Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 299

Year Four

July 9^th 2012

St Paul, Minnesota

Escape is nice. I was able to escape the very harsh reality of the van being stranded in Danville Illinois for at least one night. To do what I came here to do, keeping the dream alive for one more night. We woke up coming off a victorious show at Amsterdam, a win I desperately needed and now we're headed back to Danville.

Called ahead. They say the van won't be ready till tomorrow. That means an extra day (or more) in Danville freakin Illinois we have to put our gear in the car rent a smaller vehicle and stay here. Bloomington's out at this point and I basically just want to go home. 

Danville, Illinois

We go to make our presence felt. I tell Andy to do that talking because frankly I have an attitude problem. Big picture I understand what's goin on and that there are other cars in the world than mine, but in that moment, the spoiled child in me was seeping out. And of all the places to be stuck, I mean jeeze lol.

You really can't help but laugh, there's been more laughter on this particular tour than any other, I suspect it's to keep us all sane. If anything we are bonding. I love these boys, I just wish we were playing and not sitting here. 

Champagne, Illinois

As of this moment I'm at the super 8 in Champagne IL. The boys and I are gonna go out and blow off some steam. I doubt I'll remember anything that happens.

Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 298

Year Four

July 8^th 2012

Stillwater, Minnesota

Knock Knock Knock

Me: We don't want anything

Knock Knock Knock

Me: We're fine, we're sleeping

The door opens

Housekeeper: Housekeeping!

Me: I said we were sleeping.

Housekeeper: You don't want clean

Me: NO! Please go away!

Housekeeper: So no clean.

Me: For the Love of God!

Admittedly not my best moment. But after last night's insanity all I wanted to do was sleep. We got about 6 hours in and around 2 or so we were ready to hit the venue.

St. Paul, Minnesota

This would be our first time in St. Paul. We've rocked it's neighboring city Minneapolis 4 times in the past 3 years and they have always shown us a good time...aside from Philly it's my favorite city to play in. Tonight we're opening for Interscope Recording Artists The Knux a hip hop duo comprised of two twin brothers. Whenever we work with Ben Brueland I never have to worry about anything. He's a great guy and an excellent booker.

San Dimas and Xavier Marquis played spectacularly and it was time for our set. After yesterday I needed a win and I was hoping I'd find it on stage at Amsterdam.

There's nothing like watching people file into a room to see you play when you're halfway across the country. We have people that have literally not missed a show since we've started playing here. I decided to take those good feelings on the stage with me and turn my amp up real loud. 

Set List

Ex-Girlfriend

Superhero

Slowdance

Surrender

Sexy Machine

I Don't Dance

Feels So Good

Swim

Psycho

In the beginning it didn't look so good. The Crowd was pretty thin and as I looked out people were just kind of standing there. I was ready to give up, finish this thing, and get out of here. But I looked up and I saw something I hadn't seen all week. People...dancing like hardcore. So I decided I oughta snap out of autopilot and enjoy this. As usual, good crowd, they get sweaty, we get sweaty (we tend to get sweaty anyway)

I decided to try out swim solo tonight. This would be the best opportunity as this crowd is here to listen to the music as opposed to drink and ignore me. It was a nice moment. They were clapping to the rhythm midway through, determined to keep it upbeat and dancy.

We were well received, people singed our mailing list and bought CDs and some are even asking me when the new record is coming out. Making the decision to get here at all costs was totally worth it. What a great night.

We got some drinks, watched the knux, got paid, talked to some old friends and new fans and left the club.

We made a late night Run for the Border and went to bed...we got a 10 hour drive to Danville to pick up the car .

Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 297

Year Four

July 7^th 2012

Louisville, Kentucky

We get up and we're out of this Popsicle stand, mainly because a popsicle stand would melt in this heat. Leave it to me to book our summer tour during the hottest week of the year so far, I mean jeeze lol. We've got a day off so we can have some time in the Twin Cities before tomorrow's show. Minneapolis /St Paul is like a second home to me...it's the place (besides Philly) that has been the most receptive to my music and our band. Long story short all of these people have been nothing short of amazing since the day we've met them.

