Detours.

I’m starting to embrace detours as a welcome thing. Seems you never can get the direct route no matter how hard you try, so why not anticipate and appreciate the roundabout path…

Saturday June 4^th I performed at a function at Konzelmann Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Anticipating the detours that inevitably come up, my wife and I took lots of time on the way down, and lots of time on the way back.

We got hammered by severe storms in Burlington. Our car was literally shaking in a parking lot where we pulled over. I looked like I had been in a car wash after making a five metre dash to get batteries in a Best Buy.

All plans for the outdoor wedding ceremony at this beautiful waterfront winery had to be scrapped. Thankfully, they had a great spot indoors. More detours on the load-in, though. It was like a scene out of the movie Sideways. Wine tour buses were crowding the parking lot. The load-in area was packed with people frantically looking for cover. I kept waiting for Paul Giamatti to pop his head out somewhere.

More detours on the way back. Freighters going through the Seaway blocked our original route, so we followed matchstick-sized signs to find another bridge. Ended up somehow in Port Dalhousie. Took a meandering stroll through the old homes by the water. Very beautiful spot.

Stars & Stripes – NEW SINGLE.

I was up in Toronto last week mastering a new single: Stars & Stripes. This track has been in the singer/songwriter set for ages, and there was actually an old recording of it from a number of years back.

While refurbishing the studio with some new monitors and hard drives, I came across the session files. I stripped it down to the original guitar and vocal, and heard something new. I recut tracks of bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, background vocals and piano, and found a whole new take on the song.

As always, Andy Krehm at Silverbirch Productions in Toronto did a fabulous job with the mastering. Many thanks Andy.

The finished master will be up on the site soon, along with details for online purchase.

Thursday sessions @ Parkhill on Hunter.

June thus far seems to be a minor struggle with weather. Dealing with the hangover from the severe storms on Wednesday, last Thursday hung with the ominous threat of another onslaught. Still, it wasn’t enough to deter a good crowd for the early part of the evening. Many thanks to Marnie Welch and family for their ongoing support.

DON’T FORGET: Reservations and two-for-one appetizers. If you’re coming down to the show this Thursday, let me know. I’ll put you on a guest list and you’ll get two-for-one appetizers. Just send me an e-mail with your arrival time and the expected number of guests.

Sundays @ The Gazebo.

It would seem Canadians are a hearty bunch. A surprising chilly afternoon yesterday at the Gazebo still found some friendly faces eager for scant traces of sunlight and the perfect Sunday afternoon. Many thanks to all the staff, and Alicia, Kyle and Richie. I look forward to seeing you all next Sunday.

See you again soon.

Jake Dudas, Guitarist

All photography by Sue Morley Photography