Ending the “Velour Tour” in our velour was totally the way to go! We had only been booked the three shows prior to leaving Tacoma, but on our first day in Ventura, our buddy JP called on his friend who owns a bar in downtown, Gibson’s Neighborhood Bar, and set up this gig for us to play. A perfect, sunny, brunch show in the heart of Main Street was the exact right send-off for CS.
As we made our way through our set, I kept remembering more and more places that Champagne Sunday had played over the years. We really were a big part of the community and had some pretty great times here. I believe we played every venue we possibly could on Main Street back then. We made connections and had fans, but it’s hard to keep track of that as time goes by, venues change, and years pass. Also, we feel very different now as a band. Much more settled into who we are and what we do, so we came back ready to make a pretty big noise. And I think we did that.
There were several surprises on this trip with people almost every day stopping us to say they remembered us or had seen a show here or there. We came to Ventura a very different band this time, but still fortified with the original glue that brought us together in 2005 and has held us together ever since.
People said things to us like,
“I love you guys! Your song, Sons of Main Street is on my favorite playlist! I fell in love with you 20 years ago!”
“You guys have been together 20 years? You play like you still love it so much…like it’s all fresh!”
“When I heard that song (The Elephant), I cried because I was sad, but then I cried because it was so beautiful!”
“You guys are like the sound in a Baz Luhrmann film!”
“I needed this show so badly today.”
“Listening to what you’ve been singing and saying has reminded me of things I need to focus on in my life.”
“You guys used to play here all the time, right? I LOVED you guys!”
All of these comments just confirming that all the work we’ve continued to put into Champagne Sunday is worth it…and working!
We got this great shot of Walker during his set, then totally didn’t get ANY of us playing. We really need a professional photographer to go with us to all these gigs…
(Jared here: There were some noteworthy things about the show. First, after the show, JP told me that we had amassed a crowd of passersby and held them spellbound in a way that he’s never seen at a show like this. The manager, who at first, was nervous that we’d be too loud (what the hell, California?!) was absolutely blown away by our show, and said “Man, these guys are PRO. I feel bad about what I’m paying them. I had no idea!” I think we’ll be able to play there again when we come back down.
The second thing was when a guy came up to us afterward and asked us if we’d be around for the next four days. He said that he owns half of the Johnny Cash Estate, where they’re filming another Johnny Cash biopic, and wanted to know if we could come and perform for the cast and crew during down times. As amazing an opportunity as that sounded, we really needed to get on the road and get back to our kids, however the door is again open for return engagement at Johnny Cash’s estate! Pretty cool! Okay, back to Jessi.)
We did, however, get some sweet candid shots of the day. I didn’t see my mom come up, but as soon as she touched me, without even looking, I know it was her. Someone captured this really special moment between us.
Jared and JP sharing a nice moment. Always so cool to see these two supporting and respecting each other, after all their history and growth.
I think we have the same eyes… the rest will come with time. 😂
Walker got this cool selfie from under his kit!
My sister-in-law came to visit!!
This was Phil’s contribution to the guest book at the VRBO he and Bonnie rented for us!
After the gig, we said goodbye to Bonnie and Phil who were off to catch a plane home. Then we were invited to JP’s pad for a bbq and a campfire sing-a-long. JP treated us to an abundance of meat and treats and beverages to make our goodbye even more difficult.
It was truly wild to be right back in the EXACT spot where Jared and I first learned to love and listen to each other. Probably even more nostalgic for Jared, who shared that same apartment that JP still lives in, and sat around that fire night after night with his best friend from Pennsylvania, sharing songs and ideas, seeing their lives change and grow apart, and questioning if there would ever be a time when their paths would cross again. To hear them play and sing together this night was really magic. Walker’s contribution to the music of the fire pit was also wonderful. It was the show after the show; where the good stuff happens. It was a sacred space where music became the currency and emotion was the news topic.
It’s impossible to not feel big feelings in these moments. The pining for so much time lost, the clinging to the little time together, the recognition of the uniqueness of this exact moment, and the physical embodiment of Jared’s lyrics in “Leather Life”.
“We’ve walked for miles together / Yet every step we take I’m learning something new.
And tonight we’re doing nothing / ‘Cause nothing’s just the thing we planned to do.
We’re on a train into the sunset, boys / Lost our baggage ten miles back.
We’re singing red and gold September songs / Watching shadows stretch along the track.”
The idea of planning nothing and just being present together in a space. As we get older and busier and “thinkier”… we convince ourselves that we don’t have time for these sorts of frivolities. We focus our efforts on the “what if’s” and the “need to’s”. We find every reason to deny our spiritual longing for true connection and brotherhood because we believe that the rat race and pursuit of X, Y, or Z will bring us the ultimate reward. But it is not so. Just like Jared says, “If every party is going to end, and every moment is the last one of those we’ll ever have, then I’m going to enjoy the hell out of it. I’m going to try and stay present in each one… ’cause these days will never come again.”
Our trip to Ventura reminded us of a lot of things. But mostly, remembering where we came from, where we’re headed, and to enjoy the hell out of each moment for what it is.
