Tails from the Road #2 - Sponsored by Digital Rodeo

I'd like to start this by thanking my wonderful sponsors Digital Rodeo. If you have not been over to Digital Rodeo yet, you really should. These guys have started a very cool community of artists and fans. Artists are able to upload as many tracks as they'd like to their artist page and fans and friends are referred to as "neighbors". Even the people who started the community can be easily reached and actually respond to your questions and comments personally.
So, check out Digital Rodeo! While you're there you should pop by the Jon Roniger Digital Rodeo Page and say hello. I'd love to have you in the neighborhood!

Now down to the business at hand! I was lucky enough to be a witness to a wonderful celebration yesterday in Eindhoven, NL. September 18 is the day that Eindhoven celebrates their "Liberation Day". It was on that day in 1944 that Eindhoven was liberated from the Nazis. There was a parade with American, Dutch and British military. There were bands and flags and children with torches and people drinking beer and coffee and having a good time all around. It came as a complete surprise to me and I was actually proud to be there. Let me just say that moments like that make being a touring musician a very special thing. Here I am, a little troubadour, stumbling upon history. A history that I can actually feel like I was a part of. It was a proud moment for Netherlands and America.

The venue I played in Eindhoven was called THE RAMBLER. I was the closing act of 4 acts for the night. I was immediately reminded of some of the gigs that I did on Sunset Strip at THE RAINBOW. I would be wedged between a punk band and a hard core band. Last night I followed a Dutch metal band. The evening started with a woman on piano backed by a gentleman playing a cajon. She called herself "acoustic, soul punk". I was glad to call myself "Rock and Roll". The lines of musical genre are becoming so blurred that I don't even know what I like anymore. I'm pretty sure that I just like music. I don't care if it comes in a cowboy hat, with dreadlocks, layered in distortion, with a horn section and a piano solo or is delivered by the son of satan. If it sounds good and I like it, I don't care what you call it.

Let me refocus my tail. I've gotten a few comments about the use of the word "Tail" in my "Tails from the Road". Many of you might be saying....."what a freakin' idiot" and you're actually right. I am not the brightest bulb in the forest. However, I use the word "tail" to indicate that, in the business of being on the road, even the best layed plans are usually thrown out the window and improvisation and adaptation become the program. As soon as you think you've got it all worked out, the venue shuts down, the promoter has a stroke, the car blows up, your guitar gets stolen, the drummer runs away with a local hooker and authorities grab your passport and your bank card. That's right! You are now flying by the seat of your pants...."tail"...as it were. And, after all, that's life....isn't it?!

So, I played my set to a mostly rock laden room and was pleasantly received! I sold some CDs and the bartender, an all black wearing rocker chick, actually was the one screaming for an encore. I thought that maybe it would be the older gentleman who was so attentive during the set or the parents of the kids in the previous band or the drunks at the bar, but it was the rockerest of them all who enjoyed the set and wanted more. Even the sound man ended up BUYING CDs. I usually give the sound guys CDs to play between sets, but he refused to take them for free and payed for them. The owner wanted to give me a night of my own upon my return and suggested a few artists to contact for more gigs in the area.

Let me just go on record as saying that I am always surprised by the kindness of people. The willingness to help out. A smile and a kind gesture go a long way to a stranger. Please and thank you are understood by everyone on the planet. Maybe one day our world leaders will figure this shit out and we can stop this madness.

So, for now, I am going to keep singing my little songs and smiling and shaking hands and spreading love and music where ever I can......fuckin' eh!

Until Tomorrow,
Jon Roniger
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