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My band YYNOT just played a few shows on the east coast and it was a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion. Unfortunately I got off to a rough start with 3 straight nights of insomnia. Not my first rodeo in that department in general but as a "thinker" and add fly-out dates, jet-lag and the rest, it can make for a challenge.

For those not familiar; we have one of those bands that never gets to rehearse and there is a lot of equipment to both transport but also setup at a given show. Especially Mike our drummer. When we get volunteer help from awesome fans/friends it really makes things sooo much better on everyone but especially Mike. So here is a typical weekend of shows in a nutshell:

Adi and I fly across the country, go directly to (often times Tim's house in NJ), have a meal, catch up.

Next morning load up equipment, drive sometimes hours to load in and sound check at the venue. For the next 3 or so hours until we get a song or two to check the sound. Then if there's time, grab a bite real quick but often there's not much time so we stay at the venue knowing doors open soon.

Play a 2 plus hour show, then go out to greet fans, sign stuff, take photos etc. then go directly back to the stage to begin tearing down all the gear we'd spent the better part of that day setting up.

Usually by this point it's late at night and we're fried but still wound up enough to get food and hang out.

Next morning do it ALL again. Next morning fly back across the country. It's a ton of work and energy for that few hours of playing onstage but we think it's worth it.

Maryland Homecoming Show

Saturday night we were to play the Weinberg Center Theatre in Frederick MD. I'm technically from a very small town about 20 min away called Smithsburg where I grew up from about 4th grade through high school. There was even a writeup in the paper about my coming back to MD to perform with the band.

As usual, there was almost no time before the show as we'd just driven in from about 3 hours to get there, unload, set up, sound check etc. But right before we went on I went out in the theater to greet my Mom, my sisters, and a few friends I'd not seen in years! But I had to go backstage and prep for the show.

After the show it was so nice to see so many friends. And people I went to grade school with and hadn't seen in many years! The next morning my nephew David and his wife hosted us for a brunch which was so nice. (and I managed to grab 3 hours of sleep after the show!) What a nice way to cap a great weekend. Then to the airport and the flight back.

Back Home

Now back home for a busy rest of September. I've gone back to teaching my guitar class at Charter School (Journey School in Aliso Viejo), private lessons and back to writing songs for a potential new solo album. Also a few local gigs with some great musicians and some discussions about some new projects.

I've also been starting to sing more and just pick up an acoustic guitar and sing whatever song pops in my head. Trying to gain more confidence in my own voice. I've come to not hate my voice as much as well as realize, while I might not have an amazing one or one with a ton of range or technique, at least it's my own unique voice, for better or worse.

Well that's it for now. Thank you for the continued support of my album "Rock & Roll Dairy" and here's to what's next!

Billy

billy's solo album