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

The Legendary Rhytm and Blues Cruise

WOW... Where do i start? Roger Naber is a genius? I have been on the cruise as a fan 4 times and this was my first time as an artist. Both are great. Those that have been keeping up know i met Smokin Joe as a result of the October 08, Pacific Coast LRBC, shortly after becoming his drummer. To return to the cruise as an artist is a dream come true (a common theme around here). My wife, Ruby and I have made friends all over the country from the cruises and this time convinced 2 couples from San Diego to come along, Bill and Dyana and Kieth and Bonnie and they had a blast. First i need to tell you that there is a large group of recovering addicts/alcoholics that stick together and have meetings daily. As a recovering addict i can't tell you how helpful this is when you are amongst 1800 party animals (one person was trying to pour it down my neck..haha see photo above). I have been clean and sober for over 21 years and intend on staying that way. Thanks too all my homies that helped on this trip (and for coming to our shows night after night). The ship sailed from Ft Lauderdale and went to Puerto Rico, St Croix, and St Kitts. In case the 70 shows on the ship were not enough there was a blues festival on St Croix. Smokin Joe went and sat in with Coco Montoya. Coco then called Tommy Castro, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Shameka Coleland up. What a thrill for all in attendance. Shout out to Tim and Jennifer from KC and our favorite third wheel Alan D from Colorado. We performed 4 times and i jammed at the all night pro jam almost every night. I think playing on the pool deck for the first time was my favorite. The show in the Vista lounge was different as Joe invited Jimmy Thackery, Tommy Castro and Deanna Bogart to play with us. It was very special. I had a great time having Ruby at all our shows. She is so supportive and i love her so. I also marched in the Mardi Gras parade dressed as Elvis playing my snare. I placed in the top 5 in the Mardi Gras competition. The food was insane and never ending.

I can not wait to be invited back. Thanks to everyone!

The Back Room, Boca Raton

The Back Room is a happening little club. The energy is always intense. The crowd danced and throbbed all night. Thanks! Above are a few of our younger fans. I don't remember their names but it was great to talk to them after. They were with their dad who i have seen here before. Thanks for coming. The staff is always great to us here including the pizza party after the show. Gotta love pizza at 2:00AM. This was sort of a send off for the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. Many cruises were in attendance including Ilene the cocktail waitress. Thanks also to my childhood buddy Brian A who picked me up and brought a herd of friends and got me a ride to the hotel in Lauderdale to meet my wife. Thanks man. Hope to be back soon.

New Years Eve.......Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise

I am in Dallas right now and we leave for Florida tomorrow morning. We did a show here

on New Years Eve and then i went home to san diego for week. The new Years Eve show was at a club called Pearl. I had a great time the bar was packed and the crowd was really into it. New Years Eve is really the best party night of the year isn't it. I met some new fans Joel and Gigi from Arlington and plenty of the faithful Dallas fans. I felt like the band was on fire and it was a gas to be on stage again. I caught a flight back to Cali early the next morning. I had a great day with my wife Ruby. We have one show in Boca Raton this week and the we get on the blues cruise. I have been looking forward to this for a while. Getting paid to play music in the Caribbean in the winter.... ah huh. Someone has to do it. Check out http://www.bluescruise.com/ for details. It was because of the cruises Ruby and i went on that o got this great job with Smokin Joe. Talk to you soon.....