A folk musician from Sarnia is featured in a new Advil campaign that celebrates performers returning to the spotlight after being vaccinated against COVID-19.
The new campaign called #AfterMyShot Sessions features a few Canadian performers, including Donovan Woods.
“After such an uncertain year with limited opportunities to host live concerts or events, we’re thrilled to partner with these performers to help Canadians get the most out of life after getting their shot,” said Jeff Leeming, senior brand manager, Advil, GSK Consumer Healthcare. "Personally, I really missed live concerts throughout COVID-19, and this campaign celebrates getting back to that. That's what Advil is all about – helping Canadians keep going, moving, doing, especially as we emerge from the pandemic with new possibilities ahead."
Woods was not available for an interview with Blackburn News via phone or email. However, in a long-form #AfterMyShot interview, Woods talked about the importance of performing in front of an audience.
"Being on stage and playing the show is everything, it's the whole job," he said. "You make a record alone in your room, in the studio with your friends, you hope that it's good and you really don't know what people think of it until you play those shows, until you stand there in front of them and play the songs. It feels like just the final piece of the job so without it, you're missing something for sure."
Woods said he would value the ability to perform in front of a crowd more so now than when he did prior to the pandemic.
"I have been vaccinated. I got my full two shots. I'm ready," said Woods. "I am rooting for everyone to be vaccinated. I want to be back in that room with everybody."
Woods has a new single called "Here in Chicago" coming out this week.
Concerts and music festivals fall under the province's COVID-19 proof of vaccination system. As of September 22, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated in order to attend certain venues. The mandate does not apply to outdoor settings, with the exception of outdoor nightclubs.