January 20, 2013
Well, changes are always a regular thing and this past weekend represented the end of an era for The Outlaws. We said goodbye to the voice that has kicked us in the ass for the past 5 years, playing our last weekend with Elli Holifield on the mic. But as we say goodbye to Elli, we also have the joy of welcoming a new, extended member to the family as Elli and Nico are expecting their 2nd child, in the coming months.
Thus begins our search to for Elli's replacement ... BIG shoes to fill, to be certain. Ads are going out and audition spots will be filled. Stay tuned for the final results !!
April 12, 2013
The search and the auditions are done. Elli's replacement has been found and we are very happy to welcome Noelle Christie into The Outlaws fold. Her first weekend with us is sure to be a challenging one as, for the very first time in Outlaw history, we are forced to perform without Mark White on bass and vocals. The coming weekend is going to be a weird one as none of the band members on stage were either with the band or in my case, playing the same instrument in the band, at this same time last year ?!?!?!?!? Our thanks to my good friend Joe Fernandes for stepping to the plate to fill Mark's shoes this weekend. Take a deep breath and we'll see you on the other side ....
Additionally, our former guitar player, Rob Maingot and his wife Bethany have announced the pending arrival of their second child who is expected in September or October.
July 22, 2013
Wow ... I'm thinking we should change the name of The Outlaws to "Change". Noelle is up and running and kicking ass as our new singer and we have sadly played our last gig with Andrew Newton, behind the kit. We wished Andrew and his wife Shannon a fond farewell on the 19Jul, as they departed for Halifax, to return to their home town and begin building a family of their own. Although we're sad to see Andrew leave, we wish them nothing but the very best for the future !
With Andrew's departure, The Outlaws are pleased to welcome an old high school friend of mine to the fold, with Brian Carballo taking over, behind the kit. Brian has years of experience under his belt and is sure to bring a new feel and vibe to the band.
Our extended family also grew a little in the past week when Ellie and her husband welcomed their second daughter on 17Jul. As I'm typing this, there is still no news on her name, but I'm sure we'll find out soon. She was a little late arriving, but as Ellie said ... "she had to make an 'entrance', just like her mother".
July 28, 2013
This was a really fun past few days. on the 26Jul, we played a massive private party at an urban horse ranch, within the Vancouver city limits and then the following day, we played for 2,000 people at a very special Cancer Fund Raiser with Canadian Country Music icons, Aaron Pritchet and Dallas Smith (former Default frontman). Hanging with these guys, backstage was a real blast !
Next weekend, we're on Vancouver Island for the HUGE SunFest, opening the show for country music newcomer Jerrod Neimann and Thompson Square with the legendary Allan Jackson on the bill for the following night !!??!!??!! This is a truly CRAZY summer !
October 01, 2013
Well, just like that, Summer 2013 is a thing of the past and almost as quickly, things in the Runaway Lane camp have switched up as well. Our long-time bass player and my rhythm section partner, Chad Drover and our pedal steel and 2nd guitar player, Jay David have moved on to form their own band, Badlands Empire. We wish them much success and hope they thoroughly enjoy the new project.
That transition has opened the door for our new guitar player, Jon Tucker to join the fold. Jon is a great, new, up-and-coming guitar player on the west coast scene and is very comfortably carving his own path, along side his older brother Jesse Tucker who is now touring with the new country superstar, Brett Eldredge.
As I'm typing this, the first round of auditions for our new bass player will be held tomorrow night. Hopefully, we'll find another guy who's ready to blend and build. Fingers crossed !