Busters Exit/In Smoking Room Only

Busters Pool Hall, Lexington, Kentucky. Thursday, May 20th

Fun facts about Kentucky:

- Produces 90% of the worlds disco balls & is the number one producer in the United States of illegally grown marijuana


- All Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured in Bowling Green

- It's home to the largest single soda container in the United States**

**I think I took this picture in Mississippi and I totally made up that last fun fact. I'm the writer, I can mislead the reader as much as I like.

-Women wear hats like this every day in Kentucky:


The Congress invaded the studios of WRFL for a live performance/interview in the afternoon before heading to Busters Pool Hall for our evening gig. The radio interview was conducted by a lovely lass (sans hat) named, Colleen.


Busters was a cool gig -- There was a ginormous ceiling fan there and a super cool painting of a skull that reminded me of the ole Powell Peralta logo. I'm going to Google this right now to see how good my memory is of ye ole skater skull

WOW, THEY ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. I WONDER WHERE THE ARTIST IN KENTUCKY GOT THE IDEA TO PAINT THAT REALLY COOL SKULL HEAD TEARING OUT OF THE WALL? WHAT A COMPLETELY ORIGINAL, UNIQUE, AND AMAZING ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT.

Um, yes, The Congress plays cover songs.

Another fun fact about Kentucky:

- The name of the bands that opened for us were The Sour Masher Jug Band and The Blind Corn Liquor Pickers. Really, I'm not intentionally misleading you this time. I think they should combine forces and become Sour, the blind picker corn-liquor jug band mashers

Fun fact about the drive to Lexington to Nashville: We traveled from the eastern time zone to the central time zone. Meaning, we actually traveled back in time.


Friday morning, we piled in the car and headed to Nashville, TN for a date at the legendary Exit/In. The Congress opened the show for a great funk/soul band called Sky-Hi. Prior to the show, we paid a visit to my friend Dave just south of town for another terrible meal on the road.

We didn't eat the dog, but the dog might have eaten us

Mom, I'm eating my veggies!

The alminum foil balls are about the size of Dupree's balls

Friday night at The Exit/In was good aside from the stress ball(s) that was the sound dood. Not a pleasant experience to start off the evening. However, once Johnny Red Beard opened up those golden crystal pipes, the-ultra-cool-pompadour-Nashville-I-play-every-instrument-sound guy relented and actually may of cracked a smile. Meanwhile, an epic backstage party commenced at the Exit/In, one that the likes of Michael McDonald would have been proud of!

You ever wonder what happens in the green room? CRAZY PARTY TIME!

After that INSANE CRAZY PARTY TIME in the green room, I don't know how we ever recovered enough to drive to Jackson, Mississippi the next day. Actually, I do know -- the soothing sounds of Mr. McDonald and Kenny "Keep The Fire" Loggins...

Do you think Kenny Loggins's energy ball can beat Ryu's energy ball?

On that note, I'll leave you with this reminder of how awesome awesome can be when the stars align and the beards get together for a tear inducing, smooth-jazz, version of what could be my favorite song of all time, or, at least in the top one hundred and forty-three top songs on my desert island list. BTW... because iPods are compact in size, readily available, and relatively inexpensive, does the "desert island record/tape/CD question have relevance?

"If you were stuck on a desert island, what would your top 14.3 days of music have on it?"

Tomorrow: Madness in Jackson, Mississippi

Auf Wiedersehen

Freakin Tornados

On our way out to Richmond from Colorado, we passed through an area of Kansas that was under a tornado warning. The darkening gray clouds in the distance forewarned us of an impending threat. Our valiant chariot got hammered with golf ball sized hail while we attempted to locate lonely overpass to cower under while waiting out the storm.

The last 6 days have felt like being the midst of a massive, chaotic storm and I'm finally starting to see the clearing ahead. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the chaos but it can get overwhelming if you let it. Fortunately, the presence of good friends and loving family have provided temporary haven from the rigors of furiously traveling across the country. I'm certainly not trying to be overly dramatic as I am enjoying the hell out of doing what we are doing, however, there is an element of bizarro-world/groundhog day that creeps in when encroaching on week three and gig twelve.

I'm trying to recount the last week of the tour as I've not been able to set aside ample time to blogggzzzz, and I'm having trouble. I'm going to try the list thing again to get the synapses firing.

Here we go:

1 -- Asheville, North Carolina, Wednesday, May 19th.

One of my best friends in the world lives in Asheville. His name is simply "Davis". He has a great blog that's loaded with music, pictures, videos, and nonsense. Unfortunately, "Davis" had to work when we arrived (he cleans blood and bones off of used surgical instruments -- the second most interesting and disturbing job description I've heard of on this tour). Fortunately, "Davis's" brother, uh, "Davis" invited us to come over to his beautiful house and hang out before heading to the Lexington Avenue Brewrey for our gig.

