Today (Thursday edition)

Well, today I woke up very, very early to get on a plane in L.A. to come back home. My friend Don and I had worked out him picking me up in Charlotte. Why, you might ask. Well, a couple of reasons, my children. 1) The flight from Charlotte to Greenville is in a propellor plane. 2) Chris Sligh doesn't like flying. 3) Chris Sligh certainly doesn't like flying in prop planes. 4) Unless he is dusting crops. 5) I had a 2 hour layover in Charlotte, and didn't want to wait around for 2 hours. 6) I wanted to eat Pizzeria Uno and the only one around is in Charlotte. 7) Chris Sligh doesn't like flying in prop planes.

So, Don picked me up at Charlotte airport.

We decided to go look at recording and keyboard stuff at Sam Ash in Charlotte. While there, I purchased Pro Tools and Reason, as well as a cheap microphone. This will be my demo making stuff while I am on the road with the American Idol tour.

Speaking of the American Idol tour...I don't know much yet, and what I do know I can't tell you yet. But I can't wait for you guys to find out...seriously, I think it'll be the coolest tour yet. And here's one clue to pique your interest: I will be playing guitar almost every time or every time I'm on stage during the show.

Anyway, while at Sam Ash, a bunch of people wanted their picture with me. One of the guys that worked there asked us if we were going to see Daughtry, since he was playing in Charlotte tonight. I didn't even know the band was there tonight, but I was interested. Then the dude said the show had sold out in 16 minutes, and there weren't any tickets. Now, this is where I am going to show that I am a bad person: but I decided I wanted to see how big a celebrity I was by going and seeing if I could get me and Don in for free to a sold out show.

Short answer: Yes. I am. Free tickets, baby!!

And I got to talk with Chris for about 10 minutes before the show.

Chris was pretty sick (he had to cancel a show in Tallahassee, FL recently) so I didn't bother him too long...I know how it is to meet new people when you feel like crap. Anyway, we came back for the show. And here is my short review....

Chris was definitely sick. He didn't have any of his trademark high notes. He also had pitch problems throughout, obviously because he was sick. But the band rocked the hiz-house! Wow. That band is really great. And the bass player is incredible, as is the drummer. I mean the guitar players were great, too, don't get me wrong, but the rhythm section was tight, yo.

Anyway, I can't really give the show a grade, per se, because Chris was sick, but the band really did play incredibly well.

Then Don and I headed home.

And today (Friday - I mean it is morning time 2:30 as I write) is my birthday.

So happy 29th to me.

Love you all for everything. Thanks for helping make the CD a success. Thanks for voting me to number 10. Thanks for the best year of my life. Thanks in advance for coming to see me on tour.