February 21, 2008    Memphis, TN
I'm here in "Elvis Town" with Dan Neale.
Danny has been my guitar player for about
12 years now. He first joined me as I
rediscovered my roots in acoustic music
about the time I released the "Perfect
Morning" CD back in 1997. He's not only a
solid musician but also a friend I can count
on.

We're here for the annual "International Folk
Alliance" conference and having a great time.
This is the third time I've been to this
conference but it's the first one I'm truly
enjoying. It helps that I didn't get robbed when I arrived this time.

Somebody told me last night after the showcase that when Danny and I play
together, we sound like Leo Kottke. While fellow Minnesotan and world class
guitar hero Mr. Kottke might feel insulted, we'll take that 2 for 1 compliment!

January 30, 2008 Clearwater, MN
I've been off the road for two months, recovering from a pinched nerve in my
neck. The worst part of it is that my right index finger is numb and I haven't
been able to play guitar. Even typing on the computer is painful. I tried voice
activated software, but dictating a simple sentence like, "Hi! This is Dennis. How are you?" comes out, "Hey Doofus, do you have the flu?"

It's a slow recovery.  Things get busy by mid February, so I'm hoping to be
playing again soon.

November 5, 2007     Chicago, IL
The Windy City is calm today. Walking down by Millenium Park and Lake Michigan,
I see the empty bouys where sailboats would lie tethered in the summer months. Winter is coming. It'll be a snowy one and a time for resting, healing and rejuvenation. Come spring, thing's will look different. The hulking snow piles will yield to gardens of beautiful flowers.

I'm staying with a friend tonight and enjoying my time on the road. It's been a crazy Fall with concerts all over the map. Lots of miles on the van. Another friend in Kenosha invited me to hang out at his new house, but that'll have to wait for another time. I'm presenting "Beads on One String" tomorrow at the Unity in Crystal Lake, IL and I'll head home after that.

June 21, 2007 Clearwater, MN
Just home from Kansas and points south. A great trip filled with several unplanned experiences. Lunch with musician friend Richard Mekdeci in Kansas City was a treat. He's a busy guy who seems to know everyone.

So much has happend since my last entry
in February. TV and Radio shows plus concerts in all types of venues. The band and I had great fun at the famed Ordway Theater in St. Paul just a couple of weeks ago. Were you there? They've already asked us to return for two concerts the first weekend in June 2008.

Over the years, I've performed in many churches. In particular, the UNITY churches have been very open to my music and for that I'm most appreciative. Unity has a great message of "oneness". Check them out!

Yesterday I had a good laugh while eating my Raisin Bran breakfast and reading the local paper.  It seems our Unity church in St. Cloud is dedicating a new flower garden this summer. Though I'm sure it passed spell check, the newspaper committed a classic "oopsy" in quoting Lisa Brisse from the church: "Unity Church believes in quiet medication and peaceful thoughts," Brisse said.

Yep. That's Unity. Instead of communion wafers they give out vallium. No wonder they're such a happy, yet calm group!

The word should have been "meditation".

It'll be interesting to see if more people than usual show up at their next Sunday service.

February 23, 2007 Memphis, TN
I'm here for the Folk Alliance convention. 2000 + folkies and folk music lovers. Where else can you walk into the lobby of a Marriott Hotel at 2am and find a guy playing a tuba? Later, getting on the elevator only to find another guy playing an upright bass, with 6 others gathered around him going from floor to floor? Gives the term "Elevator Music" a whole new meaning.

These conferences are exhauting, but it's fun to catch up with music buddies like Buddly Mondlock, John Smith, Lisa Aschmann and others. It's the only time of year I get to see some of these folks.

My welcome to Memphis was a little rough. As I pulled into a parking stall across from the Marriott, a gentleman greeted me to take my parking money. I gave him the $20 and asked him for a receipt. He said he'd go get me one, but he didn't go back to the parking booth. Instead he headed the other way, across the lot. Immediately, I knew I'd been taken, so I did what any stupid, naive, trusting person would do, I went after him, talking with him for several blocks trying to get my money back.

