Roadie Blog

One Year Anniversary

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Since Tom Spaulding pointed out that it was my one year anniversary of posting to this blog, I decided to ACTUALLY post something!! Where have I been? What have I been doing? Well, I semi-retired from the road last June to start a tube amp business. I have been busy building prototypes and generally trying to get the business off the ground ever since. Soon, within 60-90 days, all will be revealed...

For now, here is a photo from the only gig I've done since last year. I got an email from the one and only Marshall Crenshaw last week asking me if I was available to work his gig closing the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC. Since I'm a big fan, and it was only 2hrs away, I agreed and had a fabulous time doing it!! Marshall's bass player was MIA, as his flight was canceled by US Air, so Marshall and Diego Voglino (his drummer) did a duo in the Flat Duo Jets style. We had a great hang for lunch and dinner with Marshall, Diego and Don Malter from NYC. Lots of music talk and story swapping. Thanks guys for a great weekend. Also, thanks Tom, this post is dedicated to you...

Fountains of Wayne

Friday, April 13, 2007

Just out is 'Traffic and Weather' the new album by Fountains of Wayne. Go download it from iTunes or buy it at your local CD store or big box retailer. These guys write perfect intelligent pop songs. Hard to pick a favorite but 'Someone to Love', 'Strapped for Cash' and 'Yolanda Hayes' come to mind. I mean who writes songs about the lady at the DMV (Yolanda). These guys should be at the top of the charts, but maybe they're just too smart for the average Wal-Mart shopper. Come on, be cool, be hip, BUY the new Fountain's record...

Paige at the KISS Koffeehouse

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

How I spent my Spring Break

Wow, a new blog post. Alert the media!!

So, as many of you know, when I am not touring I am usually working on some kind of remodel project at home. These projects usually take twice as long as I think they will and quadruple what Paige thinks. This is due to most of my projects being a 'first time' for me. I like to earn while I learn. Wait a minute, am I getting paid for this? Uh, no. Damn.

Current projects where to smooth the popcorn ceiling in the office (3rd bedroom), the hallway, and the entryway. Luckily I have a guy for this, and he did it in one and a half days. Our good friend Terry Anderson came to paint again and did a great job.

I meanwhile have been working on converting the office from this to this and this. Which consists of building all the furniture out of Birch and installing recessed lighting in the ceiling. Since most walls are not square (and our house especially), it presented me with a challenge to get the built-in bookcases to align properly. I still have to add the shelf that goes over the window, as it has been difficult to get my head around. The lights were easier than I thought, but I did a lot of prep work in my 4 ft tall attic. I still have some file cabinets to build, some guitars to hang, and shelves to build for the closet. Then on to the bathrooms and master closet...

Hollywood, FL - Show Day

Monday, January 29, 2007

Flew down this morning to Ft. Lauderdale with my buddy Skully to do a couple of shows with Hootie and the Blowfish. I've known the guys since their club/frat party days... Great bunch, band and crew.

We're playing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino which is owned by the Seminole Tribe. They also now own ALL of the Hard Rocks, except Las Vegas, but they aim to buy that one too.

Load-in and set-up is easy, the guy I'll be replacing is here to guide me through the rig and guitar changes. Easy enough. Tomorrow we're taping for TV in Myrtle Beach, should be fun. The 5:30am lobby call tomorrow shall not . OUCH!!

Happy New Year everyone. Hope to have some more bloggin' here soon.

PS How's that Foy??

Cleo - R.I.P.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Cleo, our beloved Golden Retriever passed away this past Monday, she was 16 years old. She was the sweetest, most gentle dog I have ever met. We only had her for 3 years, but it was a lifetime to us. We will miss her greatly. There are many photos of her here.

Scenic Walkway - Oak Island, NC

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Here's a photo of our almost completed walkway at the end of our street (it goes over the Davis Canal/Creek and marsh to the beach side of the island). It now takes us under 5 minutes to walk from the house to the beach. Sweet!! There is also a canoe/kayak dock on the left of the walkway.

Indianapolis -Show Day

Friday, October 13, 2006

Chilly one today, supposed to be 35 with the wind chill all day. Get a UPS shipment of guitars from Collings, an acoustic maker in Austin, TX, who has recently started making electrics. Man these guitars look and play great. It is freezing onstage and the wind isn't helping. Luckily they have set up some heater to blow in guitar world and onstage. My hands are freezing during line check. Later, Kevin brings down a repair, that's been sitting in his shop for 2 years. He meets the boss and watches some of the show from guitar world. Load out and head to the warm bus.