It's been more than fifty years since Hank Williams
Sr. passed away and his music seems to be more popular then ever. Hank's music was one of the
biggest influences on me getting a guitar at the age of twelve and becoming a pest, singing
everywhere and anywhere I could. When my old friend, Edmonton producer Peter North (pictured
on the right) asked if I would be interested in being part of a tribute show to Hank William's
music, called "Hangin' With Hank", I jumped all over it.
The shows were presented to sold out audiences in theatres in Lloydminster Alberta
and Edmonton Alberta. The line-up of artists as diversified as it was talented included Debbie
Boodram - jazz, Dawn Oviatt - bluegrass, Doug Andrew - contemporary singer/songwriter, Mark
Sterling - delta blues, Bomba - Latin American and yours truly holding down the country end of
things. There was a great house band consisting of Lionel Rault - lead guitar, Ron Rault - bass
guitar, Scott Anderson - drums, Stewart MacDougall - keyboards and Rob Anderson - pedal steel
guitar. (pictured on the right - Debbie, Danny, Dawn)
Doug Andrew and I were the only two from Vancouver so we booked a flight together and made the jump over the Rocky Mountains to Edmonton. We were met at the airport by Peter North and driven to the Arden Theatre for rehearsals. No rest for the wicked they say. When it was time to take the stage and rehearse my songs with the band I was surprised to see a lone figure sitting in the theatre. It turned out to be my cousin Terry Willox who I've only seen a few times in thirty some odd years. We had a short visit and then he was off to Calgary with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart to talk some movie deal.
That evening after dinner Doug Andrew and I headed for "A Channel" to tape a TV spot and then off to CKUA radio for an interview. When we arrived at CKUA we landed smack dab in the middle of a party for some of their sponsors so we got to schmooze a little and do a few radio ID's and then back to the hotel for some sleep.
The next morning we had to get up early and hit the road. Oh, did I mention this is all taking place in February and it's fifteen below zero and snowing. I traveled with the drummer Scott as we headed for Lloydminster for an afternoon sound check. When we arrived at the theatre I stepped out of the car and the cold wind hit me like a ton of bricks. At fifteen below on the Canadian prairies with the wind blowing, it can feel the equivalent of thirty or forty below. Shortly after thawing out in the theatre Peter asked "Hey Dan, would you mind going down to the local radio station and doing an interview?" Ouch, back out into the cold in search of the radio station and a hot coffee latte. The concert that night in Lloydminster went off without a hitch and was a knock-out.
Later, driving back to Edmonton I was thinking about my dear Australian partner Bonnie Dakota who was flying in to meet up with me and see the last show. How the hell is she going to survive this cold? I found her huddled in at the hotel, nursing a terrible nose bleed, brought on by the cold dry air and asking "How do people live in this climate and why????"
The next evening we had a fabulous time at the Arden Theatre. The sold out crowd loved it. I would like to thank Peter North for producing the show and all those involved for making it a highlight of 2003. These are the people that make this business we call show, a joy in which to participate.
No show can fly without a great sound tech. We had the best in Kirby!!!!
(pictured on the right: Danny, Kirby, Peter)