Musician Darlyne Cain, being much more street smart, came running after me to back me up. She got right behind this guy while I walked next to him. We eventually steered him back towards the Marriott. When he decided to run, we yelled for security and they took over the chase. He got away. The cops showed up a long time later. I didn't get my money back, but I thank the Marriott for giving me free valet parking for the rest of the conference.

January 25, 2007 Albert Lea, MN
Have you seen "An Inconvienent Truth" yet? The movie about global warming? It's
everything it's billed to be. Everyone should see it.

Tonight I'm staying in a small "mom and pop" motel, which is something I do a lot of. I love being able to pull up right to my room door to unload the guitars, etc. Tonight, though, I have noisy neighbors. Reminds me of my college days with frat parties going on next door. It's 3am. Should I just go join them?

October 27, 2006 Asheville, NC
Rain! Lots of it. Had breakfast at a groovy little spot in historic Asheville called the “Over Easy” Cafe. Or was it the “Easy Over” Cafe?
I can’t remember. But it was wonderful. Biscuits with Vegetarian white gravy that was really spicy. I loved it. Asheville is one of those artsy fartsy towns that I could live in. We’re working our way home now, with the
windshield wipers on high.

October 24, 2006 Myrtle Beach, SC
It’s been windy and colder than expected. Tammy flew east and met me in
Newport News, VA (after my concerts for the great folks with the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music). Tammy and I had hoped to spend some time swimming in the Atlantic here, but it’s been difficult contemplating even taking off our shoes to dangle our toes in the ocean. Freeze warnings out for the area at night. We saw an alligator swimming in a pond. Just a small one, but still enough to get us northerners excited on our morning walk.

October 17, 2006 Vermilion, OH
$1.99 gas in Toledo! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that. I’m on my way east
to Virginia and the Carolina's, so it’s good timing for the gas prices to come down.
Maybe we should have elections more often?

Dar and I did a couple of shows around the Chicago area, plus a guest appearance
at the noted Abbey’s Pub. It was good to play at the Maple Street Chapel again,
for my friend George Brown. He has one of the best concert series in the Chicago area.

I started reading Eckhart Tolle’s latest book, “A New Earth”. Wow! I loved his
“Power of Now” and think this might be just as good.

September 15, 2006 (Branson, MO)
Last night's show in the beautiful Botanica Gardens in Wichita, KS was a lot of fun. It's a treat to play an outdoor show in Kansas when it's not 100 degrees out. A perfect night.

On my way to Arkansas, I took a detour tonight to Branson to see my friends Jeff Vee, Tommy Vee, Jeff Olson and Bobby Vee at the new Dick Clark Theater.   The show is called "Stars of American Bandstand", or something like that, featuring Bobby Vee, Fabian, The Chiffon's and Chris Montez.   Jeff, Tommy and Jeff are in the backing band.

They had comp tickets for me, front row, dead center. Perfect, except that someone else was sitting there! They had purchased their tickets on line and something got screwed up. No problem as far as I was concerned; I'd sit wherever there was an opening. Well, there was an open space also in the front row reserved for wheel chairs, and the usher said he'd bring me a chair. I was picturing a metal folding chair. The usher comes down the aisle with a huge stuffed lounging chair like you'd find in your living room, probably taken from the big bosses office. The crowd applauded as he set the comfy chair down in the front row just for me. After taking my bow, I asked the usher if he had an ottoman for my feet.  I was only joking. Okay, halfways joking. Anyway, I never saw the usher again.

It was an awesome show and I recommend it.   Rock n' roll in Branson!

August 10, 2006 (Warroad, MN)
The summer tour is officially over. This last stretch included 15 shows in 16 days.

A few miles to the north is the Canadian border. I have the inflatible kayake along, so after the show this afternoon I took it out on Lake of the Woods. I paddled by a campground that was wiped out by a tornado last week. What a mess. Somehow, all of the campers got to safety.

Tomorrow night is the peak of the Persius Meteor Shower. The sangrias are chilling in the fridge. We'll be up late watching the shooting stars. At the end of the month we'll be sailing on Lake Superior. Can't wait! This is a good time of year to be in Minnesota.

