Back to Texas

This has been a really good week. We got to spend a few days in Nashville meeting with some friends and meeting some new ones. Every time we visit Nashville I feel at home. Thank you, Nashville, for being an absolutely awesome place. 

Now we find ourselves in the glorious state of Texas. The weather has been so nice in Houston today! I even got the chance to nap outside on a lounge chair next to a glistening pool. If I even tried this in Michigan the sentence would have panned out something like, "I even forced myself to shiver in the freezing cold next to a frozen above-ground pool". David's parents are taking us to a joint called "Incredible Pizza" tomorrow. Pizza is my favorite, so as you can imagine I am more than excited to visit said pizza place. I bet the pizza there is incredible. 

-Shannon

We've been in Nashville (or NashVegas as they call it) for a few days. Our friend Michelle has been kind enough to house us for the duration of our stay.
Nashville is a neat city full of cool shops/restaurants and filled with history. I really enjoyed Fido coffee, Noshville Deli, and a Thai restaurant called PM. Good stuff.

It's rad being in a town that loves music and surrounds you with it. A lot of my favorite musicians live or have lived in Nashy. I'm told that Robert Plant is planning on moving into East Nashville very soon. How cool is that?

-Burk

Arcade Fire

I totally think this band-deserved album of the year. There’s always a complaint about pop-garbage on the radio. Sadly though, garbage sells. However, I think what they are doing is refreshing. They have created an album that is creative, melodic, and inspiring. Seeing other bands succeed in doing what they are aiming to do is really encouraging. It seems they are simply trying to be themselves.

Honesty & hard work pay off.

-Mike

A Toast For Mother

I know it's not mother's day, but I would just like to take a moment and recognize the fact that I have the greatest mother in the world. She is my best friend- it's been that way since I can remember. She is the kindest, most selfless, caring, compassionate, loving, wonderful, and [insert any well-meaning adjective here] person I have ever known. She's always been there for me and supported me in everything I've pursued- especially music. When I was young and first starting to play the piano I would often get discouraged and rather watch Power Rangers than plunk on the notes of a piano. However, she saw something special inside of me and continued to push me to learn other instruments and creative arts. Because of her commitment to be the best mother she could to me, I've been learning music for over 14 years and now I'm living me dream. It's amazing- sometimes the people we love see much more in us than we could ever see in ourselves. Thanks, mom. You're an amazing woman. I cannot wait to hang out with you in March. I love you. 

-Shannon

The Beard Less Traveled.

I wish that my beard as long enough to tie up the hands of criminals when I catch them in the act of a robbery. I wish my beard was long enough to braid into a trampoline, to save children who are falling to their deaths. I wish my beard was long enough to weave into a basket, in which I would store Granny Smith apples, preserving them, keeping them at their ripest for days. I wish my beard was long enough to feed Africa. But alas, it is not.

Alas, criminals will run free. Alas, children will likely plunge to their deaths. Alas, apples will become mealy. Alas, Alas... My apologies, Africa.

-David

william the cat

We are now leaving Salisbury, NC. We were there for a couple days and played a show at a church there.
Our friend Paul let us stay at his home for the past two nights. He has a new pet cat that the band all fell in love with. His name is William and he is awesome. He is only a few months old. His fur is gray and super soft.
Some good times were had and William discovered that my fingers are great chew toys. He also scratched me quite a bit. Needless to say I have something to remember William by. I hope he remembers me too!

-Burk

Road, Road, Road

It has been a while since I last made a blog entry. We have seen Texas, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina since my last entry. I must say, it is incredible. The amount of places you get to see while you are out on the road- not only the places- but the people you get to meet. Every single person has a story- every night we play we get a few moments to share conversation. Over the course of time, many relationships build and soon the road becomes several homes and friends spanned across an entire country. We share small fragments of time together framed inside of musical sets and the exchange of words while van trailers are packed with equipment. 

This is my dream. This is what I have longed to do since I was a child. I grew up in front of a boombox playing The Cranberries, Tom Petty, Neil Young, etc.. While doing farm chores I was dreaming of sitting in my room trying to figure out how to play my guitar. I realize that this isn't something that I just decided to do one rainy day. I have to do this. It runs in my veins. It makes me tick. Not just the music, but the people that I have the honor of sharing it with. Home is not a geographical location to me as much as it is the people I am around. Not just the band but all of the wonderful people I have met along the way. 

Yes, the road has it's up and down's. Yes, there are times when I miss the idea of a bedroom and a shower. But overall, I am grateful to be doing what I believe I am called to do as a job. Many people settle for less than what they believe. You can always make more money. You can never re-make memories. Time is moving forward. I hope we as a band can encourage people to follow their dreams and become successful while doing so.

Thanks to all who support and believe in us.