Day 1 of Writing The Rails: Memphis 2

I sit at the Red Roof Inn in Champaign-Urbana (right off of I-74) as I type this.  Checked in about 90 minutes ago.  Just got off of iChat with the g/f to catch up since I didn’t get a chance to hang out with her last night before leaving for WTR: Memphis 2.  Been That backlogged and it’ll now be a whole week before I see her next.  C’est la vie.

Day 1 was a “hit the ground running” day from the moment I left Potbelly on Diversey and Sheffield en route to Chicago - Union Station.  Really was clueless as to how close I was cutting it.  Thought the train left at 4:15 pm.  Nope.  10 minutes prior to that.   So, at 3:47 pm…flew right to the line.  

Crowded (well, more so than usual) on the train.  Not one empty seat on the car that I was on.  Thank God that it was a super quiet (and fast) ride.  Got a few winks of “shut-eye” before arriving in Champaign, IL.

Beautiful sunset taking place as we arrive at the Champaign-Urbana Illinois Terminal.  Had to take another portion of video to capture the inside of the station, the statues, etc.  

Arrived at Aroma Cafe and discover that the Boneyards Arts Festival started today and is taking place now until Sunday, April 18th.  Great art works displayed inside Aroma Cafe.  One artist, Melody Bilbo (I believe she goes by Munna D.  Don’t quote me on that) was hanging out around her works which were Very good.  She sold Two paintings at $295 each today.  Only 23 years old.  Quite talented, beautiful and tall (feeling the Emmanuel Lewis complex coming on on this end…again.  But, I digress.)

Dave Witzany of “We’re Only In It For The Music” on 90.1 FM WEFT (www.weft.org) stopped by.  I had to twist his arm a bit to get him to do an interview.  He complied and I snagged one with Lissette as well (had no idea that she was co-owner of Aroma Cafe until this evening.)

A young, 17-year-old singer/songwriter by the name of Justin Rondon opened tonight’s show.  Think John Mayer meets Jason Mraz meets Jack Johnson.  He’s just starting out and is breaking through his shell.  So, there’s definitely potential there.  When Lissette contacted me via e-mail to ask if it would be ok to have him open this evening’s show, I naturally said “yes” in a heartbeat.  THIS is what Writing The Rails is all about (well, on the music side, at least.)

Overall, decent show this evening.  Great people, great responses, great videos.  One has just posted to YouTube.  A Lot more editing to be done.  Going to do a few more and then call it a night.

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
Want to give a HUGE shout-out (in advance) to Aaron Wilson of The Local Motive Hour on 89.9 FM The Max Alternative in Mattoon, IL.  Why?  I’ll be featured on the show tomorrow at noon.  Not in Mattoon, you say?  No worries.  Listen in on-line at www.899themax.com (spread the word!)  :D

Peace, love, music, laughter and life (until next time,)
D Kav