|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Random thoughts in 2006:
April 26th: Well we finally posted some videos in the video section of MySpace. I hated my guitar tone, but it was the best quality/most recent of what we've done on videotape. I was playing through an amp in the backline whose tone would not dial in. On a happier note, the CD should be back within a couple of days, so we're looking forward to sharing those with you. Several of the songs we've been playing for a while, so it's cool to finally get them down on CD. Maybe we'll make a few Waffle House jukeboxes!
April 22nd: I'm FULL! Went to the annual Crawfish Boil at Captain Wade's in Cairo, IL this afternoon. Harvey did a wonderful job with the crawfish! We ate platefull after platefull.....yum! Jammed with The Bottom Line Blues band with my buddy Ned, and Skee Pryor (Snooky Pryor's son). That was a hoot! Skee says Snooky is on dialysis 3 times a week (which is not good), but is doing fine otherwise. We love Snooky dearly. Skee says he thinks Snooky has played his last show, which could be true, although we're still praying and hoping.
On a lighter note, Tales From A 2 Lane should be released within a couple of weeks. We're thinking about doing a music video for the new CD. Here are a couple of examples of what we're aiming for. There are 2 different styles here and we can't decide which direction to take. Tell us what you think...
April 15th: Played a benefit for the American Cancer Society in Cadiz, Kentucky, along with the legendary Boots Randolph, Ricochet lead singer Heath Wright, up and coming country artist Darren James and the lovely and talented local country singer Becky Freeman. I just loved sitting backstage and listening to Boots tell stories! It remeinded me of when I used to do a telethon in Jackson, Tennessee for several years in the 80s and used to love to sit backstage and visit with Carl Perkins. Of course, all I wanted to do was listen to his priceless stories. Some of my most cherished memories. Boots is a genuinely nice person, and he can still play sax as good as he ever did. Truly amazing! Heath Wright is also a very nice guy in addition to being a tremendously talented guitar player and singer. Those Nashville cats sure can play! (just like the song says). Darren was really cool too! I think we'll hear more from him in the future! When I saw who the house band, with whom I would be playing, it brought a smile to my face! My old buddies Mike, Duane and Jeff! I knew I'd be in good hands! These guys are the best! We really had alot of fun. It was also good to see Robin Steele. I told him to tell his dad, Dan I saidl Hi! Dan worked at the station with me for several years prior to his retirement, and then moving to New Mexico. Thanks to Becky for bringing us all together for such a good cause. I played the Tele through the backline, which included a Peavy Classic 50. Sounded pretty good! Thanks Duane for tweaking my tone during the turnaround!
April 14th: The New CD should be back in a couple of weeks. Gross came in and was a tremendous help in doing the graphics and did a great job, especially with little time to work with. Thanks Gross! In the meantime we're gearing up for some busy times. I'm pulling the Strat out of the mothballs and having it slicked down to play a little more this spring and summer in addition the the Tele, the Reverend and the 335. My amp setup should remain the same with the Hot Rod Deville and the Blues Jr, although I'm toying with the idea of adding another Blues Jr and playing in a stereo setup some this year. It's the best, toughest amp I've ever found in a small package. Our dance card is full virtually for the rest of the year so we're ready to go and looking forward to it.
April 5th: CD is mastered and just about ready to send off! It looks we could have a release date in early May. I'll be so relieved and thankful.....whew! Playing schedule is full for the rest of the year. Thankful for that too! Double Whew!
March 25th: Caught Alonzo Pennington's show last night at Fat Moe's. What a killer player with a killer tone! Alonzo's one of my favorite players in the region, along with his dad, Eddie. Super pickers and super people! One of these days Alonzo and I are going to do a gig together and it'll be a major hoot! I try to see either of them play whenever I can. Mike Mills sat in on harp and it was good to see my old buddy!
March 18th: Last night at Jeremiah's was a hoot! The place was packed and even with the NCAA tournament going on in the back, we held a good crowd and they danced all night. In fact, it got a little crazy a few times! Big thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated with us. We really had a great sound, thanks to Greg and Eric. I played the Tele straight up through the Blues Jr and got a great tone. Next up will be a few days R&R, and then the Kenny Rogers Telethon in Sikeston, MO. Got word late last night that the Jenn Jam Blues Festival will be back this year! They're moving to St. Massac in Metropolis, IL. It was always one of our favorites and put on by some of our favorite people so we're really happy the festival is back and promise to work hard to make it a sucess at its new home. It's for a great cause, a nursing scholarship fund.
March 12th: We played 2 nights at Harrah's over the weekend and had a nice time. Had pretty good crowds both nights, although I think looming storms may have affected Saturday night's crowd. In fact, after finishing the gig, I went straight to work to monitor the storms until about 4 AM. Looks like another long night tonight, but after that things should be settled down for a while. Harrah's has a really nice place, with great sound. The employees there were super nice too and took great care of us. We saw alot of friends who drove up for the gig and we had a good show. There was a big group from Harper's Country Hams who drove up for a night out and a celebration so we had a nice time with them. They stayed til closing time!
On Friday night, we saw our old friend Gross and several others who made the trip. It was good to see some familiar faces for our 1st time there.
I used the 335 and the Tele on Friday night, and then the Tele and Reverend Rocco on Saturday night, through my small pedal board and Blues Jr. I don't use alot of effects and in fact, many times, I don't use any at all, but sometimes , for longer gigs, I'll bring a small pedal board with a Boss Delay, Boss Chorus, old Ibanez Tube Screamer and tuner. It makes things easier.
On the schedule front, we've about finished out of schedule for the rest of the year, with only abut 1 or 2 openings left, so that's a spot of good news! The CD has been mastered and sounds really good. Once we get the graphics finished, we'll be ready to press!
February 3rd: Seems these things happen in waves. We've had a wave in inquiries over the past few weeks, and our 2006 playing schedule is almost full. Whew! We're not going to play as many dates this year as last as I want to have more time to spend at home, but of course, we'll always listen. If you want to books us between now and November, best give me a shout soon. I'm going to do the final mix on the new CD this week, and then it's ready to be mastered. That will be a load off my mind as well, as we're really ready to wrap this project. I think, overall, it's going to be pretty good and am anxious to get this sucker pressed and out before May.
January 3rd:
Happy New Year! Hope 2006 brings you health, love and good fortune!
We're getting ready to kick off 2006 with a bang, playing one of our favorite
places to share with friends and tighten up our sound for the upcoming
year, Fat Moe's. Recording for the new CD is finished
and we're tweaking the final mixes before mastering and then getting that
sucker out. For the first time in a long time, I'm starting out a
new year without new equipment, or plans for much new equipment (which
is very unusual for me!). I'll carry 3 guitars most of the time:
The 335, the Reverend and the custom Tele, and play through the Fender
Hot Rod Deville and the Blues Jr. I liked the equipment I was carrying
finishing out the year, and besides, I can't afford new stuff with
the anticipated expense of the new CD project, so there ya go!