Tour manager Brent and Tech Overlord James just love listening to Daves colourful stories...

Off to Philadelphia where we were interviewed by Michaela at World Cafe Radio, She was lovely and had plenty of great stories to keep us amused, we then headed back to NY where we bid Tech overlord James goodbye for this trip.

Gotta siiiiiing, gotta daaaance......
A.M - Today we performed Inside out and Mayhem on the Rachael Ray daytime NY TV show, most eeeeexcelleeeent.
P.M - Darrel, Imelda, Dave and myself went to see The Artist at East Village Cinema, It's one of the most incredible films I've ever seen, I'm thinking it's movies like this and Hugo that will save the Cinema, Movies that are a must see for the big screen and not because of big stars or special effects that are easily transposed to DVD......just my opinion x

Arrived in New York in the pm, Trev, Rich, Dave and myself took a few nightcaps in The Taproom, twas a good night but could have done with a gig or summink!

I loved our little stay in Lexington, Kentucky, Big place with smalltown values and mentality, very cool proud people, I hope to come back, before I left I stayed up with my new friends -
Bookers, Elijah Craig, Eagle Rare, Russells reserve and of course Four Roses.

.....and here she is letting one go - *parp*

I think this is my favourite pic i've ever taken of Imelda, I don't know why, maybe it's because she's unaware but this looks like the Imelda I know....If that makes any sense?

Darrel and I made our customary trip out to find vintage Guitar shops etc, I saw some fantastic instruments, I'm after a Mountain Dulcimer for Wifey Saffron so she can pretend to be Cyndi Lauper but the ones I found were a tad on the pricey side, whilst Darrel chatted up the owner of one of these shops I thought I'd check out the unusual amps, I oggled one for a few minutes thinking Wowzers until I realised it was an air conditioning unit! I wouldn't normally admit to that but it even made me laugh!

Today we performed for the Woodsongs acoustic hour hosted by Folk singer, Tree-Hugger Michael Johnathon, It was a bizarre brilliant little show, we alternated songs with the amazing talents of fiddle extraordinaire April Verch - mind boggling, the whole thing was taped live in front of a packed theatre and then broadcast on over 500 Radio stations world wide - and televised. The show is COMPLETELY volunteer run and shouldn't work but it really, really does, a great atmosphere with great people.

Met up with Darrel and Imelda for Lunch which turned into Dinner which turned into a bit of a knees-up at a place called Cosmic Charlies to watch the fantastic Langhorne Slim, I've seen him a few times over the years and was great to catch him in Kentucky, I loved it, some great new material and a release date of his new Album of May 22nd - Ace! The only downer was the Soundman - he was rubbish and need to be beaten with a stick with a nail in it.

Ok leaving Vegas behind us we move rapidly on to Lexington Kentucky, The Horse Capital of the world which also boasts no fewer than 10 localised Bourbon Distilleries - Yay! Trev and I jollied into the downtown area where we sampled some local beers which turned my legs to Jelly and my brain to lead, once back at the Hotel I had a few Bourbons - Brookers, an 18 year old Four penny? and the last one I literally can't remember as I was by this time dribbling out of the side of my mouth and only comunicating by using movie quotes.

Late night Horror show at Ceasars Palace....

Ok, panic over, if you get away from all the oversized corperate fake glitz that Vegas is famous for - Downtown Vegas remains the same as it ever was, seedy, good bars, winners, losers, hookers and bums, a little like Erdington.
I roamed from 4.30 am (Jetlag) to 5pm, couldn't muster the energy to watch David Copperfield or the Donny & Marie show, In our Hotel/Casino Darth Brooks was performing so I also gave that a generous birth, just a few beers with Trev and hit the sack only to wake at 1.30am!!!! blummin Jetlag!!!!! we're doing a function tonight for Chanel, only 5 songs! then tomorrow we go to Lexington Kentucky, couple of nights off.

Well, what a weird world we live in.
10 hour flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas with B.A - British Airways, not quite what you see on the adverts, all in flight entertainment facilities were down,Eugh! luckily there was a U.K stag party that were semi entertaining for about 12 seconds, Mike Tyson was also on board, seems like a nice fella, the AVN Porn awards are taking place in Vegas this week so we also had a 24yr old male nominee sitting across from me who didn't stop shouting for the whole 10hr trip.
Anyhoo finally touched down and made our way to the Hotel, Saff and I were married here 15 yrs ago,we had a great time and even looked into moving out here! back then 4 million tourists a year would come to Vegas - now it's grown to 44 Million tourists a year! It has changed sooo much! unrecognisable, I had an early night but Jet Lag has me sitting at the P.C at 3.30am I had a walk - hence the pic of the Hotel, I'm going to have a good explore later as we're not doing anything until tomorrow.
Oh Vegas what does today hold!?

Jeepers!!!! I'm off to Las Vegas tomorrow with Imelda and gang! you didn't see that coming did you!? bought a new camera and washed me knickers, watch out U.S, The Gare is on his way and hungry for Buffalo wings!
I have now been a none smoker for 17 days.

Imelda and gang part for a wee well earned break, early Jan I started rehearsals with Pete Williams (Dexys Midnight Runners) and his all star Band,Dean and Shez from the Richard Hawley Band, Fred from These tender Virtues, Paul from Dexys and Snowboy. We recorded his Album 'SEE' last year and it has finally been released - check it out on itunes,I'm very proud of it, we also have gigs coming up in Feb but more of that later as it will all be documented on here I'm sure.....

After a brief but satisfying Christmas we all flew back to Ireland for New Years Eve at Castlebar, we were also on Jools Hollands Hootenanny, work that out!
Anyhoo, excellent night, needless to say I lost yet another camera so the only existing pic of the night is this.

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!......not camp at all, I don't know what you mean!

Ok, after a string of Irish Christmas gigs, some good, some great and some just plain ridiculous, we ended our festive tour on Dec 23rd in Limerick on an outdoor stage, yes you read that correctly, an outdoor stage, Imelda performed in an overcoat and gloves - weird, good gig though.
Then home.
Nice spread in the Christmas edition of 'Hot Press'.