Tour Blog
Day 1: “Adventure is out there . . . “
The Beginning: “I just need to find a place where I can lay my head” –“The Weight” by The Band So concerned was... Read more
Day 2: Party and After-party in Montana
“Wanna get a donut Rudy?” “Yes, but how far is it?” “Just across the street. We’ll walk there!” Sang with a Bowie accent,... Read more
Day 3: A Town So Rugged . . .
Nice, easy start to day 3 set the tone for the drive to Great Falls, Montana where our 3rd gig awaited us at... Read more
Day 4: A Little Down Time
The “Vacation Part” of tour: We all woke up around the same glorious time of 9:15 (which is sleeping in these days) and... Read more
Day 5: Easy As Glue
“Easy as glue” – Rudy Fredeen This quote has really nothing to do with today, but I liked it so much, I wanted... Read more
Day 6: A Monumental Day
Rudy’s song selection: “The Chain” (Fleetwood Mac), “Chain Gang” (Sam Cook), “Indiana Jones Theme” (John Williams), “My Generation” (The Who), “Spinning Wheel” (Blood,... Read more
Day 7: Ambush Gig
“Hey Rudy! Why don’t you go check out the woods over there while we clean up and get ready for the day?” “Uh…no... Read more
Day 8: Crow Peak Brewery
We Made It a Week!!! The YMCA: We’ve been taking advantage of having somewhere to get some exercise, and most importantly, SHOWER. Not... Read more
Day 9: Driving, a Friend, Driving, Tractors, a Show, Driving
Driving: More driving. So much driving. Did I mention we drove? We’re all good, but a little cranky and I’m sure heat exhausted.... Read more
Day 10: Eastbound and Down
Hey! Remember yesterday when I thought we’d driven a lot? Well, I hadn’t experienced the 13 hour drive that was today… As I... Read more
Day 11: Nashville and Huntsville
Authors’ note: We’ll be splitting up our Nashville experience into our personal stories and our musical experience here. We have a lot to... Read more
Day 12: Shelter from the Storm
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form “Come in,” she said, “I’ll give ya shelter from the storm.” —... Read more
Day 13: Back in Nashville
Refreshed, literally filled up with food, love and friendship, we said our goodbyes to Saunders, and bittersweetly made our way back into Nashville,... Read more
Day 14: “It’s Been a Looooong Day”
The Second Photo Shoot: What I have to say about this is 6:00 am. The city gets so unbelievably hot, even by 10:00,... Read more
Day 15: Into the Corn Desert
Since we wanted to get out of Nashville ASAP, Jared drove us to a rest stop in Whitehaven, Kentucky (right on the KY... Read more
Day 16: An Old Church in Monticello
“When I’m 5 I’m going to do some sneaky stuff in the bathroom.” When your child informs you of this almost first thing... Read more
Day 17: Chicago and Geneva
Chicago. You really can feel the age of this city. The way you may look at someone approaching their “golden years” that, at... Read more
Day 18: Time to Think
Rudy’s soundtrack: Dancin’ Machine, Making Christmas, Bring It On Home To Me, Iron Man, Mr. Roboto, Beat It, Back In Black, Spoon Man,... Read more
Day 19: Human Kindness is Overflowing
Oh my gosh, you guys! Today was a special day!! So, last night we stopped at the Days Inn in Souix City. We... Read more
Day 20: Return to the Past
Waking up between the buzzing generators of sleepy semi trucks has become comfortable now. Bladders relieved, apples cut, jammies changed and blankets folded,... Read more
Days 11 – 14 revisited: The Nashville Gigs
Nashville: Both Jared and I worked on this one. Maybe you’ll be able to tell who’s voice is who’s…but maybe not. There are... Read more
Day 21: Adieu, South Dakota
Waking up in Keystone, SD for the last time was tough. This town, in spite of all of its tourist-y attractions, was one... Read more
Day 22 & 23: Great Falls
Day 22: Sun’s up. Toes in the dust. Bladders emptied. Dressed. Coffee bought. On to Great Falls. Our gig was a return show... Read more
Day 24: The Final Bow at Blacksmith
With only 3 or so hours to go to Stevensville, Montana’s “First settlement in 1841”, and not having to play until 6, we... Read more