Diddley Squat is finally home from their recent extended tour. The RV was plagued with problems and we had many mechanical fixes that took place in parking lots and on roadsides, but more than once we were saved by "good Samaritans" and angels who jumped us off, changed out a water pump by flashlight, and delivered parts outside city limits. We made it home safely, and are trying to recuperate while catching up around our homes.

The crew at Knuckleheads was a joy to work with, and we had a small but attentive crowd. It was fun to sign their white table cloth tacked to the wall, beside the likes of Billy Bob Thornton's band and many blues greats.

The weather in Colorado was very nice, and it was strange for us Texans to be driving in 80 degrees while looking at snow-capped mountains.

At the Celtic Tavern in Denver, we had the pleasure of seeing our booking agent, Doug Tackett and his lovely wife. Westwinds Rockabilly Tavern in Idaho Springs had a fun, music-loving crowd to play for.

Jake's Roadhouse in Arvada had some "second nighters" who came out- folks who'd seen us the night before and followed us there with friends, and that made us feel good. Bass Player Rodney even got to see his sister and her family, who made a special trip to be there.

We did go thru Vegas on the way to CA- went right down Las Vegas Blvd to see some of the famous casinos and the characters on the street.

Ridgecrest, CA., on the high desert edge of Death Valley, was the hottest place any of us had ever been. 112-116 the entire time we were there, in an RV park without a single shade tree. That part was brutal, but the folks at Mickey's Pub were very nice to us- employees AND patrons.

The Artwalk in Placerville was really a hoot! Cool little tourist town, once nicknamed "Hangtown" for all the hangings that occurred during the gold rush. Everyone treated us like royalty, and the food was delicious. We had the opportunity to meet some of the local musicians too- all extremely friendly and full of nice compliments. It seemed like one big happy family, and that's a great feeling.

Of course we were really anticipating Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco, and it didn't let us down. It's always rewarding to play for real blues fans, and this crowd was beautiful- hollering and interacting with the band like a dream. Blues/jazz critic Ms. Dorothy Hill showed up and remained for the entire show., We hadn't seen her since King Biscuit (Ark Blues & Heritage Festival) several years ago, and we were honored to have her in attendance. Sylvia was also thrilled that her cousin Becky made it out- too cool! Speaking of "cool", so was the temperature- beautiful!

Crossroads in Fresno turned out to be a large disappointment. The club owner didn't honor his part of the contract regarding rooms & sound, and we'd like this to be a warning to any other bands reading our page.

Patrick's II in San Diego had one of the smallest stages we've ever played, and a late-night eclectic audience. Very nice gaslight district.

We had the pleasure of spending almost 4 days in Prescott, AZ, at a wonderful band house provided by the owners of The Birdcage where we played. Cool club AND a cool town, full of some of the friendliest folks we've met. The town square is the hubbub of activity,and there's people walking dogs, tossing footballs, playing music, having picnics, etc. on the courthouse lawn- almost Mayberry-esque. That weekend there were also some gunfight reenactments going on, wonderful booths of western gear & such, and Jim & Sylvia had a great time in the numerous thrift shops. Additionally, we had the pleasure of meeting Freddie Cisneros (Little Jr. One-Hand) who lives there, runs a "guitar doctor" shop, and stills plays music. (Check out his MySpace if you're unfamiliar with him- he's played with everyone.) He played one evening with a band at the courthouse gazebo, and attended our show one night. Needless to say, we were thrilled on both occasions. We played an extra day there too, since the club's Sunday band had cancelled, then headed for home Sunday evening. Due to our transportation problems, we made it home at about 6:30 Tues. morning.

WHEW! And now for something completely different.....overgrown lawns and rain-soaked broken limbs! It's still good to be home. 

Saturday July 12^th, we’re doing a 3-set show at Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. in Winnsboro, Tx, where we’ll be recording a live CD and DVD.   

http://www.crossroadsmusiccompany.com/ 

This is the perfect venue for music lovers who want a comfortable indoor venue that doesn’t sell liquor or allow smoking indoors.  Patrons are allowed to bring a bottle of wine, if they so desire -and there’s a winery right around the corner- what a coincidence!  The audience is definitely there for the music, and so much fun to play for.  Winnsboro also boasts some very tasty eateries on both sides of the coffeehouse.  (One is a bakery/restaurant with heavenly aromas constantly emanating under the door.)

