It’s cold and blowing outside but musical and taco-filled inside everywhere!

How do friends, fans and fambly everywhere- I figure it’s been too long since we’ve written a little tale to tell about how things are going, so here I am, filling you all in on the latest goings-on ’round these here parts!

It’s SXSW craziness all around us, with houseguests, working up our new drummer (Adam Berlin formerly of 8 & a 1/2 Souvenirs), and just generally trying to maneuver through Austin without getting caught up in all the traffic jams and taco lines everywhere. The lovely Johnsons are staying with us again from Nashville- you couldn’t ask for finer friends as houseguests- and are merrily eating their way around town, sampling every Al Pastor taco that comes across their path. We have a few extra special treats for them lining up over the next few days.

Meanwhile, we’re playing a total of 6 shows this week, starting with Roadhouse Rags last weekend, then onto Maria’s Taco Xpress on Thursday with Ruby James, Will Sexton, Rosie Flores and others, then 2 stellar, sweet and short gigs yesterday at Malaia for the Texas Rock Fest folks and the G&S for one of John Conquest’s FAR showcases, wedged happily in between the Blazers, Lil’ Mo and the Monikats, Teri Joyce, and Arty Hill. Such a great time!! What a great room!! And I can’t say enough about all the rousing talent there- yeow.

Tonight we’re off to Fredericksburg, to our residency out there at Hondo’s, a nice respite from the SXSW craziness. It’ll be good to see familiar faces out there too Though it’s blowing cold and windy out today- I keep a weather report on my computer for both Seattle and Austin, just to see, and it’s much colder here than there, how fair is that?! I’m so grateful it’s an indoor show, and feel for all our fellow musician pals playing outdoor stages today and tonight. It’s supposed to drop down into the low 30′s later… I suggest: eat tacos with extra hot sauce to stay warm!!

Other than that, here’s the latest Snakehandlers news: our latest CD LIVE FROM AUSTIN TEXAS, is about to be released in a few weeks, just in time to head back to Europe! Mostly filled with live versions of songs from other CD’s, there are a few unreleased tunes on there for all our fans who need more Snakehandlers mojo, stat! Yes, there will be t-shirts available too, so stay tuned We recorded the CD at various venues around Austin over the past year, so you’ll get a taste of the new Snakehandlers line-up, including the mighty Kevin Fox on doghouse bass, and our stand-in drummer Jordan Teitelbaum rounding out the rhythm section. It’s all good…

And if you take a peek at our tour schedule, you’ll see we’re playing with the Red Elvises to kick off that CD release at the Continental Club in Austin, then off to Europe to play the Good Rockin’ Tonight Fest in France with Wanda Jackson, then 3 weeks in Belgium, Holland and France again, finishing up the tour with 9 days in Germany and a resounding rockabilly bash at the Walldorf Weekender. Aiyee!

And we’re already finishing up tour dates set for September out on the west coast, so hang tight old friends, here we come! Plans in the works for another set of dates in Europe and the UK in 2011. As always, stay tuned…

Last of all, I’m doing much better from my injury- I still have issues with memory and confusion, but am dealing with it so much better now. If this is the way it’s going to be, then so be it. No use worrying over spilt milk, or brains, or whatever. Just gotta keep on honky tonkin’ and rockin’ and keepin’ it simple.

So here’s to all of you- we hope to see you down the road somewhere soon. And until then, you know what to do! Ruby Dee