Went on a little 20 mile hike today.

So. Full. 

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Zzzzzzzz.....

Turkish coffee to get me through the final lap before Christmas. 

No shows this week! Have a safe and yummy Thanksgiving!

Went out for a little cardio before getting ready for the show at Johnny Foley's tonight!

So, this happened today......

See you in two weeks, Portland!

#barrelroom

Happy October!

Did some decorating today...heading to Dive Bar in Sacramento tonight!

What happens at Foley's....

"Road Trip To SoCal" or "Sleep Is Relative"

Ah, traveling for work. It's something entertainers do all of the time and I am no exception. Once in a while, I get the opportunity to come to Claremont, California, to share the stage with some really amazing people. The last two weeks were a chaotic hot mess of travels, drinks, songs, and lack of sleep. And I am sure you are on the edge of your seat just waiting to hear about it. So.....here we go.

THURSDAY - JULY 24 - 4am

Yes, 4am. Get up, grab my suitcase, pile into my little smart car, and hit the road. Of course, a mandatory stop at Starbucks is in order first. I drive all day, check into the hotel and take an all too brief nap. Then it's a quick bite, shower, and vocal warm up before heading off to the three hour show with the fabulous Patty Lund. Then it's a quick drink and bedtime.

Sunrise on 580.

FRIDAY - JULY 25

I get the brilliant idea to go and hike the trail in the mountains above Claremont. I've done this before, but today I forget to bring food with me - something I only realize 5 miles in......so I turn around and hike the 5 miles out trying to stay hydrated and not realizing that I am flushing out my electrolytes rapidly. I get to the car and come back to my ice cold hotel room, thankful I left the AC on by accident. I drink some OJ and start getting ready for the show tonight with Patty, Mark, and Jacob on drums. It's a good show, but I never do feel 100%. Sleep can't come soon enough.

View from the hiking trail above Claremont.

SATURDAY - JULY 26

I take it easy today and just do a little cardio at the gym followed by a steam room session - the air here is drier than in San Francisco and it takes it's toll on my vocal cords. Another show with Patty and Mark and Jacob, a few drinks, and then back to the hotel for bed.

PianoPiano packed and rocking' out.

SUNDAY - JULY 27

Time to pack up everything and get back into the car for another exciting drive up I-5 back to the Bay Area. I get home around 7pm, wash the car, unpack and climb into bed.

MONDAY - JULY 28

I wake up with a ton of chest congestion and feel like I've been hit by a truck. I spend the day doing laundry, cleaning the house, hydrating as much as possible, and preparing for a private dueling show at Johnny Foley's. The show goes well considering I can barely breathe and still feel like I haven't recovered from my bad hike day.

TUESDAY - JULY 29

Still feeling like I am fighting something off, today is a low key day. Sounds nice, but I am stressing because I have a ton of things I was supposed to do today, including stuff for my wedding that is less than a month away.

WEDNESDAY - JULY 30

Feeling a little better, I spend the day packing for Claremont again and running the errands I missed yesterday. Then, it's off to Johnny Foley's for a show with Papi. The show ends and I rush home to try to get some sleep. There is a skirmish outside between two people that won't let up, so I call the cops to have them put a stop to the noise. By now, it's 3am....

THURSDAY - JULY 31

4am....again. I get up after an hour or so of "sleep" and pour myself back into the car to begin the 7 hour drive to Claremont. I arrive, check in, nap, and get ready to rock PianoPiano with Patty.

FRIDAY - AUGUST 1

No hiking today....because I am still unhappy about last time. So, I go to the gym and then run some errands at the mall. Mark, Patty, Jacob, and I rock PianoPiano and we head out for a night cap. I crawl - literally - into bed and pass out.

Another packed night at PianoPiano.

