FRIDAY, JUNE 25^TH – FIRST SHOWS IN INTERLAKEN:

WHEW!  I earned my money today.  Taking care of three artists and making sure everything runs smoothly is a challenge.  Really glad I had Lindsey there to help me! 

I forgot to tell you about the cows in the road yesterday.  Was driving with Bomshel out to the venue for the Sponsor Dinner and the entire street was blocked off and being directed by security cops.  There were about a dozen cows all wearing huge bells around their necks and flowers on their heads walking down the street.  A couple of men and women who were dressed exactly like what you think a Swiss farmer would wear were “herding” them.  It was amazing.  Turns out each Spring the cows are “walked” to their pastures on the Alps and then each Fall, they are “walked” back down.  Trucking them just isn’t a concept here.  So cool.  If you are on Facebook, I’m posting my Road Reports there WITH photos.  Check it out. 

Anyway, back to today.  Woke up at something around 4 or 5 am because the Skype was ringing on my computer.  Since it was a handsome Texan fighter pilot calling, I was very forgiving.  J  Went back to bed at around 6 and slept until 8 am.  Got in a little “weight” exercise in my room this morning then had breakfast.  Kenny with the Bellamys isn’t feeling well so I shared my Mucinex with him.  Worked until I got a text from Lindsey saying Aaron’s group was arriving.  Met everyone in the lobby and gave them their room keys.  Then I went out to the venue with Bomshel for sound check.  Everything was set up and ready for them and took them less than an hour to finish up.  By that time, Aaron’s musicians were on their way over with Lindsey.  I went back to the hotel for about 30 minutes and then rode back out with Aaron for sound check.  We all went back to the hotel for an hour but had to eat dinner during that time period.
This is the first time I’ve eaten in the hotel restaurant.  In the past, it’s been great food but not so this time.   Some of Aaron’s group were already seated when we walked in so Susan, Jenny, Lindsey and I were going to sit at a table near them.  The waitress wanted to know what group we were with.  I told her Lindsey and I were with every group and Susan and Jenny were with the Bellamys.  She insisted that we sit all the way across the room where the Bellamy’s band had been sitting all week for dinner.  Like I said, there was no one else in the restaurant so I told her we were sitting by Aaron’s group.  We all have coupons for our meals so it’s not like she needs to keep an eye on us.  Howard and David walked in a few minutes later and she refused to let them sit with their wives!  David just sat down anyway and told her he WAS sitting with his wife.  Usually don’t encounter rudeness like that in Switzerland.  The only good part of the meal was the chocolate mousse dessert.    Service was slow, so I barely got to eat even part of the meal before leaving for the Press Conference.   Bellamys had a video interview at 6:45 pm and all the other artists were joining them at 7 pm.  Bill from Germany, Bill and Susann from Switzerland, and Ernie from Zurich were all there and I got to talk to them for a few minutes.  Our dear friend Jurg who has had some serious medical challenges had planned to join us.  However, I did not know that he was 3 ½ hours drive from where we were and he had not reserved a hotel room.   All the hotels in the entire town were sold out.  So disappointed that we didn’t get to see him.  L  Hopefully we will see him when we do the 2 week tour of Switzerland with Gola in December. 

Gola was in fine form at the Press Conference and you can tell he is a “super star” in Switzerland.  Going to be fun to tour with him.  Sorry I’ll miss his performance on stage tonight with the Bellamys.  After the press conference, Lindsey stayed with Bomshel, Bellamys went back to the hotel (and ate Indian food at the restaurant across the alley which is one of my favorite places to eat!) and I went with Aaron to do a radio interview.  As we were exiting the festival, there was a line of port-a-potties and right beside them a long line of urinals.  The urinals were not enclosed and there were several men standing their utilizing them!  We all wanted to take a photo but thought better of it.  LOL! 

After the interview, Aaron went to the hotel and I went to the venue with his musicians.  Bomshel performed first and had a great show.   Audience was lighter than normal because Switzerland was playing for the World Cup in Soccer.   Right before Aaron took the stage, the score was zero to zero and Switzerland lost because that game had to be a “win” for them.  At least the crowd tomorrow night will be bigger since there’s no game to compete.   I walked over and picked up the payment for Bomshel and Aaron while Bomshel was finishing their set.  Kristy climbed about 20 feet off the stage on one of the lighting trusses and played her fiddle during the encore.  Audience went wild.  Bomshel signed autographs while Aaron’s guy got set up and then I got them back to the hotel.   

Aaron also had a great show.  Since this is a “trucker” festival and Aaron has a “trucker” cd, it worked out really well.  Aaron brings this huge truck horn with him and the venues provide an air compressor so that he can blow it during the show. It is so loud, seems like it blows the audience back 10 feet.  Problem is, the “connector” between the compressor and the horn are never the same size and his guys spend a lot of time trying to find a hose that will work.  They did get it working for this show and it was a big hit.   

After Aaron signed autographs, they were all hungry and we couldn’t find even a gas station open.  Our driver – Mike – who was great, by the way – found a little café that was open until 2:30 am.  The hotel was only a few blocks away so I walked back to the room so I could pack and get up at 5:30 am.  Was 3 am before I laid down.  Having lots of problems with sneezing, coughing, and congestion here because of the smoke.  I don’t think Americans realize how much we have gotten away from smoky atmospheres until they come to Europe.  Even with smoking being banned in most European countries, they still seem to find ways to smoke and blow it in my face.  L 

Off to Italy tomorrow morning.  First time I’ve worked with this event.  Should be fun!