Day 8 - On the Road... to recovery

Today is August 31st. The final day of August yes, there can not be more than 31 days in a month, thanks Einstein. Well the recovery of my stomach from the MN State Fair escapades was seamless. In fact, we ate with such self-control and moderation/pace, that we actually ended up ordering pizza that night for dinner, cos it wasn't all that bad in the stomach ache department. After that little experience and a fun MN State Fair, I had a pseudo-off-day on Monday. My show for the night was in Minneapolis, where I was staying. And it wasn't until late in the evening. So I had a lot of the day to kill.

I got a slow/lazy start, as I was pretty much addicted to watching the first round of the US Open tennis. I decided to get off my ass and run around the nearby lake that we ran around on Sunday. It's about 3 miles around, so I'm told. So I trucked around it pretty comfortably, using runners ahead of me on the path to push myself a little harder. I got one time around, and took a little breather for about a minute - and was feeling ambitious. So I decided to go around again. I guess that was 6 miles, and running two days in a row on the road is something I can't say I've done too many times ever. So I am pretty happy about that.

Now onto today with a double-header. I have an early afternoon college show at Minot State, then an evening show back down in Fargo, as I close in on the final few shows of this solo trip. I am very anxious to get home, and jam with the band again and get ready in the next 2 weeks to really fine tune our set and get it ready for our first show in mid-September at Univ. of Indy.

I had heard a brief blurb a few months ago about flooding here in Minot.

Read an Article here

I feel like it didn't get as much press as it warranted. It's also possible that I don't watch the news very much. But it's sad, because natural disasters of this type happen every year, year after year. The Souris River rose beyond control, and I really had no idea how bad it was. As I was trying to find a hotel (weeks ago) in Minot for this very visit, I had zero luck. In years past (I believe this is my 3rd or 4th time playing here), I would just call up a hotel right down the street from the university, and book a reasonably priced room - no problem - voila. This time it was virtually impossible. it seems that so many people have been relocated, that there are no vacancies in any hotel anywhere near Minot. This was the first indication, to me, that this was far worse than most of the country was exposed to via the media.

When I was trying to set up/confirm this show, I had trouble getting in touch with my contact at Minot State. She finally got back with me via e-mail (I can be quite persistent in the booking sometimes), stating that things had been very crazy this Summer with the recovery efforts. It's been about 3 months since the flooding, and I can't believe that they are in such a state of disrepair that they had to do everything in their power to actually make sure they can start school on time this Fall (which I suppose they did, since I'm here). Not that my little afternoon acoustic set is anything that will aid them in terms of morale, but it will be nice to see everyone moving along - business as usual - even if it's just on the surface, and they are trucking along, like most communities would, just fighting through it, and taking it day by day. Nice to be in a resilient community, is what I'm trying to say.

My evening doubleheader is a return to Fargo, which may become my new HighMay tour hotspot. As I may have mentioned in my last entry, there is a woman in Fargo who is very willing to help me out to more appropriately break into the Fargo scene, and you may be thinking "So what, it's just Fargo!" But breaking into a city - any city - is good, as long as they are receptive to my music, and so far, they have been (see "Red Raven" performance recap).

After this double header, I venture back to Duluth (see "Day 1" of this tour) for an actual performance this time... then back to one of my oldest stomping grounds: The Acoustic Cafe in Winona, MN - before heading home, trying to make it back early enough Saturday to make band rehearsal.

Home stretch everyone - don't lose your composure!!

On the Road - On a Stick - Day 6

Well Well Well. After a couple of days of eating like a champ (and I don't mean healthy), I awoke this morning ready to write an update on the escapades... Let's backtrack. I'll start with yesterday. I am currently staying in the VIP luxury suite at Casa D' Craig (My friends of several years; AND the friends who have hosted me at the most different cities in the US - 3 - chicago, philly, and now Minneapolis). I woke up, and found them sitting on the nice, soothing back patio, with their cappuccinos and reading the paper. I joined them and sat out there reading a great article in a NY Times insert about tennis rivalries. This article also featured photos of Andy Samberg dressed up (and quite convincingly) as specific tennis players from the open era and those respective player's biggest rivals. (Sorry if I'm boring you with this, but) McEnroe - Borg - Agassi - Sampras - Connors. We then got dressed up for a quick 3 mile run around a nearby lake. it was really nice and even their little dogs made the run. There were a ton of people running/biking/rollerblading around this lake and it was a perfect day for it. Then we came back and got showered up for a nice day at the main attraction - MN State Fair. I'm excited because last year Mike D and I were in MN during the fair as well. We ate so much fried food and on sticks and it was a fun experience. SO I felt so lucky to be back in town during the fair again this year.

