March is almost here and I’ve got some new shows lined up. On Saturday Feb 25th we’ll be saying “so long” to February at the Saskatoon Event Centre opening for The Northern Pikes and the Grapes of Wrath! I’ve been a big fan and good friends with Jay Semko for many years and I’m looking forward to sharing a stage with him and the band.
Jen and I met Kevin Kane from Grapes a few years ago when he kindly played on the 2010 Jen Lane album “For The Night”. Kevin also added his guitar talents to my 2012 album “Always With You” and came to Saskatoon to play at my cd release at the Broadway Theatre! I’m very excited to see both these bands in action on Saturday, and feel blessed that I get to start the night off.
In March I’ll be heading back to Regina for a couple of great shows. On Thursday March 9th I’ll be at the Fat Badger slinging the hits and then some for your listening pleasure, but that’s just the teaser! On Friday March 10th I am very fortunate to get to open for Blake Berglund and the Vultures at O’Hanlon’s. Blake and I have been friends for sometime now and he is getting ready to release a new album this year. I know it’s going to be a gooder, and this will be a night you won’t want to miss for sure. Blake is pulling out all the stops with a full band and I can’t wait to take it all in myself.
This month I’ll also be back in the studio with Paul Kuzbik (Pistolwhips) finishing up a few tracks that I’m producing for him. I didn’t realize how much I really enjoy the process of helping another artist fulfill their vision and I hope I get to do it more often.
Life is getting pretty exciting right now and I’m lucky to have these people as friends in my life. I’ve been living the dream for so long now that I don’t remember what it was like before I dove in head first and made my dream a reality. There are going to be some big things coming this year and I’ve been working hard to get everything ready. Stay tuned and be good to each other.
John Antoniuk / Smokekiller 