#6sn

[sixstringnation]

I mentioned the Tragically Hip cover lead by Bubbles during our Trailer Park Boys podcast episode but how could Mike Smith NOT take the opportunity on Canada's most famous guitar to give us a version of a Bubbles classic: "Liquor & Whores" (and dope and mustard and baloney...).⁠ ⁠ It was a real thrill to hang out with the actual f**kin' Trailer Park Boys and be on the podcast and to have Bubbles do the ultimate Bubbles song on Voyageur. Not only that, I left the guys with a copy of the Six String Nation book, which you can see on the table in front him in this photo. I hope it has found its way into a permanent set somewhere!⁠ ⁠ Once again, thanks to Bob Stamp and everyone at Swearnet.com for making it all possible. And to hear the podcast episode, check out the linkin.bio ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #novascotia #trailerparkboys #canadiancomedy #liquorandwhores #bubbles4mayor #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #grenfellmission #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #NSed #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN #tragicallyhip #littlebones via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CEW9YNRHIAH/

[sixstringnation]

As we do in music, Canadians punch far above our weight in the comedy world. Second City, Lorne Michaels, Kids In the Hall, Baroness Von Sketch - the list goes on and is known around the world. Mike Clattenburg's "Trailer Park Boys" creation seems grown from an entirely different petri dish than the others but its reach and impact is equal. Welcome to Sunnyvale!⁠ ⁠ You can tell the Trailer Park Boys have done well by the cars parked out front of their Dartmouth HQ, filled with video and audio spaces to feed the content machine of Swearnet, with TPB as the anchor of all of it. As I chatted with Robb Wells, Mike Smith and John Paul Tremblay in the office/green-room, they were telling me about an upcoming live tour in Europe, where they were playing to 2000-3000 seat venues. Sold out months in advance. Something about their very specific, very local, very foulmouthed ensemble resonates world wide. They were great guys to talk to - smart, funny, easy-going (if a bit exhausted by their own relentless pace). Then, when we got the word that sound and lighting on set for our podcast recording were ready, Mike put on the Bubbles glasses and the transformation into character was instantaneous.⁠ ⁠ I had a blast doing the interview and hearing Ricky chime in on Bubbles' rendition of Tragically Hip's "Little Bones" was a rare treat. ⁠ ⁠ Thanks to Bob Stamp and everyone at Swearnet.com for making it all possible. To hear the podcast episode, check out the linkin.bio ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #novascotia #trailerparkboys #canadiancomedy #bubbles4mayor #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #grenfellmission #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #NSed #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN #tragicallyhip #littlebones via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CEW8TPbnqB3/

[sixstringnation]

My buddy Bob Stamp set up my encounter with the Trailer Park Boys that lead to this contribution but I'll save details of the encounter for the next two posts so I can talk a bit about Holly Boileau's role in this bit of "history".⁠ ⁠ It was a kind of spontaneous thing when Ricky, Bubbles and Julian gave me parts of their wardrobe following my guest spot on their podcast. The question then was how to treat these materials and showcase them on the strap. I've been blessed with a great connection to the Harbourfront Centre Craft Studio and several of their amazing textile artist alumni, including Holly.⁠ ⁠ I knew that having these materials be part of the project would generate laughs and the admiration of fans but we're always looking to broaden the context of these things. How can they mean more than what they are at face value? Holly took these pieces and wove them together using a particular Atlantic weaving tradition that had its start in a women's economic empowerment initiative launched in 1892. So now, this part of the strap is not only about one of Canada's most successful comedy shows, it's got this whole other dimension and they are woven together just like the materials themselves. Thank you Holly!⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project and book a live or virtual presentation at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #novascotia #trailerparkboys #canadiancomedy #bubbles4mayor #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #grenfellmission #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #NSed #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN #hollyboileau via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CEW7B4wnU5u/

[sixstringnation]

Just to wrap up today's series surrounding the addition of the shoulder tile and cap badge of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment onto Voyageur's Levy's Leathers strap...⁠ ⁠ Thought I'd include this great Doug Nicholson portrait of someone who has sung movingly at multiple commemorations - including Newfoundland Memorial Day activities that precede Canada Day events on July 1st in that Province: Newfoundland-born Clifton Murray of The Tenors (formerly Canadian Tenors). And yes, he was actually singing into the sound hole and finding its resonances with his powerful voice, not just posing!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #levysleathers #guitarstrap #newfoundland #thetenors #newfoundlandhistory #royalnewfoundlandregiment #militaryhistory #worldwar1 #beaumonthamel #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #TRC #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #NLed #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CEE71Fhj2T2/

[sixstringnation]

