We had 20,000 people in a town of 5,000. We had license plates from all over North America.
Whether it's at home or internationally, GBS are riding a wave that sees them with a hot CD (Play) and a compilation appearance on the new multi-band disc Fire In The Kitchen, produced by chief Chieftain Paddy Maloney.
The good news is that we'll get a slice of their energetic action when they arrive at JetForm park as part of Saturday's Stardust Picnic.
Singer/bassist Darrell Power checks in from Newfoundland and says home cooking has become a welcome but rare indulgence these days because of their popularity.
"The actual reason we're home is that we've just finished The Great Big Picnic in Grand Falls.
![[ the lads - 9K ]](greatbigsea_160.jpg)
"The all-Canadian lineup gives us a chance to assemble our friends from the road with some of the other cutting edge of homegrown music."
Indeed, this summer is a bit of a picnic for Great Big Sea, with Blue Rodeo bringing them on board their own version of the Canuck fest.
"It's another example of how curious Canadians are about their own music, and because of that a wide variety of bands can play on the same bill and attract a large number of people.
"We met the guys from Blue Rodeo three years ago and we hit it off smashingly, and try to play together as often as possible. They're just a great bunch of guys and true professionals. They also have that secret that every band craves and that is longevity."
Their sound knows no boundaries and they're beginning to make a dent worldwide.
"The main ingredient for success is the fans, because without them the career is not sustainable. The beauty of Canada is that people are genuinely curious about good music that they'll be supportive of our musicians and will take a chance and come out to these festivals and that's why they continue to exist."
GBS are certainly more than satisfied with the success they've already enjoyed at home but it seems their sound knows no boundaries and they're beginning to make a dent worldwide.
"We've always been goalsetters and we decided early on that first and foremost we wanted to turn Canadians on to our music.
"But at the risk of wearing out your welcome you must turn yourselves in other directions.
"To that end we've signed a deal in England and now there's a release with Sire Records in the U.S. This one's called Rant & Roar which is a compilation of our stuff and that's keeping us very busy south of the border right now.
"It certainly keeps it interesting for the band because in the States we're back to square one. That's an element that keeps the band together and excited about what we're doing. We're playing to new people and trying to get them turned on and into the music is a blast for us."
The GBS kitchen
As a musician, Power reveals that the opportunity to work with Paddy Maloney on Fire In The Kitchen was one of those magical career moments. He served as producer of the disc, including a new version of GBS's own Lukey.
"It was a matter of meeting your heroes and he's been doing this for 37 years.
"To record with him and then actually tour with him was more than amazing.
"The success he's achieved is a combination of a keen ear with the ability to move into a solid World Music envelope but still maintaining a foothold in traditional Irish and Celtic music."