Toronto to Picton, ON

A quick stop at Master Mechanic to get the torque on the wheels checked out. I blew tires on the run down from Thunder Bay, and I was not impressed by the quality of the work in Blind River, ON. Not one, but two wheel hubs flew off as I left their shop. And only one could be found. So I'm out... what $100, for a replacement Lincoln hub. The tire shop just looked at me like it was my fault they couldn't put the wheel hubs on properly. These are guys who are supposed to be popping these on and off all day every day... So here we are today having the work checked out by a shop that I know and trust!

All good! We add oil and are on the highway. Eastward bound on the Big Road- Hwy 401- apparently the busiest highway in North America. It's not a bad ride out around mid-day.

We forget the tour camera at the Acoustic Grill in Picton! In the car that is! Damn! No pics of one of the nicest little venues in Ontario. After a wonderful night, we check into a motel overlooking the harbour. It's still early, so we watch a DVD of Louis C.K., one of Big Dave's favourite stand-up comics. After a lot of laughing we sleep. Tomorrow: Quebec.

GTA Blues- In Which the Bad Boys have a Quiet Night

Being in my home town for 48 hours doesn't change much- the beat goes on, as they say. It is kind of strange. When I got into music I imagined my "office" would consist of a coffee pot, a turntable, and a bunch of records. Now the laptop, the cellphone, the digital "cloud," and the web keep me company everywhere. The Lincoln has a pretty good stereo, but I do miss the coffee pot, the turntable, and late nights with Bix and Charlie Patton...

I picked up Big Dave at Pearson Airport last night. We're taking care of odds and ends, repacking the car, trying to stay on top of the books, the schedule, and the detailing of this lengthy Tour.
We are stuck in traffic and arrive about 20 minutes late to our Burlington, ON, Long and McQuade guitar clinic. About 30 people have come out for the event, and we have an excellent question and answer session, playing several songs and talking about open tunings, slide guitar playing, finger style guitar, resophonic instruments... It is a pretty nice location, although way out in the rolling sprawl of GTA suburbia.

Dave and I head into Oakville for a bite to eat, do the drive through promo across downtown, and then head over to tonight's gig. We are playing the Moonshine Cafe. It's a little, 75 seat venue with good sight lines, good sound, and very friendly staff and owner. We've played here in past years and it has been good. Selling out this venue is more practical for us than several other alternatives. This is to be our only stop in the GTA, so we are hopeful that some of our fans will come out from the surrounding regions.

Showtime- and we've got nine people in the audience. They are good folk and fun. They all buy CD's. But this reminds me of why I spend 275 days a year on the road. Quite a difference from the Marquee shows in the other regions of Canada. Ah, ya never know. I'll be back to try it again next year! But I can't promise to have Big Dave McLean in tow. I'm really sorry Toronto did not get to hear this show. Dave continues to be amazing every night. Tomorrow the Tour heads east, and we need to make more than gas money.

Road to Ontario: Visit to Kenora

I'm on my own for a few days- bringing this big Lincoln over the hump, doing a few solo shows while Big Dave catches a rest at home. Running east, it is not long before the calm of the flatlands changes to the tough, splendid beauty of rocks and bush.

It's all connected to this highway here in Canada. Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody just down the line from someplace.

The highway speed drops here, and the highway patrols swarm like bees to get a little money for the Ontario government. I set the cruise control, sip a coffee, and enjoy the ride into Kenora. I've got good friends waiting to see me. We dine, and talk into the wee hours. In the morning we'll explore some deep woods on ATV's. Can't wait.