Wake The Dead 1/20/11

Dan Holmes Sings at Wake The Dead
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

My first official show in San Marcos, TX was a fun night at a cool coffeehouse. I performed 5 hours of material to a great crowd of folks. The people are so supportive here of music and art in general. I sold more CDs tonight than I have at any other show! Many people requested songs of mine I had played earlier, and were very complementary of my writing. Thank you to the staff of Wake The Dead. I hope to return soon!

Antone's 1/11/11

Dan Holmes at Antone's in Austin, TX
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

The first place I headed when I arrived in Texas (after seeing my wife and unpacking, of course) was to the world famous Antone's. I'd like to start performing in the area ASAP, so I headed to the open stage to meet some people. I was in good company because I took the stage just after the legendary Pinetop Perkins finished his multi-song set. Pinetop is in his 90's, and has been an influence of mine for years. It was a true honor to play after him!

Zydeco's 1/2/11

Dan Holmes Group at Zydeco's
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

Thank you, Deb, for making my last show (before I move) so much fun. I really enjoyed playing with Bill Ritter and Steve Brunner, and then getting a chance to jam with Jack Joseph, Mike Brown and Steve Brown was an unexpected treat. And, of course, listening to the great Chris Wolf playing his tunes with Jack Joseph was fun. I will miss performing at Zydeco's on a regular basis, but I promise to perform on special occasions. Until the next time, I will be sending Deb postcards from the road.

Club Tavern 1/1/11

Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

I spent 1/1/11 in 10% of our country. That's right, five states today. Woke up in Nebraska at 6:00am (after four hours of sleep), drove through Iowa and Missouri to land in Quincy, Illinois to play my final gig with Dr. Duke Tumatoe, then drove the rest of the way through Illinois and Indiana to land at home at about 2:30am. Wow.

The gig was packed, and it was a good show to have as my last with the Doctor. It has been an honor to share the stage with him, and I'm grateful for all of the opportunities he has provided me. Tonight, he even let me hold his guitar, Al, another honor. Also, I will greatly miss working with the enormously talented Joe Maddox, and of course, my brother-from-another-mother-whose-sister-is-married-to-my-brother, Bill Ritter. Bill and Joe have made performing so easy by being a very tight rhythm section. Thank you Duke, Joe and Bill. I'll miss you, but not as much as you'll miss me! :-)

Holiday Inn Midtown 12/31/10

New Years Party in Grand Island, NE
Originally uploaded by Dan Holmes Group

The big New Years Party in Grand Island, Nebraska was a success! People drove in from as far as Kansas to see our show. We played two different shows, actually. A matinee show and a late show, both with an opening act, a stand-up comic by the name of Richard Reese. This was my first visit to Nebraska, and except for the drive, it was enjoyable! Midway through our first show, Duke informed the crowd this was my second to last show because I was moving to Texas to sleep with a strange woman...