Trip Journal:

In the spirit of Bill Simmons I hope to keep some sort of running diary of my trip out west. I’m already into day 4 and this is the first I’ve written, so we’ll see how it actually goes, but here is a brief account of what has happened so far.

Thursday July 12th

Day one, and departure time was bumped up so we could go and hang out with Alex Hart at KKCN in San Angelo. We had a ball and people really seem to dig on the new single. Daniel Jones rode with me for the first two gigs. Taking my cues from Adam Hood I have found that when I am playing a larger venue during these acoustic days, getting a drummer makes it really cool. Daniel is a great drummer and will be in the new band. We jammed out at Blaine’s and had a great time. The hotel we stay at in San Angelo has a very unique smell to it. It isn’t really what you would call a “nice hotel”. It helps to have had a drink or two before you lay down there. (A funny side note is that for the last 4 times I’ve been in San Angelo I have had the same room. The first of those 4 times I had Isabella with me and she tore the room to shreds. I was able to reconstruct it pretty well and mention was never made of the damage, nor has it been fixed. Stay classy San Angelo Hotel than I won’t mention for fear they won’t let me stay there again.)

Friday July 13th

It’s my 27th year (bad year for musicians and death) and it was Friday the 13th and we had 500 miles to ride and as we were heading down highway 67 not one, but all five cars within our sight inexplicably u-turned and headed back the way we had all come from. I couldn’t take this as a good sign, but we forged on and, thankfully, without incident. We made it to El Paso got checked and put on good show. The crowd was nice and Mike and the Storm nightclub treated us well…thanks guys. Josue made the show and we got to hang out until way too early in the morning, always good to see him. (The Holiday Inn in El Paso was great, btw.)

Saturday July 14th

Travel day. I dropped Daniel at the airport in El Paso and headed to Cruces to have lunch with my grandma and mom. I hit the road to Phoenix that afternoon. I downloaded a new book written and read by Steve Martin. I can’t recall the title but it was enjoyable—a great way to pass time driving alone. I hit the sack early, because I had to pick up Kristi at the airport at 7:00 on Sunday morning.

Sunday July 15th

I am sitting on my buddy Matt and Jack’s couch watching the ESPY red carpet show as I type right now. I got to meet my cousin’s baby Cole and hang with old friends today here in phx. We play the rhythm room tonight. I’ll let you know how that goes in tomorrow’s entry.
Monday July 16th

The Rhythm Room was awesome in Phoenix. Friends came out, we were treated great, and a good time was had by all. I really hope to return once the record comes out. We left Phoenix this morning and got to LA this afternoon. We’re checked in at the Grafton on Sunset, a totally swanky Hollywood Motel. It’s fun to be “in the scene” for a night. I could never handle it day in and out, but it’s fun for a night. We’re playing at the Genghis Cohen, it’s just a 45 minute set sandwiched between a couple of other artists, we’ll see how they take to a little Austin flavored music tonight.

Well, I’m back at the hotel. The gig was cool, and we got to see some of Kristi’s friends and hang out at a swank LA bar. Dierks Bentley has a new song out that goes something like “free and easy, down the road I go.” That’s how I’m feeling right now. Life is good, I look forward to the adventures that wait in the next couple of weeks.

It has begun.

We will have a record out in about a month and a week. It has been a long time coming for me, I am very excited. Our new single, "Crazy Like You" is up on myspace so go check it out. It is out to radio as well, call in and make a request!

The show schedule is super full and I am putting a band together so that we can tour full band in support of the new record. I'm afraid the only familiar face on stage will be mine, and I'm sure some of you remember Daniel Jones. He has drummed for me before and I am happy to report he will be playing for me in my new band. Chris Grady will be playing bass and singing harmonies and the guitarist is yet to be announced. I have some great prospects, it is just a matter of getting the right guy.

I got to see Seth a couple of weeks ago. He completed boot camp and is now a United States Marine. He is doing well and now back online and has use of his cell phone. Drop him a line, or a call, he'd love to hear from you.

Kristi and I are headed out west this coming week. We are playing all the way to San Francisco and then out in Colorado. Check out the schedule and if you know any people out there that dig this music, send them our way. We're headed into uncharted lands.

Things are great and the album is nearly ready. I can't wait for folks to hear it. Just thought I'd drop a line and let everybody know what's going on. See you soon.

Josh