Dallas, TEXAS. July 7th, 2005. Gypsy Ballroom
Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:38 am
"Home, Home on the Ballroom Stage
Where the dear ole Eisley's play... and seldom is heard, a discouraging word, and the Texan's seem rowdy all day..."
That was the single most stupidest, embarrassing phrase I've crafted on this forum... but I deserve to say a stupid saying. And I'm saying it on my very own bed. My bed is as magnificent, soft, square trampoline coated with a firm, fine layer of foam. I can wallow too and fro'. Life seems good right now.
I shrink to recant the day... but quickly, we awoke in a Super 8 Hotel along I-35 in Austin today... after a quick jaunt to Starbucks, ( I had to get on line to send an invoice) A quick meal to go and we were off.... with no slop in the drive time system. "Mag" said we'd be there right at 4:00pm if we had no stops or trouble. But at 20 miles outside of D, we hit the wall of doom - a parking lot or motor-cars, blocked and rubbernecked from an 18 wheeler that crashed into the middle post of a bridge... (condolences) needless to say, we arrived late - about 4:45pm, loaded in, sound checked, went to eat vientamense
....see, i fell asleep. woke up typing not knowing if i was dreaming or typing some fictional story. I better crash. It's 4:44am.
There were about 1000 people in the hotel.
i just did it again. not a hotel. sorry. falling asleep bad. Only 900 on record, but there were tons of guests and employeeds, etc.... a f
i did it again. can't stay awake. how lame.
A truly amazing night. Thankyou Dallas.
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Goodmorning. (the morning after - the same morning) @#!%?? VIETNAMESE? No... that was the day before. What drugs was I on. We sound-checked, loaded the Rhodes, Chauntelle's amp and the acoustic into the seats of the van with the girls, my crew (Chad and Micah n me), my mom and dad - and set "mag" to Virgin Megastore for Eisley's "instore", acoustic performance. We never ate anything... weird.
The instore was wonderful. Official counts were above 200+, but one accurate one was 260. They took requests and played 6 or so songs... good times. Virgin Megastore probably sold more Eisley cd's than anyone store in the country... Dallas is biggest market, of course, the LA, then NY.
Anyway, speaking of numbers, just because I'm sure some of you like to know, the packed house last night at the Gypsy Ballroom was well over 900 including advanced sales, walk-ups and comps... but guesses exceed 1000 when you include totaly warm bodies (club personnel, etc.) It was an amazing blow-out night to cap off this tour.
Sadly, under 17's comprise at least 1/3 to 1/2 Eisley's budding base - so, I look forward to the day when we can do a real "all ages" show. The ballroom would have been a sure sell out last night if that were the case.
It was great seeing so many...many, many... scores and droves and goads of friends spanning the 7 year history of the band's existence. All of you are dear and precious to us... I wish there was more time to visit. It's pure chaos... I couldn't even walk in the back of the club last night without seeing groups of friends... I felt bad cuz' i couldn't spend quality time with everyone. Please forgive if any of us inadvertedly dissed you or came off indifferent. Life is getting difficult in this regard.
Last night's show was.... like, the perfect night, i think. I just wish we could have hung out for hours. We were so zombified - Kim and I struggled to talk ourselves all the way back to good ole' Tyler, TX.
I have to hit the ground running. It's overwhelming - the amount of work i have to get done in 4 days before departure on the HHH tour. I need 4 of me. 4 non-lame versions that is. I hear glasses clanking in the kitchen. Amazingly, someone is up. My home made latte served in a new House of Blues New Orleans mug is entirely wonderful.
Much love to you all. I mean that from the bottom of my cup.
boyd
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Final words:
Thanks for making Eisley's first US/Canada Headlining tour such a wonderful experience. No. Iamb serious. It could have been so hard... on the band, so discouraging; but you guys gave of yourselves and came to support them. It's not really about the band as much as it is about the eager ears and patrons - music lovers and lives that give it credence.
i'm going to spend more time on reply's...posts than journaling. i'm tired of being a mono-log-head, but I just want to say one more thing:
All of ya'll are so amazing... i tear up when i read the kind words people report. It's overwhelming. Eisley is just a simple, song-writing band - not so accomplished, but with a lot of heart. I think their unbridled, poetic license to express personal feelings - combined with their awe inspired view of life, the world, eternity, realms, creation, love, loss... give their neighbor's next door persona a magical flare. I don't deny that it's God inspired, though i'm not making making this a platform. I just want to say thanks. And remember - Eisley is no more special than the heads and ears and arms that hang from the torso's of the amazing base of humans that reciprocate - completing the circle - making this music, this experience, significant to us all.
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