Nashville Bound...

I'm very excited. My mini tour of Tennessee starts Thursday. I am heading out to Johnson City tommorow. I'm renting a car because my old mini van can't make it. She has 120,000 miles on her and she's been to Nashville twice already. I told her Id show her pictures.

Anyways, I'm renting a dodge caliber. I play Acoustic Coffeehouse Friday night. I have to stay in the Red Roof Inn. I just hope its clean and free of rough elements.

But anyways, you get what you pay for. I'm taking my own toiletries just in case.

Then on Saturday I head out to Nashville. I'm staying at Extended Stay near Vanderbilt U. I got the weekly rate !

Then Sunday I play the Bluebird Cafe, followed by several open mics that week, and then the Grand Finale at Borders Bookstore West End- a real pristine gig !

Then I head home on Sunday, August 5th.

Oh I get to play the Bluebird. I'm sure in high cotton now !

July 21st 1990: July 21st 2007

Today is exactly the same day and date that my mother died. It was Saturday, July 21st, 1990. So today is Saturday, July 21st, 2007. Today is always the bluest day of the year. Its a reminder every year that she's gone. I have very unpleaseant memories of that day. I try not to think about it. I just remember it was a rainy day. And she started going into those last stages that morning. They call it the "death rattle". We each went in one by one and said goodbye. I told her I loved her and she had been a great mother. I just wished I had gotten to hug her. See, I was too afraid to hug her because I didn't want to hurt her somehow- even though that wasn't really going to happen since she was in her last hours of life. I just wished I had gotten to hug her one more time. I have dreams where she comes back bright, happy, and full of life as always. And I get to talk to her for a few precious moments and she tells me she is okay and with Jesus. And I hug her. Well, later we got the minister and he read the last rights . I didn't know what to do so I went into the basement and listened to the radio softly. I remember they were playing Creadence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop The Rain" . At that time, my sister, Gretchen, came down and told me mom was dead. It was just about 2:20 P.M. that afternoon that she took her last breath. So then a little later, the ambulance came and I saw them take her away. I remember the hospice lady came over and she told us we'll go on and we will get up tomorrow and keep going. And she was right. We did. But its hard without her. Mom was very close to me and when I think about how she died and I didnt have much time to spend with her its very sad. I wished I had known her better. But I know she is much happier now. I know that the Lord took her because He needed her up there for some reason. I know that she is alright. I miss her.

Something special in the Air....

Well lemme see these past few days have been okay. My daddy worries on Monday. Every monday is "Money Monday". He gets all worried and says I don't have a steady job, and if I did he could afford a new car. Which really isn't true. I think he just likes to worry all the time. He was an accountant after all..

Sunday after church I auditioned at someone's apartment for a wedding. I sang "Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace". I felt a little nervous singing in someone's apartment like that. It was a very young couple with a friend, and they started asking me all kinds of questions. They are Catholic I believe. I was a little hestitant about this, because normally auditions happen in a very public place. I guess its okay this time. But I was thinking what if they are some of those kinds of kinky people who place ads and such looking for people to do Lord-knows-what with?

They seemed okay though. Im not sure if my style will work. They asked me if I could Ave Maria. I told them I could, but I really thought it was a girl's song. Then later I went for a walk to Carytown . I enjoy my Sunday walks there.

Yesterday I mailed some pacakages. Today I picked up my dry cleaning . I rode my bike over to Belle Isle (that bridge going across the river scares me to death, but I made it) And then back up to Shockoe Slip. I stopped at the Shockoe Beanery and got myself a glass of water. Then I rode home on Grace St. Grace seems to have a lot of hooligans, but they don't seem to bother me. I just pray that the Lord and his angels protect me every place I go. So far on my bike, I have been alright. But I do know it can be right dangerous.

I want to get a new helmet cover for my bike helmet though . My bike helmet is kinda ugly.

