I had every single intention of writing here from the road. Every intention. However, I couldn't. Please don't kill me.
If you keep up at all with me at all, you know that every summer I get to travel with the Wimberley Bluegrass Band. I sincerely love traveling and playing music. I can think of very very very few things I like doing more! Even 'eating ice cream' and 'breathing' doesn't top it on my list!
While we didn't experience any micro-tornadoes like we did a couple years ago (Check out The Story of the Day I Almost Died), we did survive tremendous wind at the top of Palo Duro Canyon. I honestly thought it was just gonna be a fierce storm, but seeing two large storms closing in from opposite directions on my radar clued me in that things were gonna be a little different. I was standing outside during the large blasts of shrill, North Texas wind. It was very hard to stand up and Texas dirt is hard to chew so I took as much cover as one could behind a quivering, swaying and rocking RV. With my Dad's brilliant idea to turn the RV so it's back was to the wind (as there was no way to leave since the two storm cells left us no way out), we kept the RV from rolling down the side of the canyon where no one would ever find us again. The wind started at 10:00pm and lasted until 6:00am the next morning, accompanied by almost constant lightning and occasional spurts of heavy rain. Needless to say, we got little sleep that night, but who wants to sleep when there's a lightning show on?
Of course, we ate our fill in Whataburger and Cracker Barrel every chance we could. We also got to enjoy the pleasure that is Texas BBQ. If you've never been to Riverport in Jefferson and had their brisket, then I weep for you. And by weep, I mean I'm flat-out ugly crying that you've not had the joy of putting juicy, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth, Momma-said-we-can-have-candy-for-dinner, brisket from Riverport.
Then there was the catfish that was catered after our First Baptist Church of Jefferson appearance. I have no shame in telling you that I downed at least six fillets and didn't regret a single one. If I didn't need to sing again a few hours later, I would've had more and fallen into a catfish-coma for the remainder of the month.
I swear there was bluegrass music involved in our tour. It wasn't JUST about the delicious food.
Then it was off to Hollywood where my upright bass got to make its grand return under the stage lights. Naturally, it is always a tremendous joy to pick with the incredible Dennis Agajanian. I really gotta hand it to Lemur Music. They brought that instrument back to life. There were great sandwiches here.
Then it was to Anaheim for a Wimberley Bluegrass Band concert at the Living Tradition. We unleashed a brand new show that night and it was received pretty well. They also had cookies.
Then it was five nights at the OC Fair. Not only is this a summertime tradition for the band going on 9 years strong, I drank so much Dr. Pepper, I should get a PhD....or at least a sponsorship? Hey Dr. Pepper, write me!
And the summer fun doesn't end there! I get to hang around Old Town Orange a lot in the coming weeks and for that I'm always grateful. Here's some of our upcoming appearances.
Anyway, my summer is not yet over. I really want to send a hearty THANK YOU to everyone who has come to see us these last few months. It honestly does mean a lot to my siblings and I that you all would take the time to hang with us for a bit. There were some of you in Texas and beyond who told me you watch my vlogs and read this blog! That made my YEAR!
See you all soon (and hopefully write to you much sooner).
