I had a few days off this week, so I took the opportunity to spend some quality time at Dhamma Pakasa - Vipassana Meditation Center in Pecatonica, IL. Tour starts back up again tonight in Green Bay, WI.
Tour update #2
Had a busy week in Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Minnesota; but still had time to see the sights (pics below). I have a few days off this week, then start up again in Wisconsin and Illinois. Check the SHOWS page for details.
Green on green in Norman, OK.
After hours espresso (decaf) in Lawrence, KS.
Heartland of America Park in Omaha, NE.
Late night noir in Omaha, NE.
Childhood home of Robert Zimmerman from 1941-1947 in Duluth, MN (before he moved to Hibbing and became Bob Dylan).
Mary Tyler Moore made it after all, in Minneapolis, MN.
Golden Anniversary
It was such a good read that I got the audiobook too! Just listened to the part where Pete Townshend talks about The Who playing at Woodstock, which was 50 years ago today (at 5:00 in the morning).
Tour update #1
Summer tour got off to a great start last week in Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. This week I’ll be in Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Minneapolis. Check the SHOWS page for details. Below are some pics from the road.
Tour supplies.
Border crossing from TN to AR.
Next level coffee experience at Onyx in Rogers, AR.
Nature walk in Bentonville, AR.
Dream home in Bentonville, AR. Bachman-Wilson House by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Former headquarters of The Flaming Lips in Oklahoma City. Now occupied by Factory Obscura for the MIX TAPE installation.
Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City.
On the road...
Summer tour starts TODAY! On my way to Arkansas for a gig tonight in Rogers, then heading north. Details below and more info on the SHOWS page. See you soon!!
Fiddle sister
In case you missed it: My sister Claudia Chopek played violin with Sam Fender last week on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon! Check it out… youtu.be/bcCZ76ubzIU
Summer tour starts next week!!
I’ll be traveling through the Midwest during August. Hope to see you out there! Go to the SHOWS page for details.
All aboard!
Tour train is heading for the Midwest in August. Dates coming next week.
Weekend Warrior
Fun gigs last week (and weekend) in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. First was DKDC in Memphis on Thursday, then The Undercroft in Little Rock on Friday, then Abendigos in Hocahtown (near Broken Bow) on Saturday. Here are some pics from the quick trip.
Me and Carl Caspersen and Alice Hasen at Bar DKDC, Memphis 7/11/19.
Crossing the Mississippi River from TN to AR.
The Undercroft in Little Rock, AR 7/12/19.
Pit stop in AR on the way to OK.
Abendigos in Hochatown, OK 7/13/19.
Good morning Arkansas.
Home sweet home in Memphis, TN.
TONIGHT in TN! (Then AR and OK.)
Acoustic trio gig TONIGHT in Memphis, TN at BAR DKDC! Excited to play with this new band featuring Alice Hasen on violin and Carl Caspersen on upright bass. Then I’ll be going solo to Little Rock, AR on Saturday; and Broken Bow, OK on Sunday. Please visit the SHOWS page for more info.
Julive
I’ll be on the road this month in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. First up is Thursday, July 11th in Memphis at Bar DKDC. Check the SHOWS page for details.
Malin & Me
This photo was taken on the last date of my June tour through the United Kingdom and Ireland, opening for Jesse Malin. The trip was a success and I have a lot of people to thank for that, but most of all thanks to Jesse for asking me to join him. I’ve been a fan of Jesse’s since the early 2000s and had the pleasure of meeting him in NYC (when I played drums in his band during US and UK tours for The Heat from 2004-2005). We’ve kept in touch since then, and I’m honored that we’re friends. He’s a deeply genuine person and a true artist, not to mention a great songwriter and dynamic performer. Jesse is New York to the bone and has been a major part of the music scene for decades. He paves the way for upstarts (i.e. me) the same way that others paved the way for him. I can’t say enough, so I’ll stop here; but not before I tell you to get his new album ‘Sunset Kids’ on August 30th and go see him in concert.
