After spending my time in Hickory and Morganton, I headed over to Union Grove, back to the farm where my journey had begun. Had a great time raising hell around on the 4 wheeler with the storm breezing in. It was a great night with Adam and Jennifer just as one would expect. I stayed there for the night and geared up for MerleFest Thursday morning.
I thought I would be able to make some money busking outside of the festival, although I did not bring in much as I didn't take in the fact that half of the people coming to the festival were much better musicians than I was. It has been a great experience though, jamming along with tons of other musicians, learning much from those who seem to have mastered their instruments. For most of my time on Thursday and Friday, I spent most of my time playing along with other musicians in the "Pickin' Tents". That night Zac Brown Band played a great show and then stayed at my truck in one of the parking lots where a fellow Dead head stuck around until around 3:00 a.m.
Friday night I tried out Contra dancing for the first time ever and absolutely loved it. This folk style dancing involves starting with a partner and changing partners every so often and switching it up. I enjoyed hours of dancing yesterday and today, also seeing great bands play such as Tony Rice Unit, Sam Bush Band, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Freight Hoppers, Town Mountain, and Casey Driessen. There were many bands that rocked my world that were not on any of the main stages but had just as much talent as anyone there. Last night after the show, I packed up my gear and found a ride to the local campground where "SewerFest" is held. (The campground is located right next to a sewege plant, although, it was a beautiful place to camp.) There I met some musicians and friends from Indiana (I Think) that don't even show up for MerleFest but rather come to the campground each year for the "SewerFest" that goes on all night. A great night for sitting aorund a campfire jamming to folk tunes, meeting all sorts of new people.
Tonight I am going to relax a bit at the parking lot and gain some rest for the day tomorrow. I am looking forward to catching the Infamous Stringdusters along with some more jams. I reckon I will head back to Cumming, Ga shortly after to get ready for my court date for an underage drinking ticket that I recieved at a party a week or 2 before my 21st birthday.
Oh yes, and the women are beautiful! I fell in love at least 5 times today.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
4/26/11 Hickory, NC
You really do meet people in the oddest of places.
It was almost a week without meeting some good people to spend some time with but while practicing the banjo outside of a Ruby Tuesdays restaurant, sure enough some fellow Curt came up and asked me if I listened to Yonder Mountain. Turns out, the whole staff at the Rubys were all real great people. I spent time with the group of them last night over in Morganton, NC and the best part was I got to finally get a shower!!
I have had 2 days off from playing the banjo making money due to working on a website that has turned out to be a larger project that I had originally thought. Good thing, I could use the money for my upcoming tickets. Tomorrow I am off to Union Grove, which was my first stop on my trip. From there MerleFest begins!!! I should hopefully make enough money playing the banjo outside of the event to pay my way through.
It was almost a week without meeting some good people to spend some time with but while practicing the banjo outside of a Ruby Tuesdays restaurant, sure enough some fellow Curt came up and asked me if I listened to Yonder Mountain. Turns out, the whole staff at the Rubys were all real great people. I spent time with the group of them last night over in Morganton, NC and the best part was I got to finally get a shower!!
I have had 2 days off from playing the banjo making money due to working on a website that has turned out to be a larger project that I had originally thought. Good thing, I could use the money for my upcoming tickets. Tomorrow I am off to Union Grove, which was my first stop on my trip. From there MerleFest begins!!! I should hopefully make enough money playing the banjo outside of the event to pay my way through.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
4/23/11 Clingmans Dome, Tennessee
Walking up the path of the mountain a bit shy of midnight, there is an eerie but extraordinary feeling that overcomes you while hiking to the top. You cannot see much as you are inside of a cloud and the wind feels like it is going to violently throw you off of the edge.
Welcome to Clingmans Dome, highest point of the Smokey Mountains and of the Appalachian Trail. I slept up at the top of the mountain and then enjoy the views with the sunrise. Unfortunately, I have to work on making money with my banjo with it being Saturday and was not able to stick around very long.
