Brother Willie And The Market Crew

We're in Seattle right now!!!! It's hard to believe that we were in San Diego this morning... We played a show at the Naval Base San Diego last night, and were in California for less than 24 hours. Today, we flew into Seattle, picked up the rental, had breakfast with my father-in-law, went back to pick up the boys (they were on a different flight), and then went to Teriyaki!!! Anyone who has been to Seattle would have a hard time missing the fact that it is jam-packed with teriyaki restaurants. James didn't realize what an incredible thing this was until he left Seattle and realized that no one else has amazing tryaki restaurants at every corner. Believe me, we've scoured Boston, New York, Nashville... Nashville FINALLY opened one (in Brentwood) and it was amazing for a while. But then it changed owners and the sauce just isn't the same...

So then we took the guys down to Pike Place Market. We stumbled across the most incredible a capella group. James and Chris got hooked because Miguel and I wanted to go into the original Starbucks to get a drink. Big Willie and The Market Crew were right in front of Starbucks. They had the guys mesmerized - which is hard to do!!! But these guys were the real deal. I got a quick video - the main guy singing isn't even Big Willie (you can see Willie sitting with his cane in the back ground.) But James and Chris went on and on about how heartfelt and intense it was to watch Big Willie sing. I loved this guy, too. Willie was on his break though, so I couldn't capture any video...



Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Running Down A Dream

Today was a really good food day :)

We ate lunch at Red Robin my FAVORITE!!! It was on Stephen King Dr. - creepy....
And tonight we ate at a Boston Market! I am so bummed they don't have any in Nashville anymore. That place is SO good. I used to stop by the one next to my apartment in Boston when I needed good veggies but didn't have time to cook them myself. :)

We left Maine this afternoon at check out and just decided to drive until LOST came on. It is the first time we have all gotten to watch Lost when it actually comes on tv so far this season! :) It was nice not to have to rush anywhere today. We only have to drive 5 hours tomorrow to get to Arcadia for our show. That is so nice!

We watched the first disc of "Running Down a Dream" the Tom Petty documentary. It is SOOOO inspiring. Tom and all the "Heartbreakers" and many others are interviewed and talk about their journey from day one. Stevie Nicks says repeatedly that if she could have, she would have left Fleetwood Mac and joined The Heartbreakers. :) It adds a whole new level of inspiration to be in the back of the Suburban actively running down my own dream while listening to the artists I look up to. Listening to Tom Petty talking about what all he had to do to get where he is today... well.... it's good fuel! Literally.

When he is asked who his influences are, he says "The Radio" (and the 60's) which made me feel so normal! I always felt a little "uncool" to say that as a musician. (I have gotten over that now), but back when I was at school at Berklee, it felt strange to admit how much of a radio listener I have always been. I guess partially because it made me sound like "just a singer." And not to perpetuate stereo-types, but Berklee is full of ridiculously good musicians; it's kind of like the academic side of music to be in school there. And there was a certain respect that seemed to come with being into hardcore jazz and anything with an odd time signature or as many blue notes as one can fit... While I appreciate music that I have to "think" about while I listen to it - well... that stuff just doesn't move me like a "pop" song. How ironic is it that it isn't "popular" in certain music circles to admit that you like "popular" music? Hmmmm....

I must admit... I am pretty stoked about the fact that it is only midnight. I haven't gotten in bed before 4:30am or later the last few nights. Too much to do!!! But my pillows at this Comfort Inn are calling. Don't wanna leave em hanging.

NIGHT NIGHT!

~natalie