Little River Casino 11/28/09

Dan Holmes in Manistee, MI-2
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Tonight was fun! The band was super-tight tonight, and quite a few people left at the end of the night as Duke's newest fans. I once again played with no shoes, just socks, which is cool until you spill a coke under your feet. We wore ties the staff had made for us, which had little smiling tomatoes on them! Duke had a request to play "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", which we did not play.

Little River Casino 11/27/09

Joseph Maddox in Manistee, MI
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Bill and I drove six hours to Manistee, MI, where we met Duke and Joe to perform. We used the casino's P.A. so we only brought stage gear. After we got set up, I walked backstage to change for the show, and that's when I realized I forgot my stage shoes. All I had with me was the old tennis shoes I wore to move gear around in, so I ended up playing in my socks.

The show went great, but the weirdest thing happened when Duke began to play "My Baby Is A Nudist". One very energetic man took the empty dance floor as a challenge. As we played, another man jumped up and joined him. And then another. And another.

Before we finished the song, the dance floor held about 20 guys, no women, just guys, all flailing around like fish out of water. As soon as the song ended, they all sat down. At least they had fun.

Key Palace 11/25/09

Performing at the Key Palace
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

The night before Thanksgiving holds a tradition of Duke performing in Redkey, IN. Charlie, the owner, has had Duke fulfill this show for many years. I think this was my fourth time performing in the classic, old, converted movie theater. It's always a fun show, and I spoke to Charlie about having a night with my group next year in the spring!

My wife took all the great shots at this show. Thanks, Christine!

Bob & Tom Show 11/25/09

Dick Mango
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

I arrived early at Bob & Tom this morning to watch Duke perform, "Eat, Me! I'm A Turkey!" with Tom. Tom was dressed up in a bunny costume, and he was performing as Dick Mango. Pretty funny stuff!

While Mark and I joined Duke for his two football songs, Kristi Lee grabbed my camera and took a cool shot from her perspective of us! Thanks Kristi!

Blues On Grand 11/21/09

In The I-80 Truckstop
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

On our way to the gig, we stopped at the "World's Largest Truckstop" and took a few pics.
Des Moines marks our last show of the week, and it was a great show to close out the week on! The crowd was crazy, and the band felt good. We were having fun through the night, and we performed some songs Des Moines hasn't heard in a while like, "Blues With A Feeling" and "It's Christmas".

After the show, Bill Ritter and I walked across the street to see some sculptures in the park.

Now I'm going to bed. We're over seven hours from home, and I need some sleep before I drive.

Red Stone Room 11/20/09

Redstone Room
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Davenport, IA had us return with Duke Tumatoe to perform at their cool listening room by the river. The room never quite filled up, but the people who were there were very appreciative. I had a good time, and the staff was easy to work with. I hope I can bring my group to this room sometime in the near future to perform my originals.

The Hyatt 11/19/09

At The Hyatt, part 2
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Bill and I played our second night of light dinner music for the trial lawyers again tonight, this time in the ballroom of the Hyatt in downtown Indy. They fed us great food again, and everyone seemed very happy with our music!

Mo's Place For Steaks 11/18/09

Mo's A Place For Steaks
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Bill Ritter and I were hired to perform for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association tonight and tomorrow night. We played some light jazz in the front window of the downtown Indianapolis steakhouse. Good food...I had the salmon.

Bob & Tom Show 11/18/09

Behind Dean-1
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Pops in Oklahoma was a big topic in between Duke's songs this week. I brought everyone on the show back a bottle of soda. They said they wanted to wait until next week to try them on the air. Duke wrote some funny stuff, and his songs were a big hit this week.

Mark had a classic bass talk joke:
A bass player goes in to see his doctor. When the doctor walks into the exam room, he says to the bass player, "Well, you are going to have to stop masturbating."
The bass player says, "Oh, but why?"
and the doctor says,
"Because I'm trying to give you an eye exam."

Zydeco's 11/1/09

Brunch at Zydeco's-1
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Brunch was gooood today! Carter made a special french toast, and Bill and I played to a hungry group. I'm gonna miss Zydeco's for the next month! Now I'm off to L.A. for a songwriting convention!!!

Zydeco's 10/31/09

Fisheye Dan Holmes Group
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Mooresville, Indiana on Halloween night was a mix of people who didn't wear any costumes to full deluxe Mother Nature and Green Fairies! We had a blast. Bloody Karl Liechty played sax, Joe Maddox wore his red mask, Bill Ritter came as a Cafe Du Monde employee, and I was a vampire. I really enjoyed tonight. The guys played great, and my wife took a bunch of awesome shots of us, as always.