Mike Nesmith's Video Ranch, Sand City CA
www.videoranch.com
 Me and Mike Nesmith (Monkees) at his "Video Ranch". I wore my "Freak Out" shirt because Mike was good friends with the late great Frank Zappa. Freak Out was the name of Zappa's first album. Mike told me a great story about FZ being on The Monkees TV show. Joe, Bnois and Paul on the Video Ranch stage with its green screen. Wow what a day. This afternoon we played in front of 7000 people at San Jose State and then we drove to Sand City near Monterey to play in front of 4 people in the studio. The show was broadcast worldwide on the net and on 5 stations owned by KPIG from Redding to San Luis Obisbo and all the way to Reno. This will take some explaining. Mike Nesmith has been a pioneer in music, movies and video since leaving the late 60's mega group and TV show "The Monkee's". Mike is working on a new technology he invented and is using it on his new site http://www.videoranch.com/. Video Ranch broadcasts concerts live from their studio. Patrons can log on and see the concert in Mike's new 3D type image and hear it in higher than CD quality. Here's where it gets interesting. When you log on you can choose an animated body for yourself and place yourself in the audience. What you see on your monitor is the live musicians and yourself and other concert goers along with a "Virtual Venue". You can manipulate your animated body around the venue and what you see changes as you move around. You can also make your body dance and carry on. In front of the stage where we played is a drop down projection screen where we could see the "audience" moving and dancing around. While you watch there is a live chat taking place which we can see on the bottom of the screen. It takes a few minutes to adjust to playing to this audience on the screen. Mike was behind the camera egging us on the whole time.We took 2 breaks for the radio to ID themselves and run some commercials. While we did the host asked us questions typed in from the audience. Interactive indeed. There where SJK fans from, among other places, Czech Republic, UK, Asia and all over the USA. My sister Janet was logged on and I could see her dancing around right up front, just like she does at Los Lobos shows. At the end of our show many in the audience turned into Pink Flamigo's which we were told is the Video Ranch equivalent of a standing ovation. This was a very cool experience to be involved in. In the future (now) you will be able to see your favorite bands, live, without leaving your home. If you have a big TV and a great sound system hooked to your TV you will have something very special. This will never take the place of a real "Live" show but if SJK is not playing in The Czech Republic this week it is a great next best for fans living there. They also have a local band and run old classic movies. Check them out with their free trial period. See the wide range of artists they will be performing there soon.  The view of the stage from the control panel. After the show we had a chance to chat with Mike. This guy has a million cool story's. He was there and lived the dream playing sold out stadiums and hanging with the stars. Mike, his wife Veronica and their staff treated us very nicely including stuffing us full of great food and insisting we take some cookies along with us. Very nice people.  Metro Fountain Blues Festival, San Jose State, CA Backstage with my buddy Jimmie B from Austin. Jimmie is Sonny Landreth's tour manager. We met years ago when i helped Doyle Bramhall on tour. We have kept in touch and I ran into him in New Orleans at Jazz Fest when we were both there helping Doyle again. Great to see you Jimmie. I hope to see him again when Sonny plays at Anthology in San Diego at the end of the month.  Our Green room was in this very cool old house adjacent to the stage on the campus grounds. This is my view of the 7000 some odd people that were jammed into the central court of the San Jose campus.This was the 3rd time SJK Band has played at this festival and my first time. We were treated like royalty the entire time. We were greeted in the parking lot by volunteers to help us with our gear and escort us to the green room. The room was stocked with fresh fruit, wonderful cheese and other goodies. Joe and Bnois did a radio interview while I got ready. We had Back line for this event so i only had to use my pedal, snare and cymbals. The show went great and the crowd really seemed to did it. I could not see very far back but it appeared they were grooving. It seemed to go way to fast and then it was over. I really dig doing these huge shows. I watched Sonny Landreth before we left. We saw Koko Taylor getting out of a limo as we left. Robert Cray played after Koko. We could not catch them cause we had to drive strait to Montery to perform on the radio and Internet at Mike Nesmith's Video Ranch Studio.  THe Crossroads Club, Fresno CA The Dave K fans came out....... Not easy to get into my office sometimes.This gig was put on by the Central Valley Blues Society I believe. If not they were there in force. I spoke with Steve who I had met on the Blues Cruse in October 06. This was a fun gig but the sound was a little hard for us to hear. We made the best of it and had fun. The place was packed, peole danced all night and we had some pretty good Pizza.  Biscits & Blues and The Palms Playhouse This is a fan/photographer who's name escapes me. I met him at a show we did with Tommy Castro in Sacramento last year. Note the homemade Bnois Tee shirt. If you see this please send me your contact info again. This is Johna and his mom. We had a great chat about music. He plays guitar and is doing a report for school on the blues. He told me he likes all genres of music. He really dug our show. i love seeing young people at our shows. They are our hope for the future of the blues. Yeah! We always have fun at Biscuits & Blues in downtown San Francisco. This was no exception. There was a mix of the faithful SJK fans and tourists. There was a table full of Japanese business men in suits right in the front row. I think they just got off the plane. They did not know what to make of us. At one point one was nodding off. Joe did his best to wake him up with no luck. We decided he was narcoleptic if he could sleep in front of Joe's amp. They did buy a bunch of our new CD's when they left......My friends Kurt & Sue from the Blues Cruise were there also, thanks guys. The chicken was really good. The Palms Playhouse, Winters CA.  One very happy fan at the Palms Playhouse. She insisted we all sign her jeans.. HUH
