This is an open and unfiltered diary-style journal
on the life of James Robert Smith.
This blog will contain sometimes graphic experiences (both beautiful and ugly),
sometimes stark insight, and all honest and factual documentation of dreams, diet, activity, and thoughts.
Catching up on business and emails. Driving over to the RV
shop to touch base with the mechanics there looking at the bus. Eli, the young
dude goes over stuff with me – brief talk with the wife of the owner about how
cool Savannah, Georgia is. The people here seem interested in the fact we’re in
a band and tour on this bus.
PB&J English Muffin. Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Protein Shake.
Catching up on emails and work.
Dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Kale, Carrots, and
Garlic Bread.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. English
Breakfast Tea.
Catching up on business and life – making phone calls.
Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee. Salt n Vinegar Chips.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Protein Shake.
Linking up with Mike at the warehouse - he helps me drill
this mic flange into my piano shell. Meanwhile, Rebecca is restocking merch.
Mike helps me drop off the bus then gives me a ride home.
Washing dishes and cooking dinner: Black Beans, Mackerel,
Salad, Bread.
Waking up bright and early at 9 a.m. at the hotel in Myrtle
Beach.
Spending some time with dad and the family over breakfast in
the lobby. I give them a tour of the bus and say our goodbyes.
Breakfast Bar. Tea.
Rick drives us onward to home!
Napping here and there.
We stop at a gas station with a local hole-in-the-wall
Mexican restaurant. Some of us order. I resort to a PB&J English Muffin
with Coffee and an Orange.
Catching up on computer things.
Later, I pop open some Perrier’s with a squeeze of lemon for
Rick and I – we both share travel stories. I love his perspective and attitude
on life – overall a very good mannered and pleasant addition to our crew.
We arrive to the warehouse – unhitching and unloading the
trailer. Everybody departs and says our goodbyes...until next time.
It’s only 6 p.m. so there’s still plenty of day left to get
things done. Unpacking back at home. I’m grateful to see Elvis and so is he.
Cleaning things up and enjoying some Fried Rice for dinner.
Catching up on chores and things.
Later on, we have a house meeting with Taha, Aluan, Michael,
and myself to address some issues and misunderstandings.
Waking up in Augusta, Georgia in a hotel room. We took more
of a glorified nap than a real night’s sleep.
Hopping in the bus – Rick drives us the 3.5 hours to Myrtle
Beach.
Arriving at The Alabama Theatre. Getting loaded in and
setting up the stage.
PB&J English Muffin. Egg. Tea.
Setting up more things and doing sound check.
My dad, his wife, my aunt, and her husband arrive during a
song check. We’re able to hang out in the green room over dinner.
Getting dressed up then hopping on the stage to a mostly
full house. This place is roaring with energy from the crowd. The show goes
really well. Kevin is singing strong and we’re all on point musically.
Doing a meet n greet at the merch booth – all the fans want
to take photos of us and give us thousands of compliments.
Back at the hotel, after Rick and I park the bus/trailer I
congregate with the family in the lobby over snacks. Pansy got me a big gift
bag full of things from the boutique she works at. It’s good to see them and
get the chance to connect for a bit.
Waking up bright and early at the hotel room in Macon,
Georgia. It’s 8:30 a.m. I run a few miles on the treadmill to get the blood
flowing.
Breakfast Bar. Banana. Tea.
Then, we all pile in the bus and van. Rick drives us, the
bus crew, all the way to Oxford, Alabama. I attempt to sleep on the top bunk
but the ride proves to be bumpy and the A/C stops working. Perils of the road.
Arriving much earlier than expected at the Performing Arts
Center in downtown Oxford. We account for the time zone change so we’re ahead
of schedule, which is a plus. Getting loaded in. Enjoying the generous
hospitality downstairs.
PB&J. Egg. Coffee.
Setting up the stage.
Discovering a coffee joint behind the building across the
street called Southern Girl Coffee Co., a smaller trailer with literally a
couple southern girls running it. I settle down to get some work down on the
laptop enjoying the outside small town vibes.
Sound check.
Dinner is served: Salmon, Veggies, Mashed Potatoes, and
Rolls.
One of the staff guys shows Mike, Ron, and I the old jail
cell they’ve kept in good condition from long ago.
We do our two set show to an absolute full house tonight –
no intermission. Just song after song. Everybody is so thrilled to see this
music – we spend a long time at meet n greet getting photos with fans and
signing autographs.
