Like most great moments in life, they tend to occur when you least expect them or when everything seems lost and the night after the show was no exception. We stayed in our seats as the crowd cleared, hoping the band might reappear to chat with fans as they have on numerous other occassions. It was late though, about 2 am, when the bar staff asked us to head down to Denny's. We switched to Plan B, a late night vigil in front of the bus, which would hopefully still achieve our goal.
We were making our way to the door when Ken, the road manager waved us down. He said if we could wait a few minutes while the guys cleaned up, they'd like us to meet with them downstairs in the band room. No problem. Hanging around we were asked by three people to leave but now that we were "friends of the band" we fended them off with little trouble.
Ken finally waved us over to the hall entry that led to an elevator that took us downstairs to the waiting band. Two others, who we later found out were friends of Brian's from Widbey Island, joined us. It was a cramped but short trip and as the door opened downstairs, I caught my first glimpse of backstage with a rock n' roll band.
It was a small room, the classic look of someone's basement, with concrete walls and very little furniture. On the left was a table with food, namely pizza, and straight ahead was a galvinized tub full of assorted beverages.
My wife was the first in our party to exit the elevator and she was approached by Brian. She introduced herself and attempted to explain who she was. When she mentioned the Albertson's vegetable plate he gave her in Boise, he seemed to remember and gave her a hug. Jim was right there too, while Jerry was on the left wall and Myles was sitting in the corner on a stool. I was last in, behind my wife's brother and his wife. I might add that she was completely dumbfounded at what was going on and even her husband for once in his life was speechless. I
slowly entered trying to take everything in when Brian waved at me and came over to shake my hand.
It's a little vague but do remember shaking his hand and making a comment about his short hair cut. There was a short exchange when Jim stepped in front of me and Brian moved to greet his friends from Widbey Island. I was talking with Jim as I noticed my wife shaking hands with Myles who was still sitting in the corner.
Next thing I knew I was standing in front of Myles. He looked tired but seemed to perk up when I introduced myself.
Fearing that time might be working against me, I quickly fired off some questions. He confirmed the story about the EJ back cover. It happened exactly as the article said and he added that the shirt on the bum was his. He also said that it was unknown to him as to what ever happened when the son found his father.
I told him of a post asking about his drumming experience. It is indeed true that he started as a drummer. Jerry overheard our discussion and confirmed that he was a very good drummer. Myles said that his songwriting often starts with the drums and percussion.
I asked him about his prolific songwriting. He called it work. He decides on a type of song, working out each part until it comes together into a finished product. "I get ideas and inspiration from my kids and my wife. The kids keep in touch with what's going on and popular." he explained. "I've been writing country songs. I live on a farm in Quebec. In fact I'm working, thru Capitol, on writing some songs for Garth Brooks. You know, he's a fan of April Wine." Kind of gave me a whole new respect for Brooks and C/W music.
Had to get him talking about an album that I considered underrated, Animal Grace. "It's an album that suffered from the breakup. Didn't do much with it." he said. "I like listening to the album." He made special mention about Sons of the Pioneers. I told him it was an exceptional song, one of my favorites. That brought a big smile as he thanked me. I also mentioned Without Your Love and he started singing the chorus, big highlight, and then I coaxed him into a bit of Money Talks.
My wife popped in asking about his solo album and a song from it, Do You Know What I Mean. I think it caught him a bit off guard. We talked about the two versions, of which he liked the duet version best.
On a whim I asked if he had another solo project in him, when he dropped the biggest bomb of the night. Contrary from what I had previously reported, a new solo album is in the works but the new AW album has priority. He said it won't be like the first but gave no other real details except that it will feature Karen Aaron. "She doesn't know it yet," he said with a smile,"but Karen, that's here real name not Lee, is going to be on the album." I wonder if there will be any country-type songs on it. Didn't think to ask at the time.
He didn't have much to say about the new AW album except it will definitely be harder edged. Kind of hoped we might hear something from it at the show but when I asked Ken earlier in the day he squelched
any thoughts of that.
Ken was rounding everyone up for pictures so I thanked Myles for taking time to talk. With all four lined up, I was setting up the camera for the shot when Myles said "Hey, Mike get in here." as he motioned for me to join the group, another big highlight.
I was trying to listen in on Jerry talking about the drum solo with my wife and her brother, as I made my way to introduce myself to Jim, the member I'd never met before. Later my wife told me how Jerry talked about the evolution of the solo, along with some of different variations. Unfortunately she couldn't remember any details but if I can get a hold of my brother-in-law, perhaps he can give me some info I can post later.
Wasn't sure what Jim was going to be like but like the rest of the guys, he's very approachable and friendly.
Got into a little AW history with Jim as he talked about the development of Oowatanite, in particular the accompanying fire bell and rotating red lights. "The bell is the hook." he explained, "It had quite an effect. It actually is a school bell. In fact, it created quite a problem as kids were stealing the bells from their schools. The lights came when we put the show together."
I complemented him on how good Weeping Widow sounded and we got to talking about some of the other older songs like Cat's Claw of which he mentioned there was still alot of interest. I had always suspected that Highway Hard Run was a play on words and he confirmed it true. "Back in the old days you had to watch what you said." We could get away with alot more in Canada then, say, in the States but you couldn't say Highway Hard On."
The rest of the conversation centered around the Net and cyberspace in general.
Brian has only posted once from Dave's computer. Jim was excited about the prospects of becoming more involved online. We did get off subject with a brief discussion about the World Series. Brian was on the Yankee's side only because Montreal wasn't in it. Being a Mariner's fan myself, I couldn't be too impressed.
Getting late now so the bar staff was finally forcing us out. Chit-chat continued in front of the bus but we had to get going. Everyone was getting tired including myself. They loaded on to the bus for the drive back to the hotel and we headed back to our cars.
Pretty much it. All in all, a pretty impressive day. The guys were just great.
I'll be looking forward to catching up with them again someday.
(*NOTE - Here's an update on some of the topics from the above account. Apparently none of Goodwyn's songs made it to Brooks.
Still nothing on a Goodwyn solo project. Perhaps after the upcoming AW release is wrapped up. Judging from the new single just released, the new CD may not be as hard edged as mentioned.
And finally, Jim has yet to make himself known in cyberspace. - JUNE 02, 1998)