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Hey There Friends,
In the last episode Jenni and I were freezing our asses off in Toronto, the weather was wicked and the roads were not kind at all. We made our way across the border with no problems (which is usually a rarity for me) and headed south to Chicago. In Chi town we hooked with Jay and Tim Bennett from the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash for a few shows, a couple in Chicago and one out in Des Moines, the weather got so nasty the national guard was actually called in to shut down the highway. Being a true Canadian I drove on so we could make the next show.
Chicago brought back a lot of memories for me. Back when I was nineteen I lived in Chicago for a year, that's where I started working with the homeless and in the shelter, I was pretty green back then but value everything I was able to take in. I went looking around the old neighborhood for a day and things hadn't really changed much, some new paint, same liquor stores, same churches and still ample amounts of homeless.
The time I got to spend with the Bennett brothers was great, we laid down some tracks in their studio and listened to father tell us stories growing up and playing with Howie Epstein. Howie was the bass player for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers for years, Bob Bennett and Howie used to hang out and write together and record. Bob actually still had some of the old reels in his attic.
So off from Chicago to Nashville, definitely a switch. Nashville is….Nashville. It's a strange town, more churches than you can shake a pitchfork at and more songwriters than corn in Nebraska. I did a few songwriters night, played with about seventy other players while I was out there and one thing I noticed is that every song was sounding the same, same formula, same structure. I was listening for originality but did not find too much of that. I did play a show at Douglas Corner Café with some good bands, Arlington Priest and the bass player from Shooter Jennings, Ted Russell Kamp, I have been hearing his stuff constantly on the radio down here in Texas.
I remember leaving the city on our way to Memphis and the billboard read WARNING: GOD IS COMING. Always comforting when they try to scare you into believing, I kept on driving.
Memphis! This is a cool town, walked down Beale street, saw the Sun studios, Stax Records and took some pics in front of Graceland, the king was great but wasn't sure if I wanted to dish out the $30-$70 they were asking, so instead settled for some pics in front of the gate. Most importantly we went to the Civil Rights museum, the site is located at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. If you're heading through Memphis this is a must.
So finally to Texas and the the madness of Austin during SXSW. I could go on forever about that weekend, saw some amazing acts, Charlie Sexton, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Billy Joe Shaver and on and on… I probably walked a hundred miles that weekend and drank a river of Shiner Bock.
I did a showcase with Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez which was a blast, Bill Kirchen was there along with Gurf Morlix and Sam Baker. One of the highlights of my trip so far. There was a ton of dj's at the show as well, most had been spinning the hell out of my album and wanted to catch the show, Mike from France, Colin from Australia and the boys from KSYM in San Antonio and the guys from KNON in Dallas, all great people and really supportive.
After the weekend I did a show with fellow Canadians Romi Mayes and Scott Nolan at this little honky tonk called Sam's Town Point.
Took a side trip to Louisiana, cooked up some crabs and shrimp on the side of the road, watched alligators roam free, experienced the French quarter and danced holes into the bottom of our boots. Drove through the flood damaged areas left over from Hurricane Katrina which was pretty disheartening but people were hard at it, rebuilding, neighbors helping neighbors, starting new. Some areas were like ghost towns, not a soul to be seen, and the houses were marked, the date, how many bodies found and who checked the house. It was surreal.
From there we made our way back to Texas for more shows, Houston, San Antonio, Kerrville….spent some time with Dave from KSYM in San Antonio, he took us to see a couple of shows in the area, Carolyn Wonderland (a reincarnation of Janis Joplin) and later that night Dale Watson in a little honky tonk called the Hanging Tree.
And now back in Austin. Wednesday we head north to Dallas for a couple of shows and some on air radio (KNON) and then west to California.
So that's what's been happening, where our travels and music have taken us. We are three months in on this tour and have a couple left to go.
I will be joining Rodney Decroo for a songwriter tour in May and June in Western Canada so check out the dates at my website or myspace.
Also, I had mentioned that the song 'No stars in the City' made its way to the finals in the International Songwriting competition, it place at #3. I'm not to big on competitions or awards but it was nice to see the recognition. Now if only I could get Alison Krauss to cover the song. Also, 'Felt like a Sunday Night' has moved up in the Freeform Americana Roots charts to #3 for February and has stayed at the #3 position for March as well .
I'd like thank all the dj's for spinning the album out here in the states, in Europe and back in Canada, and the promoters and booking agents for having me in their clubs, the other musicians that have played with me, and all the new friends we've made, some have given us shelter. For that, thanks.
FREE THINGS
One nice thing about Nashville was Opryland, don't get me wrong. It wasn't the overpriced food or rooms, it was the free pool, hot tub and showers. Thanks Opryland.
Off to California, talk to you soon.