**note** In order to protect the privacy of the Davis brothers, I will not be using their given first names. Henceforth, I will refer to the Davis with the blog as "Jeremy" and the Davis with the house as "Mark".

Now, what I was getting at when I started this meandering entry, the crap about the friends and family being our refuge from the rigors of the road...

"Mark" Davis

Veggie beef meat burgers...

...with bacon flavored cheese and an egg...

...the best condiment tray ever...

...and a clap on/clap off liquor cabinet

I wish Scott was wearing a tuxedo and white gloves...

Oh, did I fail to mention the fact that there is a Keg-O-Rator at the Davis residence? Yep, as much ice cold Dos Equis as we could handle. If you think those burgers look amazing, I'll let you know that at least one member of our traveling circus commented that it was the "best hamburger I've ever had!"

The hospitality we are continually showered with is astounding -- I've met "Mark" Davis once before. I spent approximately 24 hours with him and on my return visit (with a freaking band in tow) he opens up his house, provides us with amazing food and beverage, bribes a door guy, and gives us shelter for the night. I have some awesome friends.

Muchos Grassyass, Davis's

As far as the Asheville gig, we had a blast playing but the turnout was less than stellar. Oh well, that's to be expected.

Next up: Lexington, Kentucky

Maholla

Interlude...

I like continuity with my blog posts so I can keep my facts straight when moving from city to city. I'm going to deviate from that for the moment because I felt the need to post something at 11:30 Central Standard Time from Jackson, Mississippi.

1st off -- it's hot here. Forget everything I said about Charleston being hot. I don't know where I was drenched more... in the shower or after I got out. Humidity can suck it.

2nd -- Went to the best do-it-everything gas station today. There was a Back Yard Grill Burgers, Dunkin Donuts, a Fudge Shoppe, Catfish Kingdom, clean bathrooms, showers, steering wheels for sale, and a knife case. It's been rated number 1 on my list. Every BP I walk into, no matter how cool, is rated LAST. BP can suck it!

3rd -- I just realized that I used suck it! twice to end my categories. If you have a problem with that, suck it!

4th -- The following is the 6th image that comes up when you Google "Suck It!"



5th -- I'm a big fan of lists right now and I'm going to try to make it to 10 in the next 10 minutes. So if my entries suck (It!) than you can Suck It! Hah!

6th -- Ladies in Jackson, MS may rival Charleston, SC if not surpass. Just sayin

7th -- I listened to "The Word" when I crossed the border from Tennessee to Mississippi. The word was a collaborative effort between John Medeski, Robert Randolph, and The North Mississippi All Stars that was recorded and released several years ago. It's a beautiful homage to traditional southern gospel tunes via pedal steel, hammond organ, and a dirty rhythm section. Check it!


8th -- CENSORED

9th -- I really miss camping, hiking, the rocky mountains, green chili burritos, and cool, high altitude air. Camping especially -- I've been fantasizing about it. Perhaps it's the fact that I'm cooped up in a car for several hours a day and I need to get to some open space...

10th -- This inferno they call Mississippi is slowing me down to a crawl. I gotta get outta here to play some dang music. Perhaps I will find that crossroads tonight... That was really lame -- I was simply trying to find a way to work this picture I snapped in Leadville into the post.

Of course, if you don't like it, you can SUCK IT!

Good Bye.

Day 8: Charleston --> Asheville

A few things I've noticed from driving around the south east:

#1 -- Gas stations in the south are much more than a place to fill up your tank. In fact, I'd argue that they might be the epicenter of all things necessary to survive -- and gain massive amounts of weight.

Where else can you fill your 64 oz super giant drink, (not to mention the fact that you can now add cherry syrup to your coke at the fountain -- I did), buy cigarettes, lotto tickets, lottery tickets, sausage and egg sandwiches, cold beef and cheese tornadoes, hot pockets, fried chicken, jojos, chips, a six pack, a twelve pack, a 22-oz can in a brown bag if you just cant wait, a bottle of boones farm, a box of wine, advil, pepto, motor oil, condoms, candy, magazines, pre-viewed dvd's, sunglasses, a pack of gum, and utilize a dirty ass bathroom (thank god, i'msotiredofholdingit getmeoutofthiscar Ihavetopeesobad!!!!!!!!!!!!)


AND THE FACT THAT...

The gas station also serves as a dang community center for the over 65 crowd who enjoy the company of old friends on hard plastic benches with luke warm coffee and stale chicken biscuits.


#2 -- Females in Charleston are fantastically beautiful. They are sun-dressed, sun-kissed angels of the south that manage to glisten in the wall of thick, dense, wet air you encounter when you step foot outside the climate controlled comforts of home. Meanwhile, I'm looking dapper in my sweat drenched and putrid been-on-the-road-for-a-week t-shirt and shorts, thus exposing my blinding white winter legs that have been attacked and ravaged by blood hungry mosquitoes. Luckily, those remain hidden behind a drum set on most evenings.

