Doyle Bramhall.....New Orleans,

Me and Tab Benoit backstage at Jazz Fest

Lola, the wonder dog showin her stuff New Orleans style...
Jimmie B, guitar tech to the stars....

Me and Robert Randolf at a Doyle Show
Jason Burns and Nick Curan from Doyle's Band eating mud bugs.

Me and Buckwheat Zydaco backstage at Jazz fest
Me and Papa Moli at a Doyle show

Dr John and Doyle Bramhall at a Doyle show at Chicky Wa Wa's.
Yup that's me eating Crawdads after CC Adcock (behind me) taught me how.

How does a working musician spend his time off?? Well i choose to go to Jazz Fest and be part of the crew for my friend, drummer, singer, songwriter Doyle Bramhall. I was involved in 4 shows with them in 2 days. I acted as Doyle's drum tech and helped move the other equipment around. Doyle was doing these shows with his friend, co-produce and swamp guru, CC Adcock, guitar and vocals. Also in the band was Doyle's step son Chris Hunter on drums (yep 2 drummers), Jason Burns on upright bass and Nick Curan on guitar. Doyle's wife Barbara Logan was with us also and it was great to spend time with them both. Chris and I were roommates and it was great to get to know him. Doyle taught him to drum at age 9. He is a great drummer and a fun guy.The shows were very well attended by young and old. The first show was at Chicky Wa Wa's club on Canal. After rehearsal we snuck off to perform at a private party nearby. It was held in a backyard and was an authentic New Orleans Crawfish boil. I have never had much love for mud bugs but i do now that i know how to deal with them. I ate a shitload. The party was a blast and the folks loved the music. Then we ran back to the club for the show. Popa Mali was the opening act and he did an awesome job of warming them up. The club was packed well beyond capacity i am sure. Among the revelers was New Orleans fixture Dr John and pedal steel wizard Robert Randolf. I met a bunch of interesting people.

The next day (with not much sleep) we loaded into the Jazz Fest Blues Tent. We had 20 minutes to set up and launch. The stage managers were nervous but we had plenty of crew and pulled it off. The tent was full and they really responded to Doyle's music. Nearby on the wall of the tent there was a huge poster of Stevie Ray Vaughan. I pointed it out to Doyle and he laughed and said he"s everywhere. I dug being there and helping Doyle. It was cool to watch Barbara watch Doyle. After that performance Doyle had an interview on the othere side of the fairgrounds. Doyle and CC did an acoustic performance where Doyle playeddrums on a cardboard box. We had a nice dinner at the hotel, quick nap and off to The D.B.A. Club in the French Quarter. Load in, set up, sound check and off they go at midnight. Another packed house and another killer show. The show ended at 3:00 AM, load out and in bed at 4:30. At least i bet the sunrise. I got up and caught a plane to San Antonio to do a show with Smokin Joe. Nice vacation huh? I had a blast!

Cedarberg Cultural Center, WI

Me and Cassie
The Cultural Center

This gig was an unexpected pleasure. Cedarberg is sort of a rural area and when i saw the name of the venue i wondered what culture we would bring. That's what i get for being judgemental. When i walked in it seemed more like a museum with a stage There was a bunch of cool art displayed that was done by local kids. We set up and the place started filling and filling. By the time we started it was full. The people dug us right off the bat. That energizes us and we pick it up a few more notches. What a great gig to take on down the road with us. It was the topic of discussion in the van as we started our 2 day drive back to Dallas. Thanks Cedarberg for helping to make the drive better. At the show was Cassie and her family. I first met her in Minnesota and have seen them at several shows up in that neck of the woods. I believe Cassie is 13 and a big SJK fan. I think she has grown a foot since the last time i saw her. Also at the show was Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer and his wife. It was cool to meet her and see Bruce again.

Buddy Guy's Legends Club, Chicago, IL

Dave K (me) on the stage at Legends

Buddy sign in the backstage area upstairs.
Eric Clapton painting on the wall.....