Aside from people watching and just walking around, looking at different products/machinery/cars/tools/booths, the food was our main goal so here is a recap:
-Deep fried pickles - I never thought this sounded good, but they actually tasted great, and just like pickles
-Fish Taco
-Asian Fusion Carnita taco
-jamaican jerk seasoned french fries
-Chicago coney dog
-Pronto Pup corn dog w/ mustard
-Spring Grove Lemon Sour soda
-Deep Fried Milky Way on a stick (AMAZING)
-Cheese curds (could only eat 2 pieces at this point, but they were good; saltier than I imagined)
-Root Beer float on the way out the door (after letting things settle for a while)

I think we had the right approach. Since I was a 3rd wheel, that means there was 3 of us. We decided to just pool our stomach resources and just split/share everything. This would allow us to try more and not get full/sick too quickly. It worked out well. After our initial surge of eating 5-6 items right off the bat, we were satisfied and pacing ourselves well, this allowed us to walk around for a good portion of the fair. We capped it off with a couple of late treats like the cheese curds and the root beer float. Just an amazing time. The cash adds up for sure. And special thanks to my friend Brian for paying for most of it (aside from all of the other perks he has afforded me in the last two days). What a great time, if you have never been to a large state fair, I strongly advise you to do so.

All right, on to YESTERDAY. My friend Em was nice enough to take time out of her busy weekend to hang out with me on Saturday. I scheduled things in advance and when I realized that not only were the Tigers playing the Twins this weekend in MN, but Justin Verlander was pitching Saturday and going for his 20th win!









We also decided to pig out at some point. It started (for me) with a quaint, hot pretzel, one of my major weaknesses. Then I had one of my favorite ball park concoctions: I called it a "Dillemon." (we actually came up with that name together). It's a big beer (must be in a plastic cup) from any ballpark, usually costing around $8. Then purchase a frozen lemon chill/lemon ice cup. Let the lemon ice thaw out a bit (or if it's a really hot summer day, just drop it right into the beer after drinking it down and making room for it. Patiently let the beer engulf and embrace the lemon ice as it melts into a consistent texture, and then enjoy your citrus, refreshing beverage. Anyway around halfway through the game we were ready for the main course. I got a chili dog, and Em impressed me by getting a polish sausage with BOTH sauerkraut and onions! Then we split a grande nachos which was actually really good and the toppings were ample and perfect. >br>









Then we walked around Minneapolis after the Tigers victory and chose to wind it down with the sun... laying in the grass at Loring Park as the sun went down.







So Saturday was another fun day on the road. I would have loved to play a show every single day, but if I can't, then I had the best two alternatives for Saturday and Sunday.

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Let's not forget about Friday folks. My last post was Friday, but BEFORE my show that night. I wanted to recap that night. I rolled into the Red Raven and started setting up. There was a local, named Adam, who plays as "The Prarie," which is an interesting blend of music using backing tracks and some cool backing arrangements (I think I heard some recorder in there). He opened up the show and brought in a good amount of peeps. When this usually happens I feel it can go either of two ways, (1) when he finishes playing everyone will promptly leave or (2) everyone will stick around. Fortunately it was the latter. This was one of the best audiences that I had ever played for. I did a nice, solid 45 minute set, and they were so attentive, quiet, and receptive throughout. After I finished, I was packing things up and talking to Adam, and then a woman showed up very late (whom I had met the night before at the wine bar). She missed the whole set but wanted to come, and brought a couple people with her. So I proposed to play her a couple of songs unplugged. So I pulled up a stool, and there was also a table of kids hanging out that also wanted to hear more. I played two repeats to open up the "unplugged set." "Stay 4 Hours" + "North Milwaukee" by request. Then I rattled off about 4 more, and I think everyone was quite satisfied... even me.

This woman, Jane, is all about helping me break into the Fargo market, which I am excited about, and I actually need to call her up today and talk about some things... I love when complete strangers are able to receive what I am giving, and actually believe in it, also while offering to help down the road; a pretty nice payoff.

I think my backtracking is now current.

Today is now Monday, and it feels like a day off, but that's just because I don't play until 11PM tonight. I will probably be falling asleep by the time I start to play, but I'm sure I won't play a sleepy set. After that is the homestretch: driving to and from Minot, ND, and then Fargo, Duluth, and Winona before heading back home for just a few days...

Kudos if you read all of this...

Blog 2 - Day 4: Fargo, ND

No people in woodchippers (yet). Just another sunny day in Fargo. I have set up camp in a local Caribou Coffee today to try to catch up on some e-mails and tie up a few loose ends on some shows which are in limbo.

I had my first ever gig in Fargo last night, at a wine place called Uncorked. It's actually a pretty cool concept. You can actually make your own wine at this place, and drink it, or make your own labels for your wine, add the yeast yourself and cork it... and get this... for the middle of the road deal, you can get 30, YES THIRTY bottles of wine that you can make yourself (and don't worry, they have pros that will do most of the dirty work), and you can make your own labels, and name your wine whatever you want... for $225. That is $7.50 per bottle of wine and you get 30, it's called a "batch." Also they serve food, apps, and sandwiches and stuff, and you can just go there for dinner, etc. All 50 wines that they have there, they make in house. So it's a pretty cool concept.

