Yesterday we were in Rapid City, SD which I thought was a cool little town. Very frontier-like with pretty hills and trees. We left Columbus the day before and had to take three flights on two different airlines to get to Rapid City. It's annoying, but I'd rather do that than be on a plane for hours. We've been flying quite a bit recently, but that was the last time for a little over a month.
We stayed at a hotel that was pretty close to Mt. Rushmore, so yesterday we went to see it before we headed to the gig. The dive was beautiful, and so was the whole area around Mt. Rushmore. I had never been there before. We snapped some pictures, visited the gift shop and headed to the venue.
Robin the tour promoter isn't out with us for the next few days because he lives in Mexico and Jeff is a germ-a-phobe. He made Robin stay out in LA for a few days "just to be sure." I thought that was kinda funny. Jeff was actually a little sick last week. He told a story in his monologue one night about his most recent appearance on Letterman (that was a couple of weeks ago when we were staying in San Fransisco). Before he went through the rehearsal he accidently took nighttime cold medicine and it made him a bit incoherent. Then he said he slammed some Redbulls before the taping and things went okay. During the shows last week you couldn't even tell he was sick. Marnell brought out a couple of trash cans off stage for one show which we assumed was for if he needed to throw up. But that didn't happen so that's not a crazy story I could tell.
Last night was our 50th show! Steve said the rest of the tour in indefinite, and I think we're all okay with that. Jeff wants to keep on performing, and it sounds like we'll be sticking with it too.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Nampa, ID
The first day in San Fransisco I met up with three of the guys a little after noon and we walked down to Fisherman's Wharf (it was an all downhill walk). We did the typical shopping, getting something to eat and taking pictures. Then we took a cab back to the hotel to drop off some stuff, then took another cab to Haight-Ashbury and did some more shopping. After about an hour my cousin Natalie and her boyfriend met up with us there and we headed to a restaurant right on the coast called Beach Chalet. It was really nice, but pretty crowded. Half of the guys didn't want to wait so they took off for another place. It was an open air type restaurant with a lawn that had open seating, so that's where we sat. After that we dropped off the guys and Natalie and I went out for some drinks. That was fun. It was just the two of us talking for a while, then a couple of guys sat down by us and we talked to them which provided some good entertainment.
The next day I went to Union Square with some of the guys for some more shopping, then went back to the hotel for a bit. Grace Cathedral was one block from our hotel so I walked around that for a bit and took some pictures. Then I went back to get packed up and checked out of the hotel. Natalie and Trevor came to pick me up and we went to get some sushi. As we were finishing up our food, an employee came around and handed out bingo cards to everyone and said we were playing for a $20 gift card. After the first game they said not to clear our cards because we'll play again for some hot sake. Trevor and I both needed the same number to win, and they ended up calling it! They brought us two bottles and three little glasses. We were plannning on getting some gelato after our meal, but we decided we shouldn't let free sake go to waste. I had to be on the bus before 8pm, so that's why we didn't have time for anything else after that.
But it was a very nice couple of days. It's kinda weird having just a couple of days in big cities because you want to do as much as you can, but also get some rest because they are days off.
Now we have two shows in Idaho, then back home for three days, and back out again.
The next day I went to Union Square with some of the guys for some more shopping, then went back to the hotel for a bit. Grace Cathedral was one block from our hotel so I walked around that for a bit and took some pictures. Then I went back to get packed up and checked out of the hotel. Natalie and Trevor came to pick me up and we went to get some sushi. As we were finishing up our food, an employee came around and handed out bingo cards to everyone and said we were playing for a $20 gift card. After the first game they said not to clear our cards because we'll play again for some hot sake. Trevor and I both needed the same number to win, and they ended up calling it! They brought us two bottles and three little glasses. We were plannning on getting some gelato after our meal, but we decided we shouldn't let free sake go to waste. I had to be on the bus before 8pm, so that's why we didn't have time for anything else after that.
But it was a very nice couple of days. It's kinda weird having just a couple of days in big cities because you want to do as much as you can, but also get some rest because they are days off.
Now we have two shows in Idaho, then back home for three days, and back out again.
Monday, April 20, 2009
San Fransisco
Two days off in San Fransico! We're at a super nice hotel in the Nob Hill area called the Farimont. We got here a little after 2am. It took me quite a while to fall asleep. I don't know if I'm so used to the bus now or what, but I woke up a lot earlier than I expected too as well. But anyway, I'll probably meet up with some of the guys for lunch, explore a bit, then meet up with my cousin Natalie when she gets off work this evening. I'm excited! I've been here before and I love it.
