Fairview...

So, I was in Fairview with Bobby Keele last night. Strangely the gig went off without much of a hitch. Normally it can be pretty chaotic. With an almost certainty, the audience is generally pretty foul and abrasive. (Truthfully that’s being polite…) Happily this was not the case last night.

While there were really only 9 people in the bar, (not counting the staff.) they were attentive. It helped a lot that there were a handful of Newfs who were homesick. I became a reminder of home, and that helped me to dig in and give them a decent show.

For the uninitiated, Fairview is a dirt bowl town in the Peace Country of northern Alberta. I would not be the first to point out that the town is poorly named. It is neither fair nor is their a view of any sort. If Calgary is the new body of economic might in Canada, then Fairview is its armpit. (A musty sweaty armpit…)

The venue is a run down hotel; its better days are very clearly long since gone. The staff, while pleasant enough, clearly has given up hope that the business will ever be an entertainment draw for the locals. I suspect that the weekly comedy show there is little more than a tax write off.

The interior of the bar has an unnatural greenish hue. It’s the kind of bar that looks like something out of a bad cowboy movie. (Without those fun flapping doors…) It’s grimy walls and carelessly looked after furniture lack any sense of invitation for potential patrons. You’d imagine that even rats might think twice before popping in for a cold one.

Its places like this that make a comic reevaluate his / her career. Normally it’s good to live in the moment on stage, but while you’re on stage in Fairview its much more likely to cause you to live in your last nightmare.

Traveling with Bobby has been good so far. I like him. At his best, he’s a good man (A little rough around the edges…) who has found his place in the world. At his worst, he’s a good drinking buddy. I’ve learned a lot, even just in the ride here. This is a true road warrior, with a quarter of century and a million miles of pavement under his belt.

Today starts the Grande Prairie leg of this little mini tour. Apparently it’s been a little rough here lately. I hope that things go well tonight. The last thing either of us needs is an unpleasant situation. That would suck.

I found out today that I’ve picked up a Calgary date. May 6th both shows. I’m looking forward to that. It’s been a while since I’ve played the club.

Anyway more tomorrow…