Greenhorn ranch- outside of the town of Quincy, California. That's where we stayed this past weekend while we played the High Sierra Music Festival. The Greenhorn was great, and the festival was even better! There's festivals all across the country that people don't even know about that have this rich, local, not-too-big, family vibe that is simply amazing. I'm guessing they had 10-15 thousand people there, and from what I gathered, that's mostly people who go back every year. It's tradition, and they know that High Sierra is going to deliver great music. It's great the way these festivals develop there own personalities too! High Sierra is akin to Mardi Gras, with everybody dressing up in costumes. They have parades through the campgrounds! Awesome stuff! On the other hand, Strawberry Music Festival is very kid/family oriented, a bit more mellow with the occasional edge. The campgrounds and sites themselves are amazing. Two distinctly different festivals with one well woven common thread: family. Everybody knows everybody even if they don't.

It's cloudy here.....inside and out. Everything's fuzzy and muted and I'm now on my 14th cup of coffee. First thing I wanna do is explain what happened to that well thought out, wonderfully planned...beautifully ornate window peering into the inner workings of Bonnaroo......remember, the one that I said I would do my best to provide????? Well, it was doomed before I even got there because I forgot to bring my Macbook. So, I owe you all a really big sugary sweet apology. I'm not sure I would have gotten online anyways, as we didn't have satellite on our bus (the one right next to us did but that's how satellite works).  I'm sincerely sorry for letting you all down. It wasn't any fun anyways......

Hear that low end rumble...like a giant military vehicle approaching in the distance? That's the sound of the eighty thousand people migrating to a single 700 acre plot of land just south of here. For months now we've been gearing up for this show, and we're still getting logistics in place and we are but one band playing so I can't imagine coordinating ALL the bands. 

Sundays are the same everywhere, I suppose. I'm looking out my window at the view across the city and country side. There's no less than 4 ancient catholic church steeples piercing the spanish sky. We just got back from walking the streets of Vitoria.  All is quiet. Shops are closed. church bells are ringing throughout this ancient city. The few people out are sitting quietly outside the cafe's enjoying cafe' con leche. There was a time in my life when these types of mornings weren't weren't plaintive and fresh with life but stale and sad. These were my only memories of this city and country until now. I like things better nowadays.......Yesterday was full of excitement and energy, what with the festival and afternoon show we did in the beautiful Plaza de la Virgen Blanca.  Playing in such a place is like something out of a dream. I talk a lot of how important it is to me for music to be framed properly. The Plaza de la Virgen Blanca framed the music like no other place I've ever played. It was magical and yet the day had just begun!!! Afterward, we ran back over to the hotel for a MUCH needed nap. Then it was back on our feet and over to the storied Azkena Rock Festival!! We got there early for some interviews and such so we had time to hang out. I ran into my old friend Damon Johnson and spent some time catching up. He's over here playing guitar for Alice Cooper now. We chose to hire horn guys here to cut down on costs and I don't mind telling you I was just a tad bit nervous.................I am happy to report that Alberto, Joe, and Roberto were absolutely amazing and blew us all away, all the pun intended!!  We played to a packed and energetic crowd!! The Basque people are so loving and willing to listen and sing along. I think everyone in the band was blown away. Speaking of the band, Nick, Joe, Eric, Keio, along with Ann and Regina, were ON!!!! Everyone stepped up and played their butts completely OFF. There are no more butts left in the Roseland Rhythm Revue!!!! If they were pigs their value would now be greatly reduced!  Everything about the show was absolutely perfect for me! So much energy spent and now I am tired. The band, by now, is back stateside. Meanwhile, Julie, Tyler, and Donzit and myself are preparing to take off for San Sebastian tomorrow for a bit of a break, then it's off to Madrid, then back to Barcelona for two acoustic shows. I can't wait to play again, but for now all I can think about is SLEEP!!  More news to come......

In spirit-

Mike

Welcome to Spain! One of the most storied countries in the history of the world. Coming to you (barely) live in Barcelona- Catalon country. Tyler, Donzit (Tyler's wife, for you newcomers), Julie and I landed in Madrid at 10:00am and it took us only 9 hours to get to Barcelona, via train, subway, and somewhere between 5 and 50,000 verticle steps connecting us to each said train/subway train....travel note: avoid rail travel when carrying 5 times the luggage of the average immigrant seen in Penn Station....you know the ones I'm talkin' bout....they're in everyone's way, they're covered in sweat but dressed in the best clothes they own, extremely uncomfortable shoes, look like they've been up for DAYS with no sleep, all communications have ceased between the group members....yeah, you know the ones I'm talkin' bout....well, after years and yyyyyyyears of wishing that THAT could be me- that I could FINALLY experience the excitement of international travel like so many lucky persons who choose to travel in that fashion, despite the fact that they may even be able to afford NOT to travel that way, MY DREAM FINALLY CAME TRUE!!!!!!!  Some of my highlights included (in no particular order)- 1. Soiling my brand new sport coat that I wore- thinking that I might try my hand at getting an upgrade to first class from Newark to Madrid, and hey, if you're gonna seek first class it's good to look first class, right gang!! I looked fantastico as I carried my guitar, 2 suitcases and computer bag along with Julie's 2 carry-ons and her 62 pound (they weighed it back at the airport in Nashville- I remember being impressed with that number at the time) super cargo luggage up countless flights of stairs, through too small turnstiles, sometimes heaving them over while maintaining that dapper, international traveler flare. 2. The shoes- They held surprisingly well, as did my feet-very few scuffs and that slickness that comes with new shoes is now gone and I'm excited to try them out when we take that hike through the northern provinces of China later this year!

