Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

Still trying to recover from the holiday chaos. We played a special Teusday night show at Peachtree Tavern last night. I played guitar in the band along with Ricky singing, Trey on lead, Bass on drums, and Greg on bass. I brought my new Ampeg amp. It kicked ass. It made me play so much better and it sounded awesome. It's funny how a good amp can make you feel more comfortable on stage. I had a lot if fun. I think we all did. The women were crazy. Getting up on stage and rubbin up on us. I wasnt too fond of the drunk chick that decided to pick up my acoustic guitar when i wasnt looking. I quickly stopped that accident waiting to happen.

Anyway, tonight I am opening up for the Micheal Jackson tribute band. I cant wait to see what they are like. I hear they are great. I want to wish a couple of friends HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! - Ariana and Suzie!!

Monday, December 26th, 2005

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. If you celebrated something else, i hope that was great too. So...since this is my journal and I can type whatever the hell I want in it, I will use this space to brag about the awesome gifts i received yesterday. Might have been the coolest ever. I am pumped about my new guitar amp. Irina found me a 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket with all original tubes and parts. Even the original Jensen speaker. It sounds and looks killer. Whoever owned it before me took great care of it!! I can't believe i finally have a new amp for the studio and the live shows, and I can now say that i own a vintage beauty. Hell yeah!

Ok onto the other cool gifts....

An official darth vader replica lightsaber, about 3 different collectable darth figurines and statues, Battlefront 2 Playstation game, a Kelly Clarkson DVD (I'm not ashamed), Concert for Bangladesh DVD, a U2 official tour programme, and some other cool ass things. Yeah it was a good one. I guess I was nice this year.

I am so exhausted. I cant belive Christmas has already come and gone. It's been a rollercoaster of a week and this week is gonna be ever busier with no time to relax. Irina'n family just left the house after a big lunch and now we have to get ready to go to Maggianos for the next family dinner.

That's all for now. Hope everyone is well. Hope to see you all at CJs on New Years Eve!!! I am gonna try out my new amp tomorrow night at the Peachtree Tavern. Anyone looking for a Tuesday night out, come on!

Wednesday, December 14th, 2005

Hello!!!

Had a very cool gig with Gareth at cjs tonight. It was great to play with him again. We have a lot of good memories on that stage playing together. Some bad ones too, but that is all blamed on alcohol. it was a packed house. We sounded good. It was cool to play some of the tunes that he does that I have not played since the last time we played together which was almost a year ago. It was also good to play electric guitar all night long. It's good practice. I dont normally get to play it often.

Another cool thing was taht Mike "The Miz" from real world/road rules (I cant remmeber which one) was in attendance. It seems like Atlanta is the capitol of real world people. It seems like I hear stories of them hanging out in Atlanta at a bar all the time. Why he strolled into Cjs I dont know. And why he was by himself I also dont know.

Later.

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005

Ran some errands today. Finished up on xmas shopping. I was sad to see that Media Play is closing for good. That is my favorite store and they have cool stuff that you cant find anywhere else. I am gonna have to take advantage of their clearance sales before they close next month. Sad times!

I got home in time to make my special casserole dinner. Actually it was passed along to me from my buddy and former roomate, Rick.

After that, Irina had a lot of studying to do for finals so I watched the DVD i bought oday, 40 Year Old Virgin. Funny movie. Went from being great sexual humor and funny one-liners to kind of a love story at the end, but it was still good. The special features were hilarious. Go see it.

Next on the film list is Narnia, Aeon Flux, and possibly King King. Not sure of that one yet.

Monday, December 12th, 2005

Scott Little and I cruised on over to Smith's tonight to check out my buddy, Doug Jones. Doug is a singer/songwriter from Greenville, SC and used to front the band Carvin Melon in the mid-90's. They had huge success with there song "I Come Undone". There were big around the time the Carolina bands like Hootie and Edwin McCain were it. In fact, my old "Carolina band", MBB opened a bunch of shows for Carvin Melon in there prime and it was a huge honor then. Little did I know I would later become such good friends with Doug Jones and actually helped each other out the last couple years.

Anyway, he played a great set at Smiths. It was very cool to see him again an hang with him after the show. He is after the same sort of thing that Scott and I, and a shit ton of other songwriters in town are after. That was a big topic of discussion tonight.

We did not stay out late tonight. Got home around midnight to find a huge possum sitting in front of my front door. He would not move no matter how close we got to him. He was freaked out though. I kind wish he wasnt a wild animal and possibly rabid or I would have let him walk in the house with us. He finally got out of our way and went on with his business.

See ya!

Sunday, December 11th, 2005

Happy Birthday to Bass!!!

