2003-06-09 - 5:23 p.m.
April 15th and 16th
I got picked up on the morning of the 15th to make our way out to Carbondale, Ill. to start the next tour. Dayton, Ohio is our destination this evening. The next day it’s more driving. We get a late start and we have to be there early to do a radio show so I drive as quickly as is safe in a 25 mph crosswind. The radio station is rather tiny but you gotta love the spirit. It’s truly community radio as it is run strictly by volunteers. Every town should have one.
The club is a typical college rock and roll bar; black and slightly smelly but run by very nice folks. Before the sun goes down I hang around outside and watch the trains go by on the tracks just behind the venue. I love the sound of the whistle as it goes by and can’t help wanting to run alongside and jump into an open freight car and just ride. Of course I don’t but some day I will.
Before the show I find myself chatting with a nice fellow named Bruce who is also a Buddhist. I believe he said he was a Theravedan (Thai) Buddhist. We play a decent first set for a small(it’s a Weds.) but vocal audience. On the set break Bruce comes up to me and presents me with a boomerang. It was a beautiful, handmade and hand painted one. I am blown away by the generosity of this virtual stranger. I guess he felt a connection both spiritually and musically and this was his way of showing his appreciation. I didn’t know whether to except such a gift or even how to except it. I can only hope I was gracious enough as I was thrown more than a little by the gesture.
This was my highlight for the evening though I thought we played well. I think we seem to play very good shows after playing a radio show prior to the show.
