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October 4 – 29, 2007 – Holland and Germany Tour


Oct 4 – Zwolle
Carrie, Hanz, Kyle & I left New York at 5:15 - arrived with no sleep in Amsterdam at 7:15 - Our Driver, a great guy named Milan picked us up - A VERY TIGHT FIT IN THE NOT-TOO-LARGE VAN - but we managed to squeeze everything in and make a bit of space for the CDs - which we picked up shortly after at Rounder - where we said hi to Bert, Bart & the great folks there

arrived at our first venue in Zwolle at about 11:30 - thank God the rooms were ready for us to check in - most of us got no sleep.. but a bit of quiet rest before sound check was a good thing -

sound checked rather quickly with Wander & Ton … back to the hotel for more NO SLEEP- rest.. then back to the venue

THE SHOW - PART 1

Carrie was on stage at 8:30 - she did a cool 35 minute set that included some new ones - which she's feeling out with the audience.. to see which might be best for her upcoming solo CD.. nice stuff

After a 25 minute break I was on stage at 9:30

THE SHOW - Part 2

Loved this - had so much fun with this audience from start to finish.. in the beginning I just veered off any planned course.. started fitting songs around my early days.. Kyle & Hans followed the flow - what a great job they did all night

had so much fun with this audience- Even with no sleep I knew this was going to be a special night from the start - after about 20 minutes I invited Carrie on stage - and although we hadn't done a show together in almost a year.. we were so inspired - she was great & we were TOTALLY IN SYNC.. trading off each other's vibe - OUR NEW LIVE CD has just been released and tonight we were reliving the songs from that wonderful concert.

HIGHLIGHTS.. FAR TOO MANY .. I had a chill from beginning to end... LET'S LEAVE THIS TOWN, ANGEL OF THE MORNING, TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN, RED DOG TRACKS, WILD THING, WE COME UP SHINING, MAYBELLENE.. WE COME UP SHINING.. all so inspired to me.. but others I didn't mentioned left me with chills as well... this was truly a special night .. I LOVED THIS SHOW!! - an exhausted guy to start with.. I ended the show wide awake knowing the C&C vibe was as strong as it's ever been

thanks to this GREAT AUDIENCE

HI TO

Marijka, Karen, Lambert.. Nathan, Marenes.. Hi Joost..the lovely family, GERT, mom RIENEKE & LOVELY DAUGHTER, TESS (thanks for coming Tess).. hope tro see you all again!

Hi to Mariska, Bert & Bea .. & Ger & Rinke.. hi RIXT.. & Rinke & FERRY... hi Hans.. call out for COALFIELDS next time.. I love that one too.. Hi Elli & Uilke.. so nice talking with you Hi ANNALEAS.. hope Margo likes the CD .. much love to her... Hi Gerhanne.. so nice talking with you.. Hi Paul.. & Hennif & Sekel.. Hi rob & Jet... & Daniel.. remember playing WILD THING for you a few years ago so you could catch the train.. great to see you again!

Hi to Ellen & girlfriend Marinka.. so GREAT to see you "guys... Hi Mitch.. thanks for asking for ONE NIGHT OUT WITH THE BOYS.. love that one too.. I'll have to re- learn it for next time.. Hi Willem & Herman.. JAN REINT (haven't seen that name before) ... all the best.. HI MARLENE & ED.. so nice talking with you at the end.. HI GERRIT.. good to see you...

KAREN.. thank for your kindness & say hi to all the folks at the ODEON.. love this place..

hi to Syb & Huiba big hi to Theo at the Tagryn Bar.. take you up on your offer next time

thanks to Ton for the great sound

Hi Leanne, thanks for everything – love you

This was a memorable, warm night for me.. so special... THANKS TO ALL!... I think I'll get a good sleep tonight!

Marcel – thanks for all the hard work booking us


OCT 6 – TAKE ROOT FESTIVAL – GRONINGEN

It was a short trip from Zwolle to Gronigan – a bit more than one hour. One of the great things about this tour is we have a great guy driving us – helping us load & unload & handling all financial particulars. So, with Milan at the helm, we arrived at our hotel (the Mercure) at about 1:00 PM… not a fancy place, but very comfortable for me (the windows actually opened wide, letting 45% cool air in.. what a blessing!).

Venue – THE OOSTERPOORT

We've played this festival before at another location. The Oosterpoort is a terrific place – housing two large stages & one smaller one – amazing acoustics IN EACH. We're one of the headline acts. show time 7:15. We have a very good meal at the venue, then a solid soundcheck at 6:30 – big thanks to Herman & the crew!!

THE SHOW

I've had a fan base here since the mid 70's when I had a #2 single on the Dutch charts, "Same Old Story" from a successful album here, THIS SIDE OF THE BIG RIVER. That fan base has grown since I returned to music in '97 – in particular since Carrie & I started making music together. And so the room was packed and the camaraderie between the audience & us was apparent right away. WHAT A GREAT NIGHT THIS WAS!!

We concentrated on songs from the new LIVE FROM GERMANY album, adding TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN, MAYBELLENE & BIG RIVER to highlights from our three previous duet albums.- adding SAME OLD STORY as well before closing with WILD THING & a wild, spirited version of ALL THE RAIN. LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS SHOW!!

AFTER THE SHOW

Signed CDs & said hi to many great folks, including:

Marian, Pieter, Bart, Frankk, Wietse.. Jan Piet.. Martin.. hope granddaughter Siena likes the CD… Hi Henk & Wim, Jan & Anja..Harry & Reik.. & Elisebeth.. Thom & Ada Dick & Elizebeth..

Hi to Rein & Frowkje.. Wim (again).. Gerard & Minie.. big hi to my friend Jos, who was an engineer at Lockheed aircraft in Dallas for a time & saw Carrie & I play several shows there with another engineer friend, also from Holland.

Hi to Andy.. hope Claudia enjoys the CD… hi to Jan & Annamieka.. & Harmen.. & Ria & Wim.. hi to Conny & John.. Hi Ton.. big hello to Aly.. hope she likes the CDD… hi to Aldrik & Marianne.. & all the others that stopped by to say hello


BIG THANKS TO ALL FOR THE HELP IN SPELLING THESE NAMES!!

Special hi & thanks to our great friend Bert Pijpers (head of Rounder Records – distributor of our Cds) & wife Reitje for coming to the show … also GREAT TO SEE OLD FRIEND KAREN.. (from Rounder as well) .. & so good to meet Tobias (distributor of our Cds in Germany).. & lovely Felicitas…

Again.. this was a magic night.. so great to be back in Holland!


Oct 7 Traveling to Belgium

left Gronnigen at just past noon - traveling from one end of the country to the other - and the trip will take less than 4 hours! It's a smooth drive.. a beautiful day.. around 75 degrees. The closer we get to our destination, the more beautiful the landscape. We arrive at the theater at about 3:30. Have a solid sound check - big thanks to sound folks Danny & Evie - & Ton, who advanced the show with not only a stage plot.. but pictures of us on stage from our first show.. the result of which is that the stage.. mikes, monitors were set up perfectly in advance of our arrival.

This venue is terrific.. a modern complex with a lovely theater.. great dressing room areas.. with several showers.. spacious kitchen area.. & in the back (I find out later) a great room for socializing with a top-shelf beer & wine menu.. & a very nice bartender.. CHRIS (not sure how to spell it.. but she's nice with a warm- straight ahead personality.. reminds me a bit of my mom.

Milan & the boys go for some take out Chinese food - Carrie & I stay behind to do interviews with two very nice guys (Valer & Freddy) from an Internet site called Rootstime. We both enjoyed talking to these very interesting , interested & supportive guys. THANKS BOYS.. NICE SEEING YOU & THE LADIES AFTER THE SHOW.

THE SHOW

I loved this one. Belgium audiences have the reputation as to being a bit subdued - while that may be true, this audience was so welcoming & warm. We loved playing for these nice folks.

Carrie did a terrific, vibey 8 song set. I joined her on her last song, NEVER GONNA BE YOUR BRIDE, & that's when I got the feeling this would be a special night.

After a 20 minute break, I opened with THE REAL THING.. & a few from UNGLORIOUS before inviting Carrie up to join me. I guess what I loved most about the opening part was that I felt so comfortable talking to these kind people.. so talk I did - like I was in their living room.

Then the Chip & Carrie magic started.. and didn't stop until a double encore ending with I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT & WE COME UP SHINING. After the show that song was a major topic of conversation. .. it always seems to touch people in the warmest way.. just as it seems to always touch Carrie & I when we perform it.

AFTER THE SHOW

said hi to so many kind people.. including:

Sebastian.. hi Eliane.. hope Roger enjoys the listen.. Hi Inge & Jef.. Johan.. Bettina.. say hi & best wishes to Ronnie.. Hi Leo.. & Geert.. hi Mieke.. Chantel.. Margot.. hi Louie & Anita .. hi to husband Johan.. Hi Jean & Carine.. & Diddy.. & Jan.. hi SWA & Ronnie & Karl..& Leo .. & Marc.. hi Gyny & Maurice.. & Wim.. Hi Georges & Romain..& at the very end.. MARI Claire.. & Peter.. hope to see you all again!

So many kind thoughts were offered .. thanks to all for this special night!

Big thanks to the mgr of this great place, Roger, who did the intros and introduced me to the best triple beer I ever tasted!! - Belgian beer of course!!

Oct 7 – Midnight
After saying all our hellos & good-byes we headed for Mastricht – we have a day off tomorrow, so we’ll sleep three nights in the same hotel. We arrive at our hotel at a bit past 1:00 AM – it’s a cool old vintage hotel – now a Best Western in the heart of this beautiful, very cool old town. Carrie & I both have spacious rooms, with a large terrace – so, with my portable fan – which I have gently blowing on me at night - the air flow is great – A VERY IMPORTANT THING FOR ME! – not that it’s that warm now – about 45 degrees at night.. but still I need that cool air flow to sleep.


Oct 8 – DAY OFF

What a great town to be in on a day off – charming little cobblestone streets winding in & around little shops & cafes – all of us did some good walking.. and extra resting – perfect.
We topped the night off with a great meal at one of the little cafes – sorry Milan couldn’t make it for dinner. He was traveling to pick up another van for us for the rest of the trip. But he arrived in time to have a few short beers and a good single malt or two to end the night.

Meeting Doreen

Hans, Milan & I were sitting at an outside table at a little pub down one of those small cobblestone “Alleyway-like” streets. Just before we called it a night, I noticed Milan’s attention was off to his right somewhere – not on the conversation at hand. I asked him where he was drifting off to.. he said he had been watching a lovely girl in a bakery shop going about her chores some 15 meters away.

I suggested he say hello to her before we left – but Milan was a bit too shy to handle that. So I said the heck with it.. I’d take a shot. I walked over to the shop just as the girl was closing it. Milan was right – she was a lovely, sweet college girl. Her name was Doreen. I brought her over to introduce her to Hans & Milan. We asked her if she and a friend would like to come to the show tomorrow. At first she said she had other plans. . then, after asking a bit about it, she said she would try to make it. SO, THE DOREEN WATCH WILL BE ON FOR TOMORROW. Milan is hoping beyond hope.


Oct 9 – Got word from Joan that the Yankees lost their playoff series with Cleveland. I’m a Yankee fan.. so that’s bad news .. & the grand kids song/ video, Daddy Is A Red Sox Fan / Mommy Is A Yankee Fan (Check the site for a link to hear it) – which has gotten thousands of hits.. will have to wait till next year!

Did some walking and resting again today.

