Tour Diary – New York, NY (March 3 – 5, 2014)

It's not often that a tour routing lines up so that you have a day off in a place where you actually look forward to spending a day off. This time out the stars aligned. We arrived in NYC without too much push-back from the forecasted snowstorm. Bobby, our driver, had to deal with a bit of snow on our journey up I-95, but by the time we arrived in NYC, the skies had cleared and we had a bright but chilly day to wander around the city. I stayed fairly close to the hotel and meandered through the cobble-stoned streets of Soho. I love this part of the city. It has changed a lot over the past thirty years, as money has poured in to the area, the artist lofts, after hours clubs and alternative art galleries have been converted in to high-end art galleries, high fashion clothing stores and insanely expensive condos, but it still maintains that village feel when you are lost in its streets…and there is something entertaining about ogling all that wealth.

On Wednesday me, Margo, Jeff and Pete went to Ellis Island. It's one of the many tourist things that I have never done in this city. It was a beautiful clear day to be on the water. We said hello to Lady Liberty but didn't have enough time to run up her skirt. Ellis Island's true import really hits home when your boat pulls up at the pier and you are herded down the ramp and into the sorting hall: just like one of the 12 million who were once processed through these buildings and then stepped out the other side and in to a new life. The shores were opened, the people flooded in and this odd, unfocussed mob started to build this beautifully insane country.

This time through New York we had two shows at The City Winery. Both of them have been sold out for a couple of months: it's always a good feeling to know that there is still a place for us in NYC. The first set of the first night was a little loose on our end, we pulled it together for the second set. Wednesday night we had an excellent show and seemed to connect with the audience right off the top. It's always a good time at the City Winery, we appreciate the hospitality and are excited to hear that they are opening up new venues in Nashville and Napa with plans to expand further in the not too distant future.