What a blast to have the opportunity to play here. To think of all the people that have played on this stage. Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Rick Skinker and the list goes on forever. Our show started at 10:30 which is pretty late. There was an act before us called The Other Band Of Gypsy's. Yep, Hendrix cover band, Star Spangled Banner and all. We used the house equiptment which saves a little time. I got a great exersize and nap session at the hotyel. I slice of Chicago pizza and i was ready to go. Bruce I, owner of alligator Records was there with some of his staff and 2 reporters from Germany. We got a tour of the record company earlier in the day as they are based in Chicago.........More later

Brandon Casey's Bradley IL

This gig was put together by a group called The Friends Of The Blues. The claim they are not a Blues Society so they have no elections, dues or meetings. They just put on blues shows. The event was held at a big club/restaurant about an hour south of Chicago. We loaded in earlier in the day and went to the hotel. I went to the fitness room and walked on the treadmill while listening to Led Zeppelin. Then I got a great nap. Playing night after night is what I prefer but it does get tiring. When we showed up to do the gig the parking lot was full and the bar was filling up fast. Once we started I knew it was going to be good. The crowd was clapping after Joe’s first solo. A very hip crowd indeed. The sound system worked great and the band had a great evening. This gig started early so the audience and us could get into bed early. They fed us after the gig. I had some blackened salmon and it was killer. Back to the hotel for some sleep. Evidently at 4:30 AM a huge earthquake shook the entire area and was felt as far away as Chicago. None of us felt it. We all slept through it. My wife and father heard about it in San Diego and both called to check on me. The owner of the club, Scott, insisted we come back for breakfast so we did before we headed to Buddy Guy’s club in Chicago. I very fun gig. 3 great weeknight gigs in a row.

Slippery Noodle and Skips Lounge, Indiana

My wife Ruby at Skip's. I have her picture taped near my drums at every gig. I miss her so.
One of our fans at Skip's

Big Dave at Skips

Little Dave at Skips

Our odyssey continues. The drive to Indiana is long and uneventful except for a little snow in PN. we stopped for Starbucks as we do most days. Bnois did most of the driving. When he gets in the "zone" he can drive forever. He actually holds the record for the longest continuous drive at 13+ hours. The fist gig of 5 in a row is at The Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis. This is a legendary club with the distinction of being the oldest in town (1850). They own a house nearby that the bands stay in. It was cool because i had by own room for a change. This gig was on a Tuesday night so my expectations were not high. So much for expectations. The ground floor was full and there were people in the Balcony. When we showed up to play they were showing a Tommy Castro DVD on a large screen over the stage. Lots of faithful SJK fans were in attendance. I ad a great time at this show. We were given club tee shirts after the show.

Skips Lounge is further north on Angola IN. I had played there once before...in the freezing cold. We loaded in earlier in the day and went to the hotel for a nap. When we got back once again the fans did not let us down even on a Wednesday night. This venue has a large balcony area also. I forget people are up there when i am playing and then i see them up there. This place has musical instruments on every inch of the walls. it has been happening place since 1970. The show was great. SJK fan, Big Dave, sat in with us on guitar for 2 songs. He looked nervous but played great. the owner treated us wonderfully and i talked to a bunch of folks some of which i had met last time. BTW the Coney Dogs are unbelievable. Worth the drive i assure you.

Hillsborough NC & Greenbely MD

My friend Rose A. came to see us in MD. She lives about an hour away. It was great to see her and catch up a little. We grew up together and used to see each other move before i moved to California. I miss you Rose! BTW.....I was not drinking, just playing!

Meet Tina T. She works at our booking agency. She lives in NC and came to our gig.

This is the great and mighty Bill Wax. He is the main DJ at XM satellite radio, Blues Channel 74. Bill spins our records all the time and is very supportive. It was great of him to come to our gig.

I was honored to meet him and his lovely wife.

Dave K or Unibomber???? I have been walking as much as i can. This was my walking outfit Indiana for the near freezing weather.

This is the aftermath of the dryer not drying all the way.

Hillsboro NC, Blue Bayou Club. This was the second time i played there. My friend Gabi could not come this time but i managed to have fun anyway AHhahahah. Great crowd, great club, great management. They served us some killer food after also. I met a guy,Tom, that grew up in Baldwin right next to the town i grew up in, Oceanside NY. He is a drummer and sober also.

Every one of these show has its own feel and i have a gratitude for the opportunity i have been give. I did get to 2 AA meetings in the time off before the gig. I needed that.

The next morning i drove us to Greenbelt MD. On our schedule this gig showed as at an American Legion Club. I did not now what to expect. WOW.. This was a killer gig. I believe it was set up by the Blues Society and it was a fundraiser. It had a huge room and a wonderful sound system. The people seemed to dig it. We had people dancing all night. My friend Rose came with her friend Margaret. It was incredible to see her. The last time i saw her was in the desert outside of San Diego 4years ago. Rose and Margret danced all night. I appreciated them coming. It is great to see friends while on the road.

