Notes from an Econolodge somewhere in Virginia

Ted Berberian fotog acion grande

I think we last left off at World Café Live In Philadelphia. It was the first time I played that venue and it was cool to reconnect with the soundman Turk. He used to tour and do sound for Rusted Root when I was on tour with those guys a few years back. A lot of years back I guess. Anyways, Turk is now living the stationary life and staying off the road. He seemed content and serene and restless all at the same time. Kind of like me I guess except I am more restless to the nth degree.

Rain and Lou housed us and fed us like we were royalty. It was so nice to be able to get water for our horses and much needed sleep.. It was like going to the hospital for one great night except there weren’t any needles or catheters. Patrick and Christopher and myself all went to see There Will Be Blood at a theater around the corner from Rain and Lou’s house. I can’t quit thinking of that movie and it has haunted me for the last couple of days. I love it when films make you think about them for hours after they've ended, and I still haven’t quite made sense of the whole thing. It’s sort of a Biblical battle of epic proportion. It could almost be seen as a the story of our country and the greed and lust for oil under the guise of family values.. Religion and business intertwining for as long as it is profitable and also convenient for both. But when egos and greed take precedence over all, it becomes clear that there isn’t room for both to coexist. Daniel Day Lewis is extraordinary and riveting in his drive for power at all costs. His bitter hatred of the human race and lack of trust for anyone is a study in greed and power that I’ll never forget. I need to go see this movie again next time I get a chance. I really think it is a parable of our world today and there are lessons to be learned. But what the hell do I know?

Last night we played at Ashland Coffee and tea in Ashland, Virginia. Pretty good turnout considering I’ve never played that venue before. We got play for a long time and there were Germans in the audience. Real live Germans visiting this here country. I even had one of them get up on stage and translate a song I made up about me taking over the city of Ashland and it sounded way cooler in German than in English. The staff a this joint is stellar and so was the food. There is a train that cruises right by the stage and whistles away which makes it even cooler. It’s neat to look outside and see a big steaming train with passengers looking in and me looking out for that beautiful moment caught in time for a brief second or two.

Today we are off to Suffolk, Virginia and Bill and Dana’s house concert series. I have done this concert series many times before. I think this is the 100th time I will have played their house. Maybe just the 6th. Bill even has a new hip this time so it will be fun to kick him in the side really hard just as I would a new tire on a car. He’s going to love it!

Tomorrow Cahttanooga, Tennessee!
Onward and upward,
Steverino