Pretty cool huh?  Yeah, I think so too.  I’m going to take this space on the blog to thank my crew first, (Heather, Sue, Damon, Anna, Courtney: all the peeps who helped the day run smoother) selling CD’s, taking photos, etc.  It just means so much to me.   The Los Lonely Boys put on a fabulous show, and we were happy to be on the same bill with them.

So, we just finished a show with Los Lonely Boys at the Lowell Summer Music Series.  People, the list is getting longer: B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Peter Frampton, etc. and now Los Lonely Boys.  Oh, wait…can’t forget about Jimmy Buffett (read below).  History is replete with turning points, and this LLB show felt like one for me.  I spent a lot of time the night before thinking about when I played JB, and I wanted to put this up to share with some of you who may have missed it.

I’m reposting an EGB Emailer from last year (it was wildly popular with Jimmy’s crew and they even printed it in the “COCONUT TELEGRAPH,” a full color Buffett magazine that goes out to 75,000 readers.

So, here’s a neat story that many of you haven’t read (I hope). Story is called “Jimmy’s got soul,” and it’s about the first time I played with him (this became a recurring theme, but alas, it’s all about first impressions right?). This was a real turning point for me.

“Playing with Jimmy Buffett on New Years Eve” Published in the Coconut Telegraph.
  
 I heard that Jimmy lived on St. Barths, and that he sometimes frequented the club that we were playing (the Bazbar).  And, if he liked the band, he would occasionally sit in.  
This past New Years Eve, that’s exactly what happened.  Sometime between 1 and 2am in the morning, the club was absolutely packed 
and the band was rocking a 20 minute version of
C minor groove for the dancers, when I spotted the club owner flagging me for my attention.
Next to him: Jimmy Buffett with telecaster in hand.  
I kicked the band out of the groove and into Ray Charles’ “What I say” (some of you may remember this as the first song they used for the movie “Ray” during the opening credits).  While the audience shifted dance moves I greeted Jimmy, helped him get plugged in and away we went, trading “What I say” verses as the crowd awoke to the fact that there was another singer on stage, and indeed that that singer was Jimmy Buffett.
Cameras came out and flashed away while anyone and everyone passing by on the dock or sitting outside crowded in for a glance of Buffett. 
We played through song after song, “Margaritaville,” ‘You can’t always get what you want (stones),” and even “Brown eyed girl,” until well after 4am.  
I have small knowledge of Buffett and his parottheads (the Buffett cult following), and I had always wondered “what the big deal 
was.”  Now I know.
Playing with this guy, I couldn’t help but smile.  His mood, his tone, and his joy, are simply infectious.  
He’s got something special (and no, I’m not talking about
his multi-million dollar “Margaritaville” restaurant chain, although I’m sure that adds to the smile).
The cat has soul.  
He connects with people on a much deeper level than one might think by his song titles (”cheeseburgers in paradise” and ”It’s five o’clock somewhere”).   To be able to experience this, upfront and personal, for this I am deeply grateful to him.
 And, I learned something.
 
There are times for me, onstage, when the music doesn’t always fall into place, or things don’t sound right.
Or maybe, I’m just plain in a funk.  
 
The answer?
I’m going to be a little more like Jimmy (and no, that doesn’t mean I’m going to wear tropical shirts).  
It means, that I’m going to pay a little more attention to what it is, that makes me connect to all of you. I’m going to remember to change focus, and pay more attention to “soul.”
 
If you ever wonder why people would spend a ridiculous amount of money to be in the same stadium as this guy, I’m telling you, “soul” is the reason.  
The music was great.  The memory is sweet.  The experience was incredible.  

 

Thanks for everything guys! 

We’ve played with some greats (B.B.King, Peter Frampton, and Jimmy Buffett to name a few), and in a few hours we’ll open for Los Lonely Boys at the Lowell Summer Music Series (you may recall the last time we did this it was for Buddy Guy).   I can’t thank you enough for all the encouraging emails and messages I’ve received from fans and friends about this show, people who are standing behind the band and believe what we do.  It’s more reinforcement that we’re doing something worthwhile with our path, and our lives.  

And, I’m so excited I couldn’t sleep last night!  I’m a like a little kid again.  Ok, hope to see you there, if not come out to the Grog in Newburyport tomorrow night and say hey!

FRIDAY July 10th, 2009. LOWELL SUMMER MUSIC SERIES, Lowell MA.
GO HERE for TICKETS

 

While getting ready for my show tonight in York Beach Maine, I couldn’t help but reminisce about the show in the AZORES that we did last July 4th on the “Armed Forces Benefit tour.”   

There we were, in the middle of the Atlantic, playing on Lajes Air Force base for all the troops and their families.  Our show ended with fireworks right behind the main stage and for a second, it felt like Las Vegas.  (I’m kidding).

 On this July 4th weekend, I want to extend a sincere thanks to all the fine men and women who live their lives overseas and keep our country safe.  We can’t repay you for the service that you provide.  

Have a safe 4th, but make sure to enjoy yourselves!  
Evan 

The “Armed Forces” EGB touring band. 
(L to R: Carl Benevides, Thomas Hebb, John Cooke, some guy in a funny hat, Chuck Langford, and Phil Antoniades).