Thoughts
Ever get a feeling about yourself, of suddenly noticing where you are, of what you're doing with your life? Where you're going and what it all means...any of that? It hits me occasionally, at weird, random moments but is fleeting and never lingers. Like I'm suddenly in a dream, floating, outside of myself, looking at everything. It's a bizarre thing. Last night it happened. We were in the middle of a tune, I'm on stage (totally sober) and I suddenly have this hyper awareness of where I am and what I'm doing, but it was like I was watching myself perform. I was still able to play during this dream state, nothing was lost but (for a brief moment) it was like my spirit was dancing around me, sitting on my shoulders checking me out. Then, I was reminded of a passage I'd read in a wonderful book by Eckhart Tolle called, The Power Of Now, where he's describing three different states of being...the first is just you in the moment, then next is your mind with all of your thoughts, but then there's another self that is above all of that, listening, watching and that's the one I felt last night. It's hard to explain.An out-of-body experience, perhaps?
Her Voice, Those Drums
Los Angeles is a great town and I'm happy to be back here working during my time off, although my doctor says I should be taking it easy due to a pinched nerve in my neck that's still not yet healed. Ouch! But who can say no when a lady comes a-callin'? Certainly not me. Anyhow, yesterday I was in the studio with a wonderful singer songwriter, Julie Cain, a fantastic & unique voice that is really nice to hear coming through the headphones. It was low-key, easy and fun but I wish I'd had the presence of mind to snap some pics of the session, especially the drums. 24" Premier 1950's set with an 8 x 14 Slingerland snare that (apparently) used to belong to one of the many drummers from Jethro Tull...I didn't ask which one. Clive Bunker, perhaps? Killer sounds...woody, open but very dry. And with the timbre of this young lady's voice, was a wonderful mix. Producer, Sean Hoffman (American Music Club) is a joy to work with, as well. Fantastic musicians, both of them and judging from the results so far, once it's done, this is gonna be a great record.
Everyone should hear her sing.
Billy Seward
That's his name and his game is Soul. Without going into it too much, (cause I think I already covered this subject somewhere in this blog) we wanted to make a record together, he asked me to produce, I happily accepted the challenge and promptly hired the best in Memphis to help make it happen and the results came out fantastic. Billy's new record is totally smokin' and available for all to own. Check it out, here 
Recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, engineered by Jeff Powell with his assistant, Lucas Peterson and features Al Gamble, Joe Restivo, Jim Spake, Marc Franklin, Landon Moore, Scott Thompson and yours truly. Go get it, now!
The Girl Can Sing...
Came back home for a few days and did a great session with local Memphis singer/songwriter, Kait Lawson for an upcoming record...had a ball. This young lady has a bright future ahead and can definitely hold her own as a powerful voice. The songs were good, too! Two masterful cats joined me in the studio, my pal Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady) on multiple guitars & the great Sam Shoup on upright and electric bass. I felt so lucky to have finally gotten the chance to record with these guys. What a treat. Anyhow, keep your eyes peeled for this one.
I tried a bit of muting and muffling this time, which yielded some nice results. A bandanna over the snare gave it really dry and punchy tone. The producer loved it.
This trip home has been productive, fun and pretty relaxing. Back to LA in the a.m.
Winding down but never slowing...
Yes-yes, y'all...this train has a few more stops in the southeast before making it's final trip up to Thornville, Ohio and the last CRB show of our summer tour, Hookahville. We've had an incredible time and the shows keep getting better and better. But the fun doesn't end there, at least for me as I will be heading back home to Memphis and spending a few days in the recording studio with some good friends then reuniting with my other band of brothers, The City Champs for a rare and welcome opportunity to play with them once again. Then it's back to LA for more sessions and some video production work with my amazing cymbal company, Istanbul Agop. Can't wait for that.For today, I'll leave you with this...
PS...forgot the mention that the Champs just secured distribution in Japan from a great label, P-Vine Records and now our music can be heard in Tokyo!
Yes!
More than 700 folks packed into the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn the other night for a sold out CRB show, which means that word has already spread far and wide about our band. This tour is continuing to get better as the days roll on and we're having about as much fun as a band can have. Love to all.
