Covington, GA

Oh, what a day. I left the house around noon. I loaded up my drum kit in the car. I then went to Midtown Music & played a dozen guitars. I'm making a trade for 3 of my guitars for one of his. Upgrading is fun. I still didn't come to a final decision when I left the store for Mark Cobb's house. I borrowed some cymbals & stands from him.
I then drove (with traffic) to Covington, GA to load in at 'Down the Hatch.' I must say that I was not expecting such a great environment.
I played drums with The Chris Hicks Band tonight. I was filling in for Jake Caldwell. The monitor situation was disorienting at first, but we made the right changes to become comfortable. The last hour & a half of the gig was great. The audience was really into it too. I hope I get to do this again some day.

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News

Michelle & I made our way out to Snellville after a much needed good nights rest. We both visited my ENT for a follow up. I passed with flying colors. Michelle was put on a steroid. Now when will she have time to lift weights?
Anyway, the boys are back at home, safe & sound. It's good to see them. They are truly "my boys." Not much else to report.

Home, Sweet... we'll, you know

We got into Atlanta at 6am EST. It was really cold this morning as I waited for the shuttle to the Park'n'Ticket. We forgot to leave the heat on so the house was hovering around 50 degrees on the inside. Our Tempur Pedic bed was as hard as a rock. It didn't keep me from sleeping though. I was out minutes after I laid down. I didn't get any sleep on the plane.
I ran errands today. The boys are still over at "Gammy's" house. We'll get them tomorrow.
We had dinner with our friend Lauren at Mellow Mushroom. Going back on the diet tomorrow. I gained 5 pounds since the weeding. Sleep again!

Going home

Michelle & I left the hotel around 9am. We had Sheraton breakfast buffet. We returned the rental car & checked our bags in Lihue. Lihue to Honolulu. We ate the best bar-b-q sandwich ever constructed. I don't know the name of the restaurant, but it was good. We then boarded our flight - Atlanta bound at 8 & a half hours. Settle in, ya'll.

Kaua'i, day six

It was a wonderful day. Morning through noon on the beach. Lunch in our cabana. Mahi Mahi sandwich. We had dinner at Tomkats again. All in all, this was the best vacation ever. I can honestly say that the last two weeks have been the best weeks of my life. Time to crash & travel.

Kaua'i, day five

It was a day of recovery. I think both of us are pretty spent & sunburnt. We tried a burger joint in Poipu Beach. I liked mine... she didn't like hers. We also did some driving around. Michelle bought a couple of nick knacks in Koloa.
The TV Guide here in Hawaii that the Oscars were going to air LIVE... which means 3:30pm. However, I guess some one changed their mind at the last minute. After we wasted an hour watching local ABC TV, we decided to take a drive. We drove up to Princeville, which was on the north side of the island. It never dawned on us that it was Sunday evening & everything would be closed by the time we got there. Oh well. It was beautiful nonetheless. (By the way, how do you put three words together & call it a word? i.e., nonetheless).
Anyway, I was pretty happy with all of the selections for the Oscars. Daniel Day-Lewis is awesome!

Kaua'i, day four

We keep getting up really early. I guess we're just so excited about being here. We ate breakfast at Tomkats again this morning. We also hit the cabana again at the Sheraton on Poipu Beach. It was even better today. I've never enjoyed a beach as much as this one. I guess it's a combination of scenery, vibe, & the people in attendance. The clientele for most beaches in the south has a lot to be desired.
We hit Lappert's again. It is some of the best ice cream that I've ever had.
Anyway, Michelle & I went on a whale watching cruise this afternoon. It was cool. It would've been better if it was a hour shorter. We really didn't see anything in the last hour... & I was tired, hungry, & sunburnt.
We hit Pizzetta in Old Koloa Town for take out on the way home. Michelle laid down & was asleep in less than 2 minutes. I guess we're both pretty tired.

Kaua'i, day three

We got up early for Michelle to visit the clinic in Koloa Town. Apparently, the doctor will be out for a few days. Michelle has decided to self medicate for her self diagnosis of tonsillitis. We'll see how that goes for her. We still went to the Sheraton to get a cabana. We laid out on one of the world's most beautiful beaches. I had a fresh Mahi Mahi sandwich. It was wonderful. After laying out all morning & some of the afternoon, we went back to the room & laid down for a couple of hours. For doing a bunch of nothing, I'm pretty tired.
We then went back to the Sheraton to their Luau. It was great. However, it's time to crash.
I feel bad for all of the folks braving all the weather back on the mainland... then I get over it.