Two days ago we were in San Jose and it was Jeff's birthday. At the end of the show Marnell and Robin surprised him by bringing up a cake while Brian played and everyone sang Happy Birthday. I head the cake cost about $1,500. It was Achmed, Walter and Peanut sitting on a suitcase.
When we got back on the bus after load out the remainder of the cake was on our table. Achmed was the only part that go eaten. I didn't eat any, but Chovie the merch guy said he had some and it almost make him sick.
Two days ago we were in San Jose and it was Jeff's birthday. At the end of the show Marnell and Robin surprised him by bringing up a cake while Brian played and everyone sang Happy Birthday. I head the cake cost about $1,500. It was Achmed, Walter and Peanut sitting on a suitcase.
When we got back on the bus after load out the remainder of the cake was on our table. Achmed was the only part that go eaten. I didn't eat any, but Chovie the merch guy said he had some and it almost make him sick.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sacramento, CA
Back on the road after about 2 weeks away. I may have mentioned that even though it was time off of the tour it wasn't really time off. We still had some work to do back in Columbus including a big show for the annual YWCA Women of Achievement awards lunch and a Youth Evangelical Celebration in Dayton. The Dayton show I like doing because we're there for a couple of days for a fairly easy show, but Women of Achievement is a big pain. Three days of set up for a one hour show. We had lots of problems, too. But I won't go into all of that.
During some actual time off I was able to see some friends and family which I was happy about :) I always love seeing all of you!
Also, I found this press release on our company's website that you might enjoy.
During some actual time off I was able to see some friends and family which I was happy about :) I always love seeing all of you!
Also, I found this press release on our company's website that you might enjoy.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Columbus, OH
Now I'm back home for two weeks! It's not really time off though because we have other shows to do around here. But it was an awesome month.
Here are the links to my latest photo albums!
St. Petersburg
New Orleans and Savannah
Just to let you know, I may not be writing for a while since I won't be on the road for a couple of weeks.
Here are the links to my latest photo albums!
St. Petersburg
New Orleans and Savannah
Just to let you know, I may not be writing for a while since I won't be on the road for a couple of weeks.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Chatenooga, TN
This is the second day of a four show stretch before I finally go back home! It will have been gone for about three weeks. The time off in different cities definitely helps make it doable. Monday we were in Columbus, GA for the Avenged Sevenfold concert. We checked in to the hotel around 9:30 am. I went back to sleep for a while, relaxed in the room and went to the bus around 5. Then we all had dinner at a Logan's then headed to the arena. The bus pulled into the docks where all the other artist trucks and docks were and we walked in through the backstage. Some the stagehands were hanging around and recognized us from being there a few days before. We got there right before the band Buckcherry went on, then Avenged Sevenfold was after that. I knew a few songs by each band. The stage production was pretty cool. Lots of lights and some LED panels that moved around on the stage.
After that we went back to the hotel, and left for Charlotte, NC the next day after check out. It was about a 6 hour drive, I pretty much stayed in my bunk to sleep off some of the beer :)
We were in a really nice hotel right in the heart of downtown. It was the Omni. We met up for dinner and walked to an Irish pub/restaurant which was really good. I had to get corned beef and cabbage. Especially since I didn't have any on St. Patrick's day. Then a few of us went walking around to find another bar to hang out in. There weren't too many exciting options since it was a Monday night. Brandon told me about this place called The Breakfast Club which is an 80s themed club. We tried to go there, but it wasn't open early in the week. I was disappointed.
We ended up stopping at just your regular downtown sports bar/restaurant. A couple of the guys watched sports and the rest of us played pool.
The next day I met up with a couple of the guys for lunch, walked around a bit more, found a movie theatre and decided to come back later for a movie. Four of us saw "I Love You Man" later that afternoon in the coolest movie place. It was really new and trendy, had some bars and a really nice restaurant. The theatre seats were soft red vevlety love-seat type things. Then we met up with two more guys, had dinner, and split off different ways. I went to Howl at the Moon with one of the guys, and two more showed up later. There was hardly anybody there, but it was still a lot of fun. One song we requested was "Dance Magic Dance" from the movie Labyrinth. As soon as the piano player read it he started laughing. He played it very well, and later told us that he had never done that before, he just knew it from seeing the movie so many times.
