A great weekend in the Northeast

I spent 3 great days in the Boston area over the weekend. After my marathon 1200 mile drive, I began the tour at Rick's Music in Raynham, MA. We had a great crowd for the concert, and fundraiser for Homes For Our Troops. Please visit www.homesforourtroops.org and consider supporting this wonderful organization.

Besides the concert, the highlight of my visit at Rick's was that it was my first time ever performing at a venue that had a signed drumhead by the drummer of Twisted Sister.

Thanks to Tom Irving for getting some photos of the night, and here they are.

On Saturday, we had a full house at the Open Book Coffeehouse, held at Canton Public Library in Canton, MA. Many thanks to Dan Chauvin who opened the show and provided the sound system. (www.myspace.com/danchauvin)

Sunday was a bit of a crazy day, started when I got some green donuts at Dunkin' Donuts. Why were they green?? I have no idea, I ordered vanilla frosted, and they were green.. maybe it's a Boston thing, I've no idea. (or ideer, as the locals say)

Sunday afternoon there was a Habitat For Humanity benefit at the Mozaic Room coffeehouse, and there was a ton of great music all day.. I got to hang out with Erik Balkey for a few minutes, and play my cover of his great song, 'Baseball In My Blood'. Below is a pic of me performing with my world famous harmonica at the Mozaic Room/Habitat Benefit. (Picture again courtesy of Tom Irving).

Sunday night, I went to a very unique little venue in Westford, MA called Parish Center For The Arts, which was an old church building turned into an arts center in a sleepy little New England town, a very nice setting for some folk music.

Monday night, I survived the big city! New York City was no match for the mad driving skills of the boy from Alabama. I drove straight into midtown Manhattan, and played an open mic at the Birdland Jazz Club, which is 2 blocks from Times Square. Christine Lavin invited me to the Birdland, she hangs out there most Mondays, and they have an extremely unique open mic, quite unlike any I've experienced before. It was mostly cabaret, broadway style singers, backed up by the house pianist and bassist. Only 4 people out of about 20 played the guitar, so that was unusual for me. It was great to spend some time with Christine Lavin, such a friendly, helpful, down-to-earth superstar.

I am in the DC most of this week, and I'll keep you posted on the goings-on in the nation's capitol.