Floating Folk 10th Anniversary

They all had a big show down at Cafe Gutenberg for the Floating Folk Festival's 10th Anniversary. Most all the original founders were there. Pam McCarthy, Harry Gore, Gerry Laverty, Brooke Saunders, Wendy Pace, Paul McGill, Alazka, and others. It was quite a night. Its one of the finest shows we've ever done I think. All the acts were tremendous tonight. I went on first and did some of my new tunes. But I had to wrap things up with "Not That Lucky". The rockabilly swing number I put on Vol III of the Floating Folk Album. My style has changed a tad since my old rockabilly country blues bonanza days , but I remember so well when I first started there. I remember my first gig with Floating Folk was "Field Day Of The Past" where I met sweet Pam McCarthy. She has long blonde hair and wears dresses a lot, and her voice is pure as a mountain stream. She can play a mean guitar too. It was also that year (2000) that I first did The Watermelon Festival. I remember being super nervous since I had never played that big a crowd before. I was just kinda starting out then, too, because before Floating Folk, my appearances had been limited to a few rurtian club meetings, retirement homes, and barbecues back in old Loudoun County. Anyways, I sure do remember all those times. I remember meeting beautiful Kate Lawton- who I was quite fond of, if you know what I mean. She does resemble Nicole Kidman quite a bit. I remember back in the 2001-2002 days when we would rehearse in Brooke Saunder's basement. And we were starting the band then. And a lot of regulars would come by and bring their guitar. I would always been on keyboards, of course. I remember the talented, yet heavy drinking Ron. He would always be half lit at shows, but he played a great guitar.

Anyways, I had a lot of fun tonight. I've been with the group 7 years now, and its really been a help. Because of them, I met all the musician contacts in town. I got to make my first record. I got to get on more gigs and venues around the area, and it set me up for bigger things. I learned how a lot of stuff is done.

Earlier today, I went on casting call for this short film. I think I got a part as an extra at a wedding scene. They told me I had a very young look when I told them I was 28. "Good genes", they said. But also has to do with not drinking or smoking all the time, and staying out of the sun. I really am blessed with perfect skin, though.

I didn't get the job at the Museum....

I would have been a shoe in for the job as tour guide at The White House Of The Confederacy. With my acting skills, I could give a great tour and all. But I didn't get the job because they require a bachelor's degree (which I was not informed was a requirement until upon rejection). How does having a bachelor's degree make one a good tour guide? I'm sure they would give a boring tour, concerned as they are with the itty bitty facts. All facts and none of the flavor. I could give people a sense of what it was like to live there at that time- a sense of the people and the Era , and just the main jist of the story. I guess the job wasn't right for me. I was just a bit confused as to the requirements. I have to say, that if thats how they operate, its no wonder the Museum isn't doing so well. If they want people to recite facts and that's all they do, I'm sure the patrons will be bored out of their minds. Anyways, it only pays 7.00$ an hour. I feel sorry for the sucker who gets stuck with that.

James River Hoodlums...

I don't know why I decided to go the James River today (its probably dirty as sin), but it was hot and I decided to take a little adventure. I started out on the north bank by Maymont Park. I walked down the trail I tried yesterday on my bike. The trail goes back into the woods though. And I kept asking the Lord to protect me because I kept sensing there were snakes in the area. The trail leads to Texas Beach. Well its not much of one, but it seemed there were a few people there. I just didnt feel safe back there though, so I left quickly. I got back in my car and decided to try Pony Pasture. Why, I'll never know, because that's where my wallet was stolen about 4 years ago.

Pony Pasture is south of Hugenot bridge. They have a lot of rocks there, and some rapids with holes to swim in. They allow swimming there, but frankly, its really dangerous. I guess I wasn't thinking much about that in the heat. So I went there and left my shoes on a bank. I crossed over the shallow areas of the rapids. There's lots of rocks there and slimy stuff with tad poles swimming about. I got caught in the rapids which is like whirlpool and takes you a bit down the beach. But I had a bit of trouble making myself stop. I clenched to a large rock and walked back to the shore. I looked for my shoes to no avail. I felt so stupid because I actually put my car keys in them, thinking they would be safe that way. I kept up and down the beach. I saw a passle of Mexian youths. They were looking at me at the time, and had smirks on their faces. I kept thinking they must have taken my shoes, but I didn't say anything. I asked to borrow someone's phone, and called my father to get me. And then I looked one more time. This time I found them. I praised the Lord ! I was very relieved at this. But I had a feeling that they had taken them as a joke and put them back. As I left I found my daddy, and told him that I had the shoes and was fine. I saw a police car there talking to some of the Mexicans I saw. I felt wrong to judge them that way , and they probably didn't take my shoes. I learned a lesson about that. But I was just so worried someone would find those keys and take my car too. I don't think I'll be going back to Pony Pasture or James River to swim. But I learned a lesson anyway today.

