the bluebird proposal, east coast tour, the bitter end and nyc

I’m way, way overdue for my second blog..  I’m writing tonight from the passenger seat of my Nissan Maxima..  My Kiwi fiancé Jess is becoming a great American driver and  I’m actually pretty relaxed now while she’s driving!!  I believe we are somewhere near Gallup, New Mexico on our way to Flagstaff, Arizona..  We’ve just finished a whirlwind tour of the west (Colorado, Wyoming and Montana) with the fantastic Megan Burtt (meganburttmusic.com)..  I’ll talk about those adventures in the next blog:)

So, where did I leave off?  Okay, on July 18^th Jess flew into Nashville International Airport..  

We said goodbye to each other in Sydney Harbor on June 23^rd and the 3 and a half weeks of separation that followed felt like an eternity to us.  A month to the day after I said goodbye to Jess in Sydney, I played to a sold-out crowd in Nashville, TN at The Bluebird Café and proposed to her during the show.  It was the most magical night of my life.

Here is a video of her engagement song, “Over The Sun We’ll Fly” recorded that night in Nashville..  Continue to watch the video after the song endsJ

Jess and Jesse's engagement video 7.23.10!!

My old publisher/Nashville dad Mark Alan Springer closed out the round with one of my favorite songs of all time, “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” and dedicated it to Jess and I.  I’ll never forget it.

What a great freakin’ way to start out our six month US tour!!  We definitely started on a high note.  Jess and I spent the next few days packing up my apartment and moving most of our worldly possessions into storage..  On July 30^th we were packed up and ready to roll..  A few miles from my apartment in Bellevue we blew a tire (the first of many). 

July 30th was our first day of being truly address-less!  I have to say, it’s a liberating feeling..  sometimes a bit frightening but empowering nonetheless..  It’s so cool to have the option of going anywhere and doing anything on a moment’s notice.

The biggest negative about this lifestyle is certainly un-packing and re-packing the car..  Packing and un-packing got old REAL quick!  The car has to be packed just right to have any visibility out of the rear window..  I don’t have a clue on how Jess does it..  It’s like an intense game of Tetris.  Anyhow, she tells me where to put stuff and I listenJ  Hopefully a touring vehicle is in the cards for me within the next year.  Until then, the only place in the car for Jackson is on the passenger’s lap!!  Ha

We’ve gotten so used to it I think we really enjoy having Jax on our laps now..  He’s a great cuddler and the car would feel empty without him.. 

Our first stop on our travels was Melbourne, Arkansas.. 

I have some dear friends there and they let Jess and I stay in their beautiful (and remote) log cabin.  It was beautiful and right on a winding creek.  The cabin was literally twenty minutes down a dirt and gravel road..  maybe the most remote place I’ve ever been..  so cool.

Cabin life was certainly an adjustment for a city girl like Jess..  The first night we discovered the wonders of “dry flies”..   huge, bat-like creatures that make awful shrieking noises and love to sneak indoors and terrorize you.  Being the man of the cabin, I killed one of the evil banchees that first night and I remember the bug literally screaming..  like a blood-curdling horror movie scream..  I remember jumping out of my skin and screaming..  And then I know Jess started screaming after that.  At one point there were three distinct screams ringing out in unison..  the fly, Jess and I..  After that  night we settled in quite well and really loved the cabin.

After a day or two Jess even became accustomed to the multitude of stuffed critters that filled the cabin..  Two bears, five deer, one bobcat and two fish to be precise..  I just asked Jess for a body count and she rattled those figures off to me like it was yesterday..

Our Arkansas friends gave us the most wonderful week..  My great buddy Blane took us on a fishing trip on the beautiful White River with Bill Terry (which coincidentally was my Grandpa’s name).

Jess caught six fish that day before I caught my first..  She really enjoyed that.

My friends in Arkansas also introduced us to their pet deer Sophie, a sweet little girl who truly believes she is just one of the dogs..  incredible

We weren’t ready to leave Arkansas after a week..  We got on the road  and played a couple shows in Kentucky and Illinois..  I had no idea but southern Illinois has a lovely wine trail..  We played an outdoor show at Rustle Hill Winery and had a blast..  Note Jackson enjoying the show as wellJ

From Rustle Hill we took off for four nights of camping in Asheville and Boone, North Carolina..  beautiful places..  I love the lifestyle in those places..  folks are all about outdoor sports, hiking up mountains, good music and good timesJ  Can’t wait to tour through Carolina again.

Jess pitched her first tent in Asheville, NC and we had an epic campfire..  Jackson was terrified of sleeping outside but slowly adjusted..  somewhat..  he’d still prefer sleeping on a fleece blanket on a nice sofa any day.

We took the Blue Ridge Parkway to Boone, NC, camped there for a couple of nights and then made our way to Charlotte where we had a few days of shows planned.

My good buddy Jonathan (and groomsman) lives in Charlotte and we had the best week there.  Can’t wait to be back.  He lives in a beautiful place and I know Jess and I were so happy to be living in luxury after four nights of sleeping under the stars!

