Alan Doyle frequently does question and answer sessions with the fans when he finds himself with
some spare time and the fans love them as they get to ask questions or make comments they normally wouldn't.
I have compiled a brief summary of some of the questions and
answers I found really interesting from a couple of questions and answer
sessions he has done here and there in the first half of 2016.
As
with previous posts I have deliberately left out the identity of the fan who
asked the question and some personal comments to protect their identity. The
questions and responses are not in the order they were answered on Twitter but
random and I have not included all the questions due to copyright again. The
answers to the questions are written in Alan’s own words which allowed him to
speak for himself.
There
were the typical questions fans wanted to know for example, when Alan and The
Gypsies were coming to a venue near them, updates on the work on the new album
and book, the release of the new Crowe/Doyle songbook, the possibility of a
Great Big Sea reunion, and some favourite personal questions on favourites and
places to visit in Newfoundland. As usual Alan was always willing to oblige
fans with selfies and meet and greets at concerts.
The
first question and session was on 3 March, 2016. My two favourite
questions were his take on the Newfoundland weather and some advice he provided
for songwriters.
The
second question and answer session was 21 April, 2016 on an Air Canada flight. Alan
answered questions on Prince who had just died about his favourite Prince songs,
his respect for Prince as a musician and whether he had ever seen Prince in
concert. My two favourite questions from this session were about whether Alan
preferred blondes or brunettes and he wisely answered ‘for sure’ and his advice
on how to take a great selfie.
The
third question and answer session was on 14 June, 2016 again on an Air
Canada flight. It was great to hear Alan wanted to come back to Australia for
the Byron Bay festival next year and loved Aussie Tim Tams. We finally have something in
common and that is we both wear black socks. Alan also revealed he had just
narrated a documentary and the details were released on social media today.
I
have also included a drop dead gorgeous selfie of Alan enjoying the sun at home
in Newfoundland from his official Instagram account.
All
tweets are from the official Twitter account of Alanthomasdoyle. No copyright
infringement intended.
Part One…
Alan
Doyle @alanthomasdoyle I find myself with a few minutes to spare. Any
questions? 3 March, 2016
Guiltiest
musical pleasure?
constantly
changes
Fair enough. How
about a huge musical influence? Who’s sound is completely different from yours?
@rexyrollah
@jannarden
What makes Scott
such a great friend? @scottgrimes
his
kissing…definitely
Would you ever
consider reuniting Great Big Sea? I love ordinary day <3?
for
sure
Too early to ask
about album #3 Haha…how is the songwriting process going ? Does it stir
creative juices?
yes
gigs help the writing process for sure
Any song writing
tips?
tell
your own story
Curious about
how you came up with “My Kingdom”. Love imagery in that song. Any particular
inspiration for it?
wrote
it with two other fellas. Part Game of Thrones, part Shakespeare influenced.
Thanks
Would you
recommend buying a house in Newfoundland just to visit in the summer? I hear
you guys get tons of snow.
winters
are erratic for sure…but summers are unpredictable too. It’s an incredible
place. Embrace the weather
I know you’re
starting up again but have you enjoyed your break from touring?
as
much as I can…I am kind of built for the
road
Part Two…on an
Air Canada flight.
Alan
Doyle @alanthomasdoyle Live tweeting
from Air Canada flight for the next 20 mins or so. Any questions? 21 April, 2016.
What has been
the greatest moment of your musical career to date?
Aug
3 1993, when I got to hold the gbs CD in my hands for the first time. It was on
Suez Street in St. John’s.
If you had to
pick ONE song out of the GBS of BG catalogue as a “favourite” - could you?
I
still love Ordinary Day a lot. Always loved hearing @seanmccannsings sing
England too. Such a perfect song.
Great Big Sea
reunion soontimes please? I’m dying to hear Ordinary Day again?
Nothing
planned. Me and the Gypsies sing OD just about every night. One of my
favourites
Can’t wait to
see you Moncton. Can we do a kiss yer face selfie?
for
sure
Since you are so
good at it, what is your best selfie tip?
hmm…don’t
try to make a smile. Just think of something that makes you happy
Favourite book…whatchya
currently reading?
fav
book…A Prayer for Owen Meaney…currently reading Brooklyn
Favourite non NL
band?
right
now I adore @TheLone Bellow
Blonds or
brunettes?
for
sure
Any time frame
in part 2 of the autobiography?
Oct
2017 I’d say
Who are you
pulling for in the playoffs now that your Habs are out?
hmm…
a few favs…FLA as they have Teddy Purrell and PENS as they have Sid Crosby
Part Three…on an
Air Canada flight.
Alan
Doyle @alanthomasdoyle 10 minutes of internet time left from the airplane over
Winnipeg enroute to Calgary. Any questions? 13 June, 2016.
Any plans over
the summer?
gigs,
daddying, write a song, write a book, repeat
Has Great Big
Sea broken up or when can we expect to see the whole band again?
I
have been using the term ‘long term hiatus’ rather than broke up. Anything is
possible
Whom in the
world would you like to have lunch with and why?
hmm…wouldn’t
mind picking Billy Joel’s brain on melody…many others
Any plans to
come to Australia Alan? We’d love to see you back again.
eyeballing
Byron Bay fest next year…fingers crossed
Favourite GBS
album ie most fun to record?
Hard
and the Easy was a great laugh.
What is your
favourite sweet treat?
Aussie
Tim Tam
What brings you
the most joy?
watching
others have a good time
Colour of socks?
always
black
What is your
next movie or tv gig?
just
narrated a doc film coming out soon
