Ready for the Tour, New Tour Bus

We leave this week for the last tour of this year! I finally got a chance to see our new tour bus! It's pretty sweet. And also the first one we have had with our band name on it. This one will just be for the four of us. If you read this blog regularly, you know why.

Inside is even nicer than the shiny black exterior. Gorgeous granite counter tops, large living areas with TVs, DVDs, stereos, the works, as well as a cozy lounge in the back with a huge TV. Only four bunks so each one is huge. Our last bus had 6 bunks, 3 stacked up on each side and they were a bit claustrophobic. But with two on each side they are more like regular beds, with all the video and music, lights, ambiance lighting, etc. There's even a large kitchen area for plenty of munchies. Nothing was missed. Bruce and I are best friends that don't always see eye to eye and have our share of tussles. But this bus makes up for a lot. Too bad this is a short tour. It will be an extremely enjoyable one though.

Sweet ride

Even a TV in a small area near the kitchen

I DID ask Bruce to keep the leather furniture to a minimum, as I despise leather... my ass always sticks to it and it's always cold! So, thought some areas have leather (particular eating areas), most have suede or nice soft materials, I am not sure what.... I know leather and suede but I'm not Martha Stewart here, so I don't know the name of everything. My apologies. I suck at describing things.

Here at home, I am getting everything ready to go. My throat is much better, though I do still have a bit of a cough. I will have the bus stocked with plenty of throat lozenges as well as adding extra tea, honey and throat drops on the riders.

See you on tour!!!

Partied Out and Sick

There is not much worse as a singer than getting sick, especially when it has to do with your throat... and when you have a tour coming up!

Stephan held another one of his parties last night. I didn't stay as late as I normally would have, though I took the limo so I wouldn't have to drive out to the coast in case I decided to over do it. As it happens, I could feel a cough coming on, so I left about 1am and came home for tea, Advil, a hot bath and sleep.

I wasn't feeling too badly today. I worked at home on a new song most of the day, did some reading, watched a movie, took the dog for a walk. There's been quite a bit of rain coming through as of late, so the horses have been staying out of sight and mud is always an issue, but dryer weather is coming.

Once I am gone out on tour, Edna's family moves in here and they love the horses. My stable help knows all the ins and outs of my horse's care, dietary needs, etc. The kids can ride the older horse with adult help, but no one is allowed on Camelot. my imported black Andalusian. He's just too hot and I don't want anyone getting hurt.

Tonight, I feel like total crap! Apparently this cold or whatever illness is creeping in has decided it likes me.  We still have 2 weeks before the tour starts, however, so I am sure I will be fine by then. But for now I definitely noticed some issues during my warm-ups ... my mey-me-ma-mo-moo ... as we call them in singing, were a bit off today!  More tea!! With honey!

Tomorrow I rest my voice with lots of Vit C and more tea. I hate drinking so much warm tea, it makes me have to piss all the time. But, at least I had no alcohol tonight! Just a few at Stephan's party last night....

Don't you hate cell phone photos when you're trying to get some rest because you don't feel so hot!

Quite suspicious, Adrian looking particularly girlish handing out flavored vodka from a fancy carafe 

Stephan was wasted!

Bedtime people. Gotta get my beauty rest so my voice can heal!

Night!!

Pre-Tour and Band Pranks

Sorry for the long wait in writing. The band is busy with our "pre-tour." Everyone knows by now that Bruce, the born-again buzz kill, has banned fans from our tour bus! At least when he is in it. ha ha.

Anyway, as we cruise down 64 in West Virginia, by now all the other band members are asleep, I have a bit of a story to tell you all, my great and loyal fans. Yeah, ok, so I have had a few drinks. Trust me, it gets me through and helps me sleep. At least I avoid drugs, like Meth or Heroin. What's wrong with a couple Slippery Nipples (haha, I can think of some damn good things I can do with nipples)....?

Yesterday, after we finished with our small concert (which, by the way got a raving reception. Our new songs are getting grand reviews), and headed back out on the road (sometimes these "pre-tours" (Bruce's idea) can be more pain-staking than the real thing... we don't stay, we don't stop). It's rather like touring when we were a small band trying to make our way in music. Grueling!

Anyway, I decided since Bruce was remaining in the venue to go over some instrumentals and choral review with the others, I'd slip back to the tour bus with the latest hottie I met at the concert. I tend to like dark hair, unlike most who love the bleached blondes. I like all natural (no fake boobs, thank you). She seemed nice enough. Her name.... oh damn, I can't remember.

Anyway, I brought her to my bunk, intending on a bit of "release" after the concert when I saw something on my bunk that was not mine. Adrian's damn technological reading machine called a "Kindle." It was on and open to some book about a whore of 80's rock.... open to the chapter on this 15 year old chick losing her virginity in 1980 to Billy Squire.A quick peak told me this girl had screwed just about ever musician in the 1980's.

Kinda put a damper on my evening. I don't know yet what Adrian was trying to prove. I tossed the reading machine back in HIS bunk and had a really good time with... oh damn....what was her name...? 

Once back on the road, Adrian explained to me that this book had reminded him of me on the road... any girl at any "port."  I told him I was fine and needed no intervention. My sex life was just fine, thank you. It was then he reminded me of Jessica. She and I had hit it off pretty well and we were, well, dating. But, she wasn't there and I saw no reason not to indulge. We weren't married after all.

