So…I’m doing this Musical Getaway in Costa Rica, March 3-10, 2012. It’s not a cheap gig to attend, but…it’s in Costa Rica. Know what I mean? If you don’t, just imagine a tropical paradise. Then imagine your driveway full of dirty snow that’s only just started to melt. Now, imagine that tropical paradise:

http://www.musicalgetaways.com/
I’m looking forward to it. A whole lot. Come south in early March. Skip the muddy, dripping late Winter transition. The unpredictable weather. The insultingly cold breeze.

Come on baby, drive south with the one you love. I’ll be there waiting, with a banjo on my knee.

———–

Since I got home from Emmylou tour (which starts back up Sept 20…), I have played some great stuff: a trip to see my family in Mobile and Gulf Shores. A whirlwind trip to New York to see our friends Rob and Karan (and various string theorists, philosophers, drummers, occultists and Steve Wynn). Great gigs at Eddie’s Attic (w/ Brigitte Demeyer, whose new album just came out), Pourover Pub by the Nantahala River, and the Magnolia Room in Decatur, Alabama. Recorded with Sara Jean Kelley at Eric Fritsch’s studio, Eastwood, in East Nashville. Played with Marshall Chapman at the Station Inn. Played with Guilty Pleasures for the first time in years at the newly renovated 3rd and Lindsley. Recorded with Kate Campbell at David Henry’s. Made gumbo for some friends, with pre-oil spill oysters I had stashed in my freezer.

———-

Soon to come: more sessions towards my new CD. Sessions at Lij’s (he co-produced “Home Away” and “Americanitis”). DADDY at the MusicCares Benefit Sept 9 at Exit/In. Recording sessions with Lisa Oliver Gray. Brigitte Demeyer’s CD release show. More Emmylou Harris dates….

Jeez…

see you out there.

8 hours from home.

As the sun set over the water yesterday at Newport, RI, I was strumming a banjo and singing along with Pete Seeger on “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “Where Have All The Flowers Gone”. A few minutes before, I had been playing the encore of Emmylou’s show. It was “Evangeline”, and The Civil Wars were adding their otherworldly harmonies to it. And just before that, we were playing an hour long set that felt relaxed and comfortable, yet inspired.

But before that…I was enjoying Elvis Costello and the Imposters, who were joined by the Secret Sisters, Chris Thile and Emmylou. And before that, I was watching Wanda Jackson have a party. Chris Thile and Michael Daves tearing it up. And more.

[caption id="attachment_232" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Jake Bradley tearing it up with Wanda Jackson, newport"][/caption]

And before that, we were in Portland, Maine. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Red Bank, Baltimore, Wolf Trap, Richmond, Atlanta, NYC, Green River Festival, Greek Peak, Indy, Milwaukee, Chicago, Mariposa…

[caption id="attachment_236" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="me and emmylou, richmond, va"][/caption]

I got to hang out with my sister, my Mama and Daddy and some dear friends at Wolf Trap. My rocking wife and partner Jessica showed up in Atlanta.

And soon I’ll be home. Hallelujah.

I must give a big thanks to Emmylou Harris for welcoming me into her musical family and sharing her voice, her songs, her soul and kindness. Go Braves! The Red Dirt Boys have made me feel equally welcome, and we have laughed until our faces hurt in the back lounge of the tour bus, whether we were watching Peter Sellers in “Being There” or surfing musical instrument listings on craigslist, or just hanging out eating a few too many potato chips after a sweaty gig. Maple Byrne for clueing me in on so much about instruments and music. And making me laugh some more.

Nice to meet you, Civil Wars.

Thanks for coming to the shows, and for keeping in touch with me out here. Thanks to Steve Novelli for such fine guitars to play. To Burriss Amps for such sweet tube amplifiers to play through. To Fender and Gretsch for support and classic instruments. To D’Addario for stringing them up. To Planet Waves for keeping it all connected. To Recording King for the banjo and acoustics. To Gold Tone for the Mandola. To Eastwood for the groovy electric mandolin. Bart Chapman for all his help and tips and tricks.

Of course, it’s not over yet. I have my own road gigs coming up this month—-it’s August already??—school is getting ready to start in Nashville??—I have album projects to finish. Album projects to start. My own new record to whip into shape. Yes. It’s never over, is it?

Just ask Pete Seeger. He was everywhere at Newport, and contrary to his image as folk curmudgeon, he was sidestage for Wanda Jackson, Elvis Costello, Amos Lee, and many others who weren’t exactly pure folk musicians. At 92, he still has more energy that most 20 year olds, and an open mind.

See you out there.

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…