Sorry Ive been so lax with the news page--the "boys in the band" and I have been busy booking a northeast tour. Actually, busy isn't the word---totally immersed would be more like it!!

Our initial idea was to try to get some college shows--I made copies of press (reviews,etc.), packed, addressed and mailed 85 or so "kits" to every stinking college I could think of (in the northeast) and then started calling. Well, there is NO getting through to the person you need--since these things are run by students, there isn't a person who is at a phone M-F, 9-5. You just keep calling and calling and HOPING maybe someone has dropped in between classes!! Unbelievable. Finally after about two weeks of total frustration I said "well lets switch gears and call clubs". We started calling clubs around 9/23 and finished booking the tour last Thursday. Not bad, but again-copies for press kits, put them together, address them, make tapes ( I made over 70 tapes!!), back and forth to the post office and printer---what a horrifying task. When we finished with the booking I then had to start sending out promo stuff (can't rely on the club / promoter to do that). Once again--printer, post office, make tapes, look up radio and newspaper for each town, address the damn packages, post office, post office, post office!!! I've seen more of the damn postal guys then I have of my kids for the last 2 weeks!! But today I FINISHED! I guess you could say "quit your bitchin", but damn, it is the most frustrating task--nobody calls you back, you call the same place 15 times before you catch the booker (he's not in today, he just left, try again later, try tomorrow, etc etc etc). These clubs get so many damn tapes and packages that they don't even look at the pile--the Rolling Stones could've sent them something and they wouldn't know it!! But I guess if I want to have the fun of touring I have to go through the hell of booking. So I'll stop bitching about it---for now.

Our August tour went VERY well--even in Nashville! We had a great time at the children's cd release party in Atlanta and spent a day in Clay Harper's Studio. We did a beautiful version of the song Lou, John and I performed at the Hall of Lame induction--it's called "Last Night" and is about Sterl. I had written lyrics and Matt, Greg, Sluggo and I wrote the music in the studio. Im very happy with it. We only played 6 shows, but each one was really excellent. We played at a place in Milwaukee (the Cactus Club) where I hadnt played before and I highly recommend it---great people (club owners), nice place, great audience. Victor DeLorenzo and his band also played that night.

The next children's cd is ready to roll. It's called The Slippery Ballerina (that's me!) and I guess I'll do my part within the next month or two.

I must have more news--it HAS been 2 1/2 months!! Let's see---- we got a new restaurant in Douglas--Ruby Tuesday's. Pretty snappy! I'm sure you'll all be glad to know that Yanni has fully recovered from the heartworms thing.

My daugther Kate and a friend of hers went to Memphis to see (gag) Page and Plant last weekend. A lovely woman at Atlantic records got tickets for her, by the way. So thanks, Marni!! Anyway, Kate stayed with Lorette Velvette-the woman who sings with the Kropotkins (among other doings) and Lorette alerted Kate to the fact that BO was going to be playing the next day in Memphis. Needless to say, Kate and her friend went to see him and were THRILLED! She has been hearing Bo since she was brought home from the hospital but had never seen him live.

Oh--good news---I'm going to be on a panel at the CMJ convention in NYC on Nov 5th. This is delightful news because that means that I will get a free pass ($350!!!) and can schmooze all day with College Radio / College Booking types. I hate to schmooze, but-----. In fact I'm extremely bad at it, so I asked if I could have two passes so that one of my band guys (Matt) can also get in. They very nicely agreed. So wish me luck-maybe I can crack the college concert circuit FINALLY!! The panel is titled "All By Myself: True Indie Lablels" and will be held at 10:30 - 11:45 A.M. at the Millennium Hotel, 145 W 44th St, room 508. The panel has four other people on it who run their own labels and they/we will discuss the ups and downs of same. There will be a question and answer period at the end.

Can't think of anything else that might be considered "newsworthy". Pretty dull around here, hmm? All you people in the Northeast check the tour dates!!!