Live Intimate and Interactive with Great Big Sea on MuchMoreMusic ~ June 21, 1999
"A Behind the Scenes Look by Wendy Gilmour"

Our family had just decided on an impromptu vacation to Toronto, when I got a call from MuchMusic.  They told me if I answered a few skill testing questions about Great Big Sea, I would be on the guest list to join Great Big Sea in the Bravo studio to tape the Live Intimate and Interactive special to be broadcast on MuchMoreMusic.  Being an active

supporter of Great Big Sea, this was certainly a wonderful opportunity. I answered the questions correctly and quickly adjusted our travel itinerary!  I am part of the "online" Internet group "Friends of Great Big Sea". Many of us have met at various live shows over the years and we've all chatted online at www.greatbigsea.com.  The "friends" had

decided to meet at the Black Bull Tavern prior to the show.  What a great way to start the evening by visiting with friends I had met at previous shows and chatted with over the Internet.  It was a very short walk to MuchMusic and when we arrived at 8:00 pm Liza and the crew outfitted us with armbands, to indicate that we were on the Great Big

Sea guest list. Tracey, a friend of mine, was chosen to ask a question of the guys, so she and I were escorted in first and seated stage left beside the band.  Every seat was a good one with the guests seated in a circle around the band.  The crew gave a run down of what would happen over the next 90 minutes and then, the moment we'd all been waiting for,

in came Great Big Sea.  The room came alive and you could feel the excitement! We did a quick run through of the opening song, and with 5 minutes till air time, Alan Doyle called out "any requests?".  They did about 3 or 4 song clips, including Happy Birthday to one of the fans. We went on air with Great Big Sea's newest release "Consequence Free".

During commercial breaks, the set was changed to prepare for the question part of the show.  A sound track playing Great Big Sea was playing and you could often see Sean McCann dancing to the music and Alan Doyle out greeting fans, rarely making it back to his mic for air time.  The first question came by phone and as it was asked, the band

look up and around as if the call was coming from the heavens.   The studio audience sang along enthusiastically with the band and clapped and cheered throughout the entire show.

Alan Doyle signing autographs after the show.

During their last song,"Lukey", Tracey turned to me and said "We have to get up for this one!".  We stood up and the entire room followed, ending the show with everyone dancing, singing and swinging arm-in-arm. Great Big Sea's music is infectious and it was certainly a  Great Big Kitchen party in the MuchMoreMusic studio!Alan Doyle came out after the show to sign autographs.  Many of the fans waited with Turn posters, promoting their fourth Canadian album, which was released the next day, June 22, 1999. MuchMoreMusic and Great Big Sea did a wonderful job on the band's first TV special.  I was honored to share in the experience!

Wendy Gilmour, Halifax, N.S.

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