It still happens every time. Layer after layer I go through his things – It’s not a job that I dread, it just takes commitment and care, and often a lot of thought as to who to give things to, so  – chunks of time. Crazy, 21 months later and I’m still going through things.

Today it was the little shelf under my side table. Possibly the most constant piece in my bedroom, other than my bed. The place where magic happens apparently, but a story for another time – the side table story that is.

Always a stack of books, favorites or to be read, some have tattered, from a drop or two in the bathtub. Dogeared, filled with post-it’s paperclips and things of sorts. Photos, of memories past, placed for safe keeping while traveling away from home as a daily reminder of my people. Today I found three separate catalog pages, in three separate books, all featuring the same beach towels I’ve had my eye on for years. I like what I like.

And a set-list.

Most times I know what show they were from, who we were were with, what we were celebrating – we were always celebrating. They represent so much, a little slice of time, not unlike the photographs. They hold memories recalled in my body, thats the magic in the music, its a full body experience for most.

I’ve always been a sucker for a set-list.

It’s something about being a part of that quiet frenetic energy leading up to a show, writing the night out.  The moments before. It’s a privilege to me. I’ve always felt that. In the case of In The Red, I only knew the latter days, where rehearsals would be non-existent although intended, and set-lists would be compiled over days of emails and text messages – often with cheats and notes included – the fellas are all getting old. I recently went through some messages on Dean’s phone, and the majority of emails saved were exactly that. Mindfulness in creating an experience – making sure it was as big and as much fun as we could possibly fit in the room.

(It’s a quality I admire in people and believe to hold in myself: creating a vibe, ambiance, taking care of everyone and everything, with joy from love. little things, energy, details)

What a way to live.

Every once in a while I get to sit in on this with friends, and I’m like a kid on Christmas Morning.  (click that blue sentence to catch a glimpse) 

Looking so forward to this week’s adventure in New Orleans, filled with sweet sounds, get downs, great friends and good vibes.  There’s a piece of my soul that is only fed with the music of that city. The horns, the heat and the slow steady vibration that you can feel in the streets, the undercurrent. Tradition, history, culture and new experiences. Something about that Crescent City that will hold my heart forever. The intention and energy behind the music, the easy attitude of the people, the smiles of the faces I see but once a year, front row, loving it all as big and full as I do, like we’ve been waiting for this week all year – because we have. Right there at the edge of the stage where if you tilt you head the right way, you might just catch a peek of that setlist taped to the floor by the mic.

We’ll be missing some of our regulars, for sure, but will carry on for you, and you newbies, we just can’t wait to bring you into our world! There is just no place like New Orleans, get ready to live a little piece of your heart down south. Laissez les bons temps rouler!