Winnipeg had a real vibrant local music scene is what I was told by two Winnipeg musicians, Gord McGregor and Jim Degiarlde who I befriended as a front desk clerk at a Banff Alberta hotel called the Cascade Inn in the mid 70s.
The pair were among pretty impressive duos that moved through The Paddock, the live music venue upstairs and up off the lobby from the biggest beer hall in Alberta. That occupied the entire lower footprint of the hotel, with two main street entrances on either side of the lobby entrance. Back entrance led to an alley and the hotel staff annex.

They credited the city's large talented pool as a real "breeding ground"....makes sense...It is all about proximity to others you learns with..

That job taught me how to play well enough to keep figuring things out musically. I always checked in the bands on Sunday nights, and as my regular shift ended 11pm, I partied with them and they showed me things.

Guy from California, Steve Driggars, gave me the machine heads from his Washburn still on my Yamaki and showed me how to put them on. A real job that involve exact drilling. Also taught me good maintenance habits. Played with a really talented partner, Mike Haas and they had great chemistry in guitar work and voice.

Banff was a sleepy winter town back then,...much more a summer resort...and I had a blast. September to April or so...after first year university false start.

If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop