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Sat. September 20, 2008 Tails from the Road #3 – Sponsored by <a href="http://www.digitalrodeo.com">Digital Rodeo</a>

Where was I last night….oh yes…in Duisburg, Germany! I played a great placed called <a href="http://www.cafe-steinbruch.com/">Steinbruch Cafe</a>. There was a big beer garden out front, a wonderful café inside where folks had gathered to watch the local football match and a fantastic venue in back. The owners had clearly thought about capturing all possible interests from their customer base. They served breakfast all day and food until late in the evening. I ate about five times yesterday. Those kind of eating days are rare on the road!

The venue held about 200 people standing. There was a great sound system set up to work for full bands. Great monitors and a lighting system designed for rock shows. I was right at home on a stage full of other band’s stuff. I would have loved to have brought my band with me for that show. But, alas, I was solo! I did, however, use all the monitors to make myself sound like a powerhouse. I was stereophonic on stage. It might have sounded like crap in the front house, but I was enjoying every note! The Sound man, Scotty (German name…..?) was very helpful in every way and even recorded the show. He plans to mix it down for me and send over the polished product. Let me tell you that this tool is unbelievable for a guy like me. First of all, I get to hear what the show actually sounds like outside f my head. But, I also get to have a “Live CD” version of the show for more product or promotional use. I’m thinking of using some of the show and some tour photos for a montage of the tour….a low budget effort on my part, but I aint no Fort Knox!

I have to give a shout out to my new friend Christoph who put me in his flat for two nights. He is one of those rare people that truly believes in paying it forward. He enjoys housing touring musicians and travelers. He likes to meet new people and in doing so has managed to travel to many places around the world and stay with the folks that he has met. For a guy like me, it is a real help on the road to be able to save 40-60 Euro. Over a twelve night tour, I can save a lot of money!

The bands last night were <a href="http://www.nemointernational.co.uk/news.php">Nemo</a> and The Loox. They managed to bring out a great crowd and I was pleased to play to a good crowd that had showed up early. I love “early” people. I can’t tell you how many times I have finished a set to have my friends/fans show up ten minutes after I am done. “Did we miss it?” It’s to the point where I wonder why I bother putting the time of the show listed anywhere. BUT, not last night. The people were there early and ready with beer and cigarette in hand. I call it a natural smoke machine. Every day that I am in Europe I am reminded of why I quit smoking. Hack coughs are everywhere and dry, grey, dehydrated skin is the color of choice amongst smokers. Coffee and a cigarette, beer and a cigarette, cigarette while you wait for the bus. I actually saw a couple of women in the Tanning Salon waiting to be nuked, smoking away. The irony was that the tanning salon was marketing itself as a way to “look more healthy”. I really should have taken a picture!

Ah…the joy of being on the road. Chasing my tail!

Until tomorrow,
Jon
<a href="http://www.digitalrodeo.com/jonroniger">Jon Roniger Digital Rodeo</a>
<a href="http://jonroniger.blogspot.com">Songs in the Raw</a>
<a href="http://www.jonroniger.com">Jon Roniger Website</a>

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