Tuesday February 28 2023

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Protein Shake. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

President Biden is apparently here in Virginia Beach and all of the interstate and access to main roads are blocked! This is causing lots of delays for students – I’m stuck trying to deal with all the cancelation and rescheduling mayhem.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers – the situation continues – Shaunna, our front desk person, can’t even turn on First Colonial to get to work cause it’s blocked off. At some point Biden leaves the city and things can go back to normal. I teach a bunch of lessons.

 

Then, Mike drops me off to pick up the bus.

 

Back home I pack up and cook dinner: Tuna, Lentils, Bok Choy, Onions, Quinoa, and Naan Bread.

 

Everyone meets up at the warehouse – loading up the trailer and vehicles. I take the first driving shift – getting us south 3 to 4 hours. Then, lying in the back attempting to sleep on the incessantly bumpy ride.

 

Monday February 27 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Cleaning up the bus – vacuuming and mopping.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Black Beans, Salad, Vegan Sausage, Quinoa, and Naan Bread.

Watching The Last of Us.

 

At the warehouse with the bus – working on organizing a few things while Rebecca replenishes merch.

 

Chocolate and Green Tea.

 

Then, we have to drop off the bus to the shop – a daunting task sometimes cause it’s so far away.

 

Settling down at home after doing some chores.

 

Sunday February 26 2023

Waking up around 1:30 p.m. God, I’m so grateful to sleep in and especially in a bed that’s not moving.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Cleaning up things and catching up on life – doing laundry.

 

Eggs. Veggies. Toast. Coffee.

Watching The Last of Us (2023).

 

Coaching Alexa’s band practice – it’s so difficult to talk over them while they noodle on their instruments – however they are getting better about it.

 

Grabbing some groceries at Whole Foods – funnily enough I spot Rebecca. We end up on the phone with Nigel working out some logistics for the next weekend.

 

Back home. I keep catching up on things. Taking care of Elvis. More laundry. Warming up dinner.

 

Vegging out a little bit.

 

Sleeping on the couch for a bit with Elvis snuggled next to me.

 

Saturday February 25 2023

Waking up super early. Departing from the AirBnB around 9 a.m. There’s much to do getting all the food, drinks, and luggage cleared out of there.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Carlos drives us in the bus all the way to Newberry, South Carolina. Meanwhile, I catch up on computer stuff.

 

At The Newberry Opera House. We played here back in 2020. The venue has a good group of stage hands helping us transport all the gear up the elevator and stage. It’s a uniquely small room but still feels big at the same time.

 

PB&J Biscuits. Coffee. Banana.

 

Setting up everything on stage.

 

Sound check goes smooth.

 

I take a short nap in the bus cause our show doesn’t start till 8 p.m.

 

Dinner: Chicken, Baked Potato, and Veggies.

 

We put on a good performance – most things go well and great response from the crowd.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

We’ve got a long drive home overnight. I take the first shift and get us all the way to South of the Border. It’s crazy how hungry we all get after the show – I swear I’ve snacked on everything under the sun.

 

 

Carlos then Jimmy take over the last two shifts as I attempt to sleep in the top bunk.

 

Friday February 24 2023

Waking up gratefully a little bit later today at 10:30 a.m.

 

We all drive out on the tour bus to Savannah, Georgia, only about an hour away.

 

At Victory North, one of the smaller venues on this tour, a place mostly used for weddings and private events – it also used to be an old ice factory back in the day.

 

 

PB&J. Potato Chips. Banana. Coffee.

 

Setting up the stage and getting ready for the show.

 

 

Sound check.

 

They brought Chinese food for dinner.

 

We get on the stage and do our first show (it’s a double header tonight). It’s mostly sold out and with a lively crowd. We had to reconstruct our set a little bit.

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Meeting and greeting after the show.

 

Then, taking a break till our second run!

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It’s strange doing back to back shows but we make it through.

 

 

Packing up and loading out.

