Eric's House Of Ego

I left home about 8 this morning, got to Tillie's about 45 minutes before my set. Andy showed up shortly into the first song. It was a short set.

Only Coffee House In Town
Wilderness Of Smiles
Color Of Your Eyes
Standards
How Can I Miss You?
Hides

I think that driving 200+ miles, then getting out and playing a show is not my best idea. I could barely hold onto my pick, dropped it and grabbed my thumb pick and ended Hides with that.

Some of us went to Everest On Grand for lunch, then I drove back. Yeah, I drove back. I've slept too many strange places lately, I wanted to be home. And now I am.

So how was your day and how many miles did YOU drive today. I think I did about 430.

Tillies Benefit Performance Schedule

Start Finish Performer
9:00AM 9:30AM Don Fitzwater
9:30AM 10:00AM Event: Cakewalk
10:00AM 10:30AM Hal
10:30AM 11:00AM Jim Soule
11:00AM 11:30AM Michael B. Kac
11:30AM 12:00PM Rueben Correa
12:00PM 12:30PM Reve du Faun
12:30PM 1:00PM Eric Coleman
1:00PM 1:30PM Beth Kinderman
1:30PM 2:00PM Leo Whitebird & Paddy
2:00PM 2:30PM Rush Merchant III
2:30PM 3:00PM Mick Sharpe & Skullduggery
3:00PM 3:30PM Steve Kaul
3:30PM 4:00PM Steve West
4:00PM 4:30PM Bob Nordquist & The Intangibles
4:30PM 5:00PM Sally Heinz
5:00PM 5:30PM Reed Schilleman
5:30PM 6:00PM Michael Ward
6:00PM 6:30PM Nicholas Leet
6:30PM 7:00PM James Rechs
7:00PM 7:30PM Becca Leathers & Bramblebush
7:30PM 8:00PM Jeremiah Bohn & BlueGreen

Sorry this is such short notice, everyone, but the city of Minneapolis has decided that Tillie's Bean is in the same category as places like the Fine Line and other night clubs, and that we need to have an entertainment license in order to have live music here, or any kind of entertainment at all. We have been given a "cease and desist" order. Because of the expense of that license, Tillie's Bean will no longer have any performances here.

We feel very badly for all the musicians we have booked and for the music scene in general, as we have already heard of another band who just lost their regular weekly gig due to "the owner's decision to have no more live music" at the cafe where they were playing. We suspect the owner received the same letter from the city.

Minneapolis is obviously looking for more revenue and they want to get it from the little guys. We just can't do it. It does not seem to matter to the city that the musicians are unpaid, jamming, or that we never charge admission or a cover. It is just another law that was passed by greedy bureaucrats and is being enforced without intelligence.

If our situation changes, we will let everyone know. Until then, Tillie's Bean will go to "winter hours" and begin closing at 7 pm Monday through Saturday, 3 pm on Sunday.

Until then, best of luck with your music. And thank you for all the pleasure your music has provided for us here at Tillie’s Bean.

==============

So, no more Minneapolis shows for now, and I really wanted to do that show on my birthday ... damn.

I am off the road for awhile. It's nice. I have a new vehicle (as of the end of June) and I have put almost 10,000 miles on it. And I mean almost, I will clear 10,000 sometime tomorrow.

With Daranacon canceled I have just a few shows left this year. I will be performing at Con On The Cob, I will be attending OVFF, I'll be back at Tillies Bean November 30th and I am working on a special birthday show in December (cause my birthday is in December).

The new CD should be available at all of these, if I get going and get the cover designed and printed.

I will be at Tillie's Bean at 7:30 tonight. I won't be back till June, and then again not till August. Just travelling too much.

So, come on out and see me play ... also ... anyone wanna do anything tomorrow ???