David Gogo
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Notes from the Road - 2002

23-NOV-02 - David Gogo while in Comox, British Columbia, Canada writes...
Hey Everybody - I'm just loving how much playing I've been doing lately. Usually things get pretty slow this time of year, but I just keep rockin'! I've played some great shows here on the Island recently, and had success trying out some new rooms. I'm also loving my new Samick guitar. That's right, I said Samick! I couldn't believe it myself, but it's great. If you get the chance, get your ballot (info on the home page) for the Maple Blues Awards and vote for me! Any support we can get for west coast talent at the awards would be beneficial to the blues community at large. I'll be back in Ontario for the awards so keep checking the tour schedule. Thanks for everyone's continued support. -- Gogo
03-Nov-02 - David Gogo while in Toronto, Ontario writes...
I've got blisters on my fingers!! But hey, the Habs beat the leafs last night, so that eases the pain. Seriously though, after given 'er at The Rainbow, Healey's, an afternoon show in St. Catharines, and London (Boomerz) last night, ouch! It'll be nice to get home and recover for a couple of days, but what a great trip. The icing on the cake was being nominated for a Maple Blues award this week, and hearing the new Queens of the Stone Age song. Looks like I'll be heading back to Ontario in January, so if you missed me this time, hopefully I'll see you then. By the way, the Kingston venue cancelled on me, not vice versa! I'm gonna go chill out with some friends and eat some meat and drink some wine. See ya -- Gogo

(ed - don't be afraid to request a ballot and vote in support Gogo's bid as one this year's nominees for Maple Blues Awards... Also please visit Talkin' Blues where Mako Funasaka has some excellent shots of Gogo performing at Healey's.)
29-Oct-02 - David Gogo while in Ottawa, Ontario writes...
Hey Everyone -- Well it's finally starting to pay off out here! We worked really hard last week doing every conceivable form of promo, and between that, local airplay, and opening for Foreigner recently, we had a series of excellent shows. My solo acoustic show at The Black Sheep was a gas, with people dancing and carrying on. Pretty rare for an acoustic show. Aylmer's beautiful new venue was alot of fun, and of course The Rainbow in Ottawa was the icing on the cake (gateau). Line-ups, tons of Cd sales and the most enthusiastic crowd I've played for in recent memory. I'm sure Danny had a smile on his face when he cashed out as well! An amazing night. Thanks to all who came out.
Gonna try to see Mario Lemieux again tomorrow vs. the Sens. Talk to you soon -- Gogo
21-Oct-02 - David Gogo while in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada writes...
Hey there -- Just a quick hello from the road. I usually have a hard time finding a computer and the time to do an entry when I'm travelling, but I've got a bit of time today to say hello. Just finished three shows here in Ontario. Saw some people I hadn't seen for a while, and met a whole bunch of new folks. Playing new places and trying to win new fans can be a challenge, but so far, so good on this trip. The band is cooking, so that helps, and the new songs are going over great. I have lots of press to do this week to prepare for the upcoming shows, and to promote Skeleton Key, but I'm hoping to find a way to get to Montreal tomorrow night to see my Habs host Mario Lemieux. Does anybody have tickets!? I'll try to keep you updated throughout my trip out here to let you know how the shows are going. Talk to you soon. -- Gogo
07-Oct-02 - David Gogo while in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada writes...
Hey everybody - Just a quick note to say what a great time I had opening for Foreigner at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. Things couldn't have gone better! The band sounded great; the audience was great; fabulous venue; and the headliners rocked (nice guys as well ). All in all it was mission accomplished as far as promoting my upcoming dates in the area and releasing (Just Ask) Jesse James as our new single. Also, professionally speaking, you can't help but learn watching a really pro group do their thing. Mick Jones is a seriously focused and talented guy by my estimation. Anyway, I've gotta get back to work. Keep checking the tour schedule, and hope to see you soon.
19-Sept-02 - David Gogo while in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada writes...
What a great summer! Usually after Labour Day things slow down a bit, but with the continuing success of Skeleton Key things are still rolling along nicely. Thanks to everyone who has supported the album, especially those who bought it! So many great festivals, so much fun. Thanks to Storman Norman for the excellent job recording and broadcasting our set from the Burnaby Blues Festival. Maybe someday some of the live shows we've been compiling could be released as a limited edition album. Who knows? Had fun the other night after our set at the Harbour Front in Nanaimo to go down to the Queens and sit in wish Jim Byrnes. He and the band sounded great, and it was nice to see the boys again. Bill Henderson put on a hell of a show down in Ladysmith recently as part of a charity event that myself, Ken Hamm, Gerry Barnum and many others also performed at. This was also recorded (we'll keep you posted). Looking forward to hitting the Big Smoke tomorrow and rocking the Yale . We're going to pull out some tunes from my past CD's that I haven't played for a while. As long as I can remember all the lyrics, it should be fun! Just putting my winter together now, so keep checking the tour schedule for shows near you. Also the new single (Just Ask) Jesse James goes to radio next week. If you're not hearing it on your favourite station, phone and ask for it. Finally , be sure to sign the Link Wray petition on the front page and lets send him to the hall of fame! See ya --- Gogo
Gogo with Yves Lambert (Les Habs)16-July-02 - David Gogo while in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada writes...
Hey everybody - It's certainly been a busy summer so far. Festival season is here once again, and I'm glad to be a part of so many of them this year. Last week at the Islands Music Fest, me and and the band really kicked some ass on Sunday afternoon. This was the first time appearing with my own band in the Comox Valley, and it was a blast. On Saturday I got to do an impromptu set with Sonny Rhodes, Freddie Roulette, and Painting Daisies. One of the nice things about festivals is not only seeing other performers that you don't get to normally see, but some times you're lucky enough to get to play with them! Next, I was off to Ottawa where I did two electric performances backed by The Mobb, and one solo show. Getting to see Otis Rush and Alvin Youngblood Hart were high lights, as well as having drinks with Phil from 54/40 afterwards! The response to the new album and single have been tremendous, and I really enjoy playing the new songs live. If you're not hearing the new stuff on your local radio, phone 'em up and ask for it! Keep checking the tour schedule for shows near you, and I'll check in again soon. See Ya.
27-MAY-02 - David Gogo while in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada writes...
Is it almost June or almost February? I can't believe the weather out here! Oh, well, I'm sure everything will change soon. I forget to mention in my last entry about my tour with Ken Hamm. I've known Ken since I was 14 years old, and it's nice to be able to travel with him (plus I get to see 10 free Ken Hamm concerts in a row!). It looks like this will be an annual occurrence to tour together each Spring. It's great for me to play new places, meet new people, and try to keep a crowd entertained with my acoustic show. I look forward to next time.

