Newfoundland Celtic rockers Great Big Sea have unwittingly carved out a niche for themselves as providers of the soundtrack for royal visits.
And they're not really sure how it happened.
The band performed for Queen Elizabeth in 1997 on Canada Day in Ottawa, and also on two of the stops during her tour of Newfoundland that year.
Friday they will take the stage on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to perform during Canada Day celebrations attended by Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Band members Alan Doyle and Sean McCann said they're not sure how they came to be the musical accompaniment for touring royals, but they're not complaining either. They pledged to put on a good show.
"I want to make sure that Canada in the (future) king's mind is the coolest place in the Commonwealth," Doyle told CTV.ca on Thursday, during a break from rehearsals.
Doyle and McCann admitted they'll be nervous leading up to what they consider to be one of the "premier" gigs for a Canadian band. But they're looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of thousands of people on Canada's birthday -- with the royals in the crowd.
"It's so much fun to be part of a big celebration for the whole country. I mean, a big deal is going on tomorrow and we're a part of it. It's a cool thing," Doyle said.
Both band members said they intend to chat with the couple at some point during Friday's celebrations, and both have put some thought into what they will say.
If Doyle gets the chance to chat with Prince William he plans to ask about Queen Elizabeth.
"I'm definitely going to ask how's their nan, I haven't seen her since 1997," Doyle said.
"What's the correct protocol to tell him that the last time we were here we played for your grandmother? Can you just say that? Are you allowed to say that? Are you allowed to say 'how's your nan?'"
McCann said he hopes to ask about the couple's musical interests.
"I'm going to ask them what kind of music they listen to across the pond there," McCann said. "You can be sure they love Great Big Sea but who else? Sam Roberts I'm sure, but what's on their iPod? That's what I want to know, what's on their Canadian playlist?"
Both McCann and Doyle said Ottawa has embraced the band over the years and the city has become one of their favourite places to perform. In fact, McCann said, it was the first large city the band played outside of Newfoundland.
"We've always had good people here and for some reason we've managed to connect here and I think that's why we're here. If this was in some other city maybe we wouldn't be here," McCann said.