VENUE – Theater aan het Vrijthof
It’s just around the corner – yards away. It’s a beautiful complex. We’re playing in a small theater there that holds 250. It’s sold out. Somehow we’ll squeeze Doreen in if she makes it. Oh, by the way.. I had a few extra minutes to write a little rock & roll song.. called DOREEN DOREEN (pretty little bake shop girl) – a fun thing.. If I ever sing it, I’ll dedicate it to Milan..


THE SHOW

SOUND CHECK

Remco, a very efficient & nice guy was ready & waiting to handle the sound for us – with now old friend & advance sound guy Ton. A very nice lady named Anneloes handled the lighting. At about 4:30 we were done & had several hours to rest & whatever before 9:00 show time.

THE SHOW

Carrie did a terrific opening set. Each night she’s changing her show a bit & keeping it fresh & interesting – BIG KISS & WATERBOUND – songs she played for the first time on this tour- sounded very special from back stage. Again, she invited me up to play on her closer NEVER GONNA BE YOUR BRIDE. Big fun!

The second half seemed fly by. Again, there was a wonderful spirit in the room.. another “in your living room” -like situation. That always gets the real stuff from us. It was that way in spades tonight. All the duets felt spirited or chilling or both. And the interpretations of TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN & MAYBELLENE seem so appreciated. Lots of highlights tonight .. but the spirit toward the end is something that will live with me for a while…a never-more-chilling ANGEL OF THE MORNING.. a wild WILD THING. With fun audience therapy stuff.. a couple of standing ovations…. I DON’T BELIEVE IN THAT mixed in.. then a rockin ALL THE RAIN.. and finally a sweet, sweet WE COME UP SHINING

What a special night.

AFTER THE SHOW

Because the show started so late most had to leave a bit early. Said hi to several nice folks including:

Legendary DJ Hubert & friend & associate Margaret.. so great to see you again & again, my friend. Hi to Hans & Lilian… so nice to see you… Hi Pleun & Jan..

And big thanks to the manager of the theater, Peter. for making us feel so welcome! Carrie & I appreciated how you went OUT OF YOUR WAY to tell us how much you LOVED THE SHOW and that you were so happy the audience reacted the way they did.. “double standing ovation” etc.. and how that reaction made it clear that IT DOESN”T TAKE JUST UP-TEMPO SONGS TO CONNECT ON A HIGHER LEVEL WITH THESE WARM FOLKS FROM THE SOUTH ... nice stuff… SO OBSERVANT!! . And because Dutch people tend to be sincere, I’m sure you’ll be bringing more Americana treasures your way in the future!! Terrific! – Carrie, in exactly the same spirit, says to say a big hello & good-bye.

Again big thanks to Remco, Anneloes.. Tom .. for the efforts with the sound & lighting!

LOVE THIS TOWN & THESE WARM FOLKS!!


OCT 10 Heading for Zaandham,
a town just north west of Amsterdam. On the road by 12:30. We’ll soundcheck at the venue.. then stay there for rest & dinner – on stage at 8:30. We’ll spend the night in Amsterdam.


THE VENUE – Zaantheater

Sound check was easy again.. big thanks to Boris.. Ton for advancing.. & Linda (lights)

THE SHOW

After her opening set, Carrie told me felt she didn’t quite connect with this audience tonight. From where I stood .. off to the side.. I thought she did fine.. sharing some friendly thoughts in Dutch which seemed to win them over. But many of these folks have followed my country stuff from back in the 70’s and fell in love with Chip & Carrie folk/country stuff these past years. Carrie’s current solo show is more rock & roll/jazz ambient.. and that might be a jolt to some. Again, she invited me on stage for her closer, NEVER GONNA BE YOUR BRIDE.. and that was good fun.

SECOND SET

I felt a good connection right away. Again, for me it was again like playing for old friends. And when I invited Carrie on stage to join me the connection with CHIP & CARRIE stuff was terrific. But when we really had fun was toward the end when the house lights came on for the audience therapy thing with WILD THING. Then we could see all the faces & connect on even a closer, more personal level. BIG RIVER & MAYBELLENE absolutely rocked tonight.. and got great reaction .. the same with TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN.

The warmest moment tonight was a fan requested GETTING OLDER LOOKING BACK from my 1974 album THIS SIDE OF THE BIG RIVER. The band had never played that one, but after a verse and a chorus they joined in beautifully .. a very touching moment for me. We ended with a ALL THE RAIN & a sweet & soulful, WE COME UP SHINING…

Another wonderful night.

HI TO:

SO GREAT TO SEE MY NEW FRIENDS FROM LAST YEAR, KEES, ANNIE & THEIR LOVELY DAUGHTERS KIM & CHRISSY – it was so special to see you tonight. I wish you could have stayed so we could have had some time together.

FRANCES & GLENDA (from WALES shows & beyond).. so GREAT to see you again.. Glenda.. that thing you said made me feel so, so good – just so you know – I got it! – wish you both could have stayed as well

JOOST … thanks for the request.. great to see you & friend Werner again!!

Hi to Rita & Reiner.. & Rens… hi to Ada & Ton.. & Cees & Ellen…, Hi Frank.. & Peter (finally some easy names I can spell!)… Hi to William & Jack… HI PETE & MYRNA .. so nice to see your smiling faces!! .. Hi kees & Bens & Hans

BIG THANKS TO MIEKA, our host at the theater.. GREAT SPENDING SOME TIME WITH YOU AT THE END.. THANKS FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND AFTER-SHOW STUFF – MUCH APPRECIATED!


Oct 11- AMSTERDAM

BIG DAY!!! – A MAGIC DAY!!! - IT’S MY DAUGHTER KELLY’S BIRTHDAY!! – HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELL!!

HOTEL – Hotel De Paris – a simple cool place near the Leidschepleine square – a great area to be staying in this town. By the way – for scotch drinkers – there is an amazing whiskey bar called L&B, in the area on a street called Leidschedwarsstraat. This, along with The ACCURATE in Stockholm, is the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks to owner Leon & bartender Edvin for the extra knowledge about the great Isla scotches (my favorite).

RADIO SOW - DESMET LIVE

This is a very cool thing – an interesting talk show – a few authors.. a playwright .. and 4 songs by C&C sprinkled over a two hour period We chose MUST BE THE WHISKEY, LET’S LEAVE THIS TOWN, MAYBELLENE & ANGEL OF THE MORNING.. Although the host, Jurgen, & guests spoke in Dutch (except for my brief interview), the sincere expressions were obvious – this was not a bullshit show.

Big thanks to Ronald (sound), Pablow (video)… speaking of that, you can see this show in the archives of the DESMET LIVE internet site… thanks as well to host Jurgen.

Special thanks to Marcel & Karen from Rounder for coordinating this - & BIG BIG BIG thanks to Marielle who books the music for the show – not only for having us but for suggesting a GREAT RESTAURANT, BERN, where we had the best meal of the tour!! Hope to see you soon Marielle!

Oct 12 – GOUDE, HOLLAND
We arrive at our Hotel (Hotel De Utrechtse Dom) at 2:00, in time to settle in our rooms & rest for a few minutes before our sound check. A husband & wife own this modest place. It’s perfectly fine.- clean & well kept. We felt a bit of an unkind attitude at one point so we won’t return to this hotel again. All our other hotels on this tour have been modest but very comfortable, with kind, helpful folks running them.

VENUE – GOUDSE SCHOUBURG

This is another pretty little theater. Almost exactly like the one in Zaandam. I’m sure designed & built by the same company. The venue holds about 360 people.


SOUND CHECK

Herman (sound) & Coos (lighting) were there waiting for us. I took some time to listen to Carrie & the boys in various parts of the theater. I came to the conclusion that the wall of sound on stage - in particular from Carrie’s amp - was blocking her vocals. The result was that understanding the words & feeling for emotion was being sacrificed. So, after some big adjustments, she and the boys sounded absolutely great – so vibey - yet crystal clear – and perfect for a theater. I knew she was going to have a great show tonight.

THE SHOW

The place is packed.

What a GREAT audience. Carrie and the boys connected right away. The folks loved her! Carrie’s new song, COLD WORDS, was so so beautiful tonight. I LOVED hearing MIDNIGHT ON THE WATER again. She ended her great set with ST. PETERS - me joining in – loved that!!

Second half

Loved talking to these folks. I did a lot of that before singing THE REAL THING. Again, Carrie joined after three of mine .. & off we went. So many connections tonight, it’s impossible to pick heavy favorites.. but I’ll mention MUST BE THE WHISKEY, BIG RIVER, MAYBELLENE (folks love this!) – Oh.. now I remember the magical moment was when I screwed up the words on LET’S LEAVE THIS TOWN.. and asked the folks if they’d give me a second chance .. when you’re with friends, mistakes bring you closer together.. Encored with a brand new song, SONG FOR A DUTCH GIRL .. which really connected.. as did our closer, WE COME UP SHINING.

Left to a standing ovation from these warm, kind folks.


Said hi to several, including:

Hi Bert & Suili & Silvia & Manfred.. thanks for the kind words.. Hi Ellen.. best of luck with your South Dakota dream (a venue there).. with your Indian friends. Hi to Thom & Gwen & Saskia & Jos… & Pauline & Henriette.. Hi Aad & Hans.. Thomas & Maria..& hi Ding.. hope to see you all soon.

Roose & Albert .. & Carool & Jon - nice talking with you just before leaving. Hi to Gerrit, Carool.. so good to see you tonight.. wondered what was in your folder.. was that your sister with you? – hope to see you again. Hi Gerrit & Aster .. such kind words .. thanks for all the support.. hi to John William & Iris.. & Wim.. so good to see you at the bar.. all the best.

Thanks to Manager Antoine for all the kindness. We appreciate your hospitality so much!! Bib thanks again to sound & lighting guys, Herman & Coos – GREAT job!! And Charlotte – GREAT TO SEE YOU.

Later at Woodies said hi to Sietske – hope to see you in Leavardin.


OCT 13 - HEERLEN, Holland
The drive from Gouda to Heerlen

We’re starting just below the midlands – slightly west – and heading to the furthest south/ east tip of Holland – close to the German Border. It’s a 3 hour drive – nobody slept well last night to the partying guests from our hotel in Gouda, so we’re all exhausted when we arrive at our Tulip hotel – a modest but comfortable place.


The Venue – THE PARKSTAD LIMBURG THEATER

Quite a large complex – we’re playing in the new small theater on the lower floor – a charming place – holds about 200 – sold out tonight.

SOUND CHECK

Our friend Ton is solely responsible for sound tonight as the normal sound guy has an emergency job in another theater in the large complex. A nice guy name Ben is doing the lights tonight. We check fast – Carrie’s sound is simpler again - & very warm – she’ll connect tonight, I am sure. & head back to the hotel – I catch up on tour notes & rest for a bit. I need it.



THE SHOW

OPENING SET

Another great connection with Carrie & the boys. COLD WORDS again was a highlight – the audience loved this one – me too - it’s so warm & pretty & honest. More fiddle tunes tonight – the audience appreciates that great stuff!! Again I joined her on stage and ended her set with St. Peters. GREAT JOB CARRIE – AND HANS & KYLE!

SECOND SET

LOVED THIS – again, made a simple great connection right away.. so I knew I was playing for good friends the entire night! THE REAL THING and THIS OLD TOWN fit right into the mood. A warm JAMES WESLEY DAYS ended my 3 song opening before inviting Carrie to join me –


The Chip & Carrie thing had a special vibe tonight - lots of chills for me. MUST BE THE WHISKEY & TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN were so chilling on stage. MAYBELLENE & BIG RIVER rocked big time. A fan requested GETTING OLDER LOOKING BACK & I WASN'T BORN IN TENNESSEE matched the appreciation shown WILD THING and ANGEL OF THE MORNING – what a night!

