Saturday October 21 2006
Lex asked me to pick him up for the Americana Festival. I asked the organizer Dara if most of the acts were “Americana” and she said “Pretty much.” Arrived about 2 and it was a beautiful day out there at Montgomery Bell state park. The trees were gorgeous and the sky was completely clear. It was actually hot, and Mindy and I were watching Chely Wright. Then I watched excellent sets by Sandra McCracken and Thad Cockerall. Then Jeremy Lister and David Mead and I knew everybody and it was kind of like being at Nashville camp. I was having fun, but it was tinged with sadness because I knew Leslie was at home and would have enjoyed seeing all these shows so I called her and she said she wanted to come so I found a pass for her and she came out. I played with Mindy and I thought we sounded good. It’s kind of easy because she hates drums, so if you hardly play at all, she doesn’t mind. Leslie left and I watched Patty Griffin’s show and she was a lot better than the last time I saw her. She played more up-tempo stuff and Doug Lancio played with her and looked so cool with a cigarette and they sounded good. I was bored so I helped Doug pack up his guitars, then people were starting this late-night jam in the dining hall and I guess I could have stayed but I felt like going home, so I followed Lex and Mindy. The night was beautiful as we drove and I could really see the sky and I started to feel optimistic. I think sometimes you just need to see more sky, and possibilities seem to expand. I was tired though, and when I got home I just crashed immediately.