 

Doing all the stuff back at the AirBnB – parking the bus/trailer – cleaning up the kitchen and packing. Gotta get up very early the next morning. It just never ends – everywhere we go we’re setting up or packing up.

 

Thursday February 23 2023

Waking up at 9:15 a.m. in the Hilton Head AirBnB

 

Oatmeal and Tea.

I gather all the drinks and fruit for the venue cause they’re not providing hospitality.

 

First shuttle to the bus leaves at 10 a.m.

 

Carlos drives us to Charleston, South Carolina – a couple hours drive.

 

Upon arrival at the Charleston Music Hall – I immediately hit the street with Rebecca to locate a food spot. Hot Little Biscuit! And then, some gourmet donuts!

 

 

Loading in and setting up the stage – it’s a really cool music hall.

 

Later on, after sound check, grabbing some amazing pizzas with the group. Then, I take a solo venture exploring the streets of downtown. There’s a lot of history here – reminds me of New Orleans and Richmond combined.

 

 

 

Then, we get on stage for the show. First set done but we notice Kevin is completely downtrodden and drunk – his morale is gone for some reason – he talks about not wanting to do this band anymore. It’s bad enough that he punches the mirror backstage creating a huge crack. Leon has a serious talk with him to get him level headed. Somehow we manage to get through the second set and without issues. The crowd is forgiving and loves the whole show.

 

 

Afterwards at meet n’ greet there’s a little kid who sings Elvis Presley for us – definitely bound to be a star one day.

 

 

Filling up on Donuts on the drive back and discussing the aftermath and things to come in the back of the bus with Nigel, Rebecca, and Brittany.

 

Wednesday February 22 2023

 

Waking up to a brightly lit room in the Hilton Head AirBnB. We checked in late last night.

 

All is well though cause it is another day off and we couldn’t ask for a more serene place to relax. Down by the pool and the lake there are turtles and fish – we feed them all the fruits and veggies.

 

 

We all chill around the house hanging out and eating whatever.

 

Rebecca and I run some errands and grab a few things at a Whole Foods down the street. At some point we locate a French bakery and load up on treats and coffee.

 

Later on, with most of the young portion of the crew we go out for dinner at this ramen place called JINYA. With Casey and Jimmy we chill by the fire lit table on their patio. Enjoying some of the best appetizers and ramen I’ve had in a long time. The other half of the group went nearby to a Hibachi grill then joins us later on. Sipping on hot Sake and conversation.

 

 

Back at the house some of us chill by the pool and play YouTube videos – some go for a swim. Sipping on beers and just relaxing.

 

Everyone else goes to sleep. In the den I stay at the computer catching up on things. The Woman King is playing on TV while Casey snoozes on the couch. I always seem to be the last person awake every night.

 

Tuesday February 21 2023

Waking up bright and early at 8:00 a.m.

 

We all have to pack up and leave the AirBnB behind – it was a perfect idea for this first leg of tour. Cleaning up and piling into the van and shuttling to the tour bus.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea. Banana.

Riding in the bus.

PB&J. Plantain Chips. Coffee.

 

We drive a few hours to Jacksonville, a city I love. There’s much character and feel to this town. Loading into The Florida Theatre, a gargantuan sized room with all kinds of gothic and medieval style décor and architecture, built in 1927. It’s famous for having Elvis Presley perform here in 1956, just before he appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and just before his iconic style and dance came to fruition. Ron and I pretend to be the king of rock n’ roll on the stage.

 

 

Setting up the stage and doing all the various things we need to get the show ready.

 

Dinner on the 5^th floor is absolutely incredible: Roast Beef with Potatoes, Veggies, Apple Pie, and Ice Cream.

 

 

Great crowd tonight. We’ve been encouraging everyone to pull out their phones and wave their flashlight during “Can’t Get It Outta My Head”. It’s always such a magical looking sight to see from the stage.

 

 

Afterwards, we do a meet and greet, pack up, and load out!

