Russ Rosen Band Canadian Tour Pt 2

So we/re now just over the half way point in the tour and we have travelled nearly 5000 kms across the vast and ever changing countryside of Canada. Our gigs have ranged from outdoor stages to intimate cafe gigs and the audiences have been equally as disparate! Highlights include driving through the Rockies, playing on national TV, catching up with old friends and family members, driving the bus through the prairies, cheap alcohol in Alberta, not so cheap alcohol in the hotel, and getting to spend the day exploring Toronto city! Musically I have tried to nail the material as best I can each gig, whilst helping to take some of the material to new places if required. One of the good things about Russ and his band are their openness to new musical ideas and extending tunes with jams when appropriate. 
We have stayed with some fantastically generous people who have fed and sheltered us in some exquisite surroundings...pics to come!
We are currently spending a few days in and around the Toronto area, and I got the chance to explore some of the city in the glorious sunshine yesterday. It has a really great vibe, busy but not choked, with a definite sense of the arts and business prospering side by side. Our gig was in the very cool Kensington market area, surrounded by arts, clothing and food stalls in a strangely London terraced housing area of the city. Great vibe though!
The big discovery I made last night was that I play way better with my eyes closed! I guess it takes away any visual distractions and really helps me focus on the music and heightens my listening abilities. I will try to incorporate this in the upcoming gigs and also work on playing more relaxed to see what effects this has on my timing and concentration abilities.
Thanks for reading, I am looking forward to what the rest of the trip brings!

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