Monday February 28 2022

 

For some reason I can’t sleep in as much as I want even though I had my own hotel room last night. My mind is racing like NASCAR for some reason – feeling anxiety about my own things. Getting out of bed around 11 a.m.

 

Linking up with Rebecca, Phil, and Ron down in the lobby – we go grab a bite to eat at Culver’s, Ron’s favorite joint down here. I end up getting a burger with fries and a tea. The four of us shoot the shit about the past four shows and all the improvements we can make for next time. Down the street is a store called Robert’s Christmas Wonderland – we don’t hesitate to check it out.

 

 

Afterwards, chilling by the pool catching up on stuff until lobby call at 2:30.

 

Then, I drive the rental with Ron and Rebecca – it’s not a far drive across Gulf to Bay Blvd – this stretch of road sits cozily right at the water line of Old Tampa Bay. We stop just before the bridge and capture a few scenic footage and not to mention a foot race between Ron and I.

 

 

Once we’re at the airport it’s just one stop, line, and tram car ride after the other. At some point we make it to the gate – I grab a hefty Salad from nearby.

 

On the plane we’re faced with a big delay. The captain says there’s a mechanical problem that needs addressing so we have to taxi back to the gate and wait while tons of paperwork is filled out. We eventually take off – two hour plane ride but it goes by in no time cause of conversation.

 

Arriving at the Norfolk airport – we have to wait while they play musical luggage carousels so Mike can get his suitcase. I left my car here so we could easily leave at our whim. Driving to the warehouse to get Mike to his car and for us to grab anything we left in the van/trailer. Its crazy how many checkpoints have to be made before you can get home.

 

I walk into the house – Ana is warming up some leftovers for me and also Tristan is standing there (he just got back from a Thursday show at Elevation). Also, maintenance came in over the weekend and gave us a new dishwasher, stove, and countertops.

 

Unpacking and settling in. Later on, Ana comes in and gives me a hard time – I get so tired of discussing this stuff with her – the more she pushes me the less tolerance I have for it. I’m just so disillusioned with us – I planned to arrive home and have a nice discussion with her about our past weeks but she had other things in mind – everything that I’ve been doing lately in regards to leaving town has been too hard for her to handle. She doesn’t feel appreciated and I don’t feel respected. And all I wanna do is go to sleep.

 

Sunday February 27 2022

Mike and I wake up bright and early at 9:10 a.m. Meeting the rest of the crew down in the lobby.

 

Grabbing some Eggs, Oatmeal, and Tea from the complimentary breakfast then we hit the road! Casey takes the wheel with myself, Ron, and Rebecca. Leaving Ft. Lauderdale and in route to Clearwater. We take I-75 on Alligator Alley. We run into so many issues. Mike calls us in fear that their rental is going to run out of gas about 30 miles ahead of us. Then, at the same time we discover the restaurant we had everybody send orders into is a bust cause they’re closed. Then, the CarPlay connect thing stops working. Everything at once. But we all work together to get the issues resolved.

...

We continue on the long stretch of white paved highway with the Floridian sun keeping our spirits warm.

 

 

Snacking on a Peanut Butter Bar and an Apple.

 

At the Capitol Theatre, currently known as Nancy and David Bilheimer’s. Immediately, locating the green rooms and setting up the stage. There’s always so much to do. Nigel has everyone running around doing absolutely everything. Rebecca of course is swamped with merch and whatever else Nigel asks her to do. Of course, I’m also doing extra work – everyone else is too.

 

Fueled by a banana and coffee, sound check goes smooth.

 

Eating dinner upstairs with everyone. Pizza, Salad, Cannolis, and Tiramisu on the menu.

 

Taking a quick walk to clear my head. These past four days have been a blur.

 

 

We get on stage and put on a great finale of a show to a sold out theater. There were some moments that were remarkable, more than usual, like Mr. Blue Sky. The audience was really engaged with us on the stage since we’ve really upped our interaction with them a lot more. It got really exciting towards the end of the show when people started to get up and dance in the aisles. There’s definitely something special about this music that tugs on the heart strings.

 

 

Doing a meet and greet out by the merch. The fans are exceptionally stoked to talk with us – a lot of compliments on the sound and how much attention to detail we bring to the songs.

“You really bring the edge to the band,” a lady said to me.

