Toronto Mike'd: The Official Toronto Mike Podcast - Kellylee Evans: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1510

Episode Date: June 21, 2024

In this 1510th episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike chats with Juno winning singer Kellylee Evans about how she overcame a life altering lightning strike in 2013 to triumphantly return to her energy charged performances. Toronto Mike'd is proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, Ridley Funeral Home, The Advantaged Investor podcast from Raymond James Canada, The Yes, We Are Open podcast from Moneris, The Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Team and RecycleMyElectronics.ca. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Toronto Mike at [e-mail]

Kelly Lee, you can sing along if you want. There's no rules on Toronto Mike. I'm just grooving right now. I'm digging it. Who did this? Illvibe. Illi, local rapper producer. You're welcome to episode 1510 of Toronto Mic'd. Proudly brought to you by

Great Lakes Brewery, a fiercely independent craft brewery who believes in supporting communities, good times, and brewing amazing beer. Hey join us we're there Thursday June 27th 6 to 9 p.m. for TML X15. Kelly Lee you're invited. Oh thank you. Palma Pasta will feed us. Enjoy the taste of fresh homemade Italian pasta and entrees from Palma Pasta in Mississauga and Oakville and next Thursday in Etobicoke. The Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team, the best baseball in the city outside the dome. Join me July 7th, I'm at Christie Pitts. Mike Richards, Mike Wilner, all the Mikes, and CEO Keith Stein, we're gonna have a great time.

Recyclemyelectronics.ca, committing to our planet's future, means properly recycling our electronics of the past. Season six of Yes We Are Open, an award-winning Mineris podcast hosted by FOTML Grego. He'll be at TML X15 on Thursday. And Ridley Funeral Home, pillars of the community since 1921. Today, that beautiful voice that belongs to Kelly Lee Evans making her Toronto mic debut. How are you Kelly Lee? I'm good. I'm good. Yeah. I'm really good. And I look rematch. Oh my gosh. Yeah. What's that color? Is that Burgundy? I don't even know. I call it Burgundy. Okay. I'm going to call

Burgundy. My high school had gold and this is like their colors. So now that's just your, that's your uniform. Now I got this from another FOTM. You're now an FOTM, Kelly Lee, but I got this from Fred Penner. What is an FOTM? Friend of Toronto Mike. Oh, I love it. You're in the club now. Okay, so we, but I can only wear this color. Yeah, that and or gold.

Okay. Do you got any gold on you? I do. I hear you, Adeline. I do. Good to meet you. We didn't, I told you no small talk. I also told you watch your head.

And then we laughed about how we laugh together about how I say that three, four times and guests still hit their head. And these fools. And you hit your head, right? I just was the tiniest of bumps, cause that's what I do. I mean, yeah.

Well, we're going to get into it because I'm worried about your head. We're going to talk about all this, but I have a question off the top. It's a big one. Where is your Juno right now? Like, is it on display? Tell us in great detail where we would find your Juno.

It's on a table in my room. I can lie in bed and I can look at it as one does. And what is this Juno for Kelly Lee Evans? I believe it was in... Was it in 20... I want to say 2011. Is that right? 2011.

Sounds about right. I don't know. I won a vocal jazz album of the year for a project that I did in Oman to Nina Simone. Okay, you know what? That's a good opportunity is anything. I'm actually going to play a little bit of music from that. You found it? Well, found it. I mean, I've been grooving it all week. Come on, found it. Because this is like, this is secret stuff. Like the label that made this- Supportedly kept secret. The label that made this went bankrupt. Okay, we're gonna talk about it.

Birds flying high, you know how I feel. This is you. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel. Breeze drifting by, you know how I feel. I have not heard this in a minute. So we won't hear any Nina Simone at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival tomorrow night? I'm going to do this tune. Okay. Yeah. So we don't have to wait too long. Okay. Yeah.

Because I mean, I don't want to bury any leads here. We're going to cover a lot of ground here over the next hour or so, but you are at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival tomorrow night. So we had a timestamp it. We're talking Friday, June 21st. I'll drop this episode right away, but this is Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. Kelly Lee Evans.

Please come, 845. And where exactly is it? It's Midtown, right? Where is it? Dude, okay, I don't know what this Midtown business is. Somebody told me that that is incorrect on the way here. Tell me where it is and I'll tell you. I'm Toronto Mike, I can tell you.

Okay, it's at the Grove Stage at U of T. Oh yeah, that's not Midtown. Right. U of T. So you're like St. George and Bloor area maybe? Like around there. Yep. That's, that's oh, you know what? That's not Midtown, that's Uptown. Okay. So that's just like a blip from the, from Bands in Town.

We need to call Bands in Town and let them know to fix that. I tried to fix it on the way here. But you know, it's kind of close. I don't know, because they always- It's close-ish? It's close-ish because I'm thinking Christy Pitts, which is Christy and Bloor. People are on the way here. But you know, it's kind of close. I don't know, because they know it's close. It's close because I'm thinking Christie pits, which is Christie and Bloor. There people are calling that midtown. Can you say Bloor is like the midtown ish.

Bottom line is just again, it's that you've teed, but you don't have any more specifics. Like you've tees a very large. I went there. It's a large campus. We just go to everywhere. And you have to know there's like this square... It's called Grove something you said. Grove stage. Grove stage. There's a beautiful square in between buildings. That's easy to find.

Follow the music. Okay. And we'll get to, you know, you're going to be all over the place, but I kind of want to bring you back. Like, where do I start with you? Firstly, you're not a Toronto girl, right? Where are you? You're an Ottawa girl?

Where are you from? Scarborough. Scarborough. Scarborough. Scarborough. Why do you think you're in Ottawa? You know why? Because you went to Carleton. And I still live in Ottawa. How many houses do you own? Oh my gosh. I own zero houses at the moment. How many have I owned? You know, that's a personal question. That's a personal question. I'll answer. But you got to be okay. So, so, but you now live in Ottawa. You went to Carleton, but you're a Toronto girl. Yeah. Yeah. You know, I'm Scarborough girl. Let's be clear.

I'm a Scarborough girl because back then Scarborough existed before I left to go away to to Ottawa. It's not there anymore Well, I gotta check it if I went downtown and said I was from Toronto people would be like, where do you live? And I'd say Markham and Shepherd and they say no you're from Scarborough So I was always told I was from Scarborough and then when I moved away to go to Carleton people like the amalgamation happened And became 1998 GTA. Yeah, you know and the mega city people told me I was from Toronto and I was like, but everyone, but this is a very pedantic argument because yes, since 1998 it's the mega city. So like you're in Etobicoke right now. So it's the same story. It's the West end Scarborough or whatever. And yeah, like

we're technically Toronto, but where the burrow you're in a, you know, from the burrow of Scarborough. Yeah. And you can even in Toronto, you can even get like even more specific and drop the name of the neighborhood. Like you can get- I was from Malvern. Yeah. See that's, I would show that out. Like here you are right now in new Toronto. Malvern massive. Okay. Yeah. And I grew up going to East school at East in East York. Look at you. Yeah. Shout out to all my East York friends. Okay. So you're a Toronto gal, but you go to school at Carleton.. Shout out to all my East York friends. Okay. So you're a Toronto gal, but you go to school at Carleton. I just want to point out you're, you got a big brain on you. I don't know how big it is. We'll talk about some head issues and you just hit the head right now.

But I mean, I was looking at your, you earned a couple of BAs in law and English, and then you started your masters in law in 1997. Like you're done. You're, you're more than just a pretty face with a great voice. Oh, I think. You've got a big brain on you. My mom, my mom actually used to pat me on the head and she would say, that's a big brain's forehead. Okay, mom is no, no, no best. Okay.

Yeah, she was no slouch. When did you realize you wanted to sing? Oh, kindergarten. I knew, I just knew I had this back at Seacourt in East York, um, by dime dime. I don't know this dime somebody like let me notice diamond pizza still exists That used to be like the best place and it's York. Yeah, and he's short just over by C-Cord school where I used to go Okay, I'll put it into the universe. Let me know East York. I'm in pizza. I have the best slices Okay, it's still like right now like I don't eat pizza anymore But when I did that was like the do you know what I'm saying? Like why did you stop eating pizza like I don't eat pizza anymore, but when I did, that was like the, do you know what I'm saying?

Like why did you stop eating pizza? I don't need flour. Um, oh yeah. Is that like a gluten thing or is it a, you got an extra reason or yeah, yeah, yeah. And it's actually helped me a lot. So yeah. Okay. But yeah, so like I still dream, like I have a, I have a full plan, like on my deathbed

what I'm going to eat and diamond pizza figures into that Okay, just since your deathbed which is many decades from now. I need you to promise me something I want you to make sure Ridley funeral home has your either celebration of life or your funeral really home Ridley That's the way. Where is it? No, it's gotta be in Scarborough I gotta ask Brad if he's gonna get it like a franchise it and get one in Scarborough. Oh, is it in Scarborough? I gotta ask Brad if he's gonna get it like a franchise. It didn't get one in Scarborough. But no, it's here in New Toronto. But it's still Toronto, right?

And we've established that I'm from Toronto. Right. So you're not, you're not gonna be buried in Ottawa. Are you gonna be buried at all? I heard that 75% of people now get cremated. I like, are you gonna end up in the ground? I'm saying cremated because I'd like to keep the cost down for my family. Right.