June 19, 2006 (Clearwater, MN)
This morning, my Mom and I made our way to Grayson's Berry Farm, a few miles from here. Every year since I can remember, she and I head out to pick a couple of boxes of strawberries to sustain us through the long, cold Minnesota winters. Our family doesn't have a lot of "rituals" anymore, but this is one that she and I enjoy and will do as long as we're both able to. My Mom grew up in Oregon and spent her youth picking berries. To this day, she picks fast and accurate. She must be slowing down, though, because today we finished at the same time. Usually, she would finish first then help me complete filling my box.

Afterwards, we picked up SUBWAY sandwiches in Clearwater and came to the house for a quiet lunch on the deck. When Tammy and I moved out here in 1991, it was basically a prairie with a few elms. With the help of a few friends and my Mom, we planted over 2000 pines, firs and spruce trees by hand. As Mom and I enjoyed our sandwiches, we admired how this prairie has become a forest. Like people, it doesn't take long for little seedlings to grow up and to become full fledged contributors to the world.

It was a wonderful day.

March 7, 2006 (Mankato,MN)
This was a NEW experience. I was the keynote presenter/speaker at a YOUNG WRITERS conference at Bethany College. More than a thousand students, grades 3-9 plus parents, chaperones and others. It was great to feel so much creative energy in the audience.

December 1, 2005 (Clearwater, MN)
I wound up the fall tour last week and look forward to a peaceful December around here. There's a little snow on the ground and it's gorgeous outside. Brewster and I just came in from our daily jaunt in the woods.

Most of this month will be spent booking the summer tour for '06. Oh, and trying to come up with a good present for Tammy. They tell me the stores have been crowded so far, and that's great! Everyone should be shopping NOW so that when I get out to the mall in a couple of weeks, I might actually find a place to park.

When I shop, I generally go without any idea of what gift to buy. I wander around (and around and around) looking through every aisle, hoping something will spark an idea. I usually see lots of things I would like for myself. I guess "It's better to give than to receive" applies only to things you give to someone else? So I try to rationalize that Tammy would enjoy a new laser equipped Skillsaw. Eventually I know it can't be justified, so I wander off to the next store. Hmmm, new headphones for the studio? I keep wandering...

And so it goes, until I find just the perfect gift for her. At least, Tammy always tells me it's the perfect gift. She's a good woman, that Tammy.    :)

Happy holidays, everyone!

November 18, 2005 (Vermillion, SD)
I just finished a wonderful concert at the National Music Museum. It was a full house - with some folks even set up in the hallway on extra folding chairs. I’ve done a lot of shows in this part of South Dakota over the years so it’s always a treat to come back. If you’ve never been to the National Music Museum, it’s on campus at the University of South Dakota and well worth the visit. Old, rare and beautiful instruments of all kinds make up this three story building. My friend Andre Larson, who also happens to be the head cheese here, gave me a personal tour of the new “guitar” room. If you’re at all interested in seeing some of the best guitars ever made, this is the place to go, not to mention all the other cool instruments. Stop in and say "Hi" to Andre for me.

I’m battling a lung/allergy thing that began somewhere in Ohio last month. I was in Lincoln, Nebraska a couple of days ago and could hardly find the voice to sing. Very kind and patient people there, putting up with the snorts and hacking in between songs. A lovely image, eh? Thanks to the Jacoby’s for taking me out to the finest buffet I’ve ever experienced at Valentino’s. I waddled out of there wondering how to bring a franchise to Minnesota. Maybe I’m just a sucker for any place that has kalamate olives in its dishes?

Thanks, too, to Bill and Sandy Thurmond in Lincoln for letting me crash at their house. Bill is a music enthusiast who used to be a school principal in my home town of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

October 14, 2005 (Charlottesville, VA)
Greetings from the beautiful home of Len and Ginny Jaffe, where I’ll be doing a house concert tomorrow night. Len and I have been trying to work out this concert date for about 5 years, maybe longer. He first called me after hearing my Perfect Morning CD, and that came out in ‘98? Glad the routing finally worked out. I don’t get to the east coast as often as I used to. Back in the day when I played mostly colleges, I’d get out here at least twice a year.

