We only left an hour late today. Considering how fun it was to stay in DC I think we did really well. For lunch I had a burger from a place in Dupont Circle that rocked my world. I should have taken a picture. It was the Cuban burger form a place called The Burger Joint. Pork on top of beef with swiss cheese and pickles pressed on the grill. Wow. Unbelievably good. It was hard to leave our new DC friends, but the road was calling and when she calls, it’s time to go.
On the drive to Baltimore I heard the best radio station ever. Jessie Scott’s Ipod. Now known to us as KJES. The most amazing, random, rocking bunch of songs pop up on this thing. I have no idea how many songs are on there, but something makes me think it’s close to full. From the 60′s band Love to Al Green and BB King. There’s a lot more but I heard so much music today my head is spinning a bit. As we pulled into downtown Baltimore, Al Green came on with Love And Happiness. Perfect. We arrived at Cyclops Books and met owner and true music champion Andy Rubin. I was having my mid afternoon slump but it was nice to catch the vibe of the place. Very chill. And we met the opening act. Two 14 year old boys, Jeff and Brian, who we would later find out, are really really good. (I kind of wanted to take ‘em out back and beat ‘em up a little bit) The J & B Blues Project.
To combat the afternoon slump, we checked into our hotel and had a beer at the bar. (tastes like true love) Then a fantastic sushi dinner at Joss on Charles St. At the venue the young dudes entertained a small crowd and I was happy to hear them. The first thing they did when we walked in the door was “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”. And they did a great job of it. Since the crowd was small and the space appropriate, we decided that a fully unplugged show would be best. So we pulled everyone in close and did what we do. It was fun. Hell, it’s always fun to play. Thats’s why we’re out here. That’s what we came to do. We had some fans who drove an hour to be there and WW had an old friend from his school daze show up as well. Once again we were treated like the young princes of Texas we think we are by people we just met. It was good.
We closed down the hotel bar with Jessie holding court and telling stories from her amazing life. There’s a book in there somewhere I’m sure of it. I’m struck by how lucky I am to be here with these people. My musical brethren and one of the original high priestesses of rock-n-roll rolling up the east coast of our great nation in the August heat. Tomorrow we head to my old stomping grounds, New York City. We’re leaving early so I’m out.
Peace,
El Guapo
