CCMA’s, TIFF, BFF’s and TCFC

Ok lots of initials and showbiz lingo here huh?

The CCMA’s went great. First there was the industry dinner on the 11th, for which I got dressed up. Buffy Sainte Marie was there, and I thought I was going to have to put my mother in handcuffs. She is a HUGE fan of Buffy’s, and I have endured many hours of listening to “Piney Wood Hills” and watching the documentary about Buffy and her life enough now to know the woman personally.

My Mother almost jumped out of her skin, and said the only other person that would turn her into a gushing fan is Paul McCartney. I love Buffy and all, but I guess I get the Paul thing a little more for whatever reason. Mom did see the Beatles at the Montreal forum in 1965. She was a screaming, crying, hair pulling 15 year old who wound up on the cover of the newspaper due to her hysterical “I love you Paul” cries…. once a fan, always a fan.

On the 12th I did the CCMA Fan Fest, which is much like a mini version of the CMA festival in Nashville. It was hard to follow Johnny Reid, Canada’s new heartthrob and record seller…the ladies loved the boys. I tried to keep up with my wit and charm but didn’t get as many squeals…ha. I was the only form of estrogen in the vicinity, other than the ones in the audience screaming “I love you Johnny!!!” I signed after we performed and talked with some fans, and it was so nice to see everyone having a great time.

The weather was awesome, and for Vancouver, where it usually rains, that isn’t always the case. My manager even brought his wife up for a few days as well to show her what a cool city it is.

Went to rehearsals for the awards show that night, which was my first experience with a full orchestra behind me. At first I didn’t know if it would work with “Gypsy Boots,” but once I got involved in the musical aspects and where they would be coming in I knew it would be a really neat moment…plus those horn players rocked it too. They had to change the band configuration on the stage about 7 times before it appeared to look right on camera, but it was worth the long rehearsal to get it all in place. It was the biggest band I have ever played with.

The day of the show I had to be over at the dress rehearsal early, and the family was planning to come later. I chatted Reba up in her dressing room for awhile, and we caught up on the goings on in our lives as it’s been awhile since we have seen each other. She told me she saw the video for GB on GAC right before they flew to Vancouver and she LOVED it. She said the video looked great and the song may be her favorite that she’s ever heard me do. Of course, I LOVED to hear that.

I got my makeup and hair done professionally for the show, did dress rehearsal, and practiced a little skit with the show’s host Jason Priestly for the opening. I always get SUPER nervous performing on awards shows. It’s always tough on LIVE TV when you know how many people are watching, not to mention Reba and Martina, Jann, and all the bigwigs in the audience…. gulp!!! The skit went well, and I had my wardrobe all in place, with tape to hold my jacket in place. I was so anxious about singing well; the aesthetic aspects of my performance were the last thing on my mind…. or the tape on my boobs.

I did the performance and breathed out a sigh of relief it went well…went back to my seat and my mother was laughing hysterically because she said she saw the tape at the end of the performance. All I can say is, it’s a good thing Reba was sitting 3 seats away from Mom and me. We wouldn’t even look in that direction for fear of choking at the sight of Reba, so I didn’t see Mom peeing her pants, or I may have REALLY choked…wondering if my fly was open or I was pulling a “Janet Jackson Super Bowl moment”- I was relieved to hear it was ONLY a piece of 2 sided tape…I threw the whole roll in the trash after the show…. from now on, if it ain’t taped down it can fly free….

We went to the after awards show reception and ran into several people in the industry, and a few fans. Then went to a club called “Shark Club,” and it felt like I was shoved into a 150 degree drunk sardine can. Different artists were getting up to sing. The band and I did 3 songs, but I was so claustrophobic and sweltering hot I had to get out of there…. it was fun but…wow.

I met Mike Dungan after the awards as well, who is the president of Capitol records in Nashville, and he told me how pleasantly surprised he had been to see my USA digital album sales debut so high.

All the press, and media have been super supportive of the record, and other than a few misquotes, it’s been fine. A few of them are reading a little more into “A Million Ways to Run” than what I originally expected or intended. I think they are taking the lyrics as a complete black and white autobiography of sorts. The song is meant for anyone who has dealt with their demons or uncomfortable feelings in an unhealthy way…. mainly through excessive means, and by escaping.

I’ve had my ways for sure, but not every line in the song is about me. It gets a little frustrating when I hear them say things about my “addiction” and such…since that isn’t language I’ve ever used. To be clear, no I don’t drink anymore; I’ve not gone on record giving any specific “sobriety dates.” I’ve just become a non-drinker because my head and heart feels better without it, and I want to be present in my life all the time. I don’t know that I would consider myself having ever had a dependency of sorts; I’m just seeing things a little clearer these days. That’s really the long and short of it.

Anyone who wants to change their life for the better can seek support from family, friends, and different support groups, and knowing you are not alone can make it a little easier. I hope the song can be of encouragement, inspiration and help to anyone whose ears it is meant to fall upon. I know it was healing for me just to write it. Not that I need to explain myself, but thought I should just address it a little more directly. Ok, I digress….

Back to my grind—-I flew to Toronto from Vancouver to do the Toronto Film festival music cafe, and I must say it went AWESOMELY. I got some serious interest in my songs, included “Empty” in my set (I’ve always felt that song has been overlooked) and I may be re-recording it for my Canadian label so they can have the rights to get it placed in movies and TV- so THAT is great news.

Tired as hell by now, I flew back from Toronto to Seattle to play not one but 2 shows at the Skagit Casino. We also had to work up two new songs for a CMT taping in Kelowna the following day. These two new songs were “The One You Love” and “Poor Girls Dream.” The band did a great job on them so we stuck them in the set for the two casino shows. I did two 80-minute sets just to get my “show legs” back. Crossed the border in the middle of the night on the bus, and thank God they didn’t get us all up. Sometimes they do, and sometimes not.

Saturday morning I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a truck- after all the time zones changes, 10 hours of flying in 2 days, and two shows and a long rehearsal I was absolutely needing an IV for my coffee. We woke up at Cedar Creek vineyards, and immediately went into hair and makeup for the taping of the special that will be a DVD and CMT Canada TV show. We played mostly new songs for a live audience and I did a few acoustic in the barrel room. After playing “A Million Ways” sitting in front of dozens of barrels of wine, I found we were swimming in irony, so I decided to play it again later that night on the stage in a bit of a “different” setting- kinda funny really. The taping went really well and backdrop was absolutely stunning.

We left after the taping for another border crossing…this time the border officials got us all out of our bunks at 4:30am, and marched us in. As soon as I got up, one of them asked for an autographed picture…not exactly what I wanted to roll out of bed to. Regardless, it went quickly, and we all got back on the bus and slept another 6 hours and now we are sitting at the state fair in Astoria, Oregon. Only one more show and I get to fly home tomorrow after 23 days straight…. I’ve been whistling the tune to “The Final Countdown” for about 3 days solid now, driving everyone nuts…

Thanks to you all for the support for the album. It thrills me to no end to hear how much it has meant to all of you. You have made me smile knowing I’ve planted some seeds that are growing into beautiful flowers…BUT- I am ready to go home for awhile!!!!

Take care,

TC