Danville, Illinois

Andrew: The Car's Overheating

Rob: Let's Shut the Air Off

A Few Miles Later

Andrew: Do You Smell That?

Me: Yeah...Pull over

We stop

Me: The Car is Smoking...This isn't good.

So we're on the side of the road as I attempt to call Allstate to get us a tow. It's hotter than hell outside, so obviously I'm not a happy camper. I know nothing about cars other than what my dad said. “If it's the water pump you are screwed”

A kindly police officer drives by

Officer: So are you guys taking a break or just breaking down.

Andy: The car is smoking might just be over heated.

We were picked up by the lovely folks at Carnaghi Towing. The tow truck driver looked excatly as one would think (a stock fellow with “chew” stained teeth) We weren't sure what we'd find upon arrival as we sat there and waited to see what was wrong.

Repair Guy: Well guys it's the water pump, not an easy fix. It would be monday before we could work on it.

Clearly this man doesn't realize I have s how with The Knux tomorrow...what do you mean you can't work on it till Monday​?

I am clearly devastated and now I have to make a decision, do I want to find a way to play this show or do I pack it in. Either are valid reactions to this situation I don't think anyone would blame me for packing it in right now. But this show was the reason we're out here, we're opening for a major label act in front of our friends and fans. This could be the biggest show we've ever played outside of Philadelphia so I wasn't goin to let this stop me, I vowed to do whatever it took to get to St. Paul tomorrow.

Me: Excuse me sir is there a car rental place here

Repair Guy: Closed

Me: U-Haul?

Repair Guy: Closed at Noon

Me: Really?

Repair Guy: Welcome to Danville.

The good news was after all of us (including the repair guy) calling around we were able to find a car rental place in Champagne, IL the bad news was it was a $90 cab ride to Champagne. We wait for 45 minutes and the cab arrives a young brother drivin, good sign.

Cab Driver: What kind of music y'all listen to.

Andy: Whatever.

Cab Driver: I was listenin to DMX when I pulled up.

Me: That Works

And we're off. We drive past the exit that we were stranded at with the van earlier that day.

Cab Driver: So I was tellin this bitch I was like I need to stop and get the jack and spare tire but she sent me out on this bull shit.

We hear a flopping sound

Cab: What the fuck is that?

Rob: Sir it seems as if you have a flat tire.

He goes outside

Cab Driver: I got a munthfuckin flat tire

Me: COME ON!

Clearly I'm frustrated, the unexpected expense of the cab ride the repair and the rental and the cab taking us to the rental car gets a flat tire. I mean jeeze lol.

Cab Driver: I wanna know which one of y'all muthafuckers is comin to get me...Listen guys someone's gonna come get you and take you to the airport...I'm sick of you muthafuckas fuckin wit my paper.

Five minutes after he hangs up another cab driver arrives and takes us to the airport, we rent the car and take it back to the dealership and manage to pack just about everything in the car and head towards St. Paul.

Stillwater, Minnesota

We arrived at the hotel around 6 AM and man am I tired. Our room wasn't clean when we arrived, they gave us new keys but they didn't work, but once we got everything squared away I was able to shower and sleep.

Can't wait for Amsterdam tomorrow...or today...I don't even know anymore

Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 296

Year Four

July 6^th 2012

Louisville, Kentucky

We left in the dead of night, a dubious start to (or in my case continuation of) tour. I have some concerns about the ol girl (van) we've had some issues with it overheating so I wanna drive at night seeing as it's the hottest week of the summer so far with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon. This is our first time here, we played here mainly because my brother is here and the ability to draw a crowd here would be greater than any other city nearby, at least he'd be there.

As we arrived to the venue (this city's Hard Rock Cafe) I was blown away by all the activity on fourth street where the venue was located. It seems as if all of the activity in Louisville was concentrated in one place. There was a cover band playing on the street (which was blocked off) and there were restaurants and night clubs on top of each other, quite a sight to see.

We had dinner and I notice the people singing at the table next to us, a whole family and as I looked around I noticed that there were quite a few people signing, come to find out that there's a sign language convention is Louisville this weekend, meaning that half the crowd in the Hard Rock Cafe is deaf. Interesting to say the least. My brother arrives shortly before showtime. It's good to see him as I haven't seen much of him since he's been here. We chat as the show starts, we've got a while since we don't play till 1.

