Sly Botts

Thank you for the kind words. I do feel like I've definitely grown as a person from 2016 till now. (Last 10 years, 32-42) I'm 100% more sure of myself and what my values are without question. I'm at a point in my life and career where I feel I am making a difference and setting a good example for others and my family. I feel like I've finally become the person I used to look up to as a kid, so I continue to work to maintain that.

Can't believe it's been 7 years... would be in the 11th grade at this point.

I had bought a ticket to see him play in Sault Ste. Marie in 2020. Covid happened and he had to cancel it (fair enough). Then he decided to tour again in 2024 and I bought a Ticket for that. It was going to be on my Birthday, which was cool. I made sure to do shift changes at work (I'm a Medical professional) and arrange it so I could be at the show (2.5 hour drive from my home) and he cancelled that one and rebooked it a month or 2 later. I either couldn't get a refund or didn't even bother. I had enough, I wasn't going to re-arrange my schedule again. I have a life, family, etc;. The last show I went to of his was his Beautiful Midnight 2017 tour (Which was good!) in Sarnia, about an hour from my in-laws. Most of his fans are in their 40's/50's at this point. They have lives. If he's going to book shows he needs to stick to them because at this age they have to make arrangements to see him play. If he wants to tour and make money with what he has left, he's going to have to consider this. Obviously the guy has personal issues, I don't fail him for it, I'm grateful for all the entertainment he's provided over the years, but its a different world now and his fans are older.

I have to say I was really excited to see MG. I had a ticket to see his show in Sault Ste Marie back in 2020 but it got cancelled at the last minute due to COVID (which is reasonable and understandable). The last time I got to see him play was in 2017 for the BM tour. Finally he was coming back to the Sault after years, (on my birthday no less). Being a Nurse who works in a Hospital, I had to do some shift changing in order to be able to make it to the show (2.5 hour drive away from my home), which is difficult considering I work in a Hospital with staffing issues in a retirement town and Drug Treatment town, full of old, mentally ill and very sick people. One day after that, I get a notice that the show has been moved from April 25th to April 14th. There is now no way I can make this show. I am extremely disappointed and I now have to try and get a refund. I know that this stuff happens and these things are out of people's control. It just sucks because I've been a huge fan since 1998. Maybe in a few years I'll get another chance, this just really sucks.

Can't wait to see Matt Good on April 25th in Sault Ste. Marie!

Ha ha I asked Chat GPT to write a poem about getting old, using the writing style of Canadian Musician Matthew Good. This is what it wrote: In the quiet hum of twilight's embrace, Shadows dance on lines etched on my face. Through the lens of time, a worn-out photograph, I navigate the landscape of a life's epitaph. City lights flicker, like distant memories, A symphony of moments, like autumn leaves on trees. In the subtle echoes of a world grown cold, I find the poetry in the art of growing old. Melodies of youth, like distant reveries, Fade into the background, in life's tapestries. In the silence of reflection, where echoes unfold, I trace the contours of stories never told. The streets I once knew wear a different face, Yet, their echoes resonate with a familiar grace. In the quiet spaces between each sigh and breath, I find solace in the dance with life and death. Aches and pains, like verses in a song, Sing the ballad of a journey, complex and long. In the creases of my skin, tales unfold, An intricate tapestry, weathered and bold. As the sun dips below the horizon's hold, I wander through the memories, both silver and gold. In the verses of time, where stories are scrolled, I embrace the bittersweet beauty of growing old. Through the haze of twilight, where shadows blend, I find peace in the echoes, on which I depend. For in the quiet cadence of a life well-told, I discover the serenity of getting old.

Got my Ticket for the Sault show! It's on my birthday too! How weird but cool.

Marks Warehouse was selling Atari T-shirts earlier this year.

Yeah I think the tour he was on when COVID cancelled it, was full band. I had tickets to see him in Sault Ste Marie. I was really bummed when it didn't work out. Now that I'm moving even farther away from the Sault to Elliot Lake (My Hometown) I wonder if I'll realistically have a chance to see him again without having to make an ordeal of it. My inlaws live in Chatham/Kent so I could always go to a Sarnia show or London show but... It has to co-inside with one of my holidays (Healthcare worker here) as it's an 8-12 hour drive depending on time of year and other factors. Sucks. LOL At least he plays smaller cities. Alexisonfire and Dallas only do major cities, and I can't go see the Hip cause well... you know...

Yeah there are some really good tunes on that album. Guns of Carolina being one.

Bah, he says a lot of things, then goes back and fourth on them. We've all seen this. He'll release it... eventually. Don't take what I say wrong though, I do like MG. I'm just also truthful about what I observe.

It almost seems like he's at some kind of Rock Bottom, doomed to become that onetime young star who kept on playing and living the lifestyle, playing to smaller and smaller crowds until one day he was old, worn out and weary, his skeletons having caught up with him. I sure hope not! I'd still go see him if he was playing near me, even if it was only to 10 people at a bar and drag my brother and friends with me!

Remember back in the day when you had to recalibrate your joystick whenever you wanted to use it on a PC? lol

I just wish he would come back and play in Sault Ste Marie. I had tickets for his show before COVID hit which got cancelled. I haven't seen him since 2017 in Sarnia. It would be nice to be able to see a show. Both Daniel and Guitarman are 100% correct in my books. I've commented on him drinking during shows in the past (He seems kind of tipsy on his Massy Hall album) and even made a comment during his internet show about going "backwards into a wall of bourbon" when he was singing Strange Days (Just joking around of course). But yeah, the world has changed a lot in the past 10 years since he was touring more heavily. He should probably be careful about making political comments. Unless they are pro Conservative, then thats ok.... lol. (Joke)

Wouldn't it be great if he opened for Nickelback? Lol