Jewel Tones 2019 Tour 1

June - July 2019
Pictures and stories from the road! Read more
  • 22footprints
  • 1countries
  • -days
  • 157photos
  • 3videos
  • 5.8kmiles
  • Day 11 - Day Off

    July 6, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Pretty uneventful day. We just left Ohio and went back to Elgin to Nick Moss’ house. We got stopped by the police at a speed trap. Apparently there were construction cones.

    On our way we met up with Steve again who tweaked Doug’s amp and fixed Andrews. We then went back to dinner to that place we went last time with him. I got chicken Picatta and some weird flan sort of thing. The whipped cream was the best part.

    On our way to Elgin we watched Coming to America. We got to Nicks sort of late and went to bed. Today we’re playing Madison WI and Milwaukee. We end at 3:30 and have to start the next one at 6:00. Keeping my fingers crossed. The gas is insanely expensive in Elgin by the way (3.25).
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  • Day 12 pt. 1 - Red White and Blues

    July 7, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Today we left early from Nick Moss’ (that’s one of his dogs in the picture) to get to Madison. We had a 2:30 start at the Knuckledown which was hosting the Red, White, and Blues fest. Some of the guys from the Cashbox Kings were there plus the Jimmys. Everyone there was super nice and understanding that we had to play and leave quick. We had an 1.5 hot drive to Milwaukee to make a 6:00 show.Read more

  • Day 12 pt. 2 - Barree

    July 7, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The 6:00 show went off without any issues. EWe made it and set up somewhat early luckily. Plus it was just a super fun gig. Madison Slim showed up and watched us but didn’t play. We made a lot of money in tips. I imagine the sax antics plus Andrew holding the bass over his head and me standing playing helped a little.

    After the show we ate some food together and then the manager or chef believe booked us at a super weird place called the Chalet something or other. Before we got into our rooms we got some snacks (I got a local root beer and Smurf’s candies). You gotta love the pink tile in the bathroom.

    Tomorrow we’re taking Thomas to the airport and then we head to Buffalo. 9 hour drive.

    A funny quote form Andrew tonight: “Hey, day you thing in January that in June you’d be sleeping in Nick Moss’ basement?”
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  • Day 13 - Long Drive

    July 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Not much to put here about this one. At around 11 or 12 we dropped Thomas off at the airport then headed to Buffalo. We were actually making good time but then got caught in dead stop traffic for about an hour or hour and a half. I slept through most of it.

    They asked me to find lunch. I found a place called Jason’s Deli thinking it was a local deli. Nope, big chain. But they both loved it especially Doug who got a giant salad. Pastrami was okay but I prefer it cold.

    We made a few rest stops but really just kept driving until around 11 or so. We stopped at a friend of Doug’s named Jerry i believe. He lives on a reservation right outside of Buffalo (he is not Native). He talked to Doug for like two hours while Andrew and I escaped to go to sleep.

    Today we’re doing a gig in Buffalo and one tomorrow in Rochester. Should be fun!
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  • Day 14 - Abbey Square

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    This was a nice day. Once again we stayed on Lake Eerie. I got some laundry done and just hung out. For breakfast we went to Millie’s and I got some potato pancakes. Big mistake. Regular ones are way better.

    Doug and Andrew really wanted to go “throw Aerobie” so we did. It’s like a frisbee but with no middle so it flies super far. Andrew found a middle school with a football field and we went over. I sucked at throwing but eventually got okay at it. Catching, though, was another story. I caught it once one like 1.5 hours. I did get hit on the forearms pretty good with it, though!

    We went back and Johnny our host made is hamburgers. I got to try some horseradish mustard only sold in Buffalo which was good. Then we headed to the gig. It was at a place that was almost English themed (kind of) on the inside. Like the trim looked European.

    The gig went well. Lots of people visited wanting to sit in and because they knew the band Doug let them. One dude, a bass player, actually stopped playing thinking he was giving me a drum solo but everyone kept going and Doug got so lost even he stopped. Kind of a train wreck.

    The gig ended and we looked for some kind of gas station for food. Instead we stumbled upon a rest stop with a McDonalds. You actually had to cross the entire highway on a big bridge to get to it. After got one of the “all beef patty quarter pounders” as he called it and nuggets. I just got nuggets and Doug begrudgingly got a salad which he later complained had sucky dressing and no croutons. Andrew really enjoyed his meal even though t didnt have bacon and he got honey mustard, not hot. He called the nuggets “fire.” Apparently the dude working there had never heard that term before.

    We got in at 2 am knowing we had to be up at 7:30 or so. I immediately went to bed. Today we’re off to Rochester. We’re doing a radio show and then the gig at the Abilene. Tour getting close to being finished!
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  • Day 15 - Abilene

    July 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today we woke up super early and drove about 45 minutes to Rochester. We stopped first at a Tim Hortons and got some food. We arrived at the Abilene early and picked up the club owner to do a radio show. We were all interviewed on the show and played some tunes (Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool, Only Time Will Tell, and Saturday Night Fish Fry). We left and dropped the owner off.

    To kill some time we tried to find a place to sit around. We went to some waterfall then tried to find a local Jason’s Deli. Apparently my phone didn’t know none existed and took us to a “Masons Deli.” We at some point went to a vintage guitar shop where Andrew got a 100 dollar parlour. I got a super cheap harmonica and a grip strengthener. The harmonica sucks.

    We then went to eat at Dinosaur BBQ. It kind of sucked. But at least the cornbread was good. We finally hit up the club after going to a gas station and we loaded in. It was a really nice room but not super great turnout. We played our show and quickly packed up as we needed to get two hours away.

