I LOVE EUROPE

Yeah, it is so beautiful and so culturally hip over there! Really felt good to get back, as we hadn't been overseas for several years. Our shows were in Denmark and Norway, and included the Bergen, Norway Blues Festival, many club dates, and a Blues-cruise that went from Denmark to Norway and back. Besides the pleasures of Europe itself, the highlight for me was hangin' out with all the other Blues bands, and for some reason they were all Texas bands! Y'all know that there lie my musical roots.

I first met guitarist, Alan Haynes while touring with Albert Collins. Alan is a legend in his own rite in Austin, having come up through the ranks with Stevie Ray and the gang. Alan had a couple of legends backing him too; Appa Perry on bass, and Uncle John Turner on drums. You might remember that Uncle John was the original singer/drummer in Johnny Winter's first band. The man's got quite a history, and his soulfulness and sense of humor kept us in stitches! As a rhythm section John & Appa perform regularly in Austin at a club called "Joe's Generic Bar". Calling themselves "Appa's Blues Power", this is the last bastion for Blues music in Austin. Check out both of their websites for more Austin Blues news: Appasbluespower, www.unclejohnturner.com, and Alan Haynes Other Texans included the big man himself, Omar, and his band The Howlers. With his soulful growling vocals, stinging guitar, and overpowering physical presence, it's always such a joy to experience his personal self, that of a sweet and charming southern gent.Harp player Guy Forsythe, also out of Austin, had some legendary cats in his band too. Bassist Gil T has a body to match his fat groovin' tone, and is most likely the only bass player who completely covers the giant SVT cabinets he plays through. A legend in Austin now for his great grooves, I first met Gil when he hailed from L.A. and was a driving force in the roots music scene there, playing with the Rhythym Pigs.Guy introduced his drummer as "Frosty", and as I checked out their performance I was majorly impressed with the variety of smokin' grooves that Gil and Frosty were layin' down. Hmm... I thought...I'll bet this drummer took his name from that drummer called "Frosty", who used to back Lee Micheals back in the 60's/70'. I was a big Lee Micheals fan as a teenager, and saw them live many times, each time eagerly awaiting the (now infamous) drum solo. Through further conversation I came to find out that this was the VERY SAME Frosty. I got all excited, and reverted back to teeny-bopper fandom.... I was gonna meet the real Frosty! But seriously folks...this is one HOT band....check em' out if you ever get a chance.Big thanks to Flemming Christiansen and Marsk Music for bringing us over to your beautiful world; treating us right; and feeding us like royalty.