Kickin' Butt
No one can believe how well this tour is going, most of all our fearless leader and comrade in arms, Chris. The shows have been fantastic and the fans seem to really be digging the vibe of our little band. So, if you're reading this and you live somewhere on the east coast, then please come see us and say hello!
CR says "hi".
| Wed-Aug-03 | Amagansett, NY | Stephen Talkhouse | On-Sale |
| Thu-Aug-04 | Bangor, ME | Bangor Waterfront | On-Sale |
| Sat-Aug-06 | Boston, MA | Bank of America Pavilion | w/J Geils Band |
| Sun-Aug-07 | Boston, MA | Bank of America Pavilion | w/J Geils Band |
| Wed-Aug-10 | Brooklyn, NY | Music Hall of Williamsburg | On-Sale |
| Fri-Aug-12 | Atlantic City, NJ | The Borgata Event Center | w/J Geils Band |
| Sat-Aug-13 | Danbury, CT | Ives Concert Park | w/J Geils Band |
| Sun-Aug-14 | Wallingford, CT | Oakdale Theatre | w/J Geils Band |
| Tue-Aug-16 | Charlottesville, VA | Jefferson Theater | On-Sale |
| Wed-Aug-17 | Nashville, TN | Mercy Lounge | On-Sale |
| Fri-Aug-19 | Detroit, MI | DTE Energy Music Theatre | w/J Geils Band |
| Sat-Aug-20 | Lyons, CO | Rocky Mountain Folks Festival | w/Jackie Greene & Bob Weir |
| Tue-Aug-23 | Santa Fe, NM | Santa Fe Brewing Co. | On-Sale |
| Thu-Aug-25 | Dallas, TX | The Prophet Bar | On-Sale |
| Fri-Aug-26 | Austin, TX | The Parish | On-Sale |
| Sat-Aug-27 | Houston, TX | Fitzgerald's | On-Sale |
| Tue-Aug-30 | New Orleans, LA | Tipitina's | On-Sale |
| Thu-Sep-01 | Birmingham, AL | Workplay | On-Sale |
| Fri-Sep-02 | Athens, GA | The Georgia Theatre | On-Sale |
| Sat-Sep-03 | Ashville, NC | The Orange Peel | On-Sale |
| Sun-Sep-04 | Thornville, OH | Hookahville | On-Sale |
Let The Games Begin!
I woke up, got out of bed and dragged a comb across my head...Had a fairly smooth ride from LAX to O'Hare on Virgin America (first time flying with them) and with the exception of a near quarrel with an aggressive 80 year old man, my day was pretty much hassle-free. Watched a movie, listened to some tunes, drank some tea. Everyone's gear made it in safe too which had made me a little nervous at first, considering I'm traveling with a new toy.
Ahh Chicago, how I've missed you. This place is great and I love the energy here. Compared to all the others, I feel peaceful in this city and maybe it's because my dad and his family are originally from here, who knows.
Today marks the beginning of the summer fun with CRB. Early afternoon rehearsal, evening to ourselves, then off we go into the wild. Stay tuned.
Family, Friends and Gratitude
This trip home has been fun and I feel incredibly fortunate for the loved ones in my life. I haven't stopped going since I got here...had lunch with my amazing sister Dawne, spent the weekend in Missouri with my oldest and closest friend Joe Hardin, his two beautiful kids Marc & Brenna, and his mom & dad, Jim & Barb, had breakfast with Mom, attended a great birthday party for my 6 yr old niece Hannah Grace, played numerous gigs and hung out with some of my best buds in town, Jostevo, Craig, Jeff, Lucas, Pat, Pee Wee, Jeremy, Tony, Kirk, Doc, and attended many sit-down dinners with some truly inspiring folks...Rick & Eimir, Chad & Arwen, Brad & Belle, Joe & Philly. Wow. And I can't forget the incredible Spake family, who have been kind enough to put up with me these past couple of weeks, as the annoying scruffy house guest who won't leave!
Thank you and I love you all. My heart and my belly are certainly full.
