I must begin by apologizing for the amount of time between my last update. I have really been slacking and thus only now have I truly become a member of Counting Crows!!

During this down time Millard (CC front runner for bass position) has hooked me up with Amy Grant and we have been the rhythm section in her band filming episodes of Three Wishes (a man has to do something to make a living) Three Wishes is a reality TV show for NBC where they arrive in small towns and people line up around the block to ask for a wish. i.e. My daughter had an accident and we can't afford the surgery.   Or, my farm was destroyed in a fire... Help me man!!!   Well, you get the idea.   I don't think there will ever be a shortage of needy people in the world.    Anyways, they pick "three wishes" from each town, set up camp for a week and then make them happen.   We roll in on the last day to play a free concert in the center of town where they wrap things up and shoot a song or two.   The next day I am on my way home. One of the things I like about doing this show (besides the money) is going to these small towns to play.   How often does one find themselves in Le Mars Iowa or Clovis New Mexico?

Next up... Brookings South Dakota.

As you may or may not know most of these towns don't even have an airport.   So, they fly me in as   close as they can and have a rental car awaiting my arrival.   For the last fifteen years of my life I have been on the road.   It may sound silly, but it is both refreshing and fun to be driving on my own to these very remote places.   You must understand that in the normal touring world you always travel in groups and everything is taken care of.   As far as travel is concerned, you are but a robot that merely shows up at the allotted time and either hops in a car/bus, or holds on to the plane ticket that has just been shoved in your hand.

So, here I am roaming the back roads of the the country in my mid size blah, blah, blah.   Highlights have included, gazing in awe at the biggest thunder storm I have ever seen in my life in Iowa.   It was truly spectacular until all of a sudden, I was driving in the middle of it. Lightning was blinding me from every direction, not to mention rain coming down so hard most people pulled over to the side of the road.. which of course made it easier for me to pass.

I enjoyed driving 120 MPH on a two lane Highway in New Mexico as well. This is not something I get to do every day.   Roooom!!   And who could forget the giant buck that jumped onto the road and rammed into the car in front of me head on.   I managed to swerve right and miss the car, but not the many deer parts that were exploding in the air around me. It has been an interesting run and I am ready for the next adventure on Thursday.

I am looking forward to the upcoming show on October 25th with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra. I have been in touch with various band members and everyone seems to be doing well.    Of course Immer and I continue to keep Glider alive.

See You Soon,
Jim