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Friday, October 16, 2009

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.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

are eating chocolate chips for breakfast again?

I really don’t know where to start on the update. In fact, still don’t feel caught up from the last New York trip in August. What about the Hats off Saratoga Festival? Check out the article in the Saratogian here
Yikes Thanksgiving is in a few days!

October was a complete whirlwind, starting with bike night at the Pumpkintown Opry. I had spent months in preparation, trying to tell people about how fun it would be, and convince people to camp out after the show. I even co-wrote a skit and played 3 roles in it, not to mention learning how to clog. We had the Superficials come all the way from Nashville to play, along with myself and Ray Harper. It was a blast; I’m still trying to get a hold of some of that video….soon. We had a camp fire after under a full moon.


There was only a few days left before heading down to Florida. When arriving into town I fell right into some sort of down town Farmers Market and there was music playing. Made myself a PB Honey sandwich and headed for the festivities. Grabbed my guitar out of the car and Stumbled upon Dirty Nelly’s where I sat down next to a young bearded man and ordered a pint. Upon our conversation we decided to take it outside and go song for song in the parking lot behind the Elbow Room. . Jon Gaunt is a gifted musician. He explained to me his lifestyle of touring around and his recent return from a trip with Chuck Reagan, then hooked it up for me to showcase a few songs at the Elbow Room that night. He graciously hosted me as well, where I spent my very first night sleeping under a banana tree. (It’s hard thinking of how hot it was that night as a lay buried under my sleeping bag and blankets this morning at the cabin)

The next day was more exchanging of travel stories, along with coffee, bananas, and beer. That night I played at the Pizza Palace. I Notice this pic behind me. Wow, that looks like Mike Dorsey. The artist signed “Dorsey”. Is it possible this is the work of Mike Dorsey?? The talented, the songwriting- anything-playing prodigy? Is also an artist?
(later found out that it IS his work, a portrait of his father)

The next night was the show at the shooting star, that’s where I’ll share Casey’s version of the story:
Casey says: “There seemed to be a sense of anticipation on Saturday at the Shooting Star. Was it because the night before America decided to launch a BomB at the moon or was it knowing that old friends would reunite that night and play some of the best music they had in them for like a year and a half. Wow! What a blast that night was it was like we were reading each others minds musically. As the night winded down the wind came in and no one wanted to say goodbyes. So we went for a late night and late as in 3 in the morning jam. As the smell of Sweetwater 420’s and sushi finally came out of pores the night was ending. That’s when Casey says something like “hey can I just come down south with you for the weekend?” At this point the company was well accepted for ahead was along drive to a radio station gig at in Tampa the next morning! We drove all night long and exchanged road stories and coffee till the sun came up driving down highway”

Here's what I have to say about it.
I arrived at The Shooting Star early, and the very accommodating bartender invited me to sit and have a bite and a beer. I introduced myself and asked him to hang on my keys and then went for a run. I circled around the down town area trying to half remember how to eventually get back. The hustle of a Friday night in Gainesville gave me a fresh thought, and the physical transfer was necessary for what the night had in store. I felt energized, and when I returned I sampled a salad with seared tuna (…so good). Then I reunited with Jason Hedges. It had been a long time, {LINK} remember this hoola-hooping-dobro sliding- guitar pickin music maker? He had been hosting this night of music, and came in to give me the details of what I would do that night while he was participating in another music jamboree across town for the next few hours.
We had many a great musician’s play on the stage that night, and I got to share a lot of my new material. Before long, I felt a familiar presence enter the patio. Looking around I saw a man with a small pack and a hat and a mandolin on his back. Casey Jones? No way, Casey Jones is that you? Had not seen him since I left Gainesville at the beginning of the Music Bike Tour. Really? He sat in the far back corner of the room. Did I ask him right up to the stage or did we exchange a few thoughts first. Get up here and play! And then where did Jimmy come from? Wait Jimmy, you were {LINK} on the porch that night too!
All the sudden the patio was filling and friends were all around. And on stage was full of new sounds



2 o’clock came on quick, and who ever was left ate a sushi feast. Then we headed over to Rob’s for late night jam and I had a well needed shot of espresso (Rob always has delicious coffee treats) Rob is such a graceful presence and I truly missed his smiling spirit. I really wanted to stay and connect further but I had a radio interview soon! When we were leaving I asked Casey, “you coming with me?” and he grabbed his things and we left. On the way out of town we stopped at a magical place where he had to pick up one of his instruments. There where huge banyon trees and some spanish moss too and make believe things all around. Maybe it was the espresso, but I’ve never seen anything like this, tree houses, and stages, and theatrical expressions all around, you could tell that this was the origin of creation.

Then we were off! Tampa here we come.

Wanna know where I'm performing next?


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