Friday April 19 2024

Waking up early at 8:30 a.m. in the hotel room. Gotta get everyone on the bus.

 

As we’re moving Rebecca is trying to recount a story about one of our students and accidentally knocks her chai tea latte over after a big bus bump. We all scramble to throw towels down and clean it up. She is not happy.

 

Sleeping in the back of the bus.

 

Breakfast Bar with Tea.

 

After a few hours drive we arrive in Wausau, WI – The Grand Theater. It’s a very old looking downtown area – extremely cold – light flurries in the air.

 

Setting up the stage then grabbing some coffee up the street with Rebecca from a place called The Pinery Coffee Co.

 

Sound check then dinner. Chicken, Baked Potato, Carrots, and Rolls. Everything is kind of bland though lol cause they couldn’t add onion. And apparently nobody knows how to cook without using onion. But alas, we have sustenance.

 

 

The show goes really well – house is mostly full. It’s a beautiful sight to see with all the phone lights on during Can’t Get It Out of My Head.

 

 

Afterwards, doing a little meet n’ greet then packing up / loading out.

 

On the drive back we stop at an interesting truck stop called Kwik Trip that we spend a substantial amount of time – not sure why but it has a lot of amazing stuff and it’s tax free.

 

Settling into the hotel – a La Quinta – it almost appears to be sketchy but turns out to be decent. The guy at the front desk was very confused trying to get everyone checked in, as they always are late at night. But we get it sorted.

 

Thursday April 18 2024

Waking up feeling super well rested at 10:45 a.m. in the Burnsville hotel room.

 

Downstairs in the lobby working on stuff at the computer over a cup of tea and a breakfast bar.

 

Ames Center, the venue, is only a few miles away. There loading in and setting up the stage. Pretty low key today for the first show – nothing crazy to stress about.

 

 

Snacking on a PB&J English Muffin with Coffee.

 

After sound check, a bunch of us walk over to this Mediterranean restaurant across the street and enjoy fresh hot pita and dinner. It takes us forever to pay for the check though – it seems our waitress is new or something cause she disappears – the time is ticking cause we have to go get dressed for the show.

 

 

This venue has really high seating creating this sports stadium feel. We do our two sets and impress the audience as usual with all the ELO hits.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

Grateful to not have to drive to another city after the show. We all settle into the hotel. With Rebecca and Casey hanging out by the pool – in the hot tub enjoying the warmth and bubbles. We all get into conversation about a lot of things but mainly Christianity and how the church gets a bad rap over sexuality – and how historical facts have gotten blurred over the centuries.

 

Later on, settling down in the hotel room. Rebecca and I are sharing a king bed but there’s still this boundary she has going – no romance – no nothing. It’s been a struggle for me to view her as just a friend after being intimate for so long and especially sharing a room and such. All I wanna do is be close to her but it seems like she keeps this physical wall up. On occasion she’ll allow us to lie next to each other when sharing phone stuff or just hanging out. She kind of uses this excuse though that my breath smells bad and I should scoot over to my side of the bed. I play it off as a joke but sometimes she doesn’t realize it’s kind of offensive to me. And also I think she’s just using that as a way to keep her distance. I’m still sad about things but I power through and fall asleep.

 

Wednesday April 17 2024

Waking up every few truck stops to fill up diesel on the bus. I’m getting some decent sleep in the back on the mattress.

 

The drive is supposed to be 23 or so hours with stops – basically an entire day. Getting a bunch of work done at the computer – emails, communication, etc.

 

Snacking on a toasted PB&J Bagel.

 

One stop after the other. Taking a nap in the back for a couple hours.

 

 

Driving all the way through Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, etc. Watching the windmills through the flatlands – almost everywhere we stop feels like a wind tunnel.

 

At some point we get to a food stop, Noodles & Co. Rebecca, Casey, Carlos, Rick, Nancy, and I enjoy a hot meal.

 

Later on, Ed and I play some Super Mario Party game on the TV’s – entertainment for hours.

 

Finally, we arrive at the Wyndham hotel in Burnsville. It’s a super nice hotel actually. We’re all very grateful to be in a comfy bed and get a good night’s rest.

