Surprises at Pete's, Ile Perrot, QC

Rolling into the parking lot of Smoke Meat Pete's, I wedge the Lincoln into a prime spot. I've been driving for a while— and I'm hungry! My plan is to pick up the 4 brand new mic stands, booms and clips that were left here last tour, and guilt Pete into feeding me some of that smoked meat he is famous for. I've got to make Quebec City yet today, so it is to be a quick stop. From the parking lot I can see the band through the window. Wow— it is my old pals, the Steven Barry Blues Band! These guys used to work in my big band, maybe 25 years ago— when they were not too busy working every club in town, backing up every R&B star that came to Montreal. No sooner am I in the door than I see Michael Pickett sitting there, having a sandwich! Michael is on route to gigs in the Maritimes, and an appearance at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton, NB. Nice to see him— we had a great time together doing the National Steel Blues Tour a couple of years ago. We'll be crossing paths for a couple of weeks in eastern Canada, so perhaps we should of teamed up for this leg.

I have a sandwich, enjoy some conversation with the guys, talk to Pete. Soon I've got a cardboard box in my hands— the mic stands, says Pete. Thanks, I've been missing these for a whole year now, and I'll need them down the road. Its raining and dark as I head out again. I cut north to catch the 40 along the north shore. I wish I'd known it was under construction! It's after 2 when I finally roll in to Richard Blue-Carr's place in Beauport, downriver from Quebec City. Bonjour!