The past week has been a busy one, with the beaches taking me broke. I started my banjo spree once again in the valley of Roanoke and Salem, Va and then worked my way along the mountains to Johnson City, Tennessee. From there I decided to try to make money playing in Gatlinburg, with it being one of the largest tourist attractions in the Smoky Mountains. After making decent money I was quickly informed that it was illiegal in this town due to there being a ton of money to be made. (In fact I was going to check into buying a permit for $50 to play Saturday, but turns out they wont even allow that.) I still tried my best to play the 5-string and rushed off at any sign of a policeman. Another busker, Trevor, told me they did not give warnings in the town only $200 tickets. Glad that did not happen though and after making a bit I decided it would be a good time to move on.
I have been playing the banjo at all sorts of places including downtown, parks, supermarkets, and malls. I even was able to play inside of a Mall Food Court since I was donating part of my proceeds to the Polaski Hurricane Relief. What a fun way too make a living.
Day by day, I keep beginning to realize my life is being formed as a musician.
Welcome to Clingmans Dome, highest point of the Smokey Mountains and of the Appalachian Trail. I slept up at the top of the mountain and then enjoy the views with the sunrise. Unfortunately, I have to work on making money with my banjo with it being Saturday and was not able to stick around very long.
The past week has been a busy one, with the beaches taking me broke. I started my banjo spree once again in the valley of Roanoke and Salem, Va and then worked my way along the mountains to Johnson City, Tennessee. From there I decided to try to make money playing in Gatlinburg, with it being one of the largest tourist attractions in the Smoky Mountains. After making decent money I was quickly informed that it was illiegal in this town due to there being a ton of money to be made. (In fact I was going to check into buying a permit for $50 to play Saturday, but turns out they wont even allow that.) I still tried my best to play the 5-string and rushed off at any sign of a policeman. Another busker, Trevor, told me they did not give warnings in the town only $200 tickets. Glad that did not happen though and after making a bit I decided it would be a good time to move on.
I have been playing the banjo at all sorts of places including downtown, parks, supermarkets, and malls. I even was able to play inside of a Mall Food Court since I was donating part of my proceeds to the Polaski Hurricane Relief. What a fun way too make a living.
Day by day, I keep beginning to realize my life is being formed as a musician.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
4/14/11 Wilmington, NC
It's an amazing feeling being out in the wilderness all alone, taking in the grace of the mountain. Hopping from one rock to another across a ravine, knowing that one wrong step could mean the last. Turns out my rock climbing abilities are better when my life is on the line. When your on top of this 4 foot rock looming 50 feet high above the mountain ridge with a 360 panoramic view it is a spiritual feeling like no other.
After the Northern Virginia hike, I drove all the way to the east coast back to Hampton, Va to see Rob again and to finally get my wallet back. From Rob's house, I headed off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina which was a great place to visit. It was empty there being only springtime, so I was able to enjoy the beaches and sand dunes mostly to myself. I spent the day there and drove straight to Wilmington.
I spent all of my money getting here so I am going to settle here for the weekend to make some more money. I am loving every bit of my journey and looking forward to working my way out west next month.
It is both passion and fear that compels me to do what it is I do.
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there....
After the Northern Virginia hike, I drove all the way to the east coast back to Hampton, Va to see Rob again and to finally get my wallet back. From Rob's house, I headed off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina which was a great place to visit. It was empty there being only springtime, so I was able to enjoy the beaches and sand dunes mostly to myself. I spent the day there and drove straight to Wilmington.
I spent all of my money getting here so I am going to settle here for the weekend to make some more money. I am loving every bit of my journey and looking forward to working my way out west next month.
It is both passion and fear that compels me to do what it is I do.
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there....
Friday, April 8, 2011
4/8/11 Cumming, Ga
Music is blaring from a local bar in the town of Boca Raton, Florida. Hundreds of people are dancing in the streets. A man dances around shaking mason jars filled with neon green moonshine. A young woman fire dances to the music under the moonlight. There were more hula hoops than I could hope to count. Many others set up in the street selling glass pipes, artwork, and crystals from around the world. Every where you turn you see someone body lighting up a joint or drinking a beer. One fellow teaches on his belief of the Church of Synchronization. A Rastafarian elder steps into your mind and teaches you about the love and pain of the family.
Not one cop would go anywhere near the place no matter how loud it would get.
Then the world slows down and time stops as I realize, its a Wednesday night at 3 a.m.
This is the Furthur after party, in the middle of a shopping center all night until 5 a.m.
The furthur spring tour is over and the past week I have seen and heard things I never thought I would have seen before.
From Binghamton, NY, to Hampton, VA, then Charleston, SC, to Atlanta, Ga, to Orlando, FL and last but not least, Boca Raton, FL. I was able to make my way to each of these shows selling food, drinks, and playing the banjo while coming out of it with extra money. Now I have been dropped off in Cumming, Ga to hang out with friends and family for a day before I hitch hike over to Asheville, NC to catch a Widespread Panic show to vendor and then off to my truck in Virginia. Following tour is not easy. There is no such thing as sleep, there are only naps when you can fit them in. Each night your driving 8+ hours to the next show.
It was very relaxing to be able to sleep on the beach in south Florida and to watch the sunrise over the coast. It is a fun life but also a crazy one, I am looking forward to getting back to my truck and back to reality.
Friday, April 1, 2011
4/2/11 Heading to Charleston, SC
Here I am sitting it a diesel, wooden rigged, food truck on the way to the Furthur show in Charleston, SC. The show in Hampton was incredible! Despite having a ticket that was for the back balcony, (for $60 you would think I would at least be allowed to be on the floor.) I worked my way to front and center for this show. It was a very relaxing and also upbeat show at the same time. Some of the laid back songs including He's Gone, and an awesome Weather Report Suite. I was blown away by China Cat Sunflower into Shakedown Street. Then afterwards, they played Good Lovin'>Fool in the Rain>Good Lovin' which was great to hear a Led Zeppelin cover thrown in. After the show I stood outside with a sign asking for a ride to the next show in Charleston without any luck. I ended up running into the original people who got me started on the Furthur tour, Brittany, Kevin, and Phil. They were selling food when I got there and offered to give me the ride to South Carolina while I offered 20 bucks for gas. We all jam packed inside of the car and set off to pick up my gear at Rob's house. While grabbing my gear inside Rob's house drama kept stirring in the truck and before I threw my gear inside of the truck, Kevin was throwing his gear out.
Then off he went, goin' down the road feeling bad, and then Brittany threw her stuff all over Rob's yard getting out also. No matter how much you have been drinking, if you are leaving a ride to sit in the middle of nowhere, It is probably not the greatest idea. Brittany and Kevin were the ones who originally got me started on tour so it was weird them just leaving Phil's truck and me just hopping in since they were my connection with Phil.
Anyways, there was not much else to do but hit the road down south to South Carolina which brings me to where I am right now, sitting in the passenger seat of the rigged up food vendor truck for Furthur. With Kevin leaving about an hour ago, I offered to help Phil sell food for the shows for the next week. Make a little bit of money, listen to alot of music, try to keep away from alot of drugs, and meeting all kinds of characters along the way.
My my, what a long, strange trip it's going to be. Hope my truck is ok in that Walmart parking lot in VA.
-Tyler Rice
Then off he went, goin' down the road feeling bad, and then Brittany threw her stuff all over Rob's yard getting out also. No matter how much you have been drinking, if you are leaving a ride to sit in the middle of nowhere, It is probably not the greatest idea. Brittany and Kevin were the ones who originally got me started on tour so it was weird them just leaving Phil's truck and me just hopping in since they were my connection with Phil.
Anyways, there was not much else to do but hit the road down south to South Carolina which brings me to where I am right now, sitting in the passenger seat of the rigged up food vendor truck for Furthur. With Kevin leaving about an hour ago, I offered to help Phil sell food for the shows for the next week. Make a little bit of money, listen to alot of music, try to keep away from alot of drugs, and meeting all kinds of characters along the way.
My my, what a long, strange trip it's going to be. Hope my truck is ok in that Walmart parking lot in VA.