 

Tuesday April 16 2024

 

Waking up around 10:40 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Getting my haircut by Tia at Sage Salon next door to Music Makers. Running errands – getting deposit money into the bank. Then, at the warehouse loading up the trailer – organizing a few things. Meanwhile, Nigel is here making sure we grab everything.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffins. Coffee. Chips.

 

Teaching a lesson. Then, back home packing up my suitcase – got to plan a 12 day tour. Doing chores – vacuuming the living room and such.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Dinner: Pasta, Greens, and Garlic Bread.

 

Rebecca and I link up the warehouse. We all pile into the black van like sardines – the plan is to drive to where the bus was being repaired in Beaver, West Virginia. Rick, our driver from last year, is actually with us! We’re all stoked to have him – he has a kind soul.

 

At some point at 5 in the morning we arrive in Beaver, West Virginia where the bus has been living for repairs. We’re all grateful to be back in the bus with plenty of leg room and places to sleep. Rick and Carlos tag team the huge drive ahead of us.

Monday April 15 2024

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and scheduling. There’s so much going on regarding the ELO band – tour prep – dealing with the bus repairs.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

Watching Curb.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Right after I grab some Mr. Shawarma’s on the ride out to Nigel’s. Meeting with him and Ron and discuss tour logistics and post Greensboro show numbers.

 

It’s raining and storming outside. I drive over to the warehouse to figure out how to put these printers in a rolling case.

 

Back home. Splurging on ice cream and catching up on chores.

Sunday April 14 2024

 

Today is the big day – MMLIVE show at The Bunker. Thomas gives me a hand loading all the gear to the venue – he has community service hours to obtain so it works out.

 

There all afternoon getting the stage and merch table set up. Of course there’s always so much to take care of and get in order. The families start filling into the seats and the show starts at 5. And as always I am a very proud band dad. The talent that springs from this stage is always amazing. We even brought the teacher band back!

 

Packing up and getting all the gear back to the studio. Spending a good amount of time organizing.

 

Getting a few things at Target.

 

Back home. Recuperating from the show. Making Pasta for dinner.

 

Saturday April 13 2024

 

Waking up after only 4 hours of sleep.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

MMLIVE final rehearsals all afternoon from 11:30 to 4:30. Rebecca is still on vocal rest and feeling sick so she has to stay home. It’s just up to Jake and I to get these bands ready.

 

Right afterwards, I have to hightail it to Toast in Norfolk. Modern Day Warrior is playing Lava Fest for the first time. They do really well – as always I am a proud band dad. I’m able to run into friends and such too. Clobbering down a Vegan Dog and Tots. I stay around as long as I can but I’m fading fast.

 

 

I can barely keep my eyes open on the drive back to VB.

 

Napping in the car at Music Makers. Then Thomas shows up with gear. He helps me pack up all gear for tomorrow.

 

Back home. Pasta, Kale, and Garlic Bread for dinner.

 

Catching up on everything! Chores. Computer stuff. Phone stuff. Elvis.

 

Friday April 12 2024

 

Waking up bright and early at 7 a.m.

 

Rebecca and I link up at Nigel’s – ELO has a show in Greensboro. Hopping in the black van – trying to sleep in the row while Sophie takes the first shift.

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At some point I take the wheel and take us all the way to the venue.

 

Loading in – setting up the stage – it’s unusually bigger than we’re used to. It takes way more steps to get across the stage.

 

PB&J and snacking on whatever’s in the hospitality room.

 

More setting up.

 

My dad, aunt Pansy, and Peter are here to see the show. I escort them around back stage – they join the band for dinner in the green room.

 

 

We put on a stellar show – this venue is really nice. The roar of the crowd is kinda crazy.

 

 

Doing the meet n greet after the show – then packing up and loading out. Venue crew is extremely helpful but almost too helpful.

 

Piled into the van – we’re always ravenous after a show – snacking on popcorn and cookies.

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Ed drives the first couple hours or so while we all discuss the next tour logistics. Then, I take the last 2.5 hours at the wheel while everyone sleeps. It’s really tough to stay awake but we make it through.