American Idol

Earl this morning I got a call requesting my presence at the Kodak Theater at noon Wednesday. Meat Loaf had agreed to perform a song from the soon to be released 'Bat Out Of Hell III' live on TV later in the day.
Luckily, I happened to be in Los Angeles with a day off and I was able to be there for him to offer some support. Singing live on National TV to an audience of roughly 30 million viewers can be a slightly unnerving experience to the most seasoned pro's so I jumped in my car and drove over to offer my encouragement and a friendly face to a guy that I've spent the last 13 years working with.
Me and TC ... (yes, monitor guy TC) arrived at noon to a whirlwind of activity in the backstage area. All this seasons contestants were there for the final show and the dressing room area was filled with family, friends, stars and ... Security (big, huge guys with scowls on) all over the place.
I found Meat warming up in his dressing room. He was nervous, as one could imagine but somehow calmer than I had ever seen before prior to an event of this magnitude. It might be because of what will become evident in the coming months. The release of Bat III. I think everyone is going to be bowled over by this one. It's perfect. The songs, the lyrics, the musicianship and ... I've never heard Meat singing this well since Bat I.
So, by now most of you have seen the show. You've heard a 2 minute version of a 6 minute song and witnessed Meat pull through under a tremendous amount of pressure. My hat goes off to him (I don't wear hat's but if I did, I'd take it off for his performance).
Almost forgot to tell you ... I had one of the only stage passes in our little posse. That allowed me to enter the wing area off stage without getting an arm broken by one of the afore mentioned bruisers. While the show was being broadcast, I was DARED to find a quiet spot, remove all my clothes and run out on the stage (it actually started out as my idea). I was ASSURED that I would become an instant celebrity. That my name and face would be known around the world in a matter of seconds. I have to admit ... I was tempted. I made a few phone calls to run the idea by some close friends and they all told me to do it!
Obviously, I allowed opportunity to knock but failed to answer the door naked. The idea of spending the night in the LA County lock-up eating a week old bologna sandwich wasn't appealing enough (If they offered Creme Brulee for desert I would have done it).

I'm off to the Paul Mason Winery in Saratoga CA. for the next New Cars show and I'm having a really good time doing that too (could I be any busier?).
Check back for more pictures and road stories in the coming days from the Road Rage Tour.

K

I normally don't start off with a picture like this but .... I couldn't resist sharing my new friendship with Toni Braxton with you all. She's in my hotel room right now ironing my shorts, folding my laundry and packing my luggage. 

Through this stage set, the Stars take the stage ... 

Backstage at the show someone named Talent has a dressing room. 

Meat enters the stage alone to start his song. 

Meat and Kristine Mcphee (not the winner) running through the song they're about to perform. 

Meat is saying .... stay on YOUR side of the stage Woman. 

Let the acting begin! 

Meat and Kristine rehearsing "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" 

A secret guest. Unknow to the general public but a real mover and shaker. It's this gentleman that makes careers. 

The entire show is recorded for posterity on a Pro Tools rig backstage. 

a view from the seats during rehearsals 

Chris performing with the band Live 

Lead Singer of Live 

The Boy's Choir 

Taylor (the winner) playing his mouth harp while Bucky looks on admiringly. 

The Boy's Choir 1. 

The Boy's Choir II 

Taylor (the winner) and Bucky (not the winner) 

Runner up Elliot.... I'm trying to get my mouth like his is here. 

Bucky ... a truly nice guy. He's on the phone with my daughter in this picture (really). 

LA Gibson Amphitheater

Whoa. What a show tonight. Talk about nerve wracking. Half of Los Angeles must have been backstage. I've been doing the 'social butterfly' routine for a long time now but it never fails to drain me when I'm playing a big city and there are loads of friends, acquaintances and business people to say hi to, chat with and make to feel like their important too.
This was our 6th proper show. In my opinion, the first show in Tunica MS. Was ... well, the first show. Not bad at all. But the second show in Dallas was really good. We were feeling a certain amount of confidence on that one and to me it showed. Then ... things we're brought down to earth with the next few shows which weren't as electrically charged. It culminated in Las Vegas with some technical difficulties on my part that left me without sound on my Bass for the better part of a few songs. What a kick in the ass that was. You want the show to be as good as possible and all of a sudden the bottom drops out of the band and people are tripping all over themselves trying to fix it. We finally did get it working again but not before my show had a wet blanket thrown on it.
So, it only stood to reason that things were going to get better. Just in time for a very important show media and prestige wise.
I've played this particular venue here a few times, going all the way back to the Tubes / Utopia tour. This time the band I'm in had something to prove. That it wasn't a novelty, it wasn't a flash in the pan, it was something that deserved attention because of the history of the members and the specialness of the music.
We pulled it off with flying colors. We had a great show and couldn't have asked for a more appreciative crowd.
Come see us play. The shows keep getting better.