It’s tough for a Midwesterner to travel out east. We don’t seem to drive fast enough and thus end up being honked at or given an honorary salute.

Here on the east coast, many towns and cities have “rotaries”. In the Midwest, the Rotary is a worthwhile civic club that the local town leaders belong to, meeting on Saturday afternoons, drinking weak coffee, griping about the mayor and sharing the “secret handshake” before getting around to doing good deeds for others. But on the east coast, a rotary (also known as a “roundabout”) is a small circular "road" that replaces an intersection, with several different entrances and exists, and NO stop signs. With the popularity of NASCAR, cell phones and tourists, rotaries strike fear into anyone with a weak heart.

I noticed last month that those darn radicals in Nashville have come up with an innovative scheme to slow traffic through their downtown rotary. They recently put a bunch of nude statues right in the center of it all! Amazingly, traffic does move slower, though I wonder how many accidents may have been caused by inattentive drivers.

Other thoughts:
I was in Chicago a few days ago, a city equally famous for it’s toll roads and fine restaurants. I blew a lot of money on both. By request, Darlyne Cain and I did an impromptu couple of songs before a spirited (and I mean “spirited”) and packed house at the Bucktown Pub. Dar and I also met up with musician friend Alice Peacock who’s new album should be out any day now. Like her previous releases, I’m sure it will be outstanding.

So after the house concert here in Charlottesville tomorrow, I head to Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is about a 500 miles drive. Gas is about $3 a gallon. If you're a stockholder in Exxon Oil, I think the least you can do is send
me a Christmas card and a little "thank you" note. :)

August 18, 2005 (Prior Lake, MN)
Darlyne Cain left yesterday for Chicago. She's been gigging with me the last few weeks. We also recorded a bunch of songs for her new CD, which I'm producing. This is going to be an awesome CD! www.DarlyneCain.com

Are you ready to say, "OOOH, AHHHHH"?

Tammy finally convinced me to enter the world of cell phones.

(OOOH, AHHHHH).

I've resisted this technology, if for no other reason than it's one more piece of equipment to keep track of while I'm traveling. But thanks to ALL OF YOU who have cell phones, the phone companies don't see the need for pay phones anymore. Twice so far I've forgotten to turn off the ringer and have had the cell phone go off at my own concert. Now THAT'S embarrassing! I did get a headset, so when I'm driving I can still keep both hands on the wheel. It's kind of fun to be able to call in the middle of a long days drive in western Nebraska and to tell Tammy, "Hey, I just saw a tree!"

July 10, 2005 (Brookings, SD)
Okay, it warmed up! Brookings is always hot in July and this year at the big arts festival, it's no different. Nice to be back, though. I've played this festival many times over the years. While I lost count, they claim over 100,000 people show up for the weekend fest. Isn't that more than South Dakota's whole population? All I know is Margie and the gang put on a great party and I've pleased to be a part of it. An interesting note about Brookings is that Jimmy Buffet once lived here, very briefly. As the story goes, he was living in a trailer on the west edge of town, going to summer school at the University when he got a glimpse of a tornado heading towards the trailer park. Apparently, after that, he decided to take his chances with hurricanes in Alabama. I guess they give you more warning?

I made it home for the 4th of July weekend. I never take gigs over the fourth. That's family time. So yesterday we went on an adventure, in search of LOST LAKE! My Dad and my brothers used to fish and duck hunt at this hidden oasis, tucked deep into a state forest of North Central Minnesota, accessible only by four wheel drive. Being too young (the excuse they gave me), I never got to go with them. As soon as I WAS old enough, they quit going.

A few times, in recent years, I've discussed this with my brothers and we even made an unsuccessful attempt at finding this mysterious water hole.

But that all changed last weekend. Tammy and I, along with neighbor Theresa and her grandson Lief, piled into the Geo Tracker and set off on an expedition. With no maps (and consequently several U turns), we four-wheeled through mud and muck and came to a stop at a beautiful, undeveloped little lake where several others were camped out. They confirmed that we had found Lost Lake!

Tammy says, "So it's not lost anymore?" My question was, "How did all these other people find it?"

I thought about my Dad a lot that afternoon. He passed away years ago. I think he was my own little GPS, guiding me through the woods to the jewel he never got to show me.

