FEBRUARY - 2002

Road notes below - scroll down for previous post.
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02/25/02 -  BIRTHDAY OF A ROAD DOG - Home

Hello friends, 26 years ago today, I entered this crazy ass world by way of Otis and Doris Parks. It's been a crazy ride, but I love every minute of it. This weekend was another part of my crazy life. Friday night, friends gathered at the infamous "Dave's and Mike's Love Shack"...(our apt.) for drinks and games, it was fun for all, but a all nighter. This made it tough for regular business activities on Saturday. With only a few hours sleep, I drove to Nashville to meet up with Mark. We made our way to Jackson, TN where we performed at the Carl Perkins Child Abuse Fund Raiser. The day was long but the pay off was great. Video screens dawned both sides of the stage and revealed our every move from the performance. I was reminded backstage of some crazy past times. We performed this same show two years ago, the famous story that some of you have heard about where John Yost and I chased a mouse and John caught it in a cup, we released it outside for it's safety. Last night, a man came backstage to show us a picture of him and Elvis when they were in the army together. His stories were amazing and we're appreciative to have heard a few of them. We hung out with Carl Perkins son and family and traded stories. I once again gave all at this show as Duke was a little under the weather and couldn't pull through some of his tougher songs, this made the set list jumpy but we made it work and I celebrated as I walked into the dressing room with a shout, "that's what I'm talking bout boys!!!". After the show, we made our way to a after show party at ex Van-Dells, Carl Perkins, and Survivor guitarist, "Wes Henley". A spread of all rock n roll foods and drinks made for a long night full of laughter and cutting up. The night ended too soon as we made our drunken way back to the hotel. The next day being a Sunday and my feeling of free spirited with no schedule to deal with, Lynn and I had planned to head to check out Graceland since we were close by. We changed our minds at the last minute do to pricing and time. So, Mark and I started the trek as the first song on the radio on this wonderful hung over Sunday morning was "Tiny Dancer" from the movie "Almost Famous" and the last song I heard right before reaching Marks house was "Highway Song" by Blackfoot, it made me think, "How perfect is these road songs playing to my personal soundtrack to my day on the road? It was perfect, and after picking up my truck in Nashville, I stopped by to see Mr. John Yost and Buddy Leach. John bought me the new No Doubt CD for my birthday, (which I'm jammin' out to right now, thank you sir). We watched the USA hockey team get spread thin like a touring budget (inside jokes, fill in your own punch line here), by Canada. I stopped off at Hooters for a case of hot wings and some beer, I had them package it to go...and I've been munching on wings and drinking ice cold beer...ahhh, now THAT is the life. The life of a road dog on his birthday...I guess the next thing I should do is throw on Sammy Hagar's Ten 13 (birthday song)...what a great life it is...dp

  Picture from the sign outside the Carl Perkins Fund Raiser. Click picture for larger image.

