When things have gone haywire a call from the fringe can turn things around. 9 p.m. Friday, "Hey, I'm passing through Kremmling. I'm gonna lose you... I went fishing. Are you going to Jesse Sykes tonite? You gotta go. Saw the Fox Theatre show yesterday. Can you still hear me? You're on the guest list. Tape it... bye." I decided to go, then boiled water for coffee. My gear was already packed. All I needed was Jeff's call to get me out the door.

Pulled into an open parking spot just behind Jesse's van. Went in the lounge and saw my friend Jim Beam at the bar, so we had a cool drink together. I moved toward the stage when Matt Boyer began his set and happened to end up next to Jesse Sykes. She remembered me from her recent Red Rocks show. We exchanged hellos and small talk. Her sweet halo turns any funk to blue skies.

Off in the shadows I recognized the wild haired silhouette of Conor. I moved that direction and he smiled. Why this genius youngster even talks to an old mule like me is fuzzy. Our motley group headed for the patio to talk away till we heard The Sweet Hereafter sound check. I was leisurely whirling, ready to hear one of my favorite bands on the last true day of Fall cause the first snow was on the horizon.

Jesse's voice will stop you in your tracks and Phil Wandscher's guitar then kicks your chest... resuming a heartbeat. Each time I hear Phil Wandscher play his chord structures are more intricate. Boggles my mind to watch/hear his riffs. His realm surpasses Ryan Adams, Jay Farrar and maybe even Tweedy. It confuses me more people are not aware of his musical achievement since leaving Whiskeytown in 1997. Tonight the weave of this 4 person band came closer into focus for me. The influential drive of Bill Herzog's bass plus backing vocals caught my attention. I mean on the recorded material I hear these harmonizing vocals and turns out it's drummer Eric Eagle and Bill Herzog. I would have never expected it. This group is the best kept secret of the present scene and confirms that the Seattle area is the musical center of the earth (with Colorado ties) Thanks for that phone call Jeff!

Today the snow hit. The icy slide drive north to Boulder was worth it for the conversation. A sporadic cloud of meds combined with a 2 week hiatus hung over the studio and from my vantage the intoxitive bantering of Ukulele Loki and Uncle Jeff was humorous as well as normal. No corporate gloss within miles of this crew. Supportive phone calls and a surprise visit from Max with Jesse Sykes photos moved time too fast.

A routine Rio brunch allowed for a complete catchup on recent events. The drive home was smooth sailing. Don't let that negative funk pull you down... get out to see some shows this week.