Gift in the Mail
I think one of the greatest ways to experience a surprise is receiving something special through the mail. I mean, good surprises are awesome regardless, but when something arrives in your mail box you weren’t expecting, it’s the coolest feeling!
I had this happen to me the other day, and it’s really special. My last post referred to an artist – Prashant Miranda – that I met on the train. This story is from someone else I met on the same journey – a kind woman named Bev.
During one of my performances, I was speaking about my Dad’s link to CBC’s Peter Gzowski (Click here if you don’t know the back story), and shared the story of how my Dad’s song became a theme for Peter’s show for a short time frame. Now, a couple of years ago, when I was researching into my Dad’s history for “I’d Rather Walk,” I wanted to connect with Peter, but found out he had passed away a few years previous. I knew Peter was a major Canadian icon and did a tremendous amount for the arts and culture in Canada, but I didn’t know that much about him.
Back to the train – Bev, who was listening, spoke up and mentioned she new a man (R.B. Fleming) that had written Peter Gzowski’s biography, and that she would send me his book.
I am always fascinated by the timing of things – this book arrived a day before my Dad’s birthday, with a personal inscription from R.B. Fleming…..Wild!
And so the cycle of connections continues. Thanks Bev and Rae for sending this my way!
Something to do after reading this – Send someone a surprise in the mail – if you don’t know their postal code, you can find them at Canada Post online.
New Artistic Friend on the Road
People often ask me if I like being on the road, and usually imply that it is a very tough go. I admit that there are times when I feel the pull of home and miss my loved ones and friends, but getting out and seeing new places brings something very special to me.
I actually love being out on the road, on the water, in the air, underground..haha…where ever you can go, I am a big fan. However, it is not for the feeling of “getting away,” or escaping as it is often referred to, that I enjoy so much. Having a career as a touring musician demands frequent travel, but beyond that, I am ultra fascinated with how things work in different places around the world. That, and meeting the people that live in all these wonderful areas that make them great.
Just wanted to take a moment to share with you something that came my way recently. During the summer, while I was performing on VIA Rail coming back from Toronto, I met a whole cast of outstanding individuals. I want to introduce you to one of them – Prashant Miranda! (Click on the photo to see his work and blog).
Prashant is an incredible water colour painter, also the fastest one I have ever encountered, a vibrant personality, and a wicked singer. One of the last performances I had on the train, he belted out a few beauties on the guitar in a group jam, and it was awesome.
Earlier in the trip, I initiated the writing of a song with the passengers that essentially took 2 days to complete. Prashant lent massive insight and inspiration into the tune, and perhaps I will post it when I make a recording of it. However, in the span of a few minutes in the first session, Prashant whipped this up – look below. Recognize that crazy character? haha. Prashant journals this way, and the whole train trip, among other adventures, is on his blog. Take a moment to check out his site and work. You may find some familiar places in his paintings :). Honour to meet you and spend time Prashant!