I had a chance to use my web cam to "visit" with my wife Ruby last night. It was wonderful to "see" her. I really miss my family. Life on the road is hard but fun. Missing my family is the hardest part....

Tallahasee and Jacksonville Beach

Dirlie from Jacksonville. Our friend from the Blues Cruise. Her and Ray took me out for coffee.
Jacksonville Beach festival site

Zoot Suit digs Blood Brothers... a bunch.
Doing our thing in Jacksonville Beach Festival

After Boca Raton on Friday night we drove up to Tallahassee and did our gig at the Bradfordville Blues Club. Gary and Kim, the owners are the sweetest people and made us feel right at home. Our show went well. One of the songs on Blood Brothers, Out On A Limb, got modified during sound check last time we were there. It got recorded that way (trivia). It was fun to me back there. (No photos..sorry)

The next day we drove to Jacksonville beach for the "Springing In The Blues Festival". We went to the hotel and got cleaned up. Dirlie and Ray picked me up and we went to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. It was nice to catch up and get to know them better. We met them on the January 08 Legendary Rythm and Blues Cruise. Dirlie was at every show I did, in the front row with that great, infectious smile. Thanks Dirlie.

We rolled to the gig and found our way to the stage. Bruce Iglauer was there as the 3 day festival was a tribute to him and most of the acts where on his label, Alligator Records. He told us they gave him the key to the city. The stage was a huge permanent concrete structure adjacent to the beach. It had been raining on and off during the 3 days of the fest. We were scheduled to go on last on the last day. We drove thru poring rain on the way from Tallahassee so we were concerned the fans would hang in the rain. They did and the rain held off till we were on our last song. I know i say this a bunch but we kicked some serious ass. The crowd ate it up. We did most of the songs off the new album. It was a little intimidating for me to play with the owner of the label and co producer sitting front row center. I did not let it rattle me and i did fine. The drum kit they provided was fine and i used my cymbals and snare. WE hung around for a while after so Joe and Bnois could sign some CD's and then we chatted with Bruce for a while.All in all a great day...and in bed early for a change.

The next day we drove to Gastonia NC to lounge around for a few days. I caught up on some sleep, did my laundry and made it to 2 AA meetings. Our gig tomorrow is a few hours away at Hillsbourogh NC at the Blue Bayou Club.

Gonna be a busy 5 weeks... just like i like it.

Dave K

Back on the Road

Road repair of a pulley. The part arrived in 15 minutes and the repair took 10. They charged $42parts and labor. What planet you ask???? Alabama of course. Starbucks next to the garage also....... Yea, that's what I'm talkin about.

This was one of my travel outfits..What do you think? Haircut by Sharri.

This is me and Anika the lovely Bar Maid after the gig at The Back Room in Boca Raton.

The album is doing great. It debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. I have heard it on the radio 5 times. What a thrill. Many of my friends have bought the album and i have gotten great comments from everyone.

In my time off had 2 great local gigs. First was with Alan Iglesias and Crossfire. Alan does a great SRV tribute. I rehearsed with him before and the gig went well. I love Stevie's music and was honored to share it with Alan's fans. The other was with my local band Road Dogs. We did a show up in the mountains. It went very well and it was fun to spend time practising and playing with Terry, Fred and Rick. Road Dogs will be opening for Smokin Joe when we play in San Diego.

I am back on the road with the band. I will be gone for 7 weeks. This is the longest time out with them. We have dates all over the country. I am looking forward to it but it will be hard being away from my family and other job for so long. We have 1 date in San Diego and a day off after so i will be able to see my family for a day. I arrived in Dallas Tuesday the 1st and drove for 2 days to south Florida. Tonight we play in Boca Raton then 2 more dates in Florida. Next is North Carolina and Maryland. From there we go to Indiana and Illinois. Up to Wisconsin and back to Dallas. I have a few days off then and i will head over to New Orleans to be part of Doyle Bramhall's road crew for 3 shows at Jazzfest. I meet the band in San Antonio for 1 date. Then we head to Las Vegas, LA, San Diego, and the bay area. Next up to Oregon and Washington state for 5 dates. Sounds like we might do a few in store appearances to pimp the album.

I hope you will come see us if we get near you!