The Ironwood Concert Stage, Calgary, AB

Banff, AB to Lethbridge, AB

Banff, AB- Hangin' and Playin'

Big Dave Re-Joins The Tour

It's drizzle and cold and I'm at Calgary Airport half an hour early for Big Dave's flight in from Windsor, ON. He's been there for the weekend playing in the cool house band for Holger Petersen's induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. Now he's back and that extra half hour is going to cost us $6.50. Trouble is we can't pay the machine! We tried. Apparently we lack some basic Stars Wars equipment. Cash money won't do. It won't take blood. It very nearly takes urine... Eventually we escape the parking garage and head out to the highway.

The bad news is that our show in Carstairs, AB has been cancelled. We decide to break for Banff, where we are scheduled to play the next night. The band room is not in use, so we'll be able to spend the night at no cost. Outta here!!

Road to Alberta

No show today. In the end I couldn't give a show away anywhere over the Crowsnest Pass. Anyhow, that's how it happens sometimes. I think I need some fresh contacts for the region! But not to worry. It's an amazing, warm day in the valley. I'm headed for Calgary, the long way. Because I can. The road is mine today. I've got a quart of coffee on the go. I've got John Thibodeau on the stereo. All is good.

The mountains vanish almost as quickly as they arrive. Good-bye, BC. Hello Alberta. It's a new set of colours as the Lincoln edges out into the foothills, flatlands in the distance.

Congrats to Holger Petersen- Big Dave in Windsor, ON

It's a nice day in Windsor, Ontario. It took Big Dave three flights, and a whole day of travel to get here! This is a big day at the Blues Museum/Blues Hall of Fame. Canadian roots music icon Holger Petersen is being inducted. To celebrate, an all-star band of some of Holger's friends is to play. Guitarist Johnny V, above with Big Dave, is the bandleader.

Southwestern Ontario reminds me of southern Alberta, before it got all arty and liberal.

Hot peppers from Johnny's garden have no political agenda!

Dave's adventures at Holger's induction continue below... At least one unexpected and very interesting guest arrived to play with the band! Check back for another update as I get more time to fill in text!

Big Dave was previously inducted, but we didn't get any decent pictures that year!

Holger Petersen's new book! Christmas is coming. A must read for anyone with an interest in the Canadian music scene.

Another Canadian icon, Richard Flohil attended the event.

Ted Boomer makes the presentation...

Hey! Who's that drummer??? C'mon, Dave, count him in!!!

Don't play "Mustang Sally" except with the guy who wrote it!

Meanwhile, Doc Takes Invermere BC

It's a long, rainy drive to Invermere from Kamloops. I'm on the road about half an hour later than planned. Just a slow start. I could of slept longer, given half a chance. Meanwhile, it's been a slow crawl in heavy rain. On several occasions the Lincoln hydroplanes slightly on puddles, or in the ruts of the road. Very scary. I'm driving pretty slowly. Not a good water car, or perhaps it's the winter tires? Or perhaps it's just the volume of water on the road?

I stop in Golden and drop some posters off at the bookstore. I had a really fun show there last season, and I'm looking forward to coming back in 2012. But now, onward to Radium Hot Springs and Invermere!

The weather improves as I move down over the pass area and into the valley. Thank goodness! And I'm still here on time. I forgot that I was to cross the time line today- adding an extra hour to my arrival time! I had planned on being here quite early, so I did have a little, one hour envelope to cover me. There's my name on the sign- always a good thing to see when coming into a town!

Arriving at the venue, I find deer at the entryway, munching on apples. They politely stand back to let me load in, but are not going anywhere. I ask Tony, the chef/owner of Strands, whether or not he's got apple-fed venison on the menu! Actually, there is elk on the menu this evening- but from an Alberta farm. As always, the meals at Strands are amazing. Definitely the place to eat. I tease Tony that I only come to BC so that I can stop for soup!

Over to my hotel for a quick time out, and then it's showtime! Last night I missed having Big Dave, but tonight I'm used to my own company again. I have a nice show. The place is full, and the staff keep the red wine flowing. It's another early night, so after tearing down the PA I'm back to my hotel. There's a saloon downstairs, and a party in the parking lot. I turn on the white-noisy heater and all that recedes into the night.