Woke up at 5 a.m. It's my birthday, so I want to be awake for as much of it as possible. Actually, that's a lie. Well, it is my birthday, but I'd be fine with sleeping all morning. Thing is, I've got to get in the van and head for Roanoke, and Washington, DC. I'm joining Last Train Home for gigs this weekend, and they're sort of joining me. It's an Eric Brace and Last Train Home Featuring Peter Cooper mini-tour, meaning I'll sing harmonies and play guitar on Last Train Home stuff and they'll be the band during my songs. We'll throw some Eric Brace and Peter Cooper songs in there, too. Gonna have a blast. Plus, I get to stay at the Hotel Roanoke tonight: One of my favorite big old American hotels.

On Sunday, I'll fly back to Nashville (Eric gets to drive the van back) and do some recording for an upcoming project featuring me, Eric, Mike Auldridge of The Seldom Scene, Lloyd Green of Greatest Pedal Steel Player Ever fame, Richard Bennett, Dave Roe, Jen Gunderman and Pat McInerney. Incredible group of players, and I think we've worked up some nifty recordings. I've got to nail a few vocals down on Sunday, before moving gently into the remainder of the Memorial Day weekend. A few days after that, Eric and I head to England for some dates. Then it's back to America, then Holland and Germany. Busy June.

I was at the Americana Music Association Awards nomination announcement on Wednesday, and was pleased to see that the remarkable Belleville Outfit got nominated for a new/emerging act award. If you get a chance to see/hear these folks, I highly recommend it. Stunning musicians, and nice people.

Alright, I'm off to the van. Happy my birthday to you.