First of all, thank you.
Thank you for reading this. Thanks for caring enough to log on, drop by and listen. Thank you for coming out to shows, for telling your friends and sending your sibling. Thank you for making a special order for my record at your local record store. Thank you for buying my records on iTunes. Thank you for secretly and illegally downloading my stuff on limewire. (while you don't get quite as much gratitude as the folks who walk the straight and narrow and actually purchase the music, I still love you for listening. One day you'll come around)
Years ago, when I decided that music was the way that I wanted to live and the way that I wanted to earn a living. I made the decision that I would rather do what I love, put everything that I possibly could into it and do it well. At that point, I had an truck that barely ran, I lived in a garage and rarely had a positive balance in my bank account. I wasn't sure what music would bring me in terms of a living and I didn't care. It was just that I wanted my life to be immersed in it and surrounded by it.
I wasn't sure if it would be a big fat record deal and a house in the hills or if I would spend my days busking for change on a subway platform. The one thing that I have always been sure of is that the connection that music creates between people was something that I always wanted to be a part of. I was sure of it years ago in New York City, singing at the top of my lungs on the subway platform at 116th and Broadway as I caught the expression of gratitude in the eyes of a tired soul boarding the train headed uptown after a long day. And I am sure of it nowadays standing on a stage...weather it is a crowd of 20 or 2000, the connective energy that comes from an audience restores my faith in humanity and the beautiful miracle of our existence every single time I feel it.
Wow...I sound like a freaky hippie....sorry, I digress.
Back to the gratitude. I write this from 35,000 feet, on flight bound for home after 38 days on the road, on tour with Matt Duke and Tony Lucca for all of the dates and the addition of Roy Jay for the last ten days.
Every time that I head out on the road, I find myself saying, 'thank you for making this an amazing tour'. Every time I find that things are growing in each city...in some cases by leaps and bounds and in some cases, by tiny little baby steps. In all aspects though, it all seems to be going in the right direction.
Here's the most amazing part of all of it though... It's you. In every city I play in, I see you, I hear you, I get to feel your joy and your pain...sometimes directly, because you care enough to share it with me and sometimes just by your very presence. I feel so grateful, blessed, lucky...whatever you want to call it...for all of it. For your support, for your hugs, your appreciation. The connection is everything. You are family and I want you to know that years ago, when I envisioned my life and career in music, I could never have imagined that it all would feel this good.
So thanks for that.
This was another amazing tour that would not have been so, without you.
I also feel compelled to thank my tour mates: Tony Lucca, Matt Duke and Roy Jay. Their talent, graciousness and all around cool are a real inspiration. Check them all out...you will be glad you did.
And so, I return to Los Angeles. More big musical things are coming up. Perhaps the biggest live show that I have played in some time is coming up on October 13th at the Troubadour. I have wanted to play the Troubadour since I was 16 years old. This will be the first time that I have ever played there, and I am actually headlining with an unbelievable musical cast of characters including, Chris Seefried, Matt DelVecchio, Charlie Gillingham and David Immergluck (of Counting Crows), Dave Gibbs and special guests, ambeR Rubarth, Shane Alexander and Justine Bennett. I almost have to pinch myself to keep believing that this bill is actually happening. With your help spreading the word, we might have a shot of selling out the room and making it a lifelong dream fulfilled. I promise that you will have a great time and that I will give you everything I have...
Hopefully you know now, that when I say 'thanks', just how much I really mean it.
jn