It was t-minus approximately 24 hours until our provincial launch in Medicine Hat, when I got the call from T.
"Do we have live music confirmed for the launch yet?"
We had requested assistance from a local high school band, but they had not yet confirmed. This was a problem. Simply put: a launch without live music ain't no launch, and we don't roll like that at Project Porchlight.
Friday October 12, 11:00am
Regional Coordinator John Frame was dispatched to the high school to find the Headmaster and try to figure things out. I did what any self respecting Porchlighter would do, I hit the cafeteria… the cafeteria at Medicine Hat College that is. We figured that if things didn't work out with the high school band a college would be a reasonable place to meet some hip student who would know of a local band.
No sooner had I made my way to our table, than a friendly professor from the College approached, looking to volunteer. Her name was Sue and on a chance I asked her if she happened to know of any local bands that might be available on short notice. Proving once again that Project Porchlight is meant to be, she responded saying that she was a member of the Medicine Hat Folk Music Society [1] and could give me some names and numbers that might be helpful.
Yereeka, the mother load!
Friday October 12, 11:30am
John calls in to report that the high school is a maybe, but that it doesn't look good. I respond with the news of our newly acquired names and numbers and tell him that I will start calling for backups. I immediately get on the phone with Patrick at the Folk Society, who informs me that it just so happens that he will be running a singer/songwriter night at the Prickly Pear that night and that I am welcome to attend and ask the 5-7 musicians there to play the launch if I would like. Patrick then tells me that if none of the musicians are available, he would be happy to perform for us.
Yereeka, another mother load! Things are shaping up in the Gas City.
Friday October 12, 12:00pm
John calls to tell me that the high school band is a definite no and I assuage his fears by telling him of the conversation with Patrick. With part 1 of Mission Find Music completed and a handful of new volunteers acquired, I leave the College with my head held high.
Friday October 12, 8:30pm
After dinner with the Team at East Side Mario's I make my way downtown to the Prickly Pear. Paying my $5 at the door and picking up a "Heiny" I sit down to survey the talent. I feel sort of like Ed McMahon circa 1983 Star Search and my lime green Project Porchlight jacket ain't helping me blend in if you know what I mean.
After a few very wonderful acts I see "The Guy" - Jeff Fry. Jeff plugs in his guitar, provides a bit of modest banter for the audience, and then starts playing. This dude virtually oozes stage presence as soon as he starts. I'm in love… in a musical sense, but not wanting to rush to a snap judgment I wait until he finishes his set before approaching Jeff.
Friday October 12, 10:15pm
I approach Patrick to introduce myself and thank him for his help. Patrick in turn introduces me to Jeff. My palms are slightly sweaty and I feel like an 18 year old on a first date, I mean Jeff reminds me of a mix of Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, and freakin' Zeus - I clearly have no business approaching this man to ask him to play a gig. But there I am and before I know precisely what is happening I'm laying out the scenario for Jeff and he is enthusiastically agreeing to play for us.
Friday October 12, 10:30pm
I leave the Prickly Pear a happier human being.
Saturday October 13, 10:00am
Jeff shows up and rocks the house something fierce!
Big thanks to Sue Higgins who gave me Patrick's name! Big thanks to Patrick O'Brien and the Medicine Hat Folk Music Society for inviting me to the Prickly Pear! Big thanks to the Prickly Pear for having a beer for me to drink and housing the night's festivities where I saw Jeff Fry. And gigantic thanks to Jeff Fry for playing two awesome sets at our launch on short notice!
Do yourself a favor and check Jeff out on YouTube [2].