Just got home from his place. We had fun. He was surprised. I ate broccoli bites!!!

Saturday, December 10th, 2005

Started tonight's gigs at a private party at a very fancy-shmancy restaurant called Joel. I played for Outback Steakhouse Corporate dinner party. I was very laid back, quiet, and enjoyable. i think I turned the volume of my PA system to about about 1, if that.

After the party, I got to Cjs for the rowdier part of the evening. It was Bass, Sean, and I tonight. Bret was playing Clay Cook's Cd release party. The crowd was light in the beginning but I got a great vibe from the start. The evening turned into more of a comedy/improv show. We sang and said so many random things tonight. Not to mention my half assed version of "Since You Been Gone", "Don't Stop Believing", and "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town". We all had a great time and the crowd got more involved and the bigger as the night went on. It was nice to have a crowd where you feel like you are in control and everyone in that room respects you. I think being respected by someone is the one thing I thrive most. It makes me feel very shitty if I get the feeling I am not respected by someone. When I feel like I am respected though, it is the best feeling in the world. I think if we all just respected each other a little more for whatever reason than the world would be a better place.

How about that for a random tangent!!

We had a lot of fun tonight. I wish every gig was like tonight. It is most of the time, but not all the time.

We drove Scott Little home afterwards because his car got towed. Now I am home and ready for bed. Have to do it all over again tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 7th, 2005

I can't believe this is the last month of 2005 already. I think this was the fastest year I have ever experienced. The holidays are approaching and I just about done with shopping. I got some good gifts for everyone this year. I can't wait for them to be opened.

Anyway, Marcus and Bret came over this afternoon to discuss some drum ideas for the new record. I am excited to create a different vibe on this album. I am very thankful to everyone who has helped on the previous albums. Without their help and creativity I would not be where I am today, however, I feel that I must try something different on this one just for a whole new vibe and sound. As I am writing this, I have to stop and thank some people that are on my mind right now who have been my support beams for this whole musical experience.....Irina, Bret Hartley and family, Bass Malone and family, Clay Cook, Ben Price, Gareth Asher, and Scott Little. There are many more, but this website won't hold all that text.

So...yeah....Marcus came over and we went over the new tunes and talked about each one and what sort of vibe we wanted to create. I am very excited!! The creative juices are flowig once and again and I am ready to start again in building my machine and take Atlanta by storm.

Saturday, November 26th, 2005

Got back into town about 4am this morning from a nice trip to Jersey. It was cool to get away and head home for the holiday. Irina and I left Atlanta at 3pm Monday and stayed overnight in Richmond, VA. Then drove the rest of the way on Tuesday and got to Jersey around 5pm. Teusday night we met up with one of my closest friends Kevin. We headed to the bar and got all tuned up. Of course a late night stop at Wawa for a hot roast beef was needed (it's a jersey thing).

Wednesday we made some family visits and then off to the bar to see my uncle's band, Last Call, play. They are a Skynyrd/Allman Bros tribute band. They have been playing together since the early 70's and are tighter than ever. They are one of the best southern rock band I have ever seen. He invited me up to sing with him on Teusday's Gone. It was great to sing with him again in my hometown. It's funny that my hometown is almost more southern that Georgia (but in a northern kind of way and without the twang). Very eerie.

Thursday was one of my favorite days of the year since eating is a hobby of mine. We had dinner at my dad's house. Good times. Never a dull moment when my family is together in one room.

Irina had caught a bad cold with the sudden change in climate so we decided to leave on Friday evening. I got my fill of jersey. Hit all the necessities.....Saw the friends and family, got drunk ata hole in the wall jersey bar, ate a cheesesteak at Jim's in Philly, lost my money at the casino, had a great turkey dinner, sang with my uncle, saw what snow looks like again, and drank Yuengling beer. Nuf' said.

On the way back I came down with the bad cold so it is nice to be back home and have to rest of the weekend to relax and recover.

Saturday, November 19th, 2005

Tonight was the night I have been waiting for all year....the U2 Concert!!!

It was amazing and an experience I will never forget. It is almost surreal to see Bono and the edge standing right on front of you in person. We had great seats too. It was Irina, Chris, Bret, and myself. Here is the setlist from tonight....

city of blinding lights
vertigo
elevation
i will follow
still haven?t found what i?m looking for
beautiful day
original of the species
sometimes you can?t make it on your own
love and peace or else
sunday bloody sunday
bullet the blue sky
miss sarajevo
pride (in the name of love)
where the streets have no name
one
mlk

until the end of the world
mysterious ways
with or without you

first time
stuck in a moment
bad

Monday, November 14th, 2005

Had a cool weekend of shows. Im not too happy with the sudden cold weather coming in, but I guess I should be happy that it stayed warm as long as it did this year. Anyway...Bret and I played a pretty uneventful show in Little Five Points in Friday. Small, quiet crowd. It was quick and easy though. I was glad to see my long time friends Brian Keating and Shane Hines come out to the show because they were in town for a show here in ATL. Brian and I used to play in a band together in college. Then we both parted ways after the band broke up in 2001. He headed up to VA and joined Shane's new band. Shane and I go way back because we used to always play shows together during the college years. So...they came out and hungout for a while.

