Finally, last but not least, I do have plenty of thank you's to say.
I would like to thank my family for their continuous support.
Susan Barth, Lauren Austin, Mike Evans, Chris Evans, Ben Evans, my Uncle Larry and Aunt Ginger, Dan Harrigan, Mikaela Dewar, Jim Segerstrom, Petrice Kam, Bob woodruff, Shay Port, Lauren's godparents - Fred and Jewel-lee, Eddie Elliott, Lisa and Blackhawk Flores -
all the venues and the people that helped us out with the bookings.
Until next time - which is coming really soon.
Sorry if I've left out anyone - I'll update soon.
thanks,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Silvertone Files - Day 56
I've come back to some great weather here in Southern California - sunny and warm - with a little breeze. It's been crazy to watch and to hear about the weather in the South and the destruction that those major, intense storms have done. The people that I know are all okay - and I'm glad about that, but I feel sorry for those that haven't been as fortunate. I can't imagine losing my house full of belongings, animals, family and friends - it just seems crazy - and from the footage on You Tube it was.
As May quickly approaches, I've been trying to get my next tour lined up for June and have been working on getting shows on the calendar - which hasn't been easy. I was a little slow about knowing my dates and the cities and where I wanted to be and where to go - so some of my ideas have been blocked because the dates are filled up. It's a strange process and I wish I had a booking agent sometimes.
Last night I saw Lukas Nelson, who's a cousin in my big family, and his band do an in-store at Amoeba Records in Hollywood and he was saying that they play 250 shows a year. I would like to do that too and I know I could, but I just have to focus long enough, and sometimes its hard to do that and play shows and write songs and travel - all at once - and transitioning from one to the other isn't always easy too. But the road is calling and by June I'll be ready.
I decided to call this blog the Silvertone Files mostly for my love of the Silvertone line of music gear which was put out by Sears and Roebuck starting back in the 40's and I think up to the present. But the glory days were from the 40's until the early 70's - that's when everything was made in the USA - and preferred by collectors. The did a lot of guitar gear - guitars and amps, basses, lap steels, and then various band intsruments that were all available from the Sears catalog. They were made by several different companies - like Harmony or danelectro, and then slapped on with a Silvertone label. Over the years I've had several different pieces - a few electric guitars including the legendary amp-in-case which came with the guitar with a single coil lipstick pickup and the case which had a small 4 watt tube amp built in, a late 50's one with a similar lipstick pickup - both were cool but they didn't aways stay in tune and I got sick of that fact and ended up selling them - which I sort of regret - well I always regret having to sell gear.
I've also had several acoustic guitars, mostly bought off Ebay. The first one I got was decent - low action, good feel to it. Then I found another one that had a reddish sunburst kind of thing going on and had a floating bridge - it looked cool, was fairly cheap so I bought that too. I would end up getting a pickup that you could just fit into the sound hole and plug that into the amp and play slide. The action, which is how far the distance between the strings and the fretboard is, was usually higher on these cheaper guitars and so were perfect for whipping out a glass or metal slide on. Also since they were cheap, I could sort of beat up on them and not be all that nice - which is not how I would play my Gibson at all. Yes, I play my $1200 guitar much different than I play my $75 guitar.
Since they're cheap and old, the Silvertone acoustics start losing their parts if you don't pay attention and tighten up all the screws - especially in the tuning gears, I've had to buy other ones to use as parts and to keep one going. So I've had several of these guitars over the years. I think I'm about due for another one soon - although I could attempt to combine 3 of the guitars in to one - yeah - my main is getting a little worn down.
The other Silvertone piece, and possibly my favorite, is my amplifier. Its a model 1482 and comes with one 12 inch speaker and is about 12 to 15 watts. It has an interesting look because the knobs on the front run down the side and look similar to the front of an old TV - which is how many people describe it. It also comes with tremolo but on these old models it doesn't always work. I had quite a few of these and I found the first one in a music store by my house for $150. Later I saw one on Ebay for around the same price and ended up buying another one. I took one of them on the road and during that trip I saw another guitar and ended trading the amp for part of the price of the guitar - which is something I had been doing for a few years - buying and trading and selling. It was fun and always interesting to see what you could find in various places. A couple years ago I discovered the great sound of running my acoustics through the amp, along with a few pedals and it delivers a very unique sound, sort of my secret weapon - a nice warm tone fleshed out by a reverb pedal and a tremolo pedal. Now I can't imagine not owning one.
So that's my Silvertone story and I think the end of daily writing - for now - until the next tour which begins on June 2nd in Flagstaff for now - possibly June 1st at Taix in LA - we'll see. Any questions or comments can be sent to me through here:
jeremiah125@hotmail.com
thanks,
Yours Truly,
Jeremiah
Lukas Nelson at Amoeba Records in Hollywood
my Silvertone Collection from 2008 - I only have the amp and two guitars now
As May quickly approaches, I've been trying to get my next tour lined up for June and have been working on getting shows on the calendar - which hasn't been easy. I was a little slow about knowing my dates and the cities and where I wanted to be and where to go - so some of my ideas have been blocked because the dates are filled up. It's a strange process and I wish I had a booking agent sometimes.
Last night I saw Lukas Nelson, who's a cousin in my big family, and his band do an in-store at Amoeba Records in Hollywood and he was saying that they play 250 shows a year. I would like to do that too and I know I could, but I just have to focus long enough, and sometimes its hard to do that and play shows and write songs and travel - all at once - and transitioning from one to the other isn't always easy too. But the road is calling and by June I'll be ready.
I decided to call this blog the Silvertone Files mostly for my love of the Silvertone line of music gear which was put out by Sears and Roebuck starting back in the 40's and I think up to the present. But the glory days were from the 40's until the early 70's - that's when everything was made in the USA - and preferred by collectors. The did a lot of guitar gear - guitars and amps, basses, lap steels, and then various band intsruments that were all available from the Sears catalog. They were made by several different companies - like Harmony or danelectro, and then slapped on with a Silvertone label. Over the years I've had several different pieces - a few electric guitars including the legendary amp-in-case which came with the guitar with a single coil lipstick pickup and the case which had a small 4 watt tube amp built in, a late 50's one with a similar lipstick pickup - both were cool but they didn't aways stay in tune and I got sick of that fact and ended up selling them - which I sort of regret - well I always regret having to sell gear.
I've also had several acoustic guitars, mostly bought off Ebay. The first one I got was decent - low action, good feel to it. Then I found another one that had a reddish sunburst kind of thing going on and had a floating bridge - it looked cool, was fairly cheap so I bought that too. I would end up getting a pickup that you could just fit into the sound hole and plug that into the amp and play slide. The action, which is how far the distance between the strings and the fretboard is, was usually higher on these cheaper guitars and so were perfect for whipping out a glass or metal slide on. Also since they were cheap, I could sort of beat up on them and not be all that nice - which is not how I would play my Gibson at all. Yes, I play my $1200 guitar much different than I play my $75 guitar.
Since they're cheap and old, the Silvertone acoustics start losing their parts if you don't pay attention and tighten up all the screws - especially in the tuning gears, I've had to buy other ones to use as parts and to keep one going. So I've had several of these guitars over the years. I think I'm about due for another one soon - although I could attempt to combine 3 of the guitars in to one - yeah - my main is getting a little worn down.
The other Silvertone piece, and possibly my favorite, is my amplifier. Its a model 1482 and comes with one 12 inch speaker and is about 12 to 15 watts. It has an interesting look because the knobs on the front run down the side and look similar to the front of an old TV - which is how many people describe it. It also comes with tremolo but on these old models it doesn't always work. I had quite a few of these and I found the first one in a music store by my house for $150. Later I saw one on Ebay for around the same price and ended up buying another one. I took one of them on the road and during that trip I saw another guitar and ended trading the amp for part of the price of the guitar - which is something I had been doing for a few years - buying and trading and selling. It was fun and always interesting to see what you could find in various places. A couple years ago I discovered the great sound of running my acoustics through the amp, along with a few pedals and it delivers a very unique sound, sort of my secret weapon - a nice warm tone fleshed out by a reverb pedal and a tremolo pedal. Now I can't imagine not owning one.
So that's my Silvertone story and I think the end of daily writing - for now - until the next tour which begins on June 2nd in Flagstaff for now - possibly June 1st at Taix in LA - we'll see. Any questions or comments can be sent to me through here:
jeremiah125@hotmail.com
thanks,
Yours Truly,
Jeremiah
Lukas Nelson at Amoeba Records in Hollywood
my Silvertone Collection from 2008 - I only have the amp and two guitars now
Thursday, April 28, 2011
End of the Tour - Day 55
Last night I finished the final show of this tour at The Cinema Bar. It went pretty well - and I was glad to get home and into bed after it all. I haven't had much time to write lately since at my parent's house they don't have wireless - so I've had to find time at Starbuck's - like now.
Tomorrow I head over and get the final things at my sister's house and then came back up here to LA for a show.
So that's all for now - but I'll find time soon.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Tomorrow I head over and get the final things at my sister's house and then came back up here to LA for a show.
So that's all for now - but I'll find time soon.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunny California - Day 54
Yesterday afternoon, I made it back to Southern California. I pulled up to my parent's house around 4 or so and was glad to be there, and off the road for a while. I drove in from Phoenix where I had been for the past couple days - playing a couple shows and enjoying the nice weather. Last night though I was watching the Weather Channel and thought of all my Nashville friends who were about to get hit by some powerful storms crossing that part of the country - it seems like they've been getting one storm after another. Hopefully nothing floods this year.
Monday I played the Sail Inn - the last road show of the tour - and it went all right. Not too many people, but the ones that were there listened and were paying attention - which is sometimes better than a room full of people and no one listening. The booking guy, Ray, is a really nice guy and has been supportive and willing to take booking risk - that's how I got in there. I'm going to be heading back in June to play the first Monday on the month - and this week I'm going to start getting things together and send out press releases to the different papers where I'm playing shows. Yes - I'm heading back out on the road in June. Shows are being booked and right now it's Arizona: Tucson, Flagstaff, Phoenix, then onto Austin.