02/19/02 -  HOTEL CALIFORNIA...Umm in Ohio? - Middletown, OH

Hello friends, what a GREAT show we had last night!!! I'm still buzzing from this one...it was just stupid good. We performed at the La Comedia dinner theater in Springboro, Ohio. The crowd seemed to be hungry for a show and they go one hell of a show. There were many faces in the crowd that we've been seeing at other shows. The fans were terrific and it was great meeting everyone also. We did a lot of goofing off backstage, yes we always do, but a little more than normal. You'll see our pictures from tonight below. If you've seen our shows, or have been around us very long, you know how goofing we get. This is our time backstage to mentally prep up for  a show. This is what I call, "geeking out time". I do it even on days I don't have a show, it's that fun. I think it's the next big thing. Tonight, I found my timer on my digital camera, so I thought, "pre-show geek out time". I brought it backstage and started letting it rip. (pictures below). After the show, I really felt drained, I gave 200 percent of myself tonight, it was totally all of me. If I die tomorrow (knock on wood)...I'd know that last night  was one of my best shows so I can go to heaven a shouting..."I did my best". ( I really hope they have drum kits in heaven). I found myself resting with taking deep breaths, breaths of satisfaction of entertaining that wonderful crowd. I had nothing left to give, so I decided it was relax time. I then made my way to my hotel (which is where I am now) making a stop to the (well praised by musicians) Taco Bell. Filled up my plate and now I'm sitting here munching and a beer that is soooo cold "HOW COLD IS IT?", it's soooo cold that I had to let it thaw out before drinking it. Provided with a hotel snack machine...you'd be amazed what goes good with beer. Oreos and Bud Light...another big thing yet to come, if it hasn't already happened at a college party somewhere. I'm kicking back at the hotel with a movie, the Eagles "I was thinking to myself this could be heaven or this could be hell"...on my speakers, a beer, (very cold at that) and some snackage, now the only thing I need...well, I didn't catch her name nor attention...other than that...life is good...but music is better... dp

Pictures from 2-18-02  Cleveland, Ohio. (Click each picture for a larger image)
Picture 1. The band and crew man, Carl, backstage before the show "normal picture". Picture 2. The "geeking out boys" backstage "funny face picture".   Picture 3. Using the timer on my camera to show Dayne that the timer does work, "NAW!!!...REALLY?" We all "geek out", as you can see. Picture 4. Me updating my website from my room. Picture 5. Tommy Shaw (of Styx) ( who also writes road notes for  www.styxworld.com ) positing road notes on his site from his room.  I suggest everyone try his road notes, they are quite addicting. He's my inspiration many of the times.

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02/17/02 -  CLEVELAND ROCKS!!!! - Mansfield, OH

Hello friends, I was feeling at home in the home of Rock N Roll music last night ladies and gents. Didn't make it to the Rock N Roll hall of fame, do to time restraints, but I did drive by it. I did however visit there a few years back and remember  the emotion running through me as I hope to be inducted there one day. A boy can dream can't he, just remember, I said it here first. I also remember the last time I was in Cleveland, I was actually onstage for the second time in my life with Sammy Hagar, in September 2001. Last night we performed at a performance hall ( that I didn't catch the name of ) it was beautiful. It was a concert hall type of venue that was built in the early 1900's. This gig was originally booked as a private show, (which I have no reservations about expressing that I hate), but at the last minute, "the powers that be"...(which also has some a lot left to be desired with me) made it a public event. Some die hards did manage to make the trek to the show, thank you fans!!!  The 90 minute set felt and it was good to be onstage with the boys again and esp. that it was in Cleveland and also such a beautiful venue to be performing in. I happened to drop a stick (yes it happens) during one of my "stick tricks" and it landed behind my drum riser, it just so happened to land standing straight up on it's end leaning against the curtain. (pictured below). I took a few snap shots from this event for you to see how we live. The night moved on as I hit a night spot with some friends for some after show drinks where we noticed it starting to snow heavily outside. The parking lot was pure white upon leaving the bar as it was dry just a few drinks earlier. Now back at the hotel for some TV and internet then off to bed. We're staying in Mansfield, Ohio tonight and tomorrow we head to another hotel for a night off then to Springboro, Ohio on Monday night. Should be a great show. GOODNIGHT CLEVELAND!!!!!!!!!  dp

Pictures from 2-16-02  Cleveland, Ohio. (Click each picture for a larger image)
Picture 1. David playing live  Picture 2. Venue from the back  PIcture 3. Venue from the stage. Picture 4. Stick, it landed that way I swear  Picture 5. Paul goofs for the camera as David walks to the dressing room to relax durring the acoustic song, "Java Jive"

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02/15/02 -  CUPID'S  HUNGOVER - Home