Kaua'i, day two

We went to the Sheraton this morning to reserve a cabana. Unfortunately, they were all sold out for the day. So we decided to change our plans. We went back to where we were staying & sat out by the pool. I listened to my iPod & she read. We then drove up the east coast of Kaua'i in our rented Mustang. We listened to the new Paste sampler on the way up the road. Willie Nelson does a great version of Dave Matthew's "Grave Digger." I highly suggest it. We drove up to Bubba Burger (which is one of our fav's on the island). I've really been going the wrong way with my diet as of late... but at least it's just for a short amount of time.
On our way back, Michelle was getting sick. We also got caught up in some traffic due to a small brush fire on the side of the road. It took us 2 hours instead o f 45 minutes to get back to the room.
Michelle was so worn out that she fell asleep at 5:30pm & it looks like she's asleep for the night. It's okay, I've got 2 new episodes of Lost to watch. Plus, I need to get a little rest anyway.

Kaua'i, day one

We had Tomkats (Koloa Town) for breakfast. We also did some mild grocery shopping. Then we came back to the room & I took a 2 & 1/2 hour nap. I must've really needed it. We then went back to Koloa Town & had Pizzeta for lunch. I recommend their supreme pizza. After that, we took a drive to Waimea Canyon. It was just as cool as it was a little over 2 years ago. Dinner was courtesy of Beach Front... which was right across the street from where we were staying. I had the Macadamia Dusted Mahi Mahi. It was worth it, trust me.

airport, plane, airport, plane, airport, plane, airport, rental car

We got up nice & early to fly from Atlanta to LAX. We had a really long layover in LA. We saw John Goodman. He looked really bad, like he was going to have a heart attack right there before our eyes. I've not been dealing with the drugs very well. I was nauseous the entire plane ride to LA.
We finally left LAX for Honolulu. Where we had a another long layover for our flight to Lihue, Kaua'i. Then rental cars, then drive. Then crash. Good night.
FInal awake total: 22 hours.
Listening: Shelby Lynne "I Am Shelby Lynne"

Sick, dawg.

I have an ear infection. We went & took the boys to Michelle's Mom's house. She's going to watch them while we're in Hawai'i. While we were in Snellville, I went to the doctor. It's official. I'm sick. It will be easy to remedy though. I just need some rest, take drugs, & while were making our approach to the runway - suck on a straw. Apparently, that's all I need to do. I've been in the bed since we got back. History Channel HD has been running a marathon on the Presidents of the United States. I guess due to it being President's Day & all.
Let's cross our fingers, shall we?

Recover?

We got up early to eat brunch with our 'out-of-town' guests. Shortly after that, a few of us loaded out of Eddie's Attic. Matt & his crew left Atlanta around 4pm. It stormed a lot today. They've stopped most of the flights out of Atlanta, so I guess that we have a bunch of 'our people' stranded at the airport. Sorry!

Done, Son!

Well, it's finished. Michelle & I are officially married. We had one of the best weddings ever. Eddie Owen, of Eddie's Attic fame, married us at the attic. We had hundreds of family & friends in attendance. The music was awesome: three sets by three different bands. Gerry Hansen, Matt Mangano, Marty Kearns, & Bret Hartley were the back up band for the first set. It featured songs sung by Matthew Kahler, Maureen Murphy, Brian Wiltsey, Shawn Mullins, Nick Niespodziani, & Chris Hicks. THe next band was Barry Borden, Pat Ellwood, & Chris Hicks from The Marshall Tucker Band playing old ZZ Top songs. My Uncle Doug got up on the stage & sang two Tuccker tunes with the boys & me. Michelle also enjoyed some background vocals. Y-O-U finished out the night (at least for us). They played a handful of Beatles tunes & a handful of 'dealers choice' tunes. They were fantastic. We cut the cake & split... to come home actually.
It was a wonderful night. I am so lucky to have so many great friends & family. I'm also very lucky to have such a wonderful wife. It's been a long time coming.

