It is amazing as to what faith from friends and family can do for a person - especially when said person is really “down in the mouth.”  A support system can pick someone up when their down, give them that extra kick or just reinforce what he/she already knows:  The only way failure is achieved is through inaction.

“Take the first step.  You don’t have to see the whole staircase.  Just take the first step.”  - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Started my day at the Motel 6 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Had a LOT of difficulty getting up out of bed.  However, finally did so (at the last minute, of course,) took a shower, got out in the knick of time (before the check-out time of Noon,) called a cab, hauled ass and made it to the train station with, at least, 20 minutes before the Eastbound train would arrive.

On the train, I was really nervous.  Why?  I was on this tour by myself for the first couple of days.  Even though I was nervous about taking the tour on my own in the beginning, I was starting to like the taste of the solitude.  So, with Beth Ann and her parents in the mix (along with the humility to be had of having them pick me up and drop me off at various places for the rest of the weekend and to have them take me into their own home,) I was uneasy as to how the rest of the tour would inevitably change once I got off of the train at Royal Oak.

I had my compelling moments while passing through Detroit (see the Detroit [unedited vid.])  I stepped through the uncertainty.  I got off of the train and muddled through the crowd.

I saw her smile.  I had forgotten what the problem was.  What problem?

Her mother and father were in the car.  I was last in Michigan with the fam for Thanksgiving weekend.  With the emotional roller coaster of the Holiday season long and gone, there was no stress to be had.  Notwithstanding, it felt as if we never skipped a beat.  At one point, I had to remind them (and myself,) “funny.  I’m still on tour.”  Never missed a beat there, either, since they dropped me off at the Madison Heights Biggby Coffee in more than enough time.

Played a set from 4 pm to 6 pm.  Same-ish feel from yesterday’s Ann Arbor store.  With the exception that I got more of a reaction from the people today (i.e. I got SOME reactions from the people today…and SOME TIPS.  Let me reiterate from the Ann Arbor trip, I got NOTHING yesterday besides the CD sales from Hasan at Famous Hamburger.)  I know I got more than $10 for 2 hours.  Ok, I thought.  Progress, right?  THAT’S what counts.  :)

As soon as I finish my first set, Daniel Bora (Biggby Coffee Madison Heights store manager,) came in.  I talked with him for a bit.  Very warm, very friendly.  I was digging the snowballing of the positive momentum at that point.

In talking about the host of the Open Mic, the Devil did appear…along with his wife (that is, if the Devil were an older, hippie-like, mellow type of guy.)  We introduced ourselves, talked up a bit as to how, when, and where I can sell my merchandise.  Once that was settled, I hauled ass and moved my stuff to an unimposing area of the coffee shop.

So, the PA was set-up, the Sign-Up list was set out, the musicians came in, the energy was picking up in leaps and bounds in the best kind of way.

Beth Ann was a sweetheart and helped with video, with marketing for tomorrow’s show at The Belmont (which I still need MAJOR help in packing the place with 30+ people.  So, PLEASE spread the word,) and with the social networking needed for Writing The Rails.  I am forever grateful.  As we both assessed at the end of the night, the teamwork and the camaraderie between us and the others in the room helped tremendously.

Before Biggby Coffee in Madison Heights, Writing The Rails collected $20 for Friendship Circle.  After tonight’s Open Mic at Biggby Coffee in Madison Heights, MI, Writing The Rails collected $118 in CD sales and in merch/tips.

Talk about night and day.  Night and day, indeed.

So, after the video uploads, I am going to pass out at around 5 am this evening/morning.  Then, I do it all over again at the Biggby Coffee in Allen Park this afternoon at 4 pm-ish followed by the Main Show at The Belmont.

Until next time…

Peace, love, music, laughter and life,
David Kav