On the eve of the mini-Scottish tour……I sit here with so much on my mind. The day Buddy Holly died was 57 years ago tonight. Dad passed away at 77 a couple of Decembers ago. I think a lot about death lately, and the fleeting time we have on this earth, and what it all means.
The things I felt important as a young man hardly even have relevance to my current life. I feel guilty at times that I don’t desire the things I lived for in my youth. Maybe I’ve let life beat me down and I’ve given up, or maybe i’m just in another phase?
As I write this…..I’m listening to “Late for Your Life” by Mary-Chapin Carpenter……..beautiful. Fitting. Found it while searching for the duet Chapin and I did on Dad’s song “Wishing”…………
So, my “career” and my website mostly went dark over the past year. I had some things I needed to attend to.
I’m back now……and ready for the next phase…………….whatever that will be.
Last week, well, I found myself taking a train from London to Sunderland to deliver a car for a used car dealer on tuesday, and then while the train grime was still on my boots, being given a guitar commissioned by the Buddy Holly Foundation at the behest of Maria Elena Holly and Peter Bradley Sr and Jr. The ceremony took place at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, and “oh, by the way, would you like to join some other writers in writing songs with this young Irish duo on Sony Records?”—-uh, yes, thank you. Whispering Bob Harris from the BBC presented me with a beautiful guitar called the “Flower of My Heart” by Alister Atkin from Atkin Guitars. I’m in love. It is beautiful. I’m honored. And……well….I almost wrote a song with Graham Gouldman from 10CC, but the lineup changed at the last minute and I ended up with Gary Clark from Danny Wilson’s “Mary’s Prayer” fame……….and I think we wrote a hit song with the boys from Ireland.
Life is funny sometimes.
In the morning I will drive myself from England to Scotland to begin a three day tour with dates in Kinross on Friday night, Glasgow on Saturday, and Yarrow in the Borders on Sunday at 3pm. It will be so good to see my Scottish friends again.
Bristol, England on Feb. 27th is already sold out……….and I’ll be back in Cardiff, Wales on March 11th. Wales…….so beautiful.
The Emerald Isle is on the horizon…….booking that now.
I’m looking at life like this……..the future is wide open. The coming months will see o new cd of some sort, and a smattering of house concerts. I’m always open to house concerts. If you’d like me to come play a house concert………….just get in touch. Actually, I prefer house concerts to “regular” gigs. So intimate.
I will be traveling to the US in July……..so, US house concerts? Australia?
Ok, I better go to bed. If you can send some folks my way…….please do. Oh, and if you want to follow me in realtime on tour……this is where I am. Wave and say hello if you see me!
The first show of the mini-Scottish tour will begin next friday in Kinross, Scotland at the lovely Backstage at the Green Hotel. Joining me on the tour will be “the kid” on steel guitar, lap steel, and guitar………basically, anything with strings. The kid can play. Most of ya’ll know I’m a huge Jackson Browne fan, and one of my favourite elements of Jackson Browne is what David Lindley brings to the table. There is no one else that can touch the magic that Lindley brings to Jackson’s music, in my humble opinion.
For many years on record and on tour Al Perkins covered that role for me. Most recently, Scott Poley is covering it.
Not only is he “covering it”……but he is nailing it. Four guys have played steel on my records…….Doug Pettibone, Al Perkins, Dan Dugmore, and Bruce Bouton. Scott makes the effort to nail guys parts, and does it beautifully. He studied them and is now putting his own slant on things.
So, if you are anywhere near Scotland, and can get to a show in Kinross, Glasgow, or Yarrow……..then grab your tickets. There are about 10 left for Glasgow.
The Scottish dates:
Friday, Feb. 5th-Kinross, Scotland-Backstage at the Green Hotel-Come for a dinner at either the pub, or the five star restaurant in the hotel. Stay the night!! Great hotel. Perfect venue. Grab your tickets!
Saturday, Feb. 6th-Glasgow, Scotland-The Glad Cafe-I love this place. It is owned and run by musicians and is a class act. There are a few tickets left. Grab yours today!
Sunday, Feb. 7th-Yarrow, Scotland-The Gordon Arms Hotel-I love this special spot in the world. This will be a matinee show at 3pm. This was the first venue I played in the Borders of Scotland. It burned last year and the owners are trying to bring it back to life. Come join us in support of this wonderful place. It is a very small venue so seating is limited. Grab your tickets.
Speaking of Jackson Browne……….I reckon this is my ode to Jackson. We will play this.
Share this post to your Facebook wall and get on the blower and tell your friends to come to a show! Thanks!
So, i’m about to hit the road in a couple of weeks with two of my favorite musicians…..Scott Poley on steel and Johnny MacKinnon on piano and vocals. Scott completely nails Al Perkins’ steel parts from “2:30am” and Pettibone’s steel from “Another Long Story”……the kid put the time in to learn. It is a pleasure to play with him. MacKinnon……an unwavering gentleman who has played with all the way from New York City to Japan to the Netherlands. I cannot wait to play with these two in Scotland. Do not miss these shows if you can get there.
The Scottish dates:
Friday, Feb. 5th-Kinross, Scotland-Backstage at the Green Hotel-Come for a dinner at either the pub, or the five star restaurant in the hotel. Stay the night!! Great hotel. Perfect venue. Grab your tickets!
Saturday, Feb. 6th-Glasgow, Scotland-The Glad Cafe-I love this place. It is owned and run by musicians and is a class act. There are a few tickets left. Grab yours today!
Sunday, Feb. 7th-Yarrow, Scotland-The Gordon Arms Hotel-I love this special spot in the world. This will be a matinee show at 3pm. This was the first venue I played in the Borders of Scotland. It burned last year and the owners are trying to bring it back to life. Come join us in support of this wonderful place. It is a very small venue so seating is limited. Grab your tickets.
Bristol, England with Sean Snook. Sean is a veteran of two 50 States in 50 Days tours with me……and he is still here! Ha ha! One of my best friends in the world. He will be accompanying me on the Saturday, Feb. 27th show in Bristol and then again in Cardiff, Wales on Friday, March 11th. Tickets to both shows are on sale now. There are only 9 tickets left for Bristol, so grab yours Bristol tickets! UPDATE-THE BRISTOL SHOW IS NOW SOLD OUT!
I’m interested in house concerts as well, so if you’d like to host a house concert…….just get in touch!?!
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Here is “The Greatest Love That Never Was” with Scott Poley on steel……..he killed it.
It has been a long time since I’ve played in Wales. I’m returning to Cardiff on Friday, March 11th. Tickets are on sale now. I hope you can come. Get on the blower and tell your friends. Bring a neighbour……have a drink. I’ll try to not disappoint.
Get your tickets now!
“Some Comfort” from the latest cd………….
Very happy to announce that I’ll be returning to Bristol, England for a show in the Alma Tavern Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 27th. This is a new venue for me, but I’ve heard it is great.
So, there are 40 tickets left at the moment. Grab your tickets today! UPDATE-THIS SHOW IS NOW SOLD OUT!!!
Sean Snook will be along on stringed things. Will be good to see the fellar again.
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