Artist of the Day | DON GRAHAM
ARTIST OF THE DAY
25.09.2021
DON GRAHAM
LOCATION
The Beach, Toronto, ON, Canada
GENRE
Country Rock/ Folk Americana
CURRENT MEMBERS
Don Graham ( Solo Act)
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
When everything got locked down I was at home preparing to head to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record on March 27/28. The lockdown happened on March 17th and everything ground to a halt. one by one festivals and live gigs started getting cancelled and there was nothing we could do about it. My whole world was changed overnight
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
This year ,2021, we thought would be a better year than 2020 because we were pretty sure things would be back to normal. Some restrictions are lifted but live gigs are still not happening and we are scheduled to be in Sweden again in September but there are warnings aplenty that it might not be safe. Still not sure about that. We are booked to be back in Sweden in February 2022 so hopefully that will go on as scheduled. We have a new 12 song CD mixed, mastered and ready to go but are holding off on releasing it til we can get out a promote it. Our 2020 album A Willing Heart which includes the single Como Te Amo is available.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
I've taken advantage of being home to write and organize my thoughts and songs and plans without the hustle and bustle of having to pack up and go. I recorded a version of a song written by my friend, folk legend Eric Andersen to be included on an album due out in the late fall called A Tribute To A Songpoet; The Songs of Eric Andersen. The album will feature versions of Eric's songs by Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Bob Dylan. I'm supporting my mental health by trying to see the good in everything. I live steps from the lake and have made a habit of getting up every morning to watch the sunrise over the water. Starts my day with an attitude of gratitude.
As things are reopening & restrictions are lifting have you booked any new gigs? Tours? Etc? If your region is still under restriction, how are dealing with the Covid third wave?
We are booked in Sweden, just outside of Stockholm at the Future Echoes Festival in September. We are keeping a close eye on travel warnings as I write this. We will be back in Sweden in February 2022. There are open invitations to return to local venues once it's safe and Montreal as well. In April 2021 we were part of an Earth Day Celebration, Heal The Earth, a virtual concert that include Andy Kim, Tommy James and the Shondells , Larry Gowan ( Styx) Murray MacLaughlan, Marshall Potts, Paul Saunders and Tom Jackson to name a few. we are planning a live Heal The Earth show for 2022vin Toronto and Montreal.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
This moment right now!!!
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Stay positive, stay focused and be kind and compassionate. This hard time will end. Good's not forever and bad's not for good.
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