Waking up around 11 a.m.
Breakfast Bar. Tea.
Catching up on business – Music Makers stuff – running errands. It feels good to be back home handling the day to day things.
Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Chard. English Muffins. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Running more errands then helping MDW with their practice for a little bit.
Dinner: Black Beans, Tuna, Salad, and Garlic Bread.
Watching Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023).
Chores.
More work at the computer.
Waking up off and on at various forms of Love’s Truck stops. Rick and Carlos share the driving shifts for our big 18-20 hour trip home.
Getting lots of stuff done at the computer while the bus bumps along like a horse galloping but on wheels.
It’s an all day event...being on the bus from one stop to the next. Honestly, we’re pretty efficient with how short we make each stop. But we’re at the mercy of traffic and the occasional misstep with directions.
After midnight I’m finally pulling into Chanticleer – Elvis is very happy to see me.
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Waking up bright and early from the comfy hotel room at 7:00 a.m. Loading into the bus and hitting the road west!
Napping in the back. Then getting some stuff done at the computer.
Eventually, we arrive at The Missouri Theatre in Saint Joseph, MO. From the outside it looks extravagant – and even the big blanket décor on the ceiling makes it look very regal but all the other elements of the stage and the dressing rooms are left to be desired – a lot of out dated and tight quarters, musty smells in the green room. However, the staff here are very nice with slow southern kind of vibes. Every person has a distinct look to them. Karl, with his tucked in pants high up on his waist and preppy look makes him appear straight out of the Napoleon Dynamite movie.
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After loading in and setting things up I take a stroll around the block – grabbing the best cold brew coffee from a place called Mokaska. This town has an old Western hipster vibe to it with people that seem heavily rooted here. I check out this vintage shop called The Lucky Tiger. The owner lady and her kid appear to actually live here in a bedroom in the back – a really cool collection of clothes and knick knacks.
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Sound check goes pretty smooth – there’re 8 strings here today too making it a little more complicated but much fuller.
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Notable about today is the fact that Nigel is not here playing keyboards or managing anything. He had a Right On gig somewhere else – Edwin fills in on second keyboards in his place. After we make it through the first set – everything seems to be going smooth – Kevin is doing all the talking in between songs. However, the projector keeps cutting in and out unfortunately. For some reason this triggers Kevin – he keeps saying how the show needs to be perfect and if the video doesn’t work we’re stopping the show. He just seems agitated for no reason. I try to say a few things in regards to it but he’s been drinking and lashes out at me in a negative way. I don’t understand.
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Somehow, we manage to get the second set going – projector still won’t work properly – Carlos kills the power to it so it doesn’t distract from the show. And Kevin powers through to the end except we end up skipping a few songs.
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Out at meet n greet we really get a kick out of these fan ladies in pink cowboy hats.
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Packing up and loading out in a very timely manner. Rick takes the wheel right before 11 p.m.
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Rebecca and I reflect on the day and things we could improve upon.
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Waking up feeling well rested in this king bed at the Holiday Inn Express in St. Louis – getting up early anyway before 11 or so.
Rebecca and I hit up this chess theme brunch spot called Kingside – great coffee and waffles. A funny moment where Rebecca is taking a sip from her “perfect” sweet coffee beverage – it spills exactly over the crack in the table and splats on the floor. We spend a lot of time chatting about whatever.
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Then, walking back to the hotel to wait out the rain a little cause unfortunately, it’s decided to rain on our day off from tour. But no matter, we put on some jackets and start our trek into downtown. Catching the Metro train all the way to The Arch – enjoying some of the views along the way.
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She seems very excited about doing the actual ride to the top of The Arch. I remember seeing this structure a few times in my past travels but never had the opportunity to ride up. They put us into these little tram cars that resemble tiny space pods – climbing our way to the top. Once up there we get to view the skyline out these tiny rectangle windows – it’s pretty amazing. We can even feel the swaying of the building itself ever so slightly. In a moment where the two of us are peering through I sneak a kiss on the cheek, as I do from time to time. I know we’re not being romantic right now but I still feel things and am grateful to experience things like this with her.