June 7, 2005 (North Logan, Utah)
Well, who would've thought this time of year would be freezing cold in Utah! The road over the pass was closed with six feet of snow, so I had to sneak in the back way, going north and west around the mountains. I toured out here a couple of years ago in early June and it was in the 90's every day. So far this week, it's been in the 40's and 50's. Last night in Provo we had 998 very enthusiastic folks. The Fire Marshall cut us off, otherwise we would've had even more in the grand old ballroom.

Heading to Salt Lake City tomorrow, in search of warm weather and a good dark roast coffee....

May 28, 2005 (Warner Family Cabin, Northern Minnesota)
May has been a busy month with school programs and presentations around the BEADS ON ONE STRING Project (www.WarnerSongs.com/project). It's amazing how creative the schools are with presenting the concept to the kids. There's nothing I've done in 21 years of performing that's been as rewarding as seeing kids grab a hold of the message and to take it to heart. We've got a long ways to go in better understanding and respecting differing beliefs and cultures, but these kids are on the right path. "We're all Beads on One String..."

Also this month, I got to catch up with Bill Miller (www.BillMiller.net), a musician originally from Wisconsin who moved to Nashville many years ago. We lost touch along the way. He's had a great career, including a multi record deal with Warner Bros. Nice to see him having such great success with his newest CD on Paras Records.

On Wednesday, June 1st, I'll be the guest of honor at the ORDWAY THEATER in St. Paul. They're using my song BEADS ON ONE STRING as the kick off to their International Children's Festival. From there I head to Des Moines, IA for a show with Mustard's Retreat, then out to the Rocky Mountains. I'll be on the road mostly 'til the end of July. Wave if you see me.....

March 15, 2005 (Home Sweet Home, Minnesota)
So I've been enjoying this new coffee grinder that Tammy gave me for Christmas. I found out today that when you're grinding the beans, make sure the little plastic cup is in place to "catch" the coffee after being ground up. It's amazing how far coffee can travel in it's powdered state. In an instant, I was covered in expresso roast. You can imagine what the kitchen looked like. If nothing else, this experience will teach me keep the cupboard doors closed. Well, maybe...

It's been a busy winter tour-wise, but things are slowing down now for a couple of months. Plenty of time to regenerate for the summer tour which will kick off in Utah! I can't wait...

The new LIVE CD is out! Samples are available for listening on the MUSIC page. It's a great representation of me in concert with the band and also as a solo artist. This is just volume 1. Volume 2 has been recorded and will be released later this year.

I think it's time for a cup of coffee...wish me luck. :)

January 21, 2004 (Clearwater, MN)
Well, it's finally snowing. YEAH! Last week was actually our first real snowfall of the season, with 7 inches. Brewster (The Wonder Dog) took us out for a snowshoe hike in the woods. It was awesome. Now today, we might get another 5-7 inches. Funny, but I especially like the snow when I'm not on tour...

I've been doing several school programs this month with the The Beads on One String Project™. It has been great fun and I thank Royalton Elementary School for the terrific response at the RIF (Reading is Fundamental) concert last night. 400+ enthusiastic parents, teachers and kids.

Next week I head to Des Moines and the Lighthouse for a benefit concert for neuromuscular disorders. My friend Chris Stark has ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's Disease). Alice Peacock, Dave Moore and others will be there, too, with guitars in hand. The Des Moines Register did a nice feature in the January 20th edition. I'm sure you can find the article on the internet.

Nashville writer Julie Rust's new CD is a really good one. Check it out! www.JulieRust.com. It just so happens that yours truly has a couple of co-writes on the album... :)

October 11, 2004 (Asheville, NC)
Stopped in last night to watch Darlyne Cain (www.DarlyneCain.com) do a show in Asheville. She's one great songwriter/musician. Looking forward to doing some hiking around here on my day off before heading back to Minnesota. I've been on the road a couple of weeks. Played this weekend in Nashville and Oakridge, Tennessee.

September 24, 2004 (Des Moines, IA)
Had a great time tonight at one of my favorite places to play, "The Lighthouse". The house band joined me to end the concert; it was terrific.

