It was a simple challenge I took up on a Friday night in the spring of 1987 at the Holiday Bowl in Lethbridge.
“I’ll bet you can’t name three songs by Chalk Circle.”
Much to the surprise of my friend’s date, I could.
I was reminded of that night recently when I heard the venerable Maritime band on a playlist of 1980s Canadian music.
Date night
By the latter part of Grade 12, in the spring of 1987, things were beginning to change and we were getting bolder. I twice got up the courage to ask out girls, in a ham-handed sort of way, and actually survived it.
By the latter part of Grade 12, in the spring of 1987, things were beginning to change and we were getting bolder. I twice got up the courage to ask out girls, in a ham-handed sort of way, and actually survived it.
My friend Dave and his brother Doug, who was in Grade 10, were also growing more bold.
I was at a movie and Dave and Doug passed by. Dave had started dating this girl named Carrie, which he had talked about asking out. The surprise was that Doug was holding hands with a girl, Lee from Grade 11.
That was all the talk on Monday at school. Doug said he just thought he’d ask her out and she said yes.
As the week progressed, we decided to all go out together Friday night.
We decided to go bowling.
Name that tune
I was getting to know Lee as the semester went on. She was actually friends with the girl I did go out with. In fact, she was the one who delivered the notes between us.
I was getting to know Lee as the semester went on. She was actually friends with the girl I did go out with. In fact, she was the one who delivered the notes between us.
Anyway, we went to the Holiday Bowl Friday night, and had a great time.
I wanted to get to know Lee better, so I started talking to her. I asked her what music she listened to.
“A bunch of stuff,” she responded.
“Like what?” I asked.
“You wouldn’t know,” she replied.
To this day, I hate being told that. I feel dismissed or underestimated.
“Try me,” I said.
“Like Chalk Circle,” she said.
“Oh yeah,” I said.
She shook her head in disbelief.
“I’ll bet you can’t name three songs by Chalk Circle,” she said.
Keep in mind, we are all taking turns throwing balls at this point, and just starting a new frame.
I grabbed a bowl, turned towards Lee, and sang “No April Fools” as I threw my first ball.
We were bowling in teams.
I took my second ball, turned to her and sang, “Me, Myself and I”, and threw it.
After that I needed the pause between turns because I was drawing a blank.
My hesitation produced a bit of a smirk from Lee.
Then it was my turn again. I deliberately took my time and it came to me.
“This Mourning makes me blue,” I sang as I tossed my third and final ball.
Lee was suitably impressed.
The reality was, I listened to the radio all the time. Chalk Circle was a Canadian band so, with Canadian content regulations, they were on the radio a fair bit.
The songs
Chalk Circle released their debut album “The Great Lake” in 1986. The first single was “April Fool”, which went to number 21 in Canada. “Me, Myself and I” also came off that album as well appearing on the Canadian charts at number 98. Both had music videos which were played regularly on MuchMusic. Thank you Canadian Content regulations.
Chalk Circle released their debut album “The Great Lake” in 1986. The first single was “April Fool”, which went to number 21 in Canada. “Me, Myself and I” also came off that album as well appearing on the Canadian charts at number 98. Both had music videos which were played regularly on MuchMusic. Thank you Canadian Content regulations.
All that garnered Chalk Circle enough attention to earn a Juno nomination in 1986 for Most Promising Group.
Their next album, “Mending Wall” came out in 1987, and produced “This Mourning”, which went to number 28 in Canada.
The years after
Chalk Circle would put out their third album in 1989, but they had already peaked. They broke up in 1990, then got back together in 2006 after a greatest hit compilation was released. They have continued to play concerts on and off since then
Chalk Circle would put out their third album in 1989, but they had already peaked. They broke up in 1990, then got back together in 2006 after a greatest hit compilation was released. They have continued to play concerts on and off since then
What’s in a name
In the second semester of my third year of university, the 1989-1990 school year, I had a student teaching round at Victoria Composite High School near downtown Edmonton. I used to get a ride every morning from Peter Lawlor. Together we team taught, essentially sharing our practicum with the same cooperating teacher and students.
In the second semester of my third year of university, the 1989-1990 school year, I had a student teaching round at Victoria Composite High School near downtown Edmonton. I used to get a ride every morning from Peter Lawlor. Together we team taught, essentially sharing our practicum with the same cooperating teacher and students.
The first day we got out of the car and were walking towards the school. We could hear the school announcements over the intercom outside.
Victoria Composite was transitioning from a vocational education, or trades, high school to a fine arts high school. Consequently, they were promoting a school play that was starting a run.
It was by German playwright Bertolt Brecht and called “Caucasian Chalk Circle”.
I wondered if that’s where the band got its name.
Wikipedia revealed that is exactly what happened.
Parting thoughts
That night I saw my friend Doug holding hands with a girl, I was really happy for him. The guy had finally gotten the girl. Seeing them together bowling was also really cool, although they only dated for another week.
That night I saw my friend Doug holding hands with a girl, I was really happy for him. The guy had finally gotten the girl. Seeing them together bowling was also really cool, although they only dated for another week.
That time in life was such a jumble of emotions from liking girls to summoning up the courage to ask them out to actually going on a date. Seeing someone actually win at that game was thrilling.
Every time I hear Chalk Circle, I think about that time and it just makes me smile.
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