brendongomez.com

January 2016 Disclaimer: Yes it’s true. I have not updated my ‘gig’ blog since mid September. And there’s a great reason for that; I’ve been beyond busy performing in and around Toronto a number of great establishments. It’s insane how time goes by so fast. Since it’s a new year, I invite you to read my past entries to see the amazing gig adventures I’ve been up to. Now back to the blog entry below..

Whew, what a year. Thanks for everyone known and unknown who came to see me perform this past year. Thanks to all the bookers, managers, staff, interns, chefs, bus boys and girls, waitress, bartenders, hostesses, accountants and food and beverage directors. Free meals, drinks, tips, hotel accommodations, and utensils. Thanks for all great comments I’d hear from shows too: “Great Set”, “I forgot about that song”, “Do you know this song?”, “Where are you playing next?”, “You don’t look like a Musician”, “Where’s the Bathrooms”, “Are you the guy from Big Bang Theory?”, “Brendon Gomez is not your real name”. All in all, I did around 188 shows around the Toronto Greater Area (mixing Piano and Guitar, and playing DJ as needed), and it was probably the most demanding year ever..so who can argue with that? I can’t. See you guys soon, which is probably next week!

It’s been great doing show’s with Cameron’s Brewery this year. To finish the year off on a barley and hops note, I was invited to perform at the actual Brewery for a Customer Appreciation night. It was a fun event, filled with samples of Cameron’s great beer choices, as well as tours of the brewery with many people mingling and listening to my song selections. As it was the Christmas season, it was nice to integrate Christmas songs (i.e the entire side 1 of Phil Spector’s Christmas Album, as well as the 80’s Band Aid Classic) into the setlist. So much fun watching guests sing along (off key and tipsy from their beer) as well as the Cameron’s sampling team dueting with me on songs (and making up the words as needed). A really cool experience as I never knew that a Brewery could provide substantial acoustics and echo when needed.

If there’s a place where Toronto hipsters hang out its Queen West. In particular, it’s Queen and Ossington, and if you go a little west from there on Queen, you will find a hip bar place called “the Rhino”. A place where you go to meet friends for the 1^st drink of the night, before going to the other place. People come and go. But on a cold November evening, they came – and stayed. My friends at Cameron’s Brewery were doing an event all access night and invited me to perform ‘all requests’ from patrons. It was so much fun – I played at least 60 song requests, gave out prizes, and hung out with the staff and patrons of the Rhino that cold November night. Best Request – “Thirteen” – Big Star, Worst Request – “You Make My Dreams Come True” – Hall and Oates (yes I still played it)