 

My stepdad, Jimmy, is here with a friend of his to see the show – it’s good to see him.

 

Packing up the gear and loading up the van and trailer. We say our goodbyes to the van crew cause they’re driving through the night. The other half of us race back to the hotel. Most of us get our own rooms tonight actually, which is nice. I really need my own space after a while to recharge.

 

Catching up on the footage of the day.

 

I FaceTime Ana for the first time this tour. I feel bad cause I’ve been hustling and bustling this whole time with hardly any real time to spare. She’s definitely upset with me and feeling lots of anxiety about it.

 

I try to get to sleep at a decent hour.

 

Saturday February 26 2022

 

☼▬

At a restaurant somewhere out of town – feels like we’re on tour. We’re all kind of hanging out. Rebecca and I start striking up conversation about whatever. At some point she turns into a baby. I’m holding her at one point – there’s a carrier for it – feeling responsible to take it home. There’s some kind of trouble with strangers I have to deal with. Then, I notice another Rebecca (not baby form) appears at another booth with people we know. I’m puzzled by it and feel kind of rejected and unappreciated.

...

Later, I’m at my old church Freedom Fellowship. I run down the ramp in the back passing all kinds of commotion outside – kids running around playing – old church friends throwing footballs around in the parking lot. I run inside not even sure why I’m here but I’m wearing a white scientist cloak. Inside the room in the back where I used to hang out all the time doing music in waking life. I discover somebody’s been painting the floor and wall a calypso teal blue. I accidentally step on the wet paint and back into the wall getting a bunch of it on the back of my white jacket. I feel embarrassed cause a dad and his son who painted are nearby and see it. I apologize and exclaim there was no wet paint sign. I run into the bathroom to wash it off a bit. I remember earlier other things happening where I was feeling judged by everyone. Feeling some anxiety.

▬☼

 

Waking up at 11:30 a.m. in a Hyatt hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Yesterday was a long day but I feel rested now.

 

Downstairs in the lobby grabbing some hot water from the front desk so I can steep some tea, eat a breakfast bar, and catch up on some business. It’s been so hard to even think about anything back home. We’re always in such a hurry going from one place to another there’s barely room to breathe.

 

We drive to the venue – The Amaturo Theater in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. I snack on a small French Fry we picked up from Wendy’s earlier and a Blueberry Bar. Then, setting up the stage. Sound check. Setting up cameras. Dealing with all the stuff back stage. There’s a nice catered spread for dinner (Chicken, Veggies, Rice, and Rolls).

...

I blurt out an on the fly quote after taking care of something really small, “It’s all the little things that create the big thing.” And it really is true. There’s so many of us running around the stage making sure the little things are in working order and in the end we put on a powerhouse show.

 

 

The audience is extremely receptive and excited to hear all the ELO songs. Towards the end of the set they all crowd up at the front and dance.

...

After the show we do a meet and greet out in the lobby by the merch talking to all the fans – they always have so many questions about where we’re from and if any of the original members are in the band. Either way, we’re a time traveling gift to them.

 

After loading up the van and trailer we all make our way back to the hotel. Rebecca and I take the rental car – we get into the parking lot and sit out in the car for a long time talking about all the problems on tour and how we can avoid them in the future. Nigel has essentially hired her to take care of all the travel agent and tour manager type things for this trip – she’s been doing a great job managing – I’ve been lending a hand where needed. While the conversation continues various people pull up to park, one guy is obviously inebriated – we try to warn him about the spider web up ahead but he doesn’t understand. We continue on about whatever’s on our minds – I always feel like I’m trying to understand how she works/functions.

 

Finally up in my hotel room – Mike is dead asleep in his bed – I stay up for a little longer organizing video footage then hit the sack soon after.

 

Friday February 25 2022

Waking up bright and early at 9:15 a.m.

 

Downstairs in the lobby slurping down some Eggs from the continental breakfast and hopping into our rental car. Ron takes the wheel with me in the passenger seat – Rebecca and Casey in the backseat. It’s super bright and sunny – palm trees litter the highway.

...

Breakfast Bar. Fruit Bar. Tea.

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I pull up the video of the entire show and we all watch/critique some of the consistent problems with the mix of sequenced tracks and live vocals/instruments. It’s not often we get to see/hear from the audience perspective.

