It has been a while since I wrote a summary of the popular Alan Doyle fan question and answer sessions on Twitter, so I have decided to do one now covering those from July 18, August 28, September 21, and October 23 of this year.
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 and answers due to copyright.
Many of the questions and answers were about when Alan and The Beautiful Gypsies are going to do a concert in their area, the release of the new book and album, where to go and what to do when visiting St. John's and Newfoundland, his life as a musician, how he goes about writing music and his thoughts on current events in the music industry such as the sad death of popular musicians and artists. There are always questions about the Great Big Sea breakup and the possibility of a reunion. Some of these are included here at the end of the post.
In the last question and answer session there were some really interesting questions about the new album and book as they were now both released and the fans have had a chance to listen and read them. I have put those questions at the top of the list followed by the more personal ones.
My personal favourites are always the questions fans ask about Newfoundland. The star question for me from those I read was 'What does it take to be a Newfoundlander?' Alan answered 'Courage, Patience and Grit of course' which is the name of the Great Big Sea album released in November of 2006.
Many thanks to all the fans who asked the questions and thank you to Alan for responding.
F What does it take to be a Newfoundlander ?
A Courage Patience and Grit, of course
F What can we expected from the new album?
A Very much like a live show except with the band.
F Your favourite track on the new album?
A hmm...love the mom and dad song...somewhere in a song
F Aawww year are a sweetheart. X good luck with everything...good people deserve good things
F I have to ask. How much of the "flight from hell" was true? Everything couldn't have really landed on you, could it?
A I wish none of it was true
F That's truly horrible. I was hoping some of it was embellished. I can't image.
A It was like a Mr Bean skit
F How did you choose the singles for new album?
A hmm...there has really only been one so far...Summer Summer Nights as I thought it appropriate for a Summer Radio thingy
F Is the vibe of the new album very 'countryish' like Summer Summer Night? Or what is its main genre?
A Like the concert...some Celtic, Country, Rock all over the place as always
F How important to you is song order on you album?
A hmm..I like to think of it as a set list..though fewer and fewer listen that way these days
F Favourite aspect of the recent IGP shows?
A Discovering how awesome LoriTheVoice is
F She is fan-bloomin-tastic
F Give us a fav Hip/Gord song and or memory?
A Fireworks, and Gord telling me a concert rule that every night something should happen that only happens on that night
F What's your favourite Gord Downie lyric?
A The entirety of Fireworks
F Lyric you wish you'd written?
A You've got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight
F Because you have written so many songs over the years, how do you keep doing with such a diversity in your music?
A I love all kinds of music, so I suppose I just let the song love in whatever world they feel best to me
F Thanks. Maybe that's why I enjoy your music so much!
F Favourite Ron Hynes song?...I know how much you loved that guy?
A Hmmm...No Kathleen
F How do you keep your voice in such good shape when you have been singing your heart out for decades?
A I drink way more water than I want
F What is your current read?
A JoelThomasHynes new book. Spectacular
F The only question I can think of is how does a good Newfoundlander drink his tea?
A with Carnation
F Is that a creamer (for those of us in the states) or powered milk or the like?
A Evaporated Tin milk
F How often do you get to take your family with you?
A once or twice a year, usually in the summer
F Does Spencer ever get to go
A not yet
F If you could tour with any band in the world who would it be?
A Always love to tour with Barenaked Ladies.
F Is lukeys boat painted green?
A Always
F Alan, did you have breakfast today? I'm worried sick that you'll run ragged my son :))
A Yogurt, and fruit and a nut kind of Cliff bar...will eat proper later tonight
F Do you ever get tired of all the travelling?
A not really. I love it
F Who was an influence on your music that I would be surprised to hear was an influence on your music?
A Pat Benatar
F Who was your idol growing up?
A Ron Hynes
F What is your all time fav song? Or your all time fav GBS song?
A fairytale of new york
F What is your absolute favourite song to sing? I know you have lots to choose from
A Lakes of Ponchatrain
F What is your favourite non-music thing to do in the summer?
A Hike
F Murphy's Irish Stout or Guinness?
A Guinness all the way
F Yes B'y
F Favourite indulgence?
A Fish and chips
F Places to visit for my first trek to Newfoundland? Also, can I crash at your place?
A St. John's Petty harbour, Trinity, Bonavista, Port Rexton, on the east coast just for starters...
F Any book recommendations (Besides yours of course) what are you reading?
A have you read caught by Lisa Moore...pretty awesome
F What are you most terrified of?
A Being alone
F How do you find you work/life balance?
A It is the most difficult thing...I put family days on the calendar and don't give them away for anything
F With the illnesses to John Mann and Gord do you get more nostalgic about some of the Canadian artists you may have traveled the roads with?
A Yeah, makes me think of the days we do have as special for sure
F How's Spencer ? He must miss you when you're away?
A He is awesome and when I'm away he often walks around with one of my socks in his mouth
F Other than your wife and son, what do you miss the most when you're gone?
A I miss my parents and brother and sisters, and my dog, and the kids on my street, and a morning hike on the hills of the ocean and more...
F did you pre-select a seat?
A Always...Economy Aisle seat...usually 13 or 14 d
F What was ur inspiration for "How did we get from saying I love you" song?
A my first break up as an adult (well I was 19 or 20)
F Ever see "her" around
A not in a long time...
F Why did GBS retire?
A One of the members left and the remaining tried to negotiate a way to continue with out him, but to date have not been able to do so.
F Any chance of great big sea performing together or is that book closed? Love the recent records and all but
A Anything is possible. No plans though
F What is the name of the band now?
A Not totally sure, honestly. I was told very politely that some find 'gypsy' offensive, so I've stopped using it out of respect for them
