December 6th, 2010.

Heather and I staring up into the ceiling at Frederick, MD’s Brewers Alley.  This is a bar gig, but the food and the Lovely environment makes it feel a little more like a coffeehouse.  However, the big video screens up on the walls bring me back to reality and I must admit that when audience interest dips, I can get pretty distracted watching the commercials.

Oh merde – it has been a DAY.  Last night’s show was wonderful – and I always come out of Tom Bianchi’s Burren jams (which I finally had the guts to dip my pinkie toe into) inspired and stunned by the sheer talent on display.  But it meant that we were out till around 2 in the morning, and I couldn’t fall asleep – till I was up till 6 in the morning – and then my alarm went off at 9.30 in the morning so we could go get brunch with Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Michael Berkowitz.  I’ve been feeling the effects of it for the rest of the day.

This sure as Hell made me giggle.

And we’ve been driving for the rest of the day too – we left Boston just before noon, heading south and inland, with hopes of hitting an open mic in Bethlehem, PA to advertise for this Friday’s show with Maura Jenson.  However, snow came spiraling down, making me slightly concerned, and then a Facebook message came spiraling in – notification of cancelation of Friday’s show.  The venue’s moving.  And the new location won’t have Live music.  And somehow that was decided… today?

We’ve still landed here in Bethlehem.  The coffeehouse itself (Wildflower Café and Gallery) is tiny but beautiful.  There’s a drumkit with Animal printed on the bass drum and the vegan chili is absolutely delicious.  I asked her to make it a little spicier and it is the PERFECT way to spend a snowy night in Western Pennsylvania.  It’s such a shame we can’t stay the night right here, next to the stove. 

Our opening act at Connecticut University was a very cool cover band called DaMopes.  A pretty strong three-piece, my favourite part was the drummer – who just had excellent control – no small feat in such a bright, small room. They did some really eclectic covers with three-part harmonies… it was a shame there weren’t more people there to check them out!

Well.  Probably the microwave, actually.  But damn – I just don’t care.  It’s delicious.  Still – we’ll sign up and play and then get in the car and drive ANOTHER 4 hours home to Baltimore.  Through the snow.  It’s been a DAY and doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.  Le sigh.

All of Davis Square was beautifully decorated for the holidays – the Burren in particular radiated warmth and light against the cold, Boston winter’s night.
  • Our show at the Burren, as always, was a high point of the tour.  Of course, with this tour that wasn’t too hard – the other high point was Victoria Station, but the low-points were much more common.  A rough weekend to be sure – but watching such amazing players as Andrew Byrd and David Glasier and sharing the stage with them was just delicious… and then Greg Klyma came sneaking in…
It really was an all-star night at the Burren.  Though it’s a bit intimidating, it makes for a Hell of a show.  After we’d played, the night turned into a jam for all the most-talented musicians in the Boston area – all run by that absolutely dazzling bass-playing Muppet of a man, Tom Bianchi.  Here he is playing bass while also holding a mic stand up for Greg.
At the very end of the night Hugh McGowan stepped up on the back room stage at the Burren.  I’ve been disappointed that every time we’ve seen Hugh for … for YEARS at this point… he’s been behind the bar, not behind a mic.  But tonight we’re lucky and he gets a friend to cover the beers for a sec, runs up on the stage, and steals my heart all over again. Absolutely magic.
After the show at the Burren, we gave a friend a ride home and had to pack a little differently for the drive.  Poor Heather!
  • \We’d been outpacing snow throughout the entire tour – the last drive from Bethlehem to home was the diciest, with snow giving a gentle dusting to the car while we were playing the Wildflower. 
  • The last night on the road, Heather and I swung into the Wildflower Cafe in Bethlehem, PA to advertise for a show… the show was canceled halfway through our drive there, but we still dropped into the open mic.  Best vegan chili I’ve ever had in my Life. 
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