Saturday was a great show at Cj's. The place was pretty happenin'! We started off with a good vibe from each other and the crowd. We played well. It happened to be many of my friends' birthdays and greaduation parties that night so everyone was out celebrating. Also by coincidence it was night where a lot of different musicians showed up. Sometimes this happens where it seems all the local musicians are hanging out in the same place by coincidence. So, i think we took like an hour break while I let all the others get up and play some tunes. I love it when that happens. Although it makes for more time to relax and drink and before I know I am drunk when i get back on stage. Oh well.

As we were taking a break, Shane and Brian walked in after their other gig. I was pumped to see them again. I quickly had them get up and play. Shane is an amazing guitarist and it was great to see how good Keating has gotten over the years. They played a couple tunes and I go up to join them. It was first time Brian and I have been on stage together since the MBB days. It was a very cool feeling. PLus it was cool to have Bass playing drums with us because Bass has heard a lot about Keating. Anyway, Im rambling... it was a fun night!!

Now it's Monday, I am nursing a pulled muscle in my back from the gym today. It is pretty painful. And I am gearing up for the Eagles game tonight. Thay cannot lose this one ir I am afraid their season will be over damn it!

Sunday, October 30th, 2005

I cant believe October is about done already!!

Played the early gig with a hangover and a huge headache from last night. After that, came home to a nice dinner that Irina cooked on the grill and I watched the Eagles lose yet another game they should have won. I don't know what is going on with them this season. It sucks!

After that. Irina invited Ariana and Irene over to carve pumpkins. I joined in and caved Darth Vader into mine. It looks pretty bad ass!! Speaking of....I can't wait to pick up my reserved copy of Star Wars Episode III DVD this week.. That will finally complete the collection. Kind of sad in a way.

Goodnight! Happy Halloween!!

Saturday, October 29th, 2005

A prettyeventful day and night. I had to get up early and play with Ricky at a GA Tech frat party. We got there ok and set up out front of the house nad played a quick 2 setss. We had to compete with the frat house across the street blaring hip hop and the sun beating down on my face, but other than that it was smooth sailing. We had to quit early and let the frat use my PA for a special memorial for one of their brother's that recently died. It was pretty emotional and after that I was not about to start playing again. So we packed up, Ricky walked in some dog shit, and then for the fun part..

Like true frat house fashion.....the driveway to the house was filled with cars and it happened that with all the space in the lot, one guyillegally parked his car right in front of mone and blocked me in. Of course all the brothers were wasted and had already walked down the Tech football game. So there I was sitting there with the only hope that one of the guys would be able to find the jackass. After 2 hours of waiting, a 1/2 pack of cigarettes, 2 broken ropes from trying to tow the car out of the way, and sky high blood pressure..a brother finally came back with some keys to move it. I was not in a good ood when i pulled out of the place. Oh well, I learned my lesson for next time.

So...onto the night...the annual CJs Halloween Bash. The band and I all dressed up as the Droogs from Clockwork Orange. I was the leader, Alex. i did it up right too boy! I had the whole deal goin on. It was fun. The place had a different vibe than previous years though. A new crowd, not many people dressed up, and not many familiar faces. It also didn start packing in until later.

We had to play an extra hour because of the damn time change. We rocked and the crowd ws pretty cool. Som good costumes too. But it just did not fell like previous Halloweens. Oh well. We had fun and played a lot of new tunes. I am so exhausted though from playing that extra hour. And I have to get up at 11am tomorrow morning and play another gig. Fun.

Sunday, October 23rd, 2005

The lack of journal entries is because its been a pretty uneventful month. Not much going on. Just stayin real busy with the cover gigs to save up some money for 2006 plans.

Irina and I met up with Gareth and Ariana at Park Tavern tonight to see Emerson Hart play. He is the former lead singer of Tonic. He writes great tunes. It was pretty cool. He ended with If You Could Only See, which is a given. I wonder how it feels to be out trying to promote your new solo stuff, but the people want to hear your old band's top 40 hits. Must be cool in a way, but frustrating when you are trying to move on. I hope I experience that sometime.