Bitter Sweet Goochland Farmer's Market

Now, Farmer's Markets are fun. If only they could have them later in the day.... But somehow I managed to get up at 8 :00 A.M. this morning. That's something of a milestone for me. A little more than an hour later, I was on the road out to Goochland county farmer's market. Goochland is a pleasant 30 min drive west of Richmond. I got there around 10 in the A.M. and started the show soon after. I was very obliged. The people were nice and bought some of my albums. I was given sun flowers, and a few bags of squash to take home. I met one of my cousins there. His name is Ennion Williams. He comes from the Skeltons of Paxton in Powhatan. Its funny, you never know who you might run into. Put 100 Virginians in a room, and we'll discover we're all related somehow. I finished the show around noon. Later I dropped off a microphone at The Camel where I had appropriated one for my past 2 gigs. I hope to get a new microphone some time soon. Tonight I went to Walgreen's to buy some photo paper, and I had stopped at Kroger's earlier for some mailing supplies. That's kind of how it gets boring for me some times. But I did ride my bike a little today.

When I rode down to the north bank trail of the James, I found the trails too steep and too rugged. I had to turn around. But I may go some time when its not as late in the day. As I was coming back from the woods, I saw a young couple there walking up the hill. It was a young boy and a girl. They were about 18 or 19 years old. The girl was right pretty. They were talking about going to school next year. She was telling him that he should just go to VCU like everyone else.

As I listened to them they were holding hands and skipping stones. The picture was Americana to the core. But it reminded me a little of how I wish I were that young again and had a girlfriend at that age. I feel like I missed out on all that. I never really had a girl to call my own. I never got to skip stones or walk to the river with someone or hold hands. I never got to be part of that youthful vigor. I remember at that time , I was too wrapped up in things or myself to enjoy life. I felt isolated because I lived out on a farm. And I missed going places. I tried to get a few girls to go out with me, but most of them refused. I did take Elizabeth Wright to Huckleberry's for an early supper one time. I'm still very young, but I felt I missed out on those late teenage lazy days when you just have the whole world at your feet. Now it seems like I can't be carefree like that. I'm too much in the swing of things for romance.

I'm going to get an Auto Harp

I was at the music store today- I went to two of them. I was just browsing along when I came across these auto harps for sale. Of course they were way out of my price range. But I went onto ebay and did a search and I placed a bid on one. They're also known as "zithers" by the Germans. I think they were invented by some German. Anyhow, I think it would be neat to have one in case I can't use my keyboard for some reason and need something totally acoustic. They work better for piano players than transferring things to a traditional guitar. I think I could really use one. Or maybe even an accordion.

Today I went to Quizno's subs and had a turkey guacamole . The one in Short Pump. And then later I went to the pet shop to talk to the animals there. They never seem to talk back. Sometimes I can try to read their minds. At the music store I tried out some of the keyboards. I like the keyboard but it can't compare to the REAL thing. The piano will never be replaced by electronics. No matter how good they get. Still, mine does a fair job. I want to get the auto harp because I think its rare to see them played. I saw a clip of June Carter Cash playing one on a an old talk show. I liked the sound because they are different than regular guitars. I also looked for a new microphone but they were all for 100$. I need a 58 Shure mic because that sounds best for live shows. I'll check around some local stores and see if I can find one cheaper.

4th of July in Williamsburg

I spent yesterday in Williamsburg. I met my sister for a picnic. Later on we walked around the colonial area and got something to eat at Second Street. Boy, that place has changed! I remember it was always just a local college beer hangout- a place to get hamburgers and home cooking. Now its more like an upscale eatery with a clientel over 45. I had a tuna wrap there. I wasn't really dressed for the place and felt funny. Later on we saw the fireworks over downtown. They were from a different location this year. It was pretty neat though. It took us almost an hour to get out of the parking lot of the Whaley school. Then I dropped Bonnie off at her house. I stopped at WaWa for something to drink. I was right thirsty the whole time.

As I was driving home, I was thinking back to 5 years ago. July 4th, 2002. I was playing with the short lived, but loveable "Gravity Hounds". It was me on keys and lead vocals, Dave Berry on lead guitar, Butch Hedgepath on bass, and Jeff Turley on drums. Being just 23-years-old at the time, I was by far the youngest gravity hound. But we played a show on the 4th of July out in a recreation park near Goochland, Virginia. We were mostly a Country Rock flavored outift. We did a few of my originals and we did a lot of country-rock tunes, old country songs, and then some Patriotic ones. I sang lead on most of the songs. But I've come such along way since then. It was hot night that time. I remember how Dave's PA took about 2 hours at least to set up. He ran everything through "snakes". Wires were everywhere and it took nearly as long to take everything down again. But I had a ball that night. I remember after we finished how you could see every star in the sky. And I was looking up seeing the fireworks display. I remember the ill fated Gravity Hounds fondly. Dave's brother later joined the group, but we broke up eventually when the vision was lost. Anyways, our look was black jeans and red converse tennis shoes. Thats when I started wearing my red tennis shoes and I still do.