My first post….

Drew spoke for me in his message……and he nailed it. I also welcome everyone to the site and am excited about the tour. I’ve been touring full time for 10 years and of all the really cool things I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of (I don’t want to name drop but Robert Earl Keen tours, shows with Haggard, Willie’s Picnic, etc…..actually I did want to name drop) this is the most excited I’ve been about a tour yet. Drew is one of my best friends and I am one of his biggest fans which will make this tour and each show pretty special.

I look back at a lot of the things I’ve done in the past and really wish I would have taken some of the moments more to heart. Not to say I haven’t enjoyed it all, but sometimes you’re so concerned with the next show or next big moment in your career it’s easy to overlook some of the things that you’re a part of and later wish you could do all over again. This is one of those moments that I know I will look back on in a few years and wish I could experience again….but the difference is that Drew and I are going to make the most of every day of this tour. We’re going to blog religiously, take a ton of pictures and videos and twitter. (I tweeted this week for the first time and believe I will soon be flying.)

I look forward to seeing a lot of old friends and familiar faces as well as making new friends everywhere we go. The goal of this tour is to bring our music to as many new places and people as possible. If there is a venue or city that you’d really love to see us visit please let us know. I promise we will do everything we can to make it happen. With a tour like this for two independent artists, we can definitely use as much help as we can get. Let your favorite bar know what we’re doing and give them the tour website, when we do get a show in your area spread the word around and try to bring out a few friends (and if you can’t don’t worry about it…we still want to meet you).

We are also open to doing house concerts. Some of our favorite shows have been playing in people’s living rooms or backyards. All it takes is 20 – 30 of your friends and a house for us to play at. If you’re interested in hosting a house concert feel free to contact any of us from the website and we will help you put it together. There are a number of ways to make it happen.

Ok, I’m done with promoting our tour. It’s 2 AM and I just got in from a show in New Braunfels, TX where I was filling in for Drew at the last minute because he’s recording his new album (which I cannot wait to hear). I was pleasantly surprised to hear a lot of the people in the crowd talking about “The New American Voices Tour”. The word is starting to spread and it is very, very exciting.

Drew and I are very thankful to The9513.com for sponsoring this tour and helping us to put this whole thing together. I can’t wait for it to start. I’m getting up tomorrow and heading back to Europe for a two week tour and will be home two days before Drew and I start the east coast run. I’m going to make the most of being in France and Italy….but honestly cannot wait for March 26th and the start of this tour.

So spread the word, we appreciate it and cannot wait to see you all soon.

Rodney