I drove home from Traverse City, Michigan on Tuesday.

Got up Wednesday, unpacked, did some laundry, splashed some cold water on my face, ran around town tying up loose ends and errands, borrowed a Telecaster from Fender and a Duo Jet from Gretsch (thanks James and Jason!), rehearsed with Bonnie Bishop, played with Bonnie and the band at the Basement that night. Got up early Thursday to try and get to soundcheck at the Ryman Auditorium for the Americana Music Awards show that night. But parking was a big SNAFU and I was late. So I went back home and took care of more bidness. Played awards show with Rodney Crowell. He sang “Closer To Heaven” from his most recent and most brilliant album “Sex and Gasoline”. Buddy Miller’s band was all star, with Bryan Owings on drums, Chris Donahue on bass, Spooner Oldham on wurlitzer (!), etc. Patty Griffin sang harmony with me, among others.

I wanted to stay for the whole awards show but i was too tired to enjoy myself so i went on home and crashed. Friday was busy—played another Bonnie Bishop show at Douglas Corner early, which was fantastic. Later I played with DADDY at the Basement, but not before Tommy and I got together to practice DADDY songs, drop off a hard drive to the Jimmy Buffett mixing sessions, and just before DADDY played, I got to hear some of the new Buffett mixes. That made me very happy, so I showed up for DADDY’s set on Cloud 9. We played like the building was burning down. I love DADDY.

I dragged my weary tail out of bed on Saturday morning, guzzled coffee and drove downtown to the Country Music Hall of Fame for my Songwriter Session gig. i was surprised by a big enthusiastic crowd, which included the Hug Lady and the Hall of Fame Superfan Stalker-type person, who heckled me and gave me great material for stage banter. Thanks, stalker lady.

The Hug Lady is most lovely and sweet and classy.

Then I rehearsed with Angela Easterling and her most excellent guitarist, Brandon, and then we played to a great crowd at The Basement.

What a great week of music and music people.

We had a ball in Northern California last weekend. Visited good friends in Oakland. Bummed around Frisco. Thanks, Emily and Romo! Got to listen to some Staple Singers and Thelonious Monk from the original master tapes, courtesy of Michael Romanowski, Paul Stubblebine and the Tape Project, an amazing audiophile label (http://www.tapeproject.com/). What a thrill for a music lover.

Strawberry Music Festival was a big mess of fun—-I played Friday early. Rock Soup Ramblers Romo, Doug and Steve joined me on acoustic bass, dobro and mandolin for “You Made Your Bed” and “Cape Henry”. Played later with Rodney Crowell—-full band with Denny on bass and John Ferraro on drums. First time Denny and I have played and Harmonized together in a couple of years. I’ve missed you, D!! John Ferraro is fantastic and a great hang as well.

We played yet again at midnight. You may recall my last midnight show at Strawberry—in the round with Rodney, Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson. This year was the Avett Bros and then us. I sang “Piece of Work” and “Betty Was Black” during our set. We were joined by San Fran’s Chickwagon for their version of Rodney’s “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”.

Played the State Theater in Modesto the next night. It wasn’t the big time operation that Strawberry was, but it was a great show, played to a sweet audience. Saw some good friends there too.

Home now. Doing some background vocals for Gwil Owen’s next CD. Working on his version of our song “Another Train”, which I released on “Americanitis”. Working on getting my new CD released as well.

Headed out for Ohio and Michigan this weekend.

I’ve borrowed some bitchin’ guitars from Fender and Gretsch lately—a Custom Shop 50’s Telecaster Relic and a George Harrison black Gretsch Duo Jet. Strung ‘em up with my slightly heavy guage Ernie Ball strings and they both just rocked on my last couple of electric shows. They both absolutely sang through the rented Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue amps.

See you out there.