We were treated to great sets by Field of Kings, The Winston Hours, and one of my all time favorite bands Hero Jr. and then at around 1 it was time for our set.

Set List

Ex- Girlfriend

Superhero

Slowdance

Surrender

Sexy Machine

I Don't Dance

Feels So Good

Psycho

As were playing I'm realizing I'm waay to tight, I'm doing things wrong, and those thoughts are like quicksand, the more you think them the deeper you go. My voice works though and seems to be compensating. But as the people sitting and having dinner seem to be turning around and people seem to not be looking at their watches I seem to think that we're going over pretty well.

It wasn't the conversion of an entire city but it was a start, the person who booked the show and the booker at the Hard Rock likes us and wants us to return, I'll take it. I want to leave right away and head for Minnesota (Fairfield has been canceled) but the boys want to sleep. I'm really concerned about the car overheating but I'm pretty tired as well so we'll sleep now and leave in the morning.

Boy Wonder: Professional Musican 295

Year Four

June 28^th 2012

Washington DC

I've been doing more touring this year. After last summer's tour of the south my desire to be on the road had increased ten fold, I just like being out here. That desire has been coupled with a desire to find a way to be as interesting an act without the band and the volume as I am with them. Let's face it, I can play more if I can do both, and doing the switching back and forth keeps it fresh for me. This week I had two very important acoustic shows featuring Electric Six's Dick Valentine. Tuesday's Show was here at World Cafe Live, probably the biggest HYPE! Show we've ever done in terms of having a name perform, and Today at The Black Cat. I decided on both days to play with Bob Beach. For those of you who don't know Bob Beach he's a harmonica/flute player extraordinaire who has appeared on my last two albums and on-stage with me several times. He picked me up and in short order we made our way down.

The funny thing about this particular show is that I was just in DC this past weekend for my best friends wedding and walked past The Black Cat the morning of on our way to brunch.

We got there and I was excited we had our own dressing room, a free meal, and 11 drink tickets (it's the little things in life you treasure) and even more excited to be rehearsing Dirt in The Ground with Dick. I was going to join him on-stage during his set. First things first I had to play.

Set List

Slowdance

Hangover

Sexy Machine

I Don't Dance

Surrender

Baby One More Time

Swim

Dick Valentine (as usual) tore it up. The man is a true craftsman, my favorite part about Electric Six has always been the songs. They are always really well written and constructed and this solo acoustic album shows that off even more. We hopped up for dirt in the ground and it was pretty freakin cool.

I left the stage, worked the room, and sold some CDs. After that I burned through some of those drink tickets and we went home. As I nodded off in the car I thought to myself “I may be the only dude that's ever sang on stage with Dick Valentine and Adam Levine.” Pretty eclectic company.

Boy Wonder: Professional Musician 294

Year Four

April 21^st 2012

Los Angeles, California

Today was busy, once I realized I had to go shopping because Mary told me that we were getting dressed up for this. It was sort of a whirlwind from wake up to sleep and it's all kind of a blur at this point.

We arrived at Genghis Cohen and the plan was to go back and forth sort of like a songwriter's circle but with two people. Mary would play and then I would play with Melinda. I was pretty confident that it would go well and I was very pleasantly surprised to see people file in for me. As a booker (and to a lesser extent a promoter) of shows back home I always try to hammer home to the other bands and artists that you absolutely cannot rely on anyone else but yourself to bring people if you want them there. Anyone else bringing people out should be a bonus. But that's another conversation.

The back and forth worked out really well for both of us, with both of us bringing good crowds everyone was captive for the entire hour long plus presentation of two distinct singer/songwriters who have more in common than I even realized. It even included “Feel You” a song we wrote together the night before, and like most things in a flash it was over. People don't realize the amount of work and anxiety that goes into playing an hour long show. I was able to connect with some old friends and some family that have left Philly and moved to the LA area. It was really really awesome.

A celebration with Danielle and now I'm off to bed...I've got a long stint in an airport before a flight home. Full of food and wine I can't help but think about how incredibly blessed I am and how much bigger I want this to be.