If you know me, you know I'm fighting tears right now. The Tragically Hip is one of my favourite, if not my favourite, band and Gord Downie is my favourite frontman, hands down.

So today, when The Hip announced that Gord has an incurable form of brain cancer, glioblastoma (which coincidentally is what our friend Neil had/passed away from this year), I had that instant, gut-punch feeling. I don't know what cruel joke 2016 is playing on us all, but it had better stop, because now it's really personal (a feeling that I'm sure many Canadians, musicians and music lovers alike, are sharing today).

I have seen this band too many times to count (I tried today and lost track), and have seen Gord perform with other bands over the years as well (a favourite being with The Sadies - not just because I was obsessed with this outfit he had on).
EDIT: See below...

I don't even have words for this one. I love Gord Downie so much. @pemberton_fest #pembyfest #pembyfestisawesome

A video posted by Christine McAvoy (@christine__mcavoy) on Jul 17, 2014 at 12:37am PDT

Take this photo below for example, three set lists from three shows in one week in Toronto, where I used to live. First I saw them on The Hour (centre set list) [I found the video online, you can watch the concert here, but watch the whole thing b/c there is an interview with Gord too - and at the 40:46 mark, you might spot a grainy, 20 year old Christine to George's left], then at 102.1 The Edge I got Gord to sign the set list [Christine, enjoy w/ my compliments Gord Downie], and managed to get invited into the secret show at the Horseshoe that night (set list on the left), and finally the first night of shows at the Phoenix they had that week (set list on the far right).

Fun Fact: the back of the centre set list says "Applause!" - Johnny Fay wrote that on it during the show as a joke and held it up. I was closest to him, so I asked him for it. <3

Obviously if you've read the news, the one shining light is that we still have him for a while, and The Hip, being the rockstars they are, are doing one last tour with their spectacular front man. The dates are going to be announced this week, and you can bet you're ass I'm going to be there.

There was really only one choice of song for today... Courage, it couldn't come at a worse time.