I spend a bit of time with my Dad the next morning and then head out towards Regina. The prairies are still pretty to me and Saskatchewan feels a little different from Alberta – a bit flatter with even more sky and golden fields.

I’m on my 2nd Harry Potter books on tape (er… ipod) and it gets me all the way to Regina – capital of Saskatchewan and birthplace of DAVID HEIN.

I know there are lots of parts of Regina that I recognize, but however my little GPS gets me to the restaurant where I’m playing is not one of them – although I do always appreciate seeing brand names that you only see in the prairies (Safeway, Taco Time…).

I’m playing at the Cathedral Freehouse – a nice little bar/restaurant – and I’m staying just around the corner from it with Jill Straker, sister of Jeff Straker – one of the 3 Guys From The Prairies group that I play with and a very cool singer/songwriter (go check him out now at www.jeffstraker.com). Jill is also very cool and has let me drop stuff off at her place before hand. She and Jeff have just bought the place together and Jill has just moved in – but despite boxes, it’s a lovely place. Jeff texts me to tell me how strange it is that I’m sleeping in his house before him. There was some debate about whether Jill’s couch would fit me, but it looks pretty good.

The show isn’t quite as lovely. The music section of the bar is completely empty even though the other section is relatively full. I don’t know whether people come in and decide that they want to talk or what, but no one comes to listen, except for Harry the waiter and Jill, who shows up halfway through. Jill sits patiently laughing at my jokes and even sings along (she also performs with Jeff and has a nice set of pipes). She asks me to do a couple Jeff Straker covers, which I totally am unable to do (Jeff, I only know the words and chords to your choruses!). It’s not much of a show for her, unfortunately – I feel a bit silly playing either to the entire other side of the restaurant or just to Jill. After two sets, Harry nicely lets me take off. When it’s a solo show and the audience can’t outnumber the performer, it’s a bit ridiculous.

I head back to Jill’s and have an excellent sleep on her couch, which fortunately fits me fine.