A Couple Of Weeks Away...
Summer fun is about to begin and the CRB has a new press photo!
- Chris Robinson Brotherhood: L to R, Muddy Dutton, CR, yours truly, Adam MacDougall & Neal Casal
Pretty goodlookin bunch of dudes, eh? HA!
The Importance of Being Howard
Producer and Bokeys bassist, Scott Bomar emailed me yesterday with a photo of Howard Grimes' vintage 70's Ludwig Vistalite drum set and I was floored. I mean, how cool is Howard Grimes? Sorry y'all, I just gotta give it up.
Just for fun, let's all listen and never forget the importance of this drummer...what a feel![youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfWPDGWP568]As I already mentioned in an earlier post, Howard is one of the sweetest, most humble cats I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and I appreciate his continued love and encouragement. Like his drums, he is true blue.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkM5VqFYcA]
Keep on, keepin' on, Howard!
It was twenty years ago today...
Literally, July marks exactly twenty years ago that I first made the journey westward from Memphis to California and it's amazing looking back on where I was at that point. What a trip. Although this 4th of July, instead of boarding the Greyhound west, I'll be getting on a plane and heading back home for several weeks, filling my days and nights with lots of hang time with family and friends before the summer tour with CRB. LA has been pretty good to me this time around and I feel confident about where things seem to be headed, although my disposition may have something to do with that, as I know I've changed a good bit since relocating here in 1991. Life was somehow simpler and less hectic, but I was idealistic and lacked a clear direction. A kid with stars in his eyes in the land of movie stars. Twenty years, wow. That seems like a lifetime ago.Today, I'm happy, grateful and incredibly lucky for the amazing people near to me and to be sharing the stage with the wonderful musicians in my company.
This summer is gonna rock!
Another great one has left us...
Seems like I've been surrounded by death lately, which is a constant reminder to me of how precious our life is on this planet. Last week I got a call from my good friend Jim Austin, an amazing upright bassist who plays in a number of great west coast groups, one of them being Brawley, a total baddass honky tonk band of troubadours. It was a sad call, as Jim and his band members had just received word that their drummer, Johnny had suddenly passed away and they had a gig coming up soon that needed to happen. Touchy situation indeed, but everyone agreed that Johnny would have wanted the show to go on, with or without him. Apparently, he was just that kind of guy. He and I didn't know one another, but somehow I feel like I might've met him at some point cause when I saw his photo, there was something familiar to me. Maybe I saw him play once.I found some nice words written about him on a website solely dedicated to preserving the memory of great musicians called, The Music's Over.John Kulhken was an accomplished musician who took up the drums when he was just 8 years old. Born and raised in the San Diego, California area, Kulhken joined the Air Force after graduating from high school and later earned a Journalism degree from San Diego State University. A true journeyman drummer, Kulhken played in many local bands including the MacAnanys, the Nards, the Rugburns, and Sara Petite and the Sugar Daddies. A 10-year survivor of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for which he received a bone marrow transplant, Kulhken was hospitalized after not feeling well on May 20th only to learn he was suffering from a blood infection that ultimately took his life several hours later. John Kuhlken was 49 when he passed away on May 20, 2011.
What a great smile and from everything I've heard about this man, he was a true blue cat. Of course, I told my friend that I'd be more than happy to play with them and I've got about 15 of Brawley's tunes to learn, which won't be so easy to pull off, as there's a spark and snap in his playing that can only come from years of experience with honky tonk music. Such a killer player he was and a perfect, relaxed feel for that music. I'm sitting here in my apartment listening to a live recording from one of their recent shows, thinking of the loss. I dig his playing...[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqfAsjQTJXg&feature=player_embedded]Rest in peace, my brother in drums.
Mark Goebl
I just received news that my old pal Mark passed away today. He'd been battling some serious Cancer since 2006 and lived much longer than any of the doctors predicted. I'm very sad. In the twenty-five years that we were friends, I never once saw him angry or say a bad word about anyone. Always smiling through the worst of times, Mark was someone to look up to, especially after he was diagnosed. My friend, my brother, goodnight and rest easy. Miss you already.
