We're back in Ottawa - again at the invitation of the National Capital Commission - who have been real champions for us. It was a conversation with Mark Kristmanson in December 2005 that really shifted the project into high gear when he asked if we'd be ready for Canada Day 2006 so he could build the show around it. And everyone else there has been fantastic too: Joel, Therese, Alain, Julie, Stephan and others.

A real thrill today - meeting Michael Brook.

Michael is originally from Dundas Ontario. I had the chance to meet him years ago but declined because Brian Eno was going to be at the dinner and I was too nervous to contemplate having a meal with Brian Eno. Boy do I regret declining that invite.

Anyway, it turns out that Michael Brook and I have a few friends in common but he's been living in London and, more recently, L.A., where he's in huge demand as a producer and composer.

It was a while in the making after a couple of chance encounters but we finally got to hook up with Greg Lawless, who performed a sold-out show tonight at Hugh's Room.

I love these Hugh's Room shows - not only because it's a great venue but because it's just a couple of blocks from my place.

No room for portraits there, unfortunately, but lots of interest in t

That was testament to the power of radio.

Doug and Sarah and I came up to Orangeville early this morning so we could stop at the home depot for some material we needed for the portrait set up at Orangeville Mall. We listened to the piece with Don Ross and me on Fresh Air with Jeff Goodes and it sounded fantastic.

We got to the mall and started setting up. I'd say a good half of the people who showed up over the course of the day to get their pictures taken had heard the show and came out just to see us. This was confirmed for us by the end of the day when the mall management came up to thank us for increasing their traffic significantly. We got lots of great shots - including the wife, daughter and granddaughters of Elmer Iseler! 

It's been a big week.

For the past 7 days, the guitar has been in the possession of finger-style guitar master Don Ross. I commissioned a new piece from him specifically for the guitar to accompany a documentary being made by radio producer Steve Wadhams. This is the first time it's been in the hands of someone else for such an extended period. Given that it's Don Ross, I have no qualms (except that he and his wife Brooke Miller had a whole bunch of gear stolen from their car on a trip to Montréal back in October - gulp!).