+

#3 -- The Charleston Pour House might be one of the best small to mid size venues I've had the pleasure of performing at. We arrived on a Monday to a strong rain storm that shut down the outside patio where they have nightly acts prior to the late night venue shows. We were a little nervous about our draw due to the storms but the room had an unmistakable energy to it that I think comforted all of us immediately. I can't put my finger on what it was -- PERHAPS IT WAS THE FACT THAT THE POUR HOUSE IS ATTACHED TO ONE OF THE BEST CUBAN RESTAURANTS I'VE EVER EATEN AT. Anyone that knows me understands that food is 1A to music, and my love for Cuban food may in fact equal my love for playing drums... well, maybe not but it's damn close. I ordered the cubano -- a simple concoction of slow roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on a grill pressed hoagie that was perfectly golden brown. I chose the mariquitas (fried plantain chips) and a garlic mojo dipping sauce as the perfect accompaniment to the sandwich. I'm trying to wrap this up with something clever but reading what I just wrote is making my mouth water and my stomach rumble with cravings for more cubano heaven.

#4 -- After spending 5 years in Tennessee and traveling around the south-east for the last week, I will never-ever-ever-ever-ever-ever get used to or enjoy humidity.

#5 -- The police frighten me more in the south than anywhere else, except for Utah -- or Lima, Peru.

Back to The Pour House... After we enjoyed a fantastic meal, we got our gear loaded up and completed sound check by around 8:30 pm. By 9:30, I think there was one couple sitting at the bar. Downbeat time was 10:00 and I was afraid it was going to be an empty room. Hardly unexpected given that it was The Congress's first visit to Charleston. Regardless, it's never fun to play to only the bartender, sound guy, and the arguing couple at the end of the bar. However, by the time we took the stage, I think 30-40 people had arrived. By the time we finished our first set, we had approximately 100 very engaged listeners that clearly were enjoying themselves. Awesome! How the hell did this happen?

1 -- Free show Monday night. Cool idea by the Pour House -- offer up free, quality live music to the locals on a Monday night. Take care of the band by feeding them excellent Cuban food (see above), domestic beer, and give them a cut of the bar sales. If the draw is good and people are drinking, everyone is happy. If not, the venue is out a couple of comped meals and a case of PBR.

2 -- Charleston locals are savvy folk, they know the deal at The Pour House free music Monday's and they do their research. I talked to quite a few people who are regulars but they don't just show up, they check out the upcoming bands online to preview the show. If they dig the tunes, they show, if they don't, they won't. Apparently, they dug our tunes. It was a great night.

Yesterday, we had a welcome day of rest and relaxation. A leisurely morning at the cafe turned into an equally comfortable afternoon at the beach. I embraced the cooling ocean breeze which provided relief from the mildly sweltering city heat. In the evening, we trekked back to The Pour House for more Cuban delights and a nice set of tunes from our friends and members of the excellent Charleston band, Sol Driven Train. I also bumped into a long-time acquaintance, Bingham Barnes from the Nashville band, Glossary. We chatted for a bit like a couple of road-worn veterans. Well, he's a legit road vet -- I mostly pretended like I knew what I was talking about so I'd seem cooler. I don't think a week on the road necessarily equals any sort of "road cred".

Jonathan sitting in with the Sol Driven Train fellas

Scott's 26th Birthday in Charleston. COOKIE CAKE!

The Congress Spring Tour 2010 v1.1

Schmeadows and his dog Dupree

We arrived in Richmond and had a day and a half to rest after our 26 hour drive. Our first gig was at The Capitol Ale House in downtown Richmond. It was a nice room and we had around 175 people out to the show.

The Congress + Todd Harrington and Joey Keys

On Friday, the 14th, we had an opportunity to play the Dominion River Rocks Festival -- a yearly festival in Richmond that combines extreme sports (kayaking, bmx & mountain bike races, obstical courses, etc...) with multiple food/artisan vendors and live music. The Congress had a wonderful opportunity to share the stage with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. They are an amazing band and super nice folks to boot.

Check out the drummers awesome 'stache

After the performance with Grace Potter, The Congress was invited to play a after show party/jam session at a very cool place called City Dogs. We got a chance to let loose a little bit and play some tunes for fun. Friday night was a great way to cap off a couple of great shows in Richmond.

Downtown Richmond

Really????

Saturday morning we headed out to Norfolk,VA to play an afternoon gig at a restaurant called The Painted Lady that is owned by a friend of Jonathan's. We arrived a little late due to massive construction and traffic getting into Norfolk and we were told to not worry about playing -- simply to take a seat on the patio, enjoy a cold beer and some fresh crab.

