A Day Off

We got on the bus last night at midnight in Tunica. Jimmy, our driver, drove us to Dayton. We were in our rooms by noon. Even thought it's a day off, I spent the day running around. I went to Steve & Barry's & got me a pair of Starbury One's (not shoes pictured). Stephon Marbury has introduced a line of sports shoes that only cost $15. They're actually pretty good shoes. I suggest buying a few pair.

Robinsonville, MS

I guess that it's Tunica... but the address says Robinsonville. We played Sam's Town Casino tonight. I had some buffet, help set up, & watched TV. I didn't do anything of great importance.
On a terribly sad note, the friend that we visited yesterday, George McCorkle, passed this morning. I send all of my best to his family. He was a great guy & a great talent. RIP George.

All Day Travel

The bus picked me up at the Atlanta airport at 7am. For some reason, I didn't get to sleep today. We picked the guys up in Spartanburg, SC by noon. After that, we made our way to Nashville. It's not for business... it's personal. An original member of The Marshall Tucker Band, George McCorkle, is in intensive care. Cancer is getting the best of him. We stopped by to see him in Lebanon, TN by 4pm. Doug & Chris went in the room to see him. Apparently, he's so doped up, to manage the pain, that he's falling in & out of conciousness.
After that, we drove down to Tunica, MS, where we will play tomorrow. It's been a long & heavy day. We've tried to make the best of it. It's been a day of fast food & TV baseball games. Either way, it's over & I'm going to sleep.

Pre-Road Errands

I had my 6 month check-up/cleaning at the dentist this morning. I had lunch with Michelle & my Mom. I packed for the road. I also attended a party for my friend, Katy's, 30th birthday party. The packing for the road took the longest. I have an early day tomorrow. AND a long run ahead of me. I've worked a lot of long hours during the past few days. Sleepy time!

Kahler IV: The Quest for Piece (of mind)

I spent all day finishing these mixes. I can feel that there will be a few more hours of mixing to be done due to haste. The mixing was only interrupted by food & my new haircut. It's not all that new, I just had Alli cut an inch or two off & trim my beard. It needed to be done. I look pretty awesome now. The new mix has also improved my mixes. At least I think so. I made CD's for all of us (Michael Levine, Matthew Kahler, & myself). So time will tell how much extra work will need to be done. Matthew is still putting money together for mastering so the deadline is real loose. It's so hard to work while your mind is in 'road mode.' I DID enjoy mixing though. It was a good change of pace.

Kahler, part Tres

The day was simple. I took the notes from Matthew & producer Michael Levine & changed the mixes. I didn't spend much time on the mixes; 13 mixes in 2 days is a lot of work with no detail. I started on the detail today. I had an expected break today. At 3pm I had a meeting with the Atlanta Production & Engineering Board for NARAS (The National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences). It was a decent first meeting for me. I have just been elected to the board of governors for the Atlanta Chapter. This is the first board that I attended a meeting for.
Matthew Kahler & Michael Levine showed by 6pm & we began to listen. I cut out by 10pm to get some rest.

Yay, Mrs. Lee

My friends Nicole & Greg Lee had a baby exactly 1 year ago today. Shaina turned 1 today... for the first time. Michelle & I went to her party. That's most of what happened today. I watched a lot of TV & surfed the internet obsessively... because I could!

Home, Home Again

I can't sleep. I got a lot of rest last night & today. I was in my own shower by 2:30pm. Michelle's parents came over at 4pm for kabobs. They we pretty good. The rice was flavored with coconut - it was a little fruity if ya know what I mean. Anyway, we played Yahtzee. I haven't played that game in many a year. I also watched all of the Big Love episodes on OnDemand. It's a well written show. Thanks, HBO. Thanks for robbing me of creative time with your great programming.

Westbury, NY

I think it's pronounced Lon Giland. At least, that's what I've heard.
Again, we stayed in the middle of no where. Hotels are cheaper there. AND they have bus parking.
We played 'in-the-round' tonight. I'm not kidding; the circular stage is in the middle of the room, lower than the audience. It's kinda like a prize fight. The wackiest part of the whole thing is that the stage slowly rotates in one direction for 10 minutes until it has rotated 360 degrees. At that point, the stage rotates back the other direction for the next 10 minutes. It's pretty strange, but the audience doesn't seem to mind. I can't imagine that it would sound very good because the PA isn't focused in one direction. Anyway, that neither here nor there... or over there, for that matter.
We played well for 45 mintues. Charlie Daniels headlined. We didn't jam. We got on the bus & tore out of Lon Giland. I'm going to hit it early tonight. I'm tired.

