Venues and other info to be posted as soon as it's available, but here are the dates:

Have you visited Mike's facebook page and become a fan? We've just gotten one of those fancy little vanity URLs. It's now easier than ever to find Mike on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mikefarrismusic

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!!!