I think Jackson inspired Jonathan because before the week was up we found an awesome little Beagle mutt on Craig’s List and picked him up!  That is one cute freakin’ pup..

We left Charlotte wishing we could stay longer..  but more shows and the northeast beckoned..

I was born and bred in CT, just outside of NYC, so this was a homecoming for me..  Most of my friends and family were around for our time in the northeast.. such a killer reunion..  We stayed with dear friends in Mamaroneck, NY for the majority of our three weeks in the area..  so grateful for true-blue friends..  Good to be home.

We spent a few days up at the Cape with some other great friends..  I’ve missed the Cape so much..  was wonderful to hike and cayak for a few days (and consume a ton of wine and cheese).  The Cape, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have always been my favorite places in New England.. 

I played some very memorable shows up north..  My mom has resurrected a community garden in my hometown (Chickahominy, my favorite part of Greenwich, CT) and I played an awesome concert there..  A Congressman came to check out the garden.. So proud of my mom and all of the gardeners and volunteers!  Was so proud to be a part of that..

I played an awesome house concert with Marjory Lee at Merry and Lloyd’s place..  Merry is an amazing cook and I LOVE playing  house concerts.. so cool. 

I met my new friends Hadar and Lois at this particular house concert..  both amazing people and music fanatics..  Hadar is an avid music fan and writes a widely read blog..  Luckily, he enjoyed the show and had this to say about it:

Hadar's wonderful blog!!

The highlight of the northeast tour was playing the legendary Bitter End in NYC!  What an awesome show..  The sound was so great I almost forgot that Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor have all graced that famous stage.. so cool..

Here are some of my favorite videos from that night at The Bitter End..

Scared of Nothing

Ain't No Tellin'

Please Don't Go

I’m so lucky to have Jess on the road with me..  All of these experiences would be so incredibly bland without her..  I think happiness has to be shared.

Seeing Jess experience Times Square for the first time was such a joy..  I love seeing her that happy and excited..  I think it’s her favorite place on earth..  or maybe a close second to New Zealand..

She has already helped my career so much..  taking beautiful photos and video for me..  handling the mailing list and meeting folks while I’m playing..  I’m so lucky.

We had a chance to visit the new Yankee’s stadium while we were in NY..  AMAZING..  I loved the old stadium but this one felt just as magical to me..  It feels like an older ballpark.

The east coast was awesome.. and life has been so killer.. not that we don’t face our hurdles..  we have huge immigration issues that we deal with on a daily basis..  and there is never enough time!!  Between traveling, performing, wedding planning and life we are always so busy..  I’m just so freakin’ happy to not have a boss!!  Being self employed can be a bit frightening but at least you are doing YOUR work..  suddenly working twelve hours in a day can feel joyful.

I’ll write soon about our cross-country trip and our tour out west with Megan Burtt..  Until then I hope to see you out on the road (or on facebook).

Peace,

Jesse

September 25^th, 2010

Flagstaff, Arizona

Going down under, The South Pacific and falling in love at sea...

Wow, where should I begin?  I suppose that if this is the blog of a traveling singer/songwriter I should begin with my journey to Australia and my subsequent adventures in the South Pacific.  Or perhaps I should begin with my life in Nashville?

I suppose I should begin with Nashville. That’s the town where I really cut my teeth and became a man. I graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2004 and moved straight to Nashville. 

 I was fortunate enough to land a publishing deal within two months.  It was a dream come true for me.  Writing songs every day with your buddies and getting paid for it..  What could be better than that?  Plus, it was an independent company and the investors were these wonderful guys from Arkansas.  We’d all go down to Arkansas for a week and hang together in these awesome cabins.  My boss Mark was like a father to me.  It was truly a family (and still is).

Looking back now I realize just how green I was; as a songwriter and as a human being!  But I was eager to learn and having a job writing songs was the perfect job for me.

After a while it became clear to me that my artist career was my number one passion;  the thing that I needed and couldn’t live without..  I pushed hard in Nashville, put together a great band and got some good industry buzz..  I had some great showcases and meetings with record labels..  But everyone asked me the same thing.. “What is your touring history?”

At that point it was ZERO.  I had such a great community of friends and fans in Nashville, but nobody knew who I was outside of the city limits.

So I felt like I was treading water.  Around this time my publishing company closed it’s doors and I lost my deal (and the great opportunity to work with your family).  I was devastated.  I had put every ounce of my energy into making this company a success..  I took every risk..  I was ALL in!  It’s just not in my nature to consider failure.  I took it pretty hard.

This was January of 2009.  I couldn’t afford to go home to see my family in CT.  Needless to say it was a rough holiday season.  I got a full time job waiting tables in Nashville and I prayed for the tides to turn.  This was right in the heart of the American financial crisis so money was beyond poor in the restaurant business.  Servers were going home with fifteen and twenty bucks many nights.  Not good.

I had no idea how I was going to stay afloat and I desperately wanted to start touring so I could make things happen for myself.

