The Weblog of Daniel Tashian

We were in Baton Rouge today, and when Hags and I stepped out of the bus, we could see the top of a battleship, just over the horizon. We walked out of the arena, and there we were in a sort of riverfront park, where they have a battleship you can check out. We took a couple pictures and went back in. No internet, no word from the Spaniards. Went to the production office and got some paper and started to make charts for the “Wings” stuff, but really, I just wanted to relax. Lunch was good. Southern: Barbecue chicken and beans and potato salad. Took a short nap on the bus, and read some. Soundcheck was easy. The gig was well recieved, although not as good as last night. Josh’s dad and step-mom and half-sister were there. They seemed really nice. Watched some of John Mayer’s set and again, it was excellent. Then we went to the band’s dressing room for a while and had a few beers and I talked to the keyboardist, Tim Bradshaw, who has a couple of bands. I forget what they are called, but one of them is French. “Remy something.” I told John Mayer I was from Westport, because he grew up in Fairfield. He said it’s not the same as it was when we were kids up there. On the bus for a long drive, and we watched that Nick Lowe movie again. God I love Nick Lowe!

Woke up and arrived at the arena and Ryan and I walked to a Waffle House around the corner that we saw. Had breakfast and walked back. Chilled out for a while and tried to get the internet to work but it wouldn’t. We had a good show, I thought, and at the end, some people stood up and gave us a standing ovation, which was nice. Watched some of John Mayer’s set, and I really like the song “Never Gonna Win the War”. It has a great groove and cool chords. We had a sort of long drive, so we left right after they fininshed. Watched this documentary about Metallica fans and it was really depressing. The most annoying of all was a guy called Eric Braverman. And he never stops asking inane questions of inane people and the whole thing was soul-deadeningly repetitive. But we did watch something mildly funny, this Canadian show called “Trailer Park Boys” or something like that. It had a couple funny things. Went to bed but couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t get comfortable. Probably not tired enough.

This was a day off. Woke on the bus and stepped outside and was blinded by the reflection of the sun on the ocean. The Hotel is a Hampton Inn, but it’s pretty nice. Rooms have views overlooking the beach, complete with dunes and beachgrass and fencing. If you look to the left, new condos are springing up. Restful day, all in all, interupted by an ill-advised meal at a local seafood place. But overall, I must say I like the beach in winter sort of scenario. It’s peaceful. Watched some great “Cold Case Files” and that’s my new favorite show. Ryan got an email from Carolyn Snell and she said she was orgainizing a dinner party later at Applebees and we were invited. That was thoughtful, and the night would have gone off without a hitch, except for our deranged, hideous cab driver who who wouldn’t stop talking, even when nobody said anything. It was truly horrifying. We were stuck with him for a half-hour. But when we got out of the cab, it was like a new morning, and John Mayer and Jessica Simpson were there, as well as the majority of the band and crew. It was probably 40 people. Had an interesting time talking to Chris (?) the stage manager, who after a wonderful meandering story, revealed that it’s HIS voice which opens “Dark Side of the Moon”. We all had “surf and turf” and I was impressed, it was very good. John was a nice host and he toasted everyone.  Back to the hotel, and had a couple beers and Marc was telling me to enjoy being a bachelor while I could. Went to bed and woke in the night and drank a gallon of water. I think being by the ocean dehydrates you.

The venue in Orlando is where the Magic play, and very large. Mexican food for lunch and all of us in there before the truck drivers, so hungry because we skipped breakfast. Did some emailing and practiced the wings stuff for about an hour. Took a nap, which became a disorientating-ly deep sleep, and when I woke up, I had trouble. Soundcheck was short. Dinner good, sort of “Howard Hughes”-ish; Chicken and peas and carrots and potatoes. The gig went well I thought, the best yet. We played “Directions” and it really worked well in the arena. Afterward, with beer in a cup, Marc and I went to the front of house and watched the John Mayer show. This time I really listened to the horn section and they really are amazing. After the show some of John’s band came to our dressing room and it was sort of a party atmosphere. I was asking people what their hobbies are, just trying to start conversation. Chris Moon was there, and he said one of his hobbies was watching foriegn films. People think it’s hilarious, or that you’re joking when you bring up hobbies, but I think they’re interesting. Overnight to Pensacola on the bus, sort of taking turns d,j.-ing, Paz, Josh and Ryan all played some great stuff. I stayed up (for some reason) til about 3 talking to Timmy (our bus driver).

Woke up to a beautiful Miami morning. Sunny, 78 degrees. I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to, so I ate breakfast with the truck drivers. I volunteered my services with the kitchen and the chef looked at me like I was insane. I guess in retrospect it was kind of crazy. Big coliseum. Worked on “Wings over the Basement” for a little bit, then took a walk around and checked my email. A Spanish company wants to use “Imaginary Girl” in a commercial, and I hope it happens. Had a long conversation with both Liz and Jason. Lunch was excellent as usual. Then, after John Mayer’s soundcheck I got to talk to Robbie McIntosh for a minute. He was really nice and we talked about P.G. Wodehouse. Our gig was better than last night, I thought. Everyone is adapting to playing in these bigger venues: making more exaggerated gestures, etc. After dinner, went with Marc out to the front of house and watched the last half hour of John Mayer’s set. Pretty impressive, I must say. The band was amazing, the hits kept coming, and the lights were beautiful. I mean, what a great band! J.J. Johnson plays every beat as if it were his last! I mean, you really get an idea of what it takes to perform on that level, and keep thousands entertained. It’s very athletic. Jessica Simpson was there at the sound board, and she’s very pretty. Then, the best part of the night was after the concert was over, Josh and I met Billy Joel! He just walked up to us and started talking. He apparently has a house in Miami, and we talked about songs and chords and music and he was so nice. I told him I thought “Just the Way You Are” is a standard. He said thanks, and that they didn’t even want to put it on the album, but Linda Rondstadt and Phoebe Snow told him he had to. He said he thought it was like a “cocktail lounge” kind of song, and it wasn’t cool. I mean, isn’t that incredible? We talked to him for about 15 minutes. When we got back to the bus, Josh and I were stunned. We looked at each other, and said: “We just met Billy Joel!” and sort of high-fived. Then I played some of “The Stranger” on my ipod really loud. Then Ryan put on “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” and I’d never seen that before. Watched most of it, and the band is really great, especially the background vocals. Joe Cocker is amazing, but he sounds like he’s just shredding his vocal chords and I guess he probably was. Wow. Still can’t believe I talked to Billy Joel.