We ended with a sweet, touching WE COME UP SHINING

Said hi to several of these great folks, including:

John Hendrix at L1 Radio (old friend Hubert’s friend) – great to see you! – hi to Joe & Maarten… & another Maarten right after!! – nice to see you guys!! Hi to Betty & Henry & MARTY & Henk…Hi to Joseph & Rob.. & Rob .. who was so surprised to hear I wrote WILD THING…

Hi to Marlie & Frans.. Big hello to Louise & Richard (great talking to you – thanks for the long time support) .. hi Gijs (pronounced like KEES. Hi to Robert John Wesly (Wesly being his last name.. brought a smile).. Hi Peter & friends – great to see you & all the other great folks at the bar,

Big hi to old friend MARTIN-PAUL, mom & all. Yes I loved your version of WE COME UP SHING.. it gave a chill – not just that it sounded warm & nice.. but that you loved the song enough to do it.

Love you guys!

BIG THANKS TO TON & BEN – Sound & lights were perfect tonight. ALSO, let me take the time again to say how much we appreciate our driver/ tour manager Milan. He does everything for us (including selling CDs) with such a great spirit!! This tour wouldn’t be nearly as smooth & as much fun without him. And he’s a great guy to just hang with after the shows. Thanks to Bert & Karen at Rounder for putting him in the picture!!




OCT 14 – Heading for Utrecht

Had to get ready to go at 8.30 AM – we’re playing an afternoon show there – sound check is 11.30 – we run into a bad traffic jam – we arrive at the venue at noon

VENUE – our show was supposed to be at the Vredenburg theater – however it was moved to this place due to construction in that theater. This is more like a rock club – but seats are set up – we’re told the show has been sold out for a while – we’re going to squeeze a few guests in – Carrie’s dad, David, & friend Arje .. and our dear friends Leanne, Martin & Gerdienne.

Sound Check –

Julian (house) & Lenny (monitors) did a GREAT job getting us good sound rather fast – there’s a shower there we can get ready without having to rush back to the hotel. We are on stage at 2.30

Carrie’s show

The place is packed .. standing room only is also packed¡

The balance is very good – she & the boys are great. This polite audience shows warm appreciation. I misplaced my wallet so I spent the next minutes in panic mode so I missed much of Carrie’s show.. but I heard it was terrific - by the way, Milan found my wallet – it had fallen on the floor in the van.

SECOND HALF

Talked to the audience for several minutes.. love this part. Then played a couple of songs before inviting Carrie out to join me. WHAT AWAY TO SPEND AN AFTERNOON. What a great bunch of folks to play for. Carrie & the boys were awesome – and the audience constantly showed their appreciation for their great playing.

BIG RIVER, MAYBELLENE, WILD THING and ANGEL OF THE MORNING.. always bring awesome reaction, but the soft ones were so chilling today.. LET’S LEAVE THIS TOWN was so special.. and RED DOG TRACKS.. & TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU. WE COME UP SHINING ended what was a VERY spiritual-like afternoon. We played for a bunch of amazing friends today.

Said hi to many, including

Big hi to Carrie’s dad, David & friend Arje for being there. .. so great to see you.. thanks Leanne & Martin & Gerdienne.. you’re the best.. see you soon.. and my English friends, Terry & Linda took the tunnel and drove 6 hours to see us – what a GREAT surprise!!

Hi to Thomas & lovely daughter, Lisa, who came from Germany to see us!! great to see you.. very much hope to see you both again! Hi to Marburg & Simon.. & Peter.. who has seen us several times… hi to Jan.. so nice talking with you.. Hi Willie.. so nice to see you.. & Trevor & Nurit.. Margaret & John .. also from England..

Hi Hans.. thanks for the kind words & buying ALL the CDs.. Nargaret .. thanks for coming .. hope to see you both again. .. Hi Theo.. thanks for always being there!! .. Bart .. good to see you.. thanks for the drink.. best wishes with your own songs

Hi peter & Adrian.. & Peter (again).. & Frank.. & Martha .. AND PETER one more time!!.. hi Tuenis.. & Fred & Leo (again).. hi Ronnie & Ad.. & Theo… & son JORMA.. hi ROBUL.. & Els & Henk .. so nice to say hi.. hi to ARJAN..

It doesn’t get better then what went on tonight¡¡ - BIG THANKS FROM CARRIE, ME & THE BOYS

Oct 15 - Zoetermeer

[Chip lost his tour notes from this show - if you have any memories from that concert, please send them to info@trainwreckrecords.com - thanks]

Oct 17 – VENLO – HOLLAND

Arrived at about 2:00 – in time to check in to our Hotel (Wilhelmina).. at about 2:00 – a modest, comfortable place.

THE TOWN

Bombed out in WWII, this town has an old feel, but not a lot of old buildings – somehow the character seeps through.

THE VENUE

CULTUURPODIUM DOMANI – an old church – part of a monastery – beautifully reconstructed and turned into an art house – compliments of a kind man name ARNOLD VAN HOFF & his kind wife, Gerry.- who are also building a hostel for the dying in the same area – God bless you both – what kind stuff!

SOUND CHECK

Ruud & Erice guide us through rather quickly – this is a VERY LIVE room , but the new space-age equipment handles it quite well. Rather quickly we're heading for a Chinese restaurant called The Lotus… after a very good meal we're off to the hotel to rest & get ready.

BACK AT THE VENUE

Meet some kind people who are in charge - Debbie (catering), Marie-Christine & Helga & Marnix.. in charge of events. Briefly meet Marcel who books the theater in town.

THE SHOW – Carrie does a great full set for this rather reserved audience - I join her on her closer ST. PETERS.

SECOND SET

The reserved appreciation continues until we hit Laredo - then it's over-the-top appreciation from there .. BIG RIVER, RED DOG TRACKS, MAYBELLENE .. ANGEL & WILD THING.. this shy audience really loosens up with their soul on this one.. we encore with 2 requests, Don't Speak In English and Holy Shit …

One of the strongest connections of the tour – loved this
Said hello to many, including:

Arnold Von Hoff & wife Gerry – so great to meet you & be part of what you have created! – Hi to friend & photog, Peter.. thanks for the photos.. hi to Hans & Berna (in the wheelchair) .. so nice to see you… Hi to Marie Louise.. hi to Gerard & Mia… Louis & Annie… hi Frank.. & Ralf.. & Thjoma… .. Hi Erik .. hope to see you & Ralf in a few days!!.. Hi Miekie

Hi Serve & Mieke .. who saw us at the BLUE HIGHWAY festival;.. Hi Hern.. (saw me years ago)..

Hi to waitress Sanne .. hope your dad, BOY, likes the CD.. a big hello to him… HI JAC & GONNIE.. great to see you!!!…

What kind folks! – hope to see you all soon!

AFTER THE SHOW

The clerk/bartender recommends I wind down at The Rub A DuB .. a few blocks away.. GREAT CHOICE!! = good folks & good Lagavuloin!

Hi to bartender & music lover, Franky.. Phillipe . owns & chef for his MOST exclusive French Restaurant in town.. waitress, Marianne.. friends Marc & Jaqcky… a great group .. so good to meet you all!!

OCT 18 Heading for Leeuwarden (in the far north-west)

Had to leave early – 8:00 AM – in order to make it in time for a sound check for an important radio show in Leeuwarden. We're all exhausted by the time we arrive.

RADIO SHOW – OMROP FRYSIAN

We arrive at about 12:30 – The radio host Willem De Vries & his soundman were great guys – did a quick sound check then had a nice lunch in their cafeteria.

A terrific local photog, Henk & friend (and old time fan), Harry stopped by to say hello, take some pictures & listen to our performance.

Over an hour & a half, we played 3 songs (Jenny, Whiskey & Angel), said goodbye to our new friends & headed for our venue sound check..


VENUE – DE HARMONIE

Some construction in town caused a bit of a delay. We arrived at 3:45. Soundman Steve was ready & waiting. Again, all the monitors & mikes are in perfect position BEFORE we arrive to each venue due to the wonderful advance work done by our friend TON (detailed descriptions & actual pictures of us on stage in our positions). Although we won't see him for the rest of the tour, his advance work for all the shows will have it's effect – just like this one.

Finish checking rather quickly .. the head for the hotel for a bit of needed rest.


THE CHEMICAL BROS – this is my new name for Hans & Kyle ever since our day off in Utrecht.

Not sure I've been saying enough about the great job the boys are doing – Kyle Kegerreis (bass) & Hans Holzen (guitar) play on Carrie's opening set.. then on all my songs & the duets. The audience shows great appreciation every night.. and their dueling solo on WILD THING is a highlight every night.

THE SHOW

Attendance - Just shy of 200 in this lovely theater

From what I could hear & see from the side, this was a great night for Carrie & the audience took to her right away. Again, I joined her for her closer ST. PETERS – a very special moment.

SECOND HALF

I felt a strong, warm connection with this great audience right away –

Side note - Several were at a performance pre- Carrie in sub freezing temperature – due to the heating system breaking down – John Platania, Evie Sands & I had to wear gloves in between songs – we played in coats & scarves all night. – the audience dressed the same. It was one of the most memorable night ever. I played a record 41 songs that night .. so my friend Leanne Van Gelder has often smilingly told me – there was an amazing connection between all who shared that moment.

Back to tonight's show

After 3 songs, Carrie joined me and the C&C vibe was in full force. LET'S LEAVE THIS TOWN was so, so chilling.. TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN the same.. By the time we got to Laredo, this warm, subdued audience was getting fairly vocal. When we played BIG RIVER, they erupted.

RED DOG TRACKS was so vibey.. and we & the audience tried to decide if it was RED DOG tracks… or Red Dog TRACKS.. At the end we decided it was either or both.

MAYBELLENE rocked .. Hans & Carrie's solos were awesome.. very rock & roll!! then came ANGEL OF THE MORNING, I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT (so chilling tonight) & WILD THING.. which was so great tonight with the audience THERAPY thing in high gear.

After a standing ovation, encouraged by Carrie & the band, I played a brand new song for the first time with thoughts of special feelings of Holland that began in the mid 1970's.

The song is AMANDA (PAINT ME ON A POST CARD)

The chorus goes:

Amanda, would you be so kind
Paint me on a postcard – the way I was back then
And send me back to Amsterdam – just to be with friends

This was a very special moment – what a warm reaction

After, Carrie & I did a rockin' ALL THE RAIN which we thought would end the show.. but two more standing ovations had us doing a touching WE COME UP SHINING.. finally ending with a slamming version of I WASN'T BORN IN TENNESSEE

WHAT A NIGHT!!!! – Thanks to all the warm, wonderful folks who attended.

Said hi to several, including:

Great to see old friend Tony Pankhurst & friend Ed.. both came all the way from England to seethe show & say hello – hi to Pierre & Sieste - & Bert.. thanks for turning your friend on to the music - great to see you both –Hi to Peter & Ko… Hi Jan.. & Dik .. a fan for many years.. & Wieb..

big hello to old friend Christa & Kees – don't forget the camera next time! – hi to Pythar.. A big hello to Marthyn for those very kind words ("best show I've seen in years!")

Hi to Herman, Susan & Willimien.. so good to see you.. & A BIG HELLO TO MY FRIENDS, PIETER, WITTEVEEK & sister APPIE.. so great to see you .. maybe we'll see you tomorrow!

THANKS FOR THE GREAT SOUND STEVE. And big thanks to all the kind folks at the theater.

It was so good to see our friend & booking agent Marcel.. We've been loving this tour!!! THANKS SO MUCH!


OCTOBER 19 Heading for ARNHEM –

Just got word that the new CHIP & CARRIE LIVE FROM GERMANY album is getting rave reviews – a nice way to start the day. By the way, we are selling tons of CDs on the road thanks to MILAN, who takes care of all of that for us.


