Anthony To the Rescue

Damanta can't get out of Lethbridge on August 2nd without a helping hand...

On the way back to Lethbridge for the fourth time moral was very low. Without the money in hand to make the repairs necessary it looked like the tour was over until...Anthony offered us the use of his truck. Apparently, he'd recently purchased a Chevy Silverado 1/2 ton for $250 and was so into us finishing this tour he was willing to lend us the truck for the balance of the summer.


It should be said that the truck didn't have a working speedometer or a driver side mirror or working rear running lightsor a canopy and had a headlight out. But it was the right price so we bought a headlight and a tarp and (after 1.5 hours in the Canadian Tire parking lot) we were on our way. Anthony, everything that happens to the band after this point on the trip is thanks to you. We can never repay you fully. I can't wait to play that house concert for your family in September.

Saturday morning I rode with Anthony out of Lethbridge to the foothill country through an native reserve land that has preserved several species of prairie wild grass and flowers. Chief Mountain, who I believe makes an appearance in a Corb Lund song, "Little Foothills Heaven," looked down as I took the wheel of THE BEAST for the first time.

It is a blue truck with sport (which is to say LOUD) exhaust and tinted windows but sadly, no bumping stereo. It is my believe that in removing his stereo system, the previous owner managed to screw up the electrical system beyond comprehension--but it is just a theory...


I followed Anthony back to Lethbridge through fields of cattle and windmills and began to change my attitude toward this whole experience. Instead of being a last gasp attempt to continue, we had a potential Hollywood movie on our hands--Band rescued by tow truck driver goes on to fame and glory. Now, I know my friend Ryan has told me that fame and glory are not likely by-products of a folk music project but we'll see.

It took us a bit of time to transfer the gear from The Pooka to the newly christened Beast. It was clear that travelling this way was not going to be easy. There would be no more sleeping in the back while others took up the wheel. There would be no more snacks in the ice box. No more pop-top camping and no more slow lane cruising looking at the scenery.

We were already late leaving for a show in Illinois and would be lucky to get there. Matt was in Ottawa poised to cancel his ticket to Chicago if we sent him word but we really wanted to make it there. We were goping to play at a famous music venue called the Elbo Room and hoping to record the set. So we made a run for the border a third time...