There is a lot you can do for yourself in the music business but some things simply require money..  Touring is definitely one of them.  I don’t think you need a huge sum of money to start touring but you do need a small fund..  and very few expenses!

I clearly remember the day that I received the phone call about the gig in Australia.  It was January 2010 and I was writing a song with my dear friend Madeleine Slate that morning.  I was so eager for a change in my life at that point..  When my agent Greg asked me if I’d like to take a gig on a cruise ship in Australia for four and a half months I said YES immediately!

I had to find a duo partner (which I found in the wonderful Carley Tanchon), get an expedited passport, sublet my place, find my beloved dog Jackson a temporary home and buy a suit, all in the span of less than a month!  It was a crazy, exciting, wonderful time.  I had never left the states before and I was so eager to get on that plane to Sydney.

It’s very difficult to summarize what happened in the South Pacific between February 23^rd and July 5^th of 2010.  Within a week of being on the ship I fell for a beautiful kiwi (New Zealander) named Jess..  Jess is now my fiancé!  Wow..

My duo partner Carley and I had great musical chemistry together and we became great, great friends..  Most days we played four sets together.  On top of that, we lived in a small cabin together with a bunk bed.  If I had not picked the right duo partner I would have been in BIG trouble.  Carley was incredibly supportive of Jess and I and was the only one of my American friends who witnessed me falling in love.  Love you Car!!

Carley and I played to some great Australian audiences down under and made some great friends along the way..  I know Carley and I experienced some bad sets and some rough days together but all I seem to remember now is all of the laughter we shared.  It’s funny how your mind generally filters out all of the negative images from your memories.  I mean, we had three days off in four and a half months and my voice felt like HELL for most of that gig.. but I barely remember that.

Here is a music video we shot on Dravuni Island, Fiji..  one of my best days EVER!  Featuring the legendary "Mike the Bass Player" in the purple trunks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHjY96D1MM

I loved the Aussies.  They reminded me of southerners a bit..  If they teased you it generally meant they liked you!  Very laid back, funny, peaceful people..  great storytellers..  And great audiences, young and old..  I hate to say it but much more responsive than an American audience..  It’s a rich culture and history and Aussies are very proud of their beautiful country.

I could write a whole novel about the times I shared with my fiancé Jess while aboard the Pacific Jewel.  It’s the first time in my life that I instantly “knew”.  I’ve heard a lot of people speak about this feeling of knowing but I never quite experienced it myself..  at least not at this level.

Jess was a photographer on the ship and worked her tail off..  Ten to fourteen hour days of work EVERY day.. no days off.. 

It’s criminal what the cruise lines do out on the open seas.  Maybe it’s just me but I think everyone deserves a day off..  Especially the guy that is cleaning your toilet and making your bed!

Anyhow, back to my JessJ  We worked hard but enjoyed the islands so much..  Beautiful places and people..  Port Vila in Vanuato was one of my favorite places.  We probably spent seven or eight days there over the course of my contract.  We had some amazing adventures in Noumea, New Caledonia and some breathtaking snorkeling in Pentecost (which is not known for it’s snorkeling..  it’s almost like this underwater paradise sprouted up just for Jess and I that day)..  We loved Fiji..  Dravuni Island and Port Denerau were big favorites..  Oh and Port Douglas, Australia right near the Great Barrier Reef..  what a place!!  There were so many beautiful islands and ports that we were lucky enough to experience together.

Being on the other side of the world changed me..  I loved getting to know all of the crew members from different countries..  My favorite crewmembers were generally not the entertainment staff (not that I disliked them) but were our hard-working soundmen from the Phillipines.  They became like family to me.

The experience changed me..  It was cool to work and live outside of America and see that life goes on outside of the USA.  I think I used to feel like America was the center of the universe.

I never dreamed that I would take a steady cover gig for over four months but it was the perfect time and the perfect place for it.  My voice and performing chops got much stronger because of the experience..  Musically I feel rejuvenated and renewed (now that I’m off the ship and not playing four sets a day!)..  I was finally able to save enough money to start touring.  Somehow I mustered up the energy and focus to book a whole US tour with the turtle-slow internet on the ship.  I’m so excited to explore my own country and make it happen.

Most importantly I found true love..  in the last place I was expecting to find it.

So that’s what my blog will be about..  love, adventure and fighting for your passion in this world.  I have my Jess and my Jackson (the dog) by my side and I feel so lucky.  Everything feels possible and within reach.  I can’t imagine touring the country for three months without Jess.  I imagine that would be a very lonesome endeavor.  She is so talented and has already helped my career immensely..  Her expertise is in photo, video, design and marketing..  not a bad set of skills for my line of work!  The three of us are a great team.

Stay tuned for more blogs..  I’m a bit behind and need to catch up..  Jess and I have already toured through Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and North Carolina.  I’m writing tonight from beautiful Cape Cod, MA..  In a few days we’ll start our run of northeast tour dates in Connecticut and New York.

Much love to you all,

Jesse

August 18^th, 2010