The Rehearsal Dinner

We got up early & rented a projector for the wedding. Michelle has made a slideshow for the beginning of the ceremony. We went & had lunch at Rice Box. We took a nap & our friend Heather showed up before we left for the dinner. We made our way to Cantina La Casita in East Atlanta. We set up & threw down. The food was great. Apparently, the drinks were great too. I wouldn't know. We gave our parents gifts & my Dad & Heather made a speech. It was a good night!

8 Years!

Upon waking this morning, Michelle & I had our 8th anniversary. It was a great day. My Dad flew in as well. We went & had Vortex together in Little Five Points. I haven't had a burger in a long time. It's been over 2 months. It's been pretty surprising considering my previous diet of burgers, pizza, fried food, & cola. It's getting close!
Oh yeah, Happy Valentines Day!

Norcross, GA (Tree Sound Studios)

We killed it! It was a great performance. Gerry, Marty, Patrick, & I backed Shawn up tonight for Dave FM's (Atlanta 92.9PM) Circle of Friends live performance. It sounded great (thanks to Kip). It will be on the radio in a couple of weeks (during the March 11th, CD Release week I would assume).
It was a long day. Michelle came with. I had Chick-fil-A for the first time in a long time. I will break the rules hard over the next two weeks. I think I'll get over it. As long as I can get back to my regimen.

Shawny rehearsal

I don't what else to say. After a day off, we had a Shawn Mullins rehearsal with the 'normal' band san Peter Stroud. Gerry Hansen, Marty Kearns, Patrick Blanchard & myself had a rehearsal at 800 East. It was a solid rehearsal. We probably didn't even need the rehearsal. I guess it makes everyone feel a little better. All I know is that I'm tired & I want to go to bed.

Cayamo & Beyond

So the Pats lost. I've kind of blocked it out at this point. I haven't had any access to sports radio or TV in the past week, so it feels like it didn't even happen. I saw that Bob Knight stepped down from coaching the Red Raiders. I guess it was time. It's been such a let down in sports over the past few weeks.
I've been on my third ship this year. It was a LOONGG cruise. I did fill up all of my time though. It was the Cayamo songwriter cruise. I had a lot of friends on board. I played with Shawn Mullins (ofcourse), Ernie Halter, Aslyn, Evan McHugh, Edwin McCain, Ari Hest, & I got my very own set. It was a very gratifying trip musically. I am pretty much done with the boat thing (at least for the next 10 or 11 months.
Aslyn did a set in the atrium & we ended up playing in front of a whole bunch of people. Shawn's big set was great... sold out in the big room. I got to play a full set with Edwin as well. Shawn's last set was great. Drummer Kevin Leahy & bassist Will Robertson were on the boat playing with Evan. They played the last Shawn set with us. It was pretty rockin' (especially since most of the sets on the boat were laid back). We brought it!
I'm just happy to be going home for a spell. It kinda feels like I've been on vacation since before Christmas. After Christmas, Michelle & I went to Chicago for a Shawn gig. Then there was the Skynyrd Cruise, the Rock Boat, this Cayamo Cruise, & next Tuesday we leave for Kuai'i, Hawai'i. I almost didn't have a winter barring a handful of chilly bursts to northern cities (i.e., Chicago, Minneapolis, etc.).
It's really hard to keep the blog up without the internet connections that I am so used to. Most times I at least can connect in a hotel room on the road. Nothing on the boat. I'm trying. people.

You Gotta Take A Little Time

Since I wrote last, I've done a lot. I played a writers-in-the-round gig with Brian Bisky & Emily Kate Boyd. I spoke at this year's NARAS Career Day. That same day I engineered a 10 hour session for Sydney Ward. Michelle & I have also tied up a great deal of the details for the wedding. The Marshall Tucker Band was supposed to play 2 gigs this weekend. Due to the venues or promoters not sending in their deposits, we just didn't go. So I got an unexpected vacation. This close to the wedding, it was good to get the extra time to finalize plans.
Michelle went out tonight for a semi-bachelorette party. I spent that time in the studio getting a grasp over the record - making decisions. I've also spent some time preparing for the Cayamo Cruise. We leave tomorrow for Miami. My flight leaves just before kickoff (for the Super Bowl). No different than normal. I saw last year's Super Bowl at my brother's place. The previous 4 Super Bowls were overshadowed by work. I hope to catch the 4th quarter. I am pissed off about missing Tom Petty... but I'm sure he'll be great.