October 20 - Eschede, Holland

Venue - Podium Twente

We arrive early - this will be our home for the day, as after the show we head toward the airport - THIS IS THE LAST SHOW ON THE CHIP & CARRIE tour! - the soundcheck with Caro goes fast - we have time to relax.

BIG NEWS - My JOAN'S BIRTHDAY - Happy birthday Mema - love you!!

NEW SONGS

I've written 8 on this tour - all having to do with places & folks I've met - Hans has documented 4 with his camera low res video - today he documents the final 4. - THANKS HANS!!

THE SHOW

Again Carrie connects right away - again.. big chills on COLD WORDS.. and the audience connects on ST PETERS .. with me there to sing harmonies - great stuff

Second Half - loose and so warm - huge connection with these folks - many long time fans - I play a special one for Joan - IN JOAN CAROL TIMES - & the audience makes a big connection with her.

THIS COULD BE THE LAST C&C SHOW FOR AT LEAST A WHILE - Carrie has been telling folks that we'll be doing more soon again.. after her solo album has run it's course.. But that of course depends on how successful it is & we're hoping & expecting big success here - After the show, due to the amazing success of this tour, Carrie & I are thinking of maybe a big Holland Theater tour - celebrating THE BEST OF C&C .. a two plus hour show - that would be amazing and so easy to do.

BACK TO THE SHOW

Carrie & I are on fire tonight. We've had such a warm connection this entire tour - and this is the culmination.. just a beautiful, inspired show.. the stretch between LAEREDO, BIG RIVER, RED DOG TRACKS, & MAYBELLENE brings the house down again.. & we're still yet to do ANGEL and WILD THING.. One of the great shows in memory ends with ALL THE RAIN & an encore of WE COME UP SHINING.. which leaves me on fire!


WHAT A NIGHT!! -

said hi to many, including:

Steen, our great friend from Denmark .. & Inge .. great to see you guys.. thanks for all the support - regards to Carston & love to Annie.. Hi to Minie.. & Frank & Gerard.. & Steen & Alfons & Yvonne.. & Dianne & Jan.. such warm faces & kind words...

Big hi to Otto & Marianne.. may need you to tell me the Maybellene lyrics!!! ..... Hi Reinhard & Elisabeth .. thanks for all the support & the kind words .. from Peter Walker's Cicus 'till now...HI HERMAN .. THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS.. Hi Annette.. hope to see you in Germany

Hi Georg.. & Yvonn & Alfons.. & Fred & Frank & Willem & Geroen & Gerard & Jan .. wish I could have joined you in the bar - next time .. Hi Jan & Dini.. & Jantine & Henk

GREAT to see Milan's mom & dad, Jan & Jonny * sis Shelaka & boyfriend Willem.. AND GREAT TO SEE LEANNE AGAIN & AGAIN.. Much love always there!! ..


Thanks to all for a wonderful night!! - love you guys!


OCT 21 - 11:00 AM - just said warm goodbyes to Carrie & The Boys.. what an amazing, wonderful tour this was.. MY FAVORITE ONE EVER!!

JOHN PLATANIA, RON EOFF & DRUMMER STEPHON just arrived & are sleeping off their jet lag - Kendel will be here in time for dinner - I'm so looking forward to that!!

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!

OCT 21 - 25, 2007 - German Tour

Oct 21

KENDEL CARSON & JOHN PLATANIA ARRIVE!!! – with Ron Eoff (bass)_& Steve Patrone (drums). This will be the first time with Steve – John says he’s great!

As the new crew is arriving, Carrie & the boys are getting ready to say goodbye – heading back to the U.S. – WHAT A GREAT TOUR!! – love you Carrie!.. miss you boys!!

BAND DINNER

The new band relaxes at the IBIS hotel’s nice French restaurant – nice food, good conversation. We relax in the lobby – have a few good beers then call it a night.

Oct 22

Picking up equipment

We stop at ARTIST ON THE ROAD – a great place for band gear – owned by Milan’s friend, Doede. We get 2 amps FOR JOHN, A BASS AMP FOR RON & A FULL DRUM KIT FOR STEVE.

HEADING FOR EINDHOVEN

It’s about a two hour drive – we arrive in the area of THE QUEENS HOTEL at about 3:00 – We have to park outside the square – about a 10 minute walk to this very charming hotel/ bar/ restaurant. We would recommend this place.

THE VENUE – The MUSIEKCENTRUM FRITZ PHILLIPS

This is a charming theater. My friend Ad van Meurs books us in this area. He’s quite well known in his own right with his band The Watchman.. with CLOSE FRIEND, Ankie singing. Lovely Ankie is also a sound engineer and is doing our sound tonight.

Sound Check

We arrive at 6:30 – get going as bit after 7:00 – we’re playing in the downstairs area of this lovely theater. The room holds about 100. It’s been sold out for a while! The sound check is finished at about 7:45 – After a bit of food, we’re ready for show time.

The Show

After a welcoming intro, we start with THE REAL THING, then Kendel does a trio of songs.. there’s a nice connection right away with this audience THEY LOVE KENDEL & JOHN .. and Steve and Ron are so appreciated, I do a couple from UNGLORIOUS, then turn it over to John for ZAPATA & TEXAS SEXY WAYS .. JOHN is THE man tonight. The audience really lets him know it! We end the set with Angel Of The Morning, which the audience loves!

Second Set

This set was as loose & cool as it gets. The band was awesome!! – It was more like a jazz set, weaving in & out of rhythms & emotion. From mid set on, the audience was getting very vocal in their appreciation. The ones I remember most were – a raging BIG RIVER, a rockin’ MAYBELLENE, Kendel’s very sensual TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER.. & maybe the highlight of all highlights, the brand new, JOE FRASIER.. which is in part a special tribute to mom-of-my kids , Joan & my great friend John Platania. The audience LOVED this one.

After a rousing, I WASN’T BORN IN TENNESSEE, Kendel ended the show with a beautiful version of GOLD IN THE HILLS OF SALTERY BAY.

After the show, we said hi to many, including:

Jan & Dinie, who saw Carrie & I a few days ago in Leawarden ( I think) – big Kendel fans who traveled quite a ways to get here. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Hi to Anne Marie, Henk & Anita… and Emmy.. THANKS FOR THE SWEET MEMORIES!!… hi Hans.. & Fons.. thanks for coming to so many shows over the years.. & the nice 7 Days comments

Hu Michiel.. & Lotte .. with memories of our show in OSS.. Hi Lennie & Thei.. & Teo.. Hi Rob.. met 5 years ago!! .. great to see you!!.. Hi to Martin-Paul.. again & again.. love to the family!!.. Hi Steffi .. nice to see you..Hi to Mat & Barbara & Bear.. good to see you.. you as well, John.. & Dick

So good to see old friend Joost.. & new friends lovely Lauri & Dillon (Ad’ son).. so nice to meet you… SPECIAL HELLO TO LOVELY VANDI.. so nice talking with you briefly

THANKS TO KAREN & MARIE LOUISE & all the staff .. including Otto & the other bartenders..thanks for all the great whiskey!

THANKS AD & ANKIER .. love working with you – thanks for the CDs – they’re on the dashboard.. will accompany us into Germany!! – see you soon!

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS TOUR WAS SEEING MY OLD FRIEND LEANNE - & MARTIN & GERDIENE… God Bless .. much love .. see you soon!

Oct 23 – heading for Hamburg – DAY OFF

We cross the Dutch border, heading east from Eindhoven, then head northeast, arriving in Hamburg (in the north/middle of Germany) at about 6:00 PM. We stay at a modest but nice hotel, Hotel Pacific, situated next to Hamburg’s most famous guitar-plus shop, where the Beatles bought all their gear during their long legendary stay here as they were learning their craft.

A kind hotel clerk, Peter, suggests a Portuguese restaurant nearby, Le Sepia. We LOVE the place – authentic, wonderful food – host Antonio could not have been kinder.

I spend quite a bit of time after dinner talking to a new friend, hotel clerk, Niko. He has an amazing story to tell. He’s lived through most difficult times.. been the victim of horrors.. somehow came through it .. he’s been a cutting edge DJ, Author, collage painter/artist.. amazing stuff.. hopefully his 17 year old daughter, Laura, will join us at our show in two days in Berlin

I loved talking about humanity, politics etc, - probably more than anyone I’ve met in a while.. a Kristov Zanussi sort of guy.

Oct 24

After a leisurely sort of day, we sound check at 5:00 at our venue, KNUST. Soundman, Novac, does a great job. We’re finished in no time, but stay on stage rehearsing some of my other hits, ANYWAY THAT YOU WANT ME, TRY JUST A LITTLE BIT HARDER, & I CAN’T LET GO, just in case it’s a rock & roll audience. We know there won’t be many people tonight. We don’t get any Americana-like airplay in Germany, so word of mouth is all we can expect.

Owner Norbert – a kind guy – has us set up with a great meal at an excellent restaurant next door – BIG THANKS NORBERT – GREAT MEAL!!!

THE SHOW

We’re on stage at 9:30 (halftime of the big Germany/Italy football match). WHAT A SHOCK!!! – this is NOT a rock & roll football bunch.. About 40 reverent people hanging on every word & solo! WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF FRIENDS TO PLAY FOR!! Every song is appreciated on some level.. long applause accompanies most every ending.

John & Kendel & the boys are so appreciated – highlights for me.. let’s see?? – OK.. the group sing on CLEAN YOUR OWN TABLES.. an awesome BIG RIVER.. Kendel’s rockin, IN THE MIDDLE OF A THINK ABOUT YOU.. her sensual, TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER.. John’s IN MEMORY OF ZAPATA.. & TEXAS SEXY WAYS… I DON’T BELIEVE IN THAT, which I turned into a tribute to friends back home, Hal, who just passed away.. & his wife Dana.. a very touching moment for me
A special highlight for me was SWEET DREAM WOMAN, a song of mine that Waylon had a big hit with.. hadn’t played it in years.. the band learned it on the fly .. AWESOME JOB!!.. also loved my tribute to Joan & my kids & John Platania, JOE FRASIER

What wonderful, memorable night! I definitely want to come back & play here again!

Hi to:

Kendel’s good friends, Joern, & Rabea.. so nice to meet you… Hi Sven & Rolf.. who first saw me on the lawn at the Cambridge Festival 6 years ago.. great to see you & buddy, Olaf … thanks for the kind words!!

Big hi to another Rolf (photog). & his lovely friend, Gunda.. thanks for buying all those CDs.. & the kind words.. see you soon!… HI MICHAEL – big thanks for the vinyl memories .. love seeing those albums… Hi Karl- Heinz.. thanks for the WAYLON request

Hi Olli, who was at the LIVE FROM RHUR TRIENNALE show when Carrie & I played with Bill Frisell & band.. and missed his train home back then & was stuck in a strange town with a dangerous crazy man.. what a memory.. anyway… glad you were here tonight.. Hi Mathias… nice to see you at night’s end..

Again thanks to the KNUST crew… bartender Carl, backstage mgr, Levin.. great soundman, Novac.. & owner, Norbert.. BIG THANKS!!

BACK AT THE HOTEL

More talk of life and art with my new friend, Niko (actually, Nicolaas Johannes Maria). Please send my regards to wife Lotte (originally Petra- pre punk days) & daughter Laura. Hope to see her in Berlin. Loved the talks, my friend.. hope to see you soon!

Oct 25 – heading for BERLIN

We leave Hamburg at shortly after 11:00. A train strike by workers – first in 100 years – keeps the highways (autobahn) fairly crowded. Supposedly the train folks have been making the smallest wages of all such workers in Europe.