Yeah. So Ridley, good prices. Oh my, I'll get you an FOTM discount. Oh, no joke. We're done. Okay. We're done. Okay. So let me just, uh, I want to talk about this felonious monk international jazz vocals competition. Okay. What the hell is that? Quincy Jones was a judge. Are you kidding me? Quincy Jones? Yeah. That's a legend right there. That's a legend. So this is 2004. So I'm doing some math because we're similar vintage. Are you trying to say that I'm old? No, because I'm older. OK, so if I'm saying you're old, then I'm saying I'm really old.

Are you older, though? I think so. I look older. Let's call. Let's call. Let's call a number. Wait, are we going to do birth year or age? Let's call birth year. Birth year. OK, so three, two, one and say the full thing starting with 19. Okay. Three, two, one, 1975. Oh my God, you are older. Yeah, I'm not by much. You know, my 50th birthday is next Thursday. Happy birthday. And that is the aforementioned TML X 15 at Great Lakes Brewery, which is 30 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard. And everyone who can hear my voice right now, including you, Kelly Lee are invited. And I'm going to, your first drink is on the house and the pasta from Palma pasta is on the house. There. I don't, you're not a penny. It could, you don't have to spend a penny.

Like if you want more than one drink, you'll have to buy your second drink, but you could come get the free drink. You could get the free pasta. You could say hi, happy birthday, Mike, and have a great night. And it will cost you nothing. Like why would anybody not come? Well, we'll find out if you're there. Okay. Okay. So be careful what you're, you don't want to write checks your butt can't cash. This is true.

Okay. So you won second place at this, uh, felonious monk international jazz vocals competition. Is this the start where you're like, Hey, I can, like, I can do this. I can win a Juno award. That was it. That was it. I mean, so like, as, as we were saying, like I went, I can, like, I can do this. I can win a Gino award. That was it. That was it. I mean, so like, as, as we were saying, like I went from the soul of my first solo in kindergarten at C chord and just dreaming, dreaming. You remember star search and like, like all that stuff. I was older than you, Eddie McMahon, dude, but we missed out. It's not that much older. Maybe six or seven months, but yeah. So Britney Spears was on star search. Maybe six or seven months. But yes. Britney Spears was on Star Search.

What did she wrote? Yeah. Maybe I think you're right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. As a little, a little pup. Yeah. So we're in the Britney era. So yeah. I remember. So I mean like there I am dreaming, dreaming, dreaming. And then I went through school, went to Carlton, dreaming, dreaming, dreaming. Yeah. And then I mean, I literally went from swinging it, singing in the bath in the shower and the shower to like singing on stage at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Wow.

Yeah. Okay. And second place, who won first place? Gretchen Parlato. And that person is better than you? Is that possible? No. Like she was better that day.

Okay, she had a better day than you. Yeah. And Al Jarreau, I just saw the- Do you remember him? I just watched the, what's the charity single? We Are The World, the documentary- Yeah. Which is Quincy Jones produced, by the way. just watched the, uh, what's the charity single, we are the world, the documentary Quincy Jones produced by the way. No we are the world.

No tears are not enough. That's just a fact. Okay. So we are the world. Al Jarreau was like drunk or something. Oh, okay. At the, at the recording that night, which was like after, I don't know, an award ceremony, like an American music award or something in LA, all these stars went to record We Are the World for Quincy Jones. And Michael Jackson

was there and Lionel Richie. The one guy they wanted who didn't show up was Prince. He just didn't show up. But Al Jarrell was there. So yes, that's it. But he's one of the judges at this event. Yeah, yeah. And Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurtlling, a bunch of, if you love jazz, you know these names. Yeah. Cause I'm like, I'm going to fake it with you and say, yeah, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Great. Great lady. Yeah.

Awesome. Lady, I got to take your word for it. Dee Dee Bridgewater. Okay. And then you released your debut album, Fight or Flight, and that got nominated for a Juno. How many Juno awards have you been nominated for? I've been nominated for, like, we're going to call it three and a half. Well, the half is that, well, I sang music, I sang and wrote those the lyrics and on an album that actually won. So what album? It was Jane Vannette's Embracing

Voices. Okay. That's you don't have to do the half. No one's going to call you out on it. Yeah, but she didn't like put the, put my name on the nomination. How many, you only have the one physical Juno. Yeah, one physical Juno. The Nina album. But I'm fully like, yeah, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna get another Juno. Cause like, why not? Why not have two? Well, you deserve it.

I think. Yeah, I'll make a call. Okay. So Nina now, cause we sort of touched on the Nina Simone, like it's a tribute album, right? It's it's it's it's it was inspired by Nina Simone. So is Nina Simone, was this is this an artist that you looked up to and you know, like growing up, she scared the poop out of me. You know, my mom, my mom loved her.

And so again, I love that I'm speaking to somebody of my vintage, because when I say to you that DC, you see, you remember like- I'm a senior actually, go ahead. Do you remember like, well, people today know what vinyl is, you know, but back then like we had albums and then, and then like cassette tapes came out. I have a cassette player right here. What? Yeah. If you have any cassette player tapes like that.

I really don't, but this is a cassette tape story. So my mom, like she had all her Nina Simone vinyl and she wanted to be able to play it on her new car that is a cassette tape story. So my mom like she had all her Nina Simone vinyl And she wanted to be able to play it on her new car that had a cassette tape player So, you know like I again so this is like trying to get the needle down like oh it didn't work erase Try to press record. I know that whole thing So I had to spend hours and hours listening to Nina Simone over and over and over again And it just like it seeped into my soul, you know? Apparently, and then at some point you recorded Nina.

Yeah, yeah. So that's how I fell in love with her, but she scared me. She reminded me so much of my grandma, like strong woman, you know, really forthright, not putting up with anything, you know, and so that to me, this little like, yes, yes, yes, ma'am kind of kid, you know, that was super scary. So have you ever seen the documentary, whatever happens in Nina Simone?

I have quite something. It is it is. And it really puts a lot in perspective and learning about her story. And yeah, always. Also, I just had this like this huge respect for somebody that was willing to fight for their beliefs in that way, you know, being especially like the kind of person that I am, you know? Yeah. So, okay.

I mentioned earlier, you had a big brain on you. Okay. Okay. Well, you know, this sounds like a question. Are you well? No, I'm good. So did you practice law? No, no, no, no.

I want to stop. I was interested in legal philosophy because like that's what the world needs more of, like clearly. But you have children. I do. And you home schooled them. We did but we was more like unschooling. Okay can you explain? Sure. So you know in this case I'm such a like I love school so much and so when I took them out of school especially to be able to go on the road and I noticed that you know they really needed that kind of attention.

I was just super intense, you know, like trying to teach. And somebody, I met up with another homeschooling parent, they were like, you know, have you ever thought about unschooling? And it's kind of like child led learning and letting them decide. And it was really tough because I'm like, hey, but like we can learn about this and we can do this and we can do this. And I was reading at one, you know, so I just really wanted, I was gifted kid and that's what I wanted for my kids. And I can tell, I can totally tell.

And so yeah, so here we are. Perfect, perfect. I want all of this stuff. Let's put it into my car. Well, I have gifts for you in a moment, but back to your unschooling, cause I'm trying to understand unschooling. So for instance, like you would just figure out

like what the kid is interested in. So say for instance, my daughter, my eldest, really got into a lot of creative things. And so in order to learn to do these things, especially like sewing, she would study all these different books and learn how to do everything. She's so gifted in creative, in so many different ways. And so you kind of like let them lead that. So they want to make a recipe.

Like if they want to like do like a science project, you find them information. We would take them to different homeschooling groups. We would hire other teachers to teach like astronomy and sword fighting and all these different things. So it was really, it was kind of like looking to see like what your kid is interested in learning and then basing it on that. And I'll tell you like one really cool story. Like my young, then I have questions. Okay. My youngest, my middle one, I was like, when is this kid going to learn to read?

Like, just like zero interest. And, um, and she used to like play Disney, like kind of like a Disney fairies kind of thing. And back then you could, she was like, mom, these, like these people, like they're asking me questions and I don't know like what they're saying. And I was like, yes, you better learn how to read then. And the eldest taught her like that week. Okay. But, but what if, what if, like, what if there was never that spark at some point,

don't you just have to teach your children how to read? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But they got it. Okay. They got it. Yeah. I feel like you were blessed with these three children who sort of were able to do unschooling. I think unschooling would be dangerous for some children. Yeah. Like they just would never learn to read.

But there's some kids who are unschooling themselves. Right, okay. So on my question, so, but you know, I kind of get what you're, the groove of this unschooling, but you do have certain things that you need to teach them, right? Like you need to teach math, for example, and how to read. And, you know, yeah, I remember one of them got up to their, their level in, in math, like using, um, what was it called again? Um, con Academy, nice con Academy,

like in a, in two weeks, you know what I mean? It was just like, it was amazing to see like what they could learn when they had the interest. Yeah. Oh no, but that's, that's a story of any bright child that when they have the interest, sky's the limit, right? It's the things they don't have the interest in, like, I don't have any interest in math. Well, you still need to learn math. Yeah. And they did. And they did. And the other thing is like, I want to give them some tests and see how you did. Okay. And you, and that their father also bright or a, yeah, he was pretty bright too. I were not together anymore, but yeah, sure. But is he still bright sharp cookie? Like even without you, maybe, uh, is he still bright? Sharp cookie. The jeans

worked out. But the thing is I'll, I'll let everybody know, I did end up putting them in school eventually. And so they all, and they all like, they all were at level. Yeah. Okay. I was gonna say, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. Oh, sorry. I like this idea.