SATURDAY - AUGUST 2

I sleep as long as I can knowing that I need to stay awake all night. I go to the gym, pack my suitcase, and grab some sushi with Patty. One roll we order is called the HoneyMoon.....and you can see the humor in what it looks like. It was actually tasty. We plow through the show from 8 until 1am. By 1:30am, I have said my goodbyes, checked out, and gotten on the road.

"HoneyMoon" sushi......we laughed a lot at this, then we ate it.

Mark being hilarious and Jacob being fierce. Love these boys!

SUNDAY - AUGUST 3

I pull into SF around 9am, wash the car, and crawl into bed by 10am. I sleep until around 3 and have dinner, unpack, and get ready for another night at Johnny Foley's with Papi and Rome. We do the show and head out for a much-needed round of drinks. I toddle off to my apartment, have a snack, and fall asleep.



For more pics from the shows at PianoPiano, check these out!

WEEK ONE:
Thursday: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152219777009109.1073742196.73344044108&type=3

Friday:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152221479379109.1073742197.73344044108&type=3

Saturday:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152223072619109.1073742198.73344044108&type=3


WEEK TWO:
Thursday:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152234877934109.1073742203.73344044108&type=3

Friday:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152235091879109.1073742204.73344044108&type=3

Saturday:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152236944009109.1073742205.73344044108&type=3


Moving forward, see you out there!

Shows coming

Shows being updated soon....including Portland (OR) and Murphys (CA).... Plus more PianoPiano, Foley's, Dive Bar, and  McGah's. 

This.....is kinda amazing and fun!!

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/weird-al-enlists-jack-black-aisha-tyler-for-pharrell-parody-tacky-20140714

Happy Pride!!!

TBT

17 years ago....with NPH when he was in RENT. Seeing him in Hedwig on broadway on Friday night! #tbt 

Throwback Thursday

From the Pocket Change album shoot, 2006. Photo by James Martin. #tbt 

Hour 5......

Throwback Thursday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGb6y8KwTDk&list=UUe55BHy8AKBawZcC2OSLiuQ&feature=share&index=4

"Prayer" from 2006's "Pocket Change"

Available on iTunes.

#tbt 

Throwback Thursday

Costa Maya, Mexico, in 2008

On my first contract on the ms Westerdam. #tbt 

Throwback Thursday

http://youtu.be/I7I98AbcemI

#tbt

Congrats to Adam DeCarlo, our sound and lighting guy at Don't Tell Mama. He was nominated for a MAC award (Manhattan Association of Cabarets/Clubs) for Best Technical Director!

http://adamdecarlo.com/9qk3nbk10f8bq821zy3dytivdmehej

THROWBACK THURSDAY!

"Sweet Denmark" from my first CD, "Pocket Change". If you like it, feel free to share it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Isj2h-Po2c

Shows this week!!

Playing tonight through Saturday night at Johnny Foley's! Come out and party with us!

#johnnyfoleys #duelingpianos

Cycling, Planning, Thinking

Golden Gate Bridge Enveloped By Fog.

Although I know how badly we need the rain here in California, I've been taking advantage of the dry weather to enjoy some time hiking and biking around the city. Two days in a row, I have traveled nearly 20 miles - each day - on two different routes. This city always amazes me no matter how many times I explore it. The fog started rolling in around mile 10 today, swallowing the golden gate bridge whole. As much work as it is to bike this city, I feel a nice sense of accomplishment when I climb back up to my apartment and take a moment to catch my breath.

I love to call this city my home. Speaking of which, I'm staying close to home for the time being. I have a lot of shows in San Francisco as well as San Mateo and Sacramento, but I also have a lot of work going on behind the scenes that is making me happy to remain stationary for a couple of months. I have begun writing material for a new album. I will be keeping you posted as the process moves forward. I am also mixing a few free tracks for my mailing list and then there's planning my wedding in August.  :)  Maybe Queen Latifah, Madonna, and Macklemore can come.......

Bye bye Manhattan....

On my way to rehearsal.

Heading to Sacramento....

The view from tonight's private gig.