This is my proposed schedule for the next seven days. Sort of a

It couldn't be helped, of course, but last week while I was in Bryan, I missed three performance opportunities--including the January meeting of the Austin Ukulele Society--plus three live bands I had wanted to see.

I managed to shake off the rust of not touching a guitar for four days tonight at B.B. Rovers. Whoever was scheduled to host open mic didn't show up, so I stepped in as a last minute substitute host. Not a very big crowd, but three really good guitarists and one exceptional piano player showed up.

Didn't use the Wham-Bam Box; however, I had a kid in the crowd give me a rimshot on the snare whenever I pointed at him as I performed "Drummer Jokes." Everybody loved it. 

My mama broke her left ankle on Monday, but told me not to come to Bryan because she "can get around fine using Dad's old crutches."

On Wednesday morning, she tripped on the crutches, fell backward, stuck her hand out to break her fall, and broke her left wrist instead!

I spent the rest of the week in Bryan taking care of my dad while mama was in the hospital awaiting surgery. She was finally discharged at 2 P.M.

Sitting bedside with a loved one in a hospital setting again proved to be much more stressful for me than I could have guessed. Completely different circumstances, of course, from the months I sat by Sheri, but that old terrible feeling of utter uselessness came back to haunt me leaving me anxious and depressed in turns. I was very glad to get back to Austin this evening.

Just gave possibly my best ever open mic performance tonight! Kaye Reznick and I went to Star Co Coffee House in Round Rock, where they do open mic, coffeehouse-style: musicians intermixed with poetry readings and one stand-up comedian. Host Ron Kewin was very supportive and put even first-timers at ease.

Ron also had someone take this group photo of EVERYONE who performed that night. That's me in the cowboy hat next to Kaye.

This was also my first public performance using the Wham-Bam Box. It added the oomph I wanted, especially for my opening song, "Six Days on the Road." I used it more sparingly in my two original songs I did: "All Hat and No Cattle" and "Waitin' at the Station."

Paul and I saw The Love Leighs perform tonight at The White Horse in East Austin. This time Raina (left) and Jessica (right) were backed by a full band: guitarist/accordianist, drummer, and upright bass. Great sound!

I'm still not quite sure how to describe their music. Some of the melodies sound like late '30s/early '40s music, but their lyrics are definitely 21st century with a well-developed sense of humor.

Using a small wooden crate to cradle the snare drum and a regular bass drum pedal, I'm adding a driving beat to a few songs (e.g., "Waitin' at the Station"). I had originally planned to build a more elaborate stand for this set-up, but the crate works so well I don't see the need for anything else now.

I'm calling this set-up my Wham-Bam Box.