When Will It End

I was at the studio until 3am, pulling a 17 hour work day. I make CD's of the rough mixes for Matthew Kahler. We will finish the mixing process next week. I'll let them sit with the current mixes for a couple of days to let them develop thought out opinions. I thought I was just mixing 10-11 songs. It ended up being 13. Foot in mouth - complete.
I met the bus at the airport at noon. It took us a while to get out of Georgia, but once we did... it's been smooth sailing ever since. We're in Viriginia now. I should wake up in the parking lot of the hotel sometime tomorrow morning.
By the way, Pizza Hut has (for a limited time only) reissued its greatest invention: The P'Zone. It's worth breaking any diet over.

Still going

I got a full night's sleep last night, but I was up early-burly to finish what I started. Most of these songs are very dense: lots of tracks & competing frequencies. I love the songs though. Also, the play of the rhythm section is rather amazing. Dave Labruyere, Gerry Hansen, & Marty Kearns are fantastic. It's an easy mix on that front. It's my job to NOT mess it up!

Well "Hello" Mr. Kahler

After a late check in in Chez Cook, I woke up at 11am & promptly made my way to Atlanta Pro Audio for some business dealings. After a brief but needed lunch, I showed at The Small Room to start mixing Matthew Kahler's new album. Mic Levine is producing & brought the hard drive. After the 'dump,' I started doing what I do. I only have 2 days to get these mixes in a respectable place. The music is really promising... but what else do you expect from some one like Matthew.

Rome, GA

Today was hectic. At least for me. I came over with the crew with a few things to do. I swapped out my steel: I'm playing the new Magnum Steel full time now. I had a lot of friends to be in attendance today & tonight. Kip Conner & friends, Josh Graff, & the Randall Bramlett gang. It was good to see everyone.
Apparently, I was allergic to something in the Rome Forum. Some sort of mold allergy. I would sneeze 5 times in a row on multiple occasions. When I stepped outside, everything was easy-peasy-lemon squeezy.
Anyway, the gig tonight was to celebrate baseball (in doors of all things). The Rome Braves were hosting the Southern Atlantic League's All-Star festivities. The bill was The Randall Bramlett Band, Lee Roy Parnell, & The Marshall Tucker Band. Everything went as smooth as a baby's bottom... even thought the Forum is a terrible place to hold a concert due to its roaring acoustics. The last time we played here was September 8th of 2001 (with .38 Special). The following Tuesday some idiots killed a whole bunch of people.

Ashburn, VA

So it's not D.C., but it's damn close. We stayed at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott near Dulles airport. The day was long and boring. Our hotel itenerary says that theres many eating establishments within walking distance. They lied. I walk a mile & a half to a gas station with a Blimpie inside.
The gig was great. This was the first time in a month or so that we could play more than 50 minutes. The Volunteer Jam has been wonderful, but kind of boring - never getting to really stretch out. That was all cured tonight. We played a handful of songs that we normally never get to play. I especially liked "Searchin' for a Rainbow." We have done that maybe 3 times in the last year. Now, back to the homeland.

To D.C. & Beyond!!!

I got to sleep in my won bed last night. It was pretty nice. For those of you who take that for granted... shame on you. Tonight is a different story. I get to sleep in my bunk.
I woke & got ready & drove to Snellville with Michelle. We had a pre-Fathers' Day cookout with her parents. Soon after, Michelle got me on the bus with Tucker & we were off! We picked up the rest of the boys in Spartanburg & the last of the fold landed in Charlotte. I just had a Waffle House waffle for dinner. I suggest it from time to time. D.C. tomorrow.

Home

We woke today & say the Fantastic Four movie. It was okay. The second that we got back to the condo we packed. We were on the road & heading home. It was an uneventful ride home. The vacation was well needed... because I have a lot of work ahead of me. Ready or not...

Vacation, part 2

Current Listening: The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds"

Vacation

Current listening: Alanis Morisettte's "Jagged Little Pill"

Viva PCB!

I got up pretty late. Michelle had already been up for hours. She had been to the store & bought us some supplies. I rolled out of bed into a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. We left to make a run to the bank & to get some detergent & sun screen. Then to the pool! We were only out there for half an hour. I felt the sun cooking my face. I'm not looking to get burnt this vacation. Michelle agreed & we went back for lunch.
After lunch, we went out & about. We caught "Ocean's 13." It is definitely worth seeing. After that we hit a book store. I got "Wouldn't It Be Nice." It's pretty much the making of 'Pet Sounds.' We also went to Best Buy where I got the new Traveling Wilburys Limited Edition 'thingy.' It has both Wilburys records & a documentary DVD. We ate at Applebee's because we were so hungry we couldn't wait to drive back to the condo.
I have eaten at Applebee's 4 times in the last 2 weeks. Every time, I order the same thing: the bruschetta burger. Every one that I have ordered has been different. Salt Lake City: perfect. Decatur: bland but good. Escondido: soggy & terrible. Panama City: average. I really must go back to Salt Lake CIty & hame that burger again.

