What a long weekend, drove down to Annapolis to see Kathy play at the Rams Head of Friday for two shows, drove back home the next day then went up to Massachusetts to see Lori McKenna then on Sunday drove back down to southern New Jersey for another Kathy show which was sold out and I didn't have a ticket going down there. A few tickets did open up from tickets that Kathy did not use so I snatched up one of those. Now I'm at work sleeping it off (I wish). Did I ever tell you I hate traffic? It seems every car in the world was on the NJ Turnpike last night. A 3 1/2 hour ride took 5 1/2 hours and that is after I got out of the traffic and took a different route otherwise I would have been on the road for another hour or so.

Wanted to go see Pam Tillis tonight but luckily I called and found out the show was canceled due to weather even though the storm has passed. Worst thing is the venue Lincoln Park which is a Greyhound Racing track and also has slot machinea have no mention of the show on their website. Did find the page where the show is listed but no links from their entertainment page. Wonder how they will let people the new date of the show. I was told to listen to the radio but I am two hours away.

Speaking of the CMA's, I was in the City on Tuesday night for at Joe's Pub for their songwriter series, this time it was a singer/songwriter spotlight with Jon Randal, Lori McKenna, Jamie O'Neal and Jo Dee Messina because the awards were being announced the next morning and they had a big banner behind the stage for the award show.

ABC had someone there interviewing the artists and taping the show for what I assume is stuff for online or to be used as part of promos. At one point, I caught the camera pointing at me out of the corner of my eye (he was at my table doing cutaway shots as I was near the stage and I was a party of one so I had the free area. Jessi Alexander was there also because the local dates she was with Trisha was canceled and she was taping some promo spots for the award show.

I had wanted to talk with Lori and Jessi after the show but the CMA person that was there made everyone leave. Tried waiting outside but had a train to catch to get back home (which I was listening to XM during the ride). Funny thing as I was driving home from the train station, I was listening to US Country and about 1:40 am, the station goes quiet and I'm thing why the dropout so I change the channel and the music comes on so its not a dropout. So I grabbed the Myfi and turned that on and no music on 17 and the pad data still showing the last song.

Cant wait for the next one there, Victoria Shaw, Gary Burr and Don Henry and guests. With those three, the crowd wont know what hit them.

Have to go to the local theater tomorrow and make my final payment on group tickets for the Kathy Mattea Fan Club and fellow Clowns from the mailing list/ Yahoo Group. I secured the first two rows and part of the third row whit everyone coming in from all over the US and a few from Overseas who are coming to visit their daughter and to see the shows.

Went to the City last night to see Lori McKenna, Jon Randal, Jamie O'Neal and Jo Dee Messina in the CMA Songwriter Series at Joes Pub.

In my opionion, the show was great but it really didnt have the feeling of a true songwriter show as I am used to seeing artists join in on other songs with either backround vocals or joining in with their guitiar.

Wanted to see Jamie per her request from me seeing her a few weeks ago but the CMA person who was there was making everyone leave. Also want to say to Jessi Alexander who was taking out in the hall with no luck. Tried to wait outside for a while but got the idea that they were waiting for the few of us waiting so Jo Dee wouldn't be bothered. Jessie was there becuse her shows with Trisha were canceled due to Garth Brooks older brothers passing.

Went to see Marty Stuart at the Casino last night. Wound up with the setlist being the last in the autograph line (mainly as I was talking with Mick who is Kathy Mattea's sound person who is helping out Marty when not with Kathy.

Cube Jinx!

Went to Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival to see Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Had a great time and found the Martins which is a family band who I was really impressed with. It was there 1st time playing in Connecticut and it was ironic as the festival was at Martin Park.

Was a great show on Saturday at Joe's Pub in NYC. Bob DiPiero, Jeffery Steele, Tony Mullins and Rivers Ruterford.