LOVE THE GAME TOUR, 2001

Since the launching of the new CD, we have been so busy that it's been tough to keep up with anything else, like writing about our road adventures. Since the beginning of March we have completed two cross-country tours of the U.S. and two weeks in Europe. Things have been going great and I'd love to mention some of the tour highlights.

Probably the most notable show to date was our performance for Mountain Stage in Charleston, WV. This is a syndicated Public Radio show that features several artists each time they air. We were thrilled to share the bill with; Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Margolin, The Holmes Brothers, and little known to the Blues audience, Folk/Pop artist, Vance Gilbert.

Any opportunity to hang with some of our Blues legends is food for my soul, and Pinetop & Hubert are just so cute! Ya know how sometimes you go to give an elder person a hug and they feel a little fragile? Well, not so with Pinetop! He feels solid as a rock and still enjoys being silly and having fun; No doubt, a big clue to his longevity. And man can he still play the Blues! What a treat! Backed by Bob Margolin's band and enhanced by Hubert Sumlin the stage was graced with real-deal, down-home Blues. Bob is one of my personal Blues guitar heroes and I'm especially moved when he plays the slide...low-down & so sexy!

The Holmes Brothers are longtime Blues buddies and have an exciting new CD out. Produced by none other than Joan Osbourne. We were so lucky to be a part of this show.

Vance Gilbert was a great surprise, as he travels in very different musical circles. This merging of genres makes me recall the beauty of that now long past TV show, Night Music with David Sanborn. We really miss that one, it was so cool!

Vance is a solo artist/singer/songwriter/guitarist, and he is unforgettable. With an incredible voice, reminiscent of Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarrau, his influences range from Jazz to Folk to Pop. His songs are personal, insightful and moving, and when you mix that with his flair for stand-up comedy you have one world-class performer!

For our performance we were joined by Keyboard player Bruce Katz. Bruce cut the "Love The Game" CD with us and will be jumping on for several other festivals, and special performances this year.

The Mountain Stage radio show should've been aired on Public Radio already, but watch for the show on Public Television to air in late August or September.

About a week later, we played again with Pinetop in South Dakota. This time he was using Rusty Zinn and Co. and our own A. J. Hager on bass as his backing band. Another really soulful evening, it was our first opportunity to meet and hear Rusty Zinn, who as all of you who have been lucky enough to catch one of his performances, already know is one happenin' young Bluesman!