What a treat for me. I had the pleasure, truly it was a pleasure, to do a two week run opening for the subdudes with my friend Bryon Holley. Bryon lives in Los Angeles, I live in Nashville. We met in Seattle on Oct. 1. Got to Lisa and Shams house mid afternoon. OK. Life on the road got good when we got to Lisa and Shams house. We arrived to their smiling faces and warm hugs. Then took a look at the view. Their house right on Lake Washington. Bryon and I settled in to our rooms. I had the upstairs room with a view. Bryon got the entire downstairs suite, bar included. Off we went for a boat ride. Parked the boat outside of Bill Gaites house till the security guards popped their little heads out from behind the trees. We thought it best to leave. Here's what we learned, when the water is really choppy, best to go faster to ride on top of the chop. We all got soaked anyway. Got back to the house , played a little music, then headed out for dinner. In the parking lot of the restaurant, a homeless guy approached us asking for money. Sham gave him some money and a smile. Lisa asked what was in the plastic bag on his back. He pulled out a nylon string guitar missing the 4th string. Lisa asked him if he would play something for us, which he did. It was really good. He had something to say. We all listened and then went on to the best sushi I have ever had in my life. Cafe Wasabi or Wasabi cafe.
Next night was our first show opening for the subdudes. they just released a new record called "Street Symphony". Check it out. It's the dudes at their best. They are always at their best. So, we arrived at the Triple Door in Seattle Washington. What a great room. Did our sound check in a couple of minutes. Great sound. The cajon, wooden box that Bryon was playing, sounded so huge. We were so excited for our first show. We were so happy to play for a full house, a house full of people who love music. What a fun night.
Sad goodbye to Lisa and Sham and on to Portland. All the shows were really amazing and special. We were so fortunate to meet so many kind people along the way. We were housed by the most generous folks around. I can not thank them enough. It's a strange world being on the road. A new place everyday, pack , unpack, pack again, load in , sound check, find food, play music, load out.....we were welcomed in to homes. People have their lives happening in these homes and we were invited in. WOW!
Portland then Chico then Sebastapol, then San Francisco, Ukiah, Los Angeles, San Diego.... What a great ride. Thanks to the subdudes. Thanks to Bryon Holley for making me laugh so hard for so long.....my abs were sore for two weeks. Bryon has 3 alter egos, with names, all from different places. Kevin, the effeminate southern tupperware salesman appeared on this trip. I love Kevin, I miss him, he's back in Los angeles now. Mattie Phelps is from the UK. Can't quite place her/his (not sure) accent. Mattie is sweet and has sudden bursts of excitement. Causing me to spit out anything that I may have just put in my mouth. The "Scottish" guy, is , well, Scottish. He gets us in a little trouble with the crew guys at the venues. But, he looks after Bryon.
OK folks. That's all for now. More later.
Please check out the video on www.myrecordlabel.net. Go to artists, click on L for Liz Barnez. Click on "October". This is a song I wrote with Celeste Krenz and John Magnie of the subdudes. What a pleasure the writing was and it's a pleasure to sing. Play it on big speakers to get the full effect of the cajon.
I also added some pics from the tour. I'll put more up soon.