I started playing music for a living in Calgary in 2005. I was coming off of a jazz degree and got my first Gig playing Outlaw Country music. One of the first shows I played had these guys’ headlining. I had no idea they were legends.

OLD RELIABLE- TIGHT KNIT SEEMS

Taking a step back though, I remember getting the call- “Greg! You know my brother Dave. I need a guitar player at the Ship and Anchor Jam today.. can you make it?? 3 chord songs and dress sharp!” I wore a 10 Gallon hat and a Le Chateau Shirt and played with him for 10 years. The first chord was F#minor…

MATT MASTERS- CENTENNIAL SWELL

Shortly after that we toured west to Vancouver. My first Tour! God that was a beautiful drive “Aristocrats!”. When we got there we stayed with some real dudes. We were driven around by a car that ran on Saskatchewan-recycled vegetable oil. The West was different.

DUSTIN BENTALL- PONTIAC

My Second real tour was eastward to the Cultural centre of Canada. You guessed it, Winnipeg. “Don’t leave your gear in the van”.. that’s just like Vancouver. A bit rougher around the edges I guess. Stabby? Maybe. But the friendships but are real and they remember them forever.

ROMI MAYES- LONG WAY HOME

Eating is an interesting thing on the road. Every town has their own customs of where you take the touring band to eat. In Calgary it’s easy- It’s the Blackfoot Truckstop Diner. In Winnipeg we ate at Sal’s- Portage and Parkdale.

DRIVE DAY- SCOTT NOLAN

Ever Been to Dauphin Manitoba? Some people have. It’s 3 hours north-west of Winnipeg. They have the world’s greatest festival of culture and bumper stickers there. Denim was mandatory but wearing a shirt was entirely your choice. I learnt to dance here. Came back 3 years in a row afterwards.

RIDLEY BENT- SUICIDE WINDER

I’ve never made it to the east coast to play music yet so I’ll keep this brief. Lots to look forward to I suppose. And a great long drive.

THE DIVORCEES- MY ’83

I played a Christmas special at the Broken City and a friend of Matt’s opened for us Solo. I wasn’t sure how that would go over to packed crowd of rowdy Christmas types. That was the first time I met Justin and Toronto had just blown my mind.

JUSTIN RUTLEDGE- SPECIAL

I moved to Toronto sometime around 2010. I walked into the Cameron House and the guy who was playing there that Thursday let me know that I was “in Luck!” , because a room at his house had just become available. 39 Oxford street had about 30 years of musicians as tenants. It was finally sold 5 years ago unfortunately, but the Cameron House will outlive us all. Corin now lives in Hamilton.

CORIN RAYMOND- RIDING WEST ON DUNDAS

There are so many ways I’d love to keep this playlist/trip going but I figure I’ll end it closest to home. As I’m reminiscing about my musical family- sometimes you’re lucky enough to have a biologically musical family as well. So the last track comes to you from our Parkdale.