– BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA   2019 –

US Road Trip 1

Road Less Travelled – US Road Trip Part 1

On August 8th, 2019, I went on a solo adventure following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac’s book ‘Big Sur’. My mission – to heal a broken heart by connecting with as many strangers as possible and saying yes to life, choosing love over fear, and maybe writing a song or two on the way.

I travelled with a miniature guitar,  a suitcase on wheels and blind faith I’d make it home. In 20 days, I travelled 2400 miles on the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco then drove 1700 miles around California. The first song appeared in Heathrow departure lounge and continued over the Atlantic all the way to Chicago.  After that, songs came in San Francisco, Carmel, Yosemite, Sequoia and Big Sur.   Each day – each new song – I shared on social media. I’d never felt so prolific, so naked, and so wide awake.

It was a life-changing experience full of the kindness of strangers, of connection, enlightenment, synchronicity and inspiration –  a journey from fear to courage, loneliness to alone-ness.

When I returned home, I vowed I’d make it into an album and book to share with people. For those needing reassurance that love and magic is out there, if we go looking for it. And if we believe in life, anything is possible.

The Road Less Travelled film is a snapshot of my first few days travelling, and is the story behind the song  ‘Home Is Your Shoulder’. It began on day 6, in Fort Mason Park after visiting Alcatraz in the morning, and was finished the next day at Fort Point. I released a lockdown version of it with my friend James ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt) on bass.