October 20, 15:25

The Van

I’m going on tour!

Okay … I’m actually hanging out with my buddies in Sons of Ra for the weekend. They’ve the ones doing the touring. I’m coming along as official photographed/videographer and merch helper, among other things. This is as close as I’ll ever come to going on tour with my own band. So, I look foreword to the experience.

We’re only doing three shows (yeah, I’m going with “we”), and one of them is back in Chicago. Today we’re headed to Madison, Wisconsin. Saturday is St. Paul, Minnesota, then all the way back to Chicago for a Sunday night show. It will be fun, exhausting, and educational for me.

I’m taking the lessons I’ve learned from other musicians to heart. I’m traveling with three people three days. This means I’m married to three people and their quirks, and they to mine. I’ve already taken precautions to see to it that I’m out of the way while present, getting other things done while isolating myself. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

My “spouses” are looking chipper and ready to go.

Packing gear for a road trip is basically a game of musical Tetris.

But the job is done and now we’re gearing up and are ready to hit the road.

Our first obstacle appears to be connecting one of our phones to the car’s sound system so we can enjoy some music for the ride.

But at least we’re in motion. And the guys always make me feel like part of the gang.

This trip is a most welcome distraction, as this is my least favorite time of the year. My mom and dad left this world on October 18 and 24, respectively, five years apart. I still feel it. But I’ll have plenty of other things to think about during this time.

18:56

Room 215. Madison, Wisconsin

This room is … unique. A very interesting layout. But what the hell … I’ll sleep here.

The drive in was much quicker than I prepared for. That’s never a bad thing. Or I just didn’t notice because I was busy editing Progstock photos.

We’re running behind, but not terribly. All the same, it’s time to get to the gig. And hopefully a little dinner.

18:36

Studio 301. Portage, Wisconsin

One thing is certain: this place makes one helluva first impression. The room itself puts off a proto-divebar vibe. But it fits. The guys should feel right at home.

Here’s something you don’t see every day:

I’m not 100 percent sure what her role here is. But it’s sure to be interesting.

22:52

The boys are about ready to roll. Seems like half a musicians life is spent locating and adjusting patch cords and cables.

OCTOBER 21, 09:24

The Breakfast Table, Madison

The sun is out. I have a bit of a headache. No, there was no drinking. Probably the after-effect of being awake until almost 04:00. I’m too old for the rock and roll lifestyle.

It’s not every day you see a combination skate and coffee shop, but here we are.

One gig down. We’re off to a good start. Keith says it wasn’t their best performance. I thought it was pretty good, as did the audience. The reception was enthusiastic, even if the room wasn’t packed. But this isn’t a headlining tour. No doubt we’re subject to the whims of the fans of the top bill.

In fact, the only real gripe I have concerns my end of the job. The lighting in the place was TERRIBLE for photography. So bloody DARK! More often than not, Mike and his drums were all but invisible. I did the best I could with what I had to work with, but that’s not saying very much.

Here’s hoping tonight’s lighting will be better. But there are no guarantees.

My only other gripe surrounds my failure to set my DVR for some good ball games this weekend. And I was ready to go well ahead of schedule. Shame on me.

St. Paul is next. I might even see one or two friends there.

16:49

Minneapolis, Minnesota

And now I can cross off another state I’ve yet to visit.

The drive in was pleasant enough. Lots of fall colors to see.

A pleasant dinner at the Red Cow, and now a quick stop at a brewery to meet a friend of the band. The art, inside and out, is quite fascinating

I like this place.

18:57

ROK Bar. St. Paul, Minnesota

I’m digging the vibe in this room! I don’t know what it is, exactly. It just hits me in the right place.

Better still, my Make Weird Music pal Kathy Starkey dropped by. She lives in the area.

The potential for light issues does exist. I’ll just have to figure it out.

October 22, 02:04

Residence Most Lovely, Minneapolis

Private accommodations courtesy of friends are most welcome. I’m pretty tired, but there’s still another 24 hours to go.

Truth be told, this jaunt has been remarkably pleasant. Good chemistry in the car, nice people at each stop, music related or not … things are going well.

Sons of Ra were as solid as ever tonight. Though I must confess that I’ve gotten so deep into the photography that at times I don’t even hear the notes. I’m too busy looking for the right angle, then making sure I’m using the right camera settings to get what I need. One more good thing about tonight: the lighting situation was much better. I was so enamored with what I was getting, I all but forgot to take phone shots for the socials.

I suppose that’s a good sign. My confidence is growing.

I’m sure there’s more to discuss, but my brain is mush. I’m off to bed.

October 22, 15:46

The Van

It’s Day 3 of the Sons of Ra Whirlwind Weekend Tour. We’re heading back to Chicago. There’s one more show to do tonight at LiveWire, and that will be that.

Shout out to the guys of Source, who have been sharing the bill and knocking it out if the park.

The day began with an enjoyable band breakfast, courtesy of our kind hosts. But there was no time for anything else. It was time to hit the road.

But not before one more cool moment with the guys from Source …

17:40

Tell me we’re back in Chicago without telling me we’re back in Chicago.

The ride was pleasant enough, most likely because I napped through most of it. I did precious little photo editing. That’s okay … it just helps set my agenda for the coming week.

The gang remains intact and jovial as ever, save for a little fatigue and a few aches and pains. There was entirely too much adult-like behavior between us. Listening, empathizing, accommodating … not exactly the rock and roll tour lifestyle I’ve heard so much about.

There’s already talk of doing this kind of thing repeatedly. I haven’t officially been invited, but it wouldn’t shock me to be asked.

Am I built for a life of occasional touring? I guess there’s only one way to know for sure.

18:24

LiveWire, Chicago

Last stop. After two nights of being the penultimate act of the evening, the tonight Sons of Ra is the headliner.

All three rooms have been pretty similar. The only real difference comes down to age and degrees of wear and tear.

Should be a fun night. One more evening of intense photography. Then I can see my bed. I enjoy the road, but my bed …

It’s the little things.

23:40

Home

It’s been a fun weekend and I’m more than a little tired. I’m sure the band is, as well. In a cruel case of irony, the home headlining gig turned out to be most problematic. There was a technical glitch a half hour or so into the band’s set. This rendered the rest of the show impossible. What a drag.

I had my own thing going. I decided I wanted to challenge myself. I decided not to use my 50-millimeter lens (the most reliable I’ve used), and rely instead on the 35-, 24- and 75-300mm lenses I use for special shots. I got good stuff with the 24 and 35, but didn’t have a chance to use the zoom properly. What a drag.

And so, that as they say is that.

The tour ends.

Still, this was a great run. I learned a few things and really managed to enjoy myself. I met some great people and saw a few things I might otherwise might never have seen.

Am I built for the road? That remains to be seen.

#cirdecsongs

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I’m currently at work on my next book The Wizard of WOO: The life and Music of Bernie Worrell

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