The big event since my last entry was the third annual Hornby Island Blues Camp (ed - some photos at their web site, but the site has disappeared), and the series of concerts that followed. The camp just gets better every year, and I'm not sure who has more fun, the students or the instructors! The series of concerts were also a blast, and I hope we can do even more next year. Of course none of this would be possible without the support of the community up there and the Blues Society. Thanks, folks!

As much fun as these acoustic shows have been, I'm really chomping at the bit to play electric, especially the material off the new album - Skeleton Key. Be sure to check out the tour schedule for any shows you might get to see. Anyway, I better start rehearsing now, and FYI I have my own computer now, so my diary entries won't be so few and far between! See ya.
Gogo at Victoria Blues Bash 200106-MAY-02 - David Gogo while in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada writes...
Well, it's been a busy couple of months with the main focus being getting the new album completed. The album is being co-produced by myself and Rick Salt, and is a follow-up musically to Halfway to Memphis, but with some improvement, I feel. It's the first time I've had the opportunity to demo my original songs at home with bass, drums, and guitar all played by myself. Although I'm no virtuoso on bass and drums, it gave me real insight into the arrangement and structure of the songs. There are some horns and harmony vocals on the album which add a new dimension to my sound. I'm very proud of the new project (called Skeleton Key), and I feel it's my best work. The album will be released June 11, with the first single (Just Ask) Jesse James going to radio soon. Anyway, I've gotta prepare for the Hornby Island Blues Camp, so I'll talk to you after that.
22-JAN-02 - David Gogo while in Nanaimo, British Columbia writes...
Hey Folks - Long time, no write! Sorry about that, but I've been enjoying some home time over the holidays. Pretty quiet on the gig front lately, but things will be heating up soon. Be sure to check out my tour schedule to find out if I might be playing near you.

I've been working on a lot of new songs this month, and look forward to hitting the studio in late February to record a new album. From the looks of things so far, the record will be an extension in the direction of Halfway to Memphis. "Memphis" seems to be the one album of mine where the combination of my original tunes and my blues roots seem to mesh, and I look forward to continuing in this vein.

Had fun the other night in Nanaimo sitting in with Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts. It was good to see the guys again, and they sounded great. I was really grooving on Mike's Les Paul Jr. I've been really getting into Gibson guitars lately. (If anyone wants to give me some, please, feel free!)

I've been listening to the Elajandro Escoveda album that came out last year, and its inspired me to write some songs for a project I've been working on dealing with the history of coal mining in Nanaimo. (Don't worry blues fans, this doesn't indicate another change in direction for me!)

Anyway, I better get back to it. See you soon, and I promise to write more often!