Tampa and beyond

On the way we slept for 1 hour in a massage school parking lot on the pavement. Just had to stretch out a little for a few minutes. Going into Tampa Casey was a little familiar with the territory, which made it easier for me to focus on the next performance, WMNF. We had just about the right time to get there with out any stops. Pulling into the parking lot I took a few long breaths and realized I was a few minutes early, and as always, everything will be fine. Luckily Casey helped me get in there and gather myself before the interview, and then he proceeded to go back to parking lot in the car and listen from the radio.

Alan Snell met me there to reunite and bring along a few fellow bikers. He got on air with me and helped discuss the Bike bash on the bay the following day (what I had originally come down to Florida to participate in) I met Alan outside of the Dundee library (FL.) at the beginning of the Music Bike tour. I was going there to pick up a pannier that a friend sent to me in hopes to get more weight on the bike itself. I got a flat tire that day, and Alan helped me repair it. After that we road together a little way. It was great to meet another excited cycling enthusiast that also likes to help bring communities together. He was really was the back bone behind organizing the fun and fabulous Bike Bash the following day.

Anyway, the interview and on-air performance went very well. I was a little nervous about not sleeping but once I started talking to Ed Lehmann I instantly felt at ease. He was a very easy going man with a peaceful disposition, not at all typical in radio broadcasting. He was very fluid and kind, and I look forward to going back to visit. His band was also going to be performing at the festival the next day also.

After it was over I went out to the car and poked Casey a few times, he was still breathing fine. Let’s go to the beach! So we went to Indian - beach and soaked up major rays. Dozing in and out and listening to the mild waves of the Bay we stayed for a while. As afternoon turned into evening we decided we really needed some solid sleep, and maybe to clean up a bit for the festival the next day. So, for my first time since getting sponsored in Providence Road Island, we got a hotel. Outside by the pool when the Spanish boys heard Casey playing the mandolin they wanted to sing and play and put on a show, so I brought out my guitar and there was more music! In the morning I woke up very early to start stocking away calories for getting back on the road. The folks at the hotel soon realized they shouldn’t have offered me the discount after my never ending continental breakfast (you should have seen it on the bike tour : ))

Arriving in St. Pete we pulled into the festival in a non-existing parking spot, so I could get myself ready to go on. Casey was mingling about the crowd and enjoying the festivities. As I started my first set I felt some amazing people listening. The sun grew hotter and I stood on my handkerchief for a bit. Then there was a break, and another set. That’s when they so kindly brought their tent over to shade me: )
To the right of where I was performing I felt a very strong presence appear. After the set was over I met Laura, a beautiful angelic woman of strong communicative presence and genuine expression. She was ecstatic about the music and got a CD while giving us some great tid bits about the area. That after noon we went down town took a seat in a dark cool dingy bar. It felt good, on my sun burnt skin to be in the dank atmosphere. Later on we decided to take Laura’s advice and check out the blue berry patch.
Let’s go back to Casey’s side of the story:
After along hot day at the BIKE BASH we decided to hangout in downtown St. Pete for a couple of cold ones. Somewhere between 2 PBR’S and some fancy lime drink we began to discuss playing together.
Earlier that day a woman named Laura (etc.) had told us of a place called The Blueberry Farm where there was going to be an open mic. Now the Blueberry Farm is very special! As soon as we got there we had to walk thru a Labyrinth (LINK) luckily David Bowie didn’t want to turn us into goblins. The whole place was like a magical junk museum filled with kind hearts and veggie dogs.
It’s true, Casey, It was a magical place. The people were splendid, and it seemed like a masquerade of beauty and make believe. School buses and stages and the land of many out-door living rooms. And Shane even went and got a bottle of champagne as part of the glorious Celebration. Laura was our hostess for the evening; she even took us into her home after word. I enjoyed a snooze on her cozy welcoming patio; And Casey opted for the Canopy Prince Chamber on the guest porch. Laura is a music lover and a friend, and it is so exciting to have got to spend that time with her.

The next day was the interview with listen hereWSUF. “Casey are you playing with me or what?” we went to the campus and warmed up under a Banyan tree. Trey and James were very fun to be around, and it seems they just have a good time at the station all together on their show “Grass Roots Groove” This was the first official performance Casey and I did together minus the Shooting Star Jam. Maybe sometime we’ll actually sit down and practice : )
After the show we went to showcase at Sacred Grounds Coffee House in Tampa. This is a super sweet spot to see music, very intimate and Karen will take good care of you.

That night we drove back to Gainesville because I couldn’t pic up the cd order because I got lost and it was too late when I got to the post. So we slept a few hours in the parking lot of a massage school on the pavement (it felt good to stretch out) and an hour or so in the car on the side of the road in the wilderness where there were many stars out. In the early morn we picked up the Cds and had a delicious gourmet b-fast at the Jones (Casey’s own) where he insisted on treating me a meal.

Off we go, back on the road, heading back to the real south. Casey slept a lot and says he can’t remember the trip back. We arrived to Red Clay Hill in the middle of the night. Exhausted and relieved to be home, we rested a long time. Friday was a fun filled night at the Main Street Deli and Coffee House in Central, and Sat. the Pumpkintown Opry! And Sunday fly out to New York? Yikes, “Casey are you gonna play with me or what?” well then how are you gonna do that when I’m heading to New York tomorrow? No we can’t drive Otis, she’ll never make it (this was the beginning of her boiling temper)” Casey piped “That’s fine I can meet you there in your car” “Taking my Otis? With out me? I don’t think so.”

Next thing I new I was on the phone canceling my flight and believing that the car would make it to New York. That very next morning going to gas and replace the missing radiator cap, and she was all ready overheating. I knew we were in for a ride.