On Vacation?

I got up at 3:30am this morning. The cab picked me up at 4am. I was beyond security & fed by 5am in the San Francisco airport. You never know how it's gonna go in Saint Frank. My flight was long. Longer than it should've been. They had us circle Charlotte for an hour & a half. By the time we landed, I ran to the gate of my connection & barely made that. We waited on the runway in Atlanta for 45 minutes. I accidently left my phone on our bus (long story). So, I had no way to call Michelle & tell her I was going to be late. I the guy next to me if I could borrow his phone to call my ride since we were late. He said 'no.' What a jackass!
Anyway, Michelle left the airport after waiting for me. She waited an hour+. I finally found a pay phone in the Atlanta airport baggage claim area. She picked me up at 7pm EST & we made our way to Panama City. Now I know what you're thinking... but my Mom owns a couple of rental properties in PCB & we are going to stay for free - so back off. The trip started off with a trip to Cracker Barrel. The last time I ate was before 5am PST, so I was hungry. I missed the snack on the San Fran-Charlotte flight. The attendants didn't even get up between Charlotte & Atlanta.
Anyway, Michelle got us to Phenix City & I drove the rest of the way. We pulled in just before 1am. I cannot wait to sleep. I'll be doing a lot of that on this trip.

Mountainview, CA

You can feel the anticipation in the group. Every one wants to go home. Some of the guys have been on the road since May 23rd. I was one of the lucky ones. I got to go home for a few days... even though I was working.
Today's day went by quickly. Time snuck up on me & soon we were off to the gig. I played the Nash Tele for the whole show. It reminded me how much of a Tele man I am. The Les Paul fits better in Tucker music, but the Tele is me. Some of the guys left before the jam to catch some red-eyes out of San Fran. I wish I could've done that. I have to wake at 3:30 am tomorrow to (comfortably) make my plane. Such is life sometimes. At least I don't have to ride back to the east coast on the bus. 3 days is a long time in the 'submarine.'

Kelseyville, CA

I've always liked Konocti Harbor. It's works well for me. The altitude is high, the air is clean, & the sun is usually shining. There's a lot of hills to navigate as well. I get quite a work out whether I like it or not. I spent most of the day resting in the room. I did go running for a little while. I started another song today. I figure that I might go dry eventually, so I'll take advantage of the creative spurts.
My phone doesn't work very well up here. It's amazing how dependant I've become on technology.
I didn't jam with Charlie tonight. So after we played I walked back to my room to get a little more rest. We are scheduled to leave tonight at 2am. Listening to: George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass"

Chula Vista, CA

Michelle & I took a walk this morning. Shortly after cleaning up, we had Coco's for a late breakfast. I can honestly say that pancakes are good. We relaxed for most of the day.
It was quite a trak from the hotel, in Escondido, to the venue, in Chula Vista. The traffic didn't help much. The gig was great; good set list, good performances, great jams. My Dad & his friends were in the audience. They seemed to have a good time. Onward, 10 hours, to Kelseyville!

Pala, CA

I woke up in a bunk - in a bus - in a parking lot - of a Comfort Inn - in Escondido, CA. I slept so good last night. I had a ton of energy today. Michelle flew into Orange County's John Wayne Airport around 1pm. My Dad picked her up and brought her here after lunch. Around 5:30pm we all went to the gig at The Pala Casino & Resort. It was an easy gig. We played for only 45 minutes. The jam with Charlie was short. These are the days that you reminisce about. The days where work is plentiful, but good & easy. I was almost inspired to kick back & drink a beer (until I remembered how much I hate the taste of beer - cat urine). I'm sleepy. Go Spurs!

