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Matthew Good Rocks!

This is how we relax after the Aruba Vacation/Tour. With videos from our pal Matt Good, who is doing an acoustic solo type gig somewhere in Western Canada these days. Best production videos of their time (1997) that went completely uncredited and almost totally unrecognized by the entire country of Caanda until after someone realized, "Hey, this guy is really good..."

Matt doesn't care, he plays for himself first, which is what it's all about. Thanks for the pics Matt, we owe you...again ;) See you in Lethbridge in November.

Everything is Automatic... Doesn't get any better than this, for some of us.

Strange Days... a timeless video that we never get tired of watching. Matt is a ghost in this video, not a homeless person.

Apparitions, a video that makes rooms full of complete strangers break down and cry openly in front of one another (and us...) after the first time they watch it.

Rockin' In Aruba, Canadian Style!

This is us last night, Rockin' In Aruba. That's Rennie on the left, and me on the right, wearing a hat given to me by a family who works here in the hotel. There's a serious shortage of musicians over here that can actually play 'Real Rock & Roll', and the hotel owners want us to stay because of the demands from guests who are having plenty of fun. We are totally happy to play here, all I have to do is ask the crowds, "Do you want to hear some more Rock & Roll?!", and they go over the top letting us know that they sure do want us to play the songs they only hear on the American and Canadian radio stations. They are amazed at the fact that we can play their requests right away, since most local musicians usually play along or lip-sync to pre-recorded tracks, something we'll never do. I played an Elvis Presley styled 'Happy Birthday' for my twin sisters Lise and Linda, who live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and everyone joined in the singing, which was great.

What a fun family!

Some of the people who are having a great time were also having a birthday last evening. The guy in the yellow shirt kept yelling his favorite rock songs out to us and we'd play most of them right away, which made him extremely happy. His whole family carried him around on their shoulders after he got loaded on rum and we had him up on stage for one song, which was AC/DC's 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and he was hilarious! He started singing the lyrics in Spanish and he'd lose his place with the words to the song, so we'd jump right in with the English lyrics and he was just having the time of his life. His family said it was the best birthday he's ever had, and judging by some of the photos they took of him later when he passed out, I'd say they were right. They also painted his face up with some seriously bright makeup when he was passed out and then they paraded him around the hotel parking lot on one of the bar seats while he was passed out. They said they took a picture of him with every person who went by. They also took a movie of him with his face all painted up that they uploaded to Youtube at breakfast this morning.

(Isn't technology wonderful?!)

This is the Aruba Hotel 'Banana Fun Bus' which takes hotel guests and friends all through the streets and to the neighbouring bars and clubs around this beautiful place. It's got a state of the art sound system on it, which we can plug our guitars and microphones into and play music as we're hauled around by the very friendly and capable staff here at the hotel. This bus was painted and decorated by artists who also work as tour guides and bar staff, and they've done an excellent job on this 'Banana Bus'! We're just about in the mddile of this trip and are really enjoying ourselves.

Aruba Rocks!

Morning Glow

This is what it looks like in the morning from where I am. Very peaceful.

I think I could live here forever.

Today we are going to drop in on some friends who haven't seen us for a while and don't know we are here.

It should be fun seeing their faces when they hear us playing their favorite song outside their window.

I'm just tuning up the guitars and getting ready to have some classic Eggs Benedict.

I'm making them myself in the Hotel kitchen because I've been given pretty much free rein of whatever I want to do while I'm here.

Never mind the Key to the City, I've got the Key to the Kitchen!

The Chef here at the Hotel wants to hire me because I can cook and entertain him at the same time.

He said yesterday that he's never laughed so hard while trying to keep a straight face.

It's nice to be missed by people who've never forgotten you.

Gotta get going here.

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day.

The Relaxing Effect of Water

Nothing like relaxing around a large body of water.

People forget how much they need to relax.

They think they're really relaxing when their minds are still working overtime.

When I let go, I let go completely.

I don't know anyone who relaxes as quickly and fully as I do.

I am sitting in a comfortable chaise lounge with a sketch pad, pencils, a digital camera and my simple ability to create.

Yesterday, I was 'discovered' by some American music industry people who'd seen me play with an old friend on an open stage.

Not bad for someone who only hopped up for a couple of original songs with his pal.

But I'm not interested in fame in any way, and when I explain it to certain people, well, they can't seem to understand it.

They just don't get it.

Or maybe they don't want to.

The dollars signs get in the way.

But not for me they don't.

So let me repeat myself again to those who don't understand or choose not to.

Once you are famous, you'll suddenly realize that your life isn't your own anymore.

Your public owns you, so does your management team, your fellow band members and just about anyone who decides to try to attach themself to you and your talent.

Because once you are there, there's no turning back.

So be careful what you wish for or aspire to be.

Nothing will replace the simple good times, no matter how hard you try.

You might look back on those simple grocery store shopping expeditions as something you truly miss.

With so many people caught up in trying to 'Keep Up With The Jones' or just plain stuck in a rut, I like to think that all I need to relax is to see something like the picture I took only a few moments ago.

It's wonderful being here.

There's no pressure of other people's unfullfilled expectations.

And I'm far away from any phones.

I like it so much here I'm thinking of moving here.

Peace