4 Months In - Musings on the road

It's been a long time since I've last posted something on this blog about the show, and there are plenty of reasons as to why I stopped. The main reason is frankly because I got tired of writing the blog. It's interesting how redundant things get out on the road. The same people, the same show, the same bus, and the hours go by quickly and slowly at the same time, a monotony that never quite lifts itself from whatever new experience you encounter. Yet, at the same time, there is a wonderful freedom to it all, and a family atmosphere that rears its wonderful head at times when you least expect it. The friendships that are made are bound by the frustrations of the road at first, then by the subtleties of the individual personalities. Tempers flare and the smiles become a bit more wry and ironic, but for me it feels almost fulfilling to see those emotions. We all feel tired, lonely at times, pained by the lack of the familiarities of "home." It's a strange comfort to know that you aren't alone in those feelings, though. They come and go, good and bad, which I guess isn't that abnormal. Every night, though, the show is still there, and so are the audience, waiting to be entertained, to experience a story that will lift themselves up, make them cry, laugh, just emote right back at the action in front of them. And that, for me, is what keeps things moving. Whether it's a roar for the ensemble or for anyone else on that stage, it's the fuel that keeps the fire burning. I've met a few fans personally over the last few months, and the stories they have are always interesting, and the reaction that they have to us is often daunting to me. "Why," I ask myself? "I'm just a dude from NY who sings." And like Ted has always said, "I'm just a rock drummer from Texas." I guess it's just a so-be-it kind of thing. We traveling folk have our own little world, filled with drama just like the rest of the world. It'll be nice for us to have our little break coming up here.

Arcata, CA

After a stop-over in San Jose coming from San Diego, we made our way to Arcata, CA on Tuesday and performed our first of two shows that night. The theater was comparitively tiny to all the other theaters we have been in so far, but I found it to be very quaint and personal with the audience to be perfectly honest. The shows took place at Humbolt University, but since it's winter break, there weren't very many students around. The shows were great, and this morning we took off at 6am to head down to Bakersfield. The drive took 12 hours through the mountains in the beginning and down a long stretch of highway afterwards. Tomorrow, we role out for Costa Mesa and spend the weekend there for 5 shows in three days. Looking forward to a little taste of Orange County!

San Diego - The Sequel

A long weekend to finish out the San Diego leg of our tour. We had a show on Friday, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday followed by a 5am departure this morning to begin our trek up to Arcata, CA. We're all very tired, and all very thankful that we have a day of rest today after our long drive.
The shows were received extraordinarily well in San Diego. I had the pleasure of meeting a few fans and faithful readers as well, which I always enjoy. The city was wonderful, and despite the rough patch of weather this weekend, the city still allowed for an overall good time.
We are in San Jose for the rest of the day until a 6am departure tomorrow to get us the rest of the way to Arcata, another 350 miles if I remember correctly. We have 2 shows there and then we head back down south to the outskirts of Los Angeles in Orange County for a weekend. More to come once we experience Arcata!

San Diego, CA - Half Way

We're pretty much half way through our stint here in San Diego, and so far it's been a ball. A great city with an awesome night life, we got to ring in the New Year in the Gas Lamp district at a pretty crazy bar. It was raucous and fun-filled like any party should be. In fact, only one fight broke out at the bar! We, of course, were all safe....The following day, most of the cast went on over to the San Diego Zoo. We spent most of the day there and took in all the animals, including the baby panda in the morning. I have to say that it was surprising to see no giraffes there. What's a zoo without a giraffe?!
Anyways, after three shows, the audiences have been great and everyone is healthy and happy. The weather has been 70 and sunny for the most part, although it's supposed to rain this weekend. Tomorrow and Sunday, we have two shows each day. The theater is throwing the cast a little barbecue between shows tomorrow. They do it for every tour that comes through. It's pretty neat to look backstage and see all the plaques they have hanging on the walls of all the shows that have been through the house since 1995.
Also, on a more personal note (and I know my brother will appreciate this), I got to stand backstage with Ted before the second act singing "Renegade" from Styx and talked about how Ted knows Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw. I'm a nerd, I know, but that was a pretty fun moment for me. Alright, more to come of San Diego on Monday next week. Until then, come see the show if you're in the area! We'll be rolling out on Monday to Arcata, CA.