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Then, we have to get drenched as we walk back to the Metro train then to the hotel. She complains a little but we’re still having a good time despite.
Getting all the wet jackets and things off and drying off a little. Later, we snag the rental with Ed, Casey, and Sophie – finding this really cool pizza place called Pi Pizzeria. Enjoying a few slices with a salad and unexpected filled garlic knots. The highlight later is at this ice cream shop called Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery. We’re all amazed at the extravagant flavors.
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Back at the hotel Rebecca and I reflect on the wonderful day – flipping through the photos – more talks.
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Waking up bright and early at 8 a.m. We have to clean up the AirBnB and load out! We’ll miss this place honestly.
Carlos drives the bus about 3 hours towards St. Louis. Catching up on computer work then taking a nap in the back.
Arriving at The Factory venue. This place is amazing – industrial vibes – kind of like The NorVa back home but much bigger – everything is new – green room and dressings are super nice.
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Sandwich.
Setting up the stage and getting the lay of the land.
Showering and catching up on stuff.
Sound check.
Dinner is awesome: Parm Crusted Chicken with Green Beans, Rice Pilaf, and Pasta.
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We put on our show to an enthusiastic crowd – a little hard to read cause of how big the place is. But the lighting is amazing.
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Packing up and loading out.
I drive the bus about 20 minutes to the hotel towards the city.
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Waking up at 9:30 a.m. – still at the AirBnB in Missouri inside this extremely comfortable king sized bed.
We all load into the bus and trailer – driving a few hours to Emporia, Kansas. Arriving at the Granada Theatre, a true hole in the wall theatre – regal looking as all of them are. These two venue guys help us load in, tatted up and appeared to be on some kind of energy ridden drugs but extremely helpful.
Setting up the stage – it’s a super tight fit up here but we manage.
Down the street is a really hip coffee shop called Gravel City Roasters. Grabbing some very decent coffee with Rebecca. Noticing how very hospitable this quaint downtown city is – a very good energy here.
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More setting up and eating a lunch.
I head back over to the shop to get some work done on the computer. It’s nice to be away from a venue and just focus on stuff that I want.
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Sound check.
Dinner downstairs is a simple spread of BBQ and Slaw.
Show goes over really well – some weird lighting things occur but the crowd is loving us. Everyone in the front rows are drunk and happy.
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Packing up and loading out.
We got a few hour drive back home. Talking about the show and some cool merch ideas with Ed and Rebecca.
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Waking up semi early at 9:30 a.m. We’re all holed up in this AirBnB in Gladstone, Missouri – a pretty decent spot.
English Muffin, Banana, and Tea for breakfast while I sit at the computer.
Ron, Nigel, and I have a business meeting on the bus to discuss pay and other band related things.
As the afternoon transpires people walk in and out of the kitchen making food and relaxing.
Finally, I’m able to rustle up a small group to venture into downtown Kansas City! With Rebecca, Sophie, Victor, and Carlos. We find a hole in the wall BBQ spot called F325 – absolutely delicious in every aspect – great brisket, great slaw, great tots, sweet tea, etc. Also, Rebecca 100% approves and is satisfied with a meal out and that makes me happy.
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We drive more into the city – Union Station right in front of a high mountainous memorial. Exploring inside the station where nothing seems to be active (cause it’s a Tuesday). A piano is just sitting cordoned off looking rather lonely – I start playing a rendition of Mr. Blue Sky with Rebecca and I singing – we make it to the first chorus before we’re asked to stop by somebody that works there. Rebels.
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I should mention Carlos having a great time – he keeps asking us to take pictures of him lol. Driving down Main Street we discover an ice cream spot called Betty Rae’s – apparently it’s really popular cause everyone in town is in line – we wait for a very long time but it’s no bother. Once we get our ice cream cones they’re practically eaten before we finish paying for them cause there’s an issue with change in the drawer.
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We continue on towards the Missouri River and find a cool bridge walkway. Bugs swarm around the light posts and skater kids zoom down. It just seems like we keep finding all the cool spots.
Finally back at the AirBnB settling in. Casey started the fire pit outside. We all gather around and roast marshmallows – recounting events of the day and enjoying the company.
