December, 2005
Dec. 31st
New Years Eve. We started at Kyle’s house in Carrol Gardens, went to Scott Kettner’s party at Gowanas Arts Center and finally ended chilling with some friends at Lionel Loueke’s place. It was great to finally make the connection since he lives literally down the street from us.
Dec. 30th
I had a chance to practice today and work around the house. I had to take my computer down the street to the repair man. Apparently I have every virus.
Dec. 29th
I got a last minute call to teach guitar lesson in Cobble Hill today. The weather has been OK, so I rode the scooter. The gig at MOTO was great. Krystle sounded beautiful as always and Lakecia Benjamin played on the second set with us.
Dec. 28th
I said goodbye to the family and caught a plane back to NYC. I got unpacked and spent the night hanging with Marie.
Dec. 27th
Today I hung out with Tyler. We played tennis and although I don’t like to admit it, he beat me. Dad and I went to meet my new friend Monty Craig at a great restaurant called Rosa Linda’s. Monty delivered the mastered version of our Handle Bar gig after he finished up a great set with his 6 piece latin band. Dad and I went to another spot downtown where Charles Hedgepath invited me to sit in with the great drummer Jeff Sipe and other regional players.
Dec. 26th
Mom and Tommy
Hanging with my dad and my brother for most of the day, we went to Greenville to take Marie to meet her sister. We walked around downtown and decided that Greenville is great. We did the suspension bridge and ate at “Sticky Fingers.” Later, we indulged in the Holiday Blockbuster moment and oogled at 3 hours of KING KONG.
Dec. 25th
Me and Meme
Christmas in my family is pretty amazing. I have like 30 cousins or near to it. We all get together for about 3 hours to eat (the same incredible meal each year, I miss this food more than anything), try our best to at least say hello to everyone, and participate in this “pick a number” gift exchange thing. This “grand finale” is filled with moans of extacy and defeat. Fueling the former are gift certificates to “Barnes and Knoble” or “Bed Bath and Beyond,” the later by a wide array of undesirable gifts including everything from birdseed to coasters. This party is a hoot, made all the more exciting by the recent addition of alcoholic beverages. I love my family Christmas.
Dec. 24th
I went to Spartanburg to spent Christmas Eve with Marie and her family. We did the traditional sing along, ate lots of great food, and opened presents. Marie gave me and awesome jacket from ASFOUR. I am officially cool.
Dec. 23rd
Russ is still alive!
After seeing Brian and Kebbi off early this morning I had the day to decompress. Later, I met with some old friends. Mandi, Taylor, Bentley, and Russ were at the center of my life for most of my college days and it was great to catch up with them and find them all alive and well.
Dec. 22nd
The Band
We had a very nice write up in the Anderson paper today. I was feeling the excitement of this final performance. Kebbi and I took my mom’s dog Scutter for a walk around town and relaxed most of the day before leaving for the HANDLE BAR. The sound check went perfectly smooth and we were able to grab a bite to eat in the dining room before the gig. We came out to a nice sized crowd made of people that really wanted to be there to see us. It was beautiful. The band played better than ever and the sound was just right. Luckily the entire gig was recorded and sounds great. I’ll be posting some of the tracks here soon. It was a little sad to feel the big release of the final date of our tour. I had put a lot of time into the preparation and planning, but it was all well worth it. This band is really starting to have an idenity and personality all its own. Everyone is really connecting musically and lots of amazing things were starting to happen on the bandstand. Now, I just have that much more to look forward to the next time we play together.
Dec. 21st
Brian, Kebbi, and I rode to Asheville together where we met Stockton at ZAMBRA. We talked the whole way and it was great to have Brian with us. He seems to be doing better than ever. But don’t let his polo shirt fool you, Brian is nasty. We talked lots of shit as we headed into the Mountains. All in good fun. At ZAMBRA we set up and enjoyed an incredible spread of tapas before we started the gig. We were blessed to have lots of friends show up and the crowd agreed with us from the first notes. Here in this small room with no PA the band sounded great. I could hear everyone really well and really felt the sound. We finished a long set, sold lots of CDs, talked to friends, and played a couple more tunes. After the gig, Kebbi and I went out to a little spot down the street called the Bobo Gallery. There was a super world music trio playing with my friend Gwendalyn on drums. We stayed for a little while before hitting the road back to Anderson.
