Labour Day weekend was where it all started, and as Dominique and I are Irish, we were unaware of this holiday. Needless to say, when Dominique came home from work mid week and said she had the following Monday off, we soon found out that Labour Weekend was something we were only too happy to celebrate. When on Friday evening Dom finished work we headed straight to Boston. As many of you know we have a few friends up there and generally speaking, when we get a chance, we always pop up. This weekend was no different. On top of the usual excitement of heading to Bean town, Dom was even more excited due to the arrival of our friends baby, Declan. We had a fantastic time with them. On the Saturday, we went out around the harbour in our friends boat, having a few drinls and enjoying the sights of one of America's finest cities. Then half way through the day, we decided it was time to do some tubing. As I am not hugely found of the water, I was initially unconvinced how fun it would be, but after seeing Dom and a few others do it, I was not gonna be "that guy". For those that dont know what tubing is, well its basically a big rubber tube, tied to the back of a speed boat. You hang on to it and hope not to fall off! Lots of laughter when others do, not so much when you find yourself in the air heading toward the water at high speed!!
Thats me in the middle, hanging on for dear life!!!
After all that, we headed back to the house and hit up the BBQ! It was one of two we had over the weekend, on top of a day at the beach and a radio interview promoting my upcoming gig in Cambridge the following weekend on WROL.
On Monday evening, we headed for home, and like always, we left reluctantly as both Dominique an I have fallen in love with Boston. That being said, as soon as you land in NY, you realise why it is we live here and love it more! We were only back and it seemed we were heading up again, only this time it was for work, and the first of my Autumn gigs this year. Where better to start than in MA. The venue was a place called the Regatta Bar, and although it was unfamiliar to me, I was told it was in Cambridge and well known, so good for any following I had in the Boston area. Needless to say we had a great turn out at despite the best efforts of the resident sound man, it went well.
Unlike last year where I had one gig after another for pretty much two and a half weeks, the gigs I have are spread out, so it is kinda weird doing a gig like that in Cambridge, then nothing for another couple of weeks. The main reason being, is that it is cheaper than renting one of the big touring buses and paying people to be on the road for X amount of time. The down side is that you cant get in to a flow or routine. Either way, Im delighted to have any gigs at all. As I have been told by my agent that in the year of an election, it is hard to sell anything, let alone tickets!
Between that gig and my next one in BB KINGS, we had visitors over from Ireland. Frank and his wife. Frank and I went to school together and then after school, shared a house for nearly five years together. So to say I was delighted to have him and his wife come visit, would be an understatement. It was a short visit, but none the less, fun filled.
Not soon after they left, I was back into work mode, and focusing on the upcoming gigs in NY and Baltimore. I know I keep saying it, but the year is flying in, and I cant believe that my September gigs are all done already!
Doing a gig in NY is always quiet nerve wrecking, as there are often industry people attending. On top of that, there is always the fact that your show is miniscule in comparison to all the show that are going on around you in the city on that given night. People have many options, so therefore, getting them to come to BB KINGS would be tough. Needless to say, the support I have out there, did not let me down, and I walked onto the stage to a great crowd. The gig went great, but due to the fact that there was another show on at 11pm I had to be off the stage at 9:30pm. However as many of you who have come to my show can testify, there is no time keeping to it!! That being said, we finished up only fifteen minutes late and all were happy in the venue. The new Swanky made his debut and sold very well. He seems also to considered "Daddy Swanky" over the original little fella. Either way, he is finding himself in many homes already.
On Saturday, Dominique and I went up to Baltimore for my gig on the Sunday. We went up early as it is a city neither of us got the pleasure of spending much time in. We stayed in town close to the venue I was performing,"Soundstage", and were blessed with great weather. The place was buzzing. All down by the water there was many lovely restaurants and shops. So we just strolled for the day. Its also an incredibly historical city, and indeed the home of the American National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner".
On Sunday morning, my mission was to find a place that was showing the Liverpool match, and much to my delight (not so much Dominique's) we found an Irish bar that was serving Irish breakfast from 8am and showing the game. When we walked in, we discovered we had stumbled upon the Liverpool's supporters club of Baltimore! I couldn't have been more at home. Unfortunately the result didn't go our way, but on a day when fans were remembering 96 fellow supporters who had died 23 years ago whilst attending a game, the result was irrelevant. It also brought home the fact that, as important as results may seem to fans, there are more important things in life. It is just a game.
The gig later that night went great, and as always, the crowd in Baltimore were really up for a good night and a few laughs. Needless to say, I was happy to oblige! It was a gig I didn't want to end. After, like all my other shows, I came out and met all that attended. It was so great seeing so many familiar faces, and indeed one or two new ones.
Im now back in the comfort of my apartment and although Im not due on stage for a while longer, I look forward to it immensely. When Im on that stage, Im as happy as I ever am. Receiving the support I do, encourages me to keep going and plugging away for more concerts and gigs. Constantly trying to come up with new ideas and ways of getting my music out there.
Like for example, the Kick starter project I have set up. Many of you have been so generous in your donations to the cause already, and I know many more are intending to. For those who would love to come see my show, its important to know, that the best chance I have of getting to your town is with the support of the local PBS station. They indeed can only support if I have something to air. So this is the main reason I need a special. Im hoping that with this special, we can look forward to a 30 date plus, tour next year. Im a performer, so unless Im performing, Im not happy. I'm as anxious as you are to get to your town. So please, help spread the word for this project and pledge any amount at all. We have 32 days left and are 40% of the way there. If we don't hit our target, the money is not taken from the pledgers, and I receive nothing. You can of course alter your pledge even after you've made it, and most importantly, anyone can pledge from any part of the world!This is the only way you can pledge toward the project. Sending money to your local PBS station wont get to me.
Finally, some have asked who David Hart is, well he is my manager, and therefore had to be put in as part of the billing on the project. I hope this answers some of your questions that I have seen over the past week. Here is the link for any who are willing to help
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulbyrom/paul-byrom-a-concert-experience
Thank you again for all your support, I will never be able to fully say how grateful I am
Keep well
My Loves
My Doves
My Eggs
Paul!
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