed her relief that Martyn wasn't 'some old guy singing Gothic music' and another suggested that he should have sold out to Sony and made a fortune (trust this guy with your money but not your integrity)So far this week the people of British Columbia have discovered that Martyn isn't an old gothic singing guy and neither is he Ricky Martin, how long before they discover that he isn't talented either?After lunch with the manger of 'Hits FM' , the afternoon was free and was spent at the lovely home of our hosts Maureen and David Faulkner, perched on the edge of the iced over Nechako river. They had told us to make ourselves at home and so I decided to use the toilet to flood the upstairs of the property and turn it into an indoor ice rink. While I heroically threw towels around like a tree shedding leaves in Autumn, Martyn sat filming the event for posterity - he is not Ricky Martin and neither is he any good in an emergency. Mercifully David Faulkner returned home and with diving equipment rescued his home. He then showed us his beautifully restored Ford truck. I was dispatched to a local art gallery for an art class while Martyn did whatever singer songwriters do before a concertThe concert that evening was held in the University of British Columbia, a beautiful building opened by the Queen eight years ago. Amazingly she had hung around just to hear Martyn sing, which was nice. It was a good evening with an enthusiastic audience of about 200 attending. Martyn was supported by local musicians Sharon, Greg, Jim and Alan who also joined him for a great rendition of 'All This Time'Following the concert autograph hunters and fans formed two queues; one for Martyn and the other for plumbing tips from me. The evening concluded with a party at the home of tour organiser Jo Beattie and then it was off to bed at 4amBore da!Andy