CodeBlue:

Well, the band acutally landed early in the day on March 17 (their time). They have been spending time overseas at a base and they played hockey with the legends of hockey and they played a set on March 17th. The troops had a blast and loved the music. Jim invited some guys up to sing and a very good friend of mine sang "Bad Timing". The band was fantastic to the troops and were genuinely interested in their job and what they do. Next is off to Afghanistan then home. Thought some of you might want to know. Any questions, I can likely answer for you. I am a nurse (civilian) and I work with our troops at CFB Trenton. I am proud our favourite band took the time to boost morale. Good for them!

Stacey

Thank you so much Stacey.  I am so proud of Blue Rodeo for going over to entertain our troops.  How wonderful that your friend got to sing Bad Timing with the band & what a way to spend St. Patrick's Day.  I really hope that someone from the band or the website write something about their trip and perhaps photos if that's allowed.

Do you know if they are going to more than one place in Afghanistan?  I am so interested in this trip & it really chokes me up to think how much it must mean to our men & women serving our country to get to see Blue Rodeo play for them.  It really is a wonderful thing they are doing.

 

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Greg Keelor met Jim Cuddy and then I met you people. Serendipity is a marvellous thing.


"I guess I don't know if I believe in God but
I know a song can make you feel good once
in a while." ~Greg Keelor~

They will be returning soon. I too think that it is an amazing thing they're doing. I'm going to get up on my soapbox for just a moment here...My opinion is that even if you don't agree with the war, we need to realize that our troops have no choice but to be there and therefore we need to support them. It's difficult for them to be away from their families and loved ones. It's hard on our troops and their families. Ok, I'm done. I'm off my soapbox! I do not know if any of you were aware that we had a death of a soldier just before Blue Rodeo arrived over seas. They were there when the soldier's body left to be repatriated home. I think it was likely an amazing trip for them and I'm sure if you asked them about it, they would tell you just that. My friend was so touched to find that the band was genuinely interested in what they did there and asked many questions. No matter what else, they are people just like us. The nice thing is they used their celebrity for some good and that is awesome. They should be applauded and I know the troops appreciate the show of support. And today, we are expecting the soldier's body back home. It will be a very sad day. As I stand there today and watch the casket come off the plane and see the soldier's family's faces filled with grief I will know that our country really does support our troops and Blue Rodeo made that evident with their trip overseas. So next time you see them folks, say thank you. I know I will. I will be seeing them in April for two shows here in Belleville and I will be sure to mention the impact they've had on the troops that I see every day in my work.

 

Stacey

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~ Everyone thinks of themselves but I'm thinking of you ~

CodeBlue:

My opinion is that even if you don't agree with the war, we need to realize that our troops have no choice but to be there and therefore we need to support them. It's difficult for them to be away from their families and loved ones. It's hard on our troops and their families. Ok, I'm done. I'm off my soapbox!

I completely agree with you on this one.  I have struggled (and still do) with whether we should be there.  I go back and forth regularly.  That said I think it is our patriotic duty to support these people who put their lives on the line for us.  They are incredible people in my books.  I cry each & every time I hear we have lost another one of these remarkable soldiers.

This morning I saw a clip of General Hillier being interviewed.  I believe he arrived at the same time as BR & the NHL'ers.   Anyhow beside General Hillier was Jim in a bulletproof vest being interviewed by another reporter.  I couldn't hear what he was saying but it was neat to see him there.  Apparently the NHL'ers brought the Stanley Cup with them.  What a Canadian thrill for these Canadian men & women - BR & the Stanley Cup!

I wondered whether they were then when the soldier who was killed was sent home.  I can't imagine how emotional that would be.

 

 

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Greg Keelor met Jim Cuddy and then I met you people. Serendipity is a marvellous thing.


"I guess I don't know if I believe in God but
I know a song can make you feel good once
in a while." ~Greg Keelor~

I struggle with this issue, too.  Are we doing any good?  Are we doing more harm than good? I wish I knew the answer.  I'm a pacifist by nature, but human nature and the politics of our world are not that simple.

But those issues are irrelevant to what is.  Our troops are there, and they are demonstrating incredible courage just in being there, in that political climate.

I can't but admire the members of BR for agreeing to go, whether or not they agree personally with Canada's presence in Afghanistan.

Here's a verse from Greg's song Alaska, from Aphrodite Rose.  I think the last line sums it all up perfectly.