We arrive at our fancy/large/modern hotel, Estrel, at about 3:30 – a beautiful modern structure in a simple non-trendy area – close to the “wall” – we’re playing in modern (west) Berlin, 20 minutes away.

Venue – Quasimodo

Sound check

This was the quickest sound check ever – stage mgr Rico & soundman Toby helped unload drums etc.. set up took 20 minutes.. then Toby began with the check & within 15 minutes we were perfect on stage. THIS ROOM HAS AWESOME SOUND & Toby knows how to get to that so easily. THANKS BOYS.


Dinner

Ate at the Quasimodo café, above the venue – great salads & sandwiches on warm toasted grainy bread.. met a terrific old time fan, Ingo, who had lots of old vinyl & new CDs for me to sign


THE SHOW

This is my first time playing in Berlin – I had no idea what to expect.

Berlin is a late night town – we didn’t start until 10:15, with folks still coming in as we played. The place holds 100 plus – we’re playing to almost a full house.

What a wonderful, appreciative audience to play for! – The opener, THE REAL THING, struck a strong chord as usual, but when the second song, the sweet THIS OLD TOWN received an over-the-top response, I knew this would be a night to remember.

Kendel was great – she always gives everything she’s got – no holds barred – I love to watch her do that.. & we have our nice little thing together on stage – a warm & loving vibe - that the audience gets – she killed them tonight – as did THE MAN, Mr Platania.. John was so, so soulful & the crowd appreciate & GOT his magical thing - And Ron & Steve were so solid.. this is one hell of a band.

But for me, it was the interaction between the audience & us that was so special. What was given to us was every bit as magical as what we gave back – so what they got from us was as honest & human as it gets – It was a full on living room vibe tonight!! –

some highlights:

John’s IN MEMORY OF ZAPATA, & TEXAS SEXY WAYS – Kendel’s, RUN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE MORNING & RIBBONS & BOWS… CLEAN YOUR OWN TABLES (a song of mine Johnny Cash recorded), BIG RIVER, Kendel’s TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER – remake of Chuck Berry’s MAYBELLENE, I DON’T BELIEVE IN THAT, .. then a wonderful audience group sing on WILD THING…

We then encored with a spirited I WASN’T BORN IN TENNESSEE.. it was 1:30 AM.. back stage we could hear the rhythmic applause going on & on.. so we came back & closed with Kendel’s so, so precious, GOLD IN THE HILL’S OF SALTERY BAY. I had such chills during this one.

This is a night we will not forget!

Said hello to several including:

Dietmar – thanks for such kind words.. they were so special for me to hear… Hi Jan & Jochen.. & Maria & Gerd… & Markus & Jan (who came because they heard us on the radio).. Jan thanks for taking the time to share all those precious feelings.. so touching!!

Hi to Edgar Uwe..so great to see you both – wish you could be in FRANKFURT.. so nice talking with you.. Hi Jochen.. nice meeting you as well.. INGO.. so sorry you couldn’t stay after the show .. great to see you front & center.. see you next time through.

Big thanks to Berthold Seliger for booking these shows in Germany.. hope you’re feeling better. NATASCHA & MICHIKO (Bertholds assistants) – SO GREAT TO SEE YOU!!! – much appreciation for making us feel so welcome!!

AGAIN, BIG THANKS TO RICO & TOBY – GREAT TO SEE YOU GUYS!!


BACK AT THE ESTREL HOTEL

We returned to the hotel at about 2:15 AM – I changed & sat in the lobby having a drink & reading the Financial Times (I think as informative a paper as you can find). A half hour later I headed downstairs to the bar for one last sip of Lagavoulen scotch.. A friendly Irish voice said “make that three – I’m buying”

Graham plays ELVIS, his lovely friend, Melissa, plays Madonna & other friend Chris (and fiancée Alice) plays John Belushi (Blues Bros.) in the heralded impersonator show that’s been running for years at the hotel & in the area – I saw bits of it on TV – it’s amazing!!! – nice winding down with you all – hope to see you all again … meanwhile .. Love Bobby Darin… but NOBODY sings “Valentine” like Chet Baker!!

Oct 27 – heading for Zurich

It’s about a 4&1/2 hr ride – for the most part, it seemed like farming country. Charming little villages would pop up here & there. After Holland the hills seemed like mountains. With Milan driving – with never any worries about his efficiency in that regard – we all felt comfortable enough to nod off from time to time –which we all did. By the way, just before we left Eindhoven, I bought us all some simple comfortably soft pillows. They have been put to good use.

VENUE – EL LOKAL

What a place. The venue is a compact arty music club/restaurant adjacent to a little river. Cool art posters & hand done stuff adorn the walls. The downstairs is quite compact. The bar is straight ahead about 10 feet from the door. Twenty feet to the right is the medium/small stage that will just fit the band (with the full drum kit). The stairways on either side take you to the next level of bar/ restaurant.

Sound check

Uli is our sound man. He’s great!! – It takes about an hour to get set up on stage, then only minutes to get a good check. The sound board is set up in a cat-bird-seat like area off to the left of the stage above the front door. Uli climbs a small ladder to get there.

STAFF

Great warm folks work here, Because of them & the cool place, there is a wonderful vibe here.

HOTEL

This was the only problem. The charming in-town hotel, had a mix up – ONLY ROOMS WITH SHOWERS & BATHS IN THE HALL ARE LEFT AVAILABLE – not for us. We move to another hotel on the outskirts of town.. smoky.. not great.. but bathrooms are IN the rooms.. so we settle in here.

DINNER

We arrive back at the venue at 7:15 – We leave our gear in the spacious band room, then sit down for dinner in our private upstairs table. Great FOOD! – kind of beef stroganoff – with nice breads & salad. Just before show time, I notice some special guests sitting downstairs in the back of the room – my great friend & co-worker at TRAINWRECK RECORDS’ cousin Suzanne & husband Herbert. I quickly say hello & we’re ready to go on stage.

THE SHOW

We’re on stage at 8:30. It’s a GREAT, wonderful group of folks that are ready to greet us.– a mixture of young and older… some sitting at the bar, most standing similar to New York’s Mercury Lounge. From the beginning they are very attentive, yet very vibrant. The first half of the show goes by so quickly. The audience seem to love the stories & I love telling them. They LOVE KENDEL (RIBBONS & BOWS & all) & JOHN.(ZAPATA & TX SEXY WAYS) . show great appreciation for Ron & Steve… They give a great SING-A-LONG on what’s becoming a big highlight, CLEAN YOUR OWN TABLES (the song of mine recorded by Johnny Cash). We end the set with a mini version of WILD THING that has us all ready for more.

Second Set

A half hour later, we’re rockin with BIPPITY BOO, crying with IF I STOP LOVING YOU.. & the passion just goes on from there. BIG RIVER, MAYBELLENE, Kendel’s TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER, ANGEL OF THE MORNING… This is certainly one of our favorite shows ever. We go from I DON’T BELIEVE IN THAT to I WASN’T BORN IN TENNESSEE… and say goodnight, but they’ll have none of that. We play HOLY SHIT (haven’t done that these last several shows) Then we rip into our full blown up version of wild THING.. with the audience therapy sing on full throttle.. we say our “final” goodbye.. but again.. the non stop applause calls us back.

We finally end with Kendel’s beautiful rendition of “GOLD IN THE HILLS OF SALTRERY BAY” – this is a night we won’t forget!!

THANKS

To Victor for having us & being so, so cordial. A big hello to his lovely wife, violinist Johanna….. Victor special thanks for the gifts for all of us & THE SPECIAL SWEDISH SINGLE MALT for me!! We will celebrate with a taste tonight – WHAT A NICE THOUGHT.. a big hello to bartenders Mark & Julia – LOVED SEEING YOU “GUYS”!!.. BIG THANKS TO OUR NEW FRIEND ULI, FOR THE GREAT SOUND & SET UP!!

We said hi to several folks, including:

Hi Dani & Miriam.. thanks for the kind words & great support… Hi Edwin & Ernest & Monica… hope you enjoy the CDs… Hi Benjamin & Ursala… & Manuel & Silvana… & Ulrike & Arsenio…those warm special words were much appreciated .. hi to Uli’s friend Mike – so good talking to you guys the white sheep/black sheep thing.. let’s run that bastard out of town…

Hi to Victor & Johanna’s friend, New Yorker, Paul – nice to meet you.. hi Sebastian…& a big hello to Jeana & Stephon at the end … hello to Jeremie & Victor & Timo & GREGOR .. so good to see you guys from the stage all night… thanks for all the good wishes

Bless you all – what a warm, great night!!

OCT 28 – HEADING FOR FRANKFURT

Thank God for Milan – We think of nothing – just wake up & load & Milan does the rest. We had no problem crossing TO Switzerland yesterday – just waved on through. Milan had been surprised, as usually the make a count of merchandise. But coming back into Germany they did ask us to pull over. They ran a check of each passport. After about 10 minutes one of the officials hinted he had a friend who was a Chip Taylor fan… I guess hoping to get a free CD. But Milan “sorry… can’t do”, & off we went – a tough guy, this Milan!!

The Drive

Again, lots of pretty farmland, rolling little mountains & villages nestled at the foot of some. After about 4 & 1/2 hours, we can see the Frankfurt skyline. Milan explains that the town is divided into old town & new. We see the skyline of new town – like a mini New York. As we pull in to the older part, where the venue is, it’s a very different feeling – a very regular town, with little side streets, off one of which is the venue.


VENUE – The VOTFABRIK

This is a little restaurant – bar, nestled in a garden-like area off a little side street, with a music room above & off to the right. We are met by nice folks, Connie, Mike & Fernando, who will do our sound. Mike & Fernando are a big help in hauling the drums & other equipment up the outside staircase to the music room.

We set up rather quickly on the large stage, overlooking the simple old theater like-room, which has about 100 chairs set up facing us. We arrived at 4:00, By 5:00 we are finished loading in & SOUND CHECKING!! Fernando did an amazing job with that! We head back to our hotel, which borders the new town.

HOTEL – FALK

This is a modest place, but very nice & clean. The rooms are small but very comfortable. The venue is paying for our stay here – nice choice.

DINNER

We arrive back at the venue at 7:30. A simple, but nice chicken dinner is served in our comfortable “green” room.

THE SHOW

There’s not a big turnout – maybe 50 people. Again, since I have not received airplay in Germany, we’ve not been expecting much. The nice thing is that those who come are fans for the right reasons. They don’t just come for the hits. They’re coming for the warmth & the connection. And because that’s the reason they came, we get a wonderful feeling from them & a connection is made immediately. This is a wonderful bunch to play for.

THIS IS OUR LAST SHOW IN EUROPE!! So I want our bassist, Ron Eoff & our drummer, Steve Petrone, to feel the appreciation of us & the audience for their great effort. They are a bit more of a focus tonight. They do terrific & are much appreciated.


In the first set, Kendel, John, & I share the spotlight with the boys with several selections from our latest CDs. By the way, I LOVE OUR SHOW!! And the reason I love it so much is that not only does Kendel get into the spotlight big time, but so does my old friend & master soulful guitarist, John Platania. Both Kendel & John are brilliant tonight, sharing stories about their songs & performing them with full emotion. We end the first half with a chilling version of ANGEL OF THE MORNING., to an overwhelming response.

SECOND SET

Great stuff here all the way – loved this..so many highlights!! – BIG RIVER, MAYBELLENE etc. But I particularly liked the very loose warm stuff… like a requested 7 DAYS IN MAY, which John & I did by ourselves – so touching … then a spiritual HOLY SHIT.. After constant applause, we ended with Kendel’s beautiful, GOLD IN THE HILLS OF SALTERY BAY.

