Final Friday

Today was our last Friday on tour. Every day from here on out will be a Final day but today was special. We had our final sound check in our final venue, which is amazing by the way. The Performing Arts Center in Tampa is beautiful and BIG. The audience tonight was amazing as well and really enjoyed tonight's performance. They came in droves after the show to stand in line and get autographs. It was heartwarming and overwhelming and a little sad. I also did my final pre-show meet-and-greet tonight with a group of young Lady's and their families. The girls have been attending a six week camp sponsored by a group from the NFL that was performance based. They had a lot of really good questions and some really cute ones as well. They also did a performance for me of a song they had written to JZ's version of "Hard Knock Life." It was adorable. Afterward they all asked me to sign their camp T-shirts. This is another night I will never forget.

After the show we had our final cast party with really good food and lots of good conversation. I have learned over the years to protect myself from my own depression by not getting too close to people, especially those that come into my life for only a short time. It started as teacher when I would get so close to my students that I would be devastated when they graduated or moved. I learned to keep a "professional" distance. I have applied that on the road for the most part as well. I know that sometimes it makes me appear aloof or arrogant or stuck-up. The truth is that I care so much about these people and they mean so much to me that if I were to show that or share it I would lose all control and make a fool of myself. So, to all my "Annie" family, I love you dearly and will miss you more than you can imagine. You have all played a major role in making my "dream" come true. To those that won't be coming back next year, thanks for a great year and may all your dreams come true. To those that will be joining me for "Annie" again come November, I look forward to continuing living the "Dream" with all of you.

The sun will come out tomorrow and we will have four more "final" performances to do. I look forward to each and every moment on stage and also look forward to Monday, when I will get to go HOME. Life on the road is a great adventure and tons of fun, but there truly is "no place like home."

Final Golden Today

Yesterday we arrived in beautiful downtown Tampa, FL. Today we had our final Golden Day. That is the rare true day off where we don't have to travel or do a show. I spent the day walking around downtown, went to the aquarium which was nice but not as good as the one in Baltimore, or at least I thought so, and had dinner with a few friends at a place called Stumps where I had a really good BBQ Salmon.

The weather here has been fantastic. While a little warmer than we are used to (only two weeks ago we were up north wearing light jackets) it is not overwhelming. Tomorrow I may try and do some shopping, though I really don't need anything. It would just be a way to pass the time. I may go see a movie though there isn't really anything out that I am just dying to see. That is the hardest part of tour is dealing with the boredom.

Tomorrow night we have a show and then our final cast party where I suppose we will begin our goodbyes although we will still have two days of work to do. Should be a fun time anyway. Saturday and Sunday we have two shows each day and then Monday I fly home arriving in Nashville before noon!

The Final Week

We are now in our final week of the 2008-2009 Annie National Tour.

Bartlesville, OK and Austin, TX went well.  I stayed at my brother John's apartment in Austin which was great.  Not only did I save $80 a night on a hotel but I was able to spend some great time with my brother and have a little quiet time away from the Annie family.  It is always good to find some time to yourself and rest and recover from the pressure of always being "on."

Austin, is a great city.  If you have never been, I highly suggest adding it to your list of must see places in the USA.  We played at Bass Hall on the University of Texas campus.  The show went well and was well received.

Monday we had the day off so I drove up to Archer City and spent the afternoon with my parents and visited my Grandmother.  It was good to see Mom and Dad and spend some time with them.  It is too bad we don't realize when we are young and living at home how much our parents mean to us.  I think of those hours I spent doing silly things when I could have been spending time with Mom and Dad.  Now, I will drive 5 hours to send 5 hours just sitting and talking with them.  It was a very special day.  And of course seeing my 92 year old Grandmother is always a joy.  You would never know your age by simply looking at her.  She is an amazing woman and continually inspires me to do my best in all I do.  My Dad is and always has been my hero.  While not a perfect man, he is a loving and compassionate man, and will do anything for anyone.  The way in which he cares for my mother is saintly and Divine.  My mom has always inspired me to love others with all my soul.  She is the most loving person I have ever known.  Even now, in the midst of her horrible illness I look into her eyes and see the face of God.  She is truly a living angel.

Today was our last travel day on the bus!  We have driven over 36,000 miles these past eight months.  That is roughly 600 hours of driving not counting rest and lunch stops.  If you add those in we have spent 30 nights and days on the bus!  This is one part of tour I wont miss.

We performed in McAllen, Texas tonight.  It was a typical early summer day here.  It reminded me of my childhood and youth growing up in Texas.  I laid outside before the show in the shade enjoying the dry warmth of the late afternoon.  Many a day as a kid, my brother and sister and I would sit under the shade trees in the afternoon playing and relaxing.  There is nothing like it.

Tomorrow is our final travel day as we fly to Tampa, FL where we finish our tour.  Only 5 more days to go and then I will be headed for HOME!