That's Gordon and I on the Scenic Coastal Train.  Amber took the picture, and we all had a nice time. The train goes from Rockaway Beach to Garibaldi (Oregon.) I am not discontent in this picture. I would return home 3 days after this picture, and show up to the MilROCKie event I helped organize. Running an event (not alone) that involves many bands and personalities is challenging for control freak like myself. I'm eternally convinced that if everyone just plays the rolls I've designated for them in my head, all will be so happy.  It's ego, and selfishness, and good intentions, and caring, and etc. etc. Like almost everything it's a mixed bag of function and disfunction. In this case the best thing for me do is see where I can be of service. So I tried to do that. It's a big wrestling match in my head. I'm helping with sound, and I just want to reach over the sound guys shoulder and do it all for him, or give him some good sage advice from the old pro (haha)
In the end I found out that things go just fine without my constant interjection. I am a human amongst humans. I am reaching for humility, and I fall short most days. I did ok at MilROCKie. Big thanks to B-Side records and Vintage, and to all the young people that worked hard to set up the event. And Mathias for doing sound (I think he's 17)

I feel working on the new album has stalled. Our intitial attempt at record gave mixed results. We shall regroup and try again. World, you're just going to have to be patient.

Can you believe a regular working stiff like myself could own a home? Even a home that just got new windows! I have walked the straight and good path for a good stretch, and that consistency has payed off.  
The government/politics/leaders of this country never fail to disappoint. Where there's opportunity to exploit, to get ahead through greed and power, our trusted servants rarely let us down. 
That said, and I don't think we're permitted to say it, the American dream does exist, and I am proof. You work hard, take care of yourself, and those you care about, and good things happen. No doubt it's a mixed bag in USA, and it will never be the ideal you want, not completely, so be a little kind in the face of it all.

My favorite shows are: Bewitched, The Partridge Family, and Dark Shadows (The Beginning)

I have some shows on the books now:
Aug. 29th- Seattle-Tim's Tavern
Sept. 19- Salem-Ben's Backyard
Sept. 26th- Portland- Haymaker
Nov. 21st- Seattle- Kenyon Hall
I will get more info on these shows as we get closer.
Barry

Our good dog Gordon gave us a little scare. Gordon is about 15 years old (he looks pretty good huh.)  Little dogs have a hell of a time with their dental hygiene. for some reason they just don't produce the same amount of bacteria fighting enzymes in their saliva, hence bad breath, decay,cavities, and infections that lead to serious health risks. Gordon's mouth began to swell and his breath got worse. We took him to the vet, and they put him on an antibiotic. We started him on that medication hoping to take care of his infection. He immediately  started behaving like a dog on his last days.  Pacing around in the middle of the night, standing and staring at you with a different look in his eyes, laying down in places away from us, and, of course looking the other way when presented with freshly cooked chicken. This makes it hard to give him his meds (he has been on heart meds for some time.)  Amber and I both enter into that horrible emotional place of saying goodbye soon.  So we take him off the antibiotic, and return to the vet. At this point his blood work has come back and it's all bad. She says he's in kidney failure, losing weight, and all his blood levels are wrong. We decide to try a different antibiotic (hoping we can take care of his infection)  On the way home we buy him some fresh fancy dog food, and hope he'll take his meds again.  Back home we make him a batch of scrambled eggs, and he's way into that, and he wolfs down all his hidden meds, and he also loves the new dog food. Within a couple days he's looking and acting like himself, and eating a lot. We finish the antibiotic, and he's coming back to health day by day. He even has some of his old attitude back, and that makes both of us so happy. His breath even got better. Last night (4th of July) we had a little BBQ, and enjoyed the evening. Later we came inside, and Gordon layed on the couch, and fell asleep. He looked so happy, and had a real happy 4th of July, and I hope all of you did too.

I would not say I'm currently in a rut, or uninspired. I even have a few new songs bouncing around my head. The truth is I'm enjoying an empty solo calendar. It's not truly an empty calendar (not sure I'm capable of having an empty slate), but I have no solo shows till Aug. 29th. It's more GRAND HEAD season right now. We shift gears and get a little filthy. Grand Head has shows coming up in August, and it will destroy my voice. That band is very aggressive, and heavy. When we start a show I always tell myself to take it easy, don't blow your voice out, but when the first power cord hits I can't help it. I have only one gear, and it's pedal to the floor. Someday the toll will be too much. Then I can look forward to playing quiet acoustic songs for all of you till I'm 85.