On The Road

So this little journal entry finds me on the road somewhere between West Bend, Wisconsin and Oshkosh. I’m riding shotgun, sharing an internet connection over Lynn’s cell, while Katie plows this more than fully loaded Volvo wagon through the blowing snow. It’s dark and hard to see but it doesn’t seem to slow the semis, which are blasting on past us.

We just played in West Bend for a bunch of really nice people. A guy name Jason Burton opened for us. He has an amazing voice, great sense of humor and an uncanny ability to play left-handed on a right-handed guitar. I don’t really understand it, but he makes it work.

Our friend Hoss met us there to play some sweet B3 and Wurly with us. That boy can tear it up on the keys. He’s a natural. Love playing with him. You know, the four of us playing music together just feels right. I feel comfortable with the setup and love how the music is sounding. I could get used to this touring bidness.

Anyway, tomorrow we’re playing in Negaunee, MI, which is way up in the U.P. There’s pleny of snow here and the meterologists are all telling me that more snow is inevitable. Glad I have my Eskimo coat on.

Last night we had the privelege of catching the band Altan in concert at the University of Wisconsin in Whitewater. If you don’t know who they are, check out their website www.altan.ie. Altan are quite possibly the best traditional Irish/Gaelic band out there. They got their start about 20 years ago, so you can imagine they are all quite the virtuosos. They played phenomenally. Dåithí on guitar, Dermot on accordion, Mairéad on fiddle, Ciarån on fiddle and penny whistle. And another Ciarån on bouzouki (a crazy cool greek instrument). Each of them blew me away with their abilities and emotive playing.

My friend David Dunlop knows the band and was able to connect us. We had the chance to hang out back stage to chat about our mutual aquaintances, touring and car thievery.

On a side note, Mairéad and Dermot live just down the road from Limekiln B&B where I’ve stayed in Donegal, Ireland. Which, if you’re ever in that part of Ireland make sure to stop there. Rosemary Boyd can fix you a very mean Irish breakfast.

Another side not, car theft came up in our conversation because on Friday we locked ourselves out of our car just before leaving for the Wisconsin leg of our tour. John from the dealership was kind enough to show us how to “open” our car. Very nice of him!

Well we are getting close to our destination. I suppose we’ll arrive around 12:34am. I’ll post more about the tour as I get the chance.