This is where I need to be, where life stays interesting, relationships build quickly, life resets daily, the background changes over. I’m perched up in the back of a hollowed out, blue astro van, surrounded by sound equipment, guitars, friends, and encompassed by open sky and congruent tree tops that seem to reflect both sides of the vehicle. I’m reflecting on what I’ve experienced in these first five days of my third independent tour in just under one years time. I’m elated, overwhelmed even, with the graciousness I’ve experienced from fans, friends, my band mates. We played Uncommon Ground in Chicago Sunday night. A small crowd in a small listening room, it is obvious we are not “Coldplay,” we’re not touring stadiums, but this little room and it’s twelve inhabitants is our arena, it is still an opportunity for us to share our art with someone, to make someone laugh, to tap into the audience and possibly inspire them.

The Soundshaker and I get to make a living from playing music and that fucking rules! I’ll say it again: That fucking rules and I’m so grateful that today, this is my existence. Friends of ours put us up at the Intercontinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue, took us to Sushi Mira, and sent us off with a care package of Scotcheroos, cookies, coffee, Burts Beeswax, Advil, and yes…….. Visine. Bless the Nelson family, you are amazing and our night together set the bar high for the tour. Ironically, all of the band had made a pact to eat healthy, not to eat any sweets or fast food, so we questioned what to do with all of the chocolate baked goods. I ate the last cookie in Champaign just after eating at Taco Bell at three in the morning after spontaneous bursts of sober dancing perspired during DJ Mingrams set at a 80’s prom night themed party at the High Dive. I had a dream that night that I walked into a vastly girl dominated poolside orgy. Before I could act I look down and two, well I guess they were women, but they more resembled obese midget trolls, and these things were grabbin at my shit. I was mortified, I got the hell out of there, then woke up. Why do I have dreams like that?

Day three consisted of the drive to the University of Dayton, Ohio to stay with our good friends at 339 Kiefaber. Beth Rice, made up breakfast, cooked us dinner and bought us a handle of rum and actually helped the Lama and I finish a song called, “Brother Keep Me On the Road.” You rule Beth! There are literally ten girls who live at this house, they are all cute, but most have boyfriends which creates this plutonic wall which is actually a good thing, I think. Sorry Kelly for all the noise between 1:30 am to 2:15 am last night. I can openly admit that I drank way too much and in hindsight, I would do things differently. Also big ups to Mike Reuther and Walker of Ourvinal.com. We appreciate your help greatly! Check out http://www.ourvinal.com to see interviews and video of The Compass Rose and many other touring bands.

We are currently on our way to York , PA . It’s a seven hour drive. My back hurts from drunkenly sleeping on a black leather couch, I feel a pinch with each bump of the highway, but I’m smiling. The sun is shining, Lama and I just had a meeting with Al Green, if you know what I mean. The Soundshaker, Lama, and I are listening to comedy on XM radio. Were hundreds of miles from the show yet, but exactly where we’re supposed to be.