Winnipeg

Arrived in Winnipeg today after a very short night in Orillia. That is the venue for the Mariposa Folk Festival, which has a rich history. Artists like Join Mitchell and Bob Dylan have graced it in the past, this year Steve Earl was the main draw. I played a number of workshops, which as I have mentioned before is where three or four artists take turns to play songs around a common theme.Last night I played second to top on the main stage and had a great gig. The festival is at a beautiful location and as I sang I could see the sun sinking behind the lake through the trees, a nice office to work in. Caught up with a number of friends and great musicians I have met over here in recent years, one being David Francey who one a Canadian Juno award this year and great roots and blues artist Mark Reeves who makes me laugh a lot. Check his music out at www.markreeves.com and his pic with est moi soon to be posted in the gallery. It was also good to catch up with my good friend Frank Caprice and his wife Simone who came up from Hamilton. Frank played in goal for the Vancouver Cannock’s and, more importantly, the Cardiff Devils. I’m talking about Ice Hockey for anyone wondering There is a great tradition of jamming in hotel corridors and rooms at these festivals and last night was no exception. As I was being driven to Toronto airport at 6.00 am it meant little sleep, so I haven’t exactly explored the streets of Winnipeg yet. All I have discovered so far is that Winnie The Pooh was named after the place. Did you know that? The Winnipeg Festival starts on Friday so I have some time to chill here.