Morning, I am out here in Wisconsin for 5 days with Billy Ballenger performing as part of the Acoustic “Testify to Love” Christmas Tour. You could do a 2 week tour of Tejas and at least a week here in Wisconsin. There are so many cool cities and spotsto play and visit like this coffee shop “The Whistle Punk” here in Stone Lake, Wisconsin. I am really stoked to be out here on this tour but even more grateful to have a coffee shop/brewery so close to where we are stationed.
I am not sure what shape this blog will take but I thought it would be good to check in. Being a working musician out on the road, taking notes, journaling and photographing the experience helps keep sanity. Often times, the down time is the true killer and being away from home, loved ones and the day-to-day can seem so faraway. So here goes.
Anyways, I get the opportunity to play with quite a few different artists like Billy, Alex, Ward, etc. With each gig comes different joys and challenges. One of the biggest is reconciling the differing personas that come with each. I have said it about a thousand times but if you would have told me that Country Music would be the majority of my touring life, thirteen year old me would have swung on you. I always wanted to be a cowboy growing up. Watching westerns, wearing bolo tie and western shirts for first grade school photos, I loved it. My grandpa would take me every year to get some new boots for the following but the country music scene wasn't something I steeped in. I watched Pete Anderson burn down the CMA's with Dwight, Brooks and Dunn win Entertainer of the Year and Reba slay every performance but playing the blues was where I felt at home.
I was fortunate to have a musical family. Mom was a first chair soprano, my great uncle was a musician, my dad, grandpa and a few family friends were musicologists. I had all different types of music swirling around. Even writing this, I get the nostalgic montage of all those experiences and influences. I knew that I wanted to do this from an early age. I am so grateful (even in this 6 degree Wisconsin weather) to be doing this and providing for the homestead by doing this. it is a constant challenge and I am always learning but I am grateful. For those that see this, that follow the music, check out the various social media pages to see what I am up to, thank you! I had no idea we would be here and I would have met so many new friends and added family members in these few years of the REBOOT.
I guess this was longer that I thought it would be. Typos are free and it seems I wanted to share some of my past and ramble on. Hope it was worth it. As with anything, I will work to get better at this and the other things coming down the pipe.
Thank you for listening.