Shinybass Journal Entry 12/19/19

….and we’re back.

When the ‘powers that be’ got together and started booking a Christmas tour, it was decided that we would hit some places that we didn’t visit last year. The West Coast is always a stretch when it comes to travel, simply it is way-the-heck out there. See, in Nashville we are very spoiled. If you tour with a Nashville act, you are typically home every week. Do you know why so many acts tour out of Nashville? Fun fact – Nashville sits within 500 miles of over half of the population of the Continental US. (This really pisses off the Cadillac US…) That means less than half live somewhere not so easy to get to, and dammit, we need to bring our Christmas message to everyone. So buckle up, buckaroos. We’re going on a road trip.

Last we left our heroes, we were in Colorado Springs, where the bus had just pulled into the sleepy hotel parking lot, and I was able to watch the full moon slowly say goodbye as the crisp morning sun greeted the mountains with outstretched arms, full of life, love, and encouragement for the new day. My morning walk around the property was much needed after so much time in tight quarters (26 hours in that bus for those scoring at home…), then, somewhere around lunch, with the sun gazing down, I reconnected with a dear old friend for a couple of hours to review what we’ve been doing for the past 30 years.

The beauty of touring is not just the boutique BBQ we experience on a (seemingly) daily basis, but rather the discovery and reconnection possibilities that are available to us every step of this journey. Granted, we have a job out here, and I will admit there are many ahead of me that work harder than I do. Heck, I just play bass. I don’t have to aim lights, climb scaffolding, or even park the bus. But every single one of us, no matter how busy, can find a moment or two to meditate, which means to put the screen down, breathe, listen, and repeat. I get ‘off site’ a lot, which means I do a lot of soul-searching, learning, and, yes, breathing.

The human connection is an interesting concept, especially on days I read a faded metal placard about someone’s hardship or success, and then I realize just how crazy and difficult life really is. For everyone walking this earth. In reconnecting with my old friend, I learned about a whole new level of life and struggle, and not only did I find it inspiring, I found it real. You see, I hadn’t seen my friend since just after HS graduation, in a time before social media and our penchant to making everything look so ‘perfect’ online. Everyone was just who they were. It was a pretty great time to be alive, really. And being back in the same room with him was easy, effortless, and perfect, just as hanging with people should be.

So we played a great show in a great room (all the Christmas shows have been fun), and then headed south for a short run to Albuquerque, NM. Typically for casino shows, we each get our own room, which means I am going to move ALL my stuff in for no apparent reason, then move it all out for bus call that night. I don’t know why I do it. Maybe it’s because I hope to be inspired, and I want the tools on hand. Another reason is that I am a habitual over-packer when it comes to my suitcase. I like options, especially when the weather changes like the weather.

The sunset in Albuquerque is always worth the price of admission.

So it was off to Emporia, Kansas. You know the place: a SHORT ride from New Mexico. And our bus happened to break down sometime in the middle of the night. Well, lucky for us the lead singer of Lonestar loves working on busses, so he was out there in freezing temps replacing a fan clutch at 2AM.

So we arrived pretty late, and the showtime was pushed back an hour. No biggie, really. The theater, a 1929 gem, was great, as were the people who took great care of us on a hectic show day. Looking back, I remember that it was cold, and I don’t remember if I got a shower that day or not. Probably not. Maybe in Denver?

Many moons ago, my old band drove through Denver, and I remember seeing the Paramount Theater. I remember thinking how cool it would be to play there. Well, fast forward a couple of decades, and here we are. Funny how life moves and shakes. The Paramount is a great room, and, to put some proverbial icing on our Denver Omelets, we had record players in our green rooms. Nothing says loving like some vinyl. And good vinyl at that: Dylan, Tower of Power, Beatles, Chuck Berry.

The bus rolled at 3AM to get us to the airport for a 5AM flight home. It was a long 2 weeks away, for sure, and walking into school and seeing those babies was worth every bit of lost sleep. It seems that Henry had grown a foot, and Miles is now starting to say his colors. Being gone is that necessary evil in this business. Somehow, someway, I’m going to invent the hologram performance, and just beam it in.

So there’s the latest update on the Holiday Hits and Roadside Hiccups tour. I hope you are ready for Christmas and remember the less fortunate not only this season, but all seasons. And maybe it’s time to reconnect, not just with yourself, but someone who you need to talk to. Classmate, family member, God. You pick.

See you on the road!