Last night my friend Lori, who I know from high school, sent me a text to say that I was nominated for an Emmy for the music that I wrote for her and her husband's documentary, Prison Through Tomorrow's Eyes. It's a project that they have been working on for a long time - and I'm very happy to have been a part of it. They are only two of us nominated - so I have a 50/50 chance - which is pretty good I'd say. The awards are on June 18th down in Carlsbad - so I definitely have to be around for that. Not sure how I'm going to exactly do that, since I will be in Austin a few days before, and then need to be back in Nashville a few days after that. I guess there's always planes - but it is possible to drive it all - we'll see.
Tonight is the last show of the Spring Tour 2011 - back at the ol Cinema Bar - where it basically began in early March. Then in May I'll be on the back porch of the Grand Ol' Echo on the 8th, and later that evening at the Cinema Bar again. Trying to get some other things - and I'll let you know.
Yours Truly,
Jeremiah
Crossing back in California
Palm Desert
Monday I played the Sail Inn - the last road show of the tour - and it went all right. Not too many people, but the ones that were there listened and were paying attention - which is sometimes better than a room full of people and no one listening. The booking guy, Ray, is a really nice guy and has been supportive and willing to take booking risk - that's how I got in there. I'm going to be heading back in June to play the first Monday on the month - and this week I'm going to start getting things together and send out press releases to the different papers where I'm playing shows. Yes - I'm heading back out on the road in June. Shows are being booked and right now it's Arizona: Tucson, Flagstaff, Phoenix, then onto Austin.
Last night my friend Lori, who I know from high school, sent me a text to say that I was nominated for an Emmy for the music that I wrote for her and her husband's documentary, Prison Through Tomorrow's Eyes. It's a project that they have been working on for a long time - and I'm very happy to have been a part of it. They are only two of us nominated - so I have a 50/50 chance - which is pretty good I'd say. The awards are on June 18th down in Carlsbad - so I definitely have to be around for that. Not sure how I'm going to exactly do that, since I will be in Austin a few days before, and then need to be back in Nashville a few days after that. I guess there's always planes - but it is possible to drive it all - we'll see.
Tonight is the last show of the Spring Tour 2011 - back at the ol Cinema Bar - where it basically began in early March. Then in May I'll be on the back porch of the Grand Ol' Echo on the 8th, and later that evening at the Cinema Bar again. Trying to get some other things - and I'll let you know.
Yours Truly,
Jeremiah
Crossing back in California
Palm Desert
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Back Home - Day 53
Sorry for leaving a blank page yesterday - but I couldn't update anything on my phone - so I thought just the title would give you the idea. Made it home finally - day 53, 11,145.6 miles or so. And that's all I gonna leave for this day (since I'm actually writing this on day 54)
yours truly,
Jeremiah
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sitting On Top Of The World - Day 52
up near the top of Camelback Mt.
Today I woke up with several things on my mind: I wanted to start getting some shows booked for June across the country, I started thinking about doing the Kickstarter thing again for the next tour, and I was feeling that it was finally time to get to the top of Camelback Mountain again. So after some coffee and tea, I started going after those goals.
First though, last night was fairly quiet - I went out to watch the Lakers - lose unfortunately - and I'm hoping that they can pull it together to get out of this first round of the playoffs. By the time I got back, everyone was asleep, and after checking into various websites and updating this and that, I fell asleep on the couch also.
I knew before booking some more shows, I had to figure out just where and when I was going to be in certain towns. So I looked at the calendar and thought about the different venues that would have me back, and then also a few new ones along the way. I also needed to get a couple that had a paid guarantee so I could stay funded out on the road. I sent my cousin Mike a message for St. Louis, and then Nashville, and the Southgate House in the Cincinnati area that really like us.
Another point to heading back to the Nashville area is to get some writing done with Lauren. We have been wanting to get some co-writing done and get some new songs into the set that represent to the two of us working together. I'll be happier when I get some other things on the books. As always I look forward to going back to Nashville - I know I was pretty down on it before - and as long as everyone keeps their weapons to themselves (since I've been mugged once and my store where I worked robbed - both at gun point) I'll be happy.
The Kickstarter Project I think is a good idea. I know that it has worked for several people that I know - and I think I'm ready to give it another attempt. I plan to ask for a little less - and I hope that it works. I do need some more CDs, and t-shirts, and my car checked over - I think new brakes, new tires since I've driven over 50K miles on them and they were rated for 50K to 60K and they're definitely looking a bit worn. I walked a pretty thin line this tour since my fundraising didn't go through and there were moments where I was pretty stressed. So I just have to figure out some new rewards, new plans, and get it written out - and let it happen.
After doing some laundry, I knew it was time to go tackle the mountain. It wasn't too hot out, and I knew I didn't have any other excuses. So I went to Trader Joe's and picked up some water and made my way to Echo Canyon where you start the trail up. The hike is 1.2 miles, but it's a hard 1.2 miles. The first time I went up several years ago with Eddie, I took the beginning way to fast and by the 1/2 mile mark I was embarrassingly down on the ground, trying to get air. But after seeing some little kids on their way down, I got up and finished it. This time I paced myself, took it slow, and stopped along the way. I made sure to get plenty of water - not just to drink, but to cool down my head and body - which really helped. After an hour climb - going up the trail which is a mix of dirt, rocks, and boulders - seeing various squirrels and birds, lots of lizards sunning themselves on the rocks, and making my way around the other hikers - going both up and down - I reached the top. It felt good. I sat down and enjoyed the view and rested for a while. From up there you can see way off into the distance - and the whole valley - it was an amazing view - and I'm glad that I finally saw it again.
It took me an hour to get down and that wasn't easy also. By the end it was a struggle to lift my legs and I'm not looking forward to what they're going to feel like tomorrow. Right at the end - the last hundred yards, my legs started to cramp - but thankfully it didn't last. I stopped by TJ's again and picked up some fruit and a bag of carrots that my body seems to have been craving. I'm finishing this up at a nearby Starbuck's and I look forward to getting cleaned up and showered - and then later head over to The Sail Inn in Tempe to play the last road show of this tour - 29 shows in 53 days - over 11K miles.
It'll be good to be back in California for a while.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
looking to the southwest from the top
looking to the north
Up on the top of Camelback Mt.
Heading down
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunny Day - Day 51
Today was an early morning - of course it is Easter Sunday and Eddie and his wife Stephanie, at whose house I'm staying at, have two young kids - Jack and Ian - and so they were up early getting their Easter baskets and candy. I knew what to expect and did my best to get to bed early last night. I had planned to go out and see some music, but decided to just head back and get some rest, after hanging out with some family in the evening.
Today I was supposed to play out on Cave Creek - which is north of Phoenix about 45 minutes and a cool little town in the hills - but I heard earlier this week from Eddie who does shows out there on Thursday, that the owners were wanting to close early on Easter Sunday. So it seemed to be up in the air although they were still willing to pay me. Then yesterday it was confirmed that they would close, but there was a possibility of me doing an earlier set instead. Today I drove out there and by 11am there were ready to be done and get out of there. Several other groups of people were there and we all just enjoyed the mellow morning as the owners closed up shop.
So now I have the afternoon off and am wondering what to do. I'll probably just meet up with Eddie at some point to do something. Thankfully it's a wonderful day out here - sunny, but not too hot - a nice breeze - and it feels good to be outside.
Tomorrow night (Monday) I'll be doing a late night set over at the Sail Inn in Tempe. It's a good place just west of downtown - a supportive staff and I like playing there. Then on Wednesday I'll be back at the ol' Cinema Bar in Culver City - 7 and a half weeks and 11,000 miles later.
Today I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and my afternoon off.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Today I was supposed to play out on Cave Creek - which is north of Phoenix about 45 minutes and a cool little town in the hills - but I heard earlier this week from Eddie who does shows out there on Thursday, that the owners were wanting to close early on Easter Sunday. So it seemed to be up in the air although they were still willing to pay me. Then yesterday it was confirmed that they would close, but there was a possibility of me doing an earlier set instead. Today I drove out there and by 11am there were ready to be done and get out of there. Several other groups of people were there and we all just enjoyed the mellow morning as the owners closed up shop.
So now I have the afternoon off and am wondering what to do. I'll probably just meet up with Eddie at some point to do something. Thankfully it's a wonderful day out here - sunny, but not too hot - a nice breeze - and it feels good to be outside.
Tomorrow night (Monday) I'll be doing a late night set over at the Sail Inn in Tempe. It's a good place just west of downtown - a supportive staff and I like playing there. Then on Wednesday I'll be back at the ol' Cinema Bar in Culver City - 7 and a half weeks and 11,000 miles later.
Today I'll just enjoy the rest of the day and my afternoon off.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Down in the Valley - Day 50
I'm onto the last weekend of this tour. I can't believe that the end is so near - although it seems like I was just here in Scottsdale. But at the same time I can hardly believe that I was in Texas last week - that seems long, long ago - so I don't know how to make sense if it all. I've been looking over the photos that I loaded into my iPhoto and I've been enjoying seeing all the different back drops and people and this and that. I guess I'll have to start thinking about what to make of it all - and what conclusions - if any - to draw.
Well it has been a good trip, and I am looking forward to getting back to the West Coast. I was just listening to Joni Mitchell's song California - and I was having a similar feeling. Right now I'm not sure what I'm going to be headed back to. My sister's house where I have been staying at since I moved back from Nashville is being sold - all my stuff has already been packed up and stored away at my parent's house - so it looks like I'm headed there for now. But I'm feeling the need to relocate again. California is just so expensive - so we'll see.
Right now I have shows booked for early June here in Arizona, and then Austin - I would like to add St. Louis and Nashville to the list - and I need to make that decision. And then what city or town works best. I like Austin a lot - and then there's also Tucson which has a great feel to it (and a Trader Joe's where I could work and pick up where I left off). There's definitely more stuff musically happening for me in the middle of the country - and Austin seems to make the most sense - but I don't know
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and I'll be playing out at Janey's Coffeehouse and Bodega in the afternoon, then Monday night at The Sail Inn in Tempe - that's a late one 11:30pm or so. Then home on Tuesday.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Joni
Well it has been a good trip, and I am looking forward to getting back to the West Coast. I was just listening to Joni Mitchell's song California - and I was having a similar feeling. Right now I'm not sure what I'm going to be headed back to. My sister's house where I have been staying at since I moved back from Nashville is being sold - all my stuff has already been packed up and stored away at my parent's house - so it looks like I'm headed there for now. But I'm feeling the need to relocate again. California is just so expensive - so we'll see.
