home at last 

2010- the most traveled year o’ my life 

 

i finished my last show of 2010 in chicago finishing a run that went from toronto, to a loft session on sirius/xm which begins airing today (dec 20, 2010), to a show at the millinium stage at the kennedy center (they archive ALL shows...hint) all in washington dc.- then 2 shows in hastings, nebraska- then mayne stage in chicago- then h o m e 

 

home just a few daze & have already made lintel soup, 2 loaves of bread, roasted coffee, a winter supply of granola & a peanut butter/chocolate pie-- keeping the home fires burning 

 

a quick story: as i traveled to toronto on the day of show from nashville, it became the worst travel day ever airline-wise - delayed flights/cancelled flights- it was looking like i could not get there- i knew a friend of mine, the great guitarist, tony mcmanus, was coming to the show & we were going to jam on a couple of tunes- well, i was to be on stage at 8:30- at 8:25 i arrived to toronto- tony, being the lord that he is, jumped up to start the show at 8:30 until i could get there (about 9)- all on his own - and saved the night- whoever said, the show must go on obviously knew tony mcmanus - my thanks to master player tony m 

 

part 2: as the travel day was hell & the performance heaven (thanks to tony & new friends & some i had not seen in 35 years) i had not been online or seen texts for hours- as i got into the cab to my hotel, i noticed a text that said- congrats on the grammy noms - and i had no idea what they meant-- i soon found out- one nom for country instrumental (willow creek from the new record) and americana album nom for robert plant & band of joy - what a day and night of coyote contrasts

 

 i wanna bring your attention to 2 projects:

 1- kenny malone- my friend & mentor & drummer for all of my projects has completed an instructional DVD on hand drumming-- i think every one from a beginner to a 40 year pro will benefit from his presentation-- his way of seeing & explaining rhythm is a must 

 

 

2- another must is the new album called ROSANNA by my friend, marcus hummon- i produced it & played on it with kenny malone & bryn davies (bass & cello) & marcus on guitar and piano - marcus is the top of the heap in a town (nashville) filled with singer/songwriter/musicians- no one is better   

 

i am back out in 2011 with robert plant & band of joy starting jan. 18 in asheville, nc. with that run ending feb 8 & 9 (2 shows) in nashville - then the nashville ballet is bringing back the piece that guy clark & i did several years ago with the ballet (on feb 11 & 12, 2010) -- by feb 13 i am off to the grammys 

 

 but for now, 

 

 hey it’s good to be back home again 

 

 have a great holiday 

and check out my friends- kenny malone marcus hummon tony mcmanus 

 

 - darrell