So I played a nice little laid back two sets over there and it was pretty cool. Not a ton of people there, but the one thing that counts, is that the people who were there gave me some good feedback and hopefully I'll be back in Fargo again soon. Oh wait. I'm playing in Fargo again tonight! Yup, another new spot, and Oh Wait! I'm playing in Fargo again next week. I'm really trying to firm up my Fargo market and corner the music scene here. hopefully I make some headway with these 3 shows here on this stretch of the solo tour.

2 nights ago I visited Winnipeg, Manitoba. Home of the Winnipeg Jets. I ended up hooking up with a couchsurfing host(ess) named Lindsay, and she was awesome... she has been to over 35 countries, and shows no signs of stopping that trend anytime soon. On my way there, I was held up at the border (as expected) and they just asked me some questions about my gig and if I was getting paid, etc. I didn't have to fill out any type of permit, so after about 45 minutes I was free to go. It was cutting pretty close to my time to get to the venue and perform, so I quickly met Lindsay, and then rushed out the door. My phone did not work at all in Canada which was a bummer, but fortunately Lindsay stayed around for me when I was running behind. So she looked up the bookstore (Sam's Place - awesome indie/non-profit bookstore/cafe), and navigated my route to perfection. We walked in (she even was my roadie + groupie) and she lugged around my guitar for me. I did a quick soundcheck, scribbled out a quick setlist and jammed it out for the 18-20 people that were there. Nice intimate place, nice stage, good sound. I'd like to thank Heather again for having me.

The local girl I was opening up for was pretty good too. She had a guy kind of sharing the stage with her, who did some harmonies, and they fed off each other, with one or the other singing the leads, and their own songs at different times. So she busted out with this cover song and it sounded so familiar. It was "push" by matchbox twenty. When I was in high school I really was obsessed with this band, and they really got me in the mode of wanting to write songs, well before I ever got the chance. I remember the first time I heard "longday" on the radio, when I was coaching hockey schools in Ohio, Illinois. I was driving to/from Sylvania (I think) one of those days and cruising the highway with the windows all the way down and radio blaring (as I used to do) and I heard this song... it was so amazing, and rocked, and I just somehow gravitated toward it, and was asking myself "who is this?" That was actually their first single, before "Push" came out. I bet not many people know that. But then when "Push" did hoist them into stardom, I knew which band I heard a few months before on I-75.

So when Rachel was singing this song, it really just reminded me of high school, a timeframe that I seldom think about anymore. Me with the really short-buzzed hair, playing hockey, tennis... chasing the girls around... I loved Matchbox Twenty, and while I don't think they're officially retired or broken up, I wish they kept things going a little more constantly like bands like Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, and other bands of that 90s era. The Rob Thomas solo stuff is pretty good, but I'd really love it if Matchbox Twenty was still rocking, and touring every year. I used to be in their fanclub and had seniority on awesome tickets to shows, and now they don't even tour. It's a shame. Come on guys, get the band back together!

I'll leave you with a fun little photo I took just before having the 2nd best gelato in the US that I have ever had. The theme of the photo is: "TORN"

and we're baaaack

I think I've used that title for a post in the past, but hopefully no one will notice.

I don't know which day to consider Day 1 here for Fall tour. Yesterday I drove 13 hours from home to Duluth, MN where a gracious CouchSurfing host, Andrew, has let me stay, and provided me with some good conversation and company last night. This guy has a small "music room" with guitars, ukelele, bass guitars, and a electronic drum set, keyboard... AND he's not even a musician, he just likes to dabble, and states that he "can't pass up a good deal on Craigs List." Kudos to him. I wish I could spend more time here in Duluth, but I am excited to get to Winnipeg, to meet my next CouchSurfing host, and also play my first ever show in Canada.

This girl has been to like 35 different countries, and I am so jealous. I look forward to talking to her about how to make that happen. I do a lot of traveling here in the US, but she has been to more countries than I have been states I believe. Or it is pretty close.

Yesterday I knew I had a long drive. I wanted to do something different to get back into the swing of traveling, since I haven't toured since April or May. So, seeing as my oasis for the night is Duluth, MN (way north MN), I decided to drive through Michigan's Upper Peninsula to get there. This way I can see way more scenery, great natural marvels, including the coasts of the Great Lakes + I can avoid bull shit Chicago traffic, and have a more relaxing drive overall. It was really nice. I tried to take some photos while driving (really safe right?).








So I am now just looking forward to a nice hot shower, and a short 7 HOUR drive to Winnipeg. I hope I don't get held up at customs!

As the coke-head at Grapevine Furniture used to say: "Beautiful Day, Great to be Alive!"

-JA