After the show we went to a new Chines restaurant called Rice Box. It was awesome. I am a big fan of Chicken Teriyaki and it was very good. Also i was introduced to my new favorite appetizer...Philly Cream Cheese Wontons. Hell yeah!! Damn it was good.

Not much else. later.

Wednesday, October 12th, 2005

Been pretty damn busy. I had a few friends from back home in Jersey come stay thie weekend. We had a good time. They all came out to my early show at Cjs last Saturday. For playing the early slot for thei first time again in about 4 years, I had a great turnout and a great time. It was nice to get done early and go party. I am so fortunate to have great fans and friends who come support me when i play.

On Sunday we went to see Gareth's band Illbreak have their CD Release at Smith's. They kicked major ass. The best I have heard them yet! I can see that they have tightened up their show and are putting on a professional performance. I am proud for my boy Gareth and I hope they do well. After the show I was ready to go home and write some rockin' tunes. It's weird, i go to a rock show and i think to myself that i want to start rockin out harder with a band like that and then I will go put on some Beatles or something and then decide that I want to write stuff like that. It always changes.

On that note, I am just finishing up the last of the new songs. The new album is right around the corner ( I hope)! More on that later.

Monday, September 27th, 2005

Just got home from the Ashton Allen gig. It went really well. Clay sounded good as the opener and Ashton did a great job. I really dig his songwriting. I felt honored to be asked to join his band tonight on lead guitar. It was my lead guitar debut. I think I nailed all the parts. It was fun. I wish i could do that sort of thing more often. It's nice being a sideman for a change. Clay played bass and Sanders played drums. It was good to see Sanders again too and finally play with him. I want to thank Hartley for letting me borrow his Ampeg amp. I love that thing and plan on buying my own very soon. It was cool to also be able break out all my effects pedals that I normally dont have a chance to use. Im proud of my playing tonight. Yuh, that's right. LOL, thats all for now. I am finally done with the big events I have had all summer. Tonight marked the end of a chapter and i now start a new one. I am going to now take the time to write new stuff and plan the next album. I have to also take the time to make some money and pay off the last album. If anyone reading this is either rich, or knows someone who is rich, please send money.

Sunday, September 26th, 2005

All I can say is that last night's show at Cj's was f-ing crazy!!! Great crowd. I knew it was gonna be a wild one from the first chord. I wish every Saturday night was like that. Actually, lately it almost has been. it was good seeing my friend, Tim Clark and his fiance. I have not seen him forever. Oh yeah, if you have not been to Cjs lately, the tree is no longer there. It is now a table. I miss the tree, but I am enjoying being able to see the whole room now from the stage. People that sat in the back was always blocked by the tree.

We also celebreated Missi's b-day last night. It was cool. I learned an Elvis tune for here baout 10 minutes before leaving the house. I think we pulled it off. She liked it and thats all that matters.

I think we also had a record number of birthdays there last night. I counted about 10!!! SOme people may have been lying to get the attention and the free shots though. that happens sometimes. Oh yeah, Happy britday to Keri too!

Time to go play a gig today and then practice up for Ashton's show tomorrow night at Smiths. Im looking forward to it!

Goodbye.

Sunday, September 11th, 2005

What a weekend. I just got back from Nashville. I played one of the most important gigs of my career yesterday at the famous Bluebird Cafe. It was great. I had butterflies in my stomach on the way there. We had a crew take the trip. It was Bass, his wife Missi and their daughter Emili, Irene, Irina, and myself all piled in Bass and Missi's van. So....we pulled into the cafe about 5pm after walking the streets of Nashville and buying stuff. The show was sold out!!!!

I put on a good show I felt. The other songwriters were awesome! Especially my friend Jennifer Danieles, who always impresses me with her performance and Sara Beck, who I met for the first time and totally dug her writing and voice. Awesome!!! It was a writers in the row format where we are all on stage and perform songs one at a time. It is a listening room so the audience packs in the place and all ears and eyes are on you only! here is what I played:

Everything, Close Your Eyes, If I Lied, Goodbye, Come My Way, and You Had To Cry. I was able to tell some stories about the songs too. There was a great vive going on and my nerves calmed down after I hit the first note. It was really cool that I was among these great people in such a prestigious place. I'll never forget it.

The cool part was that the crowd totally dug my stuff and everyon wanted to meet me after the show. I sold a good amount of CDs and even signed a bunch of autographs. It felt good. I am about to listen to Sara's cd now. She hooked me up.

After the show, we all piled in the van and head back to our hotel. Irina, Irene, Bass, and I went to pick up some beverages and munchies and stayed in the hotel room and drank and had some heated music discussions. It was cool.