No, I mean, it's your story. I want to erase. So, okay. All right. Okay. So you're, you're, you're, you unschooled, but then you stuck them in like a, like a public school or something. Yeah. Yeah. Eventually. Like, so my eldest went to school when they got to grade nine. Yeah. Oh, grade nine, high school or something. Yeah, eventually. So my eldest went to school when they got to grade nine.

Yeah. Oh, grade nine, high school. Okay. Yeah, yeah. What's that like when you go to high school and you didn't have that previous, what would that be? 10 years of schooling that my kids all had. What is that like?

Culture shock, no? Like, I mean, were they- Well, I mean, the cool thing is every week we would get together with a bunch of other homeschooling parents and we paid teachers to come in and teach them different subjects. So like they had like, they had like a really, it was just like a different way. Like a like a like a commune right? Yeah. You're a hippie chick. Do you remember the song by Soho? Hippie chick. I will say that at the time

that all this happened, I was living in a house like a, I want to say a stack wall home that was like radiant with radiant floor heating or not with reading flow, like the sun would heat the floor of the house. And yeah, we were pretty, it was very much off-griddy. Yes. There was some of that going on. Okay. And then I moved into the city and put everybody in school. And they're like, what the hell is this society? Oh, that's a, an Eminem lyric. Oh, right. Right back to society. And maybe I got the wrong. I don't know. Let me listen to a little bit of this and see if I can hear it.

Back to reality. My apologies to Marshall Mathers. spaghetti he's nervous but on the subject seems calm and ready to drop bombs but he keeps on forgetting what he wrote down the whole crowd goes so loud he opens his mouth but the words won't come out he's choking out everybody's choking out the clocks run out time's up over blood snap back to reality oh there goes gravity oh there goes gravity chokes he's so mad but he won't give up that is a no he won't have it. He knows his home back to these ropes. It don't matter. He's dope. He knows that but he's broke He's so stagnant. He knows when he goes back to this mobile home. That's when it's back to the lab again Yo, this home rhapsody better go capture this moment. I hope I don't pass the news yourself So what is this I'm listening to Kelly Lee Evans? This is your voice. Okay. Don't deny it. I know that voice. I'll tell you this.

My friend, my friend when she's watching the Super Bowl a couple years back and she texted me, she's like, Eminem singing your song. Oh, that's hilarious. That's hilarious. Like Eminem's covering Kelly Lee Evans. Bless her heart. I love that she didn't know that. That's somebody who decided to opt out of pop culture completely.

That was the best. My heart swelled two times. What's that line? Three times. It's from Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Theodore Gazelle, better known as Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss? Come on. We're both Dr. Seuss kids, okay? That's how you ended up in the hippie commune, okay? If you were raised on Dr. Seuss, it's like there's no rules, man. Oh my gosh. I always thought it was a bad idea to teach your kids to read with Dr. Seuss

because he invented fake words. Dude. And your kids don't know they're fake words because they're like, you know, three, four years old. Every word is fake until like we all decided it. Yeah, but then they stop being fake. But Dr. Seusses are still fake. No.

Okay. No. That's why you unschooled your kids. I'm too chicken shit to unschool my kids. But wait, so Nina Simone I get it. You did Nina. You got a Juno Award. It's it's on a table right now being celebrated. But you also said hey I'm gonna do an Eminem Tribute album because Eminem and Nina Simone like what how did this lose yourself cover come to be? Well, so I was So after the hell am I listening to Kelly Lee again?

Before I press record, Kelly Lee everybody. You're not recording. I am. Kelly Lee is one word. I just want to tell the listenership that Kelly Lee doesn't get hyphens. Yeah. No hands.

Yeah, this mother fucking You're working blue in it. I know it's not. I was playing in the I can't believe she swore. Your children know you said the F-bomb. I don't think so. But tell me how this came to be.

So Kelly Lee, one word. I just wanted people who Google you to know. So yeah, so I was on a label called Plouloir Music and they came to me and they were like, we think we would like you to get like to go bigger. You know what I mean? We'd like to talk to the folks at Universal France and see if they'd be interested in putting you out. The producer that I worked with at the time, Sébastien Vidal and Eric Lanini, they were

like, have you ever thought about... Because they heard me singing a song, I think it was called Désolé, and they were like, have you ever thought of merging hip hop and jazz? And I was like, okay, sure. And this project, it was on an album I did called I Remember When. Okay. Yeah, which was my first project with Universal. And that's what we did.

We would look at, I would look at the music that you and I might have listened to back in the day. Right. And for instance, Built to Fly. Re-imagine it? Yeah, and reimagine it. So on Big Egos, you remember back in the day when hip hop artists would come out with something, it would be how amazing they are?

You know, like just like how- A bravado. The big bravado. That would be the first track, right? Right. So I was listening to Big Egos by Dr. Dre, and this song called Built to Fly came out, which was like, it was kind of like this idea,

like here I am in school, you know? I can give you a little taste I don't know if people will be able to find it but it was like September the game anew locked in a battle with a chosen few August some ridiculous philosophy separate the me from me June bring sweet escape I'm free like Virginia, my jump the state. Another realm of servitude, clothed but my mind is nude. High mountains over endless seas. You'll never reach me. Skyscrapers may trap my mind, but I know that I'm built to fly.

So that was like my big bravado song. Kelly Lee, you can sing. Oh, thank you. Honestly, like I'm listening in the headphones. I'm like, she's right here. I can reach out and touch her. Oh my God. There you go.

Oh wow. Yeah, I got touched by Kelly. Thanks. But yeah, so that's like, so that was like one of the ideas of like, so we, we, we didn't actually use the sample from Big Ego. We used the piano line, but because we used it, we had to get this song. Like we had to get the permission from Dr. Dre and like we're getting closer and closer. Dude would not pick up the phone.

Dude would not, like it didn't matter that it was universal. He has people right? He has people nobody could get through to him. Is he a billionaire? No, I think that this is a hilarious story. So I have to put out the album without Big Belt to Fly I'm like but that's the song right? So the first track the first version so people are gonna have versions of the CD and they'll be like we don't even see this on here but that's because Dr. Dre never said yes so I'm here and I'm singing the song and I'm like, is somebody going to be like pissed off at me because I'm doing this? And finally, like years later, like a friend of mine works at Warner chapel.

And I had like so many people like, I'm like, can you just talk to him and just, I just need him to sign the contract and say it's okay. You know? And I kid you not, the week that he signs the deal for Beats, when he's like a good jajillionaire, that's the week he signed the contract. So I'm guessing he had this like stack of contracts on his table and he was like, Oh, you're just in the mix there. That's amazing.

So that's, but so that vibe taking these like, like hip hop jams and make it turn it into some kind of jazz vocals Yeah, you just Eminem was just in that pile of hip-hop songs It's like it was like things that I remembered listening to things that like hit me like there was another one I did I was called jungle and it's like Don't don't don't don't it's like a remember like it's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep I'm older than you remember right of course. So don't push me cuz I'm close to the edge Yeah, not to lose my head

Right, we'll get back to you losing your head in a couple minutes But so like I didn't I just took like the like a little line out of that, you know And then I wrote a whole song based on that. So this, I love this today. Yeah. I think a lot of people really didn't know what I was doing, but like that was, that was, they were waiting for you to come on Toronto mic in 2020, explain yourself, go back and listen to, I remember when I've been going back to a lot of, well, we just, so I pulled that because I was like, I need to ask like how this came to be, yeah, you know, this cover of lose yourself. Thank you. And I love the fact there's a human on the planet who would

a not know that there's a song by Eminem called lose yourself, but B be tuned into the Superbowl. Like they don't go together. Yeah. It's one or the other. Like you're watching the halftime show at the Superbowl, which means you, you haven't completely opted out of pop culture, right? Yeah.

So, and if you haven't opted out of pop culture, how do you think that lose yourself is a Kelly Lee Evans original? And that Eminem is out there just like killing it and then he just he heard it like in a jazz bar or something And he's like I'm gonna cover this Who is okay I got a big subject I want to cover with you Okay, we're going back to 2013 and just a moment. And I promise you at some point we'll talk about the new music too, but who is the biggest act that you've opened for in your career? In my career? In your opinion. Okay. It depends

like who you are, right? Cause like what if I'm Toronto Mike? If you're trying to Mike, I don't know. Do you like Willie Nelson? Yeah. He's pretty cool. Right? Will you open for Willie Nelson? I did. That's big. That's big. Yeah. The redheaded stranger. That dude, it was so interesting because like I was doing it at Jazz Fest in Ottawa. And so basically like people come early in order to be able to see like the top act. Right. And like, I'm just like, I'm the grave. I'm like, I'm not the gravy, but I'm like, kind of like, I'm like the, the, the, the, the, what would you, an appetizer? I'm trying to think of a good, I'm not the gravy, but I'm like kind of like, I'm like the, the, the, the, the, what would you, an appetizer? I'm trying to think of a good, I want to say that I am the, uh, the filled potato skin.

