I’m back at the Dubs on a normal Monday morning, after a highly abnormal (at least for me) weekend and prior week. Last Tuesday was the final practice for the Meadowlark Orchestra. The timing and energy were good. All that remained to wonder about was whether we would live through all the logistics - the sound system, moving around on stage for the readings, and all the fussy details of selling and signing the books. Wednesday dawned gorgeous, which was a blessing for the roadies (me, Tony Buchner, Luke Bergen, and my family) and for hopes of a good crowd. Originally we were to set up and sound check at 5:00PM. We were sure that wasn’t enough time, so we asked the Park for an earlier time. They were good enough to say 3:00PM. Being who we are, we got there at 2:30! Thank goodness. It turned out that the lights had been reset from what we saw at our last visit. Alan McKenzie of Bendecido Books had set up lighting instructions for himself, and they were now not applicable. Fortunately, my daughter Kate and her fiancee Tim Fennel are both stage people. They took matters in hand. Tim was up the ladder refocusing spots, and Kate was ordering everybody around in the great Hodgert tradition. I joke. The Bendecido people and I were very relieved that the set-up was in knowing hands. My son Paul, a trained sound engineer and experienced concert performer, supervised the band set-up, with help from Tony and Luke. By the time the Park Theatre sound man, Elliot Filbert, arrived - we were in shape. He was a real professional and had us plugged and balanced in no time. A big thanks to him and all the great folks at the Park!

So, after a hurried dinner we were back at the Park, waiting for a crowd (or at least a small group). Then the people started arriving, and arriving, and arriving..... By the time the show started it was Standing Room Only. BIg heartfelt thanks go out to Rhiannon Maskie Connally, marketing specialist at Bendecido, to Ray Blumenfeld the publisher, and to everyone at Bendecido who worked so hard and so successfully to draw a crowd. And the first of many deep, deep thanks to the friends, family, neighbours, and curious strangers who took the trouble to attend.

Against expectations people started buying the books as they came in, and (bless their hearts) asking me to sign their copies. I did as many as I could before the show, and got the rest afterwards. Thanks to everyone who bought the book. Whatever your motive, friendship or love of reading, I hope you enjoy the novel. Whether you do or not, please let me know, by any means, including comments on the blog or e-mails. See ‘Contact John’ herein.

The show began on time. Ray did a brief introduction. I did the first reading wearing a Maple Leafs cap, and received polite applause. I walked in the dark across the stage and sang the title song, Except My Love For You. The applause after was generous. I did the second reading wearing a summer straw hat, and was rewarded with warm applause. I then walked to mid-stage and began the song Angel of Truth - with just my guitar as accompaniment. When the band kicked in at the end of the first verse, I could hear the audience draw in its breath - under the assault of the mighty, mighty rhythm section. Thanks again and forever to Paul, Tony, and Luke. We got some real heart-warming applause after that surprise! I walked back and did a somewhat out of breath third reading, without hat this time, but decked out in suit jacket. NIce applause followed. I went back to the band and started the song Across the Norwood Bridge. The band was augmented this time by Lori Reimer on piano and Ashli Hodgert on trombone. After the first two verses, we were joined onstage by Jane Helbrecht as a chorus singer, and Vanessa Kuzina singing harmony. Thanks too much to say to these three fine ladies! At the end of this only half-serious number we were rewarded with nice applause. I gave my thanks to the band, and then to everyone connected with the concert and the publication of the book. I here second my thanks. But I forgot to thank Andrew W. Nolan for his terrific book cover photo. So - thanks Andrew for your bright, strong, bang-on shot. I want also to add a thanks to my neighbour and friend, the great painter Tom Lovatt - thanks for a life-time of inspiration. And just one more to my friend and inspiration Brian Hughes, polymath and pal.

More signing at the Park, then over to Lux-a-Lune, chatting with friends, drinks, and some other stuff I don’t quite remember but I’m sure was fun! But I run on. Let me end with a thanks from the bottom of my heart to everyone who helped get the book made, made the launch work, was kind enough to attend, to buy the book, or to just wish me well. And everyone who reads Except My Love For You. I hope you conclude that it was all worthwhile.

CHECK OTHER BLOGS FOR APR AND MAY TO READ HOW THE BOOK, THE SONGS AND THE PUBLISHING COMPANY CAME TO BE!