Esoteric Interstate Tale
Driving along I-40, I encountered one of those big Nashville traffic jams (backed up for miles). Took me twice as long to get "home" after the recording session. As we're all sitting there, frozen...
View ArticleDear Terrorists
I can understand why air travel makes some people nervous. Forget for a moment that Memphis International Airport is abbreviated "M.I.A." Forget the "terminal" staff referring to Flight 452 as "the...
View ArticleThunderbirds
Last weekend, I was privileged to witness, along with hundreds of other spectators, the Johnson County Central High Marching Band, who treated us all to the debut performance of their brand new school...
View ArticleGo Tigers
I was fortunate to visit Falls City High School to chat with students about the music industry. After meeting Governor Heinemann and Ashley Bauer (Miss Nebraska)--both looked lovely--students broke...
View ArticleMysterious Ways
Last night, I played a concert at a small church. In the middle of the show, my phone rang. (Oops.) I didn't answer it, of course. I played the entire concert on my guitar, but a few nice folks...
View ArticleSlumber Party
Last night brought my reunion with the drums to a close. [sad face] Near South Davenport played PJ's Pub in Manhattan (KS) to a fun, vocal crowd of music lovers! As the show concluded, Noah (bass...
View ArticlePageantry
At the last minute, I was invited to sing at the WestFair Queen Pageant this evening. I hesitate to use the term "beauty pageant" for fear of offending a dozen qualified candidates for the crown who...
View ArticleSigns You're Making It
Most performing artists probably admit to tracking certain career "checkpoints" that qualify as signs you are "making it." I'm not referring to obvious steps like signing with a record label or opening...
View ArticleDeer
Have you ever noticed that the deer on Kentucky "Deer Crossing" signs are somewhat heavier than the deer on the signs in other states?! I understand that these signs may not be universal in every...
View ArticleJosh Hill Band: Winter Tour 2009
So far so good on the Josh Hill Band tour! Before the end, we will have passed through nearly a third of the nation’s states. It’s not all vacation for Josh, however, who busies himself with...
View ArticleStewart John Band Tour: 2009
When the crowd exits the venue after a show, the entertainer is left alone to drift down from a performance high and land in a pool of exhaustion. This is the part of the night when the musician chats...
View ArticleJosh Hill Band: Summer Tour 2009
And now, some highlights from the recent Josh Hill Band tour (recalled after reading Jake-the-Drummer’s blog)... SALEM, ILLINOIS - Just after arriving to play our outdoor gig, a rainstorm soaks the...
View ArticleBuying "New Porn" for a friend
I went record shopping with a friend back in 2003, about this time of year. I didn’t buy much. He bought a stack of CDs. After paying, he handed me a copy of Electric Version, the second album from...
View ArticleStatistics
Math isn't easy for me. Never has been. I passed Statistics in college thanks to some patient friends, plus gallons of Dr. Pepper and chocolate-covered espresso beans. But here are some numbers I've...
View ArticleScooby
I sang the theme from “Scooby Doo” to last night’s audience, finishing the song as SCOOBY DOO HIMSELF walked in! If he was trying to lay low and enjoy the evening, the song certainly called more...
View Article61
Reasons to appreciate the number 61: - 61 is a prime number. - The 61st book of The Bible (II Peter) has 61 verses. - "New Sun Rising" has risen to #61 on the International Association of Independent...
View ArticleAustin
Austin, Texas is an unusual town. Here, at the seat of Texas government, a community of artists proudly sells swag stamped with their slogan: KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD. My first visit to Austin was a few...
View ArticleAssembly Required Announcement
It is with unending gratitude to you, our friends, that we announce The Assembly Required Band will be taking the stage together for the last time. We reached this amicable decision after carefully...
View ArticleRecording SPEAK
"It's time..." Friends, After more than a year of preparing for it, I am pleased to report that we are beginning production on a new album! I'm excited to return to Nashville to document these...
View ArticleMan Makes the Ark
God doesn’t typically share His will with the likes of me. Discouraging, when everything seems to be going wrong. At 106 degrees, this was the hottest Fourth of July in history for the North...
View Article"Pedacito de Cielo"
I received royalty money for writing this song.* No kidding. *It’s not my song. Obviously (unfortunately).
View Article3 Reasons to Own (Or Revisit) Daniel Christian's I AM MERELY SAND
It’s the album that started it all. I Am Merely Sand was recorded and released in 2006, so dust it off and give it a good listen this year to celebrate its 10th anniversary! If you don’t own the...
View ArticleTop 5 Most Unusual Gigs
Early in 2010, I was invited to play music at a Bass Pro Shop in Iowa. I sang in front of a massive aquarium, incrementally nudging my volume over the sound of the giant waterfall. My family came to...
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