It's On

So I did it. I quit my day job. I never thought I would be at the point where I would call my profession a day job but I guess I just did. On April 15th I went into the Principal's office and let him know I was joining a touring band and I wouldn't be back in September. It was an extremely hard thing to do as I teach high school at my alma mater and my colleagues are, in many cases, my mentors. Most of them understand and a few are even envious.

Essentially, I have been bicycling to school for the last couple of years wishing I could be sitting at home writing songs and becoming a better musician. Now I'm just going to see if I can make that happen. It wasn't always like this. I was a successful high school athlete with a soft spot for the stage but mostly I spent all my time playing, watching, coaching and talking about sports. Teaching was just a natural extension of coaching.

But while studying French, teaching English and guiding bike tours for teenagers in Quebec from 2000-2001 I decided to try out some musical instruments. Flush with my success at learning a second language I figured that one could actually teach an old dog new tricks. So I bought a bodhran and a penny whistle and began frequenting Irish sessions in la capitale. This lead to learning guitar and recording a CD while teaching English in Japan (2001-2003) and eventually meeting new band mates when I moved back to Vancouver.

After four years of full-time teaching and two CDs with a local folk music group, Tarkin, I got an offer from another local musician, Elegwen Ó Maoileóin, to join his band Damanta and I have taken the plunge. We are heading out across Canada this summer with in a '73 VW Westphalia and moving to Ireland in the fall. We've already done one mini-tour and we'll be heading out again next week. These trips will be detailed soon in this space. Until then, check out the tunes at my two bands' pages and we'll see you soon.
JO