Right now I have shows booked for early June here in Arizona, and then Austin - I would like to add St. Louis and Nashville to the list - and I need to make that decision. And then what city or town works best. I like Austin a lot - and then there's also Tucson which has a great feel to it (and a Trader Joe's where I could work and pick up where I left off). There's definitely more stuff musically happening for me in the middle of the country - and Austin seems to make the most sense - but I don't know
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and I'll be playing out at Janey's Coffeehouse and Bodega in the afternoon, then Monday night at The Sail Inn in Tempe - that's a late one 11:30pm or so. Then home on Tuesday.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Joni
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sleep, sweet sleep - day 49
Yesterday morning I pulled in Flagstaff after an all-nighter in Vegas (although I did take a short nap). As I have mentioned before Flagstaff is one of my favorite towns and I needed a place to rest and relax and grab some lunch. My original plan was to get some coffee, do some writing, eat, take a nap and then drive down to Phoenix and meet up with Eddie Elliott, my old friend. But when I couldn't settle down to a nap in my car, my plans changed - which leads to me still being in Flagstaff right now.
I was pretty surprised when I wasn't feeling tired at all - well I was feeling exhausted and worn out, but not to the point where I was falling asleep. I got some lunch downtown at the Weatherford Hotel and Charley's - which was pretty disappointing. For some reason I had been craving some seared ahi tuna and was happy when I saw an ahi tuna sandwich on the menu. When it showed up I could tell that it had been frozen and not prepared correctly (from my days at Trader Joe's and preparing the frozen fish at home and having similar issues). It was sort of dry, not seasoned well - or at all - and just didn't have much taste at all. I still ate it all but left not all that happy at all about it.
I started thinking about heading down into Phoenix - which is about a 2 and a half hour drive - wanting to make it with enough time to meet up at Eddie's house so I could get cleaned up - which I was in desperate need of - before he headed out to Cave Creek for a show. But I also sort of knew that my body might crash from exhaustion on the way down - especially as the weather warmed up and it would be right at that afternoon/naptime point in the day. So I did the safe thing and just checked into a Motel 6 - and quickly felt happy about my decision. I laid down on the bed and was out for a few hours.
Later on I got cleaned up - showered, shaved, and went out for some food. I also thought about going out to check out some music, but instead just came back to the room - and passed out again. Today I've gotten a slow start. It feels good to be up in this town. Phoenix will be nice - and I'm really hoping that I can make it down to Tucson.
Tonight I'll be at the Dirty Drummer/North 51 Grill - it's a place I've played a lot over the years. The owner Rick is a nice guy and I usually try to stop by and say hi when I can.
Here are some pictures from the drive on Wednesday:
Frisco, CO. where I had breakfast - which was really good - highly recommended
snowy I-70 at about 10,000 ft
Utah
Nevada desert, closing in on Vegas
I walked in to see myself projected on the wall - and I was wearing the same shirt - cool place
The Strip at about 4am - a few dollars richer
I was pretty surprised when I wasn't feeling tired at all - well I was feeling exhausted and worn out, but not to the point where I was falling asleep. I got some lunch downtown at the Weatherford Hotel and Charley's - which was pretty disappointing. For some reason I had been craving some seared ahi tuna and was happy when I saw an ahi tuna sandwich on the menu. When it showed up I could tell that it had been frozen and not prepared correctly (from my days at Trader Joe's and preparing the frozen fish at home and having similar issues). It was sort of dry, not seasoned well - or at all - and just didn't have much taste at all. I still ate it all but left not all that happy at all about it.
I started thinking about heading down into Phoenix - which is about a 2 and a half hour drive - wanting to make it with enough time to meet up at Eddie's house so I could get cleaned up - which I was in desperate need of - before he headed out to Cave Creek for a show. But I also sort of knew that my body might crash from exhaustion on the way down - especially as the weather warmed up and it would be right at that afternoon/naptime point in the day. So I did the safe thing and just checked into a Motel 6 - and quickly felt happy about my decision. I laid down on the bed and was out for a few hours.
Later on I got cleaned up - showered, shaved, and went out for some food. I also thought about going out to check out some music, but instead just came back to the room - and passed out again. Today I've gotten a slow start. It feels good to be up in this town. Phoenix will be nice - and I'm really hoping that I can make it down to Tucson.
Tonight I'll be at the Dirty Drummer/North 51 Grill - it's a place I've played a lot over the years. The owner Rick is a nice guy and I usually try to stop by and say hi when I can.
Here are some pictures from the drive on Wednesday:
Frisco, CO. where I had breakfast - which was really good - highly recommended
snowy I-70 at about 10,000 ft
Utah
Nevada desert, closing in on Vegas
I walked in to see myself projected on the wall - and I was wearing the same shirt - cool place
The Strip at about 4am - a few dollars richer
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Drive Back Into the West - Day 47 & 48
Somehow I am still awake - after driving just over 800 miles yesterday, playing 2 sets at a place in Vegas, doing some gambling - and then driving up to Flagstaff where I am right now. I did stop and sleep for about an hour in my car before driving into Arizona - and I am looking forward to sleep tonight - and maybe I'll catch a nap somewhere here in town.
I left Denver just after 7am and started my drive into the west. It was a beautiful drive - snow covered the mountains as I climbed higher and higher. I stopped for breakfast in Frisco and kept on rolling. I made another short pit stop in Grand Junction and crossed into Utah. I winded my way down the road and cut between the rocks. I went back and forth between elevations - and finally started coming down as I approached Las Vegas.
I saw the lights in the distance as the sun was setting. It had been a while since I actually had spent any time in town and I had never played a show there - so I was looking forward to it. The place is called the Freakin' Frog and it's right across the street from UNLV. Inside there was a decent sized stage, a bar, and a grill. I set up my stuff after talking to the manager and I went a head and played two sets. There were some people there - not a lot, but they clapped and overall I got a good vibe from the place.
Afterwards I decided to take my tips and play some blackjack - so I headed to the Mirage - a place I used to go quite a bit. I checked out the tables and found one and sat down and started playing. I started gathering chips - more and more - after about an hour or so I was doing all right and after a couple of bad hands I knew it was time to go - and I left with $205 - although I gave $5 back at Treasure Island where I parked. I felt good about that and headed to the bank to deposit it.
From there I had some breakfast and then started the drive after a short nap. I cruised through Kingman, Ash Fork, and then into Flagstaff. It's nice up here today - a little breezy, but it's warm in the sun.
Tonight I head down to the Phoenix area - and I'm looking forward to some sleep.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
I left Denver just after 7am and started my drive into the west. It was a beautiful drive - snow covered the mountains as I climbed higher and higher. I stopped for breakfast in Frisco and kept on rolling. I made another short pit stop in Grand Junction and crossed into Utah. I winded my way down the road and cut between the rocks. I went back and forth between elevations - and finally started coming down as I approached Las Vegas.
I saw the lights in the distance as the sun was setting. It had been a while since I actually had spent any time in town and I had never played a show there - so I was looking forward to it. The place is called the Freakin' Frog and it's right across the street from UNLV. Inside there was a decent sized stage, a bar, and a grill. I set up my stuff after talking to the manager and I went a head and played two sets. There were some people there - not a lot, but they clapped and overall I got a good vibe from the place.
Afterwards I decided to take my tips and play some blackjack - so I headed to the Mirage - a place I used to go quite a bit. I checked out the tables and found one and sat down and started playing. I started gathering chips - more and more - after about an hour or so I was doing all right and after a couple of bad hands I knew it was time to go - and I left with $205 - although I gave $5 back at Treasure Island where I parked. I felt good about that and headed to the bank to deposit it.
From there I had some breakfast and then started the drive after a short nap. I cruised through Kingman, Ash Fork, and then into Flagstaff. It's nice up here today - a little breezy, but it's warm in the sun.
Tonight I head down to the Phoenix area - and I'm looking forward to some sleep.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Lazy Day - Day 46
Today was a day to relax. Even though I woke up early and felt I had to get some booking work done, I still was feeling pretty lazy - and I was all right with that. Denver has been a good place to relax. It feels familiar - I know my way around the streets close to my cousin's house, the people around town are friendly, the sun shines bright and the air is dry - all things that I enjoy.
Last night I went out and walked to a coffee house close by - St. Mark's. I was feeling the need to walk - and it was chilly out but it still felt good. I had my coat on and an umbrella since it was supposed to rain at some point. I listened to the radio broadcast from earlier in the day and I was pleased with what I heard - we sounded together and like we had been playing together for a while - which we have. So I'm looking forward to getting together again and playing some more shows where ever.
This morning the house emptied out early and I spent some time alone - getting some cereal, and then later went back and walked over to St. Mark's for some more tea. I was thinking about the show that my cousin and I booked for later in the evening (and where I am writing this now). It was a place that my cousin had found in the neighborhood, just east of downtown. I was going to head out and make my way to Grand Junction, but I decided to stay and play.
Coffee at the Point is the name of the place and it's in the 5 Points area of Denver. I got there early and could see that it was going to be a coffee house gig, with not too many people listening - most of the people were doing work on their computers and so I sort of knew what to expect. Chris showed up with his kids and we set up and got ready to play. His wife Catherine showed up with baby Jude - but Jude quickly went into melt down mode and so they weren't there for too long. We went through one set and had some people from the neighborhood show up - and overall it went well. We played a muted set - not wanting to be too loud, but there was something cool about toning it down - Chris thought so too.
Now I'm about to head back to the house and get ready for the drive to Las Vegas in the morning. I'm playing at a place called the Freakin' Frog which is on the south side of town by the airport. It's going to be about an 11 hour drive - but I feel ready for it. So if anyone knows anyone in Vegas, send em' out to the Freakin' Frog. I'll start playing around 9pm or so.
Then Thursday I head down to Tucson, Friday up to Phoenix, Saturday - maybe Tucson again, Sunday - Cave Creek, Monday - Tempe at the Sail Inn, then Tuesday maybe start the drive back to the West Coast - and Wednesday back at the ol' Cinema Bar with Holly Long.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Last night I went out and walked to a coffee house close by - St. Mark's. I was feeling the need to walk - and it was chilly out but it still felt good. I had my coat on and an umbrella since it was supposed to rain at some point. I listened to the radio broadcast from earlier in the day and I was pleased with what I heard - we sounded together and like we had been playing together for a while - which we have. So I'm looking forward to getting together again and playing some more shows where ever.