-Tyler Rice
4/1/11 Hampton, Va
Well the furthur how in New York was awesome!!! On my way to New York I spent some time with Chris and Sandy near Scranton, NY. They gave me a ride hitch hiking to NY last summer in July and kept in touch due to facebook. While there I went hiking for a bit with a new friend Angela at the dam and the with the rest of the crew later on in the afternoon. It was great spending time with friends that I felt were new family... Then we got to see furthur together in Binghampton, NY and saw Grarcia Grassman after wards for some awesome bluegrass!!!After NY I headed to Stauton, Va to leave my car for at least a week to hitch hike for a while.
While waking up in the walmart parking lot, I started packing up for my trip and asked my neighbors in an RV if I could borrow a screwdriver to fix my camper shell locks. They lent me the screwdriver and I used it for about twenty minutes then went inside to give the tool back to them in person. I did not find them inside, made myself a sign for the road, and went back out to the car. So I get to my car and these people (older in their 60s) had the nerve to rip open my newly fixed lock and left a nasty note inside my camper shell saying, "Thanks for returning our screwdriver!!! and God is Nature??? God WILL get EVEN with you!!!"
(bumper sticker on my car, God is Nature)
I went up to these older folk and trust me I try to hold the utmost respect always for my elders but I gave them a piece of my mind. I mean was all of that necessary for a $2.00 tool even if I did happen to run off with it?
I could believe God is a spaghetti king that resides in a Model T Ford and that still gives you no right to judge me and be completely ignorant.
It also didn't help that I was pointed in the wrong direction for the highway, so I walked 2 miles with all of my stuff and back 2 miles before I even got started thumbin' it down the road from the state police and a mental hospital.
Hitchiking was very difficult on 64-E. I would be standing at an exit for over an hour and a half waiting for a ride. Luckily though, it did not rain on me once while outside waiting for rides. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to start hitch hiking on a day with 70% chance of rain. Finally I managed to get to Hampton to stay with Rob Pisaniello. Had a good time over at his place with him and Chelsea in Alcohol Haven. This fellow has a full bar filled with liquor and beer stocked in ever fridge. I believe I came to the right place. Today is the Furthur show in Hampton and I am ready and I am also looking forward to seeing Jennie while I am there.
I am so glad I am finally seeing Green! It has been snow everywhere up north so I am looking forward to this southbound trek.
While waking up in the walmart parking lot, I started packing up for my trip and asked my neighbors in an RV if I could borrow a screwdriver to fix my camper shell locks. They lent me the screwdriver and I used it for about twenty minutes then went inside to give the tool back to them in person. I did not find them inside, made myself a sign for the road, and went back out to the car. So I get to my car and these people (older in their 60s) had the nerve to rip open my newly fixed lock and left a nasty note inside my camper shell saying, "Thanks for returning our screwdriver!!! and God is Nature??? God WILL get EVEN with you!!!"
(bumper sticker on my car, God is Nature)
I went up to these older folk and trust me I try to hold the utmost respect always for my elders but I gave them a piece of my mind. I mean was all of that necessary for a $2.00 tool even if I did happen to run off with it?
I could believe God is a spaghetti king that resides in a Model T Ford and that still gives you no right to judge me and be completely ignorant.
It also didn't help that I was pointed in the wrong direction for the highway, so I walked 2 miles with all of my stuff and back 2 miles before I even got started thumbin' it down the road from the state police and a mental hospital.
Hitchiking was very difficult on 64-E. I would be standing at an exit for over an hour and a half waiting for a ride. Luckily though, it did not rain on me once while outside waiting for rides. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to start hitch hiking on a day with 70% chance of rain. Finally I managed to get to Hampton to stay with Rob Pisaniello. Had a good time over at his place with him and Chelsea in Alcohol Haven. This fellow has a full bar filled with liquor and beer stocked in ever fridge. I believe I came to the right place. Today is the Furthur show in Hampton and I am ready and I am also looking forward to seeing Jennie while I am there.
I am so glad I am finally seeing Green! It has been snow everywhere up north so I am looking forward to this southbound trek.
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