well, what can i say, i really enjoyed my trip to MN,I am always looking at the concert dates etc, any excuse to travel etc, but dates look really thin on the ground for 2012 so far, the economy sucks, so lets hope it gets better, otherwise, they will stop touring and will find it hard to re-start etc.

I just love going to the concerts, it blows my mind every time, all the guys really do not understand what its all about really, i feel so humble to be doing it. When I was a small boy in London, just left high school at 16 years old (1979), i worked locally for a shipping company, always liked my music, so i used to go everyday during my lunch break to this record store and just listen to all the new stuff and too read all the album covers etc, the guy in the shop would always play stuff for me, so one day in there, i heard this great tune and asked what it was, he said "Some American band called Spyro Gyra, Never heard of them", but a funky cover etc, so we both listened to the rest of that side and I liked what i heard and bought the ALBUM straight away, that was it, hooked. well, that was the start, so every time the new albums came out, i bought etc, they would play every year here in London, so i went etc. Over time, the concerts started to be every two/three years or so, till the last time they played in London around 1995.

I was getting a little frustrated now, at lack on concerts, so i thought, why not go overseas to see them, so i had a look at the website and it was always USA, with a few other european, one offs etc.

So i decided to go to America and see them, so I picked a round CT/NY week, think it was in October, maybe, march even, cannot remember which year though, maybe 1998 ??? and did five concerts in six days, in high schools in Rochester, Buffalo, a Small theatre in TarryTown, and finally two nights at Scullers in Boston, that was it, I proper enjoyed the trip and even got to meet the boys very quickly for about two mins, they must have thought that i was just a Brit, who lived in New York, they did not realise, i had actually travelled over from the UK specially for the concerts, it was my boyhood dream complete, but the best was to come, in Boston, They made every effort to make me welcome, they were amazed that i would travel 3600 miles to see them and I got to hang with them before/during the concert, WOW, they even gave me a mention in the concert, I was Soooo blown away, seeing my band in there own country and just chilling with me, superb

So now every year, I go do concerts, usually come to US for three visits to do concerts and visit friends at same time, proper trips, though some of my friends have endured the gigs to many times etc, my credit card also needs a holiday as well,

I like to try visit as many places as possible, I have lost count of the amount of concerts i have actually done, i never really counted in first place etc, though I still have plenty I want to do in the future, many times i have done the concerts without actually speaking to any of the guys, just slipped in and out afterwards etc,

I really wanted to do the seattle jazz Alley thing and and the Hollywodd Bowl thing this year, but no dosh (London lingo for money) i would also like to do, some of the old music theatre stuff in small town America again, i really enjoy these, small intermit venues with real people, I do not go for the more up market stuff like the Dakota really, old music halls and bars, my kind of scene, genuine, good hard working people.

I have done loads of the dinner/music stuff, some people just talk business or are on a date, they have no passion for the music or night etc, ask my friends in MN, they cannot believe my passion, I just love to drink brandy and go pub hopping, then go to concert etc.

$15.00 high school fund raisers or $20 small theatres have the best atmosphere, packed houses and a buzz etc, you get people, who listened to the band from old, just reconnecting after years away etc, the vibe is brilliant, i cannot understand sometimes, how little some Americans hold the band, in this country, they are "Superstars", the band now it as well, when they go overseas and play infront of packed houses, they get a buzz and play even better.

Anyway, that's enough from me,

Keep me in your loop of what concerts you will be going to, as i may even join you on the road somewhere,

Here's to true Road Scholars,


Take care, Relax and Enjoy Life,

Paul Roberts

Thanks for sharing, Paul. Not much happens close to me, but when it does, I'll post a message on the board.

I'll be seeing the band at Yoshi's in Oakland tonight-- been awhile for me so I am really excited to see them .. a little sad Bonnie won't be there as I never managed to get to see the band with him ... just never lined up schedule wise.

I'll report back to the gang later!
Jim