This morning the house emptied out early and I spent some time alone - getting some cereal, and then later went back and walked over to St. Mark's for some more tea. I was thinking about the show that my cousin and I booked for later in the evening (and where I am writing this now). It was a place that my cousin had found in the neighborhood, just east of downtown. I was going to head out and make my way to Grand Junction, but I decided to stay and play.
Coffee at the Point is the name of the place and it's in the 5 Points area of Denver. I got there early and could see that it was going to be a coffee house gig, with not too many people listening - most of the people were doing work on their computers and so I sort of knew what to expect. Chris showed up with his kids and we set up and got ready to play. His wife Catherine showed up with baby Jude - but Jude quickly went into melt down mode and so they weren't there for too long. We went through one set and had some people from the neighborhood show up - and overall it went well. We played a muted set - not wanting to be too loud, but there was something cool about toning it down - Chris thought so too.
Now I'm about to head back to the house and get ready for the drive to Las Vegas in the morning. I'm playing at a place called the Freakin' Frog which is on the south side of town by the airport. It's going to be about an 11 hour drive - but I feel ready for it. So if anyone knows anyone in Vegas, send em' out to the Freakin' Frog. I'll start playing around 9pm or so.
Then Thursday I head down to Tucson, Friday up to Phoenix, Saturday - maybe Tucson again, Sunday - Cave Creek, Monday - Tempe at the Sail Inn, then Tuesday maybe start the drive back to the West Coast - and Wednesday back at the ol' Cinema Bar with Holly Long.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Monday, April 18, 2011
Radio and goodbye's... - Day 45
This evening, things are quiet. The kids have gone to bed, as have my cousin and his wife, and now it's me and the dog, Bella down stairs. There's a cold drizzle outside, a dog barking in the distance, and soon I'll getting ready for sleep too. But before that I need to write about the events of the day.
It started early since Lauren had to be up and on the clock working (as she has been doing on the road) at 8am Nashville time. Also the kids all get up around that time - and there's just the typical morning rush in the house.
We were set to play up in Fort Collins on the KRFC Live @ Lunch show. I've played it a couple times before, and so has Lauren, and it's an hour long show that showcases live in the studio artists. Just like the radio show in Knoxville, they like you to be there at least an hour early so you can get everything set up for the live on-the-air show - and in this case and in many cases now days - streamed over the web.
The drive up which is about 65 miles was the fastest I've done yet - usually I hit traffic along the way - but we made it up there quick. We picked up some coffee and then to the studio to set up. We met the host - a nice guy named Phillip and the sound guy - who did sound for me last time I was there in August, Dennis. Last night we got our set list together and so I took it out and we looked it over and we were ready when the clock hit 12.
The show went smoothly and I felt good about it. I think it was definitely the best one out of the three so far. I think it helped that I had gotten rest over the previous days - not like the first time when I pretty much drove straight to the studio from Nashville when I was moving back to LA - I was pretty beat that time. This one though we played our songs, and talked to the host and before I knew it the time was up.
I packed up the car again, picked up a copy of the show on CD, and went out to lunch. Even though I've had a lot of burgers over the past several days, I decided to get another one - and it was good - definitely one of the better ones I've had on this trip so far. From there we stopped by the New Belgium Brewery right down the road, but it was closed on Mondays, so we settled for Odell's Brewery right around the corner. Lauren did some work there, since we had some time to kill before we had to go to the airport so she could catch her plane home to Nashville.
Her plane was to leave at 7pm, so by 4:30 we figured it was time. The ride down was again smooth, and soon we were at the airport. Since she didn't want to check any bags, there was a lot of cramming stuff into any space possible and I had to sit and push down on the bigger one to make sure it closed. And then it was time to say goodbye - after a month of running around the south, Texas, and Colorado. Plans are being sorted out for June, to get me back to Nashville, play some shows around the area - and then I'm not sure - haven't decided just yet what to do after that - we'll see.
Well thanks to Lauren for her support on the road - sharing the car and the stage - and being a good friend - I look forward to doing it again.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
It started early since Lauren had to be up and on the clock working (as she has been doing on the road) at 8am Nashville time. Also the kids all get up around that time - and there's just the typical morning rush in the house.
We were set to play up in Fort Collins on the KRFC Live @ Lunch show. I've played it a couple times before, and so has Lauren, and it's an hour long show that showcases live in the studio artists. Just like the radio show in Knoxville, they like you to be there at least an hour early so you can get everything set up for the live on-the-air show - and in this case and in many cases now days - streamed over the web.
The drive up which is about 65 miles was the fastest I've done yet - usually I hit traffic along the way - but we made it up there quick. We picked up some coffee and then to the studio to set up. We met the host - a nice guy named Phillip and the sound guy - who did sound for me last time I was there in August, Dennis. Last night we got our set list together and so I took it out and we looked it over and we were ready when the clock hit 12.
The show went smoothly and I felt good about it. I think it was definitely the best one out of the three so far. I think it helped that I had gotten rest over the previous days - not like the first time when I pretty much drove straight to the studio from Nashville when I was moving back to LA - I was pretty beat that time. This one though we played our songs, and talked to the host and before I knew it the time was up.
I packed up the car again, picked up a copy of the show on CD, and went out to lunch. Even though I've had a lot of burgers over the past several days, I decided to get another one - and it was good - definitely one of the better ones I've had on this trip so far. From there we stopped by the New Belgium Brewery right down the road, but it was closed on Mondays, so we settled for Odell's Brewery right around the corner. Lauren did some work there, since we had some time to kill before we had to go to the airport so she could catch her plane home to Nashville.
Her plane was to leave at 7pm, so by 4:30 we figured it was time. The ride down was again smooth, and soon we were at the airport. Since she didn't want to check any bags, there was a lot of cramming stuff into any space possible and I had to sit and push down on the bigger one to make sure it closed. And then it was time to say goodbye - after a month of running around the south, Texas, and Colorado. Plans are being sorted out for June, to get me back to Nashville, play some shows around the area - and then I'm not sure - haven't decided just yet what to do after that - we'll see.
Well thanks to Lauren for her support on the road - sharing the car and the stage - and being a good friend - I look forward to doing it again.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Day Off in Denver - Day 44
AFter a week a running from one town to the next, today I get to actually enjoy a full day off - and so far it's been incredibly nice and just what I've needed. Over the past week I've covered well over 2,000 miles - and I've been pretty exhausted over the last couple days - trying to recover from that insane drive from Dallas. Tonight my cousin Chris is smoking some ribs and I'm looking forward to a mellow evening.
Friday night, it felt so good to sleep and lay down in a bed - and then to wake up in the glorious mountains, not too far from the entrance Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a little cold out and the bit of snow was blowing down in the wind. We didn't have to be down in Denver for a few hours so we drove around town for a bit, checking out the amazing scenery.
we had lunch downtown and I had my first elk burger - which was really good - meaty, not too gamey, seasoned and cooked perfectly. The burger the night before at Mary's Lake Lodge and this one had definitely made up for that bad one in Dallas - which I'm still shocked about. After lunch we went up to the Stanley Hotel where they filmed the exterior for The Shining - and it's really a remarkable place - a grand old hotel - not so scary as the movie depicts - but just a classic, historic feel to it.
We made our way down the mountain and back to downtown Denver to meet up with a friend of Lauren's - I thought about the last time I was down there for the St. Patrick's Day parade just last month. There was a Rockies game that afternoon and the places and the streets were crowded with people dressed up in baseball gear. After hanging out we headed over to my cousin Chris' house so we could get ready for the gig that night around the corner at KJ's Coffee and Wine Bar.
We were going to be playing as a trio that night, Lauren, Chris, and me - and when we got there just around 6:30 there wasn't anyone there. Hopefully people show up - we thought out loud as we set up our gear, and by the time we were ready to go at 7pm the place totally filled up - kids and parents all from the neighborhood - some of Lauren's family, Chris' family, other people that came to check out the music. It was funny just how fast people poured in. The show went well - it's also funny watching the kids get into it and start dancing and grooving. It does get a little chaotic but it makes it fun too - they serve ice cream and to watch their faces get covered and messed up and then run around - it's hard to keep a straight face sometimes.
One of my friends from LA who is in Denver for a class came out too - Cat Lincoln - who makes it out to the Cinema Bar a lot and to the Grand Ol' Echo too. So we talked and caught up. Afterwards a group of us headed out for some food - and then I started feeling worn out and ready for some sleep.
Today I ventured out to buy some guitar strings, and it's just been a lazy day. I was able to do some laundry - which was definitely a much needed task. I'm looking forward to the ribs that have been slow cooking since about noon. Then maybe some rehearsing for the radio show tomorrow up in Fort Collins. It's a show I've done a couple times before and thankfully they also welcome me back when I'm passing through town.
Here's the info:
KRFC Live@Lunch - from Fort Collins, Colorado
12PM Mountain Time
here's the link
http://www.krfcfm.org/programming/krfc-live-stream/
listen in if you can
thanks,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
The City Tavern stage in Dallas
gear
The 100K mark - just before Colorado Springs
The make-up burger at Mary's Lake Lodge - it was awesome
Mary's Lake Lodge - as the snow fell
The view from the lodge
The lodge is on the hill in the distance
The Stanley Hotel - Lauren is there taking a photo of a group of girls
Some animals just hanging out
Friday night, it felt so good to sleep and lay down in a bed - and then to wake up in the glorious mountains, not too far from the entrance Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a little cold out and the bit of snow was blowing down in the wind. We didn't have to be down in Denver for a few hours so we drove around town for a bit, checking out the amazing scenery.
we had lunch downtown and I had my first elk burger - which was really good - meaty, not too gamey, seasoned and cooked perfectly. The burger the night before at Mary's Lake Lodge and this one had definitely made up for that bad one in Dallas - which I'm still shocked about. After lunch we went up to the Stanley Hotel where they filmed the exterior for The Shining - and it's really a remarkable place - a grand old hotel - not so scary as the movie depicts - but just a classic, historic feel to it.
