December 19th, 2002 - Coyote Jack's, Kamloops:

A first time club for the Slugs... I've played here a couple of times before, years ago, when it was called 'The Strand' and then it changed its name to 'Pillars'... this building was built originally as a theater in 1928, and still has a real heritage look to it inside... great stage! And the hotel we're staying in - The Plaza - is gorgeous... preserved as much as possible over the years... a heritage building with beautiful rooms...

The manager, Ron, and the production guy, Jim, are very accommodating... Ron's right there whenever we need anything...

You'd think I'd know how to pack for the road by now... well, I do, sort of... I did pack my shaving kit... I just forgot it beside the sink at home... oops... so I have to eat really cheap in order to be able to afford toothpaste etc. as well... but that's okay, because Boston Pizza is showing the Canucks game and we pick a table right in front of the TV...

I had no idea there were so many cowboys in Kamloops, but this is probably the most cowboy hats we've seen this side of Calgary! Most of them are probably bankers though... Dale Wallace (keyboardist with the Slugs many years ago), is visiting family in Kamloops, and he comes out to see the band... and of course he gets up onstage and plays some mean piano... we let him go for awhile on his own, then I join in and there are two of us for awhile until the band can't handle it anymore... I mean, one keyboard player is almost too much, right guys? Tomorrow night we're doing something a little out of the ordinary... the band - Full Moon - is playing in Pemberton... and Doug's coming along for the ride as we're all playing Whistler the following night and it's so close... so he's agreed to sing a few Slug songs in Pemberton as well... you know, in exchange for his room and board... Next stop Whistler! Take care... Marc.