Bobby Long Begins His Journey in the US, Read His Blog

Hey,
got into new york with a feeling of relief that i managed to get into
America. You always worry their gonna turn you away and somehow find large
masses of crack cocaine in your pockets that some hippy transvestite
planted their. Im glad to say this didn't happen and the only thing in my
pockets were a few british coins and a fountain pen.
We arrived at this hotel called the Waldorf Astoria. Its a big gothic
building that doesn't usually home the likes of myself, a student trying to
sing a few songs with a bag of dirty clothes. As my manager stepped up to
the counter and got our key i kept my hood up and didn't look the girl in
the eye just in case. In case of what i dont now?, but we got in to our
14th floor room and met the lovely people we were staying with. Its ironic
now three days later with a suit on my back i feel like ive been here
forever and regularly chat to the guy on the door about the weather and how
some taxis are quicker than others. Its gonna be a change going back to the
student flat with my favourite band "The Spivs".
We wondered around in the evening and went to times square which makes
Leceister Square look like pitch and put at a local fair ground and we ate
and i havnt needed to eat again. Portions of food hit the table like lead
weights and glasses of drinks refilled at every sip. I think explains why
Americans are so positive. The glass is neither half empty or half full its
always full and if you can buy a meal you either eat it all and your sorted
for the week or you take the remains in a doggy bag and after your fill you
could probably feed the rest of your family.
WE walked to central park and saw strawberry fields. I didnt really feel
any emotion there and then mainly due to the fact that its hard getting
something from a piece of work on the floor while being surrounded by
cameras. As we walked to the Dakota another really beautiful Gothic
building where Lennon was shot the temperature and atmosphere slowed down and
dampened and a surge of waste hit me in the face and didnt require me to
hang around to long.

The next day was filled with meetings with Entertainment weekly and record
people who were all lovely and whenever we left the building you felt a new
excitment that you are in New york. It really gives wind to your sails and
you want to endlessly wonder down roads with your head up looking at the
beautifully crafted buildings and hear all the ranges of sounds that make
up the street. i think i early died about 15 times by cabs as unlike London
they dont slow down. my manager must have saved my life a dozen times too
and for that i owe him alot and so do any children i have in the future.
The weird thing was i kinda got into the fact that i was taking on a New
york Taxi Cab and it turned into a roller-coaster type effect. Ive stopped
playing this game now cos i got to bump into edward Norton at a Mary
Mcbride gig and it made me realise that there is more to life. Mary Mcbride
has the most beautiful female voice i have ever heard and she did a cover
of a hank Williams song that was one of the best things ive ever seen live.
The first gig at the Lakeside was great. People got their extra early and
their was a miss-communication between me and the venue to what time i was
playing so im really sorry i wasnt pulling a diva type strop or anything
like that just made the honest mistake of not clicking save on my myspace
page while sticking the new time in. Im really sorry but it kinda turned
the show into a rowdy country gig like on blues brothers and people were
really nice and sang along.

The lovely people at Gibson have lent me the most beautifully crafted
guitar for the tour. Its a sunburst j200 and i would advise anyone getting
one. Im not gonna let it go back to Gibson without a fight and i feel it
fits me and what i do perfectly. For those who dont no its the one on the
Dylan album Nashville Skyline.

THe gig at Arlene's Grocery was perhaps the greatest moment of my life. I
played two sets and each one went beautifully, like when you go for a walk
and dont end up coming home for six hours as everything seems to fall about
you and tempt you one step further. Loads of people came down like Mary
Mcbride and the lovely pairing of Nona Hendryxs and Vicky Wickham who have
done alot for me already. I felt like i had arrived in america and was
doing what i want to do until i die. Business wise things are great and
Craig Bruck from ICM who represent Neil Young and they are now part of the
team behind me and i couldn't be happier.

See you in Nashville and ill write more soon and tell you all about the
great time I had in LA.

Bobby Long