Happy Memorial Day, Everybody! I’m taking a break from my packing to write you this note and let you know that I’m about to head East for a trip that is quickly turning into a small tour! I’m flying from Houston to Newark tomorrow afternoon and will be rehearsing Wednesday with the Gin Mill Kings in the little studio at the edge of the Big Apple; then, it’s on to Pennsylvania, where I’ll be doing a solo acoustic performance Thursday night at the Godfrey Daniels theater in scenic Bethlehem. I’ll be recording with the Gin Mill Kings at the WXLV Roots 90.3 FM studios in Schnecksville, PA on Saturday afternoon, then on to Penn State for another acoustic show at Café 210 Saturday night, then back to Schnecksville for the grand finale on Sunday, which will be a very special appearance for me, broadcast live on WXLV in front of a studio audience on one of my favorite Americana radio shows, “Dawn’s Country Brunch” with Dawn Warner. The last time I wrote, I mentioned that there was going to be a potluck meal provided by those in attendance, which would have given me a real taste of Pennsylvania all right, BUT a generous sponsor has stepped in to provide food for us all – and how fitting – that sponsor is Pennsylvania’s own Texas Barbeque! Needless to say, I’m really looking forward to all of this, and I hope that you’ll tune in at http://www.wxlv.org on Sunday between noon and 3 p.m. EST. “Roots 90.3 FM [in the Lehigh Valley, PA] is the newest creative direction in public radio . . . The music is real, rooted in our culture, past and present, feeding a common desire for sustainability in life. Whether folk, rock or country—you'll be amazed at the song-writing wit of the new Americana artists and the classic folk and country rock songs blended in, that will make you sing along with the radio, wherever you listen. Where else can you hear Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson along with Jim Lauderdale, Allison Moorer, John Prine, and The Band?” What an incredible alternative to mainstream radio today! I am SO HAPPY that I found XLV!! Well, I really need to get back to my packing now, but first I want to say thank you to everyone who nominated me for the Houston Press music awards. The results haven’t been published yet, but I will surely keep you posted, as always. And I also want to recognize our Service men and women of the past and present, who’ve made it possible for me to pursue this American Dream of mine . . . I’ve been listening to radio shows all weekend, many deejays paying tribute with all kinds of great patriotic songs by artists ranging from Bluegrass to Blues to Folk to Country – but I must say that, to my mind, none of them beats “The Ragged Flag” by Johnny Cash. I hope that you have a really good Memorial Day. Oh, and if you feel like relaxing this afternoon with something FUN to read, I'm flattered to have been mentioned more than once by “His Royal Bigness”—the 6’ 9” syndicated radio personality Big Kev—in his South By Southwest (SXSW) retrospective, beginning on page 46 of this month’s The Alternate Root, which includes photos, audio, videos, and interviews with the top Roots/Americana artists on the scene today, always online at http://www.thealternateroot.com Ya’ll come!