 

 

After a four hour drive we arrive at the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens – a little late but we’re here – I quickly get to work and set up the keyboard rigs among other things. Meanwhile, there are so many little sound and technical issues. Phil, our front of house, is all the way up high in a booth where he can’t hear barely anything and we still can’t seem to get our channels in order. Eventually, we get through the stressful sound check successfully.

 

Our original dinner plan to buy food didn’t work because the Greek restaurant refused to take our order so we’re stuck with deli sandwiches and snacks. I pop open a can of sardines I brought and turn it into a decent sandwich. There’s really no where to eat – everyone is crowded up in the bathrooms posing as dressing rooms. I take it outside and enjoy the Floridian backyard where a group of ducks swim in a pond. I try to clear my head from all the chaos that tends to happen on a tour like this. So much is going on in the world all at the same time – Ukraine just got invaded – Casey just mentions to me someone she knew died – and we’re all here stressing about putting on a good show. I let the thick southern air refresh me somehow and get inside.

 

 

Dressing up and getting out on stage – the energy is much, much better. We put our performing game faces on and crank up the stage presence – great response from the audience too.

 

Afterwards, we break everything down as fast as possible and drive over to the Yard House for a well deserved late night dinner. Most of our people are here. I order a hefty Mac n Cheese with Edamame and a Sour Ale.

 

A little under an hour drive to the hotel in Ft. Lauderdale and finally we can rest!

 

Thursday February 24 2022

 

Waking up from a long deep sleep. It’s about 11:30 a.m.

 

Downstairs in the lobby I set up shop to handle business at the computer. Breakfast Bar with Tea.

 

Getting to the venue Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park, Florida. Time to get ready for our first of four ELO shows.

...

Snacking on an Almond Bar and Coffee.

...

Setting up my keyboard rig on stage and whatever else needs to be handled. Everyone’s got their delegated jobs and responsibilities. Sound check goes smooth I guess – a few hiccups but nothing we can’t handle. Chidori is with us on drums for the first time – she does quite well.

 

Hearty catered buffet for dinner. I grab the Chicken Alfredo with Green Beans and Salad.

 

Show time! The auditorium is pretty packed – we do our two 45 minute sets – proud of us all.

 

Afterwards, doing a meet and greet with some of the fans – we always get a lot of compliments about people seeing the original ELO years ago and saying we amount up to them perfectly.

 

Breaking down the stage and packing up things.

 

Low key time back at the hotel. I set up shop on my laptop in the lobby. Meanwhile, there’s some lady and her daughter that are locked out of their room. I observe the nice hotel clerks, who were actually at our show tonight, try to mediate the situation but it’s proving impossible cause all the locks are electronic – nothing is working.

 

Wednesday February 23 2022

 

Waking up bright and early at 8:25 a.m. Saying goodbye to Ana and Elvis.

 

Kicking off the ELO tour! With Mike, Rebecca, Ron, and Jimmy flying out of Norfolk and headed to Orlando.

...

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

...

Landed but not without delays and all the time it takes to secure two rental cars. Our group links up with Phil. Then we hit the road. All the R’s conjoin in one car (Rebecca, Robert, and Ron). Rebecca takes the wheel.

...

Pit stop at a Steak n Shake. I order some fries to go with my PB&J.

 

Two hours later at the Hampton Inn in Orange Park, Florida. The thick swamp fresh air fills the lungs and the night creatures chirp incessantly nearby. I sit near the pool and meditate on the busy travel day we had. It’s refreshing to be somewhere else other than VB. Even though I’m feeling tired from not enough sleep the night before I’m grateful. Just gonna down this coffee and continue with the night.

 

A bunch of us split up in each rental car in search of dinner spots. One group goes to a Thai place while my group locates a Culver’s, a place Ron is really excited about trying – a sort of nicer Chic-fil-A version of a burger joint. I get the Cod Sandwich with a Salad. Afterwards getting frozen Custards.

 

Later on, back at the hotel, we corral everyone we can in the fitness center to workout, exercise, and hang out. It turns into a dance tutorial session that Rebecca tutors me in. I learn how inflexible my legs and lower body are. But it’s a good time hanging out with everyone in here.

 

Tuesday February 22 2022

Waking up at 11:30 a.m. Got a terrible headache from last night.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

I was gonna go to the gym but I feel like I have too much to do. Running a few errands.