Packing up and loading out. Sometimes it’s stressful but we
always have plenty of help.
Rick drives us the 3 hour night drive to the hotel. Sleeping
on and off.
Waking up at a decent hour 10 a.m. in Macon, Georgia. I head
down to the fitness room where I find Ron burning some calories on the
elliptical. Him and I chat for a bit about the latest band drama. Meanwhile, I
try to get some runs in.
Oat Bar. Tea.
Driving into downtown to the venue: Grand Opera House, a
really rich historic theatre that looks straight out of a Disney movie. One of
the venue guys shows us where some of Houdini’s carpenters built this trap door
below the stage – pretty cool. There’s also a gargantuan 3rd balcony
what they call the Peanut Gallery – back in the day when they had segregated
crowds and the “colored” folks had to cram up above in the nosebleed section.
Now it’s just the light booth and spot light area.
Setting up the stage and enjoying the fact that I can set up
my new piano shell – it looks so much cleaner and more professional.
PB&J English Muffin and an Egg. I brought a toaster this
time around. Picking up some Iced Coffee from down the block at a local shop.
...
Sound check goes unusually long today for some reason – a
lot of variables at play with Ed running sound and having a new rack system and
strings system.
For dinner we link up at a subpar pizza joint called Fatty’s
Pizza – most of us were disappointed but whatever, our bellies are filled.
The show goes really well – it’s nice having the new crew
guys, Dan and Rick. They’ve been a big help on this tour.
Packing up and breaking everything down. I do my Tetris
thing leading the trailer pack.
Back at the hotel we all congregate in each other’s rooms –
Nigel and Ron are watching one of the March Madness college basketball games.
Waking up at the couple of Love’s truck stops. At some point
getting really deep sleep...
☼▬
Dreaming we make a stop at an oversized mall-like truck
stop. There’s some kind of pandemic of people turning into three types of
zombies, one normal flesh eating kind, another angelic possessed kind, and one
evil kind. Don’t ask me – I don’t make
the dream rules. After dealing with all of that I make it to the bathroom
where Nigel and I have discovered we can attach these Amazon boxes to our feet.
I run around the place realizing I can do the moonwalk and suddenly the ability
to fly. People start pulling out their phones and shooting video. I’m worried I
won’t make it to the bus in time.
▬☼
Waking up officially at the second Love’s stop. Downing a
protein shake and making tea. Rick, our newly recruited driver has been at the
wheel this whole time – he’s a nice mild mannered guy Nigel found from New
York. This seems to be working out really well.
Most of the day has gone by pretty quickly. We make it to
Macon, Georgia – staying at a decent 3 star Best Western close by to most
restaurants and things.
Getting freshened up then we all go out to Shogun Japanese
Steakhouse up the street. With Rebecca, Jimmy, Brittany, Dan, Rick, Kevin,
Edwin, and Casey. We all enjoy sake and plates of sushi, rice, and tempura
things.
Back at the hotel getting all settled in. Rebecca and I watch that I Tonya movie. She has a history of ice skating and
familiarity with Tonya Harding. It’s nice to have enough time to relax with a
movie.
More dreams where Ana and I are reconnecting as friends –
mixed in with visiting my old workplace at China Wok.
▬☼
Waking up at 11:08 a.m.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
English Breakfast Tea.
Meeting up at the warehouse to help Mike park the trailer
and do some more brainstorming on how to transport this new piano shell of mine
without a proper case.
Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Running a few errands.
Spaghetti with Salad.
At the warehouse for an actual ELO tech rehearsal. Ian, the
new bass player is here. We spend a lot of time figuring out all the gains and
monitors but eventually run the show.
...
I stay pretty busy there packing up things and tweaking
whatever.
All day from noon till 8 p.m. coaching MMLIVE band
rehearsals. So much noise and headaches but we get through it. PB&J Bagel
with Coffee somewhere in there.
Rebecca and I pick up a Pizza from Pizza Chapel afterwards
and drive straight to the warehouse. Kevin and Edwin are here getting the Midas
rack all hooked up and such. Meanwhile, I’m playing “arts & crafts” as Mike
calls it cutting up colored gaff tape on all the wires. On the other side of
the room Rebecca is restocking the merch rack. I continue doing some organizing
and whatever else needs to be done.