Hello friends, yep, that little cupid sure was drunk, he missed me AGAIN!!! Instead of hitting my heart, he shot out two windows, a bass drum and one in my ass...or was that the drunk girl at the end of the bar grabbing it? Oh well, cupids head is hurting and he's got the dry heaves. It must have been the Cabo Wabo Tequila... Anyway, I still had a good time courtesy my friends "Bone Pony". How many more times must I preach the word of the Pony. Check out www.bonepony.com for more. Last night, my roommate Mike and myself attended the Boiler Room for a Bone Pony show. Scott (singer) says, "hey David and Mike" greeting us with hugs as we traded road stories before their show. It was a good time had by all on this Valentines night in 2002. The following are pictures and samples of the fun that was had last night. Check my photos link for more. The picture of the heart is a promotional item the bar had on the tables, I took the picture of it ripped to show my Valentines spirit... Peace, love and Hemp...dp

Pictures from 2-14-02  Owensboro, Ky BONEPONY show. (Click each picture for a larger image)
Picture 1. Scott and Nick of BonePony goofing with David  Picture 2. The broken Valentine  PIcture 3. David and Mike with friends at the Pony show.  Picture 4. Tramp and David smiling for the camera Picture 5. Bone Pony playing live

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02/14/02 -  CUPID'S  DRUNK - Home

Hello friends, ahh, thanks...geesh...I love you too!! Man o' man, that little punk is at it again...Cupid is out drinking and flying around  with his bow and arrow shooting people left and right. Well, he's not had too good of aim lately, so he MUST be drunk, or dead. Actually, he has hit me lately, but I usually take to  the lyrics from an Extreme song, "Headlines read, Cupid's Dead"...or a King's X tune, "Cupid...shot the wrong guy". I'm writing all of this in early stages of the day, so it could be an eventful night, esp. since my whole clan along with myself are hitting the Bone Pony tonight. I love it when those boys are in town and being that I don't have that special woman with me..."yet"...a Bone Pony show will do just fine. WAITRESS!!!!, Jack and Coke please... Well, if or when I make it through all that, I'll be mid way packed and ready for the road. The boys are in the studio this week mixing down the live record. There is no release date as of yet, but it is being worked on...(you heard it here first). We play Cleveland Sat. night, (sorry it's a private show, I hate 'em too fans)... The last time I was in Cleveland, I was onstage with Sammy Hagar, so I'll be thinking about that and the house that rock built "Rock n Roll Hall of Fame"  is there and I'll be thinking about the time we all hit that on the last tour, what fun that was!!! Sunday will be an off night, "hotel night" the over to Springboro, Ohio for a always sold out and great show at La Comedia Theater. So, another fun time and  memories to be made this week as the road dogs are set on the loose. Happy Valentines Day...Love ya...dp

02/10/02 -  A DIFFERENT KINDA DAY - Home

Hello friends, Ahh...Sunday was a good day, I think. It was way different. The events leading up to Sunday was all the norm. Drive, hotel, show, etc.  The fans where all great at this show in New Castle, In. You could feel the energy as we just walked from the dressing room to the stage. Just a quick useless note, Sat. was the 10 year anniversary that I seen Sammy Hagar live for the first time. He was on my mind while onstage all night. The backstage area was stocked with the normal food and beverage items as well as video games and pool table. We kept ourselves very entertained backstage with those as well as previewing the candidates of photos for the upcoming live album. Oh look, I struck a interest nerve now didn't I? Yes, it's in the works and no...a release date hasn't been set yet, but it is coming out, just a matter of when. That'll keep your ass coming back to my site now won't it? Ha Ha. After the show, Jeff invited me to "come out and play" with him and his friends. I accepted graciously and partied til around the time the sun was making it's stage appearance. The sun came up and we all went down, (not together). I awoke sometime Sunday afternoon at Jeff's and got some food and right back to bed for ol' Dave being that I hadn't had much sleep in a while. I finally got enough energy to shower and out the door for the trek home. Jeff was a great host, (thanks Spaz) and I recommend everyone stay at the Jeff Inn and Resort sometime, his address and phone # is... umm...well. Maybe I shouldn't post that. ha ha. After visiting with friends in the Florence area, I made the drive home on a feeling that this particular Sunday was out of the loop, not a ordinary day. It all felt different. I arrive home to find a message on my answering machine from my roommate "Mike" saying, "It's Sunday...and it's a different type of day... not a ordinary Sunday...everything is different, that is all, carry on, Mike". So, we both were pulled to that Karma of the day. We sat and talked about our weekends together as he showed me the freshly completed "Glory Bound" home video on KWC basketball team that he produced and Matt Gray from Gray Sky Music scored music to, which I played drums on. So, it was a treat to see the completed video that we all put work and effort into. The video will be onsale here in Owensboro starting next week as it will be premiering this weekend at the KWC banquet. Yes, it was different Sunday, but a damn good one. I've got MY ass on MY couch, watching MY roomates Genesis live in concert video and drinking MY cold beer and eating homemade food, "thanks Mom"...Life is good... dp

