Saturday January 28 2023

 

Waking up bright and early at 7 a.m. at a hotel in Des Plaines, Illinois.

 

Second day in a row I’ve woken up and gone straight to the fitness room.

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Then shower. Then free continental breakfast in the lobby. Filling up on Eggs, English Muffin, Yogurt, and Orange Juice.

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Casey and Ed take the driving shift for today. I catch up on computer stuff while we all discuss future improvements to the shows and travel arrangements.

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Napping in the back.

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Snacking on Pita and Hummus, Orange, Salt n Vinegar Chips, and Coffee.

 

Arriving at The Marion Cultural and Civic Center in Marion, Illinois. We’re running a little behind schedule so we hit it hard setting up the stage and getting everything ready. Running around right and left, front and back. Smooth sound check then dinner!

 

It’s a Thanksgiving-like food spread: Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole, Shepherd’s Pie, Salad, and Éclair.

 

Show is just as energetic as the previous two – much taller theater room so sound isn’t spaced out. But I always love seeing the enthusiastic faces in the front rows. One kid’s jaw was dropped the entire time lol.

 

 

Packing up and loading out. It’s a mad dash to get everything put away correctly. The venue staff is super helpful while I lead the pack in the trailer.

 

Back at the hotel a few of us gather at the pool to hang. Nigel is in true comedic form as he goofs off – always putting on a routine for his audience. One shtick involves him eating a cigarette and pretending to pull it out of his butt.

 

Cleaning out the tour bus a little – organizing all the accumulated bread, deli, and drinks just tossed around in bags – putting them in crates.

 

Then, finally settling down in the hotel room.