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My last update was in October, since then I played my last gig of the season in Kells, Portland, OR followed by my last one in Mahers, Lake Oswego, OR both were great endings to a very nice Summer / Autumn in the Pacific Northwest.
In Mahers there was a great turnout of friends and supporters - to all who came along (and those who showed their support while I was back) - thank you !! It was great to be there.
We then packed up all our stuff (I mean all... as we were heading off on our travels again) and drove to Ocean Shores - I was playing at the Galway Bay Irish Festival - the biggest on the West Coast of the USA. There were over 30 bands over the 5 days and 10 stages which we rotated through - a major feat of logistics... aided by many pints of Guinness.
It was my 1st time playing at the Galway Bay festival... I had heard it was good - but I really never expected it to be as huge, and good as it was.
On the Wednesday, I was playing at the 8th Street Ale House which is a bit away from Ocean Shores, it was just like a normal pub gig - the crowd was happy to see me and joined in with the fun.After a couple of hours playing, we headed back to Ocean Shores where I played in the Banquet room of the Galway Bay pub. This was 11pm on a Wednesday, so I didn't expect many people - but a fair crowd was there - all raring to go
The next day, Thursday, I started off in the beer garden at 1pm - not used to early starts - I played as many low songs as i could. I then played the main stage at 4pm - what a crowd! Incredible, for that time and day the place was packed, in fact the place was sold out from then onwards. It was a great afternoon, they loved it and so did I. My last hour was 7pm in the tasting room. I thought the crowd would be mainly people who missed the 4pm session - but no, I also had a flock of enthusiasts who had been to more of my sessions. Great!!
On Friday I was over in the conference centre for an early start at noon (we finished Thursday at an after party with people from Hawaii and the band Celtica ... so it was the worst kind of early start!). Outside the centre we had to go past the religious extremist protest with banners telling us drinkers we were doomed ... to be honest, I felt pretty doomed at that point - but I didn't repent on the spot, the show must go on.
I thought it'd be a quiet show - but no, the place filled up and away we went again. My next and last one was at 5pm in the tasting room. I have to admit, Dorothy and I slipped off for a wee sleep in the afternoon - the pace was beginning to tell - with my broken ankle in the early stages of independence from its big boot, it was also beginning to complain. My last set went great - again I had people who had been to several of my shows, bought CDs and enjoyed every minute. When I played the last song (guess what that was) I could pack up, relax and enjoy the rest of the festival - Dorothy and I were also staying for the Saturday.
Saturday was brilliant, we watched many bands, drank many beers & whiskies (obviously still doomed) and had a great time with many friends - old and new. I really enjoyed getting to hear what the other artists are doing - normally I don't get to do that as I am playing when they are. |
