ROAD RASH
Adventures on the Road – Part 15
November 2007
By: Kacee Clanton


As I write this, I'm in the beautiful city of Basel, Switzerland, one of my favorite cities in the world; and I have just spent two glorious days off! After being in 7 countries in 8 days, it is a welcome respite from the grind of the road. At this moment, I am sitting in my dressing room, passing the hours until we tape the AVO Sessions TV concert series, listening as Sinead O'Connor soundchecks, and wondering all the while if she is still bald. It's the simple things that entertain me after all.

I will be sorry to leave Basel after the taping. The central part of the city is full of cobblestone walking streets, beautiful churches, top end boutiques, quaint cafes, and a handful of comfortable pubs, where time seems to track at a much slower pace. Of course a plate of fish-n-chips and a pint of lager will cost you about 35 Swiss Francs (equivalent to $35 U.S.) and a good bottle of French wine can run you into the poorhouse, but that's Switzerland. Its beauty and perfection come at a high price.

Unfortunately, I had to spend part of my day off yesterday with Dr. Fried, a specialist in tummy aches. Seems a parasite climbed aboard (perhaps in Spain over the summer when the troubles began), has bedded down in the comfort of my insides, and is throwing a party. Because I'm never in one place long enough to have conclusive tests run, all the good doctor could do was treat my symptoms. The real work will have to be done when I get home in about 5 weeks. So I have that to look forward to . . . which is nice (subtle reference for all you Caddyshack fans). But even though I'm dreading the poking and prodding, I simply cannot wait to be home again. Sleeping in my own bed, cooking in my own kitchen, driving my own car, spending the holidays with my family and friends, and best of all, taking shelter and gathering strength in the arms of the man I love.

And the readers all said in one accord: What new man? There's a new man? We haven't heard anything about this new man before. Well, being the romantically open book that I am, I am eager to share my good news. After spending the last 15 years working together musically and becoming close friends, my favorite drummer (and human being), Ray Brinker, and I have gone and fallen madly in love. Can you stand it? It is strange and unexpected, and therefore beautiful and perfect. We've spent 15 years loving and supporting each other as friends, and now that love has morphed into something magical. Our families and friends have apparently been waiting for us to realize we belong together for years, and are now laughing with joy and amazement at how long it took. We offer standard responses like, "we saved the best for last" or "we just weren't ready before," but we know in our hearts that what we have is the stuff Jane Austen wrote about. And that kind of miracle takes years to come to full fruition. We know in our bones we fell in love at the exact moment pre-determined by all the lovers that have gone before us and paved the way. When we look at each other, we know our Creator has blessed us in spite of our past mistakes and because we deserve the best.

So when I reflect this month on thanksgiving (and getting another year older), I will have much to ponder, much to be thankful for. I've lost both of my grandparents this year, I miss home, and feel the weariness of the road in my body, but I have found a romance that will last a lifetime, renewed strength and determination, and have family and friends that never cease to amaze me with their unconditional love and support. I have an amazing life.

Until my next report, here's wishing you miracles and magic of your very own...

Kacee

P.S. Sinead just walked past my dressing room and the answer to the previously stated burning question is, quite simply: yes, pretty much.

Note: To check out Kacee's newest CD release, "Mama Came to Sing," visit her website at www.Kacee.info; you can also check Kacee out on her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/kaceeclanton