Dear Diary,

The weather is gorgeous. My last post was about the rain. Today it’s about the sun. Fall is definately here, the leaves being dragged into my studio on the feet of all who enter is a testament to that, but I think we’ve got an Indian summer thing going. And nothing says “take advantage of the beautiful day” like an afternoon of apple pickin’ with some good friends.

Traditions like apple pickin’, pumpkin carving / crab boil, decorating the front porch with faux cobweb, spiders, and ghosts, are all part of the Fall for me, and a celebration in many parts of Halloween, which is such an awesome time. I’m a cat every year. I picked up some ears and a tail years ago for about $1.50 and have found that when something works there’s no need to fix it. Here’s a pic of me with my good friend and former neighbor Jodi from years ago before she got all sick of the urban life and moved to the suburbs. Granted, in this photo you can’t see my tail, and the nose and whiskers, applied with whatever eyeliner I could find around the house, is fading because it’s later in the evening, but, clearly, this is the costume for me!

Anyway, dear Diary, I’ve got to go stretch in preparation of reaching for the apples on the high branches.

Until next time!
Antje

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Dear Diary,

I can’t believe it’s STILL raining! I’m looking out at the pool in my yard which is just overflowing due to all this rain that Hurricane Ike has been pushing our way. Needless to say, our show in West Dundee was cancelled despite how hard the great staff at the Heritage Fest tried to dry down the stage and make it safe for us to play on.  Sorry to all the folks who came out in their rain parkas and golashes! We were pretty bummed too! There’s nothign we like to do more than play and especially the outdoor festivals! West Dundee was to be our last one for the season and we were ready to give it 150%.

After leaving West Dundee, we headed straight to East Chicago, IN to meet up with my friend Doug from Reba McEntire’s band, with whom I wrote “It’s All America To Me”. I hadn’t seen him in a bit and was looking forward to catching up. Plus he invited us to see the show with Reba in the new Ameristar Casino Amphitheater that night. We had a nice dinner (perhaps Andra will blog about the contents) and a nice talk. Then Doug ran off to change for the show and we grabbed our umbrellas, VIP and all access passes and headed outside to catch the show.

Reba was great, the crowd was delighted, and we had a blast, despite the rain that just kept pouring from the sky (and, per my opening line, still is).

Until next time, Dear Diary!
Antje

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Dear Diary

Every week we three girls get together to work on new original songs to bring into the Tin Horse repetoire. We’ve started writing in the studio over at Antje’s place - a cozy blue room with a big futon and lots of snacks - got to keep writing brains happy so that the focus can be on lyrics & melody as opposed to “when is my next meal”. Given - that’s a challenge for Andra, but she’s working on it =)

Yesterday, as rain drops sprinkled the ground, we curled up on the futon, pulled out the Taylor acoustic and settled in with our journals and pens at the ready. Normally we work on an idea that one of us has come up with - maybe in the shower, in the car or riding in the back of Big Blue (our teal tour bus) - but yesterday was a special occasion. A local Chicago songwriter has been submitting songs to us for consideration and THEY ROCK! So we sang through a couple, figuring out nuances, phrasing and of course, the quintessential Tin Horse harmonies. Such a blast. There really is no better way to spend a rainy Thursday than making music.

We’re pretty blessed to have this amazing opportunity and even more excited to have a supportive and excited fan base that keeps growing. Thanks to everyone who has been touring with us all summer - riding their bikes (meaning Motorcycles of course) across country, people driving for hours to follow the group and those of you who stay connected to us via myspace/facebook and the website. We love hearing your stories and meeting all of you. So keep it coming! And we’ll keep writing new songs for you to sing along to. This has been an incredible journey, and we’re only at the beginning! Yahoooooo!

See you out on the road.

xo Caroline

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Dear Diary,

Wow, what a gas! This past weekend was loads of fun for the gang & I with shows in Lena, IL and Munster, IN. Despite the cooler temperatures we were still able to deliver scorching sets for the nice folks in both of these midwestern towns.

The clouds had followed us out of Chicago on Friday to Lena’s Main st., but we managed to keep the weather on our side for the night. I swear the whole town must’ve turned out to bear witness to the Power of the Horse. Miss Caroline bravely wielded her tambourine like a shield amidst the crowd fighting off rabid dogs. Kevin had a “Oh, I dropped something” moment during the introduction solos yet still managed to shred. We sold out our entire stock of CD’s, and the people dug the band so much that they called the promoter right after our show to hopefully secure us for next year’s event!

Saturday afternoon’s Munster show was at a beautiful new park complex complete with rolling hills, a great stage and even a lake. Little Nashville warmed up the crowd first with a rocking set of tunes and were nice fellas, to boot. With the help of Mike and Jill from the park’s staff we were able to get all of the gear out of the bus and up to the stage. Your’s truly got off to a rough start due to some equipment malfunction, but thanks to my trusty Monster cable was still able to deliver the goods. (Let that be a lesson to all the boys and girls out there; Always Be Prepared.) The business of show often operates within Murphy’s law, so act accordingly.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Tinhorse smoked, (’natch), and with aid from our lovely Ponies Regina and Madeline made many more converts in our now familiar northwest Indiana stomping grounds.

