It’s taken me a couple of weeks to synthesize the experiences we had in Belgium on tour this October. I tried a narrative approach and it was so long, I thought you might be bored with all the details. . . so instead, I decided to contain this blog in my top 5 favorites . . . Enjoy!
1. What’s Goin’ On – Belgian Culture –
Belgium is a country after my own heart. I don’t care if it doesn’t have a government or
2. The Consumables.
3. Conrad De Mûelenaere & Family – Our beloved host
4. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me. . visit a show in Belgium-
Part I. The Venues. Hats off to Conrad. He was incredibly creative in his booking work for this tour. We had ten performances in 13 days. Our first show was a traditional house concert at Conrad’s daughter, Nel’s in Gent. Second show, we sat in at a festival with Lightnin Guy the third was at Stone Man’s juke joint- totally off the grid. Fourth show was at Kathy Dobbel’s sweet yoga studio, the fifth at a garden party at a professional gardener’s home, the sixth at a bookstore/Book Signing, the seventh at a restaurant/bar called Ulysses near the North Sea, the eighth at a pub, ninth at a biker bar under a motorcycle and the tenth was at the famous Banana Peel, Belgium’s most celebrated blues and jazz club
Part II. The Audiences. Okay, so we have only toured in Belgium ONCE and that was in the winter of 2008 and for a very short run. Our experience, however was the same if not better during this trip. Imagine walking into a venue, home or private concert area, being greeted by dozens of new faces who have never heard of you before and yet, completely respect and appreciate what you’re sharing with them. Your language isn’t their first or even second language, but where translation is lost in words, it is made up in emotion. They get it. They acknowledge its value. They greet you with smiles and stories and want to take your albums home with them. They even show up in other venues during the next weeks, write about your tour and turn their friends onto your music. What sometimes takes months and even years in the US in terms of fan/artist relations happened in Belgium in two weeks.
5. Creative Magnets. . .
We had some really unique opportunities to interact with writers, photographers
There were videos and photos shot at all the shows. There were so many sweet moments! One of the sweetest ones was our final gig with the band at the Banana Peel. Here’s a sweet video of “Nothin Gonna Take my Love” with us, and Steven de Bruyn on guest harmonica.
And if you want to see more pics, here’s a photo album of shots we took during the tour. . .
Salutjes!
I’m glad you (and Chad) had such a great time in my ‘little’ country ! It was a pleasure seeing you perform at Nel’s place, and I’m looking forward to another concert. Sadly I couldn’t make it to any of the other 9 performances 🙁 ….
I really enjoy reading your book! Your stories about how songs ‘happen’ are inspiring to me. Keep it up and thumbs up to Conrad, who really is a gentleman and a perfect host!
Its like the start of every other rocky Movie!!!It looks back at his career!!! thats what it its man!!!sorry cant be any more help!!