Okay. Yes. I would like to be some people just want that though. Like some people do just order the potato skins, the stuffed potato skin. Okay. Yeah. With sour cream. So I'm this potato skin with sour cream.

So I'm sitting there and it's like all these people, like, you know, there's a lot of like, uh, exposed arms and, uh, tattoos and, uh these people like, you know, there's a lot of like exposed arms and tattoos and Bandanas, you know tons of bandanas and they're kind of it's not a jazz friendly audience Is it? Well, I'm gonna ask you like about this How does a guy like Willie Nelson who is you know country some crossover hits, right? Some crossover pop hits, but he's primarily a country musician

How does he end up headlining a jazz festival? Dude, jazz festivals need to make money. Okay, so it's all about the Benjamins baby. Yeah, like they gotta get bums in seats. And so like when these large artists come through, like you're gonna have to get the name and don't worry about the genre. Yeah, I think like, I think we need to look at them as music festivals and more honestly, so call them that. Like, why do you call them the jazz? Because you're you're a jazz head you're gonna feel kind of like what the hell like I came here for some jazz That does have here for Kelly Lee Evans. Who's this redheaded stranger here? People do think that yes They do think that but I also know like honestly like we're it not for Willie Nelson Like I they probably wouldn't have enough money to pay me. So I'm thankful

I'm thankful like honestly at Universal at Universal, at Universal, when I was like one of the artists, like the big artists are paying for my record. Do you know what I mean? The success that the label has with like the big artists, that's so I can't be there being like, I know it's not the same thing. Not the same thing. Like, like why even brand your event with a genre if you're, why not have a, okay, why not have like, okay, public enemy headline, a jazz festival. Maybe they are out there doing, I don't know for sure. But I think like what happens in these cases is like they were originally straight up jazz festivals and then they had to keep the name like Ottawa Blues Fest. Not blues, not blues, but like super,

like one of the best festivals in the country. Okay. it's called drift. That's cool. Yeah, they have this with Television stations. Yeah, like you might like the learning channel like when they launched the learning channel, maybe they did teach you things I know we're gonna do a basket weaving show or something like how to do things like the learning channel and now it might be like honey-boo-boo Reality stuff. Yeah, cuz you are learning because they need to make money to but you are learning It's like everything is learning. Yeah, because you are learning because they need to make money to. But you are learning. It's like everything is learning. Yeah. OK.

You also I just want to shout out a few more people you open for that'll get people excited. So Willie Nelson is a huge name. But another name we just lost is Tony Bennett. He was so nice. Oh my gosh. I heard good things about him. First like he was one of my first opening act like ever. So I would that was in Montreal and I was sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick. I couldn't my first opening act like ever. So I would, that was in Montreal

and I was sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, sick. I couldn't even hear myself. Oh no. Right. And I get out there. The man is pretty sick. It was his birthday like tour. I can't remember how old he was. He might've been like 90, not that old. No, I want to say, yeah, he might've been 80. I think it was 80. It was 80. Yes. Good. Good job. And so, and do you know, like I looked side stage and there he is he stood there for my entire set okay waited for me to get off sounds like a gentleman great job like who does that who does that I'm gonna tell you nobody nobody one guy I saw do that Tony read it Chuck D really I saw him so

Missy me was on the stage doing her and Chuck D was there last week at the Governor General I love that woman. I love that woman. She was performing. She's amazing. I love that woman. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've never met her, but yeah, I saw her. Okay. I'll introduce you. I once actually, I once had Biff naked here and I had, I asked- Was she naked?

No, you know what? No. Unfortunately not. That's false advertising. Yeah. It's like having Willie Nelson at a jazz festival. But so Biff is sitting there. She doesn't know anything. Like I have any tricks out my sleeve, but I have Missy.

The door is a jar and I have Missy me. I told her at the exact moment, like, you know, 30 minutes into my chat with Biff to sneak in the side door and just just pop on the second mic. She lose her poop. Yeah, it was a great moment because they were like mutual admirers of each other's art and then here they are on my microphone, surprise. And she lives in Mimico. Where's Mimico?

It's like just a little bit east of here. East of Scarborough? No, well, no. Very west of- Scarborough is the center of the universe. It is west of Humber river, but east of where you're sitting right now. Okay. Here's Toronto Geography 101.

Midtown? Oh no, yeah, that's right, it's midtown. All right, so hold ontown. All right. So hold on here. So Tony Bennett, and I'm going to drop just another name. Sharon Jones and the Dab Kings. Oh, oh yeah. What are, why is everybody dying? What's the play? Shutto to Ridley Fever Home. It's a growth industry, but yeah, Sharon Jones gone far too soon, but that's cool. And one more name just because I know I'm thinking of Canada Kev and all these guys I think Derek trucks would be a big name for these people that was played of the Allman Brothers, right?

I think so. Okay, that was early early early opening act as well. That's another that was another nice dude But you know why did you do a truck fan trucks trucks fans? Like who is this Kelly Lee Evans in her beautiful jazzy song? You know what? What would artists do without opening acts? Like that whole, you know, that whole Usually it matches the vibe of the crowd. As you were just saying.

You know what I mean? You just don't match. But okay, so I am anxious to get to something that happens in 2013. So I'm going to give you a couple of gifts and then everybody buckle up. Okay. Because now we've got to know Kelly Lee Evans a little bit wonderful singer We played a couple of songs. She's playing with George Benson for goodness sakes. Okay, that's another name I could drop it was also nice any assholes you ever open for an asshole

And what are their names we need to know I can't think of anybody at the moment is too kind I'm so sorry too nice because you're from Scarborough Okay, do you like oh you just told me you're from Scarborough. You're a sweetheart. Okay. Do you like, oh, you just told me you don't eat flour. What is it? I can't give it to you. I have kids. Yes.

Okay. Your kids are going to eat. I do have a very lot of flour in it. I think it is a large, it's just an empty box. Okay. My freezer upstairs is a large meat lasagna from Palma pasta. My kids love lasagna. Well, you're taking it home with you then.

Okay. It'll feed all your children. Everyone will be happy. I'm sorry about your flour thing. So that's it. I have. I don't have to cook for a week. You know, you're right. You're right. Thank you. This will make your life better. So thank you. Palma pasta for sending that over another. I don't know. Wait, how old the same place it's going to be doing free pasta at your birthday party. Correct. That's a major 27. They're going to feed. I said, they said, how many people are you expecting? Like, I

don't know. I never liked this, this question to be honest, cause will there be 10 people there? Will there be 110 people? I don't know. I don't have any like a guest list. So I said like, we got to feed 110 people. So there's going to be a lot of food at TMLX 15. I have beer for you to take home. I know somebody that will drink this. Okay. That's from great lakes brewery. And they're hosting us on June 27th from six to nine p.m. So you got your beer. Thank you, beer. You're gonna make sure that you get that.

What's this? Okay, that is a measuring tape from Ridley Funeral Home. Dude, is this to measure my body? Measure anything you like, Kelly Lee. Like for a coffin? You can measure anything you like. It's none of my business what you measure with that measuring tape.

Remember, I'm being cremated. Well, you don't have to measure yourself for a coffin. Thank you, Ridley. This is good, my business what you measure of that measuring tape. Remember, I'm being cremated. Well, you don't have to measure yourself for a coffee. Thank you Ridley for... This is good, you know what? Because my kid was looking for a measuring tape yesterday. Okay. So Ridley's taking care of you. Okay.

I know. That's a wireless speaker. Minaris sent that over. Are you kidding me? Yeah. So the QR code will help you... Minaris, the people that take people's money? Yeah.

Like through like absence? One and only. I love Minaris. I've used Minaris. When I was on parent council at the school at much more public school. I believe I used Miners for all of our payment processing. Okay. That's amazing because people like you who use Miners for their payment processing, uh, is small independent business owners who do so have been featured on this wonderful podcast

called Yes, we are open that QR code on that, that'll help you subscribe. Yes We Are Open just dropped season six. Al Grego traveled the country talking to good people like you who use Monaris to find out about their trials and tribulations and we're gonna get to some, we're gonna get to some Kelly Lee Evans trials and tribulations in a minute. I've been teasing it, but buckle up.

I said just buckle up, okay. So that wireless speaker will help you listen to season six of yes, we are open and then you can listen to other things as well. Thank you. Mineris. Is this book for me? That book is for you. That is the history of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball. Dude, I'm going to be honest. You didn't know they play baseball. No, it's different. It's not the hot, you know, there's no Austin Matthews on the field. This is a high caliber at semi pro. It's a high caliber baseball. No, it's different. It's not the hot, you know, there's no Austin Matthews on the field. This is a high caliber, it's semi pro. It's a high caliber baseball, the best baseball in the city outside the dome, free, uh, free event. You just show up at

Christie pits. You watch great baseball, you grab a beer, you grab a hot dog, you have the best time. I'll be there July 7th. It's like the best kept secret in the city is Toronto Maple Leafs baseball. Thank you. I'm going ask a question Yeah, do you have a car sponsor? Is there a car? Are there any to a car waiting a new car? Everybody you get a car. You get a car. You should have to Oprah. Thank you I don't have a car, but if I do have good advice for you I'll recycle my electronics dot CA if you have old electronics or cables and you need to get rid of it Don't throw it in the garbage because the chemicals end up in our landfill.

