Mountain's Edge, first gig in Bend

Rolled into Bend around 4:30, after a pretty yet cloudy/drizzly drive from Klamath Falls. 97 winds along next to a lake (Klamath Lake? I'm such an ignoramus), which would no doubt be gorgeous in the sun; as it was, it was still beautiful, in a brooding, windswept, brown way.

First stop in Bend was Strictly Organic Coffee, where I'll be playing on Saturday afternoon; they hook you up with an account there, which is sizable, and ensures that I end up spending a large chunk of my Bend time there. Good coffee, good folks - Rhonda and Richard, who run the joint, are both really nice people.

Headed over to The Mountain's Edge around 7:30; it reminded me a lot of the old (dearly departed) Mogollon Brewing Co, with lots of wooden trim and barstools; a big place, with a nice stage are & tables, as well as a number of pool tables set off toward the back, a big bar, and some amazing food. I had a steak (I don't cook steaks often enough myself to be able to do a good job of it, so when I get a free meal at a place that does I go for it), very tasty.

Ramsey, the sound guy/bouncer, was a jovial, friendly dude who was enormous. 6' 3", probably, 275, radiating goodwill, but obviously the kind of dude you wouldn't want to piss off - as difficult as that might be. He said he originally hailed from southern california, had moved to Bend intending to stay for 2 years, then wander on; that was 15 years ago. Reminiscent of the stories you used to hear more often about people living in Flagstaff, really.

I played the gig with The Boxcar String Band (http://www.myspace.com/boxcarstringband), a rockabilly duo. They were both really cool - Joe (guitar, slide guitar, banjo, vocals, kick drum) and Casey (stand-up bass, vocals) - and tore it up. They went on first, because the bassist had to get up early the next day to work. He worked in an auto paint shop, but had used some leftover paint to paint his bass; it looked awesome, so much so that I assumed it was an extremely expensive instrument when I saw it. Casey's folks were there to watch the show, and told me he had painted it himself; it blew me away, as the damned thing looked awesome. Ramsey was suitably impressed as well, and we both were of the opinion that Casey should go into business painting musical instruments, which I told him later.

Buck, the guy who booked me, turned up at the start of their set; he knew Heidi (my host) and her friend, Christina, and so he and I met while I was sitting with them. He was super cool, took good care of me; proved to be a bit of a biker-looking type, with a funky beard and mustache. I began to wonder how many people were inclined to hire me to play music at least in part influence by my own choice in facial growth, what with Jon Mangelos from the Barnwood and all.

I went on around 10:30, and had a great time. Best show so far, really; I felt completely relaxed, played well, and had a good time bantering with the crowd. I never get tired of telling the story about my old band, Phantom Vibration, getting yanked off the air when we played on Good Morning, Arizona, for using the word "masturbation" in a song.

After I played for around an hour, the Boxcar String Band went back on and played a few songs; then I joined them onstage, playing lead on a few songs using Joe's other guitar (he had it tuned open for slide, but gave me the nod to tune it up to standard). I backed them up on a few, then we closed with me singing "Folsom Prison Blues", with Joe playing lead. A lot of fun. Hung out and shot the shit with Joe and Casey for a while after the show, telling stories and exchanging ideas and viewpoints. They're playing today at Baldy's, from 6 to 8, provided it's not too beastly cold out. Been sunny all day, a bit breezy perhaps, but nothing the veteran performer can't handle; I might stop by their gig and say hey, just to show my support.

No gig tonight; had one every day for the previous six, and am not feeling tired of playing or touring at all. Feels like I've managed to pace things pretty well. Today is gorgeous in Bend, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow as well, should be even warmer. Tomorrow night I play at the Parilla Grill; Casey tells me the fish tacos there are awesome. Next day I've got the noon gig at Strictly O, then off to Portland for some fun in the big city.

I am a lucky, lucky man to be able to do what I'm doing.