Saturday April 29 2023

 

Waking up bright and early at 7 a.m.

 

We all pile into the bus – Bob drives us towards Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, there’s some dispute on whether we should idle the bus since we lost the tailpipe to the muffler – some are worried the fumes are getting to the cabin.

 

 

Sleeping in the back till we arrive in downtown. We’re playing the Marcus Center tonight. This place is like a maze with 5 other events going on in other theaters and halls.

 

Setting up the stage and getting situated in the dressing rooms. For some reason today there’s just too many things to do – I make some repairs on Willow, one of our cases – drilling in a cup holder for Nigel on the bus – and of course setting up my keyboard rig and such.

 

A few stressful moments between Rebecca and the “grumpy’s” or the “soccer dads” as we lovingly call Mike, Ron, Phil, and Leon. Rebecca gets a bit flustered cause they didn’t park where they were instructed to. The dynamic between her and the older gentlemen isn’t always good. I hate to see her get overwhelmed in moments like these.

 

A few of us take our dinner buy-outs and walk down the street to a place called Proof Pizza. It takes a long time to get our food but worth the wait.

 

Showtime at 7:30. We do our two sets to a lively audience as usual. The theater itself is really tall with four levels of balconies.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

Bob drives us back to the hotel after a directional mix-up. He’s tired from driving all afternoon and morning.

 

Relaxing in the hotel room with Rebecca recapping today and eating leftover pizza and cannolis.

 

Later on, downstairs in the lobby I chill out until it’s time for the shuttle bus to take me to the airport. I have a flight to catch at 5:20 a.m.

 

Friday April 28 2023

 

Waking up at 9:30 a.m.

 

Piling into the bus/trailer. After about an hour in we all hear a loud clang after running over some debris in the road – turns out a piece of our muffler fell off. We dismantle it off and move on.

 

Arriving at the Medina Entertainment Center, a venue half bowling half restaurant. It looks like a Minnesota beer hall in here, not a theater like we’re used to. The restaurant is aptly named Robert’s.

 

 

Loading in and setting up on the stage.

 

They gave us lunch and dinner vouchers for food today. Next door is the hotel, a very old school joint with actual keys and “No Smoking” signs posted everywhere.

 

 

The show itself was uniquely good – the band was tight – Kevin’s voice was on point – just a general vibe and energy. At the meet n greet it was even pointed out that every single band member looked like their own super star.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

Fortunately, the hotel is right next door. Settling in. I always spend some time charging Ra (power generator) and cleaning up the bus a little.

 

Thursday April 27 2023

 

Waking up off and on throughout the morning – the sound of the train horn goes off like every 15 minutes for some reason. It’s as if the trains are playing Pong – back and forth.

 

Eventually, we awaken. Hitting up the local coffee shop called Jitters. Enjoying a “cup of joe” while some reggae music plays on the stereo.

 

 

Driving over to North Iowa Area Community College. They have an auditorium where we’ll be performing tonight.

 

Loading in and setting up the stage – for some reason tensions seem to be high. Nigel’s high strung running around micro managing everything under the sun and chugging Red Bulls.

 

Making an Egg, Veggie, and Hummus Sandwich for lunch.

 

Sound check.

 

Dinner: Chicken, Veggies, and Cake.

 

Performance goes well. Good energy as usual.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

Back at the hotel reconvening in Mike and Jimmy’s room laughing at all the funny moments of the day and the bad moments of the day.

 

Wednesday April 26 2023

 

Waking up every 2-3 hours or so at a truck stop. We all sleep like cats on this tour bus cause we have to wake up every time we stop essentially.

 

We make it to Iowa City at some point. I have to pick up a rental car from an Enterprise. Jimmy drives it to Des Moines airport to pick up the old dudes that took flights.

 

Meanwhile, we make a longer food stop at a Panda Express for lunch – we’re able to charge “Ra”, our power inverter for the bus.

 

 

Bob continues to drive us towards our destination. I hole up in the back catching up on emails and work.

 

Eventually, we arrive in Mason City, Iowa. The trip as a whole cost us a grand total of 27 hours of travel time. It’s kind of crazy to think about. Getting settled into our rooms.

 

Then, Rebecca, Micah, and I hit up Culver’s across the street for dinner. Enjoying amazing fries and custards. We get to know Micah pretty good talking about all the lighting director work he’s done and how excited he is to join this tour.

 

 

Back at the hotel – chilling with the boys (Mike, Micah, and Jimmy) in their room for a while laughing about whatever.

 

Later on, I take brisk cold walk to a Kwik Star, about a mile down the street for Orange Juice.

 

Tuesday April 25 2023

 

Waking up at 9:30 a.m. bright and early.

 

Protein Shake. Tea.

 

Gotta drive the bus all the way over to Superior Trailer to get a new hitch and ball to connect to new trailer. We had to coordinate Carson driving the van to meet up at the same time. I help him connect the trailer. Then, Dan is here also installing Nigel’s computer box in his seat. I talk to Phil, the trailer mechanic about all the ins and outs of the new trailer – so much info.

 

Then, back home. I have so much to still pack and take care of before we depart for tour. It seems like time just ticks away incessantly and I can’t keep up.

 

Finally I’m all loaded into the bus and linking up with the crew at the warehouse. We got a new light guy for this tour, Micah, and bus driver, Bob (appropriately named).

 

In route towards Iowa.

 

Bob drives most of the day late into the night while the rest of try to cat nap our way through the trip. I work at the computer catching up on emails and such.

 

At some point after the 5^th or so gas stop, I lie down in the back on the futon and attempt to sleep.

 

 

Monday April 24 2023

Today is tour prep day!