Go to recyclemyelectronics.ca, put in your postal code and boom. Even in Ottawa? Oh, that's awesome. Did you live in the Glebe neighborhood? I do. How do you know that? You just said it. Oh, whoops.

You said in the Glebe. In the Glebe! I do. I tell everybody. But Glebe is like saying, oh, I live in Mimico. So I just have a question. That's the neighborhood that gave us Alanis Morissette, right? I don't know.

I think so. Like I think Alanis Morissette is from the Glebe neighborhood. I'll ask. It's a trendy, nice guy. My ex-father-in-law, trying to have him, lived near that neighborhood. Is he nice? He's a nice guy. Good answer.

He's a tall guy. He's a nice guy I like answer, you know We got along great because we always talk music and sports if you have a guy who just wants to talk music and sports You never have to worry about anything. You can always talk music. I'll talk sports with you. Okay Well, I'm trying to talk to you about maybe leaves baseball here, man You we gotta get I was honest that I don't know anything But I'm learning one more sports thing and then again How could there be more because there's an FOTM named Bruce Dober, who's a great sports writer, and he and his son, Evan Dobigan, they self published a book. Now, the hardest part of a self publishing a book is telling people

the book exists, right? Because there's no, uh, yeah. So that's a free copy of deal with it. The trades that stunned the NHL, you can learn about the Gilmore trade, the Gretzky trade, all these mad, the Patrick Waugh trade, all these massive trades are broken down in great detail in this book. You got a free copy for the hockey fan in your life. Thank you very much. I'm fully going to read that. Thank you. I also know I also have a gift I gave you, but I think I gave you too much. No, not at all. And you're going to, you're going to eat that. Like, are you going to be able to get that?

No, are you going to get that? It's frozen the lasagna. But are you gonna get that? My boyfriend to Ottawa? Yeah, my boyfriend is took the train and so he's gonna take this back and then he's gonna read this book on the train. I guarantee it because he's a hockey huge hockey man. Okay. And then this is going to his best friend who's like... This boyfriend is the luckiest man in the country that he's getting all this swag. Right because like his best friend loves loves loves like they just went on a ride ride. Yeah. Loves like, but craft beer. Do you know what I mean? Delicious craft beer. He made them drive. They went out to Stowe and they drove like an hour to someplace, but they're not a sponsor. So we don't care. Yeah. We're all about Great

Lakes here, but yeah, I am happy for you. How long you been dating this guy? Uh, seven years. Seven. So that's okay. That's post event. Okay, so let's talk about it. Are you ready? You ready? Okay, cuz I'm About you cuz I had like you have you put out a new album What's the new album called this new? Oh, you mean the one that came out today is today the day it came out today Holy shit. Okay. Yeah, what's the name of it? So love? Okay, so I am gonna play a couple of songs from show love and talk to you about it in great detail But as I'm doing my homework because Kelly Lee Evans is coming over one at Juno. We've covered a lot of songs from show love and talk to you about it in great detail. But as I'm doing my homework, because Kelly Lee Evans is coming over, one of Juneau, we've covered a lot of ground, unschooled her children,

played with Tony Bennett and of course, the new album. I'm like, this is good stuff. But then I'm just digging into you and I'm like, what the hell is this? In 2013, Kelly Lee Evans was struck by lightning. Is there going to be a drum roll? Oh, that's not a drum roll. That is. No, that's different.

That's a rim shot. A rim shot, okay. Like a drum roll is like, like it builds up. And then- No, that one was good. Okay. Yeah. That's if I make a funny joke. Okay.

So different drum. That's all I have loaded up right now. But please, can you tell me in great detail? And then I want to talk about how this affected your life. You were, I can already tell by talking to you, you're high energy, you've got a busy touring schedule, you're always creating this great art and sharing this wonderful music. But in 2013, you're struck by lightning and then boom, we need to talk about this. What the hell happened? Give me all the details. I'll just sit back and listen.

Oh my gosh. Okay. So I'm in the house. And you're inside the house. Yeah. Oh, not on a golf course. It's quick. Cause by just yesterday there was a thunderstorm. Yeah. Yeah. And my eight year old said, uh, we were gonna do this. I had to get her somewhere. There's a few blocks away and we were going to walk and I'm like, okay, we'll get it. I'm brother. He goes, she's like, we can't go out because they're, they're soccer players and they know they can't play soccer when there's lightning. Good girl. This is can't play soccer when there's lightning. Good girl.

This is the rule. So if there's lightning, they'll play through anything but lightning. That's a safety thing. We'll talk about that. You might know a bit about it. But I said something like I caught myself saying something like, oh, I can't I've never heard of anyone in Toronto getting stuck struck by lightning. Don't worry.

Right. This is what I said. Something stupid like that. And then I remembered, oh, my guest tomorrow was struck by lightning in her home. Yeah. So break it down for me. How do you was struck by lightning in her home. So break it down for me. How do you get struck by lightning in your home? Give me more details. Similar story.

So here I am, I'm in, we lived out in Ashton in a big house, like the one I was telling you about, big steel roof. And my five-year-old comes to me and says, hey, mom, I'm scared, because we hear lightning. And you know, like when you're like, you're normally counting the time between the flash and the boom? One Mississippi, exactly. But there was like no time, like there

was no space, you know? And I told them, I just said, Oh, don't worry about it. Like, what would be all right? Same thing you did with your daughter. You don't know anyone who gets struck by lightning in their home, right? Exactly. And like also lightning is cool, right? Like I'm still remembering to like run into the window to see it, you know? And um, so I'm watching the dishes and I could you not, I heard a voice. Yeah. Like a person said something to you or is in your head. It was like in my being. I don't know. I don't know. I don't can't say it was it a male voice. I don't know. It was, it was non-binary. It was a non-binary cause I don't know. I didn't know it was it was like genderless What did this voice say? Kelly Lee go and sit on the couch and leave the dishes for later

And did you listen to the voice I sure didn't and that is why we were talking to you like I said, that's okay I'm almost done. But did you you answer the voice? Yeah, I'm worried about you exactly But it was kind of what you don't know is that that year I had asked like I wanted to listen to my inner guidance. That was like, and I wanted context. Yeah. Like I, so it's like this idea of like always listening to like what other people thought was a good thing for me, you know, and being in situations and being like, man, like I had a feeling that was like, I shouldn't have done that. Or I had a feeling that that was, you know, that was like not a, the best person to hang with or whatever. Do you know?

And just kind of like for my new year's resolution that year, I was like, I want to listen to my inner guidance. And so like, here I am. And it was weird, but I'd had a weird situation happen before. So I wasn't totally fully weirded out by it, but I was just like, what was the weird one before? Like your story will cause me to ask further. Okay. So when my son was born or like minutes before, I was lying in bed and I heard a voice and the voice said, if you sit up, you'll be in labor.

And I was like, whatever, like, I'm going to listen to a voice in my head. But you were very pregnant, right? I was like I had another three, three weeks to go. OK, yeah. And and again, we lived out far. We were at 45 minutes away from town. And so we were 45 minutes away from the hospital. My midwife had just called me and she was about half an hour away. And she was just like, Hey, just checking in and make sure everything's good.

I'm like, yeah, I was good. Hang up. Hear the voice. I'm like, yeah, like I'm going to listen to a voice in my head. Like that's crazy. And I sit up like not even halfway. I got up, I was lying down like this and I got up like that. And then I felt this like kind of like kick and I'm like, Whoa. And I get up, go to the bathroom. There's a head

coming through and wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. So did your water break? Maybe. Okay. So, okay. So you didn't, there was no, I mean, I've seen it actually. My first wife, I watched it happen. Yeah. You can't miss it. I, I don't remember like, okay. Yeah. Cause I, cause I didn't tell you, cause we had set up a birth pool. Okay. So like I went in the birth pool, so it might've broken in the birth pool. Right. You would never know. Okay. Yeah. And you saw like a heads poking out of your vagina. I'm feeling down cause I feel something. Cause I'm thinking I have to go down. I'm bearing down and go to the bathroom. Right. Like to do a number two. Thanks everybody. And and I'm like, whoa. And I feel ahead. So I get off the toilet

and I I go to the birth. I'm like, holy crap. And we call the midwife and we're like, it's coming. And like, so this is like seconds after I felt that kick. And so like I rushed to the birth pool that we like my, so my ex, you are a hippie chick. So the ex, my ex husband's like, I know all the babies were at home. So he's like putting water like in trying to fill it up, but the water is freaking cold cause we weren't planning it, you know? And so this is your first child in a three week. This is my third. My first, oh yeah. Took 10 hours. My third takes took three hours and this last one took 27 minutes. So it was negative three weeks or so.