Im finally in my own home and exhausted, but.....I have to leave in 30 minutes to go play at Angela Todd's benefit show at Smith's. No rest for me. I'm looking forward to it though. Angela was a good friend of mine and she is deeply missed.

Thursday, September 8th, 2005

Just got home from the Weezer/Foo Fighters show. It was cool. I think Im growing out of the big arena concerts nowadays though. Weezer put on a cool show. But it does not compare to when I was going to see them back in 1995 up in Philly when there first album was out. Those were the good times. Both bands rocked. Grohl and the Foo's definitely rocked harder. They played a straight up full force kick ass rock show with no stoppage. Grohl did play Everlong solo, which I kind of wish I heard the full band rock that one out. It was a total hit fest for me. they played straight through all there hits throughtout the years. Usually I am the person that would rather not hear all the hits at a concert, but for this one it was ok because I dont own any Foo Fighter albums and dont kow much of there stuff. As far as entertaining and cool....Weezer took the cake. They played a cool set with old and new. I am more familiar with all there stuff throughout the years. I dug that played a few tunes from the Pinkerton album. Very under-rated album. it was a good time. To be honest, I wouldnt have cried if I missed it, but whatever. It was good to take a night off from the usual Andrew's gig. Goodnight!

Monday, September 5th, 2005

Spent most of today learning Ashton Allen's tunes for his upcoming release party. I am playing lead guitar and singing backups. I can't wait. I really dig his music and it will be my first time to actually play some lead guitar and add the "atmosphere" to his songs. I hope you can all come check out the show, especially if you an Elliott Smith fan, you will not be dissapointed.

We went to see Brothers Grimm tonight. Pretty good movie. Nothing special. It was a typical Terry Gilliam movie though. It had some of that cheesy British comedy thrown into it. Effects werent all that great, but it was entertaining and it was a cool concept.

Other than that, it was a repaxed day. I am trying to get over this cold before the big Nashville show this Saturday!!

Tuesday, August 30th, 2005

Went to see Duncan Sheikwith my friend Michelle at Smith's tonight. What a weird show. Ya know I have always looked up to Duncan as this untouchable kind of artist, but he has changed his image into this wierd kind if guy. He had a hippy look to him and seemed like him and his band were all on crack. He was forgetting words to songs, and his band would take 5 minutes between each song to converse with each other and joke around and figure out what to play next. It was an unprofessional show and the crowd was even weirder. Bunch of loud talking, drunk people. Some older couples even got and dances in front of the stage which made it seem more like one of my cover gigs at CJ's. I don't know, i still like Duncan's music and his albums inspire me to write, but tonight may have been one of my most uncomfortable nights at a show. Oh yeah, not to mention, the drunk redneck who proceeded to talk to m,e at full volume during one of the quieter songs of the night about Nascar. What the hell???

Anyway, I felt a breath of fresh air when i walked out of Smith's tonight. Now i am safe and sound at home. TIme for an early sleep.

Monday, August 29th, 2005

Had a relaxing day catching up with some things. I am now learning Ashton Allen's songs since I will be his guitarist at his CD Release party later this month. I will actually be the "lead guitarist" for the first time since my high school band days. I am excited about it. I will be able to break out my effects pedals and play sone cool parts to his songs. He is one of my favorite ne artists.

Bass came over tonight and we watched the Brown Bunny which I just purchased. Many of you may know the backround of this movie. It is a Vincent Gallo film (Buffalo '66) and he is one of my favorites. However, this movie was critiquedas the worst film ever made and it actually caused Gallo to announce his retirement or making movies. So I had to see what the hype was about, as well as the very graphic final scene that maked the movie rated NR.

Anyway, the movie was ok. I really have no opinion of it. It different than anything I have seen. I would not say it was bad. The last scene is pretty unbelievable. I can't believe that they can get away with that in a feature film and have it not be reated XX. You have to watch it to see what I mean.

I am heading over to Smith's to see Duncan Shiek tomorrow night. I can't wait. He is a big influence on my writing and it's been a while since I have seen him.

Saturday, August 27th, 2005

Tonight's 10 High show f-ing rocked!! I am so happy with how many people came out and showed their support. I saw a lot of faces I have not seen for a while and it was very cool. We played a good set. My adreniline was very high the whole show and i still have not come down yet. It was just a great vibe from the crowd. The best I have ever had there. They told us that 200 people came thru the door tonight. That is big for that club. My good friend Sam Fisher and his band played after us and kicked ass. They were tighter than I have ever heard them. He has a great sound and I think people are gonna catch on to it. I am glad that we got to share the stage again. It makes for a great time. Thank you all!!!

Our setlist consisted of brand new songs and a new cover tune that we decided to do that I have always wanted to play but never felt comfortable doing it until tongiht...The setlist....

