Tour Diary #2 2012:
Truth is stranger than fiction, or so they say. They are right. I can't make this shit up, brothers and sisters. I hope y'all are doing well as we get ready for the summer of 2012. It's 10 am on "tax day" as I sit down and gather up some scattered thoughts about what we've been doing, and what we're about to do.
A few weeks ago, our never ending tour took us out west to play a few shows and go to the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Let me just say that we definitely felt like "Kool and the Gang at the VFW" until we saw KISS show up…in full make-up…at the "country" music awards. Weird. As we stood on the red carpet watching the steady flow of big country stars flow by, Mr. Lionel Richie appeared with a small entourage. As he passed, he looked at Brit and said "hey, how ya doin?" It would've been so much cooler if he'd said (or sang) "Hello…" Anyhow, we played a show at Skynyrd's new place there at the Excalibur. We were honored to have Brother Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes sit in with us and play a few songs. It was beautiful! Next time we're gonna make him stay up there all night.
The next night, we wound up at the House Of Blues for an after party hosted by Zac Brown, and featuring a bunch of Southern Ground folks and special guests. It all quickly turned into a great big jam with lots of great musicians comin' and goin'. We wound up on stage with Rich again, and were honored to have Sister Grace Potter jump up and help sing an old Stones' song. All in all, I'd say it was quite a trip, including a 37 hour bus ride back to Atlanta.
Fast forward to right now. We are 3 shows into our leg of the Blood, Sweat and Beers tour with Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert. First show-Tupelo, Mississippi…Great. Second show-Bossier City, Louisiana…Superb. Third show-Auburn, Alabama….Friends, imagine 20,000 college kids, who started drinkin' around 8 am, in an open field out in the beautiful Alabama countryside with little or no police presence on a warm, sunny April day listening to a great big loud concert, and eventually acting out on the urge to throw the beers that are in their hands. It was absolutely amazing! Thanks to Eric Church and Brantley Gilbert and their great bands and crew for having us out on the tour. Before it's over, I think some pretty special shit is gonna happen.
On another note, we've had to move a couple of show dates as of late. Folks, this stuff happens. It is a part of this crazy music business that is an aggravating hassle from time to time, but it happens, nonetheless. I can count on ONE HAND the number of shows that we've postponed or cancelled in 12 years! I'd say that's a pretty good track record. We at Blackberry Smoke sincerely apologize for any inconvenience it has caused you, friends. We'll see you out there!!!
Thanks Much,
Charlie
P.S. - Here is an example of a text exchange between Brandon and Trey… Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Casino 3:00 am Trey: "where'd you go, fucker????" Brandon: "room" Trey: "bring that hundy i gave you down here" Brandon: "i cannot walk"
Check out more photos from Vegas and the Blood, Sweat and Beers tour
here!