Uncle Calvin's in Dallas

Today I play Uncle Calvin’s in Dallas and open up for Brooks Williams. I was looking forward to this show for a long time and pretty thrilled when they invited me. I leave early and my eyes are still half shut. That darn train was so loud that i was upright in my bed every hour of the night! Here I pass that sucker on my way West.

They booked me a nice room at the Courtyard Marriot and I check in early to catch up some sleep.

Around 6pm I drive to Calvin’s. It’s an old Coffeehouse in a Church. Folks there are so nice and welcoming and make me feel right at home. I’m glad to play again after a week offtime. I was getting a little depressed but now it’s all gone and I’m excited and looking forward to the show.

We have about 180 people and I open up with a 30 minute set. It is wonderful and people love what I’m doing and I have to give an encore - pretty rare for an “opening act”. I have a wonderful time and Brooks is a great artist and person. Certainly looking forward to meeting him again.

After that I’m driving back to the hotel and crash instantly...

Cruising around the Hinterland

Today I’m going to visit Lake Tawakoni. I have no clue how it’s going to be so I’ll just cruising around. Wow, now I’m in the Hinterland. There it is, I can see a sign to the Park. I’ll enter and am the only person visiting! Well it’s certainly off season but very pretty - I wish it wasn’t so darn windy and I could just sit down and play my guitar.

Instead I head back to the car. It’s getting a little chilly.

That would have been a great spot for a family picnic. I miss ‘em and wish they could be with me...

How about a walk out on the dock. I must say that the water does not look very inviting.

Ok, I’m back on the road. Well it’s a real Country Road and unpaved. Haven’t done that in Texas yet. It seems to go on forever...

I find a little Motel somewhere down the road in a small city. It is right next to the tracks.

Paris, TX

Today I’m going to drive to Paris, TX and see the Texan version of the Eiffel tower but first I need to pack the car.

It’s the only tower with a cowboy hat on top - so what do you think...

I think I got to get out of here, it’s a little scary - well, not so bad actually but I’m glad to be rolling again.

I find a motel somewhere closer to Dallas

Tonight is Chinese night and I indulge into Sweet & Sour soup and buffet.

Time to sleep...

Over the mountains into Oklahoma

Next day I’m driving deeper into Arkansas. I must say that I changed my attitude about it. Once you leave that main highway it is beautiful.

In Mena, a little city on the way to Oklahoma I find a lost treasure - Esso - wow I haven’t seen this since my childhood back in Germany, certainly not here in the US.

From here I take a mountain road that leads into Oklahoma. There are all these vista points and for two hours I’m all alone with no cars whatsoever.

On top there is an old abandoned fire tower that oversees the valleys to the North and South.

Close by is an old train station and a steam engine.

OK, I made it into Oklahoma. I think this is my first time if I recall correctly.

Finally the road winds down into the lowland. That was a nice trip and I’m glad that I decided to cruise and explore.

Once I reach Hugo, OK I take a little motel and get ready for the evening.

Car trouble on the way out

It’s Sunday and time to move on. I feel tired and charged at the same time. I wish I could say that from my car but the battery is totally dead and it takes a full 15 minutes hooked up to another car to get it started. I also lost some fluid and don’t know exactly what it is. The radiator is still full so I star driving and see what’s coming...

I have the next gig on Friday in Dallas, so I have a lot of time to drive around and explore. How about Arkansas? I only had bad times here so I want to give it a chance and start driving away from the highway. First stop is Hot Springs. I’m hungry and grab some food at Cafe 1217.

It’s a famous place with it’s own cook book and great health food - now that is Arkansas I haven’t seen before.
After that I’m visiting an Alligator Farm, which is also a petting zoo, I know a strange combination but whatever...

Nice head!

Hot Springs has some cool old buildings.

Here is a last view downtown before I leave...

I drive into a National Park and make a nice stop at a Lake and sit down to daydream.

One last look before I take off again in search of a place to lay my head.

Crazy days go by and by

Wow, it’s a totally crazy time with 1800 musicians and folks constantly hanging out and endless music sounding from somewhere. Not to mention the three hours of sleep every night, if at all. Here are some impressions...




I make one trip out of the hotel and walk up to Beale Street and check out BB King’s club.

Here is Fran and me just before everything is over. The last days he was feeling pretty crappy but now he’s on the way up again.

Memphis Folk Alliance

I get up early and start driving. This time I'll find my way through the Birmingham triangle. I remember getting desperately lost last year. Here it is, Alabama's precious.

After that I’m crossing the line to Mississippi.

It’s afternoon when I arrive in Memphis. I’ll stay with my friend Fran. He hosts the “Concerts in your home” showcase. Here are a couple of views from our hotel window.


We have a few showcases in the room tonight...

I knew it’s going to be late but...

Driving towards Memphis

Today is a driving day and I’m leaving Savannah with a crying eye.

One last goodbye shot and off I am.

I just love the feel of downtown here.

Then the highway is my way.

I’m missing the 220000 mark just by a little bit.

I make it to Atlanta.

Somehow I like the city skyline.

A few hours after that it’s time for a motel and some sleep.