You've met Herb Davis before, though perhaps not his wife, Chantal.⁠ ⁠ Herb was our connection to the piece of the Christmas Seal from Twillingate that's built into Voyageur. He's also the one who hooked me up with the backstage tour at Parliament Hill in 2017 when I visited the Carillonneuse and the Library of Parliament (THAT's where you saw his face before in that post about the LOP copper!).⁠ ⁠ Herb and Chantal have been big supporters of the project going back to the beginning and - as Ottawanians - were always there for portraits on Canada Day. And Herb always brought something of his native Newfoundland with him - as you can see in this photo. Apart from the flag, unseen under the tartan is a blue-forget-me-not pin to commemorate Newfoundland's Memorial Day that starts July 1st in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was Herb who first told me about the tragedy of Beaumont-Hamel and connected me to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment so that we could recognize that important piece of history with the shoulder tile and cap badge on the strap.⁠ ⁠ Portrait, as always, by Doug Nicholson.⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #levysleathers #guitarstrap #newfoundland #newfoundlandhistory #royalnewfoundlandregiment #militaryhistory #worldwar1 #beaumonthamel #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #TRC #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #NLed #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CEE6usPnMUf/

[sixstringnation]

Moving, both alphabetically and positionally, to the next adornment to Voyageur's official Levy's Leathers strap:⁠ ⁠ When Britain declared war on Germany in 1914, Commonwealth territories around the world were suddenly "at war" too - including Canada and Newfoundland, which was not part of Confederation at the time. 12,000 Newfoundlanders enlisted out of a population of only 240,000.⁠ ⁠ On July 1st, 1916 at Beaumont-Hamel, France, the Newfoundland Regiment made a horrific sacrifice. See the basic facts in today's image or visit the linkin bio for a more detailed description. That sacrifice earned the regiment the Royal appellation. So when Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, July 1st became a dual commemoration: Memorial Day in the morning, Canada Day in the afternoon.⁠ Some say that Newfoundland made another sacrifice simply by joining Confederation.⁠ ⁠ If this project is about anything, it's about Canadians from all regions and cultures and communities actually recognizing and valuing the others for all the diversity and perspective and experience we all bring to the Canadian experiment. It seems to me that a really good step in the case of Newfoundland would be for ALL Canadians to recognize this painful part of Newfoundland history and make it part of Canada Day. And while we're recognizing what Newfoundlanders gave up, let's acknowledge what indigenous Canadians lost as Canada realized its "from sea to shining sea" ambitions. There are lots of things to celebrate about Canada but if that celebration requires that we ignore some fundamental truths about how this country was built then it's a false celebration - it's as if communities whose histories aren't acknowledged aren't invited to the party.⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #levysleathers #guitarstrap #newfoundland #newfoundlandhistory #royalnewfoundlandregiment #militaryhistory #worldwar1 #beaumonthamel #CanadianHistory #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #CanadianTeachers #K12 #TRC #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #NLed #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CEE5d3xj4mX/

[sixstringnation]

August 10, 2014 was a great day for me and Voyageur. We had successfully announced the addition of a piece of material from an original Vancouver Asahi jersey contributed by the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre onto the strap in an on-field ceremony with crowd favourite Munenori Kawasaki and mascot Ace while images of the project continued on the Jumbotron above the field at Rogers Centre in Toronto.⁠ ⁠ Munenori was a total delight - a real gentleman - and Ace took it upon himself to plug my book for the press! And not only did the Blue Jays organization invite us down for the day, put us in the pre-game event and present me with this official Six String Nation Blue Jays jersey you see Kawasaki holding here, they also gave us some plum seats right above the visitors' dugout. After we were done on the field, they let me lock Voyageur in the office and then escorted us to our seats.⁠ ⁠ But August 10, 2014 was a significant day for the Blue Jays too. It was the longest recorded game in their history. 19 innings. 6 and 1/2 hours! And as a guest of honour, there was no polite way for me to leave!⁠ ⁠ In the end, there was some lovely symmetry to the day. Jose Bautista, who was 0-for-7 with a pair of intentional walks through the first 18, drove the game-winning hit into right field to score our pal Munenori Kawasaki, who led off the bottom of the 19th with a single, his only hit in seven at-bats.⁠ ⁠ Photo by Doug Nicholson.⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #canadianbaseballhistory #japanesecanadian #CanadianHistory #torontobluejays #vancouverasahi #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #BChistory #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #BCTeachers #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN #munenorikawasaki #longestgame via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CDy9nldghZm/

[sixstringnation]

Not to be outdone by Munenori Kawasaki, Toronto Blue Jays mascot Ace got into the pre-game Canada Baseball Day celebrations with Voyageur at the Rogers Centre. ⁠ ⁠ Photo by Doug Nicholson.⁠ ⁠ Find out more about the Six String Nation project at https://www.sixstringnation.com⁠ ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #canadianbaseballhistory #japanesecanadian #CanadianHistory #torontobluejays #vancouverasahi #CanEd #CanadianMusic #SocialStudies #CanadianGuitar #acousticguitar #BChistory #CanadianTeachers #K12 #keynotespeaker #CdnEd #ETFO #OSSTF #BCTeachers #EdLeaders #OECD #VoiceEd #imaginED #sixstringnation #6SN #munenorikawasaki via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/CDy9ClPHvXE/