This Venue is a 130 year old building in a historic old town. The owner was great to us and the sound system was good. SJK fans kept calling for songs. We did a few I have never done before. The place was full and we were please especially for a weeknight. This town has no hotels and no fast food. I believe they are very proud of that. I really liked this area north of San Fran. near Vallejo.  Anthology, San Diego CA My ever supportive sister Janet and Chads childhood friend, Frankie. My local band, Road Dog's was the opening act. Terry P on the left and Rick S on the right. Below is Road Dog's bass player Fred L(steady Freddy) after the show.See that smile... Love it. I miss my Dogs when i am out with SJK. Fred L and Bnois King My daughter Dalen and her friend Angel. Dalen is so excited every time she sees us play. I love that about her.I have been looking forward to playing in San Diego since the gig was booked. I had about 50 of my friends and family in this very classy club. I ton of my AA buddies showed and stayed all night. Thanks so much to all of them. Dianna and Bill W brought a big crowd also. I can not thank everyone but you know who you are. The Road Dogs women where there, Kelly, Nadja, and Elaine. The Blues Lovers United San Diego (BLUSD) was a big help promoting the show and have allways been supportive. Steve Burns wrote an article about me for their newsletter and mentioned the show. Joan Hunt was there taking pictures as always. See her Flicker acount at http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingrhino/sets/72157604913368949/.....The Road Dogs portion of the show went excellent. The crowd was very warm and made of feel at home. We did have a chance to run through our set right after sound check. It was sort of weird playing in front of Joe and Bnois i must say. Then the Smokin Joe Traveling Blues Extravaganza featuring Bnois King. It was a blast to share the music i have been making around the world with MY peeps. It was over all too soon. Thanks again to all the people that have facilitated my doing this part of my life. Again it was great to sleep in my own bed and wake up next to my wife. I got up early and went to my regular Sunday morning AA meeting. I was really tired but it was awesome to connect with my home group. After the meeting i went to visit my mom and dad with Ruby, Alan and Kim. Ruby and i went to Outback for dinner and we all went in the Jacuzzi later in the evening. I got up, packed and left with the band the next morning... I missed being at home. 2 days at home was not enough. 10,000 miles in 4 weeks is a bit much, even for me.  Cozy's, Sherman Oaks CA Bnois and Smokin Joe fighting it out with their guitars My step son Chad G and my daughter Dalen in the house. My international buddy Alan D and his girlfriend Kim came from Colorado to see us play. We met on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise and have stayed in touch for years.It was great to be back at Cozy's. I was very excited cause i was going to see my wife and kids for the first time in 4 weeks. I have traveled 9,600 miles in 4 weeks and it was great to see them. My sister Janet came up from San Diego and spent a day with our friends from Woodland Hills, then Janet 1, Ralph, Janet2, and their kids Lucas and Daniel came to see us also. They all look great and i got to meet Lucas girlfriend who's name escapes me. I felt like the show went well. There is no substitute for "Road Chops". Every night seems to get better and better. We all drove back to San Diego in Alan's rented van and i go into MY OWN BED at 4:15AM. I woke up with my wife by my side....YES!  Bolder Station Casino, Las Vegas NV Marquee inside the Bolder Station Casino In Las Vegas. Me on stage signing an autograph on Blood Brothers after the show. Our head of security, Scottie. He co-wrote 2 of the songs on Blood Brothers My set list, pocket watch and my picture of Ruby. Her picture gets displayed on every gig.Well we drove from Dallas to Las Vegas in 2 long days. We had a water pump go out on the morning of day 2. We limped to Bills Radiator in Gallup NM. Nice guys and they managed to get us back on the road by 6:30 PM. I drove us to Las Vegas over the Hoover Dam and arrived at 2:00AM. I slept good. The next day we loaded in to the Casino and had a great dinner in the Buffet. Joe's friend Scottie and his mom Terry met us at the club (they live there) and helped us out a bunch. I have never played in Las Vegas and it was exciting for me. The stage was big and well equipped with great sound guys to help. The room was large and filled up fast. Bolder Station has a national blues act every Thursday night for free. I had a great time and met some cool people. I feel funny sometimes when i meet people that have been following the band for years and tell me about the other drummers. I feel lie a newcomer (i am). We went to Burger King inside the casino after the show and had lots of laughs. I did loose $15 in the casino... Surprise, huh? The next morning i enjoyed the comped buffet again and we hit the road for LA.  Fiesta Heritatage Blues, San Antonio TX Smokin Joes office. Joint Juice, 800mg Advil, slide bar and guitar.I got to San Antonio in time for a little rest. Our show was the next night. It felt great to sleep, sleep, sleep. Our show was at the same Venue we played at for the NA convention. This show had back line so set up was a breeze. The rest of the band drove down from Dallas. The show went well except for when I started the wrong song. Oh my God I was mortified. The Blues Society treated us well and the folks dug what we did. We got done at 8:00 PM and drove back to Dallas that night.  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!  
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