July came and went.

The end of June and the beginning of July were moving along too quietly for this girl as she Needs MUSIC.  After working around the house, growing things, making salsa and relaxing, I couldn’t take it anymore.  Just happened to remember a couple of my FRANS were talking about a Toys for Tots drive with White Trash Rodeo performing. So on the Third of July, we travel.

Met these guys at several Ragweed shows and thought wyknot! Drove about 3.5 hours downstate to Effing Ham and listened to all things red dirt along the way.  Time seemed to fly and upon arrival we met up with several people we’ve come to know over the years.  Big thanks to the coordinators Erica and Randy Hansen.  Without people like you, this world wouldn’t be the same. They managed to get their hands on some great raffle items.  As it turns out $20 in tickets and I came away with 3 of the items!  SCORE.

White Trash Rodeo did just what I was told they would do.  Rocked out some great red dirt tunes.  A little bit of everything.  Thank you for fulfilling the need I was having and then some. :)  And all for toys for tots.

The following week began with the thought of a bride and groom.   There was a wedding I had to attend in Missouri the same weekend Stoney Larue was playing two dates there. That’s one of the things I love about my "gypsy" life.  A few ideas come together and before you know it a week long vacation has been planned. 7 days away.  Not that I even needed it. Cause I’ve been off work since the end of December.  Hello.   Vacation from what?  You hiring?

So off to Missouri we go.  3 coolers, light luggage, lotsa snacks and a big bag of green beans for Kandi. 

Day 1, 5 hours from home, first stop, Columbia Missouri.  Decided to go for a little bit of luxury and stopped at The Hampton.  No Sleep Inn or Travelodge tonight, folks.  Some other time, but not tonight.  Asked the clerk politely for the “free” upgrade. Spent the next 16 hours or so enjoying the benefit of the King Suite.  After snacking and a cocktail or two, off we go the Blue Note.  Upon arrival we immediately met up with our FRAN Rick and before long we’d made new FRANS from Pontiac, Il.  I hope to hear from them again.  I gave them my info, so we’ll see. I always feel like my mom when I say, we'll see?  Weird.

 The night was perfect.  Down front with a glass of Kettle and Soda.  Enjoyed for the second time ever, the band that is Matt Stell and The Crashers. I’ve had their cd since winter and enjoy several of the tunes.  Steve Littleton from Stoney’s band added some keyboards to the show. A musician from John D Hale band, whose name I’ve forgotten, also added to the big band that made up the opening act. They were absolutely fantastic.  Love it when Matt got really blue z.  Hope to catch him and those crashers again, soon.  Until then I will listen to The Sound of the Story. 

Stoney and the boys came on and played a nice long set.Their banner looked absolutely amazing on the stage and made for some great photo’s.  I met a new FRAN down front and we had a great time talking about our journeys across Missouri.  I luckily had a bed to go to back to, she was driving home 5 hours. I always FEEL for those that have to make the drive home.  I hate it. Late night driving isn’t for me.

After the show we visited with the band and listened to their stories of their recent travels to Alaska.  Sounds like a must do trip.  This gypsy definitely has Alaska on her agenda. But now that I can add Stoney Larue and several other bands, to the plan, it’s a no brainer.  Alaska here I come. 

Day 2, 6 hours, second stop, Diamond, Missouri. Thanks to a referral from another FRAN, we landed at the “Precious Moments” Best Western.  Nice enough hotel, I should just leave it at that and only 7 miles from our destination, Lucky Maggie’s. Sorry to the “church”  ladies who had to hear me “swearing”.  That’s how I talk sometimes.  Where was my OH MY HECK, when I needed it.  Anyway.  After a little rest and some freshening up we decided to head over to the Lucky Maggie's  to dine. Loved the catfish. The food was great and the background music was unstoppable. I’d come back just for the dinner music. I’m silly that way. Turnpike Troubadours, Mike McClure, Reckless Kelly.  Just not the background music you get here in Northern Illinois!  Right after dinner met up with  Kandi the owner and delivered her the sack of green beans from our garden.  Long story short, she likes green beans.  Grown by someone else all the better.  What I wouldn’t do for a FRAN.

  Didn’t get much of a chance to visit with her anymore, because it was quite the busy place.  I would like her to know that Lucky Maggie’s was about the coolest place I’ve ever listened to music. It just had a  FEEL about it. I will WISH on a star every night that Lucky Maggie’s  was a bit closer than 9 hours. :(

John Henry and the Engines started the evening off with a great deal of energy.  I liked what I heard and really meant to get some of their merch. Seemed different than some of the usual stuff.

I was reminded I saw them one other time in St. Louisme.  So I tried not to let it bother me or hinder my time.  Needless to say, she was removed.  A big thank you to management for taking care of her. She was a real danger to herself. I was a bit my mother, looking after her, worrying that she was going to crack her head open.  Dirty Booze.

Stoney and The Arsenals came on and played for almost 3 hours.  The show was absolutely fabulous, right to the very end.  About every musician on stage took a turn singing a solo.  This was a first for me.  I didn't know they could all sing. So seeing both Jeremy's, Kevin and Jesse belting it out gave me some big ole goosebumps. This group of guys are so musically talented that if I could see them every week, I would.  I DO get to see them tonight in Chicago!  Woot.