I tell ya, it's been a busy last few weeks with the book promotion. It looks like we'll be in second edition printing before too long. Tomorrow, I have another book signing scheduled in Minnesota. There have been several meetings with school district personnel, Human Rights staff and different multi-cultural and diversity interests. It's exciting for me to be able to share "Beads on One String" and have such a high level of interest in the project, from preschool through middle school educators. I've also been invited to perform at the "Education Minnesota" conference in St. Paul next month, where thousands of teachers from throughout Minnesota will gather to look for new ideas in the classroom.

We need to continue to reach out to kids (and adults) with the message of love and non-bias towards those who look different to us. If you agree that there is way too much hate in the world, please join me in support by promoting "Beads on One String" to local schools, libraries, multi-cultural centers, etc. And if you have a child, or a niece, nephew or neighbor in need of a birthday present, I would be more than happy to autograph a copy to them. Go to the MUSIC page for ordering information. Thank you!

July 25, 2004 (Port Angeles, WA)
Looking across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, I'm watching an incredible sunset. A peaceful retreat in the middle of a hectic touring schedule. This is a welcome day off as I've just finished a concert stretch of 16 cities in 18 days. Met Captain Mike from the sailing yacht Shadow Fox today. He was going to take me out on his sailboat, but the wind went down. Instead we sat on the pier and talked about sailing. He and his wife lived on board the 45 foot custom Shadow Fox for 17 years while raising 4 kids. What an awesome experience. No doubt they are a very close family. I am definitely getting the itch to get out sailing again.

June 8, 2004 (Denison, IA)
Hard to believe the summer tour is underway already. Having a great time so far in Iowa. Tonight I played at the beautiful and historic Donna Reed Theater here in Denison (nice name for a town, by the way!) Not sure of the final head count, but somewhere in the neighborhood of 200-250. Very fun. The big news is that the new kids book, "Beads on One String", is finally out. It's based on my song of the same title. The response has been very encouraging. I've never been involved in a project for kids like this. I hope you will get a chance to pick up a copy for your kids, your grandkids, your neighbors kids.....

Anyway, it's late and I'm off to bed. Thanks, Iowa for the sweet hospitality!

February 19, 2004 (St. Cloud, MN)
Last night was very special. We kicked off the 20th anniversary tour with a full house at the Pioneer Place Theater. Thanks to all the folks who came out for a night of brand new tunes and some really OLD songs from my past. You were right with me, word for word, note for note on all the old stuff. It doesn't get any better than that for me. Some of you drove hundreds of miles for the mid-week show, from the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota, from the plains of Southwestern Minnesota and even a group from Des Moines, Iowa. I'm truly grateful for the support you've given me all these years. It's very inspiring and energizing. Thank you.

January 10, 2004 (Chicago, IL)
It was great to finally play the Village Square last night in Sandwich, just outside Aurora, IL. Thanks to Chris McNamara for the great job she did promoting the concert. I'm heading home tomorrow for a few days. My next gig is the USA Songwriting Midwest Showcase in Minneapolis January 16th. My main project is finishing up writing the songs for the new album, which will be recorded live at the PIONEER PLACE THEATER in St. Cloud, MN in mid February.

Happy 2004 everyone!

November 14, 2003 (Tulsa, OK)
It's raining in Oklahoma. Had a nice time last night at the Spotlight
Theater in Tulsa. Thanks to the Tulsa Folk Music Society for making me feel so comfortable there on my first visit in a lot of years. November started out with a "bang" at the Coble Opry in Tennessee on the 1st. Thanks to my pals Julie Schrader and Rusty Rust for setting me up with this gig, and to Hugh Waddell (Johnny Cash Band) for sitting in on drums. What a wild night! Spent a few days in Nashville hanging out at the "Love Shack" and working on new songs with Julie and Rusty. Darlyne Cain was in Nashville for a concert as well, so it was good to catch up with her. She's got a great new CD available. Folks in the Midwest might remember she and I did a Midwest tour together a few years back.

From Tennessee, I headed back to Chicago and Wisconsin before coming here to Tulsa. Now I'm heading up to the Iron Horse Concert Hall in Kansas for a gig tomorrow night. Don and Mary have a great venue there and it's always fun to go back.

September 29, 2003 (Clearwater, MN)
My guitar buddy Dan Neale joined me yesterday in concert
at the Millstream Arts Festival in Minnesota. Despite the cool
weather, we had a great crowd and a lot of fun. Dan showed off
his new electric banjo when we did "Northern Lights"!

In October, I'll be laying low working on plans for the new album
and also the kids book we're hoping to put out next spring. This is
going to be one busy winter! I'll be on the road most of November.
Hopefully, I'll get to see some of you at the concerts.

August 11, 2003 (Clearwater, MN)
The summer tour officially ended yesterday with a wonderful concert in my hometown of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Over 200 people. Lots of fun. Great to see so many friends and people I haven't seen in years! Truly a nice way to end the tour. I'm looking forward to a few weeks of R&R before heading back on the road in September.

Did several concerts this past week in Northeastern Minnesota, including the north shore of Lake Superior. Gorgeous up there, as always. Thanks to everyone up that way for the great hospitality and to Ginny Richmond for organizing the concerts.

A reminder that the Persius Meteor Shower goes on this week. It'll probably peak Tues or Wed (8/12-13). The later you stay up, the more shooting stars you'll hopefully see! Best viewing is usually 2-3am if it's a good year. This experience is what I wrote the song "STAY UP" about, from the Perfect Morning CD.

July 28, 2003 (Lincoln, NE)
It's been warm (okay, sometimes really, really hot) this last week, but that's too be expected in the heartland in July. It's been a fun week. Big crowds everywhere. Even did a show with Miss Nebraska, Jane Noseworthy, in Grand Island. Guess I'll be watching the Miss America pageant this Fall now that I know someone in it. I'll be rooting for you, Jane!

Signed over 500 autographed postcards today in Lincoln. My hand is tired. It meant a lot to me to have that kind of response. Nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd, too. Last time I played out here was 1999.

July 10, 2003 (Clearwater, MN)
Hey...I'm home tonight! Wasn't supposed to be, but my outdoor show in Brainerd, MN was rained out. Rescheduled for Thursday night, July 31st. It's been a busy week, so I'll take the night off. Played Monday at the University of Wisconsin/Eau Claire, Tuesday in Grand Forks, ND and yesterday (Wednesday) at North Dakota State U. in Fargo. It was pouring in Fargo, so that show was moved inside, too. That's THREE times in a row the weather has forced us inside at Fargo. The odds are catching up with us to be able to do it outside! Next time, right Conner? (Conner runs the program and is also a first class "roadie"!)

Tomorrow I head to Brookings, SD for the big arts fest. It'll be great to see everyone there again.

June 24, 2003 (Black Hills, SD)
Before my evening concert in Spearfish, I went for a long walk in the National Forest. Cold, but beautiful! Scared up a fawn only a few feet from me. The Mom tracked me down a 100 yards later and let me know with lots of snorting and hoof stomping that I was to stay away from her kid! I promised I would.... :)

June 23, 2003 (Black Hills, SD)
Hail tonight! Large hail! Temps are in the 40's. This is June, right? All kinds of tornadoes in central South Dakota and Minnesota tonight. 4" of snow west of here in Yellowstone, so I am lucky indeed! But marble sized hail in the van is very LOUD! Luckily, no damage.

Last night I camped at my favorite spot along the Missouri River, just south of I-90 in South Dakota. This is where I camped the night of September 10, 2001 heading to Minnesota from a festival in Nebraska. The next morning, our world changed dramatically, so this is a special place to me. A peaceful, safe place.

I've been looking forward to this leg of the tour. It's been a few years since I've performed in this very special part of the world.

June 10, 2003 (Joplin, MO)
Well, the summer tour is now in full swing. I think we're doing 40+ cities this summer, about half of my normal summer. My back surgery this winter is limiting my touring for awhile. Had a wonderful time in Detroit Lakes, MN last weekend, the "official" start of the tour. I'll be down here in Missouri and Kansas for a week before heading "north". I really enjoy this part of the country. Great people. Bring on the grits!