The Gutter Bar, Pepsi Cola FL

We had a few days off between gigs and i got some rest and did some laundry. I went to the movies took a few walks and caught up on some work. When i heard the name Gutter Bar i must admit i was very curious. Well it turns out to be a very classy place attached to a bowling alley in Pensacola FL. I started calling it Pepsi cola, FL. The Gutter bar is a big, fairly new room with a big stage and a great sound system. I believe Tim was our sound guys name. He is also a drummer which helps me because he knows how to get the sound i like. We loaded in earlier and went back to the hotel to rest up. When we arrive back at the bar it was packed. In attendance where many musician's, blues society people, radio station people, blues cruisers and just plain blues fans. As normal i met many folks that knew the SJK band for years. We launched in to our first set and tore it up. Off to my right i could see a guy that was making drumming movements with his hands the whole time. Drummer i asked my self. At our break i talked to drumming man and many others. I talked with lovely Sharon and her husband. (See attached photo). Sharon had a fist full of money as she was on her way to the merch table to spend her money with Miss Phillis on SJK CD's. I got asked to sign some CD"s which is a little weird for me since i am not on them. My ego likes it but it's strange. I met a radio DJ that has a blues show in town on Saturday nights for six years. The theme song to his show is Joe"s song howling at the moon. He was thrilled to meet Joe and talk to him. Our second set went real well. We are still doing all the new songs on the seconds set. We are tweaking them as we go. I recorded this sent and we listened to it on the house system after the patrons left and we loaded up. It was great to here it on a nice system. I listen to the playbacks on my headset but it is not the same. I really enjoyed this show as we had a few days off before it and i was itching to play. Great club, great crowd and great memory's.

The Elks Spa and Resort

This is the spot the Wabash BBQ put us up at. What a cool spot. This hotel is very old and built to last. It reminded me of the 30

s-40's. There was a movie being filmed out back that was a wedding scene. It was cool to watch. I got a chance to go in the Jacuzzi before the gig. I miss mine at home. It felt great and i got some sun also. We sleapt late and left for florida the next morning. We made it to Paducha Kentucky, speamt the night and drove the rest of the way today. I have a few days off in Pensocola and i am looking forward to looking around, hitting an AA meeting and relaxing a little. Thursday night we play at the Gutter Lounge... More will be revealed.

Dave K Drums.

Wabash Bar B Que, Excelcior Springs MO

I have been looking forward to this gig. It was the kick off of the 10th season of concerts at this very cool outdoor Venue Photo one is of a great friend, Tim P that Ruby and I met on several of the Blues Cruises. We kept in touch and visited them in KC when SJK band played Knucle Heads Bar on 12-30-06. I really apreciate him coming. It is very fun to meet up with friends while on the road. Thanks to t
Tim for bringing the band hair products on his bike from his lovely wife Jennifer.

We where put up at a great resort/spa across the street. (See next post). I walked over 1 hour before the gig and the place was packed. This is a popular spot with the biker crowd and they where well represented. As i hung with Tim and his friend before the show more and more people rolled in. This is a huge outdoor picnic type area ajacent to the BBQ resturant. They had an outdoor food area as well as several beer bars. I estimated 400-500 people there. The smell of BBQ filled the air all night. People were raving about the food.

We launched a 7:00 PM and the crowd really seemed to dig it. I always enjoy playing outside. It was a little hot at first but as the sun went down it cooled off. There where all ages in attendence and a dozen or so little kids were hanging around the front of the stage dancing and playing. We did our thing and fed off the energy from the crowd. Most folks stayed till the end. When the bikers left some spun thier expensive tires right behind the stage. We got to talk to a bunch of the fans during the break and after. Mitchell i believ was the owners name fed us afterward. I would have to say this was in the top 3 BBQ food i have ever had. We chatted with the owners for a while and packed up. This was show 21 for me with the fabulous Smokin Joe Kubek Band. We continue to play the new songs on the second set. We tweek then a little here and there as we go. I AM HAVING A BLAST. These guys are great musisian and i feel at home here.

BTW I miss my wife Ruby>
We

Zoo Bar Lincoln NE

This is a real live blues bar. It has exists right in the downtown area for 30 some odd years. The walls are adorned with posters from all the shows that have taken place there. It reads like a who's who of the blues world. This place has serious mojo. The first photo is myself and a SJK fan named Dane and nicknamed "The Scottsman". He introduced himself to me and said he has been reading the blog. I was please to meet someone other than my friends and family that reads this. If there are others out there enjoying this, let me know. Leave a comment here or e-mail me at davek@davekdrums.com. The second picture is SJK and his lovely wife Phillis behind the stage during a break. I am not sure what they are talking about but it appears they are in agreement about whats up. Phillis takes great care of us out here on the road. She deals with all of the business so we can focus on the music.

I really dug playing at the Zoo Bar. The house was packed and i saw many people lip syncing the words to the songs. During the break i got to meet many of them. One couple i met, Jeff and (sorry i forgot) drove from Des Moines Iowa to see us. They are aware we are playing in thier town in August but claimed they could not wait that long. We will be back at the Zoo Bar in August also.
Thanks Zoo Bar people. I had a blast here. The downtown area was rocking as we packed up and went to eat. I am getting used to eating at 1:00AM. Off to the hotel and on to the next one..... Good night

Blue Bayou Club, NC

We pull up in front of the Blue Bayou Club in North Carolina. As we get out a car passes and a guy screams "SMOKIN JOE". That's a cool welcome. Moments later my friend Gabrielle (see photo) comes walking up. I have not seen her in 15 years or so. We were friends in Long Island and California and she wound up marring my business partner. She drove 2.5 hours to see us and i appreciate that immensely. We scope out the club and head for the hotel. The venue put us in great place right nearby. I unpacked and Gabrielle came and got me. We visited for a few hours before load in. It was great to catch up on her life and catch her up on mine. We both have really great spouses and very happy lives. I am glad for that. She dropped me off and i got ready for the gig. Load in and set up in a flash. The crowd started rolling right away. This was the first Sunday night this venue had tried. The turnout was awesome. Joe's booking agent Tina and her husband came to see us and there where many others that seemed to know the band. The show went well and i was totally feeding off the audience. It was great to see Gabi rocking out to the tunes we cranked out. This was the fourth night in a row and i felt really good about how i was playing. I had a really good time... Is that clear yet? Most of the folks stayed to the bitter end. We finished our normal sets and did 2 encores. Did i mention it was fun. I am such a lucky man. I get to play great music with great players in great clubs for great people. YEA! The club fed us some great Mexican food. I had a catfish burrito. It was totally different and tasty. Gabrielle left after we packed up. The next morning she picked me up, we had a great lunch and she dropped me off at Raleigh Durham Airport. Next stop...my sweet baby's arms in San Diego. This was a great trip. Love to be home... can't wait to go out again.