We made our way down the mountain and back to downtown Denver to meet up with a friend of Lauren's - I thought about the last time I was down there for the St. Patrick's Day parade just last month. There was a Rockies game that afternoon and the places and the streets were crowded with people dressed up in baseball gear. After hanging out we headed over to my cousin Chris' house so we could get ready for the gig that night around the corner at KJ's Coffee and Wine Bar.
We were going to be playing as a trio that night, Lauren, Chris, and me - and when we got there just around 6:30 there wasn't anyone there. Hopefully people show up - we thought out loud as we set up our gear, and by the time we were ready to go at 7pm the place totally filled up - kids and parents all from the neighborhood - some of Lauren's family, Chris' family, other people that came to check out the music. It was funny just how fast people poured in. The show went well - it's also funny watching the kids get into it and start dancing and grooving. It does get a little chaotic but it makes it fun too - they serve ice cream and to watch their faces get covered and messed up and then run around - it's hard to keep a straight face sometimes.
One of my friends from LA who is in Denver for a class came out too - Cat Lincoln - who makes it out to the Cinema Bar a lot and to the Grand Ol' Echo too. So we talked and caught up. Afterwards a group of us headed out for some food - and then I started feeling worn out and ready for some sleep.
Today I ventured out to buy some guitar strings, and it's just been a lazy day. I was able to do some laundry - which was definitely a much needed task. I'm looking forward to the ribs that have been slow cooking since about noon. Then maybe some rehearsing for the radio show tomorrow up in Fort Collins. It's a show I've done a couple times before and thankfully they also welcome me back when I'm passing through town.
Here's the info:
KRFC Live@Lunch - from Fort Collins, Colorado
12PM Mountain Time
here's the link
http://www.krfcfm.org/programming/krfc-live-stream/
listen in if you can
thanks,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
The City Tavern stage in Dallas
gear
The 100K mark - just before Colorado Springs
The make-up burger at Mary's Lake Lodge - it was awesome
Mary's Lake Lodge - as the snow fell
The view from the lodge
The lodge is on the hill in the distance
The Stanley Hotel - Lauren is there taking a photo of a group of girls
Some animals just hanging out
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Up in the Mountains of CO. - day 42 & 43
Yes - we pulled it off! We made the long drive from Dallas and made it in time for the gig up here in Estes Park, CO. It was quite an adventure and we went pretty much from stage to stage. I also crossed the 100K miles mark in my car just south of Colorado Springs. Sleeping in felt so good.
Thursday night we rolled up into Dallas from Austin and met up with one of Lauren's friends from college. The place we were playing was downtown called the City Tavern. It was a decent bar and had a small stage in the front right by the window. We set up and got to playing. But beforehand we ordered food and I chose a hamburger - which was a bad choice - it really was one of the worst burgers and was so surprised - you know being in Texas and all. I didn't even finish it all. But the playing still went well. Another one of Lauren's friends made it out and we had a nice little crowd to cheer us on.
I also knew that right after the gig we had to get in the car and hit the road to Colorado. When I had booked the shows I knew it was a long distance but as the days approached I started realizing it wasn't going to be easy at all. So right after midnight we had the car packed up, checked out the map and started driving northwest. Lauren was in the passenger seat and did her best to get comfortable so she could sleep. I picked up some coffee and settled in and we made our way up the highways of Texas.
It was extremely windy all across the Texas plains and I did my best to hold my car on the road. I heard later that there were storms to the east and was happy that we missed them all - just wind for us. We made a stop and I slept for a short spell right before dawn - then headed up to Amarillo - which is a stop I always make and that was going to be our switching point. We pulled into the Starbucks and it felt good to get out of the car for a moment.
Lauren drove north and got us finally out of Texas and I slept. I awoke as the wind was still rushing across the plains and we went from New Mexico in to Colorado. I was watching the clock too since we had to be at the gig at around 6 to start - or so I thought. By Denver we were both feeling extremely beat. Lauren has also been working from the road, so she had her laptop out and was finishing up her day. We hit traffic through Denver but broke free as we hit the road to Boulder and beyond into the hills and into the mountains.
The roads winded up and up and it was a stunning sight when we made into the Estes Park area - an opening in the mountains - a lake - snow caps all around - deer and elk cruising around the town - and we found our way to Mary's Lake Lodge.
It's a very nice place up on a hill that overlooks the the lake. I came in to check it out - one of the perks about playing here is that you get a room to stay - and we were both looking forward to sleeping at some point. We also found out after coming in and meeting the host of the night that we didn't have to play until 7pm which was about an hour a way - and we were happy about that so we could rest and settle down and eat - which we hadn't done for most of the day.
The room filled up with diners and we got to our set and had a good time. I did struggle for a moment trying to gather the energy to carry on - but we pulled it off.
The rest of the night we hung out and talked to the bartender and Dick, the host of the night who was a really nice guy. Then later came up and finally got to sweet sleep.
Today we're getting ready and going to check out the town before heading down to Denver where we're playing tonight at KJ's coffee and wine bar with my cousin Chris.
Well got to get cleaned up now and get ready for the day -
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Thursday night we rolled up into Dallas from Austin and met up with one of Lauren's friends from college. The place we were playing was downtown called the City Tavern. It was a decent bar and had a small stage in the front right by the window. We set up and got to playing. But beforehand we ordered food and I chose a hamburger - which was a bad choice - it really was one of the worst burgers and was so surprised - you know being in Texas and all. I didn't even finish it all. But the playing still went well. Another one of Lauren's friends made it out and we had a nice little crowd to cheer us on.
I also knew that right after the gig we had to get in the car and hit the road to Colorado. When I had booked the shows I knew it was a long distance but as the days approached I started realizing it wasn't going to be easy at all. So right after midnight we had the car packed up, checked out the map and started driving northwest. Lauren was in the passenger seat and did her best to get comfortable so she could sleep. I picked up some coffee and settled in and we made our way up the highways of Texas.
It was extremely windy all across the Texas plains and I did my best to hold my car on the road. I heard later that there were storms to the east and was happy that we missed them all - just wind for us. We made a stop and I slept for a short spell right before dawn - then headed up to Amarillo - which is a stop I always make and that was going to be our switching point. We pulled into the Starbucks and it felt good to get out of the car for a moment.
Lauren drove north and got us finally out of Texas and I slept. I awoke as the wind was still rushing across the plains and we went from New Mexico in to Colorado. I was watching the clock too since we had to be at the gig at around 6 to start - or so I thought. By Denver we were both feeling extremely beat. Lauren has also been working from the road, so she had her laptop out and was finishing up her day. We hit traffic through Denver but broke free as we hit the road to Boulder and beyond into the hills and into the mountains.
The roads winded up and up and it was a stunning sight when we made into the Estes Park area - an opening in the mountains - a lake - snow caps all around - deer and elk cruising around the town - and we found our way to Mary's Lake Lodge.
It's a very nice place up on a hill that overlooks the the lake. I came in to check it out - one of the perks about playing here is that you get a room to stay - and we were both looking forward to sleeping at some point. We also found out after coming in and meeting the host of the night that we didn't have to play until 7pm which was about an hour a way - and we were happy about that so we could rest and settle down and eat - which we hadn't done for most of the day.
The room filled up with diners and we got to our set and had a good time. I did struggle for a moment trying to gather the energy to carry on - but we pulled it off.
The rest of the night we hung out and talked to the bartender and Dick, the host of the night who was a really nice guy. Then later came up and finally got to sweet sleep.
Today we're getting ready and going to check out the town before heading down to Denver where we're playing tonight at KJ's coffee and wine bar with my cousin Chris.
Well got to get cleaned up now and get ready for the day -
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Texas - Day 41
Ok - sorry but this has to be another short one. We had a good night in Austin at BD Riley's and now we're on to Dallas to play at The City Tavern.
talk more later,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
talk more later,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mellow Austin Day - day 40
After a very long day of driving yesterday, we made it safely to town at around 3:30 in the morning. We had some delays, but it was all right and I was so happy to finally lay down to sleep.
Tonight we're playing down on 6th Street at BD Riley's. It's Lauren's Birthday too so it should be a fun night. Tomorrow is Dallas, and then a crazy drive up to Colorado on Friday - but it has to be done.
Sorry for another short note, but I'm on Lauren's computer and she has to get back to work.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Tonight we're playing down on 6th Street at BD Riley's. It's Lauren's Birthday too so it should be a fun night. Tomorrow is Dallas, and then a crazy drive up to Colorado on Friday - but it has to be done.
Sorry for another short note, but I'm on Lauren's computer and she has to get back to work.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Up Early - Day 39
Here's a quick one for you -
Up early so we can make Austin tonight. The car is almost packed - just a few more things and then Lauren and I hit the road - I-40 west and then turn southwest at Little Rock. ETA right now is 10pm - we'll see. Then we get to see Mikaela again and see how her new life in Austin is going. And it's also both Lauren's and Mikaela's birthday tomorrow - and we get to play downtown at BD Riley's on 6th Street. I'm looking forward to it all - but most of all just getting to Austin and out of the car.
That road yesterday was a long one - through small towns with stoplights. I should have taken the interstates. Oh well I made it here.
All right gotta go and get the rest of the stuff in the car.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Up early so we can make Austin tonight. The car is almost packed - just a few more things and then Lauren and I hit the road - I-40 west and then turn southwest at Little Rock. ETA right now is 10pm - we'll see. Then we get to see Mikaela again and see how her new life in Austin is going. And it's also both Lauren's and Mikaela's birthday tomorrow - and we get to play downtown at BD Riley's on 6th Street. I'm looking forward to it all - but most of all just getting to Austin and out of the car.
That road yesterday was a long one - through small towns with stoplights. I should have taken the interstates. Oh well I made it here.
All right gotta go and get the rest of the stuff in the car.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Monday, April 11, 2011
Goin' Back South - Day 38
After a weekend in St. Louis and Chicago, I'm on my way heading back to the south - first to Nashville to pick up Lauren, and then to head over to Austin. Right now I'm making a stop in Terre Haute, Indiana - food, a bit of rest. I've been taking the small Highway 41 down to the south. I had been wanting to try a new road - and this is definitely a new one.