For these men of high esteem
And little valour
In a land where you can buy
Or sell an election
These good christian men
Need their armies to protect them
And everybody knows a soldier just wants to go home

Here's an article from today's Toronto Star.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/347831

There is a video as well but I haven't had a chance to watch it.  It would be great if we could hear about this experience from the band!

Hi Donna.  There's also a video available at www.cbc.ca/video which was interesting.

 

I also hope the band sends a report on their experiences.

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ValGoneBlue

Don't get me wrong, I'm thoroughly impressed that the guys are doing this for the troops. However, mostly I'm curious: how will the standard set list play in Kandahar?

I'd give a lot for video of the crowd reaction during some of BR's standards (and I wonder what am I doing here...). 

A band report, or even just a good press article, about this unique experience would be great. It'd be very cool to hear from somebody who's actually over there too.

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borderline useless from hanging around

some links to the story:

 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2008/03/19/5047376-cp.html

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/347831

 

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"Heaven knows, Heaven knows, that's the way it goes. Sometimes Love gets worn like a Crown of Thorns"...Janice Powers, recorded by Blackie & the Rodeo Kings

Let me say that it wasn't a standard set list. Mainly hits and requests from the troops and pretty much all done accoustic. The entire thing was recorded but I don't know if the video will end up being for public consumption, it was recorded by the CF. To answer another question, yes the band and players were there when the soldier's body left to come home. I know there are pictures that were taken, my friend took a bunch. I will see if I can convince him to post them or allow me to.

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~ Everyone thinks of themselves but I'm thinking of you ~

I was wondering when this trip was and if it was now. Today I heard a piece on "The World" on the radio - Red Deer River was the topic of the geo quiz and they mentioned hockey and the Stanley Cup being in Afganistan. Perfect timing :) http://www.theworld.org/taxonomy_by_date/3/20080319 click on the "answer to the geo quiz: to read the rest of the article.

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"the first time I kissed you I lost my legs" DMB

"Take a bow when you feel like a superstar.
Shake your pants when you feel what's inside your heart" Michael Franti

Fran:

some links to the story:

 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/News/2008/03/19/5047376-cp.html

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/347831

 

That looks like Jim in the video of the second link where they're coming off the plane and shaking hands.

I have to admire them for going over there and giving the troops such a boost.  It would be a real treat in what could only otherwise be a long period of constant wariness and tension.  I hope it does them all some good.

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"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

CodeBlue:

Let me say that it wasn't a standard set list. Mainly hits and requests from the troops and pretty much all done accoustic. The entire thing was recorded but I don't know if the video will end up being for public consumption, it was recorded by the CF. To answer another question, yes the band and players were there when the soldier's body left to come home. I know there are pictures that were taken, my friend took a bunch. I will see if I can convince him to post them or allow me to.

Must have been sobering to be there. It's hard to imagine making music or even listening to it without something of a pause. 

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borderline useless from hanging around

I must admit that I have also had mixed feelings about our soldiers being in Afghanistan.  I think though, that we can be proud that our troops represent this country more as peace-keepers than agressive invaders, in most over-seas military operations.  I feel that this is the case in Afghanistan, in spite of the actions of terrorist opposition in the region.  My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who have been killed in the line of duty.

I was pleased, if a little apprehensive, to hear that Blue Rodeo were going to perform for our troops.  Like Tim Horten's and the Stanley Cup, they bring a little bit of Canada to soldiers so far away from home!  Good on you, lads!

 

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I carry with me the memory of a field I once knew, of a night so full of stars that I was left humbled by it's endless beauty. I know that whatever the cost, life is worth living. So bring it on...I can take it.

There's a CP wire story on the hockey game in Kandahar. The NHL veterans kicked ass. And for once, the rockers were on the winning side.

If the link doesn't work, it's by James Mccarten. Google will find a couple of postings for it and it's on sympatico.

http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/NHL+oldtimers+face+off+against+Canadian+soldiers+at+Kandahar+Airfield/NHL/ContentPosting.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=26318020&feedname=CP-SPORTS-HOCKEY&show=True&number=3&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=True 

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borderline useless from hanging around

CBC Newsworld showed a clip a little while ago of Blue Rodeo playing for the troops in Afghanistan.  It was pretty neat to see.  It was quite funny to see the faces at the front of the stage because they were all men when more often than not the majority at the front of the stage in Canada are female. 

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Greg Keelor met Jim Cuddy and then I met you people. Serendipity is a marvellous thing.


"I guess I don't know if I believe in God but
I know a song can make you feel good once
in a while." ~Greg Keelor~