Taking a bite out of the Big Apple...

Hey Everybody...

I know it's been a couple days since my last posting, but things have been kinda crazy. The 4th of July performance at Horny Toad's in Lake Ozark, MO was interesting to say the least. The performance was outstanding on everyone's part. The stage was nice and big, but they only had 8 lights, which was a little bit of a disappointment. The load-in/out was also quite interesting as we were faced with a 6% grade going down from the parking lot to the stage area. The "band house" was another site. I've stayed in a few clunkers before, but this one was almost the best. (worst?!?) I'll put it to you this way... I'd MUCH rather take a cold shower than a scalding hot one. (No cold water for the shower!).

Anyway, after that performance, it was an 11 hour trek back to Paul's parents' house in Cleveland. We stayed there Wednesday and headed for Queens, NY on Thursday. The show was AWESOME (check the site for reviews!). We got there and the sound company had everything SET UP in position and the monitors were already dialed-in. Absolutely the easiest soundcheck I've ever had and the best monitor sound EVER, bar none. My drums sounded fantastic and the vocals gave me chills when we hit the harmonies. Those are the kind of gigs you REALLY enjoy.

Then we drove straight into hell.

What was supposed to be a 6-7 hour drive turned into a 9 hour marathon. We lost 4 hours of time just SITTING in traffic. After we got out of NYC (which has traffic, but we wrote that off because it's a given... you KNOW it's gonna be there), we got on the road and got held up by an accident. BAM. 2 hours gone. Then construction... Another hour... Then MORE construction... ANOTHER hour... We finally pulled in to Tonawanda, NY at 9 pm (we left Queens at 12), and we were supposed to be there at 7! Sound was horrendous (equipment older than the hills). I couldn't use my monitors, so I played and sang "blind" so to speak.

Finally the gig was over and we drove 45 minutes to Fredonia, NY to Sean's parents' house. That's where we are right now. Got in at 4 am and I just got up (12:30 pm). It felt REALLY good to sleep. We've got a show in Cheektowaga, NY tonight and hopefully it will be better than last night. Then tomorrow we head back to Nashville with a stopover in Cleveland to drop off Paul and Jeff. (Jeff is Bryan's replacement. Bryan had to leave the band to take a job with Dell. TennCare insurance SUCKS!)

Anyone who's interested in seeing the band... COME TO CHICAGO!! We'll be at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, August 30th. Go HERE to get tickets!

Gonna go hang out at the lake for awhile... catch y'all later!