Dec. 20th
After the session, Kebbi and I drove straight back to Anderson and crashed at my dad’s house. Today we ate a big breakfast at my Mom’s house and spent the afternoon working on Brian’s hard ass tune “The Shortest Way.” That night we went to a bar in Anderson and hung out with some friends. Later, we chilled at my dad’s house, eating chili, and watching the 40 yr. old Virgin.
Dec. 19th
Outkast recording session at Doppler Studios in Atlanta
We woke up around 8pm and had breakfast with my family. We found a tire shop on our way out of town and had our donut replaced. Luckily we were back on the road in no time and on our way to Atlanta. We have the next two days off and Kebbi was called in to a recording session with OUTKAST. I was more than happy to drive him to the studio and excited about the opportunity to make some new contacts. We arrived right on time and were greeted by the producer Kevin and the other members of the Atlanta based HORNS UNLIMITIED. I sat in quiet excitment while watching Kevin lay down some piano parts. The session was for post production on OUTKAST’s new movie that will be out in March. Kevin was working hard to match piano work to Andre 3000’s actions at the piano onscreen. Meanwhile, I noticed a written agenda for the day and learned that the session called for a guitarist. I asked Kevin if he already had a guitarist coming in today. He said “no, we might just use you. Can you play?” I went and grabbed my guitar and by the end of the session I was laying down guitar parts on the new OUTKAST movie! How’s that for timing? Even more amazing was that the director of the film, Bryan, wanted to give the musicians more audible personality. He wanted us to blow. They gave us an E minor chord with a backbeat and let us go. It was unreal. Who knows what they will actually use in the final cut, but this was definatley an unforgettable day of work.
Dec. 18th
My cousins in Savannah
Kebbi and I left Charleston at around 3pm and headed towards Savannah to meet Brian and Stockton. As we were leaving town we noticed that the car tired looked a little low on air. We put a little more in each, but about and hour into our trip one of the tires went flat. We thought we might be stuck at a gas station along HWY 17, but luckily, we got on our way with a little help. A passing trucker was able to give a little magic kick that helped us get the heat welded wheel off the rim of the car. Driving more slowly now on our donut we still made the gig with plenty of time. We were greeted there by some of the only family on my dad’s side. Kristi is my 2nd cousing and she brought the whole family who I know from childhood. It was great to see everyone and perform for them. We had a great gig, sold some CD’s and everyone at the club really enjoyed us and invited us back. Back at Kristi and Pauls house we ate a midnight snack and were blessed to finally have our own bedrooms.
Dec. 17th
At the Pour House in Charleston
Kebbi and I woke up at around 11pm at Ricky’s house. Brian and Stockton had driven back to Florence for the night and we had some time before meeting them in Charleston for sound check at the Pour House. We had an extremely Mom and Pop’s breakfast in Columbia before we hit the road. We spent a lot of time on the road talking about music, business, love, and the meaning of life. In Charleston, Kebbi got the better of me in a game of chess at Clara’s. We made our way to soundcheck and work out the kinks from last nights gig. The food at the Pour House was incredible. I had a killing Cuban Steak and plenty of time to relax before the gig. We went on at 10:15 and played for lots of friends. Any problems from the night before were corrected and the show had an easy flow. Brian’s bass solo in the second set was a highlight. Again we sold lots of CD and were given an encore. We hung out late, listened to a little of the recording from the show, and tried to work the hoola hoop. Kebbi and I ended at the Waffle House around 3am and crashed at Ward’s house.
Workin it.
How do you work this thing?
Dec. 16th
Joey, Eddie, Ricky, Me, and Cary… Columbia via Anderson.
