Is This The Real Life

One of my favourite Canadian musicians isn't Canadian at all. I met Bob Egan when he was a member of Wilco during the Being There years. He ended up moving to Canada and playing in Blue Rodeo. Bob is now the Film, Music and Interactive Media Officer for the City of Kitchener. Here is the beginning of Bob's bio:

It officially started backstage at the Irving Plaza in New York City when Johnny Cash shook my hand and asked if I was the new steel guitar player in Wilco. "Well, I'm not sure Mr. Cash. I've never played full-time in a band and I have this business back in Chicago. I mean they asked me to join but that's a pretty big step, it is a tough business."

He nodded and looked me in the eye, "It can be a hard road but if your heart's in it, it can be a good life."

An hour later as I watched Johnny from side stage I had tears in my eyes from the power of his music. Jeff Tweedy turned to me and said "Are you gonna join this fuckin' band now?"

A month later I sold my business and got on a tour bus.