We’re scheduled to start at 7PM ; come out and be a part of the live audience on the recordings!

We’ll be playing out at Johnson’s Ranch Marina on Caddo Lake at Uncertain, TX  this Friday 7/4, for their annual 4^th of July Celebration.  They’ll have a decorated boat parade (which often includes some pretty funny creations), and of course a big fireworks show out over the water.  

Here’s a link to their website, which includes maps, photos, etc.
http://www.johnsonsranch.com/ 

 A quote from caddolakeinfo.com: 

On July 4th and New Year’s Eve, residents and visitors enjoy a large fireworks display in the middle of Big Cypress Bayou, near Johnson’s Ranch Marina.  Throughout the year, local businesses in Uncertain and the neighboring town of Karnack collect donations from residents to fund the fireworks. Adding to the display’s beauty are reflections of lighted boats, visible to spectators lining the banks of Uncertain. 

We’re supposed to kick off at 5PM, but will be stopping for the various special events -and resuming after each, till probably midnight or so.  (Last year they crowned a “queen” for the night, and the contestants were all guys in drag-  with makeup that outdid Tammy Faye and walking the dock in high heels- hilarious!)

If you come, be sure to bring your own chairs.  It’ll be an ultra-casual fun evening.  

Diddley Squat will be playing a well-known GENUINE jook this coming Friday, 5-2-08,   Teddy’s Juke Joint in Baton Rouge, La., 8PM-12MN.

This is supposedly the last jook on legendary blues Hwy 61, as you head south.  We met the owner, Teddy (how bizarre) at IBC, and he seemed to think his crowd would like us, so this'll be interesting.  We're gonna dress up and give 'em "the big show".  We've got some new numbers we’ve been tweaking too.

This guy Teddy was a hoot in Memphis- full of jive talk, and just as funny and sweet as he could be.Check out his venue website, full of photos and his cool posters, etc.:

  www.teddysjukejoint.com

  Since the likes of Bryan Lee, Mem Shannon, Lil' Jimmy Reed, Marcia Ball and such play there, and it's listed as one of the "225 things to do in Baton Rouge" (I thought that was pretty funny), maybe they'll have an honest-to-goodness blues-loving crowd.  That would be SO refreshing--- no one hollering for “Sweet Home Alabama” or  “Brown-Eyed Girl” !!!

We’ll have to load up and drive straight back that night, since we’re playing at Crossroads Music Company in Winnsboro, Tx the following evening, Saturday, 5-3-08. 

Doors open at 7PM, and the hilarious and very talented E-Flat Porch Band opens for us at 7:30.  You’ve gotta see this duet; we LOVE them!.

Here’s a quote from Crossroads’ site about the events going on there this weekend:

THE FIRST WEEKEND OF MAY is Winnsboro's TEXAS WOODSTOCK Weekend! Check our Calendar page for events happening on our stage FRIDAY NIGHT (the TEXAS STAR Performing Songwriter Competition -- donation at the door), and all day SATURDAY (SPOTLIGHT ON TEXAS SONGWRITERS -- free!). AND our SATURDAY NIGHT, May 3 ticketed concert featuring DIDDLEY SQUAT, with the E-FLAT PORCH BAND opening. This will be a great night of BLUES at the CROSSROADS! $15 advance / $18 door / $20 reserved. And THANK YOUs go out to John Alexander and Greg Beane of The Alexander Law Firm in Winnsboro for co-sponsoring Diddley Squat’s return to the Crossroads stage. SALUTE!

www.crossroadsmusiccompany.com

 Anyone who enjoys live music should make that little trip to Winnsboro (and it’s a great antique-lovers spot also, if you go during the day).  This is gonna be a really fun night in a very cool coffee house/music store, which allows you to bring in your own wine, if you like. The crowd is mature, well-mannered and there for the music, and there’s no smoking indoors.  In other words, it’s a good place for those who shy away from the bar scene.