I write this from the most familiar of settings: a Wal-Mart parking lot. We're in Elyria, OH just outside Cleveland although the 'where' is less important to us these days than the 'when'. Each of us can vouch that Wal-Mart parking lots look frighteningly similar no matter what city you're in. We're particularly fond of the 'Supercenter' variety since they're generally open 24 hours a day and allow overnight RV parking. That way we can shop and use the facilities at any hour of the day. If you're wondering why we're 'just outside Cleveland' the answer is simple: we happened to find the ONE Wal-Mart Supercenter that doesn't actually allow overnight parking of any kind. We were, in fact, kicked out. The security guards were nice enough, but seemingly over-equipped sporting what looked to be holstered firearms and bullet-proof vests. Maybe we mis-judged that area of town, or maybe someone's on a very serious power trip...either way we find Elyria quite suitable. We may also be heading back into Cleveland to rock a show tonight. While we await word from our contact, we plan to sit here, enjoy the rain and watch a movie or three.
I suppose being asked to leave that parking lot in Cleveland could be considered tribulation, but our challenges and adversity has come in all shapes and sizes on this tour. Our bus trouble has been well-documented. Our hearts all ache equally and long for home. We've all had the sniffles, sore throats and what we've lovingly referred to as 'tour cough'. Financially, touring is a challenge to say the least. Trying to fund a home life and a road life simultaneously is daunting. Each of these tribulations, though, has given way to triumph. The three of us have learned more on this tour than we ever imagined and admittedly many of the triumphs were unexpected.
Watching our fanbase grow has been both pleasing and surprising. Hearing people's reactions to our music was almost completely shocking. Those who've purchased our latest record have been verbal and effusive. Some people have claimed that 7k is their new favorite band. (gulp) Wow! Another unexpected triumph was having to re-route the end of our tour to include another performance at Scatz in Madison, Wisconsin. Many of you know how special Madison is to me, being my hometown and all, but being asked back ON THIS TOUR is huge. Rick, the owner, enjoyed our performance there last month and asked us to fill the opening slot for a national act (Midnight to Twelve) this Friday. Establishing a relationship with a guy like Rick at an AMAZING venue like Scatz will have impact on the rest of our career. As I've said before, Scatz is essentially Madison's answer to the House of Blues. It is a venue we WILL return to dozens and dozens of times. Talk about unexpected....WOW! Another genuinely unexpected triumph came in the form of wide-spread interest. We interfaced with over 200 colleges during our three NACA conferences on this tour and dozens have already started drawing up contracts to have us perform at their school next year. We're already slated to open for another national act (Safety Suit) at a number of Spring shows on the East Coast. Each of us has been greatly impacted by this tour and it is certainly time to return to our beloved California. Fittingly, it will mark '...the End' of our tour (just a bit of 7k humor for ya).
Heading through upstate New York, through Erie, Pennsylvania and along Lake Erie into Cleveland we realized that for the very first time on this tour, we were traveling West FOR GOOD this time. Every other time the compass read 'W' we knew we'd eventually be retracing our paths to find ourselves in another Eastern city and then another and another. Well, not this time. We are inching homeward. The only steps we retrace now are the steps we took to get this far from home. Our smiles widen while we lick our chops, ready to rock Madison again and hit the road trekking Westward. We'll be home to enjoy the holidays with our loved ones and then it'll be time to plan the next tour and the next. 7k has changed forever but we're still the same, I promise.
Until next time...
Love,
C, J & D
PS- A few other unexpected triumphs:
1. Laughter from Ren & Stimpy DVD box set.
2. Satisfaction from the best coffee on Earth made by Jeff & David.
3. Appreciation for folks in the service industry who are actually good at their job.
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