So like, yeah. So that's the first time I heard a voice and like the baby, like, yeah, like once I got in that birth pool, he was out 27. I was like, he just shot out. Oh, I didn't finish. So yeah, there I am. So I'm like, holy smokes. And I had gone to see the midwife and she kept saying like, Oh, third baby's come really fast. And I'm like, holy smokes. And I had gone to see the midwife and she kept saying like,

oh, third baby's come really fast. And I'm like, yeah, okay, whatever. And she's like, no, like, so she said, so if it comes out, like, so if it is fast and I'm not, I can't make it. She says, you know, the baby's going to like come through and it's going to turn its head and you're going to kind of check to see like around the neck and like pull it up over the nose. If the cord is around the neck. Exactly. So I'm thinking, okay, I'm trying to remember that. I'm like lying there and I'm in the pool and I'm like, okay, try to remember. And this dude came out and I kid you not,

this is the sound it made. And I just saw this baby shoot, like he came out, he just shot across the pool. I couldn't even have time to check for the thing. I don't even remember feeling any pain. Like he the, um, the thing. I don't even remember feeling any pain. Like he just like, boom, he just slid out. He slid out. And I was like, I was by myself at this point and I'm like, what do I do next? And the voice had pick him up.

Okay. The voice, the voice was very involved. So that was it. That was the last time I heard it. So that was 17 years ago. So you're 17 years ago. So then kids can be drinking the beer. Yeah. So 17 years ago. So that's what that was a first voice. So then when I heard it, what would that have been? Five years later. And this boy said, Hey, Kelly Lee, stop doing the dishes. Go sit on the couch.

Cause this voice is basically letting you know, if you keep doing that dishes. So you're doing the dishes, but you got like a, you call this a, like a metal roof or something. Is it still roof roof But wait a second You are giving me so much like wisdom right now like I'm realizing how foolish it was that I did not listen when he was In their head only crazy people exactly. That's what I said who listens so I was like, I'm okay I'm almost done. See the boy should have said Kelly Lee go and sit on the couch because you're about to be hit by light

You could be struck by lightning here. You're gonna be in a wheelchair. Do you know what I mean? So wait, so wait, let's break this down. I want to listen. I realize now we're gonna we're gonna need a little more. I think I said an hour we need a little more time because I got to walk through this okay and I do want to play music from the new album but you are like how did the lightning get in the house? The lightning hit the roof of the house came and the charge came down through the the pipes and it was just I was washing the dishes.

So the moment that the sponge got to the edge of the sink, the exact moment. So like had I slowed down, had I gone a little earlier, it was just like, it was like back to the future where at the time it perfectly so that the DeLorean Doc, Doc, it's like there's going to be a lightning strike at the time. And oh my gosh, that's what it's like. Yes, it was exact. And it was the exact moment and bang. And what like what happened?

Did you collapse to the ground? No. What happens when you're struck by lightning? I am told that I threw the sponge because that's what I was holding in my hand. That's a good sign. And then I said and then I started walking down the hall because my family, I'm also told that I shouted, but I don't remember shouting. And everybody came running. And then I remember walking down the hall because my family, I'm also told that I shouted, but I don't remember shouting and everybody came running. And then I remember walking down the hall, that part I remember.

And I laid down in my bed. It was like six o'clock. And who's home right now? Just the kids, my ex husband, your ex husband. So everybody's, I just remember lying in bed and seeing this ring of faces around me. And everyone's like, mom, mom, are you okay? This is like wizard of Oz when she comes through and oh, you were there and you were there and you, and so then like, they're looking at me and I'm like, I just said, I'm just

going to close my eyes. Oh yeah, I'm good. I'm just going to close my eyes. And I slept for 12 hours. And when I woke up, like my heart was just like pound, like I thought it was having a heart attack, you know? And like the left side of my body like was weaker. My face, it was almost like I had a stroke. Right. You know? So did you go to a hospital at this point? Why would

I do that? Being the hippie chicken? I was like, it'll be fine. I had all my kids, you know, at this point you were struck by lightning. Okay. Yeah, I knew, but I was like, it'll be fine. That was like, that was my mental state. It'll be fine. I don't go for it. Doesn't your ex husband have the wherewithal that you are not fine. Kelly Lee, we're going to the hospital. You said X, right? Yeah. Okay. So no judgment. Why are you asking me? It's questions. So I don't know why he didn't take me, but it was interesting because like we went to, this is how like messed up I was. So we went to like dinner that night and like, so we go to tell that is how messed up I was. So we went to dinner that night. So we go to tell that I'm dragging my left leg, just not feeling well.

And we say, oh, Kelly Lee, she got struck by lightning yesterday. And my friends, I can still remember their eyeballs. They were like, what the? Yeah, because I don't know anyone who was struck by lightning. And they're like, did you go to the hospital? And we're like, no, that'd be fine. And so we do the dinner and I'm totally, I can't even remember anything from it. And then on the way out, they're like, Kelly Lee, will you please go to the hospital and we're like, nah, that'd be fine. And so like we do the dinner and I'm totally, I can't even remember anything from it. And then on the way out, they were like, Kelly,

would you please go to the hospital? And I was like, yeah, sure. Those people care about you. They care about me. So like we go home and everybody's like, everybody goes home, like everyone goes to sleep. And I didn't want to bring my whole family to the hospital because everybody was still pretty young

and you couldn't leave anybody. And there's just the two of us. So I waited till my husband was asleep and I got in the car and I drove myself to the hospital, which would have been like a half hour drive. The emergency room physician determined, like, what did they say to you? Like, he must've thought I was a kid because he was like, Oh, did you have your roommates checked to see like, you know, cause I do look young for my age, but he's like, did your roommates check to see if you had any exit points?

And I'm like, no. And he's like, you're so lucky to be alive, all that stuff. And I'm like, but I feel horrible. You know what I mean? And so they just did all the tests and, and I had to go back to another hospital afterwards. And like, he, they checked again and like, cause I'm like, I think I'm having a heart attack, but they're like, no, you're having a panic attack. And I'm like, I've never had a panic attack in my life. Like I perform in front of thousands of people. You've also never been struck by lightning before. Okay. This is true. So what, like, do you need, I'm just trying to understand because I do want to talk about further events like, uh, in 2015.

Yeah. You faint while getting out of the bath. Yeah. Okay. And that, I guess that causes a concussion because you hit your head. Yeah. So, I mean, like the first, and that's why I was worried when you hit your head on my ceiling, because I had this info in my back pocket. And you were kind, you know, and probably just need like a noodle, a pool noodle. You know what? I probably do actually.

But then what's the fun in that? What's the fun? It's more fun to like have people bump. Okay, is the fainting coming out of the bath related to the lightning strike? So what was the long-term effect from this lightning strike? I never got like, I just never felt better, you know? Like my body was still stuck, like my brain was still stuck in the-

And just to rephrase that, you never felt well again after the lightning strike. Yeah. Because the way you said that, it sounds like, after the lightning strike, you never felt better. Like, this is the best you've ever felt. Oh, this is true. Semantics, I love it.

Yeah, so definitely, I just felt like all of the symptoms just would come and go. Like they were very permanent in the beginning and then they would like whittle down and then come back up. So anytime I had like a lot of stress in my system or if I exerted myself more, this like my hands would go again, like I would have difficulty with memory. Medically speaking, what do doctors say this is?

Like, is this a common reaction to being struck by lightning? Did you have some kind of a stroke because of the lightning strike? I think they would say like stroke-like symptoms. First, like they would call it post-concussion syndrome. You know, I recently, oh, last year I spent a night in the stroke ward because they said I was about to have a stroke because I had a blood clot on my brain. Wow, how did you even know? I had a four day bad headache and then my doctor said, can you please go to the ER?

Because she was worried I had something serious, which I did. So yeah, so I went to the ER four days of a headache and then they did a CAT scan and then they said, this is very rare, but you have a you have a blood clot in your brain. We're admitting you into the stroke ward because the stroke is imminent. Anyway, that's enough about me. And then, uh, the, uh, I never had a stroke, which is a good part of the story. And they put me on blood thinners, which I'm still on today. So twice a day, I can blend in. No, it's called, uh, a paxaban paxaban. And I take it every morning. They're not a sponsor. They're not a sponsor. And I don't have a health plan.

So I don't have any. They could be a sponsor. They should be. So I pay, I go to Costco and I pay sticker price. But then, you know, you hear stories from the States about how exorbitant sometimes medication can be. And I'm always shocked that it's basically a dollar a day for me to, to avoid a stroke. To stay alive.

Yeah. To avoid, cause I have a blood clotting disorder, but they don't know which one. But then some people kill themselves with like, like habits that cost more than a dollar a day. Like Starbucks. Right. Well, so it's coffee bad for people. I mean, I don't drink it.

I didn't say I didn't, I just meant like expensive habits. Expensive habits. But all this is like, like in this country with no health coverage, because for some reason, no hip doesn't cover drugs, which is another story completely. I was in a clinic, so zero health coverage, even though I'm worked myself, that's why I have no health coverage, but my wife has a job, but she opted out of health coverage

because I never even really understood this, but you pay for your health coverage, even though you have a job. I feel like it comes with it, but not hers apparently, but this is another story completely. It's self-employed people don't understand that word. The math on it. I go to Costco, I get a refill every few months and it's about a dollar a day to stay alive. Okay.

So enough about me though. You, and so I'm fine is what I'm telling you. I feel great, but you have lingering effects from the lightning strike. And that's the reason you're getting out of a bath and you fall. And I, yeah. And I just fainted. I fainted and your head hits what? Like the side of the bathtub or something? Yeah. The tile wall. Okay. And you now have a concussion and now you're experiencing what we call post concussion syndrome. Right. And how does that affect your career as a singer? I was out for two years. Two years.