A big hello to:

Richard & Gerard, who said hi to us pre-show & then again later. Thanks for the kind words & the Kendel stash!! – nicely done! – hi to good friends, Lilo & Hans.. Lilo’s sister Anita.. tell Eugene no excuses next time!!.. Angelika & Thomas… & new friend Christian (thanks for tracking me down – all the kind words & the requests) – hi to Sonja - SO GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL… glad I could have a quick one with you before leaving.. what a warm, nice bunch.

Hi to Ziggy.. great to see you my friend.. thanks for the “gift”… look forward to that… Hi Peter.. & Marika..& Ulrich. Hi Deglef.. nice to see you in the audience & then again later down at the bar.

God Bless – hope to see you soon.. John, Kendel & the boys, send their best regards!

Oct 29 - heading for Amsterdam

Ron & Steve flew home from the Frankfurt airport at about noon (GREAT JOB BOYS!) - at about the same time John, Kendel & I (with Milan at the helm) are beginning our 4 hour jaunt to Amsterdam - to do a special guest appearance at at a most special event. We stop on the way at Rounder (our distributor) to drop off remaining CDs & to say a quick hello to our friends there, including Bert Pijpers, who's been so hands on with this entire great tour. Thanks Bert!

We arrive in Amsterdam just in time for a quick sound check & a bite to eat before the show.

Venue - Melkweg (one of the two most famous rock clubs in Amsterdam - The Paradisop is the other)


THIS IS A BOOK RELEASE PARTY FOR HERALDED AUTHOR/MUSIC HISTORIAN - AND MY FRIEND, LEO BLOKHUIS

Leo's new book is awesome .. a tribute to 16 songs and their authors - from Robert Johnson's CROSS ROAD BLUES, to Roger & Hammerstein's YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE, to Chip Taylor's WILD THING. There is one comprehensive chapter about each song. It's a cool a book on music as you will find - so well done & so, so interesting - so proud to have been included.

THE SHOW

The place is packed. The first set is dedicated to those songs. The best of the best Dutch artists perform them, with the exception of WILD THING. John, Kendel & I perform that as the final song of the set, with the GREAT house band, Hubert, Jaco, Michael & the rest - all nice guys & great musicians. THIS WAS AWESOME - Leo gave me a most kind introduction - and we blasted off with a wild version of WILD THING, ending with all the folks singing a chorus full blast as a tribute to Leo - the house band was awesome... Hubert, Jaco, Michael & the rest.. & Kendel & John nailed it big time.

When we finished WILD THING, Leo got on stage & presented me with the first official copy of his book - what an honor!! Thanks my friend.

Second half

All the artists that performed in the first half were invited to do one or two songs of their choosing. Leo scheduled us early as we had to get up early in the morning to catch our plane home. Kendel rocked the house with I LIKE TRUCKS & we finished with a wild version of MAYBELLENE - what a wonderful way to end this awesome tour!!


Hi to Huub (legendary Dutch Blues rocker), Jap & all.. great sharing the stage with all of you

After packing, I made a quick stop to one of my favorite scotch bars in the world, J B. Hi to bartender Arthur & new friends at the bar, Max (best of luck with your studies & dreams), his brother in law, Marco (from the south of Switzerland), Jorn, lovely Denise & friend Martin. Hope to see you all again.

Oct 29 - heading for Amsterdam

Ron & Steve flew home from the Frankfurt airport at about noon (GREAT JOB BOYS!) - at about the same time John, Kendel & I (with Milan at the helm) are beginning our 4 hour jaunt to Amsterdam - to do a special guest appearance at at a most special event. We stop on the way at Rounder (our distributor) to drop off remaining CDs & to say a quick hello to our friends there, including Bert Pijpers, who's been so hands on with this entire great tour. Thanks Bert!

We arrive in Amsterdam just in time for a quick sound check & a bite to eat before the show.

Venue - Melkweg (one of the two most famous rock clubs in Amsterdam - The Paradisop is the other)


THIS IS A BOOK RELEASE PARTY FOR HERALDED AUTHOR/MUSIC HISTORIAN - AND MY FRIEND, LEO BLOKHUIS

Leo's new book is awesome .. a tribute to 16 songs and their authors - from Robert Johnson's CROSS ROAD BLUES, to Roger & Hammerstein's YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE, to Chip Taylor's WILD THING. There is one comprehensive chapter about each song. It's a cool a book on music as you will find - so well done & so, so interesting - so proud to have been included.

THE SHOW

The place is packed. The first set is dedicated to those songs. The best of the best Dutch artists perform them, with the exception of WILD THING. John, Kendel & I perform that as the final song of the set, with the GREAT house band, Hubert, Jaco, Michael & the rest - all nice guys & great musicians. THIS WAS AWESOME - Leo gave me a most kind introduction - and we blasted off with a wild version of WILD THING, ending with all the folks singing a chorus full blast as a tribute to Leo - the house band was awesome... Hubert, Jaco, Michael & the rest.. & Kendel & John nailed it big time.

When we finished WILD THING, Leo got on stage & presented me with the first official copy of his book - what an honor!! Thanks my friend.

Second half

All the artists that performed in the first half were invited to do one or two songs of their choosing. Leo scheduled us early as we had to get up early in the morning to catch our plane home. Kendel rocked the house with I LIKE TRUCKS & we finished with a wild version of MAYBELLENE - what a wonderful way to end this awesome tour!!


Hi to Huub (legendary Dutch Blues rocker), Jap & all.. great sharing the stage with all of you

After packing, I made a quick stop to one of my favorite scotch bars in the world, J B. Hi to bartender Arthur & new friends at the bar, Max (best of luck with your studies & dreams), his brother in law, Marco (from the south of Switzerland), Jorn, lovely Denise & friend Martin. Hope to see you all again.

August 1 – 12, 2007 – Summer European Tour (in chronological order)

Aug 1 – Oslo, Norway

We're really looking forward to this tour - the main reason, aside from seeing a bunch of great friends, is that our great friend Hakan Olsson.. who formerly worked for Playground Distribution.. and had everything to do with developing a fan base for me here .. will join us for the entire tour starting on Aug 3.

The tour line up will be as it's been for a while:

John Platania - guitar - vocals
Kendel Carson - fiddle-vocals
Ron Eoff - bass
Bryan Owings - drums

All the boys leave from Newark, N.J. -- we arrive at about 11:00 - Kendel will arrive later in the day - we taxi to a GREAT Sheraton Hotel not too far away .. we rest for a while.. then when Kendel arrives we have a terrific meal at a local Indian restaurant - GREAT STUFF

Aug 2

thanks to Kaj, & old friend Tom for having us at this amazing festival! - us & THE FLAMING LIPS! - Perfect!.. big hello & thanks to Tina!

Loved our main stage thing but the show that I'll remember FOREVER was our show at the Barn Stage.. following The Flaming Lips on main stage - several hundred around a camp fire ..we ripped into a 35 minute set.. joined at the end by Robyn Hitchcock (harmonica) and the legendary JOHN PAUL JONES (LED ZEPPELIN).. playing mandolin. THIS WAS AWESOME!

AT THE BAR - GREAT TO SEE OLD FRIENDS MAGNA, Eric.. & new friend Martin... what a way to wind the nights down!!

at the festival.. big hi to Jay & Jennifer..& Getty


Aug 3 - Heading for Halden

After a reasonably good night sleep, Hakan picks us up in a good sized van and off we go... Hakan will be at the helm for the entire trip... SO GREAT TO SEE MY OLD FRIEND!!


Aug 7,8 - 2007 - STOCKHOLM

TWO NIGHT AT THE ACCURATE WITH FRIEND STEN .. IT CAN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS - these were two of the most magical shows in memory - what a warm feeling..

NIGHT 1

So great to see old friends Albin, lovely Karolina.. Martin.. wish you were here Sofia.. love to the kids Ella & Lovis.. hi to old friends Carl & Brothr in law, Esa.. great to see you guys!!big ho to another old friend Peter.. & Jan & Bent.. & Hakan's friends, band members Matts, Roland & Christer... Hi Torsten! .. hi to David Susanne.. nice talking with youhi to Jacob , Patrik & Karolina.. Anna & Marina...

Big hello to Rune's lovely niece, Annallee.. so good to see you.. Hi per. Hi to Ivar & Rosemarie.. Great to see Matteas & Karolina.. thanks so muchfor the kind words.. Bighi to Hakan's brother, writer Christer & great, lovely daughter, Marion .. special hellö to my dear friend Elen (Hakan's daughter) & her new friend Matilda.. love you

hi to waitress Christiana.. so nice to see you - Hi Malin.. wish we had a chance to say hello .. good to see you near the hotel..

JONA - GREAT SOUND!! - a big thanks from all of us


NIGHT 2

Hi to great old friends Karin, & Hanne.. big hi to dad, Dick.. & friend Thomas.. so great to see yo. hi Maria.. & Karri.. Bengt .. Howard & Bjorn.. & John.. Matteas & Karolina.. so good to talk to you again.. Hi to Carl & brother-in-law Esa .. thanks for the disc with the pictures...Ho to Nills & Christov.. Hi Steffan.. you have alot of listening to do!! .. Hi TOM-TOM.. Hi to Ingenaard.. & Christer & lovel soon-to-be famous actress Marion (I'll get the proper spelling from you next time)

Hi to Johan.. & all the great staff!!.. SEE YOU SOON STEN!!.. GREAT TIMES!!

what a night


Aug 9

THE SHOW -

Loved looking out & seeing all the warmth coming back to us.. John, Kendel & the boys were so good tonight.. Big River was awesome.. John & Kendel's stuff so, so good.. I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT was just so magical.. and the big memory tonight... HOLY SHIT... with the priest story included .. for my great friends

THANKS ULF - LOVE THIS PLACE!!

what a warm, warm bunch of friends to play for!!

hi to:

Big hi to old friends Lars, Marita, Anders & Maria .. & Rune & Irene .. Love you guys!

Hi to my great younfg friends, Sedrig, Alexandra, Ole & Marie .. SO GREAT TO TALK WITH YOU .. thanks SO much for the kind words.. see you ALL soon I hope!! ... hi Johan & Anvvor.. Michael.. Lennart.. good seeing you again.. Hi Sara .. thanks for the great food!! .. . Hi Thomas.. & Jette . Thomas.. hope Margarette likes the CD.. Hi Petra
and all the rest.. THANKS FOR A MAGICAL NIGHT!!!


Aug 10 - Back in Malmo

great to be back here again - this is Hakan's home town and where he started it all for me back 9 years ago ... on the drive from Valberg I wrote a song while sitting in the front seat - I sang sketches of it into my mini-disc player and it was finished when we arrived - I'm thinking of playing it tonight.. if I get the nerve

first stop was a terrific radio show hosted by Lisa - great conversation.. three live songs... then off to the hotel to rest a bit before sound check.. very little sleep last night do to extreme heat in Valberg with not much air flow in the hotel rooms

SOUND CHECK - this is a big rock room.. it's a little delicate to get a soft intimate sound in such a place.. but Peir (and George) did a great job in a short time - after a great meal at the club we headed back to the hotel for a bit more rest

THE SHOW

Another special night.. lot's friends in the audience - wonderful spirit here - John played amazing one of a kind things tonight.. sometimes I just shake my head and say how the hell does he create that magic!!.. & it's so effortless!!.. he, Kendel & the boys were on so fire again.. we kept treading in unfamiliar territory.. like a Jazz ensemble.. love that when it happens.. highlights for me were so many.. let's go with John's ZAPATA, Kendel's GOLD IN THE HILLS.. my I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT.... and probably at the top of the list, I'd put the new song I wrote on the way down from Varberg.. OLD FRIENDS, PRETTY YOUNG GIRLS, & MALMO NIGHTS.. the boys and Kendel played so, so beautifully on it and they were hearing it FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!.. I had a chill from beginning to end.. truly amazing stuff!!

