– OLANCHA, CALIFORNIA  2019 –

US Road Trip 2

On my first trip, a friend had introduced me to Abby Dees, an LA radio presenter on IMRU KPFK. Abby had asked me in for an interview and live session, and we became instant best friends. When I left, she offered me a place to stay if I ever returned.

I did, just a few months later in November 2019 on the suggestion of Bonnie Raitt bassist James ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson that we should record some of the road songs together.

It was the week I’d be turning 50. I flew over a few days before to share Abby’s birthday, then spent two days in the studio with Hutch’s musical family: Tony Braunagel, Diego ‘El Twanguero’ Garcia and Johnny Lee Schell. It was possibly the best present I could have wished for – the chance to record my songs with Grammy winners.

The following day was to be my 50th. Abby and her wife Traci took me on a hike to the Hollywood sign in the morning, a sunset at the Griffith Observatory in the evening, drinks at Château Marmont then dinner at Lemmy’s old hangout. I’ll never forget the day. It was perfect.

The next day I hit the road for a second solo trip, this time driving 1300 miles in Abby’s Audi through deserts and up the scenic 395 to Independence. Driving into Yucca Valley that first day,  a song started to brew. By the end of my adventure, I had a song cycle – ten glorious road songs for the weary hearted.

I was now ready to make an album.