This just in

[annathepiper]

For those of you not on greatbigsea or the OKP, word has just come around that Great Big Sea's tour bus flipped over in Vancouver. Short form: nobody's hurt (not seriously, anyway, the driver was apparently banged up a bit), the show in Vancouver tonight is probably still going to happen, pending checking out all their gear to make sure nothing's damaged.

ACK. Between this and the B'ys reporting fighting off flu bugs, this tour's a little bit too adventuresome so far for my comfort! Fingers crossed they keep up the tour safely!

And here I had just settled in for another pass through all the GBS on Rhapsody and/or my iPod. I'm all thrown for a loop now. And very grateful that all the band members and their people are okay! O.O

ETA: Here is another story, with some quotes from GBS' manager, though this one seems to contradict the first in terms of what happened to the bus. Guess we'll have to see if Alan's next From the Road entry tells us firsthand what happened!

ETA #2: Ah, we have this in now from the OKP board mods, an official statement from the band's management: "The band’s tour bus was traveling on the highway to Vancouver and in an attempt to avoid a collision with a line of cars stopped on the highway, the driver moved to the shoulder of the road. Once the bus had come to a full stop, it tipped. Everyone is ok and the priority is to make the show happen in Vancouver tonight. The band wants to play the concert tonight". So it looks like the Show Will Go On. *whew*

ETA #3: The link I originally posted has been updated. It's got some interview quotes with Bob Hallett now, and mentions that Séan McCann wasn't in the bus at the time since he had flown into Vancouver. It also mentions that the girl who'd won the Vancouver Kitchen Party Contest doesn't get to have GBS show up at her house after all. :( Poor girl! But the part that really unnerves me is the uncertainty about whether the U.S. shows can continue right now. ACK.

Comments

[silme711.livejournal.com]

Eep.
But thank God nobody's hurt!

How many days until you see them? 3? 2? :D

[annathepiper]

Two, assuming that nobody's too ill to play and none of their gear has been damaged by this accident! *gulp* I'm feeling extra special motivated now to get to the show on Saturday night and cheer for them!

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Yipe! That's no way to start a long weekend...

Gotta get the B'ys some Airborne and some helmets!

[annathepiper]

Indeed, "their tour bus in a ditch and all their instruments banged up" is NOT the status I want my B'ys in, on a long weekend or a short one! Here's hoping the Vancouver fans still get their show tonight!

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

Oh, man! Those poor lads!

I know Louis is quoted as saying the bus didn't flip, and it's hard to tell from the picture, but it does look as though it just slid down the hill. Creepy, though.

I'll be here, chewing my nails until we hear more.

[annathepiper]

Yes, very distressing to think of that kind of adventure happening at all, even if the bus just slid down the hill. There's an official thread on the OKP now from the board mods, they're saying that everyone is okay but they don't know yet if tonight's show will be cancelled. I will be watching that thread like a hawk.

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

Keep me posted, if you wouldn't mind, luv? I can't sit at my desk for the rest of the afternoon, much as I wish I could :)

[annathepiper]

I will! If we have any further interesting news, I'll give a shout.

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

Appreciate it muchly :) Thanks!

[annathepiper]

You're very welcome!

[annathepiper]

Just saw this come over the OKP, an official statement from the band's management:

"The band’s tour bus was traveling on the highway to Vancouver and in an attempt to avoid a collision with a line of cars stopped on the highway, the driver moved to the shoulder of the road. Once the bus had come to a full stop, it tipped. Everyone is ok and the priority is to make the show happen in Vancouver tonight. The band wants to play the concert tonight"

So it looks like the Show Will Go On. *whew*

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw that. Whew, is right! I'd say, provided the gear made it through okay or they were able to find replacement stuff, they'll have no problem getting set up for tonight's show. It's, what, 2:00 there? It probably happened this morning, anyway.

As 80% of their lighting rig is in-house for each venue, they could easily forego the movers if they got damaged in the mess. Sound check could be pushed probably as late as 5:30 or 6, unless this is a GA show. I'd be most concerned about the instruments...

[annathepiper]

I think that if our B'ys lost their instruments, they'd still come sing for us totally a cappella! Also, I would gladly loan them any of MY instruments. I think we have almost enough instruments in the house to fully outfit a GBS concert. Several guitars, a bouzouki, an octave mandolin, and a regular one, though we are lacking a whistle and shakers. mamishka has a bodhran, though!

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I think they'd cry if they lost their instruments. Like Séan's accoustic that's been used so much it has a hole patched with black gaff tape :) Didn't I hear something about the Doyle having a guitar break one time? Danny tossed it to him and he missed or something like that? Or that could've been one of those 'Doyling' examples :D

Hey, you can make shakers with PVC pipe, sand and black electrical tape :) Nothing to it!

[annathepiper]

*nodnodnod* They would definitely cry. I know in my heart this is true!

I am unfamiliar with the missed guitar toss story! But it wouldn't surprise me if that had happened. Or if it were a Doyle. ;)

Hee, I wonder if making shakers that way gives them that "bundle of dynamite" look that Séan's shakers always look to have to me. Every time I see him get them out at a show I keep expecting them to go BOOM right in the middle of "Boston and St. John's" or something!

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

I, unfortunately, can't remember where I heard the story about The Doyle missing the catch, but it was something about Danny being a little over-exuberant with his toss and that being the reason Alan had a new 12-string...

That's always what I thought Sean's shakers were :) And if they were ever going to go 'BOOM' I think it would be during Fortune!

[annathepiper]

HAH, yeah, right there in the middle of the bridge, right before they kick in with the vocals. ;D *BOOM!*

And if a missed toss was the reason for an instrument change, I can only imagine how embarrassing that must have been!

[brightbeak.livejournal.com]

bb suspects that the angels that protext singin' lads from newfoundland had a STRONG wing in this outcome, tho i'm sure a couple of angels are out on work-angel-comp for it...
bb

[annathepiper]

*nodnod* Now is definitely a time for GBS fans to be thanking their deities of choice for the safety of our B'ys and their crew!

[brightbeak.livejournal.com]

that has already been done by THIS fan...
then again, i'm one who DOES pray for the safety of actors & singers i like, esp when i know they are traveling...
*shrug* just me, y'know?
bb

[annathepiper]

*nodnod* From what I'm seeing coming over the OKP, it's not just you either, babe! Lots of grateful and relieved fans posting up there. And much gratitude that the B'ys are still going to play tonight despite having this little mishap!

[annaonthemoon.livejournal.com]

*waves* Hi, Anna. I've added you to my freinds list, I hope you don't mind...we seemed to be chatting quite a bit on the GBS cmmunity, and we've got a bunch in common :D

[annathepiper]

Hey there! I don't mind at all. My policy with GBS fans Friending me is that "there's always room for more". ^_^ Glad to have you aboard!

[annaonthemoon.livejournal.com]

heh sounds like a good policy to have :D

feel free to add me back if you'd like.

[annathepiper]

Done! And thank you! ^_^

[annaonthemoon.livejournal.com]

no problem :D

always glad to have more friends :)

[annathepiper]

It's the driving force of Livejournal! ^_^

[annaonthemoon.livejournal.com]

indeed!