On My Own (brand new), Outta My Head, Sugar Coated Love Song, Collide (brand new), You Make It Better, If I Lied, Under Pressure (Queen cover), and Everything (brand new, performed solo).

A DVD of the show was recorded so hopefully I will be able to put it up on the website for your viewing enjoyment.

I was really happy with the way the band played. Our energy was high. Bret, Jake, and Bass kick ass for learning brand new tunes at the last minute and making them sound great! It was actually Jake's last show with us. He is one of the best players I have played with. He will be filling in from time to time and will most likely play on the new record, but as for the weekly cover gigs we have added Sean McIntyre to the roster!!

Once again, thanks for an amazing night. I am not gonna be able to sleep tonight because the show keeps running thru my head. But I am gonna have to force myself becuase I have to get up in 5 hours to play again tomorrow morning.

Monday, August 22nd, 2005

Just got home from band rehearsal. It went ok. We have not played some of the older stuff for along time so we were rusty. We are learning about 3 or 4 new tunes for this Saturday's show as well. Im excited, I just hope it all comes together nicely. We have one more practice left. I wish we had a chance to practice more often. We are all very busy with other projects and such and we dont get together and play as much as I'd like, and it shows when we get togehter to rehearse for a show, but that's how it goes when you are a solo musician I guess. Im just glad that I have amazing players backing up where I don' have to worry about anything because I know that we are gonna kick ass the night of the show. Like Bret Michaels (Poison) once said "Rock and roll ain't perfect", but if I can get a crowd to smile and have a good time then that's all that matters.

I have a lot of work to do tomorrow with promoting the show. Also I'm dealing with some health insurance crap right now too. I got scammed into joining a plan that i thought was too good to be true and now I realize it wasn't true. So I have to cancel that plan and decide on a new company and plan. It's time that I get some insurance. I've gone too long without it and I'm getting older. So that will be tomorrow's big task. Along with learning some new songs for upcoming projects. Oh yeah, Ring Two comes out on DVD tomorrow. I'm curious to see if it competes with the first one. Later!

Sunday, August 21st, 2005

It's been one of the busiest summers I have ever had. That's a great thing, but it takes it tolls. We played one of my favorite shows at Cjs to date last night. Many familiar faces and old friends came out of the woodworks. It was a great party vibe from beginning to end and we rocked out pretty damn hard. Plus the fact that it felt like 105 degrees in there and everyone was a sweaty, sticky mess made the energy even higher! I met some new cool people too and many people said they are coming to the big show this Saturday, which totally rocks and made me feel good!!

Well...since my last entry, Ive just been busy playing gigs and working on some side projects. I've also taken the time to reflect on some things and came up with the decision to make this week's show my last full band show in Atlanta until further notice. More on that later.

Some side things I'm getting into are...playing guitar for Ashton Allen on his upcoming CD Release Party, writing new music and getting involved with the Nashville songwriters, working with a new/upcoming female singer who has some potential to be something big.

I want to wish a Happy birthday to my good friends celebrating these last couple weeks of August: Gareth Asher, Sam Fisher, Katie Brown, and my Grandmom Walker.

I think I've kept you all up to date with the movies I have seen this summer. I think the latest one was my second time seeing Batman begins. Hands down my favorite of the year!!

Friday, July 22nd, 2005

Another early gig tonight. I actually played 2 tonight. One at Dantannas earlier and then met Scott Little at Front Page News for a dup show. It was fun as usual. I have been playing some new cover tunes I just learned. All I can say is Boston and Journey are the most challenging for my voice that I have had to face yet. I love it!!

Time to entertain the cat so he is worn out by the time I go to bed. If you want to see the coolest looking and acting cat around, stop by sometime.

Wednesday, July 20th, 2005

Just got home from Peachtree Tavern. It was a fun gig. I like not having to sing as much and just play some gee-tar. Ricky is a grat singer. Very alternative rock. I dig that kind of sound. It was an early one tonight. I am alrady home and its not even midnight yet!

I've been to the movies twice this week, which makes 8 movie trips in the last 2 months. Irina and I saw Willy Wonka thie ther night. Loved it. Maybe one of the best I've seen this summer. You cant go wrong with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Depp was great and all the characters were perfect. It was creepy and prettt trippy, but i think the original with Gene Wilder was actually creepier.

Last night Bass and I went to see Wedding Crashers. It was funny as hell. I wouldnt put it above Old School or some of the other "Frat-Pack" films, but it was entetaining. Vince Vaughn is the man. I used to think Will Ferrel was the new comic of this era, but now I think it Vince Vaughn. Bass put it perfectly by saying he is the new Chevy Chase. Anyway, go see it. It even has a little chick flick vibe to it, so take your woman along too.

