Why is Austin the best place in the world?   1.  Torchy’s Tacos.  As a Canadian, I find it particularly facinating when you can buy a taco out of an airstream trailer in early January and sit outside eating it, then run into Charlie Sexton also eating tacos.   2.  Chicken Shit Bingo.  Quite possibly the most cultural thing I did in Austin.  What is chicken shit bingo?  If you go to Jennie’s on Sunday afternoon, Dale Watson and his band will be crooning away in the corner, you get to buy a Lonestar (and then another and then another) …. and a nice lady hands out ticket stubs each with a number on it.  A live chicken is brought in to the BAR to much applause, placed on a  wood board with squares drawn on it.  A wire cage is placed over the chicken to let it roam.  Wherever (and whenever) the chicken shit lands, a winner is declared, losers are left to drown their sorrows in another beer and whatever song Dale is playing.   3.  Played a show at a yoga studio in Dallas.  No downward dogs were part of that show. 4.   The Continental Club.  What a great place, a room that is loved by its patrons and they make marguaritas from scratch every time!  yumyum.  And Redd Volkaert can be seen there twice a week.  Played two mini sets there during our stay.  Free pour bourbon.  Need I go on?   5.   Met a roadside hippie.   She wouldn’t give me directions.  6.  The shopping.  It’s hard to find 50’s Lee coveralls these days.  But two and matching hats??  Austin IS the best place in the world.  Today, at least.  Also, I got recognized at Petco holding a bag of kitty litter, which really blew my mind, my ego hasn’t recovered!!!     The End 

Well, here it is. After a long hiatus from blogland, I’ve returned with some exciting new updates.First, I’ll be touring soon. Dates will be posted as they are confirmed, and there are some western Canada, U.S., and European dates just around the corner. Second, the record is out in a month from TODAY! I’m sure it is floating around on the internet by now, so good luck to those of you searching, I’ll be sneaking songs onto myspace as much and sneakily as possible… tee hee. I just saw the vinyl version for those of you who refuse to update (or downgrade) your stereos…. I salute your tubes and mono fixations. I’ll be going to Boulder to perform on eTown, a widely syndicated radio show in the “Prarie Home Companion” vein. More music, however.

One other BIG announcement, sad as it is, Kevin McCarragher has left his bass post.  His decision to pursue a different path after so many years of playing music together is similar to someone breaking up with you…. actually, that’s what he said during our phone conversation…, “I feel like we’re breaking up…” . Luckily, we were able to secure the lovely and talented John Dinsmore, who will never actually replace Kevin, but continue the legacy of Guinness-drinking and shit-disturbing. 

Actually, I had to fire Kevin after I discovered this picture.

And here is a picture of John Dinsmore, sorry, it’s the only one I have. Trust me, he’s handsome, ladies.

Well….. welcome back, and see you soon.

Kathleen

xo