Okay, I have fallen way behind on my blogging. I actually enjoy doing this. It's fun to write about the things I see, places I travel, and what I hear along the way. I must admit though ... I do not enjoy Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter. It's one more thing I have to handle. Really, I have not decided what to do with all this social networking yet. I feel like anything that gets in the way of me being able to find the time to create is not good for me. I understand how it's nifty and all, but for now, rather than "twitter," I'll call.
So it's blog time. Let's see ... we flew home on April 5th, from MA. We then readied ourselves for shows the following weekend.
On Friday, April 10th, we played this cool show with Daniel Makins (check him and his series out here: danielmakins.com). It was held at a funky artsy theater from the 50's in San Angelo. Although my old stomping grounds at the Steel Penny were quite fun, playing this theater was gratifying after well over a decade since my last show in the area. The people were so nice. It's hard to stop playing sometimes. When all the elements are there and the sound is good and the audience is with you. This was one of those nights. And Daniel, he was fantastic. He's beloved in his hometown and respected as well due to his guitar skills and songs. It was a joy to work with him.
On Saturday the 11th we played Casbeers at the Church. It's an old church, in San Antonio, that's been turned into a mexican food restaurant downstairs and a performance area upstairs. It's one of my favorite places to play in Texas. And San Antonio is my hometown, even though I live in San Marcos. It's still my "home." The Karen Wells band joined us on stage for some fun. Man, can she sing!
After Casbeers and before the Arts Fair in San Antonio, I decided to go DIY on my hair and turned it orange by mistake. It was fixed, by my hairdresser who had but one question, "Why?"
I had no good answers. I'm busy and on a budget. Will that suffice? I'd get dreads if I thought I could pull it off. I've always wanted them. Here's a secret, I do not like fixing my hair or spending money on it.
On Sunday the 19th, we played the Fiesta Arts Fair in downtown San Antonio. I was working on new songs all week and different ways to play old songs. I do this from time to time. For instance, I bought a 12 string and it sounds better in an alternate tuning. So, on this show, I played the 12 string and had to work up new arrangements with the tuning I had in mind on a few tunes. It was hard, but it came off okay. The School of Arts and Crafts is classy. The people putting this on are gold. And well, The Swindles ... who played after we did, were GREAT. Oh, and before I forget, I heard LeAnne Atherton play as part of her new group called "Gypsy Heart." It was world music and off the grid good!
On April 25th, we headed towards our show in Baton Rouge for Chris and Liz at the Red Dragon Listening Room. After staying more lost than found in MA, I purchased a Tom Tom and broke it in on this trip. Our voice is "Samantha." She's pretty polite given the fact that she told us which way to go and we did the exact opposite of what we were told. I kept waiting for her to cuss, but she remained in check. So, I did it for her. "Hey dummy, I said LEFT at the LIGHT," I shouted over her voice. When driving to Baton Rouge, one must find ways to occupy time.
Before showtime, after driving for well over an hour in search of dinner, we took our chances and ate at a place called (drumroll please) "The Chicken Shack." It was either that, or starve. I was tired of eating the food we'd brought. I was a cashew away from insanity. I needed something with substance. But after looking at the menu, the only healthy choice was leaving, and I was too hungry for that and besides, the people behind the counter were nice. So, I ordered my food fried (so whatever was on it or in it died). It was pure fat, starch, and oil with ketchup on the side. I thought about a health guru I know who simply insists it's easy to find solid good meals on the road if you try. I thought about her in her tight pink yoga pants slurping down a wheatgrass and probiotic superfood high antioxidant shake. I thought about her some more as I wobbled out of the chicken shack wiping the grease from my mouth on my sleeve. If she traveled anywhere else but to and from yoga, she'd know what us musicians already know ... good eats are hard to find.
We burped our way towards our gig, where I was soon surprised by the "Sister's," who are two of the coolest young artist's I've had the pleasure of meeting in a long time. I was still digesting my "Chicken Shack," when Melanie (the older of the siblings), handed me a painting she had done for me. It read "She Owns Her Own Universe and She Walked Away With the Moon" on the back of it. Pictured, is a woman carrying the moon off through the water. I'm not often surprised, but their kindness and this painting took me aback. This year has been somewhat like riding a mechanical bull, and it was the first time I've been totally stopped in my tracks by something beautiful. These unexpected moments are what I live for. As I was making sure my painting would be safe on stage (I wanted to show it off), Martin Flannigan and his band began to play before our set. By the end of his show, my cheeks were hurting as he had me smiling so much. Then, we played and had a wonderful time. The 12 string sounded like and orchestra and we tried some more new songs out with it. Backstage, the Maxwell's surprised us some more by providing a veggie tray for us. They are some of the most kind and hospitable people in the business. After the show, I thought about sticking the veggies in my back pack, but resisted. It was the last healthy food I laid eyes on (aside from the dead alligator on the road we saw on our way out of town) till I made it home late Sunday night.
Sunday the 26th we played the Houston International Festival. We played it as a trio with Glenn and had a ball. The sound was real good and it was a pretty magical time. They had recreated the 42nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival we'd played in DC for the Houston International Festival in Texas. So, we had the chance to see the Tex Maniacs again from San Antonio. I gotta admit, I was way happy I did not have to follow the Jones Family Singers again. I was sad I missed their show though. After we played, we simply had to head home. We used up our tickets on festival food (there's healthy eatin' ... NOT) ... and made our way with Tom Tom in tow towards San Marcos.
We met with Riley today, (keys and arranger) for the jazz record. I have most of the songs picked out or sketched out. I'm thinking we will knock this out in June and July. So, needless to say, I have my work cut out for me. Some of the music is way over my head and it will require lots of woodshedding.
Pictured is me with my "Sister" friends ... they are the cutest (Melanie and Melissa)
Well that's all & happy trails your way too!
Terri
