Archives

So we’re heading for Dallas here in just a bit. We seem to have brought rain with us to Texas which makes us some sort of voodoo magic men down here I guess. No trouble, you’re welcome. Had a wonderful time at the New Braunfels show. Great radio station, great venue, great people. They took good care of us and I sincerely hope we’ll be back to do that all again sometime sooner than later. Pleasant surprise. Austin last night was not that way. Crowd was good but the club/staff pretty much all seemed like they didn’t want us there from right around the moment we showed up. It put a really weird vibe on the night. Then we finished the set, which we certainly put everything into, yet still sounded not great and went outside for a second to discuss what songs to do in the encore and then they immediately crank the house music and start shooing folks out. My apologies to everyone who came to the show. Then they were running us out with all our gear, just very disappointing. But anyway, thanks to everyone who came and our apologies and a promise to all work/play together under better circumstances next time. On a positive note about Stubb’s, the food was still great! If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything right? Ok, here’s hoping things will shape up a little better in the Big D tonight. The Orbans are with us again tonight and put on a good show. Come check it out. See y’all soon.

Thor is in a truck stop parking lot about 40 miles outside of Austin. Picking Devin up there in about two hours then on to New Braunfels. Hoping the weather clears up as I’m under the impression the show is outdoors tonight. Cross your fingers. Then onto Austin for rock and roll show/bbq, then Dallas for rock and roll show/Mexican food. I’d say a fine weekend all in all.

Last week’s shows were just stellar. Virginia Beach was truly a pleasure. Great little outdoor stage right by the ocean. Crowd was very supportive. We’ve only played that town once before so this was a nice return. Thanks to all the cast and crew there for taking care of us. Hope we’ll be back again.

Then there’s Greenville. Hands down the best show we’ve ever had there. Really one of my favorite shows we’ve done in a while. It’s really great getting to start playing these new songs and getting reaction to those live. Thanks to all that came out. Don’t forget song number 2 from ‘The Wreckage’ is up on myspace.com/willhoge and there will be another track added every Tuesday. Hopefully that’ll keep y’all as excited as we are and get y’all spreading the word. See y’all soon.

So I can’t really say enough good things about the John Butler Trio fellas. Really damned good band. Plus just real down to earth dudes. Great crew too. Congratulations to them on the show in Austin. It was their first time to do their own show outside at Stubb’s and the crowd was KILLER!! Way into what they were all about. We played really really early, but the response from folks there seemed good. It was cool to get to play Austin on Willie Nelson’s birthday. I’d planned on us doing a Willie song, but we sort of ran out of time. Sorry Willie, but happy birthday anyhow.

Next night was Houston where we got to celebrate another milestone with Texas roots. The 5 year anniversary of our President declaring an end to hostile action in Iraq! Nice one ding dong. Anyhow, new club in Houston that we really liked. It will certainly help us with coming back on a more regular basis for certain.

Another fun night at the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City. That joint seems to get better and better every time. Got to see my brother for a minute as he was spending the night there en route to start a tour in LA. We both had big travel days today so unfortunately we didn’t get to hang as long as I’d have liked. I don’t think we made any lasting friendships with the Green River Ordinance band that was on the last couple shows. Funny, because we liked them. Nice guys, catchy songs. Now when we like a band, we loosen up and have a good time with them. Sometimes this can take weeks, sometimes it’s just right off. We thought this was a ‘just right off’ sort of situation. A group of guys with similar senses of humor. Well, after Siggi put a meatball on the drummer’s floor tom during the last song we found out we have quite dissimilar senses(or lack there)of humor. We thought it was funny. They didn’t. They were wrong and probably won’t be in any big hurry to be a part of our little rock and roll experiment again anytime soon. Maybe they need more marijuana and less marinara. Great name for the next tour!

But I digress. Here I sit in my hotel in San Francisco. We’re playing a label shindig tomorrow night. Should be a pretty good time in all. Got great sushi across from out hotel. Then found a place that sells ice cream by the ounce, or the pound if you eat it like I do. Yes, that’s a problem, I know. Then caught the Killers and Spoon on Austin City Limits on PBS. Just great! I was totally blown away by both performances. Made me want to catch both bands live if I get the chance. I’ve enjoyed records by both, but now feel compelled to see the real thing. Just put the finishing touches on a new song about George Bush calling me to talk about nightmares of his death. It’s a good one. Yes, some of you will hate it. Ok, stone me now……..go.

Ok, Amadaeus is coming on the HBO. I’m going to watch it. I bid you all farewell.

Had a fun show last week in St. Louis on Friday at Washington University. Weather turned really shitty right after our show but luckily we’d just loaded up and got away just in time. We’d met some cool gals back 6 months or so ago from the womens basketball team there. We gave them a ride to their hotel after the show. Saw them again. Plus some of the guys team too who’d just won the DIII basketball championship. Congrats. Unfortunately we had to depart before any hardwood action could take place. Maybe next time.

Went in the studio Sunday and cut a new song, ‘me without you’. It turned out great. You may start hearing at some shows. Definitely got us all fired up for getting busy on the new album.

Played tonight at the House of Blues in Dallas. Always a pleasure playing their clubs. I was totally impressed with the John Butler Trio. Really good musicians. The songs were good. Very nice dudes. I’m anxious to see them again tomorrow night in Austin. We only got to play 30 minutes which was kind of a bummer, but the reaction from lots of new faces helped make up for it.

