Thank goodness my uber amazing friend Kim Ferry took the roadtrip with me from L.A. to Seattle.  She was just going to support my efforts and make sure Janiva and I had good hair (she’s the lead hairstylist for the show The Office) – however, she turned out to be a great tour manager.  Apparently, I need supervision, and a LOT of Chai Tea Lattes.

So this tour….it was really a birthday present to myself, a great excuse to hang out with two of my favorite females (Kim and Janiva) and do what makes me so very happy: Make Music.

I spent the first moments of my birthday (12:00 am on 2/11) on a pitch black offramp of the 5, star gazing and watching possum traverse the road. Why you ask? Well, Kim was driving while yours truly, the Co-pilot, was dozing off. Suddenly I hear “Oh no! You’re car isn’t working! Everything is shutting down! Your car is …. Not working !!!!! What’s happening????”
At which point, I gaze at the mileage indicator in the center dash and it reads -0-. “Kim, the car isn’t working because we are OUT OF GAS!!” Special thanks to Miso (as in miso soup) from AAA / Sellover’s Auto Center for bringing us fuel and escorting us to the gas station. Special thanks to Kim for allowing me to share this story (one of her many birthday presents to me).

It gets even more interesting . On day 2 of our drive, Janiva aka Lucy Ricardo, leaves her prized possession (toiletry bag – I must agree, I can’t live without mine…) at the most intriguing place in Gig Harbor, WA.  We received an emergency call to please stray from our path and pick up said item.  This is how I ended up at Wurlitzer Manor.  When Mr. LaVine asked if Kim and I needed to use the restroom, OF COURSE we said yes.  You would too. Go ahead, click on the link.  The place is jaw dropping.  And Mr. LaVine is a gem.

The shows at Jazz Alley were a blast.  I can’t tell you how honored I was to be opening for Janiva Magness ~ the Queen of Contemporary Blues, nominated for 5 BMA’s this year (that’s the Blues equivalent of the Grammy’s).  Her band was stellar, the room was phenomenal, the Jazz Alley staff – wonderful.  Post show we celebrated our birthdays (Janiva’s an Aquarian too!)

I spent Valentine’s Day at my friends Annee and Jordan’s.  They were celebrating their first anniversary and Mason and I did a house concert.  My favorite members of the audience were under 5.  I must admit we did a rousing rendition of Itsy Bitsy Spider and a dance version of the ABC’s.

Next was Hotel Oregon in McMinnville.  SOOOOOO many old friends and fans turned out.  Even my family (Chip’s side) showed up – they drove a couple hours to get there.  We had 3 hours to fill so we covered a lot of material.  Mason Stoops showcased some finger stylings on guitar in between sets  and old friend Brian McGinty played a few tunes of his own. Great to hear them both.  Special thanks to Jan Haedinger for arranging that show and a most comfortable bed at The Comfort Suites.  They win Best “Free” Breakfast at a hotel chain.  Belgian Waffles…score!

The ride back to L.A. is a long one.  And by 11:30 pm on Saturday the 16th I was toast…couldn’t keep my eyes open.  So I pulled over, lured by the blinking sign of Travel Lodge.

Actual conversation with front desk clerk at Travel Lodge:
Me: Hi! Can I please have two of those $43 rooms?
Him: We just sold those out, but we have rooms for $49.
Me: oh… Why do you have that blinking sign that says $43?
Him: When they are gone they are gone.
Me: Well, you should turn off that light. Do you have a Triple A discount?
Him: No.
Me: But all Travel Lodges have a Triple A discount!
Him: The owner just uses the name “Travel Lodge.”

Thank you to everyone who came out to support me on the Northwest Tour- old friends and new. Big hug to my family who bore the brunt of my jokes in McMinnville. Extra special and inexpressible gratitude to Janiva Magness for her friendship and for allowing me to share her stage. Kim M. Ferry– If you weren’t there with us, I would have left my head on the Delevan Road exit, my gear in The Space Needle, and my phone in the Nordstrom shoe department. Loooooved my girl time with you both. Thanks Jazz Alley, Hotel Oregon, and Annee Nimziki and Jordan for hosting a fabulous party/ house concert. Mason Stoops – thanks for sharing your talent, time, and most excellent Rdio playlists. This trip would not have been possible were it not for my husband, Chip Moreland, and my parents- thanks for putting in overtime.

2 weeks of family hugs and then I’m back on the road with the BACON BROS. for 3 dates at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA (March 1-3, 2013).  These guys started it all for me back in 1998 when we played our first show together at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.  When they invited me to tour with them, I had to finish See Red so that I had something to sell!   I love these guys and I love their music, and touring with them has always been some of my favorite moments in my musical life.  Looking forward to reuniting.

Now I need to unpack! 🙂

xo pnut