Spring 2015 Update
Upcoming shows:
Sat. April 11 Chicago IL (Black Dog House Concert!)
Thu. May 7 Nashville TN
See the tour page for details–
Dear friends,
February and March were busy out there on the asphalt and on the stage for the smart-ass pictured here on the right; the International Folk Alliance conference in Kansas City once again proved my belief that the only thing stranger than the music business is the folk music business. But I had a great time, made some new friends and reconnected with several old ones, playing in hotel rooms at 2 a.m. and otherwise loitering in the hallways.
In early March I had the great fortune of opening a week of Todd Snider solo shows–thanks so much to all of you Todd fans who listened, applauded, yelled, and bought stuff! I ventured into towns I’d never played in Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. Except for the miles, it was big fun.
I recently returned from a two-week jaunt to Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, starting the tour with 10 shows in 5 days in Austin, during the annual South by Southwest music biz conference/festival. I was so busy I didn’t get any enchiladas, migas, or breakfast tacos . . . but again, played some fantastic shows (the Sun Radio day party, WOW!) and made new friends. After my short set at Leann Atherton’s Full Moon Barn Dance on that Sunday, a guy from Gary Nicholson‘s band (who were on right before me) came right up on the stage and told me how much he enjoyed my set . . . I didn’t recognize him til I asked his name–it was Derek O’Brien, legendary blues guitarist who I used to see in various bands at the original Antone’s, way back when. One of my favorite players, ever, and I told him so. Quite a little moment for me. I got to sit in with Ray Bonneville THREE times during the week; Gurf Morlix joined us for one of them. I suppose from my experiences playing with Todd Snider over the last few years I’ve gotten used to the idea of playing songs I haven’t heard before, in front of lots of people! It was a real honor, and you Ray B. fans seemed to dig what we were puttin’ down. I hope to make it back to south Texas very soon. Stay tuned.
After Texas, I traveled to Clarksdale, Mississippi, and spent three days visiting with friends there, a town both tourist-friendly and starkly mysterious. Got to know Bill Bowker, music director at the mighty KRSH-FM in Santa Rosa, CA, who was in town with his family. I bought a 5-foot long driftwood carving of an anaconda from a guy named Dr. Dingo; you don’t get to say that every day. Played a really fun show there at Stan Street‘s Hambone Gallery w/my friend and tour partner Amy McCarley, who celebrated her birthday that night. We finished the tour in the town where I grew up, Monroe, LA, at Enoch’s Pub, operated for decades by my dear friends the Jeter family. Great to play again for the hometown folks, and I thank y’all for giving Amy such a warm welcome.
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