 

Spinach Salad with Eggs, Beets, Sprouts, Tomatoes, English Muffin, and Vegan Breakfast Sausage. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Taking suitcases to the warehouse where some of the ELO crew are packing up the trailer and planning to start the drive down to Florida.

 

Back home. Warming up some dinner: Lentils with Quinoa, Kale, Carrots, Pita Bread, and Hummus.

Watching The Tinder Swindler (2022).

 

Packing up my bag and being my usual over prepared self.

 

Chores.

 

Ana and I sleep in the same bed tonight – she’s really trying to not give me a hard time.

 

Monday February 21 2022

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At the gym working out.

Banana.

 

Getting some groceries.

 

Eggs. Vegan Breakfast Sausage. English Muffin. Sweet Potatoes. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Linking up with Aaron to grab a quick Pho dinner.

 

ELO practice – it’s the last one before our tour this weekend.

 

Pita Chips with Hummus.

 

Doing some packing for the trip – meanwhile, Ana periodically comes in and causes a disturbance protesting all kinds of things about my upcoming trip. She’s got me all stressed out. I’m going to bed late and not feeling great.

 

Sunday February 20 2022

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At the Rec signing up for the 35+ adult basketball games – I get wait listed but keep myself busy on the row machine and other things until I get put on a team.

Protein Shake.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Vegan Breakfast Sausage. Coffee.

 

Coaching a couple MMLIVE bands.

 

Meeting up with Mike at the warehouse to cut my keyboard stand down.

 

Leftovers for dinner.

Finishing Ozark.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Organizing things at the studio.

 

Peanut Butter Pita.

 

Saturday February 19 2023

Waking up at 11:12 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At Music Makers coaching Olivia, Sammy, and Elena’s MMLIVE band then teaching James Cummings a lesson.

 

PB&J English Muffin. Spinach Salad with Tomatoes, Sprouts, Carrots, and Hard Boiled Eggs. Coffee.

Watching Ozark.

 

Running a few errands – at Target.

 

Organizing this new wood file cabinet with all my old family documents – chores.

 

Sharing dinner with Ana: Vegan Sausages with Roasted Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Onions. We watch a few episodes of I Love Lucy.

 

Later on, organizing stuff at the studio and practicing drums.

 

Friday February 18 2022

Waking up pretty late around noon.

 

Ana and I grab brunch at Commune. Waffles, Bacon, Eggs, and Coffee. We sit by the window looking out on the street – there’s always strange observations to be made. And of course plenty to talk about after being caffeinated.

 

Later on, I head to the Rec to burn some calories.

 

Back home. Having a Protein Shake and Pineapple.

 

Catching up on business. Cleaning up the kitchen and dining room area where the maintenance guys were taking out the countertops. We have to wait a few weeks till they come back and replace things. In the meantime I put things somewhat back to a functioning kitchen.

 

Grabbing some groceries at Whole Foods.

 

Making a dinner for Ana and I: Lentils with Hummus, Quinoa, and Pita Bread. Spinach Salad with Lolli Bomb Tomatoes, Carrots, Sprouts, and Cucumber.

 

Vacuuming and cleaning up the living room.

 

Pea Crisps. Pineapple.

 

Later on, Ana and I make fire on the couch.

 

Thursday February 17 2022

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Working at the gym with Vlad – he’s always pushing the limits of my strength.

Protein Shake.

 

Getting my haircut at Sage next door to Music Makers.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Coffee. Potato Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

After lessons are done I let Aaron and Zach in for them to rehearse Mae songs. Aaron was recently hired as their new touring bass player.

 

Fish Tacos with Chips and Guac.

 

At the storage unit with Josiah and Bobby to practice new Ladada songs. Wes wasn’t able to make it out.

 

Back home.

Peanut Butter Pita.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Wednesday February 16 2022

Waking up earlier than usual to a strange mechanical sound coming through the walls. Later on, after actually waking up I discover three maintenance dudes tearing up the kitchen. They’re fixing this terrible clog we’ve had for years in the pipes.

...

I cram around them in the kitchen cooking my breakfast.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At the Rec doing a light workout and shooting the basketball around.

Banana.

 

Eggs. Vegan Breakfast Sausage. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Quinoa and Cabbage Salad with Tomatoes, Carrots, Salmon, and Ginger Dressing. Pita with Hummus.

Finishing season 3 of Ozark.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Washing dishes and doing laundry.