First though - the Saturday night show in St. Louis at Pop's Blue Moon went well. There wasn't as many people as last time there, but still a decent crowd. The first band up was called Free Dirt and Dan, who was going to be playing bass with me again, along with Mike, my cousin, was Dan's old band. They were good - loud, raw, twangy rock and roll. They did a cover of Devo's Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... which was pretty awesome. Our set was cool - although it took a while to get the sound just right, but we played on, and at the end of the set people were calling for more - that's always a good sign.
In the morning I said goodbye to Mike and hit the road for Chicago and for my other cousin, Ben's place, who lives in the Naperville/Aurora area just west of town. On the way up, the land is pretty flat - lots of farms dot the countryside - and birds: crows, hawks - circle the road looking for food. Again it was another smooth ride and I made it there with enough time to sit down and relax for a bit.
I drove into town and thankfully the traffic was light. I've made that drive before and it's been hard because of roadwork - or a Cubs game. There were lots of people out on the town - hanging out on the patio bars, and walking up and down the streets - it was warm out - warm and humid, with a slight breeze, but in the distance were clouds and the threat of a storm. So I was glad to see people out and I took it as a good sign for the show that evening.
The venue is called Uncommon Grounds and it's in Wrigleyville - right on the corner. It has some good food and a good bar. The music happens in a smaller room - and was glad to see the place fill up as the first act got ready to play. The evening of music were people connected to my friend and former Chicagoan Kim Grant - who now lives in LA. When I was looking for some people to add to the bill, I thought of her friend Lisa DeRosia, who I had met several years ago in LA - who agreed and then we added some of Lisa's friends, Anne-Marie and Colby Maddox who played as a duo. We all had a great time and I enjoyed everyone who played - and was also glad that the room stayed full through out the whole night. My friend Arthi who I knew from working with her in LA at Trader Joe's showed up with her boyfriend and we all hung out after Uncommon Grounds closed.
Today has been all right - just a slow drive down from the north. Again, lots and lots of farms all around the road, some cloudy skies, diesel trucks - and I'm looking forward to some sleep in Nashville tonight. Tomorrow night - Austin!
Thanks again to my cousin Mike for all his help for the St. Louis shows. I'm thinking of heading back in June - but we'll see -
Also - in May I have several shows around LA - I'll post it all up soon.
thanks,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
even though I'm not a Cubs fan (go Cards!), I thought this was cool
Anne-Marie and Colby Maddox - and their bass player
Lisa DeRosia and her guitar player
Lisa and her daughter playing Old Macdonald's Farm
First though - the Saturday night show in St. Louis at Pop's Blue Moon went well. There wasn't as many people as last time there, but still a decent crowd. The first band up was called Free Dirt and Dan, who was going to be playing bass with me again, along with Mike, my cousin, was Dan's old band. They were good - loud, raw, twangy rock and roll. They did a cover of Devo's Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... which was pretty awesome. Our set was cool - although it took a while to get the sound just right, but we played on, and at the end of the set people were calling for more - that's always a good sign.
In the morning I said goodbye to Mike and hit the road for Chicago and for my other cousin, Ben's place, who lives in the Naperville/Aurora area just west of town. On the way up, the land is pretty flat - lots of farms dot the countryside - and birds: crows, hawks - circle the road looking for food. Again it was another smooth ride and I made it there with enough time to sit down and relax for a bit.
I drove into town and thankfully the traffic was light. I've made that drive before and it's been hard because of roadwork - or a Cubs game. There were lots of people out on the town - hanging out on the patio bars, and walking up and down the streets - it was warm out - warm and humid, with a slight breeze, but in the distance were clouds and the threat of a storm. So I was glad to see people out and I took it as a good sign for the show that evening.
The venue is called Uncommon Grounds and it's in Wrigleyville - right on the corner. It has some good food and a good bar. The music happens in a smaller room - and was glad to see the place fill up as the first act got ready to play. The evening of music were people connected to my friend and former Chicagoan Kim Grant - who now lives in LA. When I was looking for some people to add to the bill, I thought of her friend Lisa DeRosia, who I had met several years ago in LA - who agreed and then we added some of Lisa's friends, Anne-Marie and Colby Maddox who played as a duo. We all had a great time and I enjoyed everyone who played - and was also glad that the room stayed full through out the whole night. My friend Arthi who I knew from working with her in LA at Trader Joe's showed up with her boyfriend and we all hung out after Uncommon Grounds closed.
Today has been all right - just a slow drive down from the north. Again, lots and lots of farms all around the road, some cloudy skies, diesel trucks - and I'm looking forward to some sleep in Nashville tonight. Tomorrow night - Austin!
Thanks again to my cousin Mike for all his help for the St. Louis shows. I'm thinking of heading back in June - but we'll see -
Also - in May I have several shows around LA - I'll post it all up soon.
thanks,
yours truly,
Jeremiah
even though I'm not a Cubs fan (go Cards!), I thought this was cool
Anne-Marie and Colby Maddox - and their bass player
Lisa DeRosia and her guitar player
Lisa and her daughter playing Old Macdonald's Farm
Chicago - day 37
So it's late now - and I do have more to tell about today and last night too - but I need to rest and get ready for the drive back to Nashville. I am hoping to get some time tomorrow - during a break on the road to get some writing done.
But to let you know, the show here in Chicago was a good one - good crowd, good line-up, good people - I had a good night and enjoyed everybody's company. I'd like to thank Kim Grant for the connection between us all tonight - she was definitely missed this evening.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
But to let you know, the show here in Chicago was a good one - good crowd, good line-up, good people - I had a good night and enjoyed everybody's company. I'd like to thank Kim Grant for the connection between us all tonight - she was definitely missed this evening.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sunny St. Louis - day 36
It's pretty amazing how warm it is up here - and how just two weeks ago there was a half a foot of snow. In the early hours of the morning today, a good storm passed through and the rain poured down hard. Later today the skies are clear, there's some humidity in the air and I'm looking forward to playing again tonight.
Last night went well at the Ten Mile House. I played a solo set and started off the night. The next band was from Chicago and two of the guys were from LA. They were all right, but they need to work on their volume levels - the guitars were too loud and the drummer was pounding the drums excessively. But still they were pretty good. The Homewreckers were the headliners and they were good - and it was a fun night overall.
Tonight is Pop's Blue Moon and it should also be another fun night. Tomorrow I drive up to Chicago for a show at Uncommon Grounds in Wrigleyville on Clark Street - and I'm looking forward to getting back to Chicago - it's such a cool town.
Then next week I head back to Nashville to pick up Lauren and we head to Texas - Austin on Wednesday, Dallas on Thursday, Estes Park in Colorado on Friday, and Denver on Saturday. It's going to be a busy week.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
a shot of the grill from a few days ago - it was good
The sign for the Ten Mile House
Last night went well at the Ten Mile House. I played a solo set and started off the night. The next band was from Chicago and two of the guys were from LA. They were all right, but they need to work on their volume levels - the guitars were too loud and the drummer was pounding the drums excessively. But still they were pretty good. The Homewreckers were the headliners and they were good - and it was a fun night overall.
Tonight is Pop's Blue Moon and it should also be another fun night. Tomorrow I drive up to Chicago for a show at Uncommon Grounds in Wrigleyville on Clark Street - and I'm looking forward to getting back to Chicago - it's such a cool town.
Then next week I head back to Nashville to pick up Lauren and we head to Texas - Austin on Wednesday, Dallas on Thursday, Estes Park in Colorado on Friday, and Denver on Saturday. It's going to be a busy week.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
a shot of the grill from a few days ago - it was good
The sign for the Ten Mile House
Friday, April 8, 2011
Ready For The Weekend - day 35
After a few days of rest and relaxation in Nashville, I'm ready to get back to work this weekend - sort of the reverse of how weekends typically work innit? This weekend of shows and music starts up here in St. Louis - where I just pulled into. Tonight I get to open the night out at a place called the Ten Mile House where my cousin Mike's band is the headliner.
Then tomorrow is another show here in town at Pop's Blue Moon where we played last May. It's a small and cozy little bar in The Hill part of town - which is the Italian part of town. It has a very similar feel to The Cinema Bar back in LA which is my home stage. There's the opaque glass window in the front, the limited table seating, the old bar feel to it - also how you have to run your own sound, and get the bands yourself to fill out the night.
The drive up went smoothly - along the way more trees were blossoming and it was nice to see the leaves appearing on the branches too. The was a good wind that was blowing and I could feel as I drove on. I made a stop at Steak and Shake for lunch which is one of my favorite places in the midwest. Before I started making regular trips to the midwest and the south, where Steak and Shakes are located, I would remember and crave the burgers, fries, and shakes from my youth and previous trips over the years.
Well - it's about time go get ready - get settled in for the next couple nights here.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Then tomorrow is another show here in town at Pop's Blue Moon where we played last May. It's a small and cozy little bar in The Hill part of town - which is the Italian part of town. It has a very similar feel to The Cinema Bar back in LA which is my home stage. There's the opaque glass window in the front, the limited table seating, the old bar feel to it - also how you have to run your own sound, and get the bands yourself to fill out the night.
The drive up went smoothly - along the way more trees were blossoming and it was nice to see the leaves appearing on the branches too. The was a good wind that was blowing and I could feel as I drove on. I made a stop at Steak and Shake for lunch which is one of my favorite places in the midwest. Before I started making regular trips to the midwest and the south, where Steak and Shakes are located, I would remember and crave the burgers, fries, and shakes from my youth and previous trips over the years.
Well - it's about time go get ready - get settled in for the next couple nights here.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Last night in Nashville - Day 34
Tonight as the sun goes down, I'm making another dinner - well the last one here in Nashville. Tomorrow I pack up my car and head back up to St. Louis. I have enjoyed my time here, and already look forward to returning - which might be in a couple of months.
I've already started booking shows for a trip in June and I might end up coming over here when I do. Lauren and I want to continue working and pushing what we're doing - to get us to the next level - which we both feel we're capable of doing. Our plans are to write some songs together, record, and put out an e.p. It seems easy enough - but we'll see. We threw around the idea of doing a Kickstarter project too.
For dinner tonight is pizza - which I'm more than happy to make.