Yeah. So, but between 2013, the lightning strike and 2015, the concussion, are you able to sing? Yeah, I was able to sing. My mobility had been affected and I needed to use a wheelchair for about five months after the first initial lightning strike. But then I re-learned how to walk through physiotherapy. Amazing. Yeah.

And then, so that was going well, but it was re-learned how to walk through physiotherapy. Amazing. Yeah. And then, so that was going well, but it was still like this up and down, you know, where I would like push, push, push, and then like need to rest for two weeks and then push, push, push, and then need to rest. That's gotta be frustrating. So yeah, I've been doing that basically until like September of last year, you know, of having like this up and down. So again, 2015, now you have post-concussion syndrome, you can't even

sing because you've got breathing difficulties and dizziness and all the crap that comes with post-concussion syndrome. And it's really 2018 when you start singing again. I know you're nominated for another Juno vocal jazz album of the year for the album, come on. Yeah, 2017, I was doing my first concert back out. Okay. I sang at the my first absolute thing was I sang the anthem for Juno Cup for, um, which is like a big hockey game that they have for the Junos. And that, and I, you know, I saw Jim Cuddy, Jim Cuddy and all those guys. And he, he invited me to come up and play with the band. And I was like, okay, I'll try.

Can you name check anyone who plays hockey as those Juno Cups? Seriously? Yeah. Let me see. Oh my gosh. Jim Cuddy we know of, of course. He's an FOTM like you. We talked about his hockey. Like I said, like, I don't know. I don't even know if he'd be there.

Dave Bedini. He's a big... Dave Bedini. I remember we had, we had like Natalie Spooner. Oh, but she's not even a freaking singer. Like, I mean, is there any Juno... Oh, Juno folks. Oh, okay.

Spooner is a great hockey player, but not much. I don't think she can sing. What's the name of that awesome guy from Montreal? I just love him. Sam Roberts. Sam Roberts. He's on the team. Sam?

So you know how I told you, Michi Mee surprised the Biff naked. Yeah. I like that. That went so well that I had Sam Roberts down here. In this chair? I love Sam. I love you, Sam Roberts. And I actually had, and shout out to Montreal because all these people from Montreal, but

Amy Milan from stars. I left the door jar again and I said, Amy, at this time I'll be talking to Sam Roberts and Drake coming. Who's coming? You know, no, I recently had a woman who played Drake's house for Christmas morning. Oh, she was hired to this is, this is Kurt swinghammers wife, Lori Cullen. Oh, she's lovely. And Lori Cullen was hired to sing for Drake's family on Christmas morning in the bridal path. Can you let him know that

I'm available? I don't know him. I know Lori Cullen. I love Lori. Tell her I said hi. Okay. I like hearing how you're connected. So anyways, this came, this was Sam Roberts. So Sam Roberts. Absolutely. Yeah He'd be a Juno guy who plays hockey. Yeah, what about bare naked ladies with I'm thinking Tyler Stewart I don't remember seeing him because he plays a lot of hockey too. I think I have to do this old Yeah, Tom Cochran's more of a golfer. So he's probably I played golf with Ann Murray and Murray's a hell of a golfer Can you hook me up with Ann Murray? Cuz I loved a hippo in my bathtub when I was they stopped inviting me to play at the charity classic after the lightning strike. I can't

think why. Lightning crashes. But I love hi Anne. She's also a nice lady. I want to meet her one day. Would you cover lightning crashes by live? Just because you should do a lightning album. Oh, just to kind of like face your thing in the eyes. Like face this thing and sort of like like like good You could do lightning crashes. Okay, so just to wrap this up So it was only recently that you were able to start touring again because you look great

So I'm wondering like are you experiencing any of these side effects now right now? I was gonna so like it just kind of went up and down and came back out on the road in 2017 Because I needed the money, you know, not because I was feeling super better, but a lot better. And then, um, around the, around the time of the, uh, the pandemic, when we all kind of like had to quiet down 2020, yeah, 2020 ish, I started to like, my body started to heal, you know, and I, but then going back out again, it was like, wait a second, this is crazy. It's too much. So I realized like, well, it wasn't really a good healing and I needed to actually start using a mobility scooter and for 18 months That's what I needed

Like I was I was getting around with a mobility scooter because my walking was just affected and then in September of last year Yeah, I found this book called the way out by Alan Gordon I'm not a spot like he's not a sponsor or anything, but it was all about something called psychophysiologic disorder and pain reprocessing therapy. And this idea that the body, so the symptoms that my body took on back at the lightning strike, my brain learned those and it would just keep bringing it back in every time my body was under stress.

So anytime my body was like, hey, we need to protect, my brain thought we need to protect Kelly Lee. It would send back these symptoms. So real symptoms is super fascinating. So I basically in September started to work with this idea that I needed to calm my nervous system down. Anytime it felt like we were gonna be

in a stressful situation and send symptoms and be like, we're okay, we're safe, we're okay. And so I started back with that first walk around the block. My family was like, mom, don't do it, don't do it. Cause they knew that like, I would just have like massive like headaches. And when you talked about headaches, like I would have headaches for days, you know?

But like the MRI showed nothing. And so they were like, mom, don't do it. You're just gonna be out again. And I said, I've got to try this. And I had that first walk around the block. I could just feel, I could feel the headache starting. And I'm like, we're safe, you're just going to be out again. And I said, I've got to try this. And I had that first walk around the block. I could just feel, I could feel the headache starting. And I'm like, we're safe. We're safe.

And I did that the whole block around. And I went from like using that mobility scooter for 18 months to do my first walk around the block. And then adding a little bit more. And now I'm up to like, I don't know what yesterday I had like, I don't know, 18,000 steps, you know? Wow. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's more than the overwhelming majority of people listening to us right now. On my Instagram, I have these little videos called Walk With Me. And I'm sure people look at them and like, who cares? Like, great, she's walking. But it's like, no, Kelly Lee. I'm walking.

So like now today, you feel good. You're performing tomorrow night. Yeah. You won't have a cane or anything? No. The last time I did this. Not that there's or anything. No, the last time I did this. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The last time I did this festival, I was sitting,

I had to bring myself to the stage using mobility scooter. And like now I'm sure I'm gonna be dancing my ass off. It's amazing. And you know, this thing, this type of healing can work for people with back pain, all kinds of like different things. Like, look it up, going to my website, I put all the resources that I used to figure out

to learn about it. The link is at the bottom. KellyVEvans.com? Yeah, yeah. This is like, there's so many amazing things that our brain can do, and to know that it can unlearn symptoms and pain and things like that, it's just amazing.

So yeah, I hope this helps one person. I get nothing from this, just like the I'm sharing my story, hoping that somebody out there resonates with it and find their way. I first I'm certain there are people listening right now who are on their own journey, like to recovery. And, and I think people in that situation are like, you know, the sponge that you threw when you were struck by lightning. They're just absorbing all kinds of feedback and tips. And if this worked for you, it might work for somebody else.

I know not everybody's been hit by lightning, but I mean, I'm talking about pains that I've had some like different the headaches. There's so many things out there that you can get help with. Think of how random this is. You're just living your best life, you know, raising kids, you're doing some dishes, there's a storm outside. And in that moment there, boom, sort of is like a setback that completely disrupts your life.

Yeah, but would you have me on your show if that hadn't happened? No, no. Well, the music's pretty good. I might've done it. Hey, quick, so, you know, Nina Simone, it is interesting to me that when this pandemic kicks off, you're in France. Like you're in, you spent, I was reading So, you know, Nina Simone, uh, it is interesting to me that when this pandemic kicks off, you're in France, like you're in, you spent, I was reading about, you know,

you were, uh, uh, in 2019, you were at the, I don't have the accent you have. I'm going to try this. Okay. My kids have an accent. When you do your French, I think it's okay. Okay. Do you French? No, you don't have an accent. What's the Scarborough accent? Yeah. I think they say fam. I don't know. Somebody told me there's an accent in Toronto and I never hear it in the wild. Jazz Festival Saint-Germain-de-Prix. Oh yeah. I did a terrible job. No, I can't say it.

Saint-Germain-de-Prix. Okay, I do my best here. So you are in France. Do you think the French appreciate a jazz singer like yourself more than we do here? Yeah, I do. So you and Nina Simone whatever happens? I don't know what it is. I think it's just it's part of their culture, you know, they even have this thing where like on Wednesdays I think I don't know if it's half days, but kids are like sent to do cultural things That's when you might have your piano lessons or they have like have it going on

Yeah, like free time at like galleries and stuff like they just really like you could do a concert on like on a Monday or Tuesday and it's sold out here. Like we don't want to go out like there's a Friday, Saturday. Yeah, Sunday. No, I don't want to go to a show. Yeah, this is a new album. This is a new single. Used to think I knew the truth Just as well as I knew you But was the use of flying blind In the shadows of my mind? I'm a woman. Kelly Lee, Show Love. Tell me what this song is about. Show Love. This is the title track. Yeah, it's just that moment, you know, when in a relationship where you're just tired of fighting, you know, and you're like, you know what? Okay. Okay. And this idea, look

what she's singing. I'm ready to stand down and hold my tongue. I'm ready to grow up the battle-stun. Yeah. And then the chorus. Now that I know. So this is just this idea when you realize that love is the most important thing. Who now that I know that. Beautiful, who did you work with on this album? Michael Shand.

