Waking up in Syracuse

I awoke to the hiss of the air brakes as our bus pulled up to the hotel in Syracuse yesterday morning. The time was around 6am and the haze of being half asleep disappeared quickly as I quickly stepped into bitterly cold wind and falling snow. I keep reminding myself we're almost done and in less than a week I'll be looking at the tulips in my yard in their final stages of blooming.

Judging from audience response and the feeling of a job done well the last few shows have been nearly perfect. Everyone, myself included, is playing with enthusiastic passion and enjoying their solos with confidence.

We had our last day off in the tour here in Syracuse yesterday and everyone had a laundry list of things they wanted to accomplish - only most of it included computer stuff and not laundry. At one point there were seven people, all with their computers, hanging out in my suite yesterday. We were teaching each other what we new about different aspects of programs like "Ableton Live," "Garage Band," "Galerie," "Blogger," "Digital Performer" and others. It was funny to see just about everyone from our bus hanging out together on our day off. I took a couple of pictures that I'll post after I finish this journal entry.

We had a tour party to attend in downtown Syracuse last night which was a bit loud and smoky for me. Quite a few of us left early (all solidly non-partier types) and came back to my suite to play a little music. We ended up putting together a makeshift recording studio and building some grooves with Walter playing tabla, Hussain playing bass and keyboards, David on didgiridoo of course and I still have to drop some hammer dulcimer into the project. I took a couple of photos of that session too.

Tonight we play the first of our last three shows in a row. Friday morning I board a plane and head back to Chattanooga.

Thank you to everyone who has been keeping my guestbook busy. I enjoy reading the guestbook just as much as some of you say you enjoy checking out the journal updates. Some of you asked a few questions via the guestbook recently and I've been remiss in not answering so I'll try to catch up on a few now.

Ricky wanted to know if Karen is coming to Chattanooga. I asked her about it last night and she said her manager had mentioned the possibility of getting that gig but she was surprised to hear about it through my web site! Yes she's coming to town and hopefully going to stop by my house for dinner as well.

Donna from Reading asked how can she get a copy of my music other than using a credit card on my web site. It is really easy. Just email me your mailing address and we'll send the CD(s) right out to you. You can send a check at your convenience.

Pam - thanks for the migraine advice.

Alli - I'll update the picture when I get a chance - send me you address and I'll send you my CD(s). Thanks for looking for me after the show.

Arlene - there are definitely more concert dates to come but I'm not at liberty to disclose them yet.

Trish - if you are even half way serious about buying a hammer dulcimer please write me. I sell both Dusty Strings and James Jones instruments. I'd love to help you with your purchase.

To anyone - are you still having trouble seeing the picture of David and Angie in the Laundromat?

Ray - tell your relative to keep an eye on my calendar on this web site. I'll be at the Tennessee Aquarium a bunch of weekends this summer. I'll post the dates when they're confirmed.

OK, I've got to get a few pictures posted in time to be ready for luggage pull and I've only gone back a few days through the guestbook. I'll catch up more later - in the mean time - keep writing! Dan ¶ 1:18 PM