My dad and I hung out this morning and went out for a bite to eat. I waited around the house for Brian and Kebbi and the 3 of us drove to Columbia to meet Stockton for the gig. We were happy the find the club ready for us and plenty of people there who had come just to see us. We were blessed with some good press in the local paper FREE TIMES and my good friend Ricky Mullohan did some great promo for us as well. By the time we started we had a pretty packed house of enthusiastic listeners. I had an idea to use the honor system for the CD sales and people were tossing money in the box all night. The band sounded incredible except for some loose ends that will easily be straightened out with a short rehearsal. All in all this was an incredible night. I’ve certainly never had such a great show in Columbia. We sold over 30 CDs, were cheered through encores, and even asked to sign some autographs at the end of the night! It was really amazing and made all the work in preparation worth the effort. This band is a dream come true! Thank you to everyone in Columbia for showing your support.
Dec. 15
This is it. I packed my bags. Sent of the last of my annoying emails and I’m headed to the airport. I hope I will see you down south!
Dec. 14th
I went uptown today to get my shots in preparation for our tour. I had 2 shots in each arm to protect me from polio, hepititis and other such undesirables. I went to Jazz at Lincoln Center to drop off my materials and finally met their program coordinator Van Monak. She was really cool and helpful. Later, I met Tyler for a dinner in Carrol Gardens. Tuk Tuk Thai baby. MMMmmm.
Dec. 13th
I was working at home most of the day but met Marie and her friends from work at Bistro Jules. Anat Cohen was playing with friends and it was a really nice hang. She sounds amazing and I ran into lots of friends.
Dec. 12th
Tonight I played at BOOM with Pete Zimmer and Thomas Bramerie. I haven’t seen either of these guys in a while and I had a really good time playing and hanging out.
Dec. 11th
I was practicing most of the day today, working on Brian’s music and still trying to spread the word over the internet about our tour. I was planning to go out and hear some music but ended up staying in and working on it.
Dec. 10th
I went into the city today with Marie to try and do some christmas shopping. Arggggghhhhhh. It was ok and we picked up some groceries at the farmers market. Tyler and Adrian came over and we ate an incredible meal. Chicken, broccoli, and mashed potoates. Killin. Then we hung out at the house all night playing poker and drinking wine. Fun night.
Dec. 9th
I woke up early to catch the train for a rehearsal with Agora. The deadlines are approching and we are still adding some tunes to the mix. I’m so excited about this project. Lots of originals and really good vibes.
Dec. 8th
I taught at Musicians General again today, subbing for Jeremy Zmuda. I had another really fun gig at MOTO. Krystle and I had a good time hanging out and I ended up staying really late. Deshawn, Rosie the Riveter, and other such hoodlums were present.
Dec. 7th
I stayed around the house today and worked on some music. I’ve been learning a couple of Brian Mulhollands tunes for our tour. He has some great stuff and I love his tune “Shortest Way.” It’s beautiful. I’ve found MYSPACE and I’m totally obsessed. It’s been great reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.
Dec. 6th
I had a show tonight at Detour with Gary Wang on Bass and Jamire Williams on Drums. We had a small turnout, but some friends were there and we had a fun time playing together. It was good to play my originals again.
Dec. 5th
I had a strange little gig at BOOM tonight. Some how I got my wired crossed and Ferenc and I were without a Bassist. On top of that we got off to a late start. It was a fun gig in the long run. I made some new friends, Carrie Rodriguez and her husband Javier. We went to see some bluegrass music in the east village and listened to a little of Ferenc’s new record. Great Stuff.
Dec. 4th
We hung out around the house all day. I was practicing and Marie was working on some sewing projects with Supi. Marie cooked and amazing German meal and the three of us hung out and watched a movie.
Dec. 3rd
We went to a fun party tonight at our friend Gayle’s house in Park Slope. Saw Bentley, Supi, and lots of friends.
Dec. 2nd
I stayed around the house tonight practicing and planning. Marie came home and we watched a movie. I fell asleep. Great night.
Dec. 1st
I taught guitar lessons today at Musicians General in Cobble Hill. It’s really challenging to teach young kids how to play guitar. Afterwards, I had a great gig at MOTO with Krystle. We started early, had a great crowd and a good hang afterwards.
