Back To New Hampshire

So it has been 4 years since I've been back to where I went to college. I was playing a Starbucks which ironically is the first place that I had my first show in Connecticut 8 years ago. I got to see some old friends and some people that have been waiting almost half a decade to see me play live. I actually had some requests and some people singing along. I hope to come back and play often and thanks to my friends Pete and Dave this was really enjoyable show. I played some really old songs but got to play a few brand new ones live I'd never played before. Good Times!

The Last Show

So it seems like every big show I've ever had there have been "technical difficulties". Infact, it happens so often I just don't even react to it anymore. Half way through my third song all the power shut down. So for half of the show it was a glorified sing-a-long. Unplugged and having everybody sing. There was even a part of "Seventeen" where we had a little choir ending.

I'm so happy to say people seemed to like it better than the looping and stage antics I usually add to these kind of shows. We took requests at the door and played all the most requested ones with a girl holding a clip board and shouting out the songs. I shared a few stories and we had a few laughs. It was like a big get together amongst friends. It was 2 and a half hours of strait oldies and a few new ones. It was a bittersweet night and it was so good to see familiar faces. It was such a cool venue and it was one of those nights I didn't want to end...hence, the 2 and a half hour set.I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming out my utah shows the last 4 years I've been around. Although I won't be back as often I will always carry a part of this place with me. My fondest memories are of the people I have met through the music. I just hope you won't forget about me. You have all made my life worth living and just know you are all my friends. I won't be back till August and it can't come soon enough.

a surreal night to say the least

So I got an email from my manager Sam two months ago asking if I would be interested in opening for Secondhand Serenade at Thanksgiving Point. I actually thought he was pulling my leg. The entire day of the show just seemed a bit well...unreal. I was just waiting for someone to say:"Who are you?.." so I could just get back in my van and drive home.

As I got to sound check John Vesley actually hung out and watched. He was really down to earth and this is one of the first times I've met a national act so open and nice. There was a crowd of over 3600 people and they were all very attentive as I took the stage. The loudness of the audience is something you really can't describe. After I finished my set, I was asked to play one more. I was very hesitant but John offered to announce me again. I really couldn't believe he would do that. I've really never been so humbled in my life.

The rest of the night I just hung out at the merch table thanking everyone for coming. We sold out of everything. Thats always a good thing right? If it wasn't for the promoter Tom Atwood none of this would have happened. So thanks man. This was an amazing going away present.

arizona

This was my first time touring through Arizona and it was an interesting drive to say the least. My friend Jared from a great band Forgotten Charity came along to play and so did our promoters buddy Ford. They both hopped in the van around 7pm and we were on our way. I drove 8 hours through the night getting to Flagstaff around 4 in the morning. Occasionally dodging deer and steep cliffs. Finally we got a hotel room to recharge our batteries. By noon the next day we were already in Mesa. We met up with our Promoter and our friend Darren. I think this photo shows that Jared knows him a little better than I do.


It was around 100 degrees when we got there. Its pretty crazy how much the climate can change in just a few hours drive. We ended up taking frequent cat naps the rest of the day, crashing on the couch and watching "The Count of Monte Cristo"(which is one of the best movies of all time)
As we got too the Freestone Amphitheater later that afternoon, I took the time to admire my surroundings. Hugging palm trees, while drinking mountain dew and watching the sunset. Then we set up for the show. It ended up being a really intimate setting and despite a few technical difficulties it ended up being a great show. I wish they had parks like this in utah. It was awesome to meet new people and share the stage with such amazing guys like Jared, The New Nervous and Mike Moss.


The next day we got up early to experience the awesome deliciousness of Dunk N Donuts. They don't have these in Utah and they should. Its a shame. It had been about a year since I last had some. It had been way too long. Words cannot express the joy I felt sinking my teeth into a luscious glaze donut and consuming a large vanilla coolata.

The next night Jared and I played a house party and it ended up being one of my favorite shows I've ever played. The crowd was beyond welcoming. I would have to say that Arizona might be one of my favorite places I've played on tour. The Barnes girls(including rebecca) had a beautiful backyard and we set up next to their pool. Even the neighbors got into the show. Yelling out from time to time in between songs.

On our way back it got up to 107 degrees. It started to cool off the more we got up North. Oh and of corse we passed through the grand canyon as well. It was beautiful. The scenery was pretty amazing and made the trip go by really fast.

I hope to come back later this Summer to the Arizona area. Hopefully it will cool off a little before then. I highly doubt it though. Thanks to Darren, Ford, The Barnes Family and Jared this was an amazing experience that I will never forget.