On The Road Again

.: It’s that time of the year again. Time to start disconnecting from the routing of the home life, and get ready for the touring. It’s an odd thing really … you pack up your life into a suitcase (or two), and really have no idea of when you’ll be unpacking that suitcase again. I leave September 7th for Nashville, for band rehearsals then production rehearsals in North Dakota. I know we have work through Thanksgiving, then have no idea what comes after that … but I’m sure we’ll be going for at least a year or so.

If you’ve ever done a tour, then you know that leaving for a tour is always like New Years … everyone makes new ‘resolutions’. Things like “i’m going to write more songs this tour”, or “i’m going to lose weight”, “i’m going to work out more”, “i’m going to read some more books”, or “i’m going to watch the entire first 3 season of LOST back to back with Chris Deaner” (which we actually did) …

I think this time, my goal is to really enjoy every day, and soak in the experiences we’re so fortunate to have. We get to play great music, have an incredible group of people on the crew, and a really good boss (or two). And I’m hoping to learn some more country piano licks from Catherine.

What am I looking forward to this tour? Well, I get to go visit “Moosejaw”, home of Cory Churko … Cory came to my hometown, Beaumont, last time we played Houston, so I ‘owe’ him one … actually, I’m really looking forward to see the place and the people that made Cory who he is …

I’m looking forward to hanging with some old friends … Toni Blake (my first boss, and the lady that introduced me to the macintosh – that’s apple for you young uns) will be coming out to Salt Lake City to visit … The Damins will be joining us in Birmingham … and hopefully lots of family will come out of the woodworks again

All that said, time to start packing and making lists … lists that i’ll lose and have to remake again, probably at 3am the night before I fly out … speaking of … does anyone have any packing tips?

.: jh