After being on the road for days and days and driving more than 20 hours through Illinois and Missouri, I stayed home for almost 10 days in a row.  Got myself all rested up and caught up on all my gardening and domestic "diva" duties.  A great feeling for me, by the way.  Love's all things in order for the most part. Thanks mom. Seriously thanks.

 After some much needed rest, I traveled down to Riverton where there is a great little bar called Old 36 Inn.  Actually was one of the first places I was turned onto some red dirt music.  Johnny Cooper was set to play at 9 ish and I left home around 8 ish. Two hour drive with some funny shit along the way. Windshield wiper flew off, making a god awful screech every time it swept across the window.  But I do remember saying to my husband, get me to the show on time. I'll fix the window, later.  Ha, got it replaced today.  Laughing now, not so much then.  Thanks to Jeb for the duct tape, couldn't have listened to that screeching all the way home. This was my first Johnny show and it was memorable.  I no longer thought he sounded like Cody Canada.  Wow what a talented young man.  21 years old.  Crazy.  Not at all what I was expecting and loved all the different sounds they had.  Blues, rock, rap, good stuff.  From what I can tell the kid's got his shit together.

The following week was one I have been waiting for, for so long.  A birthday celebration for a friend with Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights as our entertainment.

  That birthday girl was one lucky chic, to have them play on her exact birthday.  We aren't talking birth week or month, here, we're talking actual birthday and in St. Louis, no less.  A 4 hour trek for me and loved almost every minute of it. First time for me at The Old Rock House.  What a gem of a venue.  Love, LovE, LOVE!  The stage was great, plenty of room for the band to shake their groove thing.  Which they all do very well, I might add. Hearing Mo Brown sing was the highlight of the night for me. Below is a link so you can get your own taste.

 http://youtu.be/UzrdI77uyrk



  She sings from deep in her heart and I feel super alive every time I hear her. Thanks, Mo. Your quite the inspiration young lady. You exude class. Maybe one day I'll get to hear Emotion Brown and The Cosmos!

In closing I will have to say that the month of July was pretty spectacular.  I feel like I am super lucky to have the ability to travel around the way I do and listen to music.  I will never, EVA, EVA  take it for granted.  This journey I've been on for about 4 years now has been a great experience. If it had to end tomorrow, I could say "I HAVE LIVED".

FYI:  Friend + Fan = FRAN

Enjoy the day,

xXMusicGypsyXx



Show Dates


September
3rd-Reckless Kelly-Cross Canadian Ragweed-Arkansas Music Pavillion-Fayetteville, AR
       Jackson Taylor-Bradley's-Champaign
      Todd Snider-Upland Brewing Company-Bloomington, IN
4th Jason Boland Mountain Amphitheatre-Lampe, MO
5th & 6th Todd Snider-PK's-Carbondale, Il
10th Red Wanting Blue-Cubby Bear-Chicago, Il.
        Hayes Carll-Blueberry Hill-St. Louis
11th Hayes Carll-Vaudeville News-Des Moines, IA
        Red Wanting Blue-Traverse City, MI
14th Hayes Carll-Knuckleheads-Kansas City, MO
16th Micky and The Motorcars-Snorty Horse-Columbia, MO
18th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre-St. Louis, MO-Pigroast
19th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Toyota Park-Bridgeview, IL-Loopfest 2010
16th Wade Bowen-Exit In-Nashville, TN
22nd Bob Schneider-Rathskellars-Indianapolis, IN
24th Two Tons of Steel-Bedrock 66 Live Series-Springfield, Il
25th Little Feat-Parkwest-Chicago
30th-Randy Rogers Band-Council Bluffs, IA
         Todd Snider-Memorial Opera House-Valparaiso, IN

October

1st Todd Snider-Stable Studios-Spencer, IN
      Randy Rogers Band-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il.
7th Chris Knight Full Band-Longhorns Saloon-Manhattan, KS
8th Chris Knight Full Band-Snorty Horse-Columbia, MO
9th Chris Knight Full Band-Knuckleheads-Kansas City, MO
      Jackson Taylor-Lucky Maggie's-Diamond, MO
      Red Wanting Blue-Britton Tavern-Noblesville, IN
11th Justin Townes Earl-Turner Hall Ballroom-Milwaukee, WI

12th Justin Townes Earl-Six Strings Bar-Bloomington, IL
13th Radney Foster-Shank Hall-Milwaukee, WI
14th Todd Snider-George's Majestic Lounge-Fayetteville, AR
15th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Headliners Music Hall-Louisville, KY
16th Jonathan Tyler and The Norhern Lights-House of Blues-Chicago, IL
17th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Majestic Theatre-Madison, WI

        Randy Rogers Band-Clive, IA
22nd Cross Canadian Ragweed-Diamond Jo-Northwood, IA
23rd Six Nights Alone-Cross Canadian Ragweed-Diamond Jo-Dubuque, IA
24th Wade Bowen-Cross Canadian Ragweed-Joe's Bar-Chicago FINAL SHOW
29th Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyles Pub-Bloomingdale, IL
        White Trash Rodeo-Jason Boland-Bradley's-Champaign, Il.
NOVEMBER

3rd Band of Heathens-Six Strings Bar-Bloomington, IL
6th Red Wanting Blue-Kemp's-Lexington, IL
20th Cory Morrow-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il.
December
3rd Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyle-Downers Grove, IL
4th Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyle Irish Pub, Aurora, Il.