|
WEDNESDAY 26th NOVEMBER
It has always been impossible to predict how immigration officers will treat us at the Canadian border. They are very protective of their own musicians and we’ve always had to prove that we are “culture enhancing” performers .We’ve also needed work permits until very recently . This time though it was a breeze and our letters of recommendation satisfied the authorities .Maybe the fact our first concert was with the Windsor Police Pipe Band helped .It took place at a high school outside the town . The pipe band were excellent and warmed the audience up nicely for us . Our multi storey hotel was at the waterfront and we had a great view of Detroit’s downtown just a few hundred yards across the river . It was a little disconcerting , however, when the the fire alarm sounded for around 15 minutes at 3.00 a.m. while we were esconced on the 17th. floor. Eventually the klaxon stopped and the all clear was given. Our second concert was in Brantford ,Ontario ,near London and this time our hotel was also the venue ,a rare treat . The local folk club meets here,run by Don and Brenda McGeoch ,originally from Barrhead in Renfrewshire .It was our first visit to Brantford and I learned that the first telephone call was made from here by Alexander Graham Bell . Brantford was also the birthplace of Jay Silverheels.. Who he? The actor who played ‘Tonto’ in the t.v series ‘The Lone Ranger’ half a century ago ,that’s who ! Some of the audience didn’t seem to know this or maybe they were just astounded by my local knowledge .
FRIDAY 28th NOVEMBER
Kincardine ,Ontario was our third stop and a leisure centre was our third different venue,complete with ice rink and posters warning folk not to drink and snowboard.It’s an area chock full of Scottish placenames and our concert was a fundraiser for the local Highland Games .We played late since there were two opening acts and despite the difficult acoustics gave it our all . The audience responded in kind. The home straight now loomed as we made our way to London and the Wolf Auditorium , situated in a shopping centre ! Our opening act this time was Cape Breton legend John Allan Cameron .John Allan wears a kilt and plays 12 string guitar. Again we took no prisoners , sorry....played a very lively set . Last stop Toronto and the Tranzac club and as usual I had fun trying to find it . Some old friends and fans showed up here and gave us a warm welcome.We usually enjoy staying in Toronto but since our flight home next day was from Detroit we opted to drive back after the gig to London, the halfway point. Our first driving tour for many years was over.We had been lucky with weather but now it was time to get home ....... Christmas is looming.
Alan Reid