    We drove and got some snacks and drove to a “Microtel” in Pennsylvania somewhere. I was absolutely exhausted and quickly took a bed. I come out of the bathroom and get in and Andrew claims he claimed it. Oh well 😂

    Now we are heading to Richmond, VA to
    open up for Nick Moss. Should be a fun show!
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  • Day 16 - Tin Pan

    July 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We got up super early as we had to drive like 9 hours. The drive was okay but we hit some brutal traffic on the 95 where Washington DC is. Took like an hour to get out of.

    We got to the venue and talked to the Nick Moss guys and set up. Patrick on drums was super nice and let me use his pedal (Speed Cobra) and Rogers snare. He even offered to let me use his cymbals but I just used mine. His sounded super good though, especially the ride.

    We all got our food (I got a stupid big wedge salad) and then we had to play at 7:45. We only had to do a 45 minute set so we did some short tunes and then Nick went. At the end of his set Andrew, Doug, and I all went up to play two tunes and close out the night. One was a fast jump and I was a little mind blown I kept up so well.

    One thing I have to say is Nick is super awesome. During a tune he gave me a shout out and said I must e incredibly dedicated to drop my life in Maine just to play blues in Florida. He’s such a nice dude. Plus Taylor on keys and Rodrigo on bass makes for an insane band.

    After the show we all chatted. Dennis, a dude who worked for Hohner, and I all talked harps and even briefly Brad Harrison. I could tell Dennis was surprised to hear that name after so long. We then went outside and I chatted with Patrick about drums. He was incredibly nice and told me “I don’t want to sound like a dick, but you back when I first saw you play and now? Totally different worlds.” He’s all class.

    We then went to where we were staying. The lady was super nice and had a nice home. She actually wrote a book about blues and mental health (she’s a forensic psychologist). We stayed up and talked for a bit then went to bed. She also had a super nice dog. Big.

    Today we have another seven hour drive. We’re going to Aiken, South Carolina. Luckily we stay in Carolina for the weekend for a festival.
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  • Day 17 - The Red Pepper

    July 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Super long drive today. We did maybe 7 hours or so to get to Aiken. The town is pretty nice I must say, really laid back and just full on southern. We got to the room first and then headed to the gig. Ben was there to meet us (he helped secure the gig and then a room). We set up and instantly noticed the palmettos.

    People really liked us here. There was a young dude named Zach with some friends and probably his girlfriend. E got a little drunk and didn’t want us to leave. He told me during chatting that his and I’s generation were so much different. He turned 22 that day.

    It started pouring big time after the gig so we had to wait it out while I checked my cases for palmettos. I didn’t mention this before but I had a nice meal. Wagyu steak with fries. A tad overdone but great sauce.

    One weird thing about this area is all the girls call you baby. I’ve never experienced that before. It’s very different culturally here. You can tell there are people who love the living and some who want out hard.

    After the gig I got some snacks and Andrew got two quarter pounders, 6 nuggets, and a chocolate shake. Dude is inane.

    Our next three gigs are in South Carolina so the long drives are over!
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  • Day 18 - First of the Greenwood Dates

    July 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    Before heading to Greenwood we went out to lunch with Ben to a Carolina bbq place. It was buffet style. The food was good but I didn’t really love the sauces. I’m a little sick of all this food no lies. They had something called hash which is just all the leftover meat parts stewed for a very long time then you pour it over rice. It was like mediocre creton. After we checked out his guitar collection and made our way to Greenwood.

    The ride was very short and uneventful. Doug told us he had two rooms so one of us was getting our own room. He said he had three quarters with three different states. I picked West Virginia as the coin that should win. We all picked one and mine had Harpers Ferry. Good luck I guess! We got to the rooms and then headed to the gig.

    We arrived super early at the Inn on the Square where we played their ballroom. We got free food and I picked the filet mignon. We played two sets. During the end of the first one I was super sure I had seen Adam Gussow in the crowd and I was right. He asked me “are you related to the other Zack Pomerleau who plays harp?” We then got our food. The steak was great; sous vide.

    After the show we stopped to get some snacks. Andrew made me try Tahitian Treat. It’s just fruit punch that’s carbonated. We headed back and I hung out for the night.

    Our next gigs are on their main stage and then some local pizza place called The Mill House.
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  • Day 19 - The Mill House

    July 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today was an easy day. We all slept in and then got some food. We got tacos and I only ate two. When I get home I’m only eating salads and such for awhile. All this bbq and Mexican is just not good to me anymore! We then found a humongous football field at the high school and threw the Aerobie again for about an hour until it starting raining.

    We then went back to our rooms and got ready. We decided to go to the place our second gig was at and set up as much as we could so we didn’t have to rush over. While doing so all the main stage gigs were cancelled so we sat around for a few hours. I got some pizza that was kind of not good. Makes me miss Portland Pie. I then went outside and saw a cotton candy stand selling popcorn. I got one for each of us.

    We had an interesting thing happen where some dude brought in a guitar and had us all sign it for him. Ben and one of his band mates showed up plus one of Doug’s friends from Cortez who recently moved elsewhere for a job. He told us about it and his crypto currency adventures.

    The gig went smoothly. After some drunk musicians talked to us for an hour and wouldn’t leave. One dude told me I must get a smaller kit like Gene Krupa (who used a big one). They left and we went back to the hotel, bringing some dude who couldn’t find an Uber after his gig.

    Today as of writing this is our last date on this tour. Blind Willy’s in Atlanta, GA.
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