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30.04.2005 -
We have just
been told to wait on the tarmac here in at the airfield outside NY
because of a one hour delay for landing in Washington DC. It’s a
strange feeling sitting in a small plane just waiting to go. This is
comparable to the wait before we go on stage. All is calm and then
suddenly we take off and go to another energy level. It is also an
opportunity for me to write to all of you which I have been putting
off for a while now. Reason being I have too little and too much to
say. Confusing I know.
Ah, here we go. Pilot has given the go ahead and we are on the runway.
Now I have something to say. The rush I get every time we take off in
this little rocket is quite something. It makes me feel like I am
going somewhere. We are on a mission today which is a show in Fairfax,
Virginia (Hi Irene). You may ask why this show worth mentioning? The
answer is because it is the most important one of the tour. And why
you may ask again. Because if it isn’t I quit. Confused? Well this is
how it is for me and it’s the only way I can do this job. Every day is
the most important day regardless of where we are. (NY looks beautiful
today from where I look). We are coming to the end of another long
tour. What I love about working with Sting is the lack of
sentimentality as we draw closer to the end. He also sees how each day
is as important as any other. I am sure he will have some changes to
make to the set when we arrive at the sound check. Why bother you may
ask. Same answer as above. This band is like a well oiled machine that
sounds better than any Harley, Mustang, Ferrari (except maybe the
Harley V-Rod... I will explain later). It goes faster, can go slowly
with grace and simply rocks.
So what now? I have to go home and live my life with my children,
wife, greengrocer, post office, church and just be local. I need to
stop moving and be... normal. I need to go shopping for food, see my
sisters, listen to their stories, get involved with their lives, do
some community service and just be a normal member of society. This is
what I envy in most of you. You look at my life and think wow. I look
at yours and think the same. But let’s be honest for a second. Mine
isn’t too shabby. Even though I have what I still consider to be the
best job in the world let’s talk about the price for a second. Take a
look at my private photo album which has pictures of my family,
friends, loves etc. There’s the price. I have been away most of their
lives and they have been without me just so I can get my rocks off as
a musician. So Fairfax is VERY important today. Am I complaining?
Certainly not. This is what I asked God for and have been dreaming of
doing since I was about eleven (I used to practice with a tennis
racket in front of the mirror. Then I had to learn to play the notes).
I am still learning and improving. I love being a musician. Music is a
language I can express myself with and my means of communication.
I don’t have any funny stories for this newsletter I am afraid. Sure
there have been many but I wanted to let you know where I am on a
deeper level. There is no doubting this leg has had its wonders and we
are not done yet. This is why there is too much to say. Back to the
bike for a second. When I was in Denver a friend drove me to Boulder
where I passed a Harley Davidson store. I saw a V-Rod and nearly
fainted with pleasure. This is the most beautiful object I have ever
seen on wheels. I want one. Only trouble is I can’t ride a bike. I
love the look of Harleys and everything that goes with them. I have
the boots, jacket, t-shirts, bandana (not worn since my 80`s heavy
rock days... best not go there) and countless stickers. Now I feel
ready for the full on mid-life crisis on two wheels.
This tour wouldn’t have been what it was without the connection I have
enjoyed with many of you. You know who you are and I have loved
meeting you at shows. I hope you continue to take an interest in my
little journey because I promise I am going to get better at this and
come up with some good work in the future. You deserve the best from
me. This is my calling and I accept the challenge. I will go as far as
is necessary to reach as deep in my soul as possible to find something
meaningful to say that might strike a chord in your lives. To you, to
God and to my children.
We are touching down in DC now and I am ready to take this task on. My
new commitment starts today in Fairfax, Virginia.
Finally, I want to share with you something I have been looking
forward to saying to my wife (even though she is with me now) when I
get home, and mean it. "Honey I’m home".
Love,
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