Social links

KG This Week: On the Road With Todd Snider

Bell Biv DeVoe (painting by Chuckie Williams) check my gear choices for the tour this week

Monday, Feb. 11, 2019

8:52am

home

While sitting in the waiting room of the emergency vet clinic last night, I had plenty of time to think. Pearl the dog and I have been involved two outta-nowhere dog fights in as many weeks, while on our daily walks, minding our own business. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries to canines or humans in either case, though she started limping yesterday and was obviously in some pain so we took her in. She’s currently enjoying some pain meds while semi-zonked on the sofa; I’m treating my hands with fizzy splashes of hydrogen peroxide and an occasional coat of neosporin, and things are looking better all around. So, though I did not attend those Grammys, the show (though secondary to Pearl) was on my mind. Congratulations to all the winners, and to the nominees, especially those from the “home (Nashville) team.” I think those of us who find ourselves in the “Americana” world consider the mere inclusion of the category in the awards to be a big step towards greater mainstream exposure—which is indeed a good thing. As long as the music stays real . . . .

Some years ago, my friend Gwil Owen and I had a song (“Flowers”) on a Grammy-winning record, After The Rain, by the great Irma Thomas from New Orleans. I found out not very long ago that I coulda gotten one of those little statues—I just had no idea at the time, and it didn’t occur to me to ask. I could’ve put it next to my participation trophy from 5th grade football (best bench-warmer, ha), the science fair ribbons (biorhythms and holograms), and a couple of diplomas. I don’t mean to make light of the award; it would be by far the standout among my visual displays of personal accomplishment, most all of which are, in reality, either hidden away or have been lost somewhere to an attic back in time. (Well, yeah, there are those records I make, of course. I’m just talking statuary and such.) Most of y’all know me well enough by now to know that it’s not the trophy that matters to me. I’m still just thrilled that Irma cut our song!

I’m very excited to be getting on a tour bus early tomorrow morning, joining my insanely talented friend Todd Snider for a string of dates. I’ll be opening solo. Todd has a new record coming out soon, Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3; you can hear/download a track here: https://toddsnider.net/ I love opening shows for Todd; his audiences get it—they listen, but it still feels rock n’ roll to me—a kind of raucous, irreverent vibe that makes real fun (and real music!) possible. Here are the dates/locations; as ever, check out venue sites for more information:

TUES. 2/12    BLOOMINGTON IN (BUSKIRK CHUMLEY THEATER)

WED. 2/13     BLOOMINGTON IL (CASTLE THEATRE)

THUR. 2/14   COLUMBIA MO (THE BLUE NOTE)

FRI. 2/15       OMAHA NE (SCOTTISH RITES HALL)

SAT. 2/16       OKLAHOMA CITY OK (TOWER THEATRE)

SUN. 2/17      LITTLE ROCK AR (SOUTH ON MAIN)

(Many more KG dates will be added to the tour cal soon, and I’ll be joining Todd for another tour in June.)

I had a great time talking with Luke Levenson from Rolling Stone Country yesterday, recording an interview for his new podcast Eastbound Nashville. And hey—it’s up on the net today, for your listening pleasure. Fresh, baby! Here’s the link:

Hope you enjoy Luke’s insightful questions and my over-caffeinated babbling. 

Since I have about 300 things to get done before leaving town, I’m going to close here for now. Hope to see you in person this week, if you happen to find yourself in one of the cities where we’ll be. Have a great week! I’ll stay in touch from the road.

Love,

Kevin

 

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply