Home Sweet Homes

How many people are lucky enough to say they have 2 hometowns? Well, I know one of them, and that person claims 2 of the coolest cities in the world, Chicago and Nashville.

I'm talking about myself...did you catch that? Yeah, I'm one of those lucky people. Last week, I got to take myself and my band down to Nashville for a show at The Basement. For those of you who do not hail from Music City USA (and maybe a few who do), The Basement is the venue below Grimey's Records, which is the most amazing record store on the planet. Am I biased? Okay, maybe, but it really is nationally recognized as one of the coolest places for music lovers. When I lived in Nashville, I made weekly pilgrimages to Grimey's - to buy music, of course, but also to hear great live music, to snag tickets to a sold out show (because, many people don't know this, but Grimey's usually buys up a batch of tickets to all the cool shows coming through, and then sells them for face value out of the store. Occasionally, if you're reeeeeeeeeeally lucky, they still have a few left when the box offices and the internets are plum out. Cash only though!), or to be the first of my friends to say they snagged the freshly released copy of so and so's new album at midnight on new release Tuesdays. I still wear my Grimey's t-shirt with pride and scoff and eye roll like an annoying hipster when people ask me what my t-shirt means.

Needless to say, as one of my favorite places in Nashville, I was really excited to play there. What I did not necessarily expect was impeccable sound, super talented bands to share a stage with, and an amazing turn-out. We kind of packed the place! Um, THANKS, Nashville!! Honestly, that was the biggest show we've played so far. Even our CD release show wasn't as packed. Don't get me wrong, Chicago, you turn out pretty regularly, and I am eternally grateful for that. I'm just saying that I may need to plan more shows in Nashville. It was a really, really great night. It also didn't hurt that we got to grab post show beers at The Villager, where we cheerily threw some darts and Jack dubbed me "Bulls Eye Duke".

So hey. Nashville. Thank you. Sincerely. I mean this from the bottom of my heart and I feel it with fervor....I love you.