Braden Gates

Hello,

I write now from the hole I have called home for nearly a year. The hole next to the businesses that have handled my vices since the fall and where the traffic chatters softly along Whyte Avenue adding rhythm to my grade 4 typing skills. It's hard to believe that it has been so long, that I have been to Memphis and back, and across our great country of Canada, all the while having this lovely little hole to rest my head when I return. Time surely does fly my friends, time surely does not look back.

I have been stopped in Edmonton for a couple days as I prepare to embark on the final two weeks of my tour. It has been very nice to catch up with friends and family, to sleep in my own (house)bed and to soak in the Edmonton summer. As I reflect on the recent five weeks of travel, I am humbled to have been so graciously welcomed into many homes for just an ounce of time. To Isabel in Bridgewater, Marianne in Fredericton, Bruce in Marysville, Sonya and David in Guelph, Gail and Jeff in Huntsville, Sean and Nancy in Midland, Yvonne and Ian in Val Caron, Matt and Emilie in Winnipeg, Thank you. For a traveling songwriter and wandering spirit, you mean the world.

Tomorrow evening I will be play at the Owl Acoustic Lounge in Lethbridge. Afterwards, I'll be heading to Fort Saskatchewan for a couple shows with the Gates Family Band for Canada Day celebrations. Then, it's off to the west for a string of shows, most notably, the Vancouver Island Music Festival. It's going to be a riot. I'm excited to see Emmylou Harris, Sam Baker, and local artist Kat Danser sing their hearts out.

I have retired the Carbed for a period of time as I will be having my sister join me on the last leg of the tour. Apparently she is not keen on having the Carbed ride shotgun as she sits cramped in the back seat. It will be good to have company however and I am excited to have her along so that I can practice all of my bad jokes. Like that one...

Anyways, That's about all that is happening at this present time. One last thank you to all of you who continue to encourage me during my travels and who continue to check in. You also mean the world.

Stay Groovy,

B

Hey,

Northern Ontario has been nice to me. She's given me a warm place to sleep and a steaming plate of brussel sprouts and it has been more than enough to keep me fired up for my future travels.

I am currently in Midland where on Tuesday night I performed an intimate house concert to a small but appreciative audience. Big thanks to Sean and his wife Nancy for having me in their home to share my songs and stories. They are just one example of the many fine folks who have opened up their home and lives to me along this journey. It has truly been a humbling experience.

At the concert, I met a girl named Jill, who played fiddle with me for a few songs. It was great to get to know her and hang out with her for a couple days. It's interesting coming into a situation knowing that you'll be leaving almost quicker than you arrived. Saying goodbye with, "Have a nice life" is not particularly enjoyable for yours truly.

Now, I'm off to Peterborough to play some songs tonight and then to Sudbury.

Thanks for reading,

B

Bonjour tout le monde,

My oh my. I am currently in Huntsville, ON and it is gorgeous! I am overwhelmed by the landscape and the generosity and kindness that I have been showered with by wonderful wonderful people.

On Friday night, I saw some familiar faces at The Root Cellar, a groovy house concert venue. The homemade beer was in abundance along with some great groove by The Downtown Funk Connection. A big shout out to all of the RC crew, James, Graeme, Jesse, Brett, and Ariana for having me in their home.

Saturday night I ventured over to The Central where I played some songs and met some interesting people. I stayed in Toronto and then awoke and headed to Huntsville, about 2 and a half hours north of TO. I played an opening set for local artist, J'aime Payne at a small church along Ravenscliffe Road. It was a great opportunity to share my songs to a large and appreciative crowd. Huge thanks to Jolene Martin for all of her work to make this show happen!

I now have a couple days to explore around the area. Maybe I'll hop in a lake or maybe I'll fix the tiny hole in my exhaust...

That's all for now, stay groovy.

B

Hello,

Well, the last few days have been busy, full of shows and traveling. I now write from Guelph, where I slept last night. This week has gone fast. Monday I was at the Plan B Lounge in Moncton, played at Burritoville in Montreal on Wednesday, and last night I played in the round at Maxwell's Music House with two local songwriter\s. Tonight, I'm off to Toronto to play at the Root Cellar.

Well, I don't have too much to say right now. If you're reading, thanks for following along.

B

Hello,

It's saturday night and I'm watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Thought I'd write a little note and digest the past couple of days.

Last night I played at the Gallery Connection in Fredericton as part of the 'Tay Creek Folk Festival' fundraiser. I had a blast performing and met some cool folks. One being Bruce, who took me canoeing today along the Nashwaalk River in Marysville, NB. We talked about life and gummy bears, fishing, and folk songs as we paddled hard upstream and then floated back down. We made small talk with a couple of old fisherman that were stationed along the bank, having a few beers and enjoying their saturday afternoon.