Michael Shand, Michael Shand, and Michael Shand. He's played all- Any relation to Remy Shand, what's going on here? I don't think so, no. But he played all the instruments. He's this amazing Toronto based artist. If you don't know Michael, you've probably gone to a show and seen him play. Probably.

Yeah. And he's just, he's a multi-instrumentalist. He's just like such a, he's like a multi-person. Like he's playing chess, he's playing pool. He's, you know, he's just one of those smart people. Yeah. Smart person. Like easy with languages, learning languages and stuff.

He's a good person. Yeah. And he's been playing, this is the second album of mine he's produced. So this album is out today. Yeah, and this is the new single. And kellyleeevans.com is a good place to go if somebody wants to hear more. Show love.

Yeah. And there's another song from this album. I'm gonna let you take us into this next jam here. That version of you, not the one beside me here. Okay. And then I have questions about this song. this next jam here. That version of you, not the one beside me here. Okay. And then I have questions about this song. Show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, show love, yeah Ooh, ooh, hey, hey Can you hear me break a chair?

Your memory is with me still But you've been going so long And I have carried on You taught me tough love, I didn't feel I was enough But the time I see that you always believed in me And I miss your kind of love Though I was dreaming of you fools being like mine Your words are always kind You were my everything

Your love gave me wings Your memory lives on You were my shelter in the storm Storm, my shelter in the storm Is this like a figurative storm or is this that storm that caused you to be struck by lightning? Figurative. Am I reading too much into these lyrics? Maybe.

I'm an English major so I feel like I need to dig into these lyrics. But Shelter in the Storm. Yeah. Who's your Shelter in the Storm? This song is about my mom. You know, I grew up in Scarborough. I was born at Scarborough General Hospital. My mom actually used to work at Scarborough General.

Scarborough Centenary, she was a nurse. She came here from Jamaica via England in the 60s. And she was like a single mom. She was super, super like, like amazing. She was like, but she was really tough in the sense that like she had super high expectations for me, you know, like that, like if I bring home, if I got a 99%, like where's the other 1%, you know what I mean? Like that kind of mom.

And so the song talks about just how tough it was growing up with that expectation. And she died like when I was in my early twenties. Oh, I'm sorry. That's okay. Yeah. But so this idea of like, of cancer, right? Yeah, cancer, multiple myeloma at Scarborough Gen.

And you know, this is just about her coming from away and making this life for me and doing the best to build me up, you know, to build me to fly and, and just how much I appreciate it and recognize now what she did for me. Beautiful. Kelly, you got a busy schedule for touring here. I hope you're feeling well because we talked about the Toronto Jazz Festival. You can call it uptown or you can call it midtown.

You'll find it there. But I see here that on Canada Day, you're playing in your home city there now, Ottawa. You're at the National Art Center for Canada Day. Yeah. I mean, you're in Stratford, the Stratford Summer Music, Friday Night Live. You're there in late July. And then you're in Carleton University Jazz Camp.

You're in Port Hope. OK, you know who lives in Port Hope? Who? Remember when Wheels wanted to meet his real father? Because Wheels... I never watched that show. I know. But we're talking about Degrassi, right? This is over. Yeah, this is Degrassi. So you know when I say Wheels, you know we're talking Degrassi. I never watched that show. I know, but we're talking about the

grassy. This is over. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, when I say wheels, you know, we're talking about, he went to, he went to port hope. Yeah. But this is the OG to grassy, but yeah. Port hope jazz festival. That's August 24. But here I want to talk about some, some really close to here is old mill. What a wonderful venue. You're playing the old mill on September 27th. So that's a special concert. That's going to be my story and song concert. I come to this. Yeah, for sure. It's in a, it's on this side of the Humber river. Yeah. No come. And so it'll be myself and my amazing piano player and word. I'm just going to tell I'm going to, well, I don't know. You're not going to learn anything new because like we just, we did it all. We did it all. You didn't hold anything back for nothing. No, I'm kidding. There's going to be all good stuff. So it's just my story. And I, a lot of these songs are very, you know, autobiographical. And so you'll get the re the story behind the songs and just, uh, it's good times. It's good times. And you'll be wearing a shirt that says I was struck by lightning. Um, I wouldn't shut up about it.

I want to wear the Toronto Mike shirt. I got to get you. You can get one. There's a link on Toronto Mike dot com. But you're not going to give it to me for free. No, because I don't even have like they get printed. What you give me lasagna. But no, I don't even think I have one right now.

But hey, this is exciting, too, because I know you live in Ottawa, but you're going to be here quite a bit. Like I see here late November. Don't tell that one. Don't say that one. Yeah. But Like I see here late November, November, don't say that one. Yeah. Okay. But why is it in my notes? I know, but don't tell that one. It's kind of, you know, yeah, that's, that's like a scoop. Well, can I, can I, okay. A scoop that's in my notes for going to say where else are you going to drop this bomb? Okay. Fine. I won't say it, but okay. In December. Yeah. Can I say this one? Then you're back at Hughes room. Shout out to Jane Harbury.

You're going to be Jane, June, December 13th and that's just the 13th. Yeah. That on the 13th. Yeah. Okay. Not the four, maybe the 14th is we're looking at like date in London. Okay. Yeah.

That one I messed up. It's not. Yeah. Corey. Connor. I always say right. Kerner hall. Yeah.

Which is a beautiful venue. You're there next, uh, next April. So April 20, 25 with the brighter brothers. Oh my God. Yeah. Kelly Lee Evans. Listen, I feel like, uh, you're like a long time friend. I just met for the first time. Oh my God. Yeah. Kelly Lee Evans. Listen, I feel like you're like a long time friend. I just met for the first time. Love your music. Love your story

of like triumphing over adversity because it's not so random, right? You're living. Like I think I started this thought never finished it because that's what happens here, but you're living your best life. You're raising your kids. You're just doing the dishes one day. Bam. Like what a random happenstance. You get struck by lightning and it kind of derails your whole life and career. But here you are on the comeback trail and people can hear you live and you sound amazing. Oh, thanks so much. I'm I had such a fun time. You're great. You are. I don't know. Do people tell you that? Should I tell you that I'm going to give you more time to think your thoughts here? I was going to say, yeah, because great, great. Great, great, great, great, great.

I'm going to go to bike ride now, but I'm going to be like, what kind of bike? It's right behind you, actually. So it's a single speed. It's a call of Fuji feather. Is a single speed a fixie? It can be. You have to flip the hub and it's a fixie. But I'm kind of chicken shit. So I don't I don't ride it as a fixie. OK, I feel like that might be.

I don't know. I ride like I ride fully geared bikes as fixies because I don't know how to change the gears. So. Okay. Cause you got to be single speed to be a fixie. Right? That's the whole point. Probably. I don't know. And the whole point of the fixie is for those who don't know is that you're not, if your pedals are sort of like when

you're, if your pedals are moving, you're moving. And if your pedals aren't moving, you're not moving. So a lot of people, the fixies like literally take the brakes off the bike. If you've seen this move, anyway, I don't use it as a fixie. It's just a single speed and I love it. And I'm going to get a ride in here, but I'm going to be flying is what I'm telling you because of this great chat and the great music and the great vibes. You're going to get your lasagna and we're going to take a picture by the tree before you go away. And this won't be your last Toronto Mike. At some

point you can come back and kick out the jams with you. Let me know. Well, you're kind of trying to be here. I see. Will Drake come down me. You let me know. Woo, you're coming to Toronto quite a bit I see. Will Drake come down the stairs? You never know. Drake, you know what Drake, if you're listening, you're welcome on Toronto mic anytime. I'd love a deep dive. But mostly when Kelly Lee's here. And it won't just be about Degrassi, I promise.

That's my pledge. Or maybe it will be, who knows. And that brings us to the end of our 1,510th show. Congratulations and happy birthday next week. Yeah, you're going to have to make a special trip back to Toronto. For pasta. I'll be like, flour, flour. There's a lot of flour in that.

Flour, flour. You know what though? There might be other treats to have that have less flour in it. You can follow me on Twitter and Blue Sky all over the place at Toronto Mike. Just go to torontomic.com for all your Toronto Mike needs, whatever they may be. Much love to all who made this possible. That's Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, RecycleMyElectronics.ca, the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team, Monaris, and Ridley Funeral Home. See you all. Who's next? Do you know?

I don't know. Let's find out together. In my calendar here. Somebody special. Well, hold on here. This is like, oh, it's a double header. You wonder who's here next? Drake?

Close. Bob Ray. Not as close. But he's nice too. I think Bob Ray can drop a few bars or two. Tell him Kelly Lee Evans says hi. He'll be like, no, he'll say who? No, he might fake it like I do when I get these names I don't know and I just smile and nod and go, oh yeah, that's what I'll do. Oh yeah. And I'll be like, who the fuck is that? I sat next to him at a dinner. Okay. That'll be my first question. Do you remember the dinner where

you sat next to Kelly Lee Evans? See you all then. And your smile is fine, it's just like mine, it won't go away Cause everything is rolling great Well I've kissed you in France and I've kissed you in Spain And I've kissed you in places I better not name And I've seen the sun go down on Shacklikur