Former Performer Experiences

“When we were asked to do the Show Tour in Latvia, we jumped at the opportunity. Having done a similar trip in the past (HMCS VDQ in Spain) we knew how rewarding it was to get overseas and play for the brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces. From the very beginning we were treated very well by everyone involved and the organization of the tour was top notch. My favourite part of the trip was getting a base tour and learning a little bit about all the different jobs and how they intersect with each other. Both Diana (CFMWS) and Brittany (Major Young CAF-NSE) were fantastic liaisons who made us feel well taken care of and right at home. The show itself was professionally executed and very fun and exciting to play. We would do it again in a heartbeat!” – John Angus , lead guitarist of The Trews
 

In late 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to take part in a special morale-boosting tour for Canadian Forces personnel stationed at Camp Adazi, Latvia. The tour was organized to bring some live music and entertainment to the troops far from home, and I was proud to be part of it with my band Cease & Desist.

Getting the Call
The whole thing started when we were officially invited to perform in November. The organizers assured us the logistics would be covered, including flights, hotels, and meals. We’d be performing a 90-minute set on November 26, 2022. It felt great to be recognized and trusted to deliver a show that would lift spirits in such a meaningful way.

Preparing the Show
The prep work was a blend of excitement and careful planning. We began by selecting songs that would resonate with the troops - a mixture of rock classics like Summer of ’69, Highway to Hell, and Takin’ Care of Business, alongside some other Canadian staples and even a French-language track, Le blues me guette by Offenbach. The French song was a nod to the bilingual spirit of the Canadian Forces, and it added a nice unique touch to the set. Our mission was to try to pad the performance with as many Canadian songs and artists as we could while making sure we had a good staple of worldwide artists for those countries represented there who may not have heard that many Canadian artists.
Shaun Verreault from the Canadian band ‘Wide Mouth Mason’ joined us on this tour package, bringing his own flair and genius. Shaun is by accounts an incredibly accomplished musician; a gifted guitarist, singer, songwriter and a tour deforce as a performer in his own right. 
We made sure the technical side was covered - monitors, microphones, lighting, and a solid sound system were all coordinated ahead of time. Rehearsals were booked at Soundhouse in Vancouver on November 18 to ensure the band was tight and ready.

The Journey Begins
Our travel itinerary was quite the adventure itself. I personally flew out from Victoria on the evening of November 22, connecting with the others through Vancouver and Toronto before heading overnight to Frankfurt, then on to Riga the next morning. The flights were long, but everyone was eager and in good spirits, knowing the purpose behind the journey.
Upon arrival in Riga, we checked into the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel. The first day was spent with briefings and dinners in town - a chance to settle in and get acquainted with the other personnel on the tour.

The Big Day
On November 26, we headed to Camp Adazi for the final soundcheck and rehearsal. The camp itself was impressive, and it felt humbling to perform for those who serve our country in such a direct way. I must note that we weren’t only playing for Canadian Services Personnel. In late 2022, 12 countries had personnel stationed at the Adazi Military Base in Latvia as part of NATO's enhanced ‘Forward Presence’. These countries were: Albania, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Additionally, the United States also had personnel present. It was humbling to know that we were bringing music and morale literally to much of the world all at once!
That evening, we took the stage with an energized crowd of soldiers and support staff. Our set blended high-energy rock, classic hits, and the special French song that got a warm reception. The opening act was comedian Ryan Belleville, which helped set a fun tone for the night.
On a whim during our performance, we decided to have some ‘silly’ fun and play ‘(Take Me Home) Country Roads’ (made famous by John Denver) just to see what would happen. We were incredibly surprised when the entire room sang every word at the top of their lungs. I had no idea how big a hit that song was worldwide. It was the surprise hit of the night!
Performing there wasn’t just about music - it was about connection, gratitude, and reminding everyone that their sacrifices are appreciated back home. We could feel the positive energy, and it was clear the troops enjoyed the night as much as we did.

Heading Home
After a brief rest, we were up early on November 27 to make our way back through Riga, Amsterdam, Toronto, and Vancouver before me personally landing at home in Victoria late that evening. The whole trip was a whirlwind of flights, rehearsals, performances, and camaraderie.

Reflecting Back
Looking back, the Latvia Show Tour was one of the most rewarding experiences of my musical career. Playing for so many troops overseas, sharing Canadian music, and being part of a morale event with such a meaningful purpose was truly special. The professionalism of the organizing team, the support from fellow musicians, and the gratitude from the audience all made it unforgettable.
I’m proud of the show we put together and grateful for the smooth coordination - from the detailed song selection and rehearsals to the travel logistics and technical setup. It reminded me that great music can bridge distances and boost spirits, no matter where you are in the world.
I look forward to being available for any other shows the Canadian Forces ask me to be a part of. I am eternally grateful and humbled by the experiences I have had. 

From a tour manager's perspective, the trip was an amazing experience for all of us. A lot of the details that I typically look after as the band's tour manager were very well looked after by your team (CFMWS), so I had an easy time of it by comparison with many shows we have done elsewhere. It was such an honor to be given the chance to contribute in our own small way to the incredible work being done over there (Op Reassurance in Latvia) and around the world. What a sacrifice those folks make for all of our benefits! 

The thing I really appreciated most during the time was the willingness of the troops to engage with all of us and the genuine interest they showed when displaying and explaining the mission and the equipment. Not to sound hokey, but that was all truly inspiring. I'm glad we had the opportunity to "give back" a little bit.

-Bill Girdwood, James Barker Band Tour Manager 
May 2025 

What was the most memorable part of your Show Tour?
I would say the most memorable part of the trip was the interaction with the personel
themselves. They were so excited we were there, and very proud of the job they
were/are doing. I really loved talking with each of them during our short stay.

What is the impact a Show Tour has on the CAF?
I like to think that the show tour boosted morale in a very positive way. It definitely
gave everyone a chance to blow out some steam and feel some kind of connection to
home during a long tour of duty.

In your opinion what is the importance of a Show Tour?
So Important! These people are literally putting their lives on the line to protect our
way of life and our allies too. I can’t imagine a Canada where we don’t bring a little bit
of entertainment to our troopsduring their mission abroad.

What makes a Show Tour a unique experience?
I suppose the biggest uniqueness is getting to visit parts of the world that I wouldn’t get
to see otherwise. Latvia, for instance, wasn’t on my list of places to visit, but I’m so
glad I got to go there and have that experience with the CAF.

Why you felt you wanted to participate in a Show Tour for the troops?
I have a huge soft spot in my heart for the Canadian Military. My grandfather was a Korean War veteran, so we have a family connection to the CAF. Every time I’m in the presence of the military I’m overwhelmed with National pride. These people are real life heroes to me, and I’m proud to be able to provide them a little bit of entertainment in a high-stress situation. I would do it again in a heartbeat!