 

Carlos drives the bus onward to Hilton Head for our next AirBnB. Second shift Jimmy takes over. We make it to the new AirBnB in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It’s always an ordeal to load in all the bags and food, then have to park the bus/trailer somewhere off site. Jimmy and I find a spot by a grocery store.

 

Hanging around in the kitchen and den with the boys until it gets super late.

 

Monday February 20 2023

Waking up at some point around noon.

 

It’s finally our day off from tour. After playing 4 shows in a row we’re all dying for a rest day. Downstairs I cook up a hearty breakfast: Eggs, Bagel, Vegan Breakfast Sausages, Avocado, and Tea.

 

Everyone hangs out by the pool soaking up the sun and just relaxing. Meanwhile, having constructive conversations about band drama and taking care of business back home.

 

Later on, a few of us drive an hour away to visit Parksdale Farms Market, a world famous Strawberry Shortcake place. I remember visiting here a few years back on another ELO tour when Ana was with me.

 

 

Back at the AirBnB everyone is hanging around the living room and kitchen. Casey is cooking up a bunch of roasted vegetables. Edwin picks up steaks and stuff from the store. Meanwhile, the Culver’s is calling us so I take Rebecca and Chris out to grab dinner. Then, back home we partake in whatever is on the counter. Lots of camaraderie! Lots of cleaning up and organizing.

 

 

I have a good constructive talk outside with Rebecca about the stresses of this trip but also the positives. I really need to take a step back sometimes and let other people take the reins rather than always spear heading it all. One problem we have is I’m not the only one. Either way, we’ll find a way to relax.

 

I clean up and take a shower.

 

Sunday February 19 2023

 

Waking up bright and early at 9:50 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Driving onward to Clearwater, Florida. Quick stop at a Wawa for gas, coffee, and lunch.

 

Eggs. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

At The Bilheimer Capitol Theatre – it’s a tight stage but we know this theatre well considering we’ve performed here at least 3 other times. We go through the motions setting up for the show. Sound check. Then dinner: Italian! We always have difficulty ordering from here but it’s always good.

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Pizza, Salad, and Crème Brulee.

 

We get up to do our thing to a sold out crowd, something we tend to do here in Clearwater. We love playing this venue every year. My step-dad Jimmy shows up too with his friend again. It’s all kind of a blur though – performing our fourth show in a row then packing everything up.

 

 

Carlos drives some of us in the bus back to Davenport. In the back with Brittany, Jimmy, and Rebecca discussing some band drama and things going on that need to change. Once we arrive we have to wait a while to get scooped up – we have to leave the bus parked outside the gated community.

 

 

At the AirBnB some of us congregate in the living room watching the show footage. Ed and Chris take interest to see what they need to adjust in the show.

 

I stay up pretty late doing laundry and eating a 5^th meal of Beans, Broccoli, and Rice.

 

Saturday February 18 2023

 

Waking up at 10 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Banana. Tea.

 

Shuttling out of the AirBnB to Avon Park, the third show of the tour.

 

South Florida State College. Setting up the stage and getting the lay of the land inside.

 

There’s a bunch of nice ladies in the green room taking care of the hospitality – I’m surprised to find egg salad, which I take advantage of for lunch.

 

At some point after I finish setting up the keyboard rig and taking care of things, I corral Brittany, Jimmy, and Rebecca to take a walk around outside and explore. It’s a typically sunny afternoon in Florida. I grab the long boards and have a go on the hills nearby. It’s nice to be able to take the time to actually do something leisurely for a minute.

 

 

Later on we sound check with mostly no problems.

 

Dinner: Chicken, Rice, and Veggies. Lemon Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

 

The show goes really well to a very full room of 60+. Ed is still getting a handle on running FOH sound and is doing really good considering its last minute. There’s still a lot of things we’re tweaking as we go along.

 

 

Back at the house I put on the footage and we all critique things from the show – plenty of comical moments as well.