02/03/02 -  LOOKOUT FOR THAT LIGHT!!!! - Richmond, IN

Hello friends, February being my birthday month has started out pretty damn good being on the road. Thursday night I drove up to meet with Jeff and his friends for a small party. The small party turned into an all nighter and had us all dizzy by morning. A little light headed, we made our way Friday afternoon to the legendary Taft Theater in downtown Cinci. This place is a very old theater which Dayne and his friend "Gary" arrived with old stories from seeing such artist as Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn cause Dayne had worked with those acts and more. Gary sat and talked with me about these old times and I always enjoy his stories and especially his World Series Baseball stories. Gary was with the Reds in the 70's when they had won the World Series and he displays his rings and I'm not one to be shy about taking the opp. to borrow them for a quick few seconds to put them on my fingers. The Tafter Theater show went well as the stage was dawned with a huge video screen that we kept our eyes on even on stage. That night, yet another party with Jeff and his clan. These boys and girls are bad for my health, ha ha. Never the less, another (almost) all nighter. Saturday brought a road trip to Richmond, In for a show. Arriving backstage to a large spread of food and goodies is ALWAYS a great way to get on a bands good side. This is exactly what they did. Fruit trays, cookies, pies, cakes, (yum) then, that's just appetizer stuff. We were later brought our full coarse dinners. There was a TV interview to be held in the lobby, within just a minute after this photo at the bottom was taken, the huge ( and I mean huge ) TV studio light had fallen right on myself and Duke. You can see the light that fell right behind Mark in the picture below. It hit my arm and left a small bruise and had taken out of peice of Duke's head. He bled only a little and was patched up with minimal pain and blood loss. Later that evening, a hosted interview question and answer session between the crowd and Van-Dells was held before the show. This one went off without mishap, nor falling lights. Soon after  the interview, there was a voice in the backstage area, "Van-Dells, 5 minutes", I love that sound. We make our way to the stage, all in very high spirits, for what the crowd didn't and doesn't see is us all geeking out and goofing off backstage. We're all back there cracking jokes and doing a lot of laughing and prepping ourselves for the show. A good example is off stage behind the curtains, the band can see Duke making faces at us and making us laugh and mess up onstage. Mark will always take pride in getting us to chuckle pretty hard, and they're both pretty damn good at it. I love this job, and....I GET PAID!!!  Fans were in the talking mood about the auction that the Van-Dells Yahoo Fan Club is holding and items are going up in the high price range fast. Both shows over the weekend, I recieved plenty of gifts ranging from early Birthday gifts such as roses, a Sammy Hagar Clock, a embroidered eagle picture and many other things, Thanks to all the fans, we love you. DP
                            Richmond, IN Interview picture (Click picture for larger image)
Just moments after this picture was taken, the light and stand behind Mark fell almost taking out the drummer ( me ) and Duke. We made it out ok.