D-Day

As I traveled to Phoenix today, I wondered about a lot of things. D-Day was a great assault on the enemy. It was so cut & dry 63 years ago. We knew who our enemies were. It's so blurred right now overseas. There are no uniforms to shoot at. In 1944, the enemy was out in the open. Their goal: to impose their rule over the world (in one way or another). Currently, our enemy's goal is to bring us down. In many cases using ourlseves against us (if that makes any sense).
Anyway, I also finished reading the Geoff Emerick book "Here, There, & Everywhere." He was the engineer for The Beatles from Revolver - Abbey Road (excluding most of The White Album & Let It Be). It was an eye opening book. I suggest it to anyone interested in The Beatles, recording rock 'n roll, or becoming a producer. Geoff Emerick also engineered some other artist's great records like Wings' "Band on the Run," The Zombies "Odessey & Oracle," Badfinger's "No Dice," Robin Trower's "Bridge of Sighs," & Jeff Beck's "Wired." And that was just between 1968-1976.
Chris Hicks & I landed in Phoenix around 4:30pm... but we'll have to wait until 11:30pm for the bus to leave. I guess it could be worse.

Mission Almost Accomplished

I got up early & met my Mom & Michelle in Snellville to help move a bed. There was a lot of cross-town transportation invovled. After that, Michelle & I went to Atlantic Station to buy me some new shorts. I've been wearing the same pair for a couple of months. If I wash them anymore with this regularity... they're going to fall apart.
After dinner & a nap, I went to the studio to cut guitars & bass on the songs that I tracked last night with Nick. I spent 4 hours doing just that & making mixes. I won't have another chance to work on this stuff for quite a while.

Time for Rest

I did a lot around ye olde studio today. I did some routine maintenence. I backed up a few records on some drives. I transfered some other records. I also got part of Matthew Kahler's album ready for mix. Then I made scratch tracks for some songs to play drums to.
I set up the drums... mic'ed 'em... played 'em. Nick Nitespodziani engineered tonight. He's got a great ear & an encouraging nature. I can't wait to finish these new tunes.
This isn't my drum kit... but it should be. (It belongs to Terry Bozzio - the guy with the most patient drum tech of all time.!)

I Need A Break From It All

It's not too overwhelming, but I'm surely looking forward to having this time off. It's only 2 full days at home, but I need it. I need to be creative. I need to be in the studio. It kills me to be on the road... just writing in my spare time.
I got up at 4am (after going to sleep @ 1am). It wasn't much of a nap. I woke up dehydrated & reading to leave. The trip was uneventful... just the way I like 'em. I was in Michelle's car by 12:45am EST. We went straight to Moe's for lunch. It was rather good.
We went home & I took a nap. After 'Frankenstien' was awakened, we had sushi at Ru'San's. Also - not bad. I spent most of the evening watching OnDemand TV. I've been so spoiled... & not to have it on the road! For shame.

Phoenix, AZ

By the time I got to Phoenix - it was hot as hell. I had breakfast & showered. There wasn't much to do around the hotel room. So I had a runner pick me up & take me to the gig. I helped sound check & cleaned up my steel guitar. I also made arrangements for some friends to come see the show tonight. Shawn Mullins & Kip Conner were in Cave Creek, AZ last night. They had tonight off... so I invited them out. Shawn sang the 3rd verse on "Can't You See." It was kinda weird having the 'two worlds' collide on stage. However, it was musically brilliant. Also, my friend Jen Casale, who lives in Tucson, came out with her friend Cori. It was good fun. Here is a picture of Jen & Cori in the dressing room. Can you find me in the picture?

Salt Lake City, UT

The drive last night was extremely painless. I woke up in the parking lot of the hotel. I proceeded to put on my 'running gear' & gallop down the steet. Upon finishing my run, I showered & had lunch at the neighborhood Applebee's. I had the "Tyler Florence" Bruschetta Burger. I highly recommend it.
Then I saw 'Shrek The Third.' I don't recommend that. It was kinda gay. I liked the other two Shrek movies.
Our show was in a big ampitheatre. It was great. The sun didn't go down until half way through our set. Hughie from The Outlaws sat in on "Can't You See." During the big jam at the end of the night, I wore my UGA pajama pants on stage. That's only funny because Charlie Daniel's is a big Tennessee Volunteer's fan. Ahh, the good times.

Denver, CO

I woke up a new man today. I've been slowly killing myself with 'lack of excercise' & poor diet. I ran a solid mile today. That may not seem like a lot... but my cardiovascualr system is so out of shape - it was all that I could do. I walked back to the hotel & caught my breath. Just as I was home free, I decided to run up the 9 flights of stairs to get to my room. I spent the next 15 minutes in the floor of my room trying not to die. I succeeded.
Tonight's show was at the Fillmore in downtown Denver. It was a great set Doug picked out. We all had a good time. The Charlie Daniels 'Watermelon Jam" was a little longer than usual... but still good. On to The Salt Lake. We're watching "Hostel" on the bus. CREEPY!