Off we go again. Bit of a crazy week ahead, but I am very glad to have the chance to play a few concerts in a row. Feels like it’s been a while since we did more than a weekend.

What lies ahead looks something like this. We fly to Toronto and jump on the Bus where, hopefully, Kris and Murray and the crew will be waiting for us. We roll to the border and head into Buffalo for tonight’s gig.

Late night tonight we roll to Akron. Have we ever played Akron? Have I ever been to Akron? I know we’ve played Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton. We also spent a day off in the parking lot of a Hojo (Howard Johnson Hotel for the un-jaded travelers amongst us) in Medina. I think, but cannot confirm that we stopped for gas in Toledo once as well. That’s six cities I’ve visited in the State of Ohio. I wonder if I’ve been to as many destinations in any other State?

Anyway, late Saturday night we head to the Philly Folk Festival to headline one of the most prestigious Music Events in the US. Big gig. Early Monday morning we nip over to the University in Philly to record a radio show called World Café, I think. We played this show a number of years back and all I can recall is humping our gear up four flights of stairs to this wee closet of a room where the hosts did a great show with few resources. Thankfully, the show has moved into a real ground level studio and the crew will not mutiny when it comes time to load in.

Its gets a little hairy at this point.

Following the morning taping of the show, the whole party has a day off in Philly and then roll to the morning Ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. That is the whole party except me and Sean. We dash to the airport and fly to Manchester, NH and catch a car to Durham, NH. Is there a good pub in Durham, I wonder? We sleep in a Durham Hotel and rise in the AM and go directly to the New Hampshire PBS TV Station to record some interviews for a potential upcoming release. (More about that in days and weeks to come.) Following the interviews, we are to be driven to Boston Airport where we’ll board what I imagine will be a frighteningly small airplane bound for Martha’s Vineyard. Following this inevitable white knuckler of a flight, we are to be swept off to a local radio station to perform a couple of acoustic songs live on the air. Then we are to finally meet up with the lads who’ve had a day and a half of leisure under their belts and will look calm and refreshed having gorged on Cheese Steaks in Philly and Clams in Martha’s Vineyard.

Very happy to say that we stay in MV for the evening and have the next day off. I had the pleasure of sailing into Edgartown with the Fairest One of all and a few friends on a posh, posh, posh yacht a number of years back. Very cool little spot, surrounded by some very rich, rich homeowners.

That evening we board the bus again to head to Dewey Beach. As of typing this diary, I confess that I know nothing about Dewey Beach. I don’t know what State it is in, or if it is North or South of anywhere I’ve ever been. I assume from the name that I’ll be close to the ocean when I play, and I assume that will be the Atlantic Ocean, but can’t be sure.

On Friday we should arrive at Wolftrap in the greater DC area. This could be the nicest venue in America. It is a wooden Amphitheatre that looks beautiful and sound amazing and has the best technical set up I’ve ever seen. We’ve played there with the Cheiftains, Sinead Oconnor, Saw Doctors, Seven Nations, The Young Dubs and Eddie from Ohio. They’ve all been dandy.

Immediately following our opening set at Wolftrap (we are on at 7:30) we bolt for the border and Toronto in attempt to make the morning flight back to the Rock. If all goes well, I could be home by early afternoon.

Big week. They all seem big lately. Cool.

Just crossing through the border check area near the Peace Bridge. A surly looking US Customs Official looks like he intends to board the bus. Best not be looking at the Mac when he arrives.

Looking forward to the week ahead. Hope you are, too.

Cheers,

Alan