After the Tom Foolery subsided, I headed back to my place of retreat to be picked up by Carol, an auto-harp pickin' pal I met last night at the show. We went out to Keswick Ridge, a rural community outside of Fredericton, for an open mic that was held in the basement of an old church. I entered into a wonderful community of music breathing within a beautiful setting. I jammed along with a few tunes, picked a few of my own, and listened to some interesting music. After a few hours, I headed back to where I am staying for the evening.

That's about it for now. Don Cherry is assuring me of his hockey opinions while wearing a nice suit. I must go.

Peace,

B

Hello reader(s)

Today was an interesting and profound day.

I ventured out to Baker's settlement, to view the home of my grandmother's grandparents. It was very exciting to have a physical sense of my ancestry and to witness where my great great grandparent's settled years ago.

I then went of to visit with Lorimer Higgins, a great old time fiddler here. We shared a few tunes and talked of the specific styles of fiddling across Canada. I recorded a video of him and his partner Shirley playing Lorimer's own composition, "Nova Scotia Reel". It's a great tune and he plays it with a wonderful touch. You can view the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf4NuEi7AJI&feature=youtu.be

This friday I open up my tour with a show in Fredericton. It's been a great number of days roaming this country with no stress and commitments, but I'm excited to start playing some music. Also looking forward to heading back west and catching a glimpse of those Alberta eyes.

That's all for now,

B

Hello.

I am in Edmundston, NB and I miss Edmonton.

Here is an entry I wrote last night from my carbed. I was unable to post it.

" I write to you now from a campsite in rural Quebec from my car. I am along a river that I don’t know the name of and amongst people who do not know mine. Campfires to my right and left pose as a gentle nightlight, glimmering within my cramped bedroom quarters where slumber has been hard to catch. On Thursday morning, I set out from my initial CarBed stay and rambled eastbound. I ended up in Wawa where I got caught up with the story of a man named Tom, the pleasure of a pickle barrel, and the excitement of a large goose.

Tom strolled into the Lakeview Hotel, where I was consuming a wheat and barley based beverage and proceeded to join me for the evening. From St. Louis, he was on a northern pilgrimage, “goofing off” as he put it. I was happy to have a new friend to goof off with in a town with a giant goose and a pickle barrel. A musician himself, Tom and I ended up playing a bit of music the next morning before we parted ways.

With a newfound appreciation for pickle storage and large geese, I left Wawa bound for the Soo. I wanted to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so I stayed the night in a cheap motel and watched Marty Brodeur earn another birth into the finals. I awoke this morning and had an early start. I passed through many small towns with community garage sales. I was privileged to bear witness to the junk of rural small town Canadians and ended up buying a nice chair to perform on in Markstay. I paid six dollars American and 4 dollars Canadian for it. I then headed east, into Quebec, ending up in campsite."

I drove through Quebec today and I was very impressed with my ability to drive en francais. On another note, my facial hair is getting to look quite like a turkey with it's cape on. Ridiculous. Zing. Well, that's enough for now.

Groove Staying,

B

Jingle Jangle Tingle Tangle,

I currently sit in a beautiful cabin overlooking a lake somewhere in between Dryden and Thunder Bay. I have parked my car bed at a campground called the "Cobblestone" where the wind has challenged the rain to a game of "Cat and Mouse". It's hard to tell which has become the cat and which is the mouse, as both seem to be gathering steam as time goes on.

It's interesting being on the road. I would describe it as being thrown into something that is bigger than your own identity. The sum of all of the stories, people, and places that you come across adds up to something giant. It's great to be a part of this beautiful landscape as I ramblin' onward. I quite enjoy the feeling of venturing on towards places that I have never been. Until June 1st, I am free to roam anywhere I please, so long that I get to Fredericton by then. After that, it's going to be hectic as I have about 20 appearances in a little over 5 weeks, with more gigs being added as I go along.

Tomorrow I plan to head to Sault St. Marie. As of right now, I must head off. They close the doors here at 9PM. I will retreat to the Car Bed.

Stay Groovy,

B

Hello to all, to all a hello.

I am writing from the living room of my good friend Matt Contois in Winnipeg. Two doors down lives three time Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, Patti Lamoureux. Yesterday I had breakfast in Alberta, lunch in Saskatchewan and drinks in Manitoba. After 13 hours of driving, Winnipeg was most welcoming to a tired soul and it has been my resting place for a good couple of days. Tomorrow, I'm heading east towards Thunder Bay, going to look for some camping and spend some intimate time with my car bed. I have about 9 days to get all the way to Fredericton for my first gig on June 1st. Looking forward to it as I roam eastbound.

That's it for now.

With love from the road,

B