This evening is a nice warm Spring evening - I'm hoping it stays that way in the towns I'm headed to.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
I've already started booking shows for a trip in June and I might end up coming over here when I do. Lauren and I want to continue working and pushing what we're doing - to get us to the next level - which we both feel we're capable of doing. Our plans are to write some songs together, record, and put out an e.p. It seems easy enough - but we'll see. We threw around the idea of doing a Kickstarter project too.
For dinner tonight is pizza - which I'm more than happy to make.
This evening is a nice warm Spring evening - I'm hoping it stays that way in the towns I'm headed to.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 33
Still here in Nashville - and soon will be heading back to St. Louis. There's been clear skies overhead which has been nice and I took the opportunity the do some grilling for dinner. Overall, everything came out like I had wanted it to, and I was happy - on the menu was a Flat Iron Steak, corn, red bell peppers - I was happy with the way everything turned out.
NOthing else much happened today - but ready to get moving down the road.
- j
NOthing else much happened today - but ready to get moving down the road.
- j
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Clear Skies Once Again - Day 32
I'm thankful to say that the weather has gone back to being fairly normal here in Nashville. Yesterday's storm was a wild one and after seeing the scattered destruction across the South, and where the storm passed through, I'm thankful that we got through it unscathed. Today the skies are clear, it's a little bit chilly outside, and I'm hoping to grill the chicken breast that originally we had planned for yesterday.
This Spring tour now has about 3 weeks left and I end up back in LA for a show at the Cinema Bar in Culver City on the 27th. I've been doing my best to write here everyday and I'm pleased with myself that I've only missed 3 days so far. I do find it interesting that there are people from around the world checking out the blog and I've been doing my best to keep it entertaining - and again - I'm sorry for the writing errors, which I do my best to catch as I get my thoughts down. So thanks for your patience and understanding.
I also figured that it might be good to add a bit more of who I am, since I think I only have my music page bio available at the moment. So here goes: I was born, adopted, and raised in Southern California - mostly Orange Country in Huntington Beach. The family did spend some years in the midwest when I was younger - Alton, IL, which is close to the St. Louis area, and then a year outside of Cleveland, OH before heading back to HB, CA. I started playing music when I was young - first with saxophone, then violin, and a few years after that, guitar. From about 18 years old on I concentrated mostly on guitar - although we had a piano always around and I would sit down and pick out things from time to time.
When I was 22 I started playing out - first with open mics, and then coffeehouse gigs. I played a lot of blues - Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, Charlie Patton - trying to get the right sounds out of my guitar. By 26 I had made the jump up to Hollywood and played all over the city - mostly solo, but every now and then with different players. Around 2002 I started Jeremiah and the Red Eyes with my friend and bass player Dale Warner and we continued on around the area for several years after that - occasionally going out of town to Phoenix or the Sacramento area where Dale was from.
We recorded a CD called Red Eyed and Restless which had 6 of my originals and 3 older blues songs. We sent it out for reviews and got some good ones back. Over in Europe, several stations requested it and I was happy to hear that it got played several times in different countries. Back in LA, Lauren Austin (who is now a good friend and music partner) had helped me get a song on the syndicated Altville show which was broadcast on KZLA around the city. Then music journalist and Indie 103.1 DJ Chris Morris played a song off of the CD. I was able to hear one of the broadcast and it made me feel a little beside myself - cruising in my car with a song I wrote on the radio - I was definitely thrilled.
In 2008 I moved from Hollywood, where I had been for around 10 years, to Nashville, TN - where Lauren had moved a few years before - so we could continue our musical dreams. I helped her record her debut CD of all original songs - which was quite an experience - a lot of time and work trying to get everything right. I also started working with her and a bass player, Johnny G. D'Artenany, on my own stuff and we played several shows around town - mostly Norm's River Road House on the outskirts of town to the west. But, for me, staying in Nashville wasn't meant to be, and right before the 1 year mark I packed up my car and moved back to California.
Back in LA I kept working on music, trying my best to remember all that I had learned in Tennessee - because Nashville is such a professional music town that I knew there was a lot to take away from the experience - from playing gigs, to guitar playing and other instruments, to recording engineering, to booking shows, and trying to run a band. I felt more confident going back and by the spring I felt I was ready for the road.
So at the end of June and after a road trip to Austin for SXSW and a 3 week tour in May, I decided to quit my job and take to the road indefinitely. I had shows booked and traveled from state to state (which is chronicled in the earlier blogs on this site - well, except for part 3). By the end of the year I traveled 54,000 miles in my trusty Toyota Corolla and felt good about my decision.
This year so far I've driven about 10k miles and will soon hit the 100k mark in my 2 and a half year old car. The road has been interesting and good - exhausting at times - as I have said - and Iv'e been getting more and more fans as I keep traveling and playing shows in the towns across the country.
It's been nice to have this down time in Nashville, but starting Thursday when I head back to St. Louis, it'll pretty much be go-go until I reach home: St. Louis, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, Culver City - then I can rest.
I'd like to thank Lauren Austin, who I have been staying and traveling with - plus, for performing with me and for basically putting up with me - thank you!
Also I'd like to thank Bob Woodruff, Petrice Kam, Shay Port, and Dan Harrigan for supporting the 2011 Spring Tour - your contributions have definitely helped me out.
thanks,
Yours truly,
Jeremiah
the Kenny Vaughn Trio last night at the 12th Street Taproom with Johnny G on stand-up bass
a clear view to the Nashville Skyline with LP Field to the left
This Spring tour now has about 3 weeks left and I end up back in LA for a show at the Cinema Bar in Culver City on the 27th. I've been doing my best to write here everyday and I'm pleased with myself that I've only missed 3 days so far. I do find it interesting that there are people from around the world checking out the blog and I've been doing my best to keep it entertaining - and again - I'm sorry for the writing errors, which I do my best to catch as I get my thoughts down. So thanks for your patience and understanding.
I also figured that it might be good to add a bit more of who I am, since I think I only have my music page bio available at the moment. So here goes: I was born, adopted, and raised in Southern California - mostly Orange Country in Huntington Beach. The family did spend some years in the midwest when I was younger - Alton, IL, which is close to the St. Louis area, and then a year outside of Cleveland, OH before heading back to HB, CA. I started playing music when I was young - first with saxophone, then violin, and a few years after that, guitar. From about 18 years old on I concentrated mostly on guitar - although we had a piano always around and I would sit down and pick out things from time to time.
When I was 22 I started playing out - first with open mics, and then coffeehouse gigs. I played a lot of blues - Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, Charlie Patton - trying to get the right sounds out of my guitar. By 26 I had made the jump up to Hollywood and played all over the city - mostly solo, but every now and then with different players. Around 2002 I started Jeremiah and the Red Eyes with my friend and bass player Dale Warner and we continued on around the area for several years after that - occasionally going out of town to Phoenix or the Sacramento area where Dale was from.
We recorded a CD called Red Eyed and Restless which had 6 of my originals and 3 older blues songs. We sent it out for reviews and got some good ones back. Over in Europe, several stations requested it and I was happy to hear that it got played several times in different countries. Back in LA, Lauren Austin (who is now a good friend and music partner) had helped me get a song on the syndicated Altville show which was broadcast on KZLA around the city. Then music journalist and Indie 103.1 DJ Chris Morris played a song off of the CD. I was able to hear one of the broadcast and it made me feel a little beside myself - cruising in my car with a song I wrote on the radio - I was definitely thrilled.
In 2008 I moved from Hollywood, where I had been for around 10 years, to Nashville, TN - where Lauren had moved a few years before - so we could continue our musical dreams. I helped her record her debut CD of all original songs - which was quite an experience - a lot of time and work trying to get everything right. I also started working with her and a bass player, Johnny G. D'Artenany, on my own stuff and we played several shows around town - mostly Norm's River Road House on the outskirts of town to the west. But, for me, staying in Nashville wasn't meant to be, and right before the 1 year mark I packed up my car and moved back to California.
Back in LA I kept working on music, trying my best to remember all that I had learned in Tennessee - because Nashville is such a professional music town that I knew there was a lot to take away from the experience - from playing gigs, to guitar playing and other instruments, to recording engineering, to booking shows, and trying to run a band. I felt more confident going back and by the spring I felt I was ready for the road.
So at the end of June and after a road trip to Austin for SXSW and a 3 week tour in May, I decided to quit my job and take to the road indefinitely. I had shows booked and traveled from state to state (which is chronicled in the earlier blogs on this site - well, except for part 3). By the end of the year I traveled 54,000 miles in my trusty Toyota Corolla and felt good about my decision.
This year so far I've driven about 10k miles and will soon hit the 100k mark in my 2 and a half year old car. The road has been interesting and good - exhausting at times - as I have said - and Iv'e been getting more and more fans as I keep traveling and playing shows in the towns across the country.
It's been nice to have this down time in Nashville, but starting Thursday when I head back to St. Louis, it'll pretty much be go-go until I reach home: St. Louis, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, Culver City - then I can rest.
I'd like to thank Lauren Austin, who I have been staying and traveling with - plus, for performing with me and for basically putting up with me - thank you!
Also I'd like to thank Bob Woodruff, Petrice Kam, Shay Port, and Dan Harrigan for supporting the 2011 Spring Tour - your contributions have definitely helped me out.
thanks,
Yours truly,
Jeremiah
the Kenny Vaughn Trio last night at the 12th Street Taproom with Johnny G on stand-up bass
a clear view to the Nashville Skyline with LP Field to the left
Monday, April 4, 2011
Stormy Weather - day 31
Today here in Nashville was pretty intense. We had been told by the news that a good storm was going to be moving in - which was really surprising since yesterday was so nice - we even slept with the windows open and the fan on. But as the day moved on, the clouds slowly started crawling in and rain fell in scattered showers.
I had been having a fairly relaxing day - working on getting shows booked for June and possibly May - even though it's pretty late - and a thought or two for a new song, when I heard on the Weather Channel a major storm heading our way - well pretty much from Houston to Southern Illinois in a long contoured lined. The experts were calling for major thunderstorms, possible hail, and tornadoes. It had already done some damage in the Memphis area - and the storm was heading straight for Nashville at a rate of 70MPH.
