Leon!!!

I'm in a booth on the top level of the Coach House Inn looking at the back Leon Russell's cowboy hat! Most people that know me know that we've been touring with Leon for a few years now and the question I get asked the most is "who's Leon Russell?" Well I'm here to say, once and for all, if you don't know, LEARN!! Take five minutes and look it up or don't call yourself a music lover! I've seen the same show with as many as 8 pieces and as few as 4 which is the case tonight and I still get a smile on my face every time "Delta Lady" kicks in! California is beautiful as always and we're doing fine and I can't say how proud I am to say that I get to tour with Leon Russell!!
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Do what you can when you can...

I haven't written here in a while. Sorry about that, but I guess that's a good thing. We've been hustling since we got here. Man, it was a great weekend! Fort Worth was great. I got to catch the last of the Black Crowes after our Gruene Hall show which was a blast. The Crowes were really good. I guess it goes without saying I'm a fan of their music, but when we got out of the van and I heard "I'm coming home" (a Delany and Bonnie song that NOBODY covers) I knew it was going to be a good show. Everything they did was off the first 3 records except for "By your Side" and a Burrito Bros song. It was cool to finally catch the show I blew off in 96!!
Pickin for Preemies (check my spelling) was cool to actually sit and listen to Ryan Bingham for the first time. It was a good indication that this years Galleywinter show will be very cool and fun for all of us.
See ya soon.

No place like home

Man, this was a good trip! Floore's w/Cory Morrow, Gruene with Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hill's with Rodney Hayden and Josh Grider (and his new band). They played dance music during our set breaks in Shreveport, so I don't remember much about Shreveport. "Budweiser, take me away!". Even the parties this weekend were a blast (Thanks Steven and Kristie, Scott and Brad). Now I'm HOME! It takes a day or so to settle in so I'm gonna sleep all day tomorrow and see my Gadsden friends Wednesday. Don't hate me if I don't answer.

Branson

Well last night was our show at the Welk Theatre in Branson opening for the world renoun Taylor Hicks. That gig was a trip, man! The venue was cool and the people were nice. Taylor sounded good. His band was scaled back a little and they played more covers than in Baltimore, but he always had good taste in cover songs. They played Traffic, Derek and the Dominos... Something besides the same old crap that we get forced to play. So after a day of roller coasters and shitty pizza at Celebration station we're headed to the Wormy Dog for our first FULL BAND GIG!! Rocklahoma, eat your heart out!!
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Houston (someting more positive!!)

1:30pm on our way to Ruston, LA. Myself, Keegan, Justin and Patrick. I must admit, I love the Buick, but it's nice to have my own seat in the van. Having my own seat gives me time to FINALLY post another blog. I had my moment to vent, but I'm adjusting to the change of becoming busy and in my line of work busy is very good!! I realize that now and I should be thankful; and I am.

Speaking of thankful, we had a great time at the Armadillo Palace last night. The crowd was great. I'm used to playing for an empty room or for a headliner's crowd, so it was almost stange (in a cool way) to have a good group of new faces there to see the show. On the other hand, that place is always slammed!! :)

Off to Ruston...

Welcome to the BIZ!!

This is my first entry!! So I'm gonna take this time to bitch! That's what these things are for, right? (Kidding.) I spent the last week and 1/2 on "vacation" meaning I turned 32, exhausted myself being a people pleaser, and bought a PDA under the hard realization that I have to organize and get a solid handle on "My business!" The business of songwriting and touring in a band has turned into "deadlines and commitments. What to leave in, what to leave out" as Bob Segar said. My pen and paper have become a PC. Instead of spending my days opening my mind, looking around me and soaking up my surroundings in hopes of a good song idea and a new perspective on life I'm spending them making executive decisions on tour scheduling and cost effective merch ideas! So I'm doing my best to keep it together and I hope noone takes me wrong for speaking my mind, but if I could give any advice to a singer/songwriter just getting started I'd say screw the guitar lessons and go to business school! :)