Ambassador reflections
I’ve been home for a week since my June tour through the United Kingdom and Ireland, opening for Jesse Malin. The trip was amazing for many reasons, and one of them being that I was able to travel as a Music Export Memphis Ambassador. I felt most successful in this role when I introduced myself to the audience every night, and told them that I live and work in Memphis; and that my two most recent recordings were made there. I think it gave a contemporary perspective for people in another country, that the Memphis music scene is more than what’s in the history books. The current artist community is thriving and serves a vital function to the identity of the city; and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Tour Update #2
Back home after an amazing tour through the United Kingdom and Ireland, opening for Jesse Malin! Fun shows, great rooms, and solid crowds. Big thanks to Jesse, his band and crew for the hospitality; and to Jesse’s fans for showing up early and actually LISTENING during my set. It was a pleasure to play for you and meet you at the merch table. I appreciate your kindness and patronage. Thanks to all the venues, promoters, and management for making everything run smoothly. Thank you also Music Export Memphis for the generous support. This was a fantastic maiden voyage overseas as a solo artist, and I look forward to taking the trip again soon!! Here are some of my pics from the road (and a few fan photos)…
London taxi.
Ice Bat was my guitar tech at The Haunt. (Brighton)
Making friends in Brighton.
Hotel room still life. (Brighton)
Jesse’s solo acoustic encore at The Deaf Institute. (Manchester)
Evening stroll with the Jesse Malin crew. (Manchester)
Driving from Manchester to Norwich.
Representing Memphis. (Norwich)
Norwich Arts Center noir.
Selling my wares. (Norwich)
Norwich after hours.
Good morning Norwich.
Singing in the crowd at The Bullingdon. (Oxford)
Sunset at The University of Oxford.
Driving from Oxford to Glasgow.
Blue mood at King Tut’s. (Glasgow)
Ferry ride from Scotland to Ireland.
Ferry selfie.
Showtime at Whelan’s. (Dublin)
Driving from Dublin to Belfast.
Isaac Hayes, The Lemon Twigs, Johnny Cash, James Dean and me at Voodoo Soup Records. (Belfast)
Jesse Malin band soundcheck at Limelight. (Belfast)
Vinyl shopping in Belfast.
Got a leg up at Limelight. (Belfast)
UK to USA
Touchdown home sweet home. (Memphis)
"On the air all of the time"
Long drive today from Oxford, England to Glasgow, Scotland. Glad I had Radio Caroline to keep me company.
Tour Update #1
My tour through the United Kingdom and Ireland, opening for Jesse Malin got off to a great start last week in Brighton and Manchester! See pics below. This week I’ll be in Norwich, Oxford, Glasgow, Dublin, and Belfast. Details on the SHOWS page.
London life.
Within these hallowed halls…
Camden Market
First show of the tour. (Brighton)
The glamorous life.
Jesse Malin band at The Haunt. (Brighton)
Good morning Brighton.
Brighton vegan breakfast at Paskins.
Working on my tan at the beach in Brighton.
U.K. / Ireland tour starts TONIGHT.
I’ll be touring through the United Kingdom and Ireland during June, opening for Jesse Malin. Click here for tickets - http://tinyurl.com/yymyvxrv - or visit the SHOWS page for more info.
More tour prep for U.K. and Ireland.
Getting ready for my tour in June through the United Kingdom and Ireland, opening for Jesse Malin. Details on the SHOWS page.
U.K. and Ireland next week!
I’ll be touring through the United Kingdom and Ireland during June, opening for Jesse Malin. Click here for tickets - http://tinyurl.com/yymyvxrv - or visit the SHOWS page for more info.
Tour prep for U.K. and Ireland
Getting ready for my tour in June through the United Kingdom and Ireland, opening for Jesse Malin. Details on the SHOWS page.
