Little Girl Blue

I don't know how, or why. And I don't care. I. I consider myself to be pretty calm and collected but people, B.B. King walked onto my stage last night. B.B. KING!! And he asked if he could jam with me! Like I'm going to say no!! (Well, to be honest, I couldn't say anything for what felt like minutes but which I'm assured was actually just a few seconds.)

B.B. KING.

B.B. KING.

I can die and go to heaven now, please and thank you.

So how do you stop them from actually physically fighting with their tiny canes? Or are only mine that bad?

Man, I cannot wait for the tour stop this spring. It's going to be amazing.

I have the strangest craving for popsicles.

All right, just to prove that I'm not all blues all the time... If y'all have time this Sunday, you should come down to the bar. There's an amazing Cajun/Zydeco group performing. They put their own spin on New Orleans piano rhythm 'n blues and accordion-powered zydeco and they're just amazing.

"Right again!"

The crowd, which had grown considerably over the past 15 minutes, cheered loudly for Josie.

"All right, that doubles your winnings to $512. One step closer to that $64,000 question!"

More applause as Josie tried not to look smug.

"And here comes your next question. For one thousand dollars, Josie, Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. held all but one of these occupations prior to starting the label: songwriter, auto plant foreman, boxer or Rrecord store owner?"

The smug look grew. Well, they'd let her pick her own category, served them right.

Don't get me wrong, I love Aretha, I really do. But was anyone else slightly disappointed in her rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee"? Then again, it was cold, that always has an effect.

Things I've discovered today: My coat really isn't warm enough for this sort of weather.

It was the longest Josie had ever stayed in once place since she'd started working steadily as a blues musician. She'd been in Tampa for more than 10 months. She'd intended to stay 10 days, tops.

Her agent had called over the holidays to gauge her interest in moving on, and -- to both their surprise -- Josie had said no. She had family here. Friends. She'd actually put down roots. It wasn't that she didn't miss touring, seeing new places and meeting new people. She just wasn't ready to do it yet.

She was a little surprised when her agent had said he'd understood. He'd promised to call her back after the new year with any offers he'd found.

When the phone rang and ID showed her agent's number, she answered with a "still not ready yet".

"Yeah, yeah," he laughed. "But how would you feel if the tour came to you?"

I think tonight, I'll take my cue from the Dropkick Murphy's and sing their version of Auld Lang Syne. May even break out the electric guitar to do it.

Happy new year, folks.

I have a feeling people are gonna be in the mood for holidays songs tonight. Or else, they aren't and I'll get a bottle thrown at my head.

( Private )

( Noah )

( Cam )

( Mark )

Thanks to everyone who showed up to the concert on Friday. Don't think I've ever seen so many canned goods in one place that wasn't a supermarket shelf.

Well now, that's a little odd. I just got asked to perform at a Sweet 16 party.

( Mark )

So mark your calendars if you're into this sort of thing: I'm doing a charity concert for the local food bank on Nov. 21. Ticket price is three donatable items.

( Mark )

( Noah )

( Cam )

( Brian )

( Mark )

( Brian )