 

To sum up I eat food and handle getting a new trailer with Nigel – figuring out the new pack at the warehouse.

 

Doing some chores and more organizing.

 

Picking up the bus from the shop – the RV guys worked late into the night to get all the things done.

 

Working more at configuring the pack. There, very late into the early morning.

 

Sunday April 23 2023

Today is all centered around the MMLIVE show at The Bunker.

 

As usual it takes a lot of time to set up and transport gear. Also, as usual I am very proud of all the bands – we had five this time, all with their own layers of talent.

 

 

Rebecca and Reid help me big time getting all the gear brought back into Music Makers.

 

I’m home finally catching up on everything – doing chores.

 

Settling down.

 

Saturday April 22 2023

It’s about 9 a.m. and I just dropped off the rental after an all night drive.

 

Home. I clean myself up and attempt to nap for a half hour.

 

Granola with Banana. Tea.

 

Then, at Music Makers we have three final band rehearsals before the big show tomorrow.

 

PB&J. Coffee.

 

Talks with Rebecca about her qualms with the ELO band how she hates all the things outside of performing.

 

Eggs. Black Beans. Quinoa. Kale. Garlic Bread.

Watching Barry.

 

At the warehouse. It’s after 11 p.m. and it’s pouring rain but I’m here to help the van people unload the trailer and touch base with Nigel about a few things. Mike drops by and we chat about everything.

 

Back home. Feeling super tired. I try to get some work done as much as I can but I have no choice but to konk out.

Friday April 21 2023

Waking up bright and early at Mohegan Sun in Montville, Connecticut. August drove the Tahoe all through the night.

 

Checking into the rooms and napping as long as we can till it’s time for load in at 11 a.m.

 

Meeting the stage hands and getting everything on the stage.

 

Eating a nice lunch at some point and scoring some free Starbucks coffee.

 

Setting up takes a bit longer since it’s such a big arena stage – many, many moving parts.

 

 

At some point I leave the chaos and shower up in my room – taking a much needed nap. Meanwhile, August is there but goes out to explore the casino.

 

Back at the stage for sound check. Nigel of course is unintentionally causing chaos trying to set up go pro cameras while simultaneously knocking my vocoder over. We play through about 5 songs for Phil the FOH. Then, dinner back stage.

 

I retrieve more of my belongings from the hotel room and notice an enormous line formed to get into the arena. Little do we know the original 7,000 in attendance show would turn into a 10,000. Security is upped because of it.

 

 

It’s wild to be up on that stage seeing the sea of people out in the arena. During our performance whenever they cheer it’s a monstrous roar. Everything goes great – even Edwin – he’s filling in on guitar for Mike.

 

 

Doing a meet and greet, which requires an escorted secret passage to merch. It’s kind of odd though cause people just stand there taking pictures of us but at some point they start leading fans to us to sign autographs.

 

Then, we have to high tail it on the stage packing up the gear. It’s of course chaotic with all the venue crew doing various things around us. But eventually, we hit the road in our Tahoe rental. August drives me, Rebecca, Ron, and Chris all the way home to VB. I try my best to sleep in the back but it’s always tough in a moving vehicle.

 

Thursday April 20 2023

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Granola with Banana and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

A couple things on my agenda this afternoon. I walk the hot and pollen filled streets of Hilltop to Enterprise to pick up the rental. I was hoping for a minivan but we get a big fat white Tahoe instead – still spacious and nice.

 

Then, meeting one of the parishioners at the Galilee church to talk about an upcoming recital we wanna do for Music Makers.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Immediately after, coaching Alexa’s band rehearsal – this is their final one before the show this Sunday. I ordered pizza for me and the band.

 

Back home. Packing up a few things for the trip tonight.

 

Meeting at the warehouse. Last minute I recruited August (AJ) to drive our rental to Connecticut. Also in tow is Jimmy, Rebecca, and Ron. I stay up in the passenger seat working on computer things. Some old alt folk songs come on periodically – nostalgic emotional triggers here and there – thinking about where I was a year ago – can’t believe how much of a blur it’s been.

 

After a gas stop I slip into the back where the futon is and try to sleep till Mohegan.

 

Wednesday April 19 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Pineapple.

 

At the studio setting up the 104 space for official MMLIVE band rehearsals

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Salad. Chips. Coffee. Vegan Breakfast Sausage.

 

Teaching lessons.

 

Then, coaching Olivia’s band rehearsal.

 

Tofu Pad Thai for dinner.

 

At the warehouse there’s chaos. Mike and I try to finish attaching the foam on my piano shell. Then Jimmy and I get the pack in order – labeling each case with numbers in order to which they go. Meanwhile, Rebecca, Brittany, and Chris replenish the merch case with shirts.

 

Finally home – snacking on popcorn and fruit.

 

Tuesday April 18 2023

Waking up around 11 in the morning.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At the warehouse with Mike and Rebecca – we were supposed to meet Nigel here for many reasons. In the meantime, Mike and I work on the piano shell.

 

Running errands – picking up some stuff at the bus.

 

Catching up on business back at home.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Chips. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Browsing Lowe’s for tour prep things.

 

At the warehouse cutting foam and configuring the piano shell case.

 

Back home after midnight making a quick pasta dinner.

Watching Barry.

 

Monday April 17 2023

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Granola. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Chips. Vegan Breakfast Sausage. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Meeting up with Mike at the warehouse to troubleshoot some things with the piano shell. Meanwhile, Rebecca is doing merch stuff.

 

Leftovers for dinner again.

Watching Barry.

 

Chocolate and Tea.

 

Catching up on things.