Thank you to The London Free Press for mentioning us in the article published December 31 2020 titled “BELANGER: An unusually quiet New Year’s Eve for veteran musicians”
London Free Press writer Joe Belanger called to chat about my plans for NYE. He was shocked to hear about my move to British Columbia, and thrilled to hear about our plan-in-action of converting a school bus into a tiny home on wheels!
Here’s the write-up:
…..Likewise, Sarah Smith, long considered one of the hardest working rockers in the business with a large, loyal fan base, isn’t performing on New Year’s Eve for the first time in 22 years.
Although Smith was among the first to pivot to online shows after the pandemic hit in March and hardly missed a beat financially, she used the year to make a major life change. She moved to Vancouver Island where partner Lesley Field, a banker, was offered a job.
“Well, I thought nothing is happening this year, so I may as well figure out the rest of my life and be doing something else,” said Smith, who is living in Sooke, a rainforest community west of Victoria where they take care of a large Airbnb home (Check out The Serenity Lodge).
Smith and Field bought a bus they’re converting into a home and are looking for property to park it on when not touring. Sarah is also working on a album of cover songs “you wouldn’t expect me to be singing” that should be released by the fall of 2021.
“I can tour whenever I want,” Smith said. “I can’t wait for my career to come back. This is like a whole new musical realm and I want to write and record an album on my own.”
I was introduced to Sarah Smith of The Joys in 2005 by my daughter, her friend. Our friendship has grown over the years and I talk about her to whoever will listen. We, her fans, have a group trying to get her a spot on The Ellen Degeneres Show. I love her and her talent so much !!!
That was a great write up, very uplifting to read of such a huge success story in such a different time in the world as we knew it. Way to go for believing in your dreams and going for it. You both are amazing people who I am blessed to call my friends, I love you both and always will be your biggest fan.
It is certainly a wonderful new adventure that Sarah and Lesley are on. Glad we can stay in touch through online concerts, chats and text messages. All the best always ladies.
What a wonderful thing to wake up to hearing that you “you made the news”Sarah you have been doing musician for 22 years making amazing albums.Then Covid hit us all and you weren’t able to tour so you took on too online shows helping the in the community from helping in raising money for the hospital singing outside of retirement homes bring smiles to the Elderly.Making a couple of videos to help with feeling down about dealing with these uncertain times.Then you announced too us of your big you and Lesley bought a school bus and magically turning it into your new tiny home calling it “TrusttheRide” Then came a the biggest news that you and Lesley were packing and moving to B.C.as your friends will stand behind support you both off you went.Lesley started a new job there you helping out a great friend with a B&B and making a new album as well.Cannot wait for the new album to be released😊Proud to see in these uncertain times and your on this wonderful adventure together. Proud to call you both my friends.!!!
I am so happy for the both of you. I will always follow your music and will continue to buy your cd’s. Your music has brought so much joy to my life. I feel so lucky to have met you both and to see you perform live, hoping I get another chance to see you live again. Thank you once again for doing a zoom concert for me, I will cherish that day forever.