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Wildstreet USA Tour 2009
May 22, 2009 - Aug. 1, 2009

It began on May 22, 2009 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC. Bold and daring, this was a truly ballsy endeavor. That morning we set out on a nine and one-half week tour, traveling the US interstate highways cost-to-coast in a 1997 Dodge Ram. We didn't have any of the "luxuries," given to our jet-setting heroes, or any tour support. We had quit our jobs and empty our bank accounts to turn our childhood dreams into reality. We knew that the Rocklahoma Festival in Pryor, OK could potentially change our lives and were willing to do anything we could to get us there.

Although Wildstreet with it's finalized line-up (Ali, Beck, Jimmie, Keith and myself) had barely been together for 9 months, we had already built a loyal fan base in NYC, played opening spots with our heroes Kix, Twisted Sister, and signed our record deal with Sam McCaslin & Retrospect Records. Realistically, we had only played 10 shows locally, and our summer plans were taking us from New York City to Los Angeles and back! We concluded the tour last night at The Studio at Webster Hall in our home base of NYC (it was the 40th show in since May 22nd) but that spring morning we left our families, jobs and comfort zone with only 14 show dates on our schedule. Excited, nervous, & scared, we dialed Bridgeport, NJ into our Garmin GPS system and didn't look back.

I began writing this wrap-up during the final two days of this experience. Driving down the interstate in Kentucky, I was feeling a mix of emotions about returning to NYC. The past 9 1/2 weeks have changed all of our lives, and I am not even sure I can even begin to comprehend it all. I can tell you very honestly, the tour was exhausting. Without a 6th person who could manage our merchandise, drive, or help with load-in and setup, it gruelingly hard work, like nothing I have ever experienced. Besides the long hours of painstaking driving, little sleep and constant phone calls/club dealings, we set the highest standard for ourselves every night. We promise our fans 120%, and that's what they got every night of this tour. 

With that said, this tour has been blessing. We met a ton of kind, generous, music-loving people who opened up their homes and their lives to a bunch of pink clad, makeup wearing east village trash that hey barely knew. As individuals we have matured, learned about the country and its people, and learned about each other. It has been the most fun I have ever had in my life. Going city-to-city, making countless new friends and reuniting with old, distant friends, the five of us grew to be family, Just like all families, we got sick, got hurt, and got into trouble. We laughed, relaxed and, of course, we got into heated arguments, and all out screaming fights. Still, we've made it through all the hard times and these tough times have made us closer friends and helped us appreciate the good ones.

I have dedicated my life to this band & our music, and it truly means everything to me. Looking back upon it all, I wouldn't change this 9 1/2 week experience at all (although next time, many things will be different, ha..) I can easily say to everyone reading sincerely, Ali, Beck, Jimmie and Keith are amazingly talented, deeply kind, and beautiful people. They are the best friends I have ever had, and I am so lucky to have them in my life, and in this band with me.

This will be my last blog for a few weeks, as I have posted everyday since the tour began. There are so many people I wanna thank, but its overwhelming to do it all at once!

I'm looking forward to the fall: writing/recording a new record, and touring in October!

All my love,

Eric Jayk