Summer Recap!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I can't say it enough!

Thanks to the booking folks that brought me out to your venues!

Thanks to everyone that came out and supported me!

Thanks to the amazing bands and artists that shared your stages with me!

It was an eventful Summer playing shows with James McCartney, Kopecky Family Band, Andrew Belle, Neulore, and Said The Whale!

Thanks to everyone that bought my new single, ZOMBIE!

And thanks to everyone that helped to promote it!

In the coming weeks I'll be wrapping up recording projects (Geoff Koch album and a Christmas album - both due later this Fall)!

Peace,
Ross

Tour #1 (rehearsal)

Yesterday we headed to Chicago to rehearse the set for the Sleeping at Last & Jars of Clay tour.  We spent a solid 2 hours bringing beautiful songs to life...I'm stoked!

This morning we loaded up the trailer and van and hit the road.  Nine hours later we're in Pittsburgh.  We just checked into the Marriott, and tomorrow morning we have seven more hours to Virgina Beach...

Peace,
Ross

Weekend in Photos

This past weekend was great!  Thursday night I played violin at the Chevy Music Showcase with Geoff Koch and Beth Bombara - such a cool event! 

Friday night was spent downtown Ferguson, playing their summer concert series.  THANKS to everyone that came out!!!

Saturday night, I took Kate out to an excellent Syrian restaurant (Ranoush) on the loop.  After that we headed over to the Tivoli to see Take This Waltz.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Peace,
Ross

Weekend Concerts

This past weekend, the girlies and I trek'd down to Bennett Springs.  I played 2 shows (Fri & Sat night).  Fri was inside, no worries, but it was 105 when I took the stage (outside) on Saturday night, but the ampitheatre and crowd were amazing!  Thanks to everyone that came out, stuck it out through the heat, and enjoyed the show!

I also had a moment of honest reflection...if you were to ask me, I wouldn't say I was a-jam band...but I played a 14-song set for a little over 3 hours.  So, I think I might be a jam-band...

Peace,
Ross

Sunflower Music & Arts Festival

(for today's post, I'm gonna sidestep the 9 part series...back at it tomorrow)

 This past weekend I played the Sunflower Music & Arts Festival in Guymon, OK.  It was an 11 hour drive with 2 turns, through Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and dropped me 20 minutes from the Texas border.  Apparently Kansas likes its corn and wheat...who knew?

Thanks to everyone in Oklahoma that came out to the show!  You guys were a wonderful crowd.  I hope to see ya'll again soon!

Peace,
Ross

The Long Haul.

I'm typing this from home in St. Louis. So, we officially made the long haul back from Breckenridge...13 wretched hours of nothing-ness (Kansas), and kid movie soundtracks to serenade me the entire route.

Along the way we made a couple mandatory stops:

biscuits & gravy (nourishment for the soul)
Loveland Pass (the view was incredible & the girls loved it!)

Alas, this mini-tour is over!

Peace,
Ross

We Made It.

Last night we left St. Louis around 7:30PM and rolled into Breckenridge, CO this morning around 8:30AM. It was a long haul, but we made great time (and that's even counting the time I got pulled over in Eastern Kansas).

We're out here enjoying a few days in the snow while I'm playing a show at the University of Colorado on Wednesday. I must say that I LOVE being a touring musician; getting to make these fun trips across the country! So thank you to everyone that's ever come out to a show, bought a CD, or helped me out in any way, shape, or form!

We devoured a hearty breakfast at a diner in Dillon this morning then decided to take a trip on the Breckenridge Peak 8 gondola.

I'll post more tomorrow...

Peace,
Ross

Today's Exchange.

Today, Cora and I had a little exchange that went like this (word-for-word):

ME - "Cora, would you come cuddle me?"
CORA - "Um, no, I don't care about that.
I need to fly to my earth."

And there you have it.

--------------------------------------

Here's some pics from the Chicago show on Friday night:



Peace & thanks for reading!
-Ross

January Had Other Plans...

Welp, January's weather wasn't the best for touring. The month had other plans than we did. We got some ridiculous snowfall these past few weeks! We will reschedule the canceled dates, so stay tuned. But if you know me, I make lemonade from the proverbial lemon...



This morning we took advantage of the foot of snow we got and took Olive on her 1st sled ride. She was quite the fan!

Peace,
Ross

on the road w/ a new setlist

This coming week I hit the road with the band (Sam - Rhodes/noise & Andre - drums) for a handful of shows over the next 2 weeks. With my upcoming album, BOXES & HUMAN FOG nearly out, the band has learned several new (never before played-live) tracks and I'm absolutely STOKED to play them for you guys, and solicit your response.

We're still working out the setlist, and with 1 more rehearsal before we hit the road, we'll iron it out fully. But for now, here's what we're looking at:

Urgency
War on War
Doubt Brings Hope
Wicked Love
Blinded My Eyes
Olive May I
Saints Today
The River Child

Now it's time to make playlists and get podcasts ready for the long drives back and forth, across the midwest!

January 9 - Jerry's Bait Shop - Lenexa, KS - 8PM
January 10 - Jerry's Bait Shop - Lee's Summit, MO - 8PM
January 14 - The Underground Lounge - Chicago, IL - 9PM
January 15 - Benefit Concert - St. Louis, MO - 8PM
January 19 - The Riot Room - Kansas City, MO - 9PM

Peace and I hope you'll all make it out to a show!!!
-Ross

concert week...

This week was concert week...

I played St. Louis on Tuesday, Chicago on Friday, and Milwaukee on Saturday. I love being on the road for a number of reasons: the music of course, but also the new foods, and cool places to visit.

On the visiting front, we checked out the Harley Davidson museum. It was very cool - I think I was made to ride...perhaps not. And on the food front, I have a rule: NO CHAINS! So its all local, all the time. We hit up Nancy's in Chicago - AMAZING PIZZA!!! The next day in Milwaukee we went to Water Street Brewery. And to top off some great brewery-food, was the fact that in the booth next to us was John Rzeznik (lead singer of The Goo Goo Dolls).

The shows were great. Good times had by all! Plus, i learned that it takes EXACTLY 1 tank of gas for me to get my Honda from Milwaukee to St. Louis. I filled up at the hotel and drove into the driveway with my car's LOW FUEL light staring me in the face.

Aahhh, now its time to relax!

Peace,
Ross

Catch a Show!

If you're in Chicago or Milwaukee, I hope you'll plan to come out to a show this weekend!

FRIDAY, MAY 14 // 8PM // The Birds Nest // Chicago, IL

SATURDAY, MAY 15 // 9PM // Linneman's // Milwaukee, WI