At Music Makers coaching two MMLIVE bands with Rebecca – the
kids give us both headaches.
Eggs. Spinach. Chips. English Muffin. Coffee.
Catching up on business.
Napping.
At the warehouse working on the piano shell. Mike and Brad
were here earlier drilling and installing the input plate. It’s really coming
together. I tweak with all the cabling and clean up things.
Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Sauce, Kale,
Carrots, and Garlic Bread.
Watching Luther: The
Fallen Sun (2023).
At Music Makers organizing some things. Then, practicing
some drums.
I’ve somehow gone back in time when Ana and I were still
together. I have the knowledge that we’re going to break up and hit rough
roads. I try to use this to help better the relationship. A scene where we’re going
on a log flume ride at an amusement park. Then, standing there at the entrance
to some mall with her family – we’re all about to get dinner somewhere nearby.
...
Later on, in my living room but its different – sand all
around and it’s sort of open. Characters in my life that I haven’t seen in a
while some in and out.
▬☼
Waking up around noon. Sometimes my dreams really hit me
hard, especially the ones with Ana.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. English
Breakfast Tea.
Getting a haircut at Sage next door to Music Makers. Come to
find out one of the hair stylists there is the girlfriend of Jake, the bass
teacher I might hire and met the other day.
Showering then running errands. Picking up my pants from the
tailor. Picking up the Snake Eyes bass amp from Alpha – while I’m here Eric
helps me build this input plate for my piano shell.
Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.
Coaching Alexa’s band rehearsal. They always give me a
headache but I will say they learn quick.
Taking a mental break at home.
Back at the studio working on recording some harmonies for
Ladada songs.
Then, after midnight, I stop by the warehouse to help
Rebecca with some merch things but I’m also doing other things related to the
piano shell.
Stuck at the computer answering emails and making phone
calls. There’s so much advancing and communication to do.
Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Protein Shake.
Linking up with Mike and Bobby Alderman at the warehouse to
look at case options for the piano shell. We discuss everything and even take a
visit to Bobby’s warehouse down the street at Stage Right.
Pasta with Baby Broccoli and Garlic Naan Bread.
Watching MH370: The
Plane That Disappeared (2023).
Chilling out.
On the living room couch watching more of the documentary
and hanging with Elvis.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. English
Breakfast Tea.
At the Rec doing some exercise.
Eggs. Spinach. Protein Bagel. Chips. Coffee.
At Music Makers teaching lessons.
Protein Shake.
Meeting up at the warehouse mainly to meet with Mike and
Brad – the piano shell is painted now and almost show ready – still many steps
to take to. Meanwhile, Nigel and Rebecca meet about travel logistics. The boys
and I stay pretty late figuring this thing out.
Making a late dinner for myself back home.
Black Beans, Salad, Salmon, Brown Rice, and Naan Bread.
Working on some tweaks of the stage plot for ELO and
catching up on some other business.
At Music Makers we have 4 bands on the schedule for
rehearsals today from noon all the way till 8:00. Enjoying a PB&J Bagel
with Coffee somewhere in there. Losing my patience at times cause it seems like
these kids pretend they don’t know their parts and we have to teach them all
over again. But we get through it.
Back home.
Making homemade Ramen with Veggies, Eggs, and Naan Bread.
Watching The Last of
Us.
Catching up on computer stuff.
Chocolate. Green Tea.
At Music Makers with plans to record some harmonies but I
get caught up in other work at the computer.
We’ve got two MMLIVE band rehearsals today. It’s a beautiful
afternoon too. The adult band goes swimmingly but the teen band we struggle
with. It’s like all of them have no enthusiasm whatsoever haha.
Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.
Today is cleaning day! I clean the downstairs bathroom and
upstairs bathroom as thoroughly as I can, then vacuuming everywhere.
Running errands.
Japanese Style Fried Rice with Vegan Sausage, and Kale.
Rebecca comes over for a visit – we watch some Vsauce videos
on YouTube and just relax.
After she leaves I really planned on recording some harmony
tracks for Ladada but it’s getting too late and we’re losing an hour for
daylight savings.
Watching Jackass
Forever (2022).
Sleeping on the couch for a change with Elvis snuggled next
to me.
Driving the tour bus to this new place off London Bridge
Road called RV Farm. Meeting with the guy and his son to discuss all the issues
we need fixing. This shop is technically not open yet but they took me in
anyway. I’m hoping this can be our go-to place for upkeep and maintenance.