Hi to:

Special hello to Hakan's family.. Big Anton.. slightly smaller now, Yens (RIGHT ANTON!!) & wonderful wife, Monica!! - LOVE YOU ALL.. send ELEN my love!! .. and hi & love to Matilda

Hi to my great friends Lars, Marita, Anders &Maria.. & Rune & Irene - what WONDERFUL FRIENDS.. so great to spend time with you these last few days.. & Jan .. so good to see you again.. hi to old friends BO.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (birthday present was tickets to this show).. & friend Kenneth.. again & again.. nice to have such friends!!

Hi to Ola, Heidi, Magnus .. thanks for the best-show-ever stuff.. we're in it together.. see you soon.. Big hi to Christer & son Sebastian (hope you're feeling better! - thanks for getting your dad to come!).. hi Wendy.. Petra & sister Ulrica.. so good to see you both.. & the Norway contingent.. special hello to staff guys, SILVVER & ATTILA.. appreciate so much your kind words!.. Hi Johan.. hope the sound-video worked OK.. look forward to seeing- hearing that!

thanks to all for a special night!!

HAKAN.. you're the best.. now let's have a drink!!!

Wrap party at Hakan's

great great food prepared by Monica & Hakan.. desert by very-tall-now, son Anton... much of it served by somewhat-shorter-but-older (& very wise)-now, son Jens... great great friends.. great great music.. great great whiskey!... what a warm & wonderful way to end this great tour!

THANKS YOU GUYS!!!!! SEE YOU SOON!!!!

Aug 11, 2007 Heading for London

We arrive at Heathrow by way of Copenhagen at about 5:00 – Kendel & the boys make it through immigration fine – BUT NOT JOHN & ME

Our very good booking agent friend, in an effort to save us money, got us working papers for 12 months (so we can go back & forth without applying all the time) – BUT THE NEW LAW SAYS IF YOU GET WORKING PAPERS FOR 12 MONTHS OR MORE YOU NEED A VISA – Long story short - a not-very-nice or accommodating immigration power boss named Steve denied us entry! – then he said he’d let us in for three days, but keep our passports

We were fingerprinted… mug shots.. kept there for 2+ hours.. finally, boss man Steve left for the night and a new agent decided to, at the last minute, give us back our passports.. but we’re still on record as to having been denied entry.. what ridiculous stuff.


Aug 11

Arrive at our hotel, THE CROWN MORAN – WHAT A PLACE!!
– booked for us by our friend John, the owner of the great venue we will play at – tomorrow (The Luminaire) – IT DOES NOT GET BETTER .. ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOTELS EVER!!

Great dinner with the band.. then some good whiskey & rest


Aug 12. 2007 Venue – The Luminaire – London

Sound check – arrive at 4:00 – greeted by hosts Ross & Alex - great guys.. friend, engineer Matt shows up at 5:00 – sound check finished by 6:00 .. back to the hotel for rest .. back at the club a bit before 8:00… see old friend Tony Pankhurst, who will sell CDs for us tonight.. thanks Tony… and old N.Y. friends Michael & Elaine (now living here)… then upstairs to get ready …. On stage at 8:15

THE SHOW

This is a special one.. we felt nothing but warmth from these great folks – KENDEL IS THE SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT AS MANY ARE HERE BECAUSE OF HER – IT SEEMS HER SINGLE – “I LIKE TRUCKS” IS FAST BECOMING A HIT IN ENGLAND.. GETTING LOTS OF AIRPLAY .. friends Bob Harris, Johnny Walker and another DJ who plays it every day
DANNY BAKER (hello and big thanks!)

Highlights are way too many… certainly all of John’s … ZAPATA, EAST TEXAS WATTZ & TEXAS SEXY WAYS…(John was awesome tonight).. my I NEED SOME HELP WITH THAT … & I DON’T BELIEVE IN THAT .. certainly BIG RIVER…… AND ALL OF KENDELS… with a double performance request for I LIKE TRUCKS

The band is awesome tonight.. we’ve been so blessed to have through this entire tour – WAY TO GO BOYS!!!

Said hi to several, including:

Mark (Happy birthday!!) & lovely wife Anna .. say hi to the I Like Trucks fans (their kids, Collum, Katy & Ben… 6, 7 & 9 – I think) … Hi Barry .. great to see you again!! .. sorry Suzanne couldn’t be here this time send her my love … hi to Willie .. & Tony’s friend, Ed & Tony (again)…GEOFFREY & Sophia .. was looking for you .. great to see you earlier…

Great to see friends Terry & Linda!!! .. thanks for all the kind words always.. Hi to Sally & Richard.. Hi John … check your text out later… Hi big Gerry in the back… great to see you, my friend…. Hi Ian .. THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TRIP!!! ( puppet Theater last time.. closer to home)… Hi Mark.. glad you tuned in to Bob Harris.. so good to meet you!... Hi to Martin & Christina.. BIG TRUCKS fans!!!.. nice stuff!!...

Hi to Hans & Georg (correct spelling).. nice talking with you.. Hi Joe & Carmel… so good to see you again & again!!... thanks for the SO KIND words!!... Hi to SALLY & RICHARD.. so nice to talk with you… & Anne .. thanks so much for being there ALL THE TIME!!...

AGAIN… THANKS JOHN… GREAT TO SEE YOU SARAH… MATT, ROSS, BE.. Jessica? …and the rest.. what a great place.. can’t wait to see you again… MATT… THANKS SO SO MUCH FOR THE RECORDING.. big thanks John for letting that happen!

Michael & Elaine – love you guys – see you soon!!

And all the rest.. including ALI at the hotel.. love to Gabrielle & the kids.

July 20 –24 - California

July 20 – THE PALMS (Winters Cal)

Kendel & I flew in to Oakland from JFK – we had very little sleep, waking up at 6:00 to make our Jet Blue flight. The flight was delayed almost three hours due to the back-up from the previous days severe weather – the most uncomfortable part was sitting on the plane for about an hour with NO air conditioning – the pilot said he couldn't turn the motor on until he was OK'd to leave the gate – THAT SEEMS LIKE A BAD RULE TO ME

We arrived at about 4:00 – The boys were waiting, having arrived from Nashville shortly after noon.

Re: The band – the big story was that, at the last minute, Van Morrison asked John (Platania) to join him at The Montrose Jazz Festival in Switzerland… J.P told him he was committed to our shows.. but after John & I talked it over, that seemed like a wrong decision so I told him to go, as it was too important to miss – the plan being that he would catch up with us on Sunday (July 22) at Slims in San Francisco.

We were prepared to do the shows without a guitar player, but, at the last minute I found out that the great Hans Holzen was available – Hans had played with Carrie & me often, so was familiar with most of my material - we sent him some MP3's of several new Kendel songs & he showed up totally prepared!! – THANKS HANS!

The rest of this great band is the same as it's been the past several shows – RON EOFF (played with Delbert, The BAND) on bass – BRYAN OWINGS (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne) on drums.

THE VENUE (THE PALMS)

Love this place – David Fleming owns & manages – made some wrong highway turns & didn't arrive for sound check until 45 minutes before the show.. but David & great soundman Jeremy were cool with that – After a quick check, we were on stage at about 8:30 –

THE SHOW –

What a terrific audience to play for (like playing for a bunch of friends) – another one of my favorite shows – Kendel was her awesome, no fear, self – Brian & Ron were amazing .. and HANS  (IN THE HOT SEAT TONIGHT, HAVING TO LEARN SO MUCH IN A DAY), WAS BRILLIANT!!-

We took lots of chances tonight - went totally by vibe, often veering quite a bit away from the set list.. "Try.. Just A Little Bit Harder".. which I haven't done in years, came out of a 2 minute rehearsal at half time -  and so many of the songs connected on a very unique, human level – this was a very special night.

Said hi to many, including:

Rory (my official CD cover opener) & Melonie… had seen us last at the Cactus Café in Austin - great to see you both again – Hi to Jason & Mickey.. Robert, Sharon & Steve .. & Brian - thanks to all for the kind words…

Big hello to my Swedish new friends Narges & son Carl .. please send my regards to HAKAN.. we'll be in Sweden in a few weeks!!

Look forward to seeing you all again!!

Dave – thanks so much for having us – hope to see you soon


JULY 21 – WEST COAST LIVE – RADIO SHOW -  10:00 AM ( at Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, Cal)

We were on the road at 7:00 AM ( from Vacaville, CA)  to get to the venue for sound check – great folks here – Kathie runs the ship – Paul, & Aaron (stage set up), Mitchel (sound), Jim (producer) Bill, Kathleen, Peter & others –

Like A Prairie Home Companion type show – in front of an audience – to my mind, not a lesser show – VERY,VERY COOL! Host Sedge is simply great – very smart, with a gentle human – QUICK – sense of humour - with sidekick pianist Michael, this show (several Authors plus us) flows so smooth & is SO interesting – LOVED THIS!! – We played 4 songs, including I LIKE TRUCKS .. which everyone had some fun with .. as it seemed to connect in an ironic way with a Virgin theme from one of the authors.. ended up with a pretty & soulful Angel of the morning, which ended the show.. again the boys (Ron, Bryan & Hans) & Kendel .. were GREAT!!

THANKS FOR THE INVITE KATHIE!!

Said hi to some folks in the back, including:

Hi John, Victoria, Oscar, Bruce & Robin, Barbara & Matt ..  Cari .. thanks to all for the kind words…. HI ALEX & ISABELLA .. with mom Sheila & dad, David .. great to see you – Kendel sends her love


JULY 21 – LIVE RADIO SHOW @ KRCB - headed toward Sebastopol.. about one mile in  Rohnert Park CA, we checked into our modest, but very cool & clean – formerly a Ramada Inn.. now a Roadside Inn .. or something (we would recommend)– right around the corner from KRCB

THE SHOW – hosted by Robin Pressman – radio doesn't get better.. very human.. very real.. anyone who can get me to sing & talk about "Jackknife.. Living out in the fields".. is certainly doing something right! – wonderful Robin!! – hope to see you soon – much love!


July 21 – VENUE - Studio E – SEBASTOPOL

PROMOTERS – Laurie, Greg – hosts – JEFF MARTIN (girlfriend LAURA?? (Laurie?)

Last time we played here it was Chip & Carrie and packed – it was a surprising full house again tonight!! Big Thanks to all who came - & big thanks to the volunteers who supplied the gourmet Mexican meal – SERIOUS STUFF- Never saw plates piled as high as were Ron's & Bryan's ..

THE SHOW – Broke it down into two halves as usual – the emotional level was high all night tonight .. folks loved newcomer Kendel who's CD just bulleted to # 10 on The Americana charts.. and after a requested Thursday Night, Las Vegas Airport" .. the boys were on fire .. Hans again was awesome & the audience showed appreciation at every turn..

Especially liked "I Don't Believe In That" & "Big River" .. they had that magic thing… ended with a rockin' version of "I Wasn't Born In Tennessee" .. & said goodnight

Said hi to several, including:

Old frien Heidi & mom. Bea… thanks for all your support & good wishes, Heidi .. great to see you again.. & again.. I have my little treasure in a special place at home!! - (& thanks for selling the CDS).. PETER.. thanks for the great sound .. Hi trish.. nice talking with you .. best to Jeremy with the videos.. hi to Leslie (Angel fan) .& Dave ..  from the KRSH back yard show.. great to see you again.. regards to Artie .. Hi Bernadette.. & Candi .. KRSH memories as well … Hi Mark & Louise… Hi sherry .. all the best

HI John, KRCB.. always good to see you.. thanks so much for the kind words about the performance ..

