19 Days of Accountability

Long story short - I didn't have internet access very much during the last 2+ weeks. So, here goes:
Michelle & I left on the tour bus from Atlanta. We ported the Carnival Imagination for The Simple Man Cruise. It was a laid-back, 3 day cruise. There was no bad weather, we made port in both Key West, FL & Calica, Mexico, the music was good (for the most part), & all of the fans were very respectful. We played 3 hours & 10 minutes on the Lido Deck on the second night. It wore me out. They only wanted us to play for an hour & a half.
Our trip back to Atlanta was easy. A day later, I came back down to south Florida on the bus. Marshall Tucker played Key Largo for a private party. The next morning, I was dropped off at the Miami Airport... where I took the shuttle to a hotel, where I took a shuttle to the port. I again boarded the Carnival Imagination for The Rock Boat VIII. I played with Aslyn on the first two days. We kicked ass. I didn't have any thing planned for the last 3 days at sea. The weather was kinda rough compared to the last cruise. It was so rough that we didn't port in Grand Cayman. Jamaica kinda sucked. I did have fun though. It was kind of like having a vacation with my friend Matt Mangano. I discovered my favorite new band: Sons of William. They're really good. I bought their CD.
I flew back to Atlanta. WIth a short time at home, I went back to the airport & flew to Minneapolis. I played with TUcker at The Grand Casino in Hinckley. We also played with Atlanta Rhythm Section & The Georgia Satellites.
I flew home early yesterday. During that time, I lost 10 pounds. Added to the 10 pounds that I've lost since December 3rd. I feel pretty good. I've been getting a good amount of sleep. THe wedding is coming closer. There are a lot of details to still take care of. A lot to do this week. I'm gone for a little over a week starting Friday. Then it's wedding week. Hunker down!

Aslyn, day two

Today was a piece of cake. We sprinted through the set a couple of times. Aslyn's music is as tight as if we had been playing together for years. Matt Mangano & Josh Robinson are a joy to play with.
Josh, Matt, & I went to Eddie's after rehearsal. It was the first night of Shalom's benefits. My friend Shalom is normally Eddie's soundman. He had a heart attack a few weeks ago. Eddie is having some benefits to help Shalom's $$$ situation while he's out of work. Adrienne, Matthew Kahler, Doria Roberts, Geoff Atchison, & many others played. It was a great night. Love you, Shalom!

Aslyn rehearsals, day one

Josh Robinson & Matt Mangano spent the night at the house last night. We left the house at 9am this morning. We got to the studio & set up for 2 days of rehearsals with Aslyn.
Everything went rather smoothly. I had spent enough time learning this stuff over the last few days. Not much else to report. We had a good dinner (that Michelle made) & we settled in for the BCS Championship Game. I'm not rooting for either team. It's seems like it might be a lopsided game though.
Listening: the voices in my head

Man Shower!

I hit the basement at 10am. I finished learning the new Aslyn stuff. I want to be prepared for tomorrow's rehearsals. Around 4pm guys started showing up. I had a 'man shower' today. Instead of having a bachelor party, I had a bunch of guys over to the house to watch the 4:30pm NFL playoff game. The Chargers won.
It was good to get some of my friends together. Everyone brought me a T-shirt.
After everyone else left, Matt Mangano & I took the remaining chicken wings & gave them to a homeless guy in Little Five Points.
Matt & Josh Robinson are staying over tonight. We have a rehearsal with Aslyn tomorrow... but I already said that.

In the studio with Marty...

I got to the studio around 10:30am. I played acoustic & electric guitars on a record today. I also played lap steel. It was a good day. Marty Kearns is producing & engineering this album. I like the stuff. It's a cross between Velvet Underground, Tom Petty, & Steve Earle. I know it may be hard to conceive, but it's true. Michelle & I went to Cracker Barrel. It was good. We also started watching the 1988 TV mini series "Lonesome Dove." I forgot what a great story it was. Robert Duvall kicks ass. Tommy Lee Jones ain't too bad either.

Learning My Lesson

I went to Georgia Case Company to measure my new amp & extension cab. I guess I'll need it by February. That's the first gig with Tucker without rental gear. I'm pretty psyched about using the new amp. It's a 50 watt Two-Rock Custom Reverb Signature 1x12 combo. There will be an optional 2x12 cabinet that will be used on larger stages.
Anyway, I sprinted through Aslyn's music for a few hours today. I hope that I'm professionally prepared for rehearsal on Monday.
I'm almost done with Heroes, Season 1. I also received my new iPod Touch today. I'm pretty impressed with the new technology. Apple is quite amazing.
Listening: I guess just Aslyn's stuff

Nada

I went to the Decatur Saturn dealership this afternoon to get a few things done. It took longer than I imagined. I also bought some flatwound guitar strings & put them on my Asher pickup equipped Les Paul. It sounds really cool. It has more of a mellow sustain. I think this guitar has finally found it's voice.
Not much else happened today. I have been shedding the Aslyn stuff. I just got the music a couple of days ago & I have to be prepared by Monday. Saturday & Sunday are full of work... so all I really have is today & tomorrow.

Trying to Embrace Stillness

I awoke at 9:30am but didn't get out of bed until after noon. I finished watching the 3rd season of Lost. As usual, the season ended with a twist. I can't wait until the next one comes out.
Michelle & I went to La Fonda & Party City. It was a good combination.
After coming home for a couple minutes, we went to see "I Am Legend." I've seen it already but I wanted Michelle to see it. It was just as good the second time around.
I'm just trying to take that deep breath before I go under.

Happy New Year

I guess we will chalk today up to travel. We left the hotel at 11:45am CST. After some time in both O'Hare & Atlanta airports, we got home around 8:30pm EST. Georgia whipped Hawaii's overrated behind. Towards the end of the game, I actually felt sorry for them... until I remembered their whining about being shut out of the BCS title game. It just showed how average Hawaii is or how good Georgia is. We'll never know. We'll have to wait until later this year to find out how good they really are. This may be the year that the winner of the Georgia-Florida game will win the National Championship.
That being said, this year is already packed with exciting things: the wedding, the cruises, another year with Tucker, & hopefully (crossing my fingers) a new album. I'm gonna do it. It's all a matter of when!