So Long For Now, Texas- and Hello, Arizona!

Boy howdy, we have done some serious travelling over the past couple of days- from San Antonio bright and early Tuesday morning to El Paso where we played last night, then off again this morning, a bit too early for comfort, to Tucson. Oops, we forgot about that danged pesky time change!

We had the very best time ever at Sam’s in San Antonio on Monday night for their Swing Night. Our good pal Jen from Lil’ Bit and the Customatics is booking and managing there now, on top of playing in her own outfit, so we had the opportunity to hang out and chew the fat with her all evening between sets, before and after etc. That was really nice. Plus we had a great time staying with our very good friends Linda and Darrell, then being ushered off to KSYM for a fun little Drive Time interview and chance to play live for folks round there. AND Jorge and I stepped outside of Sam’s between sets for a video interview with Keith from Sam’s- a little interview that will also be posted on youtube, so check it out, if you dare!

We played to a gracious audience full of local swing dancers and old friends who came out to say howdy and fare thee well too (so long, Chris- Texas is gonna miss you!!). Sam’s is just the best place around to have FUN with your clothes on! My old friend, and I mean OLD friend, Rodney, even came out and danced the night away. I met Rodney the first time I ever came to San Antonio some years back, at a place called Cowboys. He was the only fella I wanted to dance with, and we’ve remained friends ever since- ya gotta love old cowboys who keep that spit, vinegar and fire going!!

After driving all day across Texas yesterday, we played at a new venue for us- Take II- in El Paso. And these folks really took wonderful care of us. We ate great BBQ, stayed in a nice hotel, and played on a decent stage with good sound. The crowd wasn’t too large, but I’ll tell you what, they were appreciative and more than made up for the lack of numbers by their sweet behavior towards us.

You know, Jorge and I can’t quite put our finger on what it is about El Paso, but there’s definitely something there for us. Folks are kind and open, interesting and interested, and generous with their good attitudes and time. From the very first time we ever played El Paso some years ago, when no-one had ever heard of us, but we somehow had a TV interview and a bunch of folks came out to hear us play, to last time around at Ardovino’s in Sunland Park, to this time through at Take II- we have a genuinely enjoyable time, and we can hardly wait to live in Austin when we can make it out this way for a WEEKEND gig!! Won’t that be exciting and different?! Ha! Thanks to Misha and Abe for the conversation, challah, and little lovely things- you all are true friends, got it?! Oh, and what a night meeting up with old Glen there too!! He even had Dragstrip 77 recordings!!

Well, tonight we’re in another uncharted venue: the Vaudeville Cabaret down the street from the Hotel Congress. Then off to Phoenix tomorrow to play the Blooze Bar! First stop, more Drive Time radio interviews and playing for folks tonight here in Tucson. And then off to San Diego where we get to hook up with our friend Force from Seattle who’s spending a few days on the road with us. Gear up, Chris, it gets interesting from here on out!!

Hopefully, we’ll see you all really soon down the road somewhere,
Ruby