Late Thanksgiving with the McLeans

Times Changed Jam- Winnipeg Sunday Night

It's Big Dave McLean's legendary Sunday night jam at Times Changed High and Lonesome in Winnipeg. Since I don't have to do anything, I arrive later than usual. It's not crowded yet, but there's a little buzz in the room. "Big Dave's back!"

Big Dave has been hosting the Sunday Jam here for over 20 years, and it continues to be a happening event. The sign-ups are walking in with their gear, and Big Dave is writing them down and organizing them into bands. His brother, Grant McLean, who is visiting from England, leads off with an acoustic set. I am pressed into doing sound, and pretty soon we have him sounding pretty good indeed!

Big Dave's Times house band launches the next set. Joanna Miller is on drums. Aside from the social factor and fun of being here, she's the musician I came to see! One of the top drummers in Canada. It's too bad Winnipeg lacks a functional Blues Society which could help put her in the national spotlight. She ought to be nominated for some of those Maple Blues Awards, and playing Massey Hall with the Women's Blues Revue... You can hear her play on Big Dave's latest recording, and with Scott Nolan, and with a variety of other quality roots bands in Western Canada.

After a couple of numbers Big Dave calls up Harpdog Brown to play the rest of the set. He's been playing at the George for the past few nights, and is on his way to do shows in Ontario. A Japanese guy gets up and plays a very strong mini-set. His guitar playing is really good. He sings "Mustang Sally" while Big Dave "translates" all in good fun. A parade of strong, local players follow. Dave gets "Dancin' Lou" up to play a number before taking a half-time break. It's a great local music scene, and a great little community of players. Before you know it the night is through. Classic, Winnipeg Sunday night.

Winnipeg- Long & McQuade to Times Changed

Road to Brandon, MB

Up early and off to the Thrift Store to shop. I get nothing, but Dave finds some boots that fit! Nice!

It's a beautiful fall day out on the prairie. We're blasting off for Brandon, Manitoba today. Point the car, set the cruise, let her fly...

High water across the prairie. There has been plenty of flooding over the past few years. Some of the roadbeds give you the strange feeling of driving down the middle of a lake. Birds seem to like it well enough...

Before you know it we are in Brandon, doing the drive around. After a few passes through town we check into the venue, Lady of the Lake. It's a nice, big place- almost sold out for tonight's show. Hooray!

We do sell out in the end. Here's our lucky tour jacket winner!! Yep, forgot the tour camera again, so I use the iPhone...

Estevan, SK

Rockin' the Distrikt with Big John Bates

Blue skies over Regina, Saskatchewan as we roll in. We're a little early so we park the Lincoln and sleep for an hour. Then it's Tim's for coffee.

Pretty soon we are at the Regina Long and McQuade location where we present a workshop to about 25 people. Our pals Redbeard and Dale show up. Great to see you! Dale has kindly offered to put us up for the night, while Redbeard will MC the club date in just a few hours time.

The Distrikt is a cool venue. A big, dance room. Very nice. It's an interesting combination for the show here. A Vancouver based act, Big John Bates, shares the bill with us tonight. Having checked them out on line, we are interested to catch the show. Their crowd seem to like us- which is a good start!

We have a good set, sell some CD's, and then settle in to hear Big John Bates. It's a trio, and these folks are very friendly.

A very tight, well delivered show by Big John Bates. A punky, rockabilly, roots band with real playing ability and a great sense of theatre! Thanks for a nice night in Regina.

When I leave the club I find that the right rear tire of the Lincoln is flat. Dave has gone on ahead with Dale, so I'm on my own to dig out the pump, and fix this in the now empty parking lot. An hour later I'm on my way- a longer day than I had counted on!

Blues on Broadway

A fun night. We're not the only ones with a down day on tour. David Gogo and Johnny Winter roll up after a bowling expedition. Big Dave and I have each opened shows for Johnny, but we have never had the opportunity to hang out and visit with him. Tonight we are invited on board the coach and we spend a memorable hour talking.

I've been waiting 35 years to tell Johnny about my first visit with Robert Pete Williams back in 1976. I relate to him how I was sitting in Robert Pete's living room in Rosedale, LA, when I noticed a little record player and a few albums over in the corner. Curious as to what records he might be listening to I went across the room to look. Buck Owens and Johnny Winter were the only records in the pile! Robert Pete told me he learned a lot of stuff from Johnny's records. I thought that was quite wild and cool, and I resolved to tell Johnny one day- because I thought it might be important to him. I just thought he would like to know. Tonight I get to sit with Johnny and tell him the story. I was right. I can tell he's a little moved by it.

After a time David Gogo, Big Dave and myself head back to Bud's. Good night, Johnny. Thank you for the hospitality.

Doc MacLean