Notes from the Road – Monday & Tuesday July 26 & 27, 2010

Notes from the Road – Monday & Tuesday July 26 & 27, 2010

Thought I’d combine a couple of days since I’ve been in one spot and have had no shows to report on.  However, the time has been very productive and I’ve really enjoyed being at Cloudland Canyon State Park.  The scenery here along the canyon rim is magnificent and there are two waterfalls that you can hike down to if you’re willing – I haven’t been willing, but I’m sure they are beautiful and well worth the 1200 foot climb.

My neighbors here in the campground have been largely deer, a red fox, a lot of squirrels, some fiercesome looking bees and tons of birds.  The rain they kept predicting came Monday afternoon – a real rumbling thunder frog strangler.  I just huddled in the camper, did some computer work, sipped some strong amber liquids and watched a DVD I brought along.  Unfortunately I’ve developed a hidden leak in the front left corner of the camper at the foot of the bed.  I can’t figure out where the water is entering so I can repair it, but I need to soon – much more rain predicted.  However, with the sound of the dripping rain I slept harder and longer than any night so far.  I needed it.

I do have some news flashes regarding the new album “Welcome Home.”  First, Acoustic Rainbow Records (Michael Jonathon’s label that produces Woodsongs as well) included “A Mother’s Tears” on their new Sampler that features Pete Seeger and a song from his new album.  That Sampler is headed out to 1200 Roots / Americana stations now and I should be getting additional airplay from that.  Call your favorite station and ask if they’re on the list for that sampler and request songs from it.

Also, I was just notified that The Alternate Root, an interactive music magazine featuring all genres of traditional American roots music including, Americana, Alt-country, Blues, Rockabilly, Folk, Bluegrass, and more, will feature me in an upcoming addition with a review of “Welcome Home.”  The current issue (go to http://www.thealternateroot.com/the-current-issue-of-the-alternate-root) features an interview with Patty Larkin and reviews of new albums by The Drive-by Truckers and John Hiatt.  It’s a great music magazine so check it out and watch for the review coming soon.

Finally, the Will McLean Foundation is preparing to release another compilation CD with 15 songs that have won awards from the foundation in the past five years.  “State of Dreams” will be included along with tunes by Rog Lee, The Ashley Gang, Liz Williamson, Gary Doles and many more of Florida’s best.  Ron Litschauer in West Palm is producing and mastering the compilation so you know it will be first rate.  Watch for that release in August and be sure to order a copy from the Will McLean Foundation.  All proceeds go to support the foundation and the Will McLean Folk Festival, so snap ‘em up!

Back to the road.  I selected Cloudland Canyon as a 2 night stop over as I knew it would be inexpensive, I had heard it was very nice (correctamundo) and it put me fairly close to my next stop, a long six night stay at Lookout Mountain KOA where Brian and Allison take such good care of me each year.  They give me a terrific rate for the week, which is just slightly more than free, host two shows in the park (Wednesday and Sunday both of which are usually well attended) and I can make runs, sans the camper and thus with vastly greater fuel efficiency for shows in Knoxville, Nashville and right nearby in Chattanooga – perfect.  This is my third year on this program with Brian & Allison, they are the BEST!

So, I got hooked up and prepared to leave Cloudland Canyon.  I hit the bookmark in my Navigatrix for the KOA and was nearly embarrassed to find it was only 20 minutes away.  Now THAT’s my idea of a road day!  Allison was there to greet me and to let me know that not only was the park fairly well occupied for the whole week, but that they’d been promotion my shows in town (Trenton, Ga.) and through friends with businesses in other nearby communities.  I told you they were the best.

Here I went ahead and set the camper up for the longer stay.  Stabilizer jacks, levelers, the whole nine yards.  I’m planning grilled pork loin tonight with whole grain rice, black beans and broccoli.  Supper’s around 7 so come on by.  Tomorrow night, the first of two shows here at 7:30 and I’ll be out meeting campers, passing out postcards, etc. tomorrow.

That’s it – more to come.