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2007 FALL TOUR BLOG
It seems like the month I spent at home blew by in a flash before it was time to head out on the road again for my fall tour. This has been a wonderful trip, but the good thing about it is that when it is over, I get to come home for the holidays for two and a half months. This tour started with my doing a solo acoustic show at a campground in Chesapeake, VA on October 20. From there, I went t Annapolis, MD for a tribute show for legendary DJ, Damian Einstein, who was on the air for 40 years in DC. He gave many a musician airtime over the years, including myself. He is responsible for much of the success of artists like Bonnie Raitt and John Prine in the Mid-Atlantic States. Monday had me in Chambersburg, PA for a regular stop at the Orchards Restaurant/Relax Inn. This place is a home away from home for me. I then headed into Washington, DC for a live 2 hour appearance on XM Satellite Radio. From there, I headed to Philadelphia for a Blues In The Schools seminar at a suburban middle school for about 300 kids. These experiences are always a highlight. On the way back to Chambersburg, my base of operations, I paid a visit to a small Amish museum, and then paid a visit to an RV campground in Hershey, PA, where I will be performing next summer. The weekend was booked in Norwich, NY, about 40 miles above Binghamton for a coffee house and club concert on Friday and Saturday. Then back to Chambersburg, my base of operation, and Monday night solo acoustic show. Since I have been writing some new songs, I went into the recording studio of my PA bassist, Harry Werner, to record some demos. The band then played on Halloween at Klinger’s Tavern in Hanover, PA to a really fun crowd. This club is one of the best places in this part of the country. Starting off the month of November would take me to Pearl River, NY, just outside NYC, for 3 shows. A solo show at the library in River Vale, NJ for Friday, the band at the Pearl River Hotel on Saturday, and an afternoon concert at the Pearl River Library made for a great trio of shows. I went to a jam on Sunday night in Oakland, NJ with Russ Paul, son of the legendary Les Paul. Then Monday, it was in to NYC to listen to and sit in with the man himself, Les Paul. Since Christmas is fast approaching, I asked Les to tell me of a memorable Christmas moment. He told me about the time in 1951 when the musicians’ union wouldn’t let him operate his tape machine in the NYC theatre they were performing in. In turn, he and Mary Ford went to the Horn & Hardart Restaurant next door and recorded some tunes. He told me about recording a version of Jingle Bells, which went to number 1.Tuesday morning, today; I went back into NYC to visit my friend, Andy Rooney, the 60 Minutes icon. I’ve gotten to know Andy through some mutual friends and interests, and visiting with him is quite a treat. Andy loves Christmas, and to him, he always hates to see it end. He likes to leave the wrapping paper lie around after having opened presents, and is not in a hurry to see the holiday end. At this writing, I’m heading into Wednesday, November 7. I have a day off now, which I need from having too much fun. Thursday, November 8, I will take the band to Long Island, to Stanhope, NJ on Friday, and back to Chambersburg, PA on Saturday. I’ll finish up the tour in Greenville, SC on Wednesday, November 14, and get back to Kennesaw on the 15th. It is during this time as the tour winds down, that I am able to reflect on so many great experiences. It really takes some time to digest all of the cool things that have happened and remember the good people I have met along the way. I am so fortunate to be doing what I’m doing that my excitement level just remains at a constant high. And then I get to come home for the holidays! I love that! Then the fun begins when I report for jury duty in Cobb County upon arriving home. That’s another story in itself. Please note that I, along with the band, will be performing at the Brookstone Grill in Acworth every Saturday in December. Other appearances include theCotton's and Waterstone Grill in Acworth, and Sam & Dave’s BBQ 2 in Marietta, GA. That should make for a great month of good times.