September 22. The Applegate. Applegate, OR. Wednesday.
On the drive to the Applegate, Jack and I were talking about the idea of “making it” as a musician. I revealed that when I was 8 years old I wanted to be just like Bon Jovi. I admitted that, while I am currently “making it,” I am not much like Bon Jovi.
Then we drove over a beautiful green bridge into the Applegate River Lodge. We were shown to our rooms (which had enough beds for all of us and a few friends), set up our gear, and were good to go by 1:00pm. A little while later, we were all sitting on the balcony looking at the river and I thought: maybe we are like Bon Jovi.
At least, it felt that way.
Richard built the lodge awhile back. There is a magnetic electricity to the place. Some call it a vortex. Good vibes. Positive energy. Whatever you want to call it, an apple pie appeared on the porch in the afternoon and, after midnight, 20 people ate it (with ice cream).
Southern Oregon. Northern California. Richard says they were going to leave the Union awhile back and become the State of Jefferson. What a nation that would be.
But the flags and the borders and the senates… it’s all kind of silly, really. The citizens of the State of Jefferson don’t need all that. Or the signed certificate from whoever is president of the USA to tell them they are free to go. They’re fine just as they are. It’s a state of mind anyway.
So I thank them for welcoming a group of five foreigners from Los Angeles & Seattle (via Austin) to their river valley and making us feel at home. I, for one, am at home in the State of Jefferson. Have been since I first came here over 4 years ago. I hope to have a place somewhere here on the soon side so I can call it home for real.
It was a beautiful way to kick off the tour. Thanks Michelle for inviting me here in the first place. Thanks Richard, Duke (holy shit on the sax), Joanna, and Melissa for having us. Thanks Mikey for the horn and the truth. And thanks to Nickels for being Nickels. He was the first guy to welcome me home here.
7 shows in 7 days. Oregon and Washington. One wonderful day and night down. Cottage Grove is next. Here’s what we played last night:
TAKE IT EASY (YEAH YEAH YEAH)
LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES
DOWN IN MEXICO
GIVE ME WHAT I WANT
THE AMERICAN WEST
EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT
TOO MANY GHOSTS
CASSIUS CLAY
WALLACE GREEN
EULOGY
FEET TO THE FIRE
SHE SHOOTS TO KILL