So now we’re back at the hotel post Whattaburger and I suppose I’ll do a little writing and then turn on in.
Y’all be well and we’ll see you soon.

Made a fairly long drive yesterday to get from Austin to Boulder for the show tonight. The always pleasurable Cracker Barrel stop in the middle there. Amazing how some sweet tea and turnip greens can just make it all ok. mmmmmm. Playing the Fox Theater tonight. What a great room. It’ll be our first time doing the room on our own which will just be a pleasure. Cool band from LA, the Broken West opening up. I like what I’ve heard and look forward to the live show. Anyhow, we’ll talk more of Boulder after the show.

Had a wonderful little run through Texas last week. Dallas on Friday at the Granada Theater. I love this room. We were worried about where we might start playing in Dallas now that the Gypsy Tea Room shut down, but luckily the Granada fills that void and then some. Just a wonderful stage to play on. Great crowd and great response. It was our first night back with our Carolina pals the Avett Brothers. They’d just flown in from Nashville after picking up two awards from the Americana Music Awards. Congrats to them they are more than deserving of all the great things coming their way.

We hit Houston on Saturday and it was far and away the best Houston show either band has ever had I’d guess. The folks at the venue were great. The venue itself……umm….was, well, ‘ok.’ They couldn’t even make the p.a. work until Sean came in and pretty much put the whole thing together. So as far as I know of Houston all the rock and roll clubs are surrounded by sketchy urban/industrial areas that are pretty much controlled by small packs of wild dogs. What a dump. Luckily after the show we went to the Continental Club to see Ian MacClagan. This was a very cool area. Cool club. No hyenas. Quite nice. His show was killer. Just an amazing keyboard player. Really good band. Plus a true English gentleman afterwards when we spoke a while. He lives in Ausitn and we were plotting to get him out to play b-3 on a couple of things, but he was finishing some studio stuff and couldn’t do it. But we’ve got big plans for next time! And maybe we’ve finally found a good place to rock in Houston? Headed over to Austin for the rarely seen Sunday night rock and roll show. New club for us, La Zona Rosa. Nice place. Great fish tacos up the block. This was one of my favorite shows EVER!! If I had a way to record this show and make sure that anyone, anywhere that is going to a concert MUST watch this first. It was the most attentive group of people I’ve ever played in front of. Not sterile and disconnected, just quite, respectful and attentive. This has been happening lots more at shows lately and frankly me and the guys cannot get enough of it. I assure you the shows will get better and better if it could be like that more often. Who wants some drunk chick/dude yapping the whole time? Not me, not y’all. So let’s make a pact. The new tour maybe called the, “Shut The Fuck Up” tour. Kinda gotta ring to it huh? Funny. We got brand new merchandise in tonight for the show at the Fox. Be on the lookout for that. Three very nice new rock and roll t’s. I’m sure they’ll also be available on the merch store site soon.

Hell I suppose that’s it for now. I’m gonna go sleep of this sushi and catch a nap before the rock and roll show/drive to Omaha tonight. Y’all be well and see you very soon.

I know you’ve all been crushed to have not heard from anyone for a few days. Sorry, I’ve been down and out with the yearly seasons changing flu like symptoms. Luckily, I think I’ll be good to go by tomorrow night.

Let’s catch up. Lexington was totally killer except for the part where we got cut off at 1am so the place could become an 80’s dance party. First off, dancing is funny to me. Sorry, it just makes me laugh. Secondly the 80’s sucked in the 80’s which means they suck 20 years worse now. Let it go folks. Or maybe let’s bring back the 1880’s? What do ya think? Certainly better music.

Nashville on Saturday was the most fun I’ve ever had playing a hometown show. The response to all the songs was impressive. Folks were so attentive. It was the perfect balance of rocking out and paying attention. Let’s help spread this trend all over this lovely globe of ours!

Heading to Texas for another run of shows with the Avett Brothers. Great night of music I assure you. Hope we’ll see some of y’all out there. And why do Texans only use half of that historic phrase, “Don’t Mess With Texas….” They always leave off the last part which is, “….Or The Boys From Tennessee Will Have To Bail Y’ALL OUT AGAIN!” Ok, let’s see how this Spanish-American war humor plays down that way. Hell it’s got to be better than Michigan, right? Can’t wait to hit Austin in particular after having such a great time during the ACL fest.
I’ve also been asked to post the following message about trying to find some volunteers to help us spread the word about what’s going on. Here’s the info straight from headquarters:
Would you like the opportunity to earn FREE Will Hoge tickets, tshirts, posters, and CDs?

We are currently recruiting web-savvy, motivated, dedicated fans to promote Will’s tour dates. Interested volunteers will be responsible for tagging online communities like Facebook, MySpace, Live Journal, Last FM, and Bebo with company provoded messages that promote Will’s live shows and persuade fans to purchase presale tickets.

Top online street team performers will receive FREE Will Hoge concert tickets, t shirts, posters, or CDs! Additional perks will be added for those that go above and beyond in their efforts.

Volunteers are needed nationwide, and no previous online street team promotions experience is necessary for participation. Please email your interest to: scott.santos@musictoday.com.
As always I can’t thank y’all enough for the continued support and love. Also a big week of shows posted for after the Christmas break with our buds Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. These are gonna be killers. Don’t miss ‘em. Alright. I gotta go pack. See y’all soon.