My Volvo "Val" after some pre-concert muddin'
Drew Carey jokes aside, Ohio is pretty dang cool. Cincinnati specifically. I didn’t really know what to expect, this being only my second time in the state (the first a brief stop at Cleveland’s rock n roll hall of fame). Ohio is surprisingly green. My first stop was near Akron at a huge outdoor venue in the middle of a state park seeing my musical hero Martin Sexton open for some guy named Dave Matthews and his little band. My thoughts on the concert: I was a buzzkill to those around me. I went specifically to receive an education from mr sexton, and instead spent 45 minutes frustrated with the audience’s lack of attention. Nearly everyone in the place was there not for Marty, not even for Dave, but instead to get messed up in public with their friends while some band they had heard of played barely noticeably in the background. The fact that I haven’t heard anything DMB have released since “Before These Crowded Streets” probably didn’t help, nor did my solitary attendance, but regardless I expected more from the crowd. All this being said, the bands played wonderfully, I just can’t wait for my first true Martin sexton show at a much smaller venue.
My next stop was to Cincinnati, staying for nearly a week with friends from siesta key who had recently moved back north. I played a very well attended gig someways out of the city, along with an open mic at the venerable South Gate House, former home of the inventor of the Tommy gun. I am currently in contact with bookers there trying to line up a cool show on my way back through in a month or so.
South Gate House
The rest of my time in OH was spent running / walking / wandering around the city and crossing the many bridges that connect it to Newport, KY. Thanks again so much to my hosts for giving me a great place to crash for a few nights. Next stop: Indiana!
