Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I realize, it's been a while....

So, I just wanna start out by apologizing for not posting in a while. Its been a very busy few weeks, which is a good thing!

I'm listening to Merle Haggard right now on my iTunes and I'm happy about Merle Haggard right now because its indirectly due to him that I got another gig today! LOL No, I'm not gonna be working with Merle Haggard, but his drummer, Randy Mason, is the drummer in my bro's band and Merle decided to record a new album, so, I picked up one of Randy's gigs while he's out recording with Merle! :)

I've been working a lot more lately and I have even more work coming up soon. I still haven't played anywhere else downtown besides The Wheel, but I'm def ok with that because I love that bar and I've been working there a lot! I just worked a couple of days ago there with Monte Good and we had a blast. It was a small crowd cuz it was a Monday but we had a great time playing! I played drums for the first time with Monte so that was cool! And, the guitar Danny, really liked what I was playing so he's got some work for me coming up.

Danny gave my number to a guy named Jimmy Parker, who called me last night to play drums with him on the weekend of Dec. 19 and 20 down in Mississippi at the Isle of Capri Casino. I get to do my first road weekend! I'm pretty excited about it. The pay is good and we get rooms, meals, and transportation for free! I like casino gigs so it should be fun!

Other than that, things are going really well down here! I'm working out every day so I feel better every day! My bro was definitely an inspiration for that. He's lost over 100 pounds by just working out everyday, not drinking so much, and eating better. So, I'm doing that now and it seems to be working out because I feel so much better and its only been a couple of weeks!

I also love living with my bro and his wife. They are awesome people and have made this move so easy! They are just fun people to hang out with! I couldn't ask for better roommates right now!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm really really happy! I haven't been this happy in a long time! I love this city!

Ok, that's all for now! I'll try and write more often! Keep checkin back!

With love,
~harry

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Still looking for work...

Well, its been 2 and a half weeks and I'm still looking for more work. I have only worked 2 gigs, which I guess is ok, but I'm starting to get a little bored during the day and I'm getting restless just sitting around, waiting. I got so used to playing 5 or 6 nights a week back at home for the last 2 years, so now, to be not working at all is just too different for me.

But, on a up note, I played the NEISGA Show this past weekend and it was fabulous once again. I always love going to Waterloo and playing this show because I get to see all my steel guitar friends that I never get to see except for like twice a year. Its so fun because its really just like one big happy family getting together and just having a good time. Although, this year, I didn't get to hang out with everyone very much because I played SOOOO much!!! I think I only had like 5 sets off the whole weekend! And out of about 30 artists, that's a lot of playing! But, it was fun to play again, because as I mentioned before, I'm not playing at all right now.

Another highlight of the weekend was seeing my cousin Kate for the first time since her recent ENGAGEMENT! Kate and her boyfriend (now finacee), Chad, got engaged a couple weeks ago and we all got to see her this weekend since she goes to college in the neighboring town of Cedar Falls. They are absolutely perfect for each other and I can't wait for the wedding. They are getting married this summer when the whole family will be home! Should be a good time!

This week has been real low key so far. Slept in late on Monday because we drove all night Sunday to get home from Iowa. Went to Crossroads on Monday night to see Eddie play with the MCPs (Music City Playboys). Yesterday just ran some errands around town and went out to eat with Eddie and Marie. Went grocery shopping today and now I gotta do some laundry before going out to Gabe's Lounge tonight for another fun night with the MCPs. That's about it. Gotta run!

With love,
~harry

Monday, October 20, 2008

After the weekend

Well, I worked this past weekend and it was AWESOME!!!! The reason I worked wasn't awesome but it worked out really well for me. The 2 jobs I worked usually belong to my good buddy Joel Van Tassel, but he got sick during the week and couldn't play the whole weekend. He is feeling better now this week.

I worked a 6pm - 10pm shift on Friday night at The Wheel, which is on Broadway downtown, with a guy named Monte Good. He's really country which was great cuz that's really what I wanna play. The crowd was pretty good. M & D were still in town that night so they got to come down. Both of them were real happy about that!

Saturday, I worked the 2pm - 6pm shift with a guy named Zach Neil at The Wheel. Again, good country music! Crowd was surprisingly good for a Saturday afternoon. Something I'll have to get used to down here is the fact that its pretty much busy in the bars for the most part all the time! Lots of tourists!

My bro said that it was good for me to get thrown into those 2 situations this past weekend because of the fact that both of the 2 bands that I played with are good country bands that have really good musicians in them. I just had a blast! LOL

Anyways, I'm off to work out and then I get to spend my first day all by myself today exploring the town! I think I'm gonna go find Fork's Drum Closet and just hang out! Until later...

with love,
~harry

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

First of many

So, I had many people back at home ask me to keep them updated on what's been happening on the big move to Music City, USA and I thought this would be the easiest way to keep everyone informed instead of trying to individually facebook and e-mail everyone.

Well, I've been here for 3 days and I already love this town! I've already met so many wonderful people who are all willing to help me get work! I feel so welcomed here. Southern hospitality does really exist!

Day 1, Sunday, Eddie and Marie had a "pickin' party" for my arrival and invited all their musician friends. It was a great day of making music, drinkin beers, enjoying the warm weather, and hanging out with great friends. It was a fantastic way to start my new adventure. I handed out my card to a few guys and I'm just waiting for the calls now.

Day 2 was a relaxing day and we just hung out and ended up downtown that night watching my bro's band play. Lots of fun! Sat in with the band and had a blast.

Day 3 we went and visited my bro at work at the HOF (hall of fame) and he gave us a tour of RCA Studio B where there was more than 1000 top ten country hits recorded!! What a fantastic history lesson! That's the other thing I love about this town! There is sooooooo much culture and history!!

Today, I'm just hanging out here at home waiting for M & D to stop by to go out for lunch and then do a little shopping around town for the essentials. We're going out again tonight to see big bro's band at another bar. Should be fun!

Until later....

With love,
~Harry