Recent Blog Posts
I'm Alive
post a comment | posted Aug 16
Sorry I've been so scarce. Since getting back from SW Asia I temporarily traded by journal time for songwriting time. I've been getting up at 7am almost every morning to write.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 21
post a comment | posted Jul 19
It's always nice to avoid an international incident. We were invited to get up at 0600 and go to the bridge to watch a test firing of one of the ship's defensive weapons, the Sea Whiz (don't quote me on the spelling). However, the firing gets cancelled because there are other vessels in the area, so better to err on the side of caution. Nevertheless, this does let those of us who got up early to get breakfast before it's over at 0715. No fooling around on this ship.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 20
post a comment | posted Jul 19
Reveille Reveille! 0600, the ship says time to wake up. Ouch.
Everyone up for breakfast, then an awesome tour of the ship. The Foc'sle, The Bridge, CIC, ATO, the LCACs. Awesome. After lunch, set up in the hangar deck and a special extended soundcheck for those who won't be able to make it to the show tonight.
Not-So-Recent Blog Posts
Heading Home
post a comment | posted Jul 19
Leaving on a midnight plane to Georgia. Isn't that how the song goes? Ha ha! That's right. Today is the day that we finally head home after what has been one of the most amazing and life changing experiences of my life.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 19
post a comment | posted Jul 18
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL POSTS ARE 2-3 DAYS BEHIND.
Today's the day we head out to sea. Our choppers are pushed back a little bit, so we head to the Bahrain airport around 1100. Everyone is feeling pretty rested, which is nice for a change.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 18
post a comment | posted Jul 18
Looks like we're coming down the home stretch. This morning we had a pretty early call to head out to the APOD Kuwait to catch yet another C-130, this time to Bahrain.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 17
post a comment | posted Jul 15
Another travel day, time for us to start working our way back as we're coming down the home stretch.
This morning we got a nice Marine wakeup call - "Get Up, it's 7 am, Get Up" - guess he didn't get the message that our wakeup was 0730. No problem, gave most of us time to get to the DFAC for breakfast.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 16
post a comment | posted Jul 14
After lunch, we head over to set up and soundcheck. Lt. Bullis had tried to get us on the firing range but it couldn't happen, so he comes up and asks me if we'd be interested in meeting any of the new Iraqi Army that they've been training there. Are you kidding?!? The band is pyched.
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 15
post a comment | posted Jul 14
Al Asad is massive.
This was a former Iranian air force base, so all of the buildings and structures were already there, most built by a Yugoslavian company. Today we have a show here, so this morning we got another tour - this time we got a tour of the EA-6B Prowler, which is an electronic warfare plane, and then our handler Capt. "Pizza's" ride, the F/A-18 Hornet. This is a wicked piece of machinery. We
Tour Manager's Blog - Day 14
post a comment | posted Jul 14
Sunrise over Ramadi.
I've tried to be objective about the band's travels and what's been going on, but I have to get a little personal here. Today is my birthday, and to wake up here in Iraq on that day was a little overwhelming. Almost like it was an honor to be celebrating a birthday there with those people. Definitely something to remember.