2024 Oct

Challenges and triumphs

Hey kids, just got back from a weekend tour of Portland, Or. There is a swingin' honky tonk scene up there. Seems like folks are catching on to what we here in Austin have been doing for a long time. Glad to hear and glad to know people are loving roots country music again.

It's adult music. It's about living in the world today. Not mopey stuff or fluff or outrageous nonsense. It's about finding love, sometimes in all the wrong places. It's about living with heart break long after the fire is gone. It's about having a great time with your friends at your favorite place.

Had to remember that not every where is like here in Austin. Folks don't two-step every song. Had to make adjustments. All in all, it was a great weekend full of fun and surprises. Had two of my good pals playing with me and a new friend on upright bass. Looking forward to coming back around four months!

Set backs to album - looks like I made a few mixing mistakes that me and my pal Deke Dickerson who is mixing the album will have to correct. That ok. Just a small set back is all. Should be done with that real soon. For now, there should be a new single coming out. So keep a look for that on all streaming platforms.

Seems like we are in the dog days of summer still. I love the heat, don't get me wrong. That said, kinda looking forward to some cooler weather. I hate exercising in cold weather though. Ugh! So, need to get back on it after my triathlon in September. Perhaps I'll focus on boxing again over the winter months.

I am taking it a little easier til the end of the year. Really blew out my voice over the spring and summer. Looking to be a 285+/- gig year. Fixing up a 1951 Kay M-1 upright bass. Might play some gigs on that for fun. If I can reset the neck on it. Someone must have dropped it, popped the neck out of the neck joint, then proceeded to glue it back in place with Great-Stuff (tm). We'll see.

Keep a look out for Rugged Gents full band, duos and trio shows in the coming months. If you have a favorite venue you think we'd enjoy playing, drop me a line. Til then, keep living the dream! 
Johnny