I am still wrinting new stuff. I am working on a song called "Could've Told You That" right now. I'm not sure what direction I am going with it, but I like what i have so far. After this is finished I am 5 songs deep into the tracks for the next album!

Saturday, July 16th, 2005

Played with Scott Little tonight at Montanas. We have played a bunch of shows this month together already. Probably more this month than we have since we met. it was fun playing with him. He knows a lot of songs that i dont know and it makes the evening run smoother. Plus we vibe well on stage and have fun.

The crowd was a little weak for the first part of the night. They were all kind of off to themselves and not noticing that we were playing, but just as usual, once the alcohol started settling in, the end of the night became a party with singing along and loud cheeering, etc. It was cool. It just sucks that yo have to fight for the crowd's attention all night long and then when there is only like a half hour left, they finally come alive and get into it. They did not want us to quit playing. I played a couple extra songs before quitting for the evening. Scott kicked ass on some of the songs that he does that I have not heard him play before.

I am about to load Scott's new demo songs into my IPOD. Good stuff!

That is all. TIme to go deal with the cat. He is getting very comfortable here now so he thinks he is invincible and has been getting into everything at night. We havent had a good night's sleep for days now.

Friday, July 15th, 2005

I played in Charlotte tonight at the Evening Muse. Great listening room. Jennifer Daniels was very cool in letting come up and open for her. She packed the palce out at 8pm, and I tool the stage at 8:15pm!! I played a solid set I felt. I played a couple new ones. Im alrady getting bored of playing the old stuff, so I need to add new stuff to keep me excited as well. Im happy with the response the new stuff is getting already!

It was great having some friends of mine that live in charlotte come out and show their support too! I like playing in that town. I can't say much for the rest of North Carolina, but Charlotte still has a decent music scene. I sold a bunch of CDs and get great comments, so it was a successful trip, unlike some other ones I have taken in the last couple months. Live shows in new areas are a hit or miss thing. It can get very frustrating, but it comes with the territory.

Jennifer and Jeff kicked ass. She has a powerful voice and great stage presence. I would like to see her rock out with the full band becuase she has all that energy built up stage. Jeff has amazing guitar tone too. I was very impressed and it was great to play with them again. We have a lot in common and we respect each other to the highest degree.

On the way home I started thinking about my direction in the music business and what future options I could have. I get down on my career sometimes, even after a great show like tonight. I have some ideas for the future where i will branch out into new territories. I am excited to record a new album hopefully very soon though. its gonna rock harder than the last two. Which is great, but it also means that some marketing and promotions changesare going to have be made. We'll see what happens. As long as i still ahve the support of all of you, then I have been successful.

Wednesday, July 13th, 2005

This summer I have been checking out a lot of the new movies in the theater. So far my favorites are Star Wars III (of course), Batman Begins, and War Of The Worlds was very entertaining although had it's downfalls. We went to see Fantastic Four tonight. It was nothing special. It was exactly how i thought it would be. Kind of cheesy action hero movie with the infamous"city street fight scene". If you are a big fan of the comic book and wanted to see an indepth look at how it all began, this will be a dissapointment. If your just going to be entetained by a little bit of action and effects, then you may like it.

Wow, I didnt think this journal would end up being a movie review editorial, but oh well. Movies are a big part of my life too.

Sooo....not much else. Just getting ready for a hectic end of July.

Friday, July 8th, 2005

I hope you all are diggin this new website. I am pleased with it. You will find it to be very informative. There are still some things that are going to be changed and improved but I have to learn the complex world of "flash HTML" for that. So keep checking back

I played in Columbia, SC tonight at Jammin Java. Its a very cool venue. Very intimate. The last couple tims I played there I have a great turnout, but tonight was not as good. I think it's because school is out for the summer. I was kind of dissapointed with my performance too. I just wasn not getting a good vibe on stage and I was forgetting lyrics to my own tunes and my voice was not up to par. I did, however, try out a brand new song that i finished writing before hitting the road today and I was very pleased with the way the final product sounded.

My good friend Scott Little joined me on the trip and played the opening set. He sounded great as usual. We both were having a tough time with the lack of crowd and some of the people that were there were very loud. But we got through it and I cant wait to venutre back there when school is back in becuase it is a very cool room. On the way up, Scott and I both had out IPODS so we introduced each other to mew music. He has intriduced me to the wolrd of country and roots singer/songwiters. It has never really been my thing, but I can appreciate it and there is some good stuff out there within the over produced pop country crap. I should shut my mouth though, because I am hoping to begin songwriting for some Nashville writers and pitch some songs that may end up being over produced pop country crap.