The next morning we had to be on the bus by 7:30 to drive to the next venue. Shows are still going well. It sounds like sometime this fall it will get bigger.
After that we went back to the hotel, and left for Charlotte, NC the next day after check out. It was about a 6 hour drive, I pretty much stayed in my bunk to sleep off some of the beer :)
We were in a really nice hotel right in the heart of downtown. It was the Omni. We met up for dinner and walked to an Irish pub/restaurant which was really good. I had to get corned beef and cabbage. Especially since I didn't have any on St. Patrick's day. Then a few of us went walking around to find another bar to hang out in. There weren't too many exciting options since it was a Monday night. Brandon told me about this place called The Breakfast Club which is an 80s themed club. We tried to go there, but it wasn't open early in the week. I was disappointed.
We ended up stopping at just your regular downtown sports bar/restaurant. A couple of the guys watched sports and the rest of us played pool.
The next day I met up with a couple of the guys for lunch, walked around a bit more, found a movie theatre and decided to come back later for a movie. Four of us saw "I Love You Man" later that afternoon in the coolest movie place. It was really new and trendy, had some bars and a really nice restaurant. The theatre seats were soft red vevlety love-seat type things. Then we met up with two more guys, had dinner, and split off different ways. I went to Howl at the Moon with one of the guys, and two more showed up later. There was hardly anybody there, but it was still a lot of fun. One song we requested was "Dance Magic Dance" from the movie Labyrinth. As soon as the piano player read it he started laughing. He played it very well, and later told us that he had never done that before, he just knew it from seeing the movie so many times.
The next morning we had to be on the bus by 7:30 to drive to the next venue. Shows are still going well. It sounds like sometime this fall it will get bigger.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Columbus, GA
Our show tonight was the most seats this venue has ever sold. They had to rent more chairs for the floor because they sold more tickets than they had seats!
Jeff's parents have been at the last three shows. We set up a little lounge for them backstage with couches and a monitor. The first night they watched the show from the crowd, but last night and tonight they sat in the little lounge. They're a cute old couple. His mom said she was amazed at how much goes on for the show. She said she never bothered to ask him about it and just kind of took it all for granted, but she loved seeing how it was all done.
Tonight at dinner Jeff asked us if we had ever had boiled peanuts. None of us had, and he went on about how great they were and how we had to try some, so he had someone get 10 bags of them. A lot of the local people working the venue couldn't believe we never had them either. After they got the arena we tried them, and most of the crew didn't care for them, but I thought they were pretty good. Kind of like beans.
Right now we're on our way to Tampa for tomorrow's show, then after that we come right back to where we were today. Same town, same venue. But, its not for our show. Brian, Jeff's opening act, is the father of the lead guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold who is also currently on tour. A while ago Brian said if we were interested in going to a show he'd get us tickets. He was originally planning on going too, but just last week he got booked for the Bob and Tom show so he won't be able to make the concert. Brandon took a picture from backstage looking out at the crowd during the show. Marnell is going to print it out, have Brian sign it and give it to his son with a message like "some day you'll make it big." I guess that show sold about half has many seats as Jeff did.
Jeff's parents have been at the last three shows. We set up a little lounge for them backstage with couches and a monitor. The first night they watched the show from the crowd, but last night and tonight they sat in the little lounge. They're a cute old couple. His mom said she was amazed at how much goes on for the show. She said she never bothered to ask him about it and just kind of took it all for granted, but she loved seeing how it was all done.
Tonight at dinner Jeff asked us if we had ever had boiled peanuts. None of us had, and he went on about how great they were and how we had to try some, so he had someone get 10 bags of them. A lot of the local people working the venue couldn't believe we never had them either. After they got the arena we tried them, and most of the crew didn't care for them, but I thought they were pretty good. Kind of like beans.
Right now we're on our way to Tampa for tomorrow's show, then after that we come right back to where we were today. Same town, same venue. But, its not for our show. Brian, Jeff's opening act, is the father of the lead guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold who is also currently on tour. A while ago Brian said if we were interested in going to a show he'd get us tickets. He was originally planning on going too, but just last week he got booked for the Bob and Tom show so he won't be able to make the concert. Brandon took a picture from backstage looking out at the crowd during the show. Marnell is going to print it out, have Brian sign it and give it to his son with a message like "some day you'll make it big." I guess that show sold about half has many seats as Jeff did.
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