Hello friends, countrymen and women,

How are things from where you are? Over here it's been an explosion of creative energy [my upcoming album], fantastic rehearsals [with Paul and band] and some very special shows with aforementioned guys.

As many of you know, I am working on my new album. It's been a blast to record so far with great live sessions with my fav players... so, here is a lil video blog just for you..

Watch it on YouTube

The "David Lynch Foundation" concert in NYC

Ok, so we started by flying to New York for rehearsal in preparation for the "David Lynch Foundation" concert at Radio City Music Hall. For me, this was a synchronistic event mostly because I took up meditation almost 3 years ago, learning the ancient Vedic style with a fantastic teacher here in LA.. So, check THIS out.. after my first year of practice I went on a retreat in Ojai, California to deepen my knowledge and get away for 3 days.. While in line for a fantastic veggie meal there, I struck up a conversation with my teacher, Thom Knoles. He told me that he was in Rishikesh, India, with his teacher - the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967 at the same time the Beatles were there to learn meditation!

I had no idea I was learning from the Maharishi's student! Anyway, on a side note, it has been an amazing journey to practice this, a real life changer. Plus, I learned from a firsthand witness exactly what went on there!! It was so cool and revealing.

Ok, back to NYC.. David Lynch started this foundation to bring meditation into inner city schools where students had been shooting each other. Officers and metal detectors were greeting them at the schools entrance.. Flip forward a year and peace reigns.. students are performing better and there has been no shootings there at all. Former gangbangers, sitting next to each other, meditating.. remarkable.

The concert was brilliant..

Paul, Ringo, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Laura Dern and Jerry Seinfeld all lent a hand and performed to raise awareness and money for this noble cause.. We watched the beginning of the show from the audience and it was really vibey! Our turn... We played a number of tunes and then were joined by Ringo to play "A Little Help From My Friends". It was the first time the 2 had ever played the song together since the day they recorded it in 1967, right after Rishikesh. Then Ringo got on his drums to join us for 2 more songs, the long lost "Cosmically Conscience" [written in India, '67] and "I Saw Her Standing There". What a night!!!

The Coachella festival in LA

Then, back to LA for the Coachella festival.. I was in such a zone that night!! I was so into it, my eyes closed and my head rockin' around like Stevie Wonder or something. Paul kicked so much butt for 2 hours and 50 minutes and the band was in top form. Crazy good.. we were on stage until 1:30 a.m., well after the Rave Tent had folded!!

Day off in Vegas..

Saw "Love", ate some fantastic food with dear friends, caught a lil' sun and then played the grand opening of "The Joint" at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.. Wow.. What a venue!! Small by arena standards [4-5 thousand capacity] but built to ROCK!! great sound, great people [thanks Randy and AEG] and a simply wonderful evening of laughs, sweat, pyro and good music..

THIS WAY UP!

Finally.. I am shoulder deep in recording for my new album, "THIS WAY UP" here at home. After some very satisfying 'tracking dates' in the studio with Abe, Davey F, Paul B, Aaron Sterling and Adam MacDougall I am back here at 'Bad Manors', my home studio to finish recording guitars and vocals.. I'm having the time of my life right now.. and if you have the time, check out my video blog [by my pal, Brian French]. So, here it is.. from me to you..

Stay tuned, more on that later!

Peace, love and rock and roll,
Brian