Other than that, its a busy summer. Irina and I just got a sphynx. it's the coolest animal! Looks like an alien. that is why its so cool! We named him Palpatine for you Star Wars fans out there. He looks just like him. If you dont know what a sphynx is...watch Austin Powers (Mr. Bigglesworth).

See ya around.

Friday, June 10th, 2005

Hello!!!!

just got home from my Wild Wings gig. very easy gig. Plus its 2 minutes around the corner from my house so i am already home and chillin' and its not even 1 yet!!

Anyway, i guess the whole population of atlanta is at Music Midtown, so that should describe to you how tonight's gig was. That should also describe to you why i stay the hell away from Music Midtown and the terrible crowds. I did it once and that was good enough for me. If STP reunites and plays it again then i will make an exception and go.

lata.

Thursday, June 9th, 2005

Played Andrews tonight. not a great crowd, but it was still a good night. I played a bunch of stuff that I like to play. There were some cool people there that were into what i was doing. thats always nice. My friend Suzie came out too which was cool.

Last night Irina and I watched bought National Treasure and watched it. Very cool movie. Kind of had an Indiana Jones vive to it. I like when movies takeplace in my homeland of Philadelphia too! I think after seeing that movie I am gonna become a treasure hunter if the music thing doesnt pan out. I have a feeling thought that the music thing is gonna be with me for life If i can help it. I am writing tunes right now that i think are gonna be the best i have written yet once the music gets arranged right.

Tuesday, June 7th, 2005

Had a busy day today. Scott Little came over to download some of my Itunes songs into his Ipod. I have to admit, I have a lot of good shit! Im down with IPOD song trading if anyone has one.

After Scott left, Irina and I headed out to Media Play and Borders to see what DVDs and Albums came out today. I passed on the new coldplay album. Im just not as into them at this moment and Im not digging the new single much.

I ended up buying about 5 new dvds. Some classics that I want to add to my collection, such as One Crazy Summer (this completes my 80's John Cusack collection) and Clockwork Orange, among others...but who really cares except for me.

I also bought a perfect early xmas present for someone.

We ate at TacoMac. It has been very hard to foce myself to stick with the salad diet when I have fried foods passing by my table, but I did not give in and i am sticking to the better eating thus far.

Oh well, time to check my lottery tickets to see if I am a millionare tonight. Im counting on it damn it!!!

Sunday, June 5th, 2005

Had a very fun gig at Montanas today in Marietta. I have started playing there on Sunday a month in the afternoon. Its a regular crowd there and they seem to really dig my stuff. We have a great time everytime i play! I get to play cool tunes and everyone gets into it. The rain put a damper on things, so I had to play on the patio instead of out in the parking lot. But it was still cool. I am playing there again on July 4th. Its a great time if your into Sunday outdoor drinking and hanging out.

Afterwards Irina and I went to my favorite restaurant, olove Garden!!! YUH!! I have been good lately with going to the gym everyday and cutting a lot of bad foods out of my diet, so I figured I would treat myself tonight.

Gotta run.

Friday, June 3rd , 2005

A nice relaxing day. I have been on a good habit of working out daily and eating better. I am also trying to go to bed earlier than 2am and get up earlier thn noon. I am feeling pretty good today!

Did not do much during the day, just relaxed. Went out and hit around the tennis ball for a little bit.

I played the happy hour at Dantannas tonight. it is a very easy and laid back gig. Its out on the patio and I just sit in the corner and provide the "background" music. The best part about today was i did not have a gig to go to afterwards. So i took advantage of the Friday night off and took my ass home and parked it on the couch and watched some Concert DVDs I havent looked at for a long time.

Got some inspiration and started writing 2 more songs. I am almost rady to start tracking demos for an album later this year. The biggest problem is that since the last cd slowed down, I still owe a shit ton of money on it and i will never be able to pay off that and start a new project, so Im not sure whats going to happen. I am hoping to run into an investor one day.

Anyway, I watched an old Pearl Jam concert and I am now onto a PJ kick. I forgot how much i dig their early stuff. "Vs." is such a great album and Eddie Vedder is pretty much the rock god next Bono.

So I just downloaded 2 pearl jam albums on my IPOD. Hell yeah!!

Lata.

Wednesday, June 1st , 2005

Played a solo show in Nashville tonight. It was cool to be back there. Not a big crowd, but I was very excited and thankful that my friends Maureen Murphy and Matt Mangano came out to support. I felt I played a good setlist. I kept it laid back and preserved my voice and just sang more soulful and not as powerful. My new song Everything is getting some great feedback so far. Im excited about the new stuff Im writing.

Well its 3 in the morning. I did not win the lottery tonight damn it! Oh well, time for bed.