3. I lost only 1 wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Throughout the day, the luggage wheels held out great, despite the heat, friction and stress. 4. We only missed one connection- Or was it two, I lost count in the midst of so much fun! 5. One of the most exciting moments for me happened between one of our many many many many adventurous connecting subway trains. I remember I thought it might be fun to explore above ground for a change and maybe treat ourselves to some nice spanish country oxygen. As it turned out, we made the wrong turn and had gone over and above the wrong turnstiles so we turned to go back down to the comforts of subterranean life. As we descended the second stairwell, Julie's beloved 62 pounder somehow gave way from my grip, sideswiped the spanish lady who then helped me by yelling unintelligible profanities, but nonetheless helpful, along with me so as to warn everyone who had descended before us. We barely escaped disaster and it made us a stronger unit in the end. By sundown we finally made it to the great city of Barcelona.  It was, indeed, a long day filled with adventure and

 excitement and fun. Heck, just as we spotted the hotel across the street, the rains came and gave us a quick soaking!! Before we left the final subway terminal we made sure to pre-purchase a 10-ride card each so that we could come back tomorrow and ride the subways some more, although this time without the fun challenge of having the luggage!!! That said, I can't imagine tomorrow being any better than our first day back in Spain! Regards to everyone back home!!!

Just a quick note to let you all know that the SHOUT! Live LP is currently out of stock on our store and it could be awhile before it comes back in.  Amazon.com still has stock if you need your vinyl fix.

Play music, Holocaust Museum, National Cathedral, Ben's Chili Bowl. That's our itinerary for DC.
This will be Christian's 2nd trip there. The first time we did the National Archives, house where Lincoln died, Arlington, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, the Capitol, the mint, and some others that I'm forgetting. I don't care what you say, being a tourist in a cool town is alright by me and besides, I'm a nerd for touristy crap.
Hope to see some of you there!! We're actually gonna work in some music time as well!
right on!
Mike

Don't forget kids- Americana Music Association's Tin Pan South showcase is tonite at the Mercy Lounge. Mike Joins Ray Wylie Hubbard and Amy Speace for an "in-the-round" session at 9:00pm
See ya there!

Buenos dias, brothers and sisters!! It's looking like we're gonna have a b-a-utiful day here in Tennessee! Birds are busy welcoming back the seasonal friends (wow, that sounds bad) and seeing others off for the summer. My favorites are the little fellas. All their little tiny babies are out making their rounds for the first time!
I actually got on here to thank everyone for making the SHOUT! Live pre-order such a huge success! As you can tell, we are all excited about this record, and we're glad you are as well!
We're all busy gearing up for the summer here. Met with the merch guys yesterday to work on shirt ideas and that's always cool. Booking flights, planning out sights to see in various cities we'll visit. We've been on the receiving end of some huge blessings in the past few days! This summer is going to be great! I'm rambling....I gotta go do a photo shoot and I'm trying to forget about it......Have a great day everybody! Watch out for the April foolers out there....
Mike

Hey everybody!

Tyler here from Columbia Records chiming in about the Mike Farris pre-order as there have been a few questions regarding what you will get, when you will get it, confirming your order has been placed with our back end folks at Disc Revolt, etc.   I want to answer as much as I can so you'll forgive me (Mike already has) for taking up this personal blogging space to detail here in the last day of ordering.

First let me say thanks on behalf of Mike and all of us on team Farris for everyone who has ordered the package so far and thanks in advance to any who are on the fence and will do so by tomorrow.  After feeling Mike's excitement (and mine too I confess) seeing the vinyl being created we can't wait to get the feedback from you on how it looks, sounds, feels, etc.  We are very proud of it.

So to review here is what you are getting for you hard earned cash:

1) Full length CD of Mike's new live album SHOUT! Live that has one bonus track "Green Green Grass of Home."  This song is currently Mike's most viewed YouTube video and a favorite amongst the Americana Music community.  

2) Double 180 Gram (thick) vinyl in beautiful gatefold packaging with essay by Mike on the back cover.   Mike was in fine form when he wrote this piece and it truly does explain why this music is so important not just to him but to all of us.  Folks who buy the CD only later on will not get this in their package do to space constraints.

3) Autographed Poster Insert of an image you can still vote for at the same place where you  order the package.  Link is below

http://www.mikefarrismusic.net/store-preorder-shout-live.php

4) Your name in the thank you credits for this special package. This will be part of this package only and not the CD/Vinyl that people purchase later on also due to space constraints.

Everyone who orders should receive a code at the end of the checkout that allows you to download a video thank you from Mike as well as the promo clip for "I'm Gonna Get There."    There should also be an email confirmation sent to you as well.

If for some reason when you order and don't receive the promo code and an email confirmation (or didn't receive one already)  or if you have any other issues  please email  mike@discrevolt.com

All the Vinyl/CD packages have already been pressed up so the final piece will be the autographed poster insert with your names in the thank you space.  This will be turned around in the next week and we will then insert it into the package here at INO Records and ship out to arrive week of 4/14.

Being so close to this project it is hard not to be biased but in my opinion it is a spectacular record both aurally and visually.  I hope you will agree.

Thanks,

Tyler