Rebecca was able to give me a ride from here. I offer to
treat us to brunch at First Watch. Having a free afternoon is rare. Enjoying an
Egg Sandwich with Pancakes and Coffee.
Then, I run my errands. Dropping off the Snake Eyes bass amp
again to Alpha cause we still haven’t fully fixed the problem. Stopping by the
tailor to get some pants hemmed.
Taking a break at home.
Coaching a band practice with Rebecca for Olivia’s band.
Getting groceries. I was going to attend the Yes Fest out in
Norfolk but I fear I’ll miss most of the bands I wanna see by the time I
arrive. So I stay home instead and catch up on stuff.
...
Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m missing out on my local
music community and local friends. I never get the chance to participate
anymore. Also, I still think about Ana. It’s been almost a year now since we
broke up. But I still feel regret and sadness about everything. I’m trying to
move on from it but it’s hard.
Japanese Style Fried Rice with Sardines, Kale, and Naan
Bread.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, and Almond Milk. English
Breakfast Tea.
Catching up on business and making phone calls.
Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Coffee. Salt n Vinegar Chips.
At Music Makers teaching lessons.
Grabbing groceries at Kroger – Rebecca happens to be here –
I help her locate a broth that happens to not have onions in it. Then, to Whole
Foods. It feels good to be able to buy my own groceries and eat my own food.
Protein Shake.
Doing chores.
Dinner: Salmon, Lentils, Quinoa, Bok Choy, Carrots, and
Onions.
We gotta leave the AirBnB by 10 a.m. Packing up and cramming
into the bus. And thus begins our long trek home to Virginia Beach. A total of
about 12 hours.
One Love’s Truck Stop after the other. Off and on trying to
sleep in the back.
A stop at Florida Citrus World.
At some point we stop at a Culver’s, which turns out to be
underwhelming for most people.
While other people drive I stay busy at the computer getting
all kinds of stuff done.
Then, it’s my turn to drive the last three hours. Rebecca
rides shotgun – we discuss in depth our different personalities after taking
one of those tests. I’m an “advocate” while she’s a “defender”. I’ve always
thought it was funny how similar and yet different her and I are.
The tour bus rolls in at 2 in the morning to the warehouse –
parking, unhitching, and unloading.
At some point I’m finally at home in my own bed feeling
relieved.
Waking up around 10 a.m. bright and early in the Melbourne,
Florida AirBnB.
We all hop in the bus/trailer and drive an hour or so down
south to Fort Pierce.
After loading into the Sunrise Theatre, we all walk down the
block to find food. Sitting at the Sunrise City Café enjoying some well
deserved lunch with Brittany, Rebecca, and Jimmy. Discussing in depth some
issues in communication while being on tour – some of it gets personal but it’s
constructive I think. It’s nice to have non-biased perspectives in the mix. At
some point though Rebecca walks out frustrated. One thing I’ve been struggling
with is being nice/gentle to people when communicating on stage or in “high
octane” environments, which tends to happen often on tour.
Getting the stage set up and doing sound check at some point
– it goes mostly well. Without our own light guy it can be challenging and not
as involved of a light show like normal.
For dinner, I take a solo jaunt around the block. Taco Dive
suits my fancy (Ahi Tuna Tacos with Beans, Rice, and Chips n’ Salsa).
Afterwards, I walk closer to the water and find a guy on acoustic guitar
wailing on the song “Stand By Me”. His voice is great and worthy of being on a
big stage but here he is singing to like three people at a bistro in Fort Pierce.
I throw in a few bucks and compliment him on the song. This kind of music
reminds me of what truly matters mixed in with a bit of nostalgia. Enjoying a
small cup of Gelato from a place called Uncle Carlos’s.
On with the show – it’s a full looking house. First set
actually goes really well. But then something happened with Kevin at
intermission – a mix of alcohol and being overworked. The second set is sloppy
in many spots – at some point he skips Showdown and the encore. Sometimes I’m
not sure if the audience notices all the drama we experience on stage. Phil,
our sound guy, was pretty embarrassed. But in the end I know the crowd had a
good time.
Packing up and loading out.
I drive the bus/trailer back to the AirBnB.
Some of us stay up really late hanging out by the pool
drinking and having deep talks about anything and everything.