SOMEBODY SAY A BIG HELLO & THANKS TO BILL BOWKER & PAM at KRSH – what nice folks!

Sorry I wasn't able to socialize more at the end of the show .. as I was feeling a bit faint .. but what great night this was.. thanks to all

HANS! – BIG THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORT THIS WEEK – YOU WERE AWESOME!!!! – see you soon!!


JULY 22  - SLIMS ( San Francisco CA)

JOHN'S BACK FROM MONTROSE –

STAYING AT THE PHOENIX HOTEL – LOVE THIS ROCK n ROLL PLACE!!!

Sound checked at about 5:30 with great sound guys, Alex & Guthrie.. then a great Mexican meal from OUR NEW FRIEND JOSE (THE CHEF) – we were all spoiled tonight – great food!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS

THE SHOW

This was certainly one of my favorites – the sound was easy to work with, John was back & still in one piece from his 11 plus hour flights – Kendel & The boys were on fire tonight & this audience was so, so with us.. just kept working off them all night – they loved Kendel's new stuff – treated John with total reverence…… IN MEMORY OF ZAPATA… & I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT.. gave me total chills!!! .. & BIG RIVER was never better…

WHAT A GREAT NIGHT!!!

DAWN.. thanks so much for booking us at this great place!! - What a great staff here.. Nancy in the office.. Ileana, Colleen, Marissa.. Halzey, Scott.. Jane.. all the bartenders & folks I met at the bar later.. security friend, ? … PLEASE SEND MY REGARDS & BIG THANKS TO ALL

LATER:

Hi Ed .. & Rose & friend (GREAT GUY – TALKED ABOUT BIKE RIDING IN NEW YORK ETC).. hi Liz, Seth & Charles.. front right of stage .. great to see you after the show.. Hi Dave (J.C. fan) .. & all the Brittany  band folks .. hi Chris & Casey


JULY 24

BACK HOME –WORKING ON THE MIXES OF CHIP TAYLOR & CARRIE RODRIGUEZ.. LIVE FROM GERMANY – TO BE RELEASED ON OCT 2 – WHAT AMAZING STUFF!! -

JULY 13 – 14, 2007 - NJ and PA

July 13 THE BLACK POTATO FESTIVAL –Clinton, New Jersey

What a pretty sight for a festival – the stages sit just above a little river in this charming old-time town. We arrived a little after 4:00 PM for a sound check. Thanks Cathy for welcoming us and being so helpful – much appreciated!

Big thanks and hi to sound men.. JOHN & CHRIS & STAGE GUY BIG TOM. After a good sound check & a bit of a rehearsal, we hung out in cool area reserved for bands with all the comforts of home . . sinful sweets & all.

THE SHOW

We had the opening 6:30 time slot – so there was plenty of light in the sky - & a nice view of the river as a backdrop. Mixed it up again tonight with songs from all three albums.. The audience was terrific! – TRUCKS killed 'em . . & John's ZAPATA was so chilling . . ended with a cool Wild Thing & said goodnight,

THANKS FOR HAVING US, MATT!! SEE YOU SOON!

Hi to:

Janice.. Fred's better half.. & Linda.. so good to see you YVELLE (is that right?) from Australia.. Barry .. love to Carly .. glad you hooked the fiddle camp up.. now you have to wait & see if the passion is there.. nice talking to Danielle from Calgary.. all the best with your own music.. Hi Mickey (Spillane) .. good stuff!!

BIG KEV.... always great to see you.. what heart!!! .. Hi Richard, & all - look forward to seeing you guys soon at the Theater.. Hi Brian, Cathy.. Big hi


July 14 THE SELLERSVILLE THEATER (Sellersville PA)

John's jeep broke down on the way – a gas line or something – towed away.. will be ready by tomorrow – police/ firetrucks – you name it – a big event in this town!

Such nice folks here – Alyson greeted us and was our guide for the evening – Chris did an amazing job with sound – after a quick, solid sound check it was off to dinner at the amazing **** (four star) restaurant next door – THANKS TO OWNER CHRISTIE & WAITRESS DONNA .. great/ amazing food AND SERVICE!!

THE SHOW

THIS WAS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SHOWS! – probably because it was less like a show.. more like a bunch of friends sharing some very human emotional moments. One of my favorite moments of all time on stage was when, after one of the songs, I was thinking about how beautifully John had just played… which I shared with the audience… which led to my playing a song I had never played to anyone (including the band) . . which contained the lines "the most beautiful sounds suddenly appear.. from John Platania's amplifier to my right ear…" It doesn't get better than this!

Thanks to all who had so much to do with this sharing thing tonight. I will really look forward to seeing you folks again.

SAID HELLO TO MANY, INCLUDING:

Howard, bro Al & Naomi – so great to see you always.. thanks so much for the heartfelt words .. it means a lot – AND BIG THANKS FOR HELPING WITH THE CDS, Howard .. hope to see you "guys" soon

Hi to MOM OF MY KIDS JOAN'S COUSIN Ray & partner DEBRA … so great to see you again.. Joanie sends her love .. hi to Mary Ellen… Hi Nelson & Amie… so nice to talk with you.. such sweet words .. love to the kids, Alexis & Zoe.. Hi to Denise, Jason & Jany?? (can't read my writing.. sorry!) .. Hi Sandy.. hope Diane enjoys the listen!… Hi Janet & Neil .. nice to see you up front!!..

Hi Fred .. from the Tin Angel .. great to see you again! Hi John.. & Steve.. nice talking with you .. thanks for the kind words… hi to Mary Lou & Dave.. & Mark . . thanks for the words re HIT MAN.. Hi to Brian & Cathy (as we left the stage) ..great to see you again Chuck.. Thanks for bringing your boy.. ( I think it starts with an "F" but can't read my notes) – let me know

See you all soon..

April 20 – 22, 2007 - HOLLAND (BLUE HIGHWAY FESTIVAL)

John, Tony & I arrived at Schiphold Airport in Amsterdam at about 11:30 AM. A friendly rep from the festival, Frank, was their to greet us and guide us to the awaiting van. Another artist, Kris Delmhorst had just flown in from Ireland and joined us for the 1 plus hour trip to our hotel in Utrecht, just yards from the venue site. Nice to meet you Kris!! Big thanks to our driver Ronald for the ride and good conversation.

Kendel, who’s on tour with The Paper Boys in Germany, arrived at about 5:30 – just in time for a mini-rehearsal and a shower. Kendel is headlining the festival welcoming party at a cool little venue on the outskirts of town. John, Tony & I will be the back-up band! I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while.


APRIL 20 – THE STADD PUB

Big thanks to owners Egbert & Anton for being so cordial & their friend Stephon who helped with the sound – minimalist stuff, but perfect for this small venue.

THE SHOW

Kendel was so, so good.. terrific communication with the audience and very honest, soulful performances. It was great to be part of the band. John played some amazing stuff, as usual, & the MERC-MAN (Tony Mercadante) on bass, kept the bottom end so solid – but Kendel was the star tonight and the audience loved her!!!


APRIL 21 – ’07

John, Tony & I all went without sleep for one day.. so we all slept fairly well and got on European time schedule.. but we’re all still a bit shaky, so we rest a bit in the afternoon & get ready for the show.

THE BLUE HIGHWAY FESTIVAL

Some good friends are headlining along with us – great to see old friends, Joe Ely & Bo Ramsey. My old friend Pat, from Austin gave me a gift of Joe’s new book of poetic tour notes from over the years.. & I’d been reading it on the plane. Nice stuff! Also, so good to see new friends from the terrific band, Ollabelle.. Byron, Fiona, Glen, Amy & Tony.. Tony is an awesome drummer who has played a few shows with us in New york- & will join us again tonight.

Hi Milan!! .. thanks for the kind words about THIS SIDE OF THE BIG RIVER.. hope to see you soon.

We arrive at the arts complex at about 4:15 – say hi to a few old & new friends .. tune up.. & are ready for our line check at 5:00.

THE SHOW

I had played here before so I knew what the place looked like, but when Kendel walked on to the stage and looked out at the audience she told me was shocked that the place was so large and so full.

I recognized many in the audience right away.. what a nice feeling!!

After a warm intro by legendary DJ, Jan Donkers (He & Wim Bloomendaal were the Djs who brought my music to the attention of the Dutch audience back in the 70’s & set the stage for my #2 hit there, SAME OLD STORY), we blasted into “The Real Thing” at 5:15.. and it was one love fest between us & the audience from there to the finish. These warm old friends brought out the best in us.

The show featured a few new ones from John & Kendel.. Kendel’s, I LIKE TRUCKS, RIBBONS & BOWS, TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER.. John’s TEXAS SEXY WAYS & IN MEMORY OF ZAPATA (total chills on this one.. beautiful John!!) .. & from my UNGLORIOUS HALLELUJAH album, we played I NEED SOME HELP WITH THAT, IF I STOP LOVING YOU, & I DON’T BEIEVE IN THAT.. every song mentioned here had moods & flows that were totally audience inspired.. sort of like a jazz concert.. where the musician decides where he’s going from the mood in the room… it’s great when that happens.. & it happened big time this evening!

We ended the show with my 1976 hit, SAME OLD STORY.. with the audience sin ging along to the chorus.. then ANGEL OF THE MORNING… then an awesome, WILD THING featuring Kendel… then goodnight!!.. and what a night it was!


Hi to:

Rudiger & Birgit .. & Ziggy.. great to see you from the stage..

HI TO ALL OUR ROUNDER FRIENDS… Bert & Reitje, Bert again, Martin, Karen, SJAAK & all.. Arno.. were you there??

Great to see old friend Mike Plummer (from the UK) briefly .. was hoping to see you later Mike .. how’s your boy doing?? .. please send him (mikey?) hope to see him with you next time through..

Big hi to Jap Hendrix.. thanks for all your help Jap.. always appreciated.. Hi to Jan.. great to see you .. send my best regards to RUUD.. . nice talking with you & Milan & the rest..

Hi to good friend & legendary DJ, Hubert Von Hoof.. great talking with you again.. Hi Leo.. so good to see you again as well.. Hi Robert (from The Hillbilly Boogymen). Say hi to the boys!!…

Hi to photogs Rob & Ed.. look forward to seeing the photos.. HI MARIA (festival office) .. so nice to see you!!


April 22

1:00 PM – Again.. big thanks to Frank & Ronald for the welcome .. good to see you at the end of it all.. thanks for the ride to the airport Ronald.. accompanied by Jesse & The Road Kings boys.. see you in Austin!

NEXT

Kendel headed for a train back to Germany – joining the Paper Boys for more Euro touring –

On April 25 – my brothers & I are to be honored by our high school (Stepinac HS in White Plains, N.Y.)

MAY 5 – THE BIG DAY – MY SON KRISTIAN IS GETTING MARRIED TO LOVELY ANNA in L.A… A GREAT THING!! For Joanie & me and ALL our friends & family.


AT THE AIRPORT

Nice to be recognized

by Jennifer – school teacher from Massachusetts.. Hi to Marshal.. me & the I LIKE TRUCKS girl will see you at the Iron Horse on June 9th

by the official at the security check-point – who said he & his dad were big fans – wish I remembered your name.. see you in October!!

NEWS FLASH!!! JUST IN!!!

Kendel’s new CD, REAR VIEW MIRROR TEARS – bullets onto the AMERICANA CHARTS at #39!!!


April 13 2007 - LIVE AFTERNOON FUN AT RED DISTRIBUTION (2:00 PM)

Train Wreck Records is now distributed in the U.S. by Sony’s great indie distribution company, Red Distribution – So we were happy to visit with these folks and play them a few songs from the new Kendel & John albums.

So the