Friday January 27 2023

 

Waking up at 7:45 a.m. bright, cold, and early at Hotel Julien in Dubuque, Iowa.

 

Breakfast Bar. Banana. Tea.

 

We all pile into the tour bus – in the snow and freezing cold – it takes hours for the bus to heat up. Catching up on computer things then napping while Jimmy and Kevin drive us upwards to Des Plaines, Illinois.

 

Arriving at the Des Plaines Theater, a characteristically old theater with lots of gold and Greek looking statues everywhere. It’s a bit of a smaller stage than yesterday but we manage.

 

Having a light lunch of Peanut Butter Pita and Coffee.

 

 

Nigel of course draws blood on his head from the light truss lowering down – he manages to wound himself at least once a day on tour caused from his half blindness.

 

 

After sound check dinner is served – Ron’s Famous Meatballs and Ravioli.

 

The energy is especially grand tonight for some reason – don’t know if it’s the theater, the people, the music, the sound, etc. But everything felt right. Rebecca got the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the start of the show – was a real fitting moment.

 

 

After the show we always try to do a meet and greet by merch. It’s nice talking with all the fans. There’s one guy that’s completely blind, super sweet, with his sisters. He’s come to all of our Midwest shows.

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Then, kicking it into high gear and packing up the stage.

 

Back at the hotel we settle into the rooms – meanwhile, it’s absolutely freezing cold out.