Grand Prairie Backstage

And Their Off ...

We played our second show last night here in Dallas (actually Grand Prairie but we'll just say Dallas).
It's been brought to my attention that it looks like I'm having a good time on stage ... That I'm smiling a lot. Well ... It's FUN! Besides the fact that the songs are quite upbeat and for lack of a better word, 'happy'. So why wouldn't I be smiling? The musicianship in this band is top-notch, no one is on a 'star-trip' and the main objective is to make the songs sound great, not make the individual sound great. THAT is what makes a great band.
I did read a rather harsh post on some forum that said I sang Drive 'passably'. Hmmm, I'd like to think I do a better than passable job on that song. Maybe I should close my eyes when I sing it. That should prove how much I'm into it to the punter who called me the 'new bass player'. Dude ... I've been doing this longer than you've been breathing.
I don't want to come off as bitter but you guys know how sensitive I am!
I'm on my way to LA today for a haircut and meetings. Maybe some shopping ... retail therapy always helps to soften slightly negative criticism.
I'd like to think I'm playing to a whole new audience on this tour. People who don't know of me or my ... (clearing my throat) ... quite extensive resume.
Bottom line is, I'm having a really great time doing this. The people in the audience look like they're having a great time hearing these songs being performed again.
So, if you have tickets for any of the 20 odd shows left on this portion of the tour, it's safe for me to say you'll be smiling during the show too.

K

FIRST SHOW TONIGHT! & Alice Cooper

Hey ... So, all the talk, all the secrets, all the press, all the TV, all the hype, all the speculation, everything ... has come down to today. The first show of the tour.
Everyone is excited, we're all anticipating a great start to what could be something that lasts for some time.
We've been waiting for this as long as you have and barring any major hiccups, it should come off without a hitch.
After the first couple shows, I'll start taking some pictures, but for now I think it best if I keep my camera in my pocket.

On another note ... A few weeks ago, I have the opportunity to do an interview with Alice Cooper. For those of you who aren't aware, he and I go way back. I've known Alice for 20+ years and was even in a movie with him (Roadie).
Anyway ... He has a radio show in over 100 markets here in the US and my short chat with him will be airing Tuesday, May 16th between 10 & 11 PM. You can find out if theres a station close to you by visiting his website www.AliceCooper.com.
The only thing I would have changed about the interview was the last question I was asked. I should have said "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place".
You'll understand what I mean if you listen.
Many thanks to Kathy Wagner for setting this up for me.

So ... Hope to see some of you at a show and like I said, stay tuned for pics and updates in the coming weeks.

K

The New Cars

Below this post you'll see the building that we are currently rehearsing in. We're in the 'Pre-Production' stage of a tour which I'm sure will impress a lot of people and turn some skeptics into true believers.
When I walked into the sound stage the other day, my jaw dropped. The stage set is amazing! Mike Cotton and Till went above and beyond the call of duty to design a set that is truly something to see.
I'm not going to spoil the surprise by describing it here. First of all, I couldn't do it justice, secondly, I'd get in a peck of trouble for giving it away before the first show.
We've been running through the set start to finish and while I'm normally circumspect in my observations, I gotta say that the band sounds pretty darn good. Those of you who've had occasion to experience my super critical attitude towards everything I do know that it takes a lot for me to offer a positive comment. This is going to be a great show.
We're only 3 days away from the first show and going through each song raises the confidence level for all of us.
I have to gush here for a second ... You all know how I feel about Todd but, Elliot Easton is one of the best guitarists I have ever worked with. Greg Hawks is an amazing musician and his sounds are exactly the same as the ones on record. Prairie is the perfect guy for this band.
You will all be glad you came to see this new incarnation of a band that was so popular, so influential, so 'cool' when it first appeared on the scene.
Stay tuned, I promise to update frequently.

K

Inside here ....