Greetings from Red Bank, NJ—not far from Asbury Park. Tonight we play The Count Basie Theater here. Here’s a photo from our recent Richmond show:

Still having fun out here. Tonight the wonderful Civil Wars open for Emmylou. I believe the CW’s John Paul is my Alabama homeboy.
When I last wrote, we were headed into NYC to play Central Park w/ Levon Helm and play on The Jimmy Fallon Show. Both went real well. It was a thrill to see Levon and his amazing band. The Fallon show was a blast.
From there, we headed south to Richmond (where John Starling sat in and his talented son Jay opened), Atlanta (where guitar guru Steve Novelli paid me a visit), Vienna, VA (Wolf Trap, where I was joined by my Mama, Daddy and sister and several good friends), and then back up the East Coast to Camden, NJ, to play WXPN’s XPoNential Festival. Last night was Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore (where I was joined by Ira Planer from Burriss Amps, my cohort Mary Sack, and Bill Toms, whose new album, “Memphis”—which I produced—is due out in September).
Now we’re in Red Bank for the night. Beautiful old theater. I think Springsteen lives around here…I wonder if he’ll show up.
Next stop: Portsmouth, New Hampshire. See you out there…

It’s been too long since I posted a blog here. I have been on the road all summer and busy recording in between tours. One of those summers where I plan to catch up on my sleep while I’m on tour. And everybody knows that ain’t right. I am out on the road, of course, with Emmylou Harris, whose music I have known all my life. Whose voice most folks know.

I’m back in a band with Bryan Owings, with whom I played in Will and the Bushmen way back in the 20th Century. We rode elbow to elbow in a Chevy van all over America for a while there in the late 80s and early 90s. If Ray Lamontagne hadn’t whisked him away, I might be out here with Doug Dawson, who was also along for the ride in that Chevy van.

The rest of the band? Killer players, gentlemen all. The crew? Pros.

Emmylou? The real deal as a musician and a human.

The tour has been a blast and a satisfying musical experience in so many ways. I am trading licks with Rickie Simpkins. I am making atmospheric washes with Phil Madeira. I am punching out rhythms with Chris Donohue and Bryan Owings. I am harmonizing with Emmylou Harris.

I have walked all over Berlin, Dublin and London with my fellow Red Dirt Boys. I have gotten my 2nd ten cent tour of Berlin in as many years with dear old friend from both my homes, Mobile and Nashville, Clark Parsons.

I have walked out on stages in 9 countries with Emmylou and the Red Dirt Boys since May, from Bruges to Glasgow to Telluride to Owensboro, Kentucky (hometown of Michael Grimes, Johnny Depp and the Bluegrass Museum).

I miss my family. They went on a great trip to California while I spent my break from touring in the studio and hanging out with my dog. My friend Romo got married to my friend Emily in northern California while I was onstage with Emmylou and Ron Sexsmith in Ontario. Sometimes life is upside down, sideways, kind of lonesome, but rich and wonderful all the same.

My wife and I have a mantra: It’s the life we chose.

Meanwhile, I’m on my way into New York City to play Central Park with Emmylou and Levon Helm today, and the Jimmy Fallon Show with Emmylou tomorrow.

And on from there.

I am working on a new album of my own, and have several other projects going as a producer and musician. I’m kind of lonesome but in the company of good friends. Life is rich and wonderful. See you out there…