The Follow Journals

	TOUR INSIDER WHERE IN THE WORLD June 14th 2007 : LIVE at Railroad Days in Moberly, Missouri The Follow first started performing in 1989, with only two original songs, and a slew of covers by U2 and R.E.M. Oh, it was a glorious time, even though the band couldn't keep or hold a tune. The guitar sound was similar in pitch and quality to that of a strangled chicken. The drums cried for tuning, with overtones that could compete with the Gong show. The star-shaped bass guitar honked and strained for any kind of love in the low frequency range. All three of us onstage, at a lock-in, 1989, smiling, nervous, entertaining to the best of our abilities. All I can say about that first show is... the crowd was very generous and kind. I was hooked on the spirit of music, beyond my feeble attempts to actually play. I mention that story because it relates to our recent show in Moberly, during the Railroad Days weekend. One of our very best friends, Bobby Riley, set up the whole event. Bobby was the soundman at our very first show in 1989. I love when something in life retains consistency. Our friendship has endured and grown over the years. I was honored to play, just because our friend Bobby was involved. Amy and I met Mat downtown, just a few blocks from home. We set up the gear at the end of the block, near all the downtown businesses, at the depot. Everything was blocked off in all directions, since the event consisted of a carnival. Bobby had two semi trailers cleared and awaiting our gear. Once we set up the equipment, we looked around to see the various carnival rides being set up all around us. It was 90 degrees, if it was anything, because the heat was baking us like it was the end of the world. Was there a thousand suns overhead? It probably didn't help that I just ran for over an hour in the same heat, merely an hour before. I do enjoy the summer, in small, manageable portions. It's so much better than the bitterness of winter, although it is nice to warm the bones by the fire. Every season seems to have a beauty if we are willing to see it. Something refreshing is setlist alteration. Wow, how fun it was to stir it up and place songs in a completely different order, while still retaining a thread between them. Normally, with intelligent lighting, we have everything mapped out, so it limits our 'in the moment' setlist changes. Since we didn't use the intels on this show, it was yet another exciting element to rewrite the set. I remember Mat saying... "Hmmm. Burning Vision first, I see? Hmmm..." We actually did a similar set in Columbia for the Neighborhood Nights show. Another outdoor event. (The Follow at the Columbia Mall - Cafe Court, July 6, 6pm) I remember trying to feed our little puppy while straping on my backpack, running down the street. I had this wild idea in my head that I wasn't going to drive, but walk down. Well, now I was running late, so the walk became a jog, then a run. When I arrived, everyone was at peace, enjoying the weather, which had cooled considerably by 8pm. We played to maybe 20 or 30 people, but they were great! I had as much fun as if there had been 300. At one point, while playing, I remember thinking, "Wow, check out all the lights, spinning and blinking around us from the carnival." It was quite a trip, and we didn't even get on a ride. It felt like a celebration, which was what I hoped for. I can't explain the music business, or religion, or politics, but I can feel the joy and spirit of what we share. These are good times. Thanks for reading and traveling in your mind with us. SHOUT IT OUT! CONTACT THE FOLLOW WITH YOUR COMMENTS

TOUR INSIDER
WHERE IN THE WORLD

June 14th 2007 : LIVE at Railroad Days in Moberly, Missouri

The Follow first started performing in 1989, with only two original songs, and a slew of covers by U2 and R.E.M. Oh, it was a glorious time, even though the band couldn't keep or hold a tune. The guitar sound was similar in pitch and quality to that of a strangled chicken. The drums cried for tuning, with overtones that could compete with the Gong show. The star-shaped bass guitar honked and strained for any kind of love in the low frequency range. All three of us onstage, at a lock-in, 1989, smiling, nervous, entertaining to the best of our abilities. All I can say about that first show is... the crowd was very generous and kind. I was hooked on the spirit of music, beyond my feeble attempts to actually play.

I mention that story because it relates to our recent show in Moberly, during the Railroad Days weekend. One of our very best friends, Bobby Riley, set up the whole event. Bobby was the soundman at our very first show in 1989. I love when something in life retains consistency. Our friendship has endured and grown over the years. I was honored to play, just because our friend Bobby was involved.

Amy and I met Mat downtown, just a few blocks from home. We set up the gear at the end of the block, near all the downtown businesses, at the depot. Everything was blocked off in all directions, since the event consisted of a carnival. Bobby had two semi trailers cleared and awaiting our gear. Once we set up the equipment, we looked around to see the various carnival rides being set up all around us. It was 90 degrees, if it was anything, because the heat was baking us like it was the end of the world. Was there a thousand suns overhead? It probably didn't help that I just ran for over an hour in the same heat, merely an hour before. I do enjoy the summer, in small, manageable portions. It's so much better than the bitterness of winter, although it is nice to warm the bones by the fire. Every season seems to have a beauty if we are willing to see it.

Something refreshing is setlist alteration. Wow, how fun it was to stir it up and place songs in a completely different order, while still retaining a thread between them. Normally, with intelligent lighting, we have everything mapped out, so it limits our 'in the moment' setlist changes. Since we didn't use the intels on this show, it was yet another exciting element to rewrite the set. I remember Mat saying... "Hmmm. Burning Vision first, I see? Hmmm..." We actually did a similar set in Columbia for the Neighborhood Nights show. Another outdoor event.
(The Follow at the Columbia Mall - Cafe Court, July 6, 6pm)

I remember trying to feed our little puppy while straping on my backpack, running down the street. I had this wild idea in my head that I wasn't going to drive, but walk down. Well, now I was running late, so the walk became a jog, then a run. When I arrived, everyone was at peace, enjoying the weather, which had cooled considerably by 8pm. We played to maybe 20 or 30 people, but they were great! I had as much fun as if there had been 300. At one point, while playing, I remember thinking, "Wow, check out all the lights, spinning and blinking around us from the carnival." It was quite a trip, and we didn't even get on a ride. It felt like a celebration, which was what I hoped for. I can't explain the music business, or religion, or politics, but I can feel the joy and spirit of what we share. These are good times. Thanks for reading and traveling in your mind with us.

SHOUT IT OUT! CONTACT THE FOLLOW WITH YOUR COMMENTS