The West!

Ah, back in the west. Whilst sitting on the plane contemplating how much I have anticipated this trip, I wonder why I never pulled the trigger and moved out here. A confluence of events has interceded and prevented it. But, by the nature of what I do, I have become a gypsy vagabond musician who travels near and far. So, here I am again.

Last night was sublime! Beautiful Mt. Baker Theater in Bellingham, WA. Now, home of the great American coffee, Seattle!!!!

Speaking of travel, we are going way international in the next year. Japan in July(Mt. Fuji Rocks), and Amsterdam next March(and who knows what else we may throw in to celebrate the Dead's 40th anniversary of the europe 72 tour)

I digress. So many great towns on this tour-Portland, Eugene, Arcata, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Boulder!!!! See ya Rob Barraco

Truckin' Up To Buffalo

Here we are at the end of another tour! Buffalo is going to be wild tonight. I have to say my band mates have me in awe on this last day of tour. Everyone has been playing at a level I've never witnessed! It was short but it was sweet!! Looking forward to rocking the west coast.

See ya Rob Barraco

A good afternoon to you (or whenever this may find you),

I feel very lucky to be playing with my compatriots in DSO. One of the many things I admire about this band is their vocal ability, specifically their ability to sing in super sweet harmony. I like to describe this bands vocals as "top shelf".

Often, in the afternoon before soundcheck (which normally happens around five), the singers will get together with an acoustic guitar or two and practice singing together while sitting around in the front lounge of the bus. One of my favorite things to do is to sit around and listen to them. I'm in constant awe as singing is not one of my nature gifts and I admire and envy their abilities. It's so beautiful that It can be quite moving at times.

It's also great to see the singers quite easily and naturally having a good time together while doing this. After so many years traveling together in tight quarters and persevering through many bumpy and hard times, to be able to watch them laugh hard with each other can be quite a moving experience as well.

Off to listen to more great singing with what is always a fun acoustic evening of music.

Till next time,

Dino

Food On The Road

One of the joys of touring is being able to eat in my favorite restaurants throughout the country.

If you are ever in San Francisco be sure to check out Dotties True Blue Cafe on Great Jones St.

This is the best breakfast you will ever eat!! Deep dish pizza in Chicago-Lou Malnoti's is beyond description.

Tonight, we played a smoking show(IMHO) in Reading, PA(May '77). Two very nice gentlemen took me to this hole in the wall pizzeria called Maria's. Holy mackerel!!! As good as any NY(and for an irascible NYer like myself, that's saying a lot!) pizza I've ever eaten(except my own)

A day off tomorrow and then one of our most enjoyable pastimes these days, acoustic show!! See you in Jersy!! Rob Barraco

Hello everybody

Rob K here-
Hope everyone is well. Nice to be back on the road and playing music. Thanks to everyone who helped us start off this leg with two sellouts! Hoping for many more.
It's a rainy Sunday here in Reading PA. Hoping it will stop by this evening and the folks will show up. Gotta a pretty hot show on tap for tonight. This is the shortest tour we have ever done, so keeping the energy up shouldn't be a problem. 8 shows in 9 days and then back home.

Needing a good subject to write about, any questions out there??

Sold Out Shows

Well, tour started with a bang! Sold out last night in Richmond, Va and tonight has been sold out for a little while. We much appreciate the support!! The band had instant rapport and telepathic connections all night. Like a school of fish or a flock of geese( I believe that would be gaggle)

Back stage at the National is like your house- kitchen, living room, den, hot tub, steam room, and dry heat sauna! They know how to treat people well!!

Looking forward to another cool place to play tonight, The Tarrytown Music Hall. We've been told by inside sources that security is going to tone it down this time!!! Hope you all have fun. Rob Barraco

What's a Blog?

As I sit here at the airport in Dallas (of all places) I find myself trying to write my first Blog. But what exactly is a Blog? Sounds like something you pick out of your nose and flick across the room! Well maybe the symbolism does the name justice, I don't know. The road and living on the road is one big Blog (or boogger if you prefer). Alright getting back to why I started this post to begin with (why was that exactly?). This space was set up to give perspective on the daily reality's of living on the road. So here I am heading to tour at the lovely Dallas/Ft Worth Airport with a 2+ hour layover before my next flight that get's to Richmond just before midnight (really fun so far!). Then I'll have to make a call to some late night shift person at the hotel where the bus is parked for a pick up at the airport. All I need to say here is your lucky if you only have to call once! Then it's off to the lovely confines of the tour bus (that's right, no hotels for us...Times are tight and we need to save money). Tour Bus is the glam term for what it really is. I like to call it "living in a tin can with 11 other people. Having no privacy or means to escape but rather at test of patience and compassion in an effort to survive"). Now your probably asking why? Well it's because we love the music. Love it so much we put ourselves, our friends and family's through the riggers and pitfalls of life on the road, away from home. Is it a test of will? You bet. Is it at times unbearable? You bet. Would I choose to do anything else? Not a chance! We do this because we LOVE this music. Love it so much we put ourselves in this tin can every month. We do it because we don't know what else to do with our passion for the music. Well I guess It's time to find my next gate, call the hotel and find my way to the tin can. Can't wait to play music tomorrow in Richmond........

Peace

Rob Eaton