Year End...recap

Happy Holidays to all my friends and family. Above is a photo we used to send to all our K-Co Construction Company clients. Left to right is my daughter Dalen, my stepson Chad, me, my wife Ruby and my sister Janet. First let me say i do not like the way i look in an elf had and neither did Chad. Second i want to thank these people because they have been impacted the most with me being gone drumming for Smokin' Joe for the last year. They all have been supportive and i love them dearly for that.

This year working with Joe has been nothing like i imagined and an incredible journey. I did not understand how much work is involved getting to and from the gigs, loading in and out. Naturally i only focused on the "glamorous" part the performing. I am used to it ALL now and am totally OK with it. I actually like the long drives and dig looking out the window at our fabulous country going by. I have found that the high of performing carrys me through the work of traveling. The weird thing is i miss being home when i am on the road and i miss the road when i am home. I am truly living in two different worlds and they both are great. I realized all the jobs i have had in my life have highs and lows.

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with this great band and i hope to never forget that. I don't think i can say that any of the gigs stunk at all. They were all great in their own way. Some of the high lights were... My first gig with them in Santa Monica, City Collage in San Diego,Knuckleheads in Kansas City, North American Blues fest in Rockland Maine, Thunderbay Blues feat in Canada, King Biscit Fest in Helena Arkansas, The NA convention in San Antonio, JJ's in Dallas. I could go on forever. Lets not forget 9 dates in 10 day all over Italy. I will never, ever forget the rush of the show we did in Palermo Sicily... WOW. I also had the privilege to work on the new songs and ultimately record the new album. That had been on my dream list for years. The ne album comes out in March and i am looking forward to hearing it on the radio and touring behind it.

I am also looking forward to playing on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise this January. Ruby and i will have a blast i am sure. I will get to hook up with all the friends we have met in the 4 other cruises we have gone on. I have met people all over the country this year that will be on the cruise also. It will be a thrill to be returning to the cruise as an artist this time.

I an off to Dallas for new years Eve then back to San Diego for a week then off to Florida and the Caribean. I know it a rough job but someone has to do it. Keep in touch, huh.

I want to also thank my wife Ruby for her never ending support of my musical dreams. You are the greatest and I am THE LUCKIEST MAN ALIVE.

Dave K

Rollin in my sweet babys arms... at last

Well it is great to be home. I had incredible time on my first tour with Smokin Joe Kubek. My cherry has been popped and i have an awareness of what a touring musician has to go through.

Lots of work and very little music. The daily music is perhaps 2 hours and the motels, loading and driving 22 hours. Joe and Bnois have been doing this continuously for 17 years. Holy Shit!

I got sick on the last few days of the tour and could not find the energy to get on the computer. I wanted to finish this blog before we get onto the next adventure.

Muffin Update:

We sold the muffin! Check our our e-bay item at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150106800413&rd=1&rd=1. We auctioned a blueberry muffin on e-bay and will be donating the money to Eric Clapton's recovery center"crossroads" on Antigua. The celebrity muffin was owned by SJK for a few days. We got $24.50 for it.... What a country.

Our show in Westbrook MA at Chicky's Fine Diner was a blast. The ownership really went out of their way to help us have a great show. The house was packed with SJK fans. Many people knew Joe and crew from other trips up there. I feel like the new guy in these situations but most of the fans treat me great. This was my 11th show with these guys and it feels tighter every night. I love making music that i am familiar with. Hey the food was great also. I hope we get a chance to play there again.

Marlboro Ma found us at Dante's Bar B Que. Great room with a great sound system. My friends from Long Island came to the show and it was great to see them. I don't get to see these folks too often. we have been friends for over 40 years. There was a group of FBI agents in attendance that are big SJK fans. We stayed at Sandy and teds house in Fitchberg MA. She is a great friend to the band and opened her house and refrigerator to the entire band. Thanks Sandy!

Toupelo Music Hall, Londenderry NH. I stayed at a friends house nearby. They fed us homemade Italian food an energized me with friendship. My cold was kicking in at this point but the show went fine. The place was sold out and the owner Scott helped us feel comfortable there. Nice green room and great food. There where serious SJK fans in the house. Some of them have were at other shows we did this tour. Having packed houses and SJK fans really is a great atmosphere to play in. Most of the music i have been playing for the last few years has not been that way to say the least. Every night with this band is better than all those other experiences.

We drove 2 full days to get back to Dallas from NH. I was really sick at this point. I broke down and drank some Nyquil at one point. Being a recovering alcoholic I avoid taking this stuff but i needed relief. I went to sleep on the floor of the van at that point. We stayed at a very crappy hotel on the Tennessee border. We rolled up to joes house at 2:00 AM or so. I caught a plane back to San Diego the next morning. It was an incredible feeling to be back in San Diego again. I realized i was taking a lot for granted. Ruby and i have spent a lot of time together since my return. I love her dearly!!!!!

I leave next week for Dallas again. Friday the 13th we play at J&J's in Ft worth. The next day we start work on the new album in Dallas at Audio Dallas Studios. We have 13 new, killer songs and a few SPECIAL guest artists. At the end of that week we go to Natchez, MS to play a festival. I will be back in San Diego for 3 days and then off to the Mid Atlantic. I love my new life an am very grateful to all the family and friends that have facilitated this for me.

Stay tuned.

Dave K Drums