Webb Wilder closed out the show with his patented brand of roots rock’n'roll like a well oiled machine. A perfect gentleman. Much fun was had by all and everyone made it home in time for dinner. So, until next time…

Onward & Upward,

Francis K.

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Dear Diary,

This weekend I learned something: I love returning to places we’ve been before. This weekend we played in the Rockford area for the second time this summer. In May we played Loves Park, IL, a mere 20 mins away from Cherry Valley, IL, which is where we played this Sunday. The Loves Park gig was a blast (read: funnel cake). But this Sunday, when we played our second song, “Delilah,” I looked out into the audience and I could see people singing along, and that totally made my day! It was such a warm & enthusiastic crowd…I guess they couldn’t get enough of us because we sold out of our entire stock of CDs!

So anyhow, I am so looking forward to our next gig: Maple Park Fest, so we can see our old friends we made from the Maple Park Pub & Grill. I am also very much looking forward to going back to Bullshooters in Weston, WI this November. We played there last Friday. What a beautiful venue, and the folks there were so friendly!

So here’s to friends from the road! Can’t wait to see y’all again!

Thank you, diary.

Andra

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Hi my name is Fritz. The z is pronounced like a slow leak. I do hair for the girls. Occasionally the guys will let me do something to those things on the top of their heads they call hair-do’s.

So many of you have asked what is my challenge with doing hair on the road for these talented women. It is the same challenge for each one of them… the weather!

It seems as if everywhere we go it is either windy or humid from the rain with 90-degree temps. Not to mention that being on a tour bus often involves the lack of showers, so I am expected to perform miracles on dirty hair.

As I often say, “ it’s a comb sister, not a magic wand.”

 

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Dear Diary,

Well, it’s been way too long since any of us wrote. It’s Sunday morning, 9AM. We just played two shows: Illinois State Fair in Springfield and Riverfest Express in South Elgin. The band had such a BLAST! Although, really, with all these great fairs and festivals we’re overindulging in the food. And sometimes we have no choice: we get done with the show, it’s 11PM, we’re famished, and the lights of all the fried food stands look like the neon lights of heaven.

And this band is ALL about the food. For some more than others (see inset picture, taken courtesy of Caroline and her iPhone). After the IL State Fair, we all ate and ate. The cherry on the cake was the bloomin’ onion that sat in the middle of the table on our bus and then, later, in our stomachs like a big bloomin’ mistake.

At our show in South Elgin, I got SO hungry that, during my run around the crowd during Kerosene, I asked a man for a cheeto. And he, generously, let me have one. Thank goodness! That carried me over through the end of the set, even though it made a few of my band mates jealous!

After the show, I spent the evening looking for a tofu and vegetable plate amidst the bbq sandwiches, corn dogs, funnel cake, etc. Needless to say, I did NOT find it. I did have a very good Greek sampler plate that came very close to exactly what I was looking for. And then I topped it off with a chocolate covered banana - - hey, it’s fruit! It’s healthy.

But that is one of the things that being on the road makes difficult… eating right. We’re pretty health conscious as a group but we all have our weaknesses (read: funnel cake).  And, if we don’t prepare for a trip by making and bringing healthy (and delicious) options, we’re stuck with that bloomin’ onion.

OH, and one more thing, last night, after the show and eating the Greek platter and chocolate banana, we we’re walking around the festival and got our own personal trip on the magic carpet carnival ride courtesy of Doug. It was one of the best rides ever!

xoxo
Antje

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Dear Diary,

We just got back from a long week of touring. We drove to Biloxi, MS where we played at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The show was awesome - we had a huge audience, and a wonderful & supportive staff who helped us make our show great. They even had pole dancers! But the highlight for me was the food. So here are excerpts from my food log:

Hard Rock Buffet - Biloxi, MS 8/8/08 - 8/10/08 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Wow! This place rules! They have 7+ buffet stations! The food is so fresh/refreshing. I ate salads, sushi, pho (Vietnamese noodle dish), fried chicken, corn nuggets, and for dessert, they have cookies, cakes, pies, rice crispy treats AND a chocolate fountain. This place definitely rocks!

Highlight: Eating dinner one table down from Elvis.

Golden Rule BBQ - Calera, AL 8/10/08. Dinner.

If ever there was Southern Hospitality, it can be found at this restaurant. Our server, Ashley, was the nicest girl you’ll ever meet, and extremely patient considering our rowdy table of 10. Oh, and I had the best smoked turkey BLT.

Highlight: Eating Caroline’s banana cream pie.

Waffle House - Moorseville, AL 8/11/08. Breakfast.

Ah, yes, the southern staple that is Waffle House. I find the early 70s decor quite comforting. I ordered eggs benedict and cheese grits.

Highlight: Eating Madeline’s pecan waffle.

Mike’s Ice Cream Fountain - Nashville, TN 8/11/08. Coffee break.

What a great cafe mocha. The whipped cream and the chocolate syrup on top were so artfully done, I was sad to put a lid on the thing.

Highlight: talking to the really cute guy who made the mocha

Aunt Bee’s Family Restaurant - Horse Cave, KY 8/11/08 - Dinner

I had Kentucky fried chicken, but not from the colonel. This place was wholesome comfort food that your momma used to make. I enjoyed every morsel of the crispy skin on my chicken. I also liked the baked apples.

Highlight: the edutaining Kentucky history place mats. Mammoth Cave, anyone?

In the end, I would say that the good food was a reflection of a successful trip. So thank you, diary, for letting me share my food experiences with you.

Best,

Andra

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Dear Diary,

This is Sal. I have the distinct pleasure of driving the TIN HORSE Express with a talented and giving group on board. A group that realizes the effort of a driver and how much he cares about each of them… (we are currently in negotiations for my next year contract so no need to rock the boat.)

Our recent trip covered over 1900 miles. From Chicago thru Memphis to Biloxi, back to Nashville and then Chicago. There is a lot to worry about with a tour bus traveling this far and in 95 plus degree weather. Although this trip was an uneventful mechanical success. But lets see what goes into it…shall we.

First Antje’s hair… it tends to frizz in high humidity. So fire up the dehumidifiers. Caroline doesn’t want her vocal cords to dry out. So turn the humidifier on. Then spend the next three hours trying to place each one just right as not to upset the delicate balance of either the humidifier or the dehumidifier. Andra wants her food to keep her energy up for a long ride. So get coolers to put more food in since the refrigerator on the bus isn’t big enough. Not any food but organic! I actually just have a roll of organic stickers I put on her food… think she would have figured that out after I handed her an organic “labeled” Twinkie.

And lets not forget the guys. Kevin with his, “is there more coffee?” in the 50-cup coffee pot I just made and hour ago. Fran needing to make sure that the magazines for a long ride are current. I understand the Bass Player magazine selection but really who reads Glockenspiel Monthly. I mean monthly…this should at best be quarterly. Kirk is from Texas. He wants the windows clean and a seat with an unobstructed view out one. I have no idea what Texas and windows have in common. Maybe he just doesn’t want to feel cooped up for a long ride and needs to feel as if he is staring out at the back 40. It is actually a little creepy looking at him stare out the window without blinking for 6-8 hour stretches.

Ok we haven’t even gotten to the bus! I mean it is a Detroit 8V-92. There is so much to do: radiator fluid, voltage checks, oil pressure, tire pressure, belt tensions, break settings, air pressure, etc. This doesn’t even include the Koboto Engine and generator. But who has the energy after all the other stuff…so usually we cross our fingers and turn the key!

Sal

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Dear Diary,

After driving for two days, the band pulled into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Buloxi, Mississippi for our two night engagement.  We had full houses both nights, and one cowboy was standing in the front row at each performance. On Friday night, as usual, I grabbed my tamborine and headed out into the audience.  Being spastic Caroline, I was dancing around, saying hi to people, giving them a little tamborine action when suddenly I got whisked onto the dance floor by a two-stepping cowboy.

He kept mentioning something about flipping me over on the dance floor, but being in tambo-mode, I clearly didn’t hear him right.  I smiled politely said “oh…no not me”, thanked him for the dance and then got back on stage.

He was a GREAT dancer…on Friday =)

Saturday night. Different story.  A Pink Flloyd-esque light show, an amazing crowd and a packed room can make a girl lose her head.  When that very same cowboy approached the fence in front of the stage, I couldn’t help but feel myself want to dance again – despite his increased wobbling and the beer in his hand. I heard him saying “flip” this and “flip” that from behind the barricade but it just didn’t register.  Nice Caroline.

Next thing you know, it’s time for me to head out to meet the crowd.  Within seconds I’m on the dance floor, this time smelling just a little more Bud Light than before from my handsome cowboy who sneaks up behind me.  He grabs my hand. I smile.  We dance a few steps. Still smiling.  I feel him grab my calves (ok..awkward) and then I’m upside down.

******I SCREAM!!!!****

He almost drops me on my head. I am totally inverted and I mean HEAD TWO INCHES FROM THE GROUND  feet completely in the air - pointing north!!  I am slipping from his hands. I lose my necklace. I lose my in-ear pack and I almost lose the connection between my spine and my enormous head.  Good lord.  After a few very loud screams from me and…ok…one or two swats at him (only fair), he swivels me up to my feet, our manager comes running, I wave a quick goodbye and head for the safety of the stage.

I play the rest of the show with a huge smile on my face, of course! BUT, I can’t turn and look to the right more than about 45 degrees.  It’s like I have a neckbrace without the heinous white thing clinging to my collar!  Real cute when you look like you’re doing a bad version of the robot in bedazzled pants.  The scene.

So moral of this story ladies – no matter how cute the cowboy, no matter how good of a “dancer” you think  you are – do not EVER let a cowboy flip you.

Like your momma told you – always keep your feet on the ground =)

xo Caroline

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