Work
I am so jazzed right now. Got a phone call yesterday to come and record the new solo album for singer/songwriter, Gary Jules with my old pal Mike Andrews at the helm. Right on! Mike's studio is amazing and these guys are so easy to work with. We'll be tracking all week. Yes! Oh yeah...Robert Walter is on the gig too.
Stay tuned...
Rico
This is my friend, Christopher...
...and he is a total baddass. Painter, writer, husband, father, mentor, counselor (to me!), a one-man support group in Italian shoes...he is solid as a rock. For more than twenty years, we've been close friends and as the years roll on, Chris continues to amaze and inspire me with his unyielding dedication and devotion to being a true human, forever pushing his own limits as an artist. He is able to dig deep into himself and make a connection that is at once evident, the moment you see his work. A master.
For me, having a friend like this in my life is worth more than all the riches on the planet. He never stops giving of himself and is so quick with good advice, right when I need it most...Christopher, you're priceless to me. Thank you for all the many years of friendship and tireless commitment to the arts.From his blog...
Did I mention he was also really good with words? HA! Listen folks, do yourself a huge favor, today...visit his site. Scroll through the gallery. Read his blog. Watch his film. Then buy his book. You'll thank me for it later, I'm sure.
Break Time
- I'm not very clear at this hour and it's not even midnight, but I've had one amazing, tiresome weekend and sleep is much needed right now. Before I can take a nap though, I have to jot this down or else I'll forget about it in the morning cause I'm absolutely exhausted. Up to Big Sur, two shows at the world famous Henry Miller Memorial Library, lots of scenery, some rain, mountains, Redwoods...a complete sensory overload. And now, it's over and I'm home. The first CRB tour is done and we've got a nice little break, which I'm very exited about. What a time though and filled with tons of memories with my newest friends and band mates. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been asked to do this job and can't wait to be a part of what's next on the horizon.
If you read through this blog, you'll notice that I have several posts regarding photographers and some who've become my good friends. Well, I've very recently discovered a young lady who's really got her shit together and I implore everyone to check out her amazing body of work and accomplishments. She is Piper Ferguson. A truly gifted artist. Oh, I must give credit to Neal Casal, whom I can't seem to give enough credit to, for telling me about her. Thanks, Neal!The other day on the way up to Big Sur, the gang stopped at a Starbucks for some early morning joe, and sitting in front of the cash register was a copy of the new Booker T. Jones CD. I had to get it. ?uestlove, Gabe Roth, Sharon Jones, Lou Reed...c'mon, seriously? As I was flipping through the CD booklet, I stopped suddenly and was floored at a photo of Booker, looking out of a window. He's wearing a beautiful fedora and has the most relaxed, at-peace look on his face. Stunning image. If you'd told me that it was a photo from thirty years ago, I might have believed you cause he looks so young, aside from the grey hair, that is. And at the bottom of the photo, there she is credited...Piper Ferguson. You go girl!Of course as you can imagine, the record is great and even though a bit short (just a hair over 40 mins), it's an inspired session and one I'll be diggin on for a while. Tonight I decided to go exploring a little and reading through Piper's website, there was a link to her blog which also has a link to an interview the Washington Post did with Booker recently. The reporter, Erin Williams is asking him about his new recording and the quote from him was right on... "I guess what I want people to realize is that there is a place on the earth that really gave us an insurmountable amount of great music, and that was Memphis, Tennessee. And it gave me a whole life– it made my life worth living. Because I was so fortunate to be born there and to get whatever this thing is that's imbued in Memphis musicians. Everybody from…Al Green to Elvis Presley to B.B. King to Johnny Ace. There’s just a community – a music community – and an energy that you receive when you come from there."Preach it, brother!
Winding Down
As we near the end of this first run, 41 shows in just two months has definitely taken it's toll on the Brotherhood crew, but although exhausted, we've had the best time and everyone is pumped for things to come. Two more shows after tonight, then we take a much needed three-week break before the summertime fun begins. More touring, some major festivals and fantastic venues. Hell yes!