In contrast with yesterday’s fortunate series of events, today was much more ordinary. It started with waking up way too early for no reason at all. I read for a bit, hopped out of my top bunk, drank a bottle of water, started the hot chocolate, and pulled my laptop out. I’ve got credits to finish up for the new bluegrass instrumental record, liner notes about each song, and other to-do items on the list, so I went through some of those for awhile.
After a few hours I rustled Ethan out of his bunk to go inside the Greek Theatre and get some breakfast. There is an older woman who works at catering at the Greek who is quite the character, a feisty, strong, and kind Irish woman.
I scored my own dressing room today, so Ethan and I spread out our work environments - for me, laptop, planner, a book on practicing, a journal, and the Tele banjo. For him, his laptop and sketchbook.
It rained a bunch here today, unusual for this area, and the temperature was vastly different from yesterday’s show in Lincoln. In fact, every one of my instruments was tuned sharp today at sound check (heat causes expansion, cold causes contraction). I did some practicing on the Tele banjo, but I didn’t really have good energy due to my lack of sleep. My main banjo and guitar both needed a restringing, so I had Michael Bethancourt do the guitar, and I did the banjo.
Just before the show I ran into T Bone Burnett and Bob Neuwirth, both of whom I had met nearly fifteen years ago during the O Brother soundtrack and Down from the Mountain tour – T Bone produced the soundtrack.
The show went well, a cool, humid night. I spent some of the time after our set with the band getting a photo with Willie and the venue folks, and then proceeded to visit with my sister, her husband, my brother, my cousin’s daughter and husband, and their friends for several hours. It’s just after midnight now, and I’m ready to pack up the stuff I’ve scattered on the dressing room counter and get to the bus. Bus call is at 2am because it’s only an hour to Costa Mesa.
After a few hours I rustled Ethan out of his bunk to go inside the Greek Theatre and get some breakfast. There is an older woman who works at catering at the Greek who is quite the character, a feisty, strong, and kind Irish woman.
I scored my own dressing room today, so Ethan and I spread out our work environments - for me, laptop, planner, a book on practicing, a journal, and the Tele banjo. For him, his laptop and sketchbook.
It rained a bunch here today, unusual for this area, and the temperature was vastly different from yesterday’s show in Lincoln. In fact, every one of my instruments was tuned sharp today at sound check (heat causes expansion, cold causes contraction). I did some practicing on the Tele banjo, but I didn’t really have good energy due to my lack of sleep. My main banjo and guitar both needed a restringing, so I had Michael Bethancourt do the guitar, and I did the banjo.
Just before the show I ran into T Bone Burnett and Bob Neuwirth, both of whom I had met nearly fifteen years ago during the O Brother soundtrack and Down from the Mountain tour – T Bone produced the soundtrack.
The show went well, a cool, humid night. I spent some of the time after our set with the band getting a photo with Willie and the venue folks, and then proceeded to visit with my sister, her husband, my brother, my cousin’s daughter and husband, and their friends for several hours. It’s just after midnight now, and I’m ready to pack up the stuff I’ve scattered on the dressing room counter and get to the bus. Bus call is at 2am because it’s only an hour to Costa Mesa.