Uh... OK.

That was a great treat and a nice and welcome introduction to the cuisine of the Atlantic coast. After lunch, we had a 30 minute drive to The Jewish Mother, which is a legendary music venue/restaurant located in Virginia Beach, VA. We played to a strong crowd of around 80 people but I think we were a little worn down after the drive from Colorado and the subsequent gigs in Richmond.

Sunday, May 16th, we headed from Norfolk to Wilmington, NC to play at a cool venue called The Soapbox -- a combination bar/music venue/laundry mat(!) We met up with Scott's brother who was "hanging on a yacht" waiting for us to get to town. We were invited to said yacht before heading to the soapbox for a cold beer and a few minutes of chill time on the water before loading in. I'm telling you, this lifestyle really sucks sometimes... any of you who are thinking of pursuing a career as a struggling, touring musician, I strongly discourage you. I'm not sure how many people are cut out to eat fresh crab, drink ice cold beer and sit on yachts before rocking out at a bar-laundro-music hall.

Aiight, fellers and felletes... I'll continue to pic and post as much as time allows. We're only 5 shows into a 14 show stretch, I'm sure there will be plenty more to come.

Sionara

The Congress Spring Tour 2010 v 1.0

I was going to write a big ole long preface about the crazy winding path my life has taken over the last year to get to this point -- the realizing of a dream of mine, touring across the United States with a band that I LIKE playing music with.

Uh... it's hard enough to get motivated to write, so I'll skip all that and just post some pics from the road. Then I'll try to match the picture with a "picture story". Kinda like "TV stories" but with less action, dialog, and fancysmancy Hollywood special effects. We create our own special effects, (like those movies fx and fx2 with the big Brian guy and the little Brian guy).



The Congress (thecongressmusic.com) took off from Denver en route to Richmond, Virginia on Monday, May 10th at approximately 4pm. We are embarking on our first cross-country tour, focusing on the south-eastern area of this grand 'ole country. With rock-star grandiose, we set off in a beautiful 4-cylinder Honda CRV, with a 1500+lbs trailer in tow. In addition to our work equipment (instruments) we took provisions (cheese balls), uniforms (thrift store t-shirts and jeans), and tornado warning beacons (golf ball sized hail that destroyed our windshield and pock-marked our trailer with several reminders that we better make some money on this trip or we're royally screwed when we return)





As I alluded to previously, we were caught in the middle of a brimstone and fire hail storm, complete with tornado warnings -- apparently what happens when 4 heathens cross in to Kansas. I believe all of us thought we saw a funnel clouds developing but we were too afraid or embarrassed to admit that we were scared shitless. We were smart and stopped for about 10 minutes under an overpass. I had visions of a black and white cow flying through the air like in the movie "Twister". Then, I couldn't remember which Bill was in Twister -- Paxton or Pullman? Much like the Brian and Brian problem with FX2. Hmmm. Was Pullman in Apollo 13? Was Paxton in Independence Day? I am so confused.

Let's clarify:

BILL PULLMAN: INDEPENDENCE DAY PRESIDENT WITH GROWLEY BATMAN VOICE

BILL PAXTON: TWISTER HERO. AKA THE CRAZY BROTHER ON "WEIRD SCIENCE"
**and helen hunt

Once the storm the passed, the rest of the drive was fairly uneventful and not as painful as a 26-hour ride in a compact SUV with 4 guys and a bucket of cheese balls sounds like it might be. We passed through St. Louis at around 5:30 am on Tuesday and I was able to snap off a few pics of the arch:



We arrived in Richmond at around 8:30pm (EST) and settled into a nice home cooked meal from Scott's mom and a night of sleep on a BED! Amazing!

Tonight (Thursday, May 13th) we kick off our tour with a show at The Capitol Ale House, followed by a gig tomorrow opening for Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at The Dominion River Rocks festival. I'll be sure to get some pictures from the shows and update as frequently as I am able to.

Remainder of our May tour schedule--

May 13 - Richmond - Cap Ale
May 14 - Richmond - Browns Island w/Grace Potter
May 15 - VA Beach - Jewish Mother
May 16 - Wilmington NC - The Soapbox
May 17 - Charleston SC - The Pour House
May 19 - Asheville NC - Lexington Ave Brewery
May 20 - Lexington KY - Busters
May 21 - Nashville TN - Exit/In
May 22 - Jackson MS - Ole Tavern on George
May 24 - Nashville TN - 3rd & Lindsley
May 25 - Louisville KY - Hideaway Saloon
May 27 - Knoxville TN - WDVX radio show in the morning, Preservation Pub nighttime
May 28 - Memphis TN - Flying Saucer
May 29 - Carbondale IL - Tres Hombres

Adios amigos--