Would you say no??

Jessica!

I cannot believe I slept the day away. I didn't wake until after 2 in the afternoon. When I did, the only warm body in the bed beside me was my dog. I rose and threw on a pair of jeans and wandered downstairs. Edna was in the kitchen, as she often is, since she is my cook and head of all the help in my house.

"Merry Christmas, Mister Dane," she said as I wandered, yawning, into the kitchen. For a moment, my brain thought it was actually Christmas, but then I remembered that was yesterday, I had been at Stephan's party and met a gorgeous lady named Jessica. I remember little else, except the magnificent sex. Ok, ok, I don't want your kids reading that, and I have to keep this blog rated at a low level... I know lots of teens listen to our music and attend our concerts... perhaps they read this blog?

Jessica! Yes, she had left while I slept, but Edna explained. "She came down and introduced herself. Did you even get to know this girl or was it all physical?" She said the statement like a mother reaming out a teenage son. But, that's Edna... my "second mother." Edna knows everything about me... and I do mean everything. More than my own mother. She even knows the full extent of my secret--all my secrets.

Anyway, she continued, "Your friend Jessica said she had to get to work and to tell you to call her." At that, Edna offered a little chuckle. She also knows that my experience with women tended to last no more than a night, maybe two if they impress me.

And Jessica had impressed me! Not just in bed. But, I recall something about her work and feeling as if I wanted to hear more. I was too drunk and high to recall details, but I remember feeling like there was more to this girl than her looks and talents in the sack. She did leave her phone number, so, in rare fashion for me, I think I will call and see if she would like a proper date.

Later in the afternoon, Stephan called. At first, he screamed at me for "stealing his gal." But, as it turns out, he had makings on her as well. I just got there first. I told him she wouldn't have been interested in his ugly mug anyway! He knew I was joking... well, sort of. haha.

Well, I actually hope to see her again. I think I'm in like... no really, but there really is something special about her!

I will let you know if I hook up with her again.

The Strange and the Lonely

I'm sure it's no secret by now that I live in Aiken, South Carolina. I get a lot of letters from fans asking me about my childhood, since I really don't speak of it much.

The truth is, even though I was raised in a very normal suburban area in Connecticut, my childhood was anything BUT normal. I have a secret, a big secret, and just mentioning this fact, I'm sure, will get far too much media attention. And since I refuse to reveal the entire secret, there's little more to tell. But I will try to skip around the private part of my existence and tell you what I can without landing me in the loony bin. (though, if you read this blog regularly, some of my secret was revealed a bit back. But that's all I will say on it).

Ok, I grew up in Stafford, CT, living not too far from the Speedway. I was never really too big into cars, though I did like speed (not the drug). Whether it was visiting a race track with horses or speeding cars, I was hooked on watching things move fast.

When I was 14, I worked in the pit crew of a friend, helping to change tires, check engine fluids and more. I also worked for short times up at Suffolk Downs, a completely different atmosphere than engine exhaust, fuel and burning rubber. Horses, unlike most speed car fanatics, I found just as amazing and fascinating as the metal machines with horse power.

Music, though, is what kept me out of trouble--actually it helped keep my mind off that little secret I refuse to talk about. Yeah, it's a secret that affected every part of my life and made me who I am today. Though, sometimes I wonder.

Ok, so that's the "Dane Bainbridge confession of the day."  I will leave you with that... and some food for thought. Don't fret the small things in life. Trust me, there are far worse, more dangerous things out there than you can imagine. Not in your wildest nightmares. Stay ignorant my friends. You'll be much happier that way!

Signing off. Time for some shut eye. My dog is in my bedroom, warming up the bed, even though he is not allowed on it. I have to go kick him off to make room for myself. Early morning again at the studio. All new material I think the fans will love.

My new car and other things

As  sit here alone in this huge house (which seems so much bigger after spending a few days in my parent's modest Cape), I can hear the rain tapping on the windows. I had an interesting time visiting CT over the holiday. I am not sure I will be able to make it up there for Christmas, as the band is going to be very busy recording and getting ready to go on tour.

My new car will be coming Thursday! I'm really excited. She's a beauty!

Yet, for some reason the rain is drawing out my melancholy. I have a glass of sweet red wine sitting here beside me and if I smoked, I would probably be having a cigarette. I quit smoking 5 years ago because it was affecting the quality of my voice. Friends of my family's have died from lung cancer, an absolutely terrible and debilitating way to pass. Though I was never a heavy smoker (ie, never more than a half pack a day). I do on occasion indulge in a "social cigarette."

Tomorrow I have to drive two and a half hours to Bruce's place on the shore and his home studio so we can go over some tracks. I am going to have to get up early and finish the song I have been working on or I will hear it from Bruce.

Well, it's already midnight here on the east coast of the USA, so I think it's time to head off to my beloved bedchamber (I seem to have picked up that word lately and I don't know where it came from. Maybe I read too many history books), get undressed and fall asleep to the pitter patter of rain drops.

I will talk to you soon, my fans and friends. Have a very good evening. I will leave you with a photo of one of my cats.