Rain fell outside but it didn't look too bad - but as 2pm came - which was the arrival time, the tornado sirens were going off around town and the TV station was sounding the emergency signal too. We had decided to head downstairs into a safer place than Lauren's upstairs room which has a big windows and several other smaller windows too. Nando, Lauren's dog, was freaked out and scared as the thunder roared and, also, as we got visibly more nervous about the situation. 2:15pm was now the time that the storm was going to hit and we got ready for it. I looked outside once more before we went into the safer room, and the sky in the distance was darker and you could feel that something was going to happen. The lights flickered a bit but we never lost power, and I kept track of the storm on the internet and the radio. By 2:30 we could see that it had moved on and we came out back into the main room. We had heard from Lauren's roommate Shane, who called during it all and who actually was in the middle of the storm trying to get back home. Thankfully nothing bad happened to him and he made it back safely.
We turned on the news and could see the damage around the area from Memphis and Nashville - Little Rock and Alabama. I felt lucky that nothing happened to us or to the property - just our nerves - or mine anyway - a little shaken up. Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny out again - before another storm, I think, will move in.
So that's been the day over here in Nashville - that will be all the drama.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
About 10 minutes before the storm struck - you can see it coming
I had been having a fairly relaxing day - working on getting shows booked for June and possibly May - even though it's pretty late - and a thought or two for a new song, when I heard on the Weather Channel a major storm heading our way - well pretty much from Houston to Southern Illinois in a long contoured lined. The experts were calling for major thunderstorms, possible hail, and tornadoes. It had already done some damage in the Memphis area - and the storm was heading straight for Nashville at a rate of 70MPH.
Rain fell outside but it didn't look too bad - but as 2pm came - which was the arrival time, the tornado sirens were going off around town and the TV station was sounding the emergency signal too. We had decided to head downstairs into a safer place than Lauren's upstairs room which has a big windows and several other smaller windows too. Nando, Lauren's dog, was freaked out and scared as the thunder roared and, also, as we got visibly more nervous about the situation. 2:15pm was now the time that the storm was going to hit and we got ready for it. I looked outside once more before we went into the safer room, and the sky in the distance was darker and you could feel that something was going to happen. The lights flickered a bit but we never lost power, and I kept track of the storm on the internet and the radio. By 2:30 we could see that it had moved on and we came out back into the main room. We had heard from Lauren's roommate Shane, who called during it all and who actually was in the middle of the storm trying to get back home. Thankfully nothing bad happened to him and he made it back safely.
We turned on the news and could see the damage around the area from Memphis and Nashville - Little Rock and Alabama. I felt lucky that nothing happened to us or to the property - just our nerves - or mine anyway - a little shaken up. Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny out again - before another storm, I think, will move in.
So that's been the day over here in Nashville - that will be all the drama.
yours truly,
Jeremiah
About 10 minutes before the storm struck - you can see it coming
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Kentucky Weekend - Day 29 & 30
Sunday - back in Nashville after doing a bit of driving over the past several days. We were pretty busy and that's why I missed writing here yesterday. There was also a bit of catching up on some much needed sleep. I'm happy to report that the shows went well and I think we made some new fans along the way.
Friday we were in Louisville and after a slow start after that very late night and long day on Thursday, my friend Dan Harrigan and I went out on the town. He took me over to Churchill Downs to the Kentucky Derby Museum. It was an interesting place - lots of different pieces - jockey outfits'(silks right?), a variety of hats, photos of the winners - and the 11 Triple Crown winners. We were also able to go out to the track. I enjoyed it all since I am a fan of the derby thanks to my friend Eddie, and my friend Karen.
From there we went downtown and he showed me around. It has a good feel to it - the air was clean - though cloudy and chilly out - still lots of people out walking around. We stopped at a good little hot dog stand - Red's which I highly recommend. The one I had was good and spicy, topped with green bell peppers and onions, mustard - good stuff.
That night a storm came through and we stayed up late watching movies and then talking with Dan and his roommate Linda until the early hours of the morning. The next day I slept in which felt great. It had been such a busy week - full of driving and late nights and we didn't have to be up to Cincinnati until the evening - which was only 80 miles away - so we relaxed and enjoyed the down time.
The drive up was another easy drive - we pulled into Newport, Kentucky first and drove around a little bit, then crossed the river into downtown Cincinnati, before getting to a motel on the outskirts of town. After some food and a bit of relaxing we drove back to Newport where the Southgate House where we were set to play that night. We had a hard time getting to a parking spot close by, but we finally found a place and carried our gear in. It's an old multi-room house up a hill that overlooks the river. There are a bunch of bars in the area, a big aquarium, a movie theater, and right across the bridge is the stadium where the Reds play - and there was a game that night.
There were lots of people out on the town that night, cruising here and there - including into the Southgate House. We were set to play in a little downstairs lounge area. It has a bar that was crowded since Kentucky was playing Connecticut in the Final Four game. We set our gear up and got ready to play. It was a cool little room - but the only drawback was that they allow smoking there, so it was thick with smoke and would end up clinging to our clothes by the end of the night. By the second set we hit our stride and had the room listening to us (also the game was over and people had a good amount to drink). With the exception of the smoke I had a good time and was exhausted by the end of the night.
Again sleep came easy, and I woke up still needing more sleep. But we got our stuff together and climbed into the car a cruised down the road - back to Nashville. It was windy the whole way down - and I guess there's another storm heading this way. This evening is warm and soon I'm going to get the grill going on this fine, mellow, Spring evening
yours truly,
Jeremiah
the stage of the Blue Plate Special radio show on WDVX out of Knoxville, TN
The front of Churchill Downs
a giant bat at the Louisville Slugger museum - that's 5 stories tall by the way
Our set up at the Southgate House in Newport, KY
The marquee in front
and yours truly in front of the Southgate House
Friday we were in Louisville and after a slow start after that very late night and long day on Thursday, my friend Dan Harrigan and I went out on the town. He took me over to Churchill Downs to the Kentucky Derby Museum. It was an interesting place - lots of different pieces - jockey outfits'(silks right?), a variety of hats, photos of the winners - and the 11 Triple Crown winners. We were also able to go out to the track. I enjoyed it all since I am a fan of the derby thanks to my friend Eddie, and my friend Karen.
From there we went downtown and he showed me around. It has a good feel to it - the air was clean - though cloudy and chilly out - still lots of people out walking around. We stopped at a good little hot dog stand - Red's which I highly recommend. The one I had was good and spicy, topped with green bell peppers and onions, mustard - good stuff.
That night a storm came through and we stayed up late watching movies and then talking with Dan and his roommate Linda until the early hours of the morning. The next day I slept in which felt great. It had been such a busy week - full of driving and late nights and we didn't have to be up to Cincinnati until the evening - which was only 80 miles away - so we relaxed and enjoyed the down time.
The drive up was another easy drive - we pulled into Newport, Kentucky first and drove around a little bit, then crossed the river into downtown Cincinnati, before getting to a motel on the outskirts of town. After some food and a bit of relaxing we drove back to Newport where the Southgate House where we were set to play that night. We had a hard time getting to a parking spot close by, but we finally found a place and carried our gear in. It's an old multi-room house up a hill that overlooks the river. There are a bunch of bars in the area, a big aquarium, a movie theater, and right across the bridge is the stadium where the Reds play - and there was a game that night.
There were lots of people out on the town that night, cruising here and there - including into the Southgate House. We were set to play in a little downstairs lounge area. It has a bar that was crowded since Kentucky was playing Connecticut in the Final Four game. We set our gear up and got ready to play. It was a cool little room - but the only drawback was that they allow smoking there, so it was thick with smoke and would end up clinging to our clothes by the end of the night. By the second set we hit our stride and had the room listening to us (also the game was over and people had a good amount to drink). With the exception of the smoke I had a good time and was exhausted by the end of the night.
Again sleep came easy, and I woke up still needing more sleep. But we got our stuff together and climbed into the car a cruised down the road - back to Nashville. It was windy the whole way down - and I guess there's another storm heading this way. This evening is warm and soon I'm going to get the grill going on this fine, mellow, Spring evening
yours truly,
Jeremiah
the stage of the Blue Plate Special radio show on WDVX out of Knoxville, TN
The front of Churchill Downs
a giant bat at the Louisville Slugger museum - that's 5 stories tall by the way
Our set up at the Southgate House in Newport, KY
The marquee in front
and yours truly in front of the Southgate House
Friday, April 1, 2011
Louisville - Day 28
Yesterday evening it felt so good to get off the road after the 7 and a half hours in the car which started at 7am. Still we had another late night show to play at the Hideaway Saloon here in town. We landed at my friend Dan Harrigan's place just outside of town around 7pm or so - did a bit of resting, and then headed off to dinner and the gig.
It was a pretty cool little place - hidden away up a short alley - a decent stage and friendly people in the bar. We were going to be playing after a band called BEHM. I was a little worried when then didn't start until 10:30 - I knew we were in for another late night. But the band was pretty good - a trio - sort of bluesy/jammy rock, and they were done by about 12:30. So we set our stuff up and got too it and played from about 12:45 until just after 1:30am.
By the end I was almost dead - just enough energy to get us back to the house. We made some money - maybe 2 tanks of gas which I was happy about - and we were asked to come back at some point - which I hope we do. We also found out that it's a bar that stays open till 4am - so we could've played for another 2 hours.
We have the night off which I'm thankful for and hopefully I can sleep in tomorrow. We're headed to Cincinnati for a show tomorrow night at the Southgate House - which actually is in Newport, Kentucky which is right across the river from Cincinnati.
Will post some photos soon -
yours truly,
Jeremiah
It was a pretty cool little place - hidden away up a short alley - a decent stage and friendly people in the bar. We were going to be playing after a band called BEHM. I was a little worried when then didn't start until 10:30 - I knew we were in for another late night. But the band was pretty good - a trio - sort of bluesy/jammy rock, and they were done by about 12:30. So we set our stuff up and got too it and played from about 12:45 until just after 1:30am.
By the end I was almost dead - just enough energy to get us back to the house. We made some money - maybe 2 tanks of gas which I was happy about - and we were asked to come back at some point - which I hope we do. We also found out that it's a bar that stays open till 4am - so we could've played for another 2 hours.
We have the night off which I'm thankful for and hopefully I can sleep in tomorrow. We're headed to Cincinnati for a show tomorrow night at the Southgate House - which actually is in Newport, Kentucky which is right across the river from Cincinnati.
Will post some photos soon -
yours truly,
Jeremiah
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