Mississippie and the dry counties

It’s Monday and I’m driving on. My GPS leads me through Mississippie.

After hours in the car I’m ready to take a motel and drive into a little town.

All the motels I look at are dumps and I can’t do it. I really want a beer tonight and am driving through all these dry counties. Then I have enough and turn North towards Tennessee. I promise myself to hit the first liquor store I find and get a six pack...
Then it starts pouring...

I make it to Jackson, TN and score a beer and a decent motel. Tomorrow I’m going to Chattanooga.

Dallas Unity & Arkansas

It’s a short drive to the Church and I love the Dallas skyline

The folks are very nice and it’s a big church. I forgot my camera in the car so I didn’t take any pictures. They have a great band and I have my lead sheets with me so I get to play with them. People love it and it’s a fantastic morning.
I’m done by 1pm and start the drive out to Chattanooga. It’s going to be a couple of days driving. Here I pass Paris, TX and have to think about this great movie.

Then I cross into Arkansas.

That’s it, Sunday in Arkansas - no beer! Darn, but nothing I can do about it.
When it’s getting dark I’m looking for a little motel and chill out.

Driving to Dallas

Next morning I’m ready for a real coffee

One day I’m going on a cruise with all my girls...

It’s a long day driving and I’ll try to get to Dallas but about 40 South of it I’m too tired to go on and get a motel. Tomorrow morning I’m playing the Unity of dallas.

The Gulf Coast

It’s another beautiful day and I’m going to Galveston.

Wow that’s a beautiful little city by the water.

It’s still early and I spend a little time on the beach before i explore the old downtown

I love the architecture and it reminds me a little of New Orleans.

Down at the waterfront there are a couple of oil rigs - pretty impressive.


I walk around a little bit and check out the alleys...

Just like San Francisco...

It’s early afternoon and I have time until 9 pm so I hang out on the Strand.

Later I take a ride with the tram...

Miles would have been excited to play that thing:)

After walking around all day I go back to the motel and rest a little before I go down the the Old Town Acoustic Cafe. It’s a beautiful sunset.


It’s a great old venue and one of the last gems out there.

I have a small crowd but they love it. There’s a group of kids that stay all through the show and bring down the average age considerably.

I take a last shot before i go back to the motel. Here is Wrecks, the owner and former bass player with Towns van Zandt.

After th flu

The last three days I was down! Lucky me that I had a place to stay and did not have to move. I feel better but am still a little week. Today I have to drive to Houston and play the Anderson Fair with Ken Gaines, Wayne Wilkinson and Willie B. Got to say goodbye to the kiddies...

Then I pack the car and am ready to roll

It’s another sunny day and the sky is blue and wide.

In the evening I arrive in Houston and am greeted by Ken. He’s a great songwriter and one of the nicest guys ever.

We play a nice in the round and have an appreciative audience.
Here’s a shot with Ken and Wayne

It’s a late show that started at 10 pm and goes to midnight. After that I have to look for a motel and start driving South via Galveston where I play tomorrow.
Finally I’m lucky and found something. I’m tired and go to bed instantly

Above the clouds

Today’s the day! Marty asks me if I wanted to fly with them to Llano for lunch?!
He does not have to ask me twice and I’m in. I never flew to lunch for that matter. So after I get ready we’re taking off in direction airport. Wow, it’s a Moony. They built this little 4 seat airplane here in Kerrville.

I love the propeller and am wondering how that thing alone creates the thrust to get us airborne.

I’m the co-pilot and have to study the cockpit - it’s quite complicated...

I’m so excited and thrilled about that! My face hurts from smiling so hard.

Paula too has a great time in the backseat.

Then we’re in the air. The take off was smooth and the wind isn’t too strong. Once we’re up on 4000 feet Marty hands over the control to me and I get to fly for the first time. Steering happens only with light pressure not with actual movement. Wow is that cool!

Landing is good too.

We get a curtesy vehicle and drive 10 minutes into Llano where we go to a real Texas BBQ. There are 8 huge pits and tons of dead animals:) It’s vegetarian heaven. Texas is probably the only state I can do that!

We don’t get plates but a special paper to put everything on. In addition to the meat we have beans, potato salad and cole slaw.

Oh am I full! Haven’t eaten like that ever! But - I must admit that it was great.
Then it’s time to fly back and this time Paula is going to fly and I’ll take the back seat.

After a safe landing Marty and me pose one more time in front of the Moony.

Back to work, I still have to write and answer a lot of emails.

Then it’s time for bed! The two sister kiddies already warmed it up for me.

Top of the Hill House Concert

I sleep in and it feels great! Today I play the Top of the Hill house concert. It’s the second year with Paula and Marty and I’m looking forward to this especially after yesterday!
In the afternoon we get all the chairs up and start the preps.

We have a nice crowd and despite my oncoming cold I manage to sound good and get the people going!

Afterwards we hang out and play some more. Here is Ray (Paula’s cousin) and his daughter.

Paula is all ear!

Around 1 am we’re calling it a night and go to bed. That was a good day!

So why did I do that?

I get up early and work the biz again - it seems that never stops!

Luckily I can take breaks and step on the balcony overseeing the Kerrville valley. It is beautiful even on a grey day.

Then it gets time to drive to San Antonio for my gig at the Lion and Rose. It’s a Pub gig and now I have no clue why I took that. I don’t do well in bars and my music certainly does not animate to drink more. When I get there it turns out to be the wrong branch and I have to drive to another part of the town. Just like last year!!! There is something about San Antonio. I’m glad the second location has a smoker room. At the first one I thought I’m gonna bail out! Still, I’m playing in the background and have to look at my CDs to see what songs I actually have written. My brain is fried!

One person comes up to me and buys two albums. I’m so surprised but that must have been my angel for the night:) It’s a late show and I’m done by midnight. Then I have to drive one hour back to Kerrville. Oh am I tired!