The guys just wrapped up three absolutely amazing shows in California. They kicked things off in Los Angeles with a bang, joined on stage by Ziggy Marley and Toots Hibbert (of Toots and the Maytals)! This show was also a benefit for the Playing For Change Foundation, and was hosted by Whitney Kroenke, Mark Johnson, and Norman Lear! The occasion was too great an opportunity to pass up, so we filmed the whole event, and are looking forward to sharing it with the PFC family-- just as soon as Jonathan Walls has time to edit it all, that is. I had a great view of all the action from the pit, and am still sorting pictures. I am looking forward to having some time do so so on the long bus ride north to Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, and will add them to our flickr page as soon as I finish.
The band followed up their performance in Los Angeles with a pair of shows in Anaheim and San Francisco that had everyone smiling, dancing and hugging the night away. After a month on the road the guys have never sounded better. Spirits are high, the music is amazing, and we cannot wait to share it with a few more cities before it's all over (for now!).
Next stop, Portland!
Hey all you Minnesotans-- do you recognize this statue? That's right, the PFC Band has just arrived in St. Paul, and are getting ready to put on an unbelievable concert at the O'Shaughnessy tonight. There are still tickets available, so call your friends and roll on out to the show if you can-- I know you will not be disappointed!
Next stop, Kansas City... we're headin' west and hope to see you at a show soon! To see when we'll be performing in a city near you, check our Fall tour schedule.
While I'm not currently on the road with the guys, I just got an update from their road manager. It sounds like last night's show in Albany was one of the best ones yet! Everyone is beginning to settle into the rhythm of the road, and really learning to feed off of each other's energy and musicianship on stage. Keb' Mo' and Reggie McBride were able to attend, and Keb' even joined the band for the opening song of the second set-- Mo' Faya'!
With four shows now under their belt, the band is rolling into New York City, and is preparing to blow the lid off the Town Hall. There are still tickets available-- if you're in the area, get on out to the show! As much fun as it is to read my updates, please believe me when I say that words and photos do not do this group justice-- get out there and see them in action!
What an amazing show it was Thursday night in Boston! The PFC Family took the Orpheum by storm, nearly packing the 2000 person venue. From the moment the first note was struck, there was a palpable energy created in the space between the cheering crowd and the performers on stage. The result was an explosion of sight and sound that has set the bar very high for the rest of our North American tour!
I spent the 6 hour flight from Boston to LA going through photos, and am almost done. I am looking forward to sharing them with you through later this weekend, so check back soon-- I will post when they are available!
Get ready North America, the Playing For Change Band is on its way!
We finished sound checking at the Birchmere an hour ago, and the house is starting to fill in. From the looks of things, we'll be playing to a sold out crowd in about 20 minutes. We all rode here in style, having been picked up by a pair of 12 passenger sleeper coaches.
One thing is for sure, when you're traveling with a group of a dozen musicians plus crew, you don't go anywhere incognito. Even so, none of us were prepared for the paint job that the lead bus would be sporting-- it was completely decked out in all things Playing For Change!
My batteries are charged and my cards